Review: A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Below is the review from my first reading. An actual paper book. This time it was the Audible version. I didn’t realize I had read it before. Rob McQuay’s narration was brilliant! I enjoyed this read as if it were my first time, obviously.

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I haven’t felt this way about a book in a while. I wanted it to continue. Bill Bryson wrote with such a light touch that you felt you were walking beside him. I loved how he threw in well-researched information not only about the AT but about the ecology and history of people.

I may want to read this again someday, so I will have to go out and buy my own copy. This one is a BookCrossing copy that will soon find someone else to thrill. 297-4877803 To find out where it lands.

[Passed to TangoDream:]

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Review: Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military by Neil deGrasse Tyson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

War is not my thing. Often it feels like the author is trying to tell us we need a war if we want to explore space or see new inventions. But it is the opposite of that. He has researched points to prove this is how it has always been, and, please hang on until the end of the book, he has some answers as well researched and thought out of how we can improve our lives, save us from global warming and other imminent disasters, and finally space travel for good not evil. Yes, I prefer Star Trekking to Star Warring.

I could listen to Neil deGrasse Tyson all night. In fact, the other night, I did just that. His voice is soothing, and his articulation is precise. I’m not a scientist or a historian, but I felt this wasn’t over my head.

I highly recommend this book, especially the audio. I picked this up on Libby, a great place to read for free! Libraries are the greatest!

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Review: The Woman With the Cure by Lynn Cullen

The Woman With the Cure by Lynn Cullen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever wondered about the vaccines for polio? I remember lining up for shots in grade school. I think those were for smallpox, where they left a big scar by poking your arm repeatedly. Then we went to another school as a district to get sugar cubes. We had already gotten shot for polio, but I guess we needed the other one, too. What do I know? I was a kid.

This book was good as it gave me more of a history of the polio vaccines. We get to know the scientists. We meet the woman who might have had the most to do with this nearly sacred health benefit of baby boomers.

Hillary Huber (Narrator) made this story come to life. She played each character with distinction.

The author wrote a good story though it was full of duplication. The most annoying for this pianist was hearing Moonlight Sonata mentioned repeatedly. I don’t mind it as a piece. I love playing it, but there had to be other pieces of music you could have thrown into the story.

Overall, it was a good story to listen to.

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Review: The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews

The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If you like a romantic tale of the victorian era, Mimi Matthews has written one for you. Not for me. And though Lydia Hanman (Narrator) did a good job reading for her part, Vidish Athavale was horrible. I always hate males doing female parts. He didn’t even do well for the male he was supposed to portray. But then he tried to read for his counterpart, which threw the whole story.

It just wasn’t my kind of story. But I thank Libby for letting me read it.

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Review: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

People who believe they are ignorant of nothing have neither looked for, nor stumbled upon, the boundary between what is known and unknown in the universe.”
– Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Though I felt like a total ignorant fool while listening to this book, I thoroughly loved it. I listened to this man’s great voice at my bedtime read. Neil deGrasse Tyson keeps the subject educating while inserting enough humor to keep a person listening.

I think this would be a good book to own while listening to the Audible remember to take notes and get ready to research like crazy.

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The Orphan’s Mother by Marion Kummerow

The Orphan’s Mother by Marion Kummerow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I hated to end the reading or listening to this book. Sarah Durham narrated the story with all the acting skills needed to do the many parental and child voices. She managed the German and Polish names and words; at least, I thought they sounded right. It is one of the reasons I love Audiobooks so much. Other languages, if read by my voice and eyes, would probably be wrong.

I love books about women during the wars. You know there must have been situations like this. There must be even now with COVID19 orphans, earthquake orphans, etc. The news rarely brings the stories to life. But people get misplaced and have to survive somehow.

This is more than just one mother. Watching all the moving parts turn the story deeper and deeper is intriguing. Amazing writing!

My only objection is the missing parts of the orphan’s life. I wanted more.

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Review: A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell

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A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Juliet Stevenson (Narrator) kept this story alive. I felt I was right in the moment with Virginia Hall as she attempted to end the war on her own, seeing that few men could do what this poor, disabled woman could.

This book was written very well. I often find nonfiction biographies boring and stilted. The author was able to write this with the urgency of a fictional spy thriller.

In this day of women losing rights, this will strengthen your determination to keep everyone free. This was a true American who happened to be a woman. Please read it if you have the chance.

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Review: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As much as I love all the Outlanders, this may be my favorite. The sad part is that the next book isn’t ready to read. So now I am floundering with Diana Gabaldon’s novellas. And Davina Porter makes Ms. Gabaldon’s writing shine!

Don’t let it scare you; think honey, not stingers. Bees do play a part in telling this story. My takeaway is to always talk to the bees; they want to know.

As with the rest of the series, this book is educational about the American Revolution. It is inspirational as I long to read and research our history to know more than I learned in school. It proves my point that the student will feel curious if you throw in a bit of magic.

Ah, but, Diana, why did you have to leave this on a cliff? Especially knowing that it would be ages until your perfected sequel (as opposed to the Game of Thrones hurried ending by someone else.) But it wasn’t a high cliff, so I’ll tolerate it knowing our heroes will be safe somehow and once again save the day.

I love, love, love all the lessons the Frasiers and friends have to teach us and can’t wait for more.
If you get the chance, please listen to these books in audio form as Davina Porter brings the story to life.

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Review: Midnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could by Adam Schiff

Midnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could by Adam Schiff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Midnight in Washington was not a good book to read before going to sleep. It was a Libby (library) audio in the author’s voice, so I wanted to neither keep myself awake on reliving the horror of January 6th or miss parts of the story by falling asleep as the recording continued. So I settled on listening while busy with my hobbies, keeping my hands busy but my mind engaged in the reading.

I saw the author, Adam Schiff, on several talk shows and knew I wanted to hear his account of what had happened. I was surprised and pleased to see he included an autobiography. Meaning you were seeing what happened from his point of view.

I felt the book was honest and fair to others as it occurred to the author.

It is interesting having read this before the hearings we are listening to today. I feel more engaged and understand more. I highly recommend this book, especially in Adam Schiff’s calming voice.

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday, Trail/Trial and the History of Cataract Surgery – EyeWiki

I have been curious since surgery. I found myself heading down the scientific history trail. I’m sure as most medical discoveries, there had been errors and trials

But think for a moment having cataract surgery before the American Revolution. Even if Clair Frazer did the operation, lack of good anesthetic and machines to help guide her hands, it would be terrifying.

My grandfather had the operation in the 1970s. The silicone tacos weren’t used yet. He had to put in contacts every day. He was in his 90s.

For more information check out the link below.

https://eyewiki.aao.org/History_of_Cataract_Surgery

2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley! https://www.quaintrevival.com/.
To learn more about Linda’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday click here.