Scan barcode
laurenisallbooked's review
5.0
I wanted to hug this book at the end because it had been hugging me the whole time. Stielstra can write.
I adored all of the Chicago references, but what I loved most was how personal this felt. She really put her heart in this book and bared a lot of fears for the world to see. That cannot be easy, but I cannot imagine how many people that's saved. This book talks a lot about kindness and life rafts and how to be what Mr. Rodgers calls "helpers," and I think it's fitting to call this a how-to manual for being a helper and encouraging people to kick off their shoes and dance in a parking lot.
Stielstra repeats phrases throughout the book a lot and I LOVED that technique because that's 100% how people talk and think. We use the same phrases regularly when we're talking, and it was so incredibly human to read that in this essay collection.
An absolutely incredible book that I highly recommend.
I adored all of the Chicago references, but what I loved most was how personal this felt. She really put her heart in this book and bared a lot of fears for the world to see. That cannot be easy, but I cannot imagine how many people that's saved. This book talks a lot about kindness and life rafts and how to be what Mr. Rodgers calls "helpers," and I think it's fitting to call this a how-to manual for being a helper and encouraging people to kick off their shoes and dance in a parking lot.
Stielstra repeats phrases throughout the book a lot and I LOVED that technique because that's 100% how people talk and think. We use the same phrases regularly when we're talking, and it was so incredibly human to read that in this essay collection.
An absolutely incredible book that I highly recommend.
eyress's review
4.0
At one point on the book, Stielstra mentions referencing her past journals for the essays, so my mind went to my own trunkful of journals--and I realized why I liked this book so much. No, we didn't have/aren't having the exact same experiences, but hearing about hers made me think about all of mine (Remember this? And those? Oh, whoa, how did I get through that? And this was THE BEST) in a little bit more poignant way. As someone who tends to dwell on past failures and regrets, this book pushed me to flip my vision a bit: remember those failures and regrets? Yep, they happened. But look where they got you today...
katlizlove's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book; the chronology was all over the place but it was also nice to remember people randomly throughout the essays. I’m not sure I quite understand the titles pertinence to the book. I like the way she writes: honest, deliberate, passionately.
bdusablon's review
5.0
Excellent set of essays. Masterfully organized. Emotion-generating stories of real life. Living, loving, moving, learning, and teaching. Lovely book. Highly recommended!
the_spines's review
4.0
Love Megan Stielstra. Very passionate writer who has a relatable story for everyone. Language is a bit dramatic at times, so if you're prone to eye-roll, note that.
montanaraymiller's review
4.0
I made myself stretch this collection out over a week but it was extremely difficult--i didn't want it to end.
moviebuffkt's review
5.0
Fair warning- this book will make you feel feelings. It’s visceral, reflective and viscous you human.
nhelregel's review
4.0
This collection of essays was great - so specific to the times and places Stielstra evokes in each one. The exploration of different relationships and moments and how they change and define us is great. Some of this territory no longer feels as new/fresh as it probably did when each piece came out, but I liked it a lot anyways. Overall would recommend, especially to Midwesterners!