j mason

A gentle lovely read

Revisado: 06-19-20

I found this book fascinating as a point of view on feminism. It brings you to consider the meaning of the word, its meaning as a state of mind, and even as a pejorative or a compliment. A quick easy read narrated in a lovely voice by the author. I was impressed when I saw her interviewed on Trevor Noah's show and it is definitely worth a read -- no matter what you think about feminism or feminists.

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Profoundly moving story of love and tradition

Revisado: 06-12-19

Having lived in Italy, this story resonated with me in a personal way. The the details, like the subtleties of excellent olive oil -- that pepper thing that happens at the back of your throat--brought back vivid memories. Or, the simple-seeming but exquisite meals of pasta with ingredients plucked from the garden or from the sea moments before, make me crave the pasts dishes of Italy.

Through her memories and descriptions, you step into the patterns of rural towns in Sicily, where the activity happens along paths worn like spokes from the town center. She creates that unworldly sense of moving into a rhythm more harmonious with our nature than our "i-noun" lives,

This sweet, loving, intense book is about relationships, cultural differences, and the knee-buckling pain of loss, It is a personal story about picking up the pieces to move forward. It is authentic and crushingly poignant.

Much of the fabric supporting the story is based on food and the creation of food as an expression of heritage and love. It gives you the lives of people who love the ingredients they cook with. They savor the time they put into creating the dishes as well as savoring the joy of sharing the food with others.

This is a memoir. The author is the subject of the book and narrates it. A beautiful voice. A lovely narration. And, her Italian is so "native" sounding that I luxuriated in the cadence and pacing of her sentences. For me, that sliding slowly through certain vowels was something that is one of the trickiest parts of speaking the Italian language. It is particularly magical to hear it done right. And for a Texas girl, no less! :)

I laughed out loud at the frequent encouragement to "Eat! Eat! We have plenty of food."

A almost forgot to point out one of the most compelling aspects of this book. The author is a Black woman. So, the point of view is naturally from a Black woman. I am a white woman. Yet. I was so drawn to the character that when Tembi stated something from her perspective that was not an experience in my white history, I heard myself reading it in my voice and somehow "feeling" it in my voice, in my life. This is a remarkable thing and hard to describe. (I think it is empathy.) For example then this happened, I would stop short and think, "Hmmmm.... I just thought this thought and it is not a white point of view." For example, when she describes a boat ride to an island off Sicily. i am in her head on the boat. When she says she realizes that she and her daughter are the only people of color on the boat. I sort of gasp in my head, and "virtually" look around the boat and for that instant, i am a woman of color on this boat.

I am in no way attempting to say, I can put myself in her shoes or I'm not trying to make this into "I know what she felt like." I'm not trying to appropriate her feelings or her story as a woman of color. What I am saying is that for that moment, it dawned on me how that experience could feel. I adore Tempi for putting those astonishing glimpses from her life into my head.

I loved this book.

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Riveting discussion of Identity, Class, Movement of Culture around the World and More

Revisado: 04-18-19

I loved this book. It is in some ways a series of stories about the development and migration of culture around the world. It weaves concepts of race, religion, power, human rights, wealth, nobility, slavery, prejudice, literature and philosophy into notions of how we see or identify ourselves and others. It is sometimes laugh out loud funny, many times troubling, fascinating and learned. The author has a complex personal family history that leads to the authenticity of his views and opinions.

I learned so much. Much to ponder deeply as I reflect on the book.

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Very disappointed, very repetitive and not sourced

Revisado: 07-02-18

This is a topic I am very interested in. Unfortunately, the author mainly muses on his own art training, and the lack of art training for cave painters. He keeps repeating several times the same point. Almost as if he had drafted a comment and then tried to say it in 3 ways, but left all the options in the final edit. I kept thinking the recording must have skipped because the point was so similar to the previous point. When he launched into his opinion that the cave artists painted over prior paintings because they found the older ones of little value, I had to click off the recording in irritation and frustration. (Perhaps he gets to a point where he cites a rationale for this theory, Idk I stopped listening.) On this point, as an artist I can imagine many more logical reasons to paint on top of someone else’s work: to honor their work; to recommit to the story or fable being expressed; or to practice from a master. Anyway, it could just be me but I found this book more his long winded musing on his theory of drawing, etc. than what I was expecting. I am no expert—and I’m sure he is. But it was disappointing to me.

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Another Charming, Poignant Tale of Beloved Botswana

Revisado: 12-11-17

If you are a fan of The Number One Agency stories, this is one of the best. A wistful tale with subtle twists; with moments of sadness and conflict; and featuring the characters one cares much about in spite of—or due to —their flaws. It is magnificently read by a women who now has given me the correct pronunciation for the family names and villages in Botswana. I am a Midwesterner, so at first it was a bit distracting since her enunciation and pacing was so different than I heard it in my head. But as I became accustomed to it, it was another beautiful lullaby as he pacing and unfolding of the story itself. I loved hearing this book. And I especially applaud the actor behind the new voice in my head.

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Poignant, Complex Story

Revisado: 10-27-17

I loved this book. I'm still wistfully thinking about the characters. The story is nestled in traditions of Native American families living on a reservation. The narrator does a credible task of pronouncing Native phrases, idioms, names and descriptions of ceremonies, etc. I have always been a fan of Louise Erdich, and for me this one does not disappoint. Complex story line (like real life), but not difficult to follow. I miss these people in my life.

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Elkhart Tolle Audio from a Retreat

Revisado: 10-15-17

If you are not familiar with Tolle, this might be the deep end to jump into. It is the audio from a retreat, so his audience is already quite “present” and in the “now”. If you are a student of his this is a gentle, deep reinforcement of his eternal message. Be present. In this performance, he does a lot of giggling. At first I found that very distracting. After awhile, I heard it as human and loving. Also since this is from a retreat, there are many reactions from the audience. Noises, quiet laughter, outbursts of laughter, murmurs, etc. if that is going to bother you, this is not the right audiobook for you.

I listened during meditations and on my daily walks. I will definitely listen to this again and again.

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Serious and Hilarious Look at Real Life of a US Senator

Revisado: 08-15-17

Loved this book. I listened to audio version so I was able to appreciate the times Senator Franken burst into song, or into the "voices" of his fellow senators. I don't currently live in Minnesota, but have deep roots in the state. So it was especially heart-warming to hear the stories of the Native Americans, the Somali families, the church potlucks for fundraisers, and the iron range workers. Although very funny, it tells the maddeningly frustrating work and legit conundrums that accompany the mantle of being a senator. (Note to self: get a "whip smart" staff.) it also quantifies the ridiculousness and loss of productivity of having to spend 3-8 hrs per day raising money to run again.

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