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SFPL_danielay's Completed Shelf
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Added Jun 11, 2021
Added Mar 17, 2021
Comment:
Not what I had expected after having read several of Robert Macfarlane's books but a joy to read nonetheless. It is not a straightforward account of nature or landscape but a meditation on two distinct places that he wrote about in a more traditional way in "The Wild Places." The writing, expecially the first part, about the Orford Ness, reminded me of the Area X trilogy of Jeff VanderMeer whereas the second one really drove home the point how landscape can connect us with people we have lost.Not what I had expected after having read several of Robert Macfarlane's books but a joy to read nonetheless. It is not a straightforward account of nature or landscape but a meditation on two distinct places that he wrote about in a more…
Exploding Stars and Invisible PlanetsExploding Stars and Invisible Planets, BookThe Science of What's Out There
by Watson, FredBook - 2019
Added Jan 29, 2021
Comment:
Australian astronomer Watson takes readers on a tour of the universe, starting with a sunset and ending with the cosmic background radiation. Written in a conversational and accessible style, the book reads like a chat with an astronomer over a glass of beer or cup of tea but doesn't skimp on scientific facts.Australian astronomer Watson takes readers on a tour of the universe, starting with a sunset and ending with the cosmic background radiation. Written in a conversational and accessible style, the book reads like a chat with an astronomer over a…
Added Jan 29, 2021
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This book is like a stroll through San Francisco with a knowledgeable friend. In very short paragraphs Ponsi captures much of the character of the city and entices the reader to go out on a journey of discovery or re-discovery of their own.
Added Jan 29, 2021
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Many books on the history of life on earth deal plants in only a cursory fashion but the move of plants from the water to dry land had monumental consequences for the planet and life on earth. This book aims to remedy this fact and give due credit to plant life in all its forms.Many books on the history of life on earth deal plants in only a cursory fashion but the move of plants from the water to dry land had monumental consequences for the planet and life on earth. This book aims to remedy this fact and give due credit…
Added Jan 29, 2021
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An isolated island community has to deal with the disappearance of words in this thought-provoking novel. How does a community deal with these losses, e.g. a beautiful rose garden that has to be destroyed once the word "rose" disappears, as well as with the few people who are able to remember the lost things?An isolated island community has to deal with the disappearance of words in this thought-provoking novel. How does a community deal with these losses, e.g. a beautiful rose garden that has to be destroyed once the word "rose" disappears, as well as…
Added Dec 03, 2020
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Even when we try to pay attention, most of what surrounds us escapes our notice. Alexandra Horowitz examines how and to what we pay attention by going on walks with eleven companions - an artist, her toddler son, scientists and a dog among others. She shows how our everyday surroundings can be perceived and explored in many different ways and how even the most ordinary city block holds fascinating secrets.Even when we try to pay attention, most of what surrounds us escapes our notice. Alexandra Horowitz examines how and to what we pay attention by going on walks with eleven companions - an artist, her toddler son, scientists and a dog among others.…
Added Dec 03, 2020
Comment:
An intricate historic mystery set in Elizabethan England. Giordano Bruno, hiding from the Inquisition in England, once again investigates a mystery this time tied to Sir Francis Drake's expedition against Spain. Filled with fascinating historic detail this will delight both history and mystery fans.An intricate historic mystery set in Elizabethan England. Giordano Bruno, hiding from the Inquisition in England, once again investigates a mystery this time tied to Sir Francis Drake's expedition against Spain. Filled with fascinating historic…
Added Dec 03, 2020
Comment:
Follows a group of people's interconnected lives in the aftermath of an epidemic in an unnamed South African town. The mask and glove-wearing is a bit too close to our current Covid-19 reality but the story quickly takes off into more fantastic territory. Highly recommended.Follows a group of people's interconnected lives in the aftermath of an epidemic in an unnamed South African town. The mask and glove-wearing is a bit too close to our current Covid-19 reality but the story quickly takes off into more fantastic…
The Division Bell MysteryThe Division Bell Mystery, eBook
by Wilkinson, Ellen CicelyeBook - 2018
Available
Added May 21, 2020
Comment:
One of the many classic mysteries being reissued right now and definitely one worth discovering. A wealthy and eccentric American businessman is having dinner with the Home Secretary in the House of Commons in London when he is discovered shot shortly after being left alone in the private dining room. Enjoyable not only for the looked room mystery but also for the insights into British parliamentary procedures and the role of women in politics at the time. Written by one of the first women elected to Parliament.One of the many classic mysteries being reissued right now and definitely one worth discovering. A wealthy and eccentric American businessman is having dinner with the Home Secretary in the House of Commons in London when he is discovered shot…
A Million Years in A DayA Million Years in A Day, BookA Curious History of Everyday Life From the Stone Age to the Phone Age
by Jenner, GregBook - 2016
Added Mar 09, 2020
Comment:
A fun yet thoughtful look at the history of some of our daily habits, like time-keeping, beds, teeth-cleaning and clothes and more. The premise is to look at things modern humans do over the course of a day from getting up in the morning to setting their alarm clocks before going to bed. If exploring ancient dentistry or the history of making alcoholic drinks from whatever was around sounds interesting to you, give this book a try.A fun yet thoughtful look at the history of some of our daily habits, like time-keeping, beds, teeth-cleaning and clothes and more. The premise is to look at things modern humans do over the course of a day from getting up in the morning to setting…
The Forest UnseenThe Forest Unseen, BookA Year's Watch in Nature
by Haskell, David GeorgeBook - 2012
All copies in use View detailsView details for The Forest Unseen, Book, All copies in use
Holds: 1 on 2 copies
Holds: 1 on 2 copies
Added Mar 03, 2020
Comment:
Haskell sets himself the task of closely observing a small patch of forest over the course of one year. While he observes the minutiae of change in the world around him, he also meditates on bigger questions and shares his extensive knowledge of the natural world. It's a wonderful book and perfect for anybody who wants a break from the never-ending news cycle and connect with the world around us instead.Haskell sets himself the task of closely observing a small patch of forest over the course of one year. While he observes the minutiae of change in the world around him, he also meditates on bigger questions and shares his extensive knowledge of the…
Added Dec 17, 2019
Comment:
We almost never see them and they look like "potatoes with legs" but this book will teach you some surprising things about moles. How do they know where dig their tunnels in the dark? What is a worm pantry? And how do they breathe underground? Read and find out.We almost never see them and they look like "potatoes with legs" but this book will teach you some surprising things about moles. How do they know where dig their tunnels in the dark? What is a worm pantry? And how do they breathe underground? Read…
Our Spoons Came From WoolworthsOur Spoons Came From Woolworths, Book
by Comyns, BarbaraBook - 2015
All copies in use View detailsView details for Our Spoons Came From Woolworths, Book, All copies in use
Holds: 0 on 1 copy
Holds: 0 on 1 copy
Added Oct 24, 2019
Comment:
This book about a young woman's daily struggle in mid-20th century England, really draws the reader in. As if talking to a friend, Sophia recounts striking poverty, childbirth, and everything around her in such an artless and and matter-of-fact style, that even though it is very bleak it is not without hope. You will soon find yourself rooting for Sophia to find happiness and another shilling for the gas meter.This book about a young woman's daily struggle in mid-20th century England, really draws the reader in. As if talking to a friend, Sophia recounts striking poverty, childbirth, and everything around her in such an artless and and matter-of-fact…
Added Oct 07, 2019
Comment:
I didn't expect much more from this book than a solid historical mystery. This it was but I found myself much more fascinated by the setting - a Liberty ship crossing the Atlantic in a convoy. The cramped, unheated quarters, the constant fear of submarine or aerial attacks and the different attitudes of the passengers and crew really came alive in this book. If you like historical fiction set during World War II, give this one a try.I didn't expect much more from this book than a solid historical mystery. This it was but I found myself much more fascinated by the setting - a Liberty ship crossing the Atlantic in a convoy. The cramped, unheated quarters, the constant fear of…
Added Sep 26, 2019
Comment:
A tennis match between Spanish poet Quevedo and the Italian poet Caravaggio, possibly played with a ball made from Anne Boleyn's hair, interspersed with chapters on the history of tennis, politics, art, the Counter-Reformation and the Spanish conquest of the Aztec empire. If this sounds like a monster of a novel, it is but it is also glorious, exciting and well worth reading.A tennis match between Spanish poet Quevedo and the Italian poet Caravaggio, possibly played with a ball made from Anne Boleyn's hair, interspersed with chapters on the history of tennis, politics, art, the Counter-Reformation and the Spanish…
Added Sep 17, 2019
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The story of a young women accidentally setting free a god and then going on a magical quest is nothing new but then myths and fairy tales rarely are. What makes this novel stand out is the main character, Cassiopeia Tun, who is done being pushed around be it by her family or by the gods and the Mayan mythology setting which many readers may not be familiar with.The story of a young women accidentally setting free a god and then going on a magical quest is nothing new but then myths and fairy tales rarely are. What makes this novel stand out is the main character, Cassiopeia Tun, who is done being pushed…
Added Aug 21, 2019
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Why can most of us describe the color of an apple but not its taste and what exactly is taste? Our taste buds can detect salty, sweet, sour, bitter and umami but clearly that is not all we notice when we eat or drink something. If this intrigues you, Holmes' entertaining deep-dive into the world of flavor is for you!Why can most of us describe the color of an apple but not its taste and what exactly is taste? Our taste buds can detect salty, sweet, sour, bitter and umami but clearly that is not all we notice when we eat or drink something. If this intrigues…
Added Aug 20, 2019
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A unique take on the zombie novel. Instead of heroic humans fighting zombies, we have domesticated crow S.T. and his bloodhound pall Dennis as main characters. They are trying to make sense of what is going on after their human companion's eyeball falls out and he starts behaving strange. Their journey of exploration and search for a healthy human takes them across an increasingly wild Seattle with domestic and wild animals moving into spaces abandoned by humans. Slightly uneven but still an interesting and fun read.A unique take on the zombie novel. Instead of heroic humans fighting zombies, we have domesticated crow S.T. and his bloodhound pall Dennis as main characters. They are trying to make sense of what is going on after their human companion's eyeball…
The History of the Ancient WorldThe History of the Ancient World, BookFrom the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome
by Bauer, Susan WiseBook - 2007
Added Jul 23, 2019
Comment:
Where else would you read about one ruler challenging another by writing him the following letter: “Get rid of the hippopotami at Thebes ...They roar all night, I can hear them all the way up here at Avaris, and their noise is ruining my sleep"? Susan Bauer includes letters such as this and other original texts miraculously preserved through the ages, as well as archaeological finds, myths and legends, traditional chronologies, to provide insights into motivations, thoughts and believes of people from a very long time ago rather than just providing a successions of kings, battles and gods. She succeeds admirably in this erudite and enjoyable history of the ancient world.Where else would you read about one ruler challenging another by writing him the following letter: “Get rid of the hippopotami at Thebes ...They roar all night, I can hear them all the way up here at Avaris, and their noise is ruining my sleep"?…
Added Jul 23, 2019
Comment:
Two story lines thread through this novel, one centered on frontierswoman Nora on a drought-striken farm awaiting her husband's return with much-needed water, the other on former outlaw Lurie criss-crossing the West on his camel (yes, you read that right). Each story could stand on its own but how, if and when these two story lines will meet creates tension and suspense in a not necessarily plot-driven novel. Highly recommended.Two story lines thread through this novel, one centered on frontierswoman Nora on a drought-striken farm awaiting her husband's return with much-needed water, the other on former outlaw Lurie criss-crossing the West on his camel (yes, you read that…
Added Jul 16, 2019
Comment:
Ok, this story of taxidermy and family in Florida is rather weird and if you are squeamish you might not like the guts and gristle descriptions of taxidermy preparation but if you keep with it, it is a rather touching story of family, loss and learning who you are and who you want to be.Ok, this story of taxidermy and family in Florida is rather weird and if you are squeamish you might not like the guts and gristle descriptions of taxidermy preparation but if you keep with it, it is a rather touching story of family, loss and…
Never Home AloneNever Home Alone, BookFrom Microbes to Millipedes, Camel Crickets, and Honeybees, the Natural History of Where We Live
by Dunn, Rob R.Book - 2018
Added Jul 03, 2019
Comment:
In our homes we are never alone. Just like our bodies inside and outside are host to all kinds of bacteria and other living organism, our homes a full of life - most of it not visible with the naked eye. Surprisingly, we, including scientists, know very little about all this life we share our homes with. Dunn is less interested in introducing us to these species but focuses more on explaining why crustaceans in the drinking water are good, why killing cockroaches with pesticides might lead to more cockroaches in the long run and why fighting infections by inoculating babies with bacteria right after birth might make them healthier in the long run. This is all fascinating stuff but depending on your personality type you might end up either buying a new shower head or dreaming about hosting a nest of communal spiders in your kitchen.In our homes we are never alone. Just like our bodies inside and outside are host to all kinds of bacteria and other living organism, our homes a full of life - most of it not visible with the naked eye. Surprisingly, we, including scientists, know…
Added Jun 13, 2019
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A fun summer read. If you liked Lisa Lutz's Spellman Files you might enjoy this. Now I kind of with there really was a school for magicians in Sunol.
Added Jun 11, 2019
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What a book! It took me to places I will never visit and did so in such an erudite and poetic way that I feel privileged to have read it.
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