cnoelle's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to love this book, and if it was just Matt Smith writing it, I'm sure I would have! His "journal" entries are insightful, informative, and inquisitive. He truly enjoys the wonder of the park and spends time talking about the history of the park, it's wildlife, or stunning vistas. He's humorous and notices the small things.
Karen Smith comes off as, well, a real Karen. By about page 60, I started to get annoyed when the journal entries started off with her name at the top. Everything about her annoys me. Her journal entries seem to mostly consist of calling husband "pathetic" and claiming he has OCD and it's like living in a scene from Rain Man...because he wants to collect all the park maps and likes to go through his photos every day. She carries lipstick in her hiking bag, can't stand the thought of peeing outside so she insists the hikes be short or have a toilet, and doesn't seem to think the wildlife is interesting....it must be over 2 lbs and not be a deer or deer like animal, or she gets annoyed if Matt stops to take a pic of it.
I'll be finishing the book off, but definitely won't be reading book two. Not with her as one of the authors. Matt is a gem and I'd love to read more of his thoughts and observations. But Karen should just stay home and leave her pessimism, complaining, and belittling to herself and not publish it!
Karen Smith comes off as, well, a real Karen. By about page 60, I started to get annoyed when the journal entries started off with her name at the top. Everything about her annoys me. Her journal entries seem to mostly consist of calling husband "pathetic" and claiming he has OCD and it's like living in a scene from Rain Man...because he wants to collect all the park maps and likes to go through his photos every day. She carries lipstick in her hiking bag, can't stand the thought of peeing outside so she insists the hikes be short or have a toilet, and doesn't seem to think the wildlife is interesting....it must be over 2 lbs and not be a deer or deer like animal, or she gets annoyed if Matt stops to take a pic of it.
I'll be finishing the book off, but definitely won't be reading book two. Not with her as one of the authors. Matt is a gem and I'd love to read more of his thoughts and observations. But Karen should just stay home and leave her pessimism, complaining, and belittling to herself and not publish it!
momwrex's review against another edition
2.0
I hate "bucket lists" and the authors' premise appeared to be checking off everything on their bucket list in one year. Quantity of National Parks checked off was their priority, not quality of their visits. They seemed ill-prepared, and ignored information when they did receive it (ignoring requests not to touch cave formations, ignoring warnings about heat and animals, not knowing what days things were open/closed, etc).
The one enjoyable thing about the book was that it let me wander down memory lane remembering parks we have visited, one at a time, immersing ourselves in each place.
The one enjoyable thing about the book was that it let me wander down memory lane remembering parks we have visited, one at a time, immersing ourselves in each place.
lrs3312's review against another edition
Just didn't enjoy it. Could have been the narrator.
rparks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I was hesitant to read this book as I found the title to be off putting. I frankly thought it sounded rather boring but I gave it a chance as it came highly recommended and I’m SO glad I did. I chuckled my way through Matt and Karen’s adventures and their marital dynamic was hilarious at times. It was just so much fun and there are some seriously funny stories! I definitely recommend!
***Note for parents***This book was written for adults and therefore there is language that isn’t appropriate for children in which I was a little disappointed as I was hoping to share it with my kids since there are some educational aspects to the book on general.
***Note for parents***This book was written for adults and therefore there is language that isn’t appropriate for children in which I was a little disappointed as I was hoping to share it with my kids since there are some educational aspects to the book on general.
parksandtea's review against another edition
3.0
Glad to encounter these folks in a book and not as visitors.
brontherun's review against another edition
4.0
A light-hearted memoir of a couple's journey to all the national parks.
brontherun's review against another edition
5.0
I really appreciated season 2 more than their first book. While I enjoyed the story of their National Park trips, in this later work they have surpassed it. From a voice perspective their writing has matured, become more authentic and natural I think. That had a huge impact on my rating. In addition, the subject matter expands to include some of their home life and friendships, which flushed out Matt and Karen so much more and made them feel much more like friends sitting around a fire pit or a sunken living room/visitor center. In their ability to expose the reader to opportunities on other public lands and facilities was spectacular. Examples are the duo researching the state archives in Juneau, Alaska or acquiring limited scope permits to collect petrified wood from a regional Bureau of Land Management office in Utah. This book was a fantastic ride, and I am glad they gave up their day jobs to pursue travel and writing!