Jessica

What do you owe your family?

Revisado: 09-30-19

TW: This book covers mental and physical abuse.

Anyone who has had issues with aligning their needs against the desires/beliefs of their family should take the time to listen to this book. By the end of this memoir I was writing down other authors that were mentioned to read next and looking forward to deepening my understanding on the topic of familial obligation in relation to trauma.

This memoir was well written, perfectly performed, and deeply moving.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

for moms

Revisado: 11-10-16

I am child free and found a large portion of this book not to be for me. But I love Amy, I love Smart Girls, and SNL, Parks and Recreation, and so much more that Amy as been a part of. Some of this book is very personal and not very funy just like our own lives. There were times where I struggled to finish and put the book down and didn't come back for a long time. But I did finish and I am glad I did. As a whole this book is entertaining and a wee bit educational. You will learn about relationships, divorces, parenting, and "show business." If that is what you came for you will be hooked on this audiobook.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Enjoyable

Revisado: 10-14-16

Two quotes from the book that I loved, "Was it an escape I was trying to turn into legend?" and, "Stifled by the boredom of it but with nothing useful to say to anyone."
There were times during this book that I was lost in the sensationalism and the colorful writing style. Traveling around the world alone for 4 years is an interesting topic and this book is worth a listen. I will admit it felt put on at times, not like a journal of the journey but like a novel but that did not detract from my enjoyment.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

great hiking book

Revisado: 10-13-16

This book gave me wanderlust, isn't that what good travel novels are meant to do? Gary focuses on the changes he goes through as well as the journey. He fully fleshes out the people he spends time with on the trail as characters as much as possible and gives them life in the 'story' of his time on the AT. I would reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys books about hiking or is looking for motivation for something. Hike your own hike, and happy trails.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

A well researched and funny story

Revisado: 10-13-16

I was surprised how much history and back story was included in the book. Steve Hely comes of as incredibly invested in the world around him and they possible ways it has shaped the people and places he is visiting. This is not a backpackers story, he jumps from place to place in planes, but he takes the time to set up why he is going to each place. Steven explains what drew him there, which author or historic event sparked his interest, or how he met the person he is visiting. I enjoyed this because while educational it was also very entertaining.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Tales of Human Nature

Revisado: 10-26-15

What did you love best about Tales of a Female Nomad?

I love how this story shows us that people are just people, no matter where you go. Rita puts a lot of work into her relationships with people and she gets a lot out that.

What did you like best about this story?

Tales of a Female Nomad goes beyond a travel book in that it's not about getting somewhere, it's about being somewhere with your whole self. She inserts her mind and soul into a place and tries to explain what it feels like to be an outsider learning about a culture. Sometimes she succeeds and sometimes she struggles. In the end the triumph is in the attempt...the will to try and not give up.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I have experienced this moment with many travel based books and it's this realization, the world is not as scary and dangerous as we are led to believe and if you are kind and put the work in to get to know people as they are and accept them they will likely accept you in return.

Any additional comments?

There are moments in this book where Rita takes an anthropological approach to situations that she doesn't want to interfere in personally that can be upsetting to some readers that can not emotionally distance themselves. Keep in mind that she is just one person and she does do a lot of good with her life, so if in the book you find she isn't acting when you would remember that we are each our own person and try to enjoy the book for what it is.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 12 personas

Inspirational story for anyone who loves travel

Revisado: 09-09-15

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have already told several people about this book.

Robyn Davidson seems to understands human nature. She does an amazing job of explaining the troubles of the aboriginal people brought on by a government not their own. Her devotion to understanding an area and it's people so misunderstood was inspiring.

She seems deeply depressed at times, troubled by many things both internal and external. Her struggles are real and intense. This translates into a book that is at times emotionally difficult to get through but rewarding when completed. I learned a lot by reading this about myself and about how people work. That is one of the beautiful things about the way that Robyn writes, it's deeply personal but also universal. She is a strongly independent woman who undertakes a 9 month trek across an almost barren stretch of earth alone.

Because of the time this was done she was able to do it under the radar, unencumbered by the government and mostly left alone by news agencies. She mourned the loss of some control when National Geographic comes to take pictures and absolutely hates when they impose on the aboriginal people believing they are exploiting them and explaining in wonderful details as to why. Having grown up reading that magazine I have a whole new appreciation/understanding of it.

It is a beautiful story written by an intelligent woman. Overall I would give this book a 10/10 and I will definitely be reading this again.

What other book might you compare Tracks to and why?

I'm currently listening to Tales of a Female Nomad. Several themes seem to reoccur in both novels
1- People are not as scary as we believe them to be, or are told they are.
2- We have much more courage and bravery inside of us than we realize. We have the ability to do things that would amaze other people if only we wanted to.
3- It is both easier and harder to connect to each other than we realize, both out in the world and at home. We are only as connected to each other as we try to be.

What three words best describe Angie Milliken’s performance?

Odd, breathy, pauses.
She takes odd pauses that I found broke my concentration. I loved the story and her voice but I didn't love her delivery.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Tips for backpacking on trails in the US only

Revisado: 09-09-15

Would you try another book from Timothy S. Morris and/or Joe Hempel?

no

Has Backpacking turned you off from other books in this genre?

I love books about backpacking. This book is basically a pamphlet about US trail backpacking. You could learn what you get from this from walking into an REI, or other outdoors store or by going on a forum.

Here were the key points so you don't waste your money:
Get apps to use on US trails so you don't get lost. Bring a compass just in case and know how to use it.
Get measured for a pack at a store and try it on with weight in it.
Some US trails require permits.
He suggests only using dehydrated backpacking food, I disagree.
Use a camping stove for breakfast and dinner, you probably won't even stop for lunch.
Dress in layers, wear things that dry quickly.
Train in advance by wearing your pack and walking, hiking, or getting on a treadmill if you don't have anywhere else to go. This is good advice. Don't expect the first few days on the trail to harden your body. It wont and you will be miserable.
Pack weight is crucial, every ounce counts.
Bring a first aid kit. Bring extra moleskin.
Keep your feet dry, wetness increases frictions which causes blisters.
Use a lightweight tent that you put up yourself, not a pop up.
Make sure your hiking shoes fit properly, don't slide up to the front when going downhill (you will smash your toe nails off) or scrape the back when going up (your heels will blister.)
Bring a pair of cheap flip flops for camp shoes. This gives your feet and shoes a chance to dry and you wont have to tie laces to go to the bathroom late at night.

A pack between 45 liters and 60 liters is enough for almost any trip. (I personally have a 50 liter osprey atmos that is amazing. It fits enough stuff for a 2 week trip but is light enough for a weekend hike up a mountain. I don't mind having extra space left in my pack though and would rather than than spending money on separate packs for everything.)

If you thought that review was long then I hate to think how long you would find this book.

What character would you cut from Backpacking?

There are no characters in this. It's not a story.

Any additional comments?

Do not waste your money on this. Go to a backpacking forum and get tailored advice for what you are looking to do. Go to a store and look for gear that is specific to what you want to do. The people who work in outdoors stores are very helpful and *should* be well trained. If you feel they are not go back online get more knowledge and go back.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 10 personas