Julianne Day-Evers

Wonderful & Inspiring!

Reviewed: 06-09-19

I feel inspired to get off my tushy & go outside for an amazing, awe inducing walk or hike. I was pleased to discover that even "glamping" provides many of the same health benefits as packing deep into the back woods.

I have been a strong hiker, back-packer, sky diving river-runner... but the years have taken their toll. I no longer have the young body that afforded me the great pleasures that are inherent with youth & good health. I had given up on ever again experiencing the joy & exhuberence I've always felt when I got outside, away from city lights & sounds.

But this book, this author have convinced me that there is a growing body of scientific evidence that proves how beneficial simply being disconnected & outdoors is for both our bodies AND our minds. Apparently, our creativity as well as our hearts (even broken ones) do much better when we take breaks to tune out, turn off & unplug from all the entertaining stimulation that is everywhere when large numbers of people gather & electricity is readily available. She reminded me of the incredible source of renewal & restoration that being outside away from big city lights, noise & distractions, can provide.

Ms. Williams provides a strong arguement, in an amusing & entertaining way, for having the time to spend @ least 3 days/nights away from "the maddening crowd" in order to fully experience the physical & psychological benefits. However, she also indicates that frequent shorter breaks such as a brisk walk almost anywhere at dawn or in a nearby park (the larger the better) @ anytime throughout the day or evening do also provide many benefits. It's worth taking the time to drive far enough outside of a city to escape the lights that keep us from being awed by seeing ALL those stars. It's good to remind ourselves that they are out there every night even when we forget they exist.

There is much beyond our little self-focused lives. Keeping that in perspective is often very difficult when we remain caught up in all our day-to-day crap. Getting outside is possibly the best way there is to shift our focus & broaden our perspective. Spending @ least 3 days outside seems to bring an almost magical catharsis that could even have a lasting effect on our lives. But anytime we can take breaks from our sheltered lives indoors to get outside for a quick restorative walk is, exactly that, restorative.

Thank you, Florence Williams, for not only the reminder that taking breaks outside are good for me, but especially for the enjoyable & personable way you present the scientific evidence that serves to shut up the voice inside my head that is forever telling me I don't have time for that!

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Wonderful.

Reviewed: 05-19-19

Quirky, fun, dry humor that is what one hopes for when selecting a Nora Ephron book. This did not disappoint. Enjoy!

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An adoption story best for youthful audiences.

Reviewed: 03-12-19

For a very specific target audience this is a sweet little story. If I were a young women struggling with fertility issues or in a family who chooses adoption this would be a good library suggestion.
However, for anyone else, it is syrupy sweet to the point of needing insulin to balance the over-the-top depiction of such a picture perfect revelation of acceptance & love.

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2 people found this helpful

Poor recording quality. Not all that funny.

Reviewed: 11-09-18

I didn't finish it. The sound was sketchy at best much of the time. It was as though someone had an old cassette tape recorder & decided to record a bunch of folks hanging out one day. Considering who the "friends" are I expected this to be a lot funnier. It wasn't.

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I'm looking forward to being silly again!

Reviewed: 10-14-18

I can hardly wait to dance & sing & laugh out loud again while not giving a damn about what others think. How incredibly freeing to allow myself to be silly, to not care if others think I'm a fool... Oh, may it be so!

The relief of not worrying about what others think of me will allow me to be me, to be my true authentic self happily singing, "On top of old spaghetti!" first thing in the morning & just laugh @ the strained looks on the faces of those around me.

Oh the thrill of adding the best "slash" of all to the list of who I am: "silly fool" & happy as a clam!

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Another wonderful Nell Sweeney Mystery

Reviewed: 08-21-18

The plot thickens. The love deepens. And, Oh...how parting is such sweet sorrow! Well done!

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It ended way too fast!

Reviewed: 08-11-18

This third book of the Nell Sweeney series is another finely crafted mystery with plenty of twists & turns. P. B. Ryan continues to develop & deepen her primary characters as well as their relationship with one another. I enjoyed the story immensely with my only complaint being that it ended way too quickly. The narration was once again "top notch" & thoroughly enjoyable. Bravo!!

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I love books like this...

Reviewed: 08-01-18

It's been quite some time since I've been so swept up in a story that it carried me completely into a world other than my own. I found Leigh Ryan's reading of this finely crafted tale remarkable. Her ability to shift the tone & rhythm of her voice to portray each of the characters as individuals with his or her own quirks & behaviors was impressive & most enjoyable. I was touched by the love & compassion that developed as relationships grew & deepened and I was on the edge of my seat as all the murderous twists & turns came to a frightening conclusion. I highly recommend this novel &, thus far, the series of which it is part two. I look forward with eager anticipation to the next book & hope my pleasant expectation of another wonderful journey into "Nell's world" will continue to be fully justified.

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Amazing, poignant, evocative, funny, loving...

Reviewed: 01-07-18

There are not enough superlatives to describe this book. What an incredible life Trevor Noah has had. Such wisdom is packed into this 33 yr old man! When you hear his story you'll understand why. I strongly recommend LISTENING to this book. HEAR Trevor tell you HIS story. Learn about South Africa in a way that is personal, heart rending & vibrant. Hear the incredible respect, admiration & love that he has for the woman who made him such a remarkable young man. I laughed, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat with my heart in my mouth...and now I look forward to starting @ the beginning & hearing it all over again. This time, I'll go more slowly & savor it while sharing it with my husband.

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