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Notes from a Small Island: Review

Wanting to extend my London trip a little longer through my reading, I checked “Notes from a Small Island” out from the library. It is Bill Bryson’s thoughts on a several-week journey around Britain, after having lived there for 20 years. I first became aware of Bryson through his “Walk in the Woods,” about hiking […]

Published on October 09, 2024 04:09

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Susan Barnett Braun wrote a new blog post Notes from a Small Island: Review Wanting to extend my London trip a little longer through my reading, I checked “Notes from a Small Island” out from the library. It is Bill Bryson’s tRead more of this blog post »
5 hours, 27 min ago · like
**Susan**rated a book really liked it Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Wanting to extend my London trip a little longer through reading, I checked “Notes from a Small Island” out from the library. It is Bill Bryson’s thoughts on a several-week journey around Britain, after having lived there for 20 years. I first became Wanting to extend my London trip a little longer through reading, I checked “Notes from a Small Island” out from the library. It is Bill Bryson’s thoughts on a several-week journey around Britain, after having lived there for 20 years. I first became aware of Bryson through his “Walk in the Woods,” about hiking the Appalachian Trail, and I enjoy his drily humorous take on things.I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Britain through his eyes, and had had many of the same observations he made. This struggle with navigation was very relatable: “Clutching an inadequate little map that came with my ferry ticket, I set off in search of the ferry terminus. On the map it looked to be quite nearby, practically in the town center, but in reality it was a good two miles away at the far end of a bewildering wasteland of oil refineries, derelict factories, and acres of open ground … I don’t know how other people get to the ferry at Calais, but I had the distinct feeling that no one had ever done it this way before … and all the while I walked, I was uncomfortably aware … that departure time was drawing nigh and that the ferry terminal, though always visible, never actually seemed to get any closer” (ha ha, I distinctly remember this same sensation when walking to the Eiffel Tower in Paris 🙂). Maps these days may be via google rather than paper, but the experience has not changed. I had to laugh at his comment, “As a rule, I am not terribly comfortable with any map that doesn’t have a You Are Here arrow on it somewhere.” Bryson notes the quirky/charming/quaint names of many things in Britain, which I’d also noted: Bromley-by-Bow, Drayton Park, Chalk Farm, Barking, Blackfriars (“that isn’t a city up there, it’s a Jane Austen novel”). There’s confusion here too: he notes 21 Gloucester Roads in London, 111 Station Roads, 74 Victorias, etc. I still haven’t totally figured out the 2 separate Paddington Stations that were near our hotel.He praises London, which I have to agree is an amazing city with so many things to do: “It is, if you ask me, far more beautiful and interesting than Paris and more lively than anywhere but New York — and even New York can’t touch it in lots of important ways. It has more history, finer parks, a livelier and more varied press, better theaters, more numerous orchestras and museums, leafier squares, safer streets, and more courteous inhabitants than any other large city in the world.” Loved his observation “What other great city would … warn you to look left or right before stepping off the curb? I’ll tell you. None.” This admonition of which way to look before stepping into traffic (painted at your feet) was helpful many times since they drive the opposite direction from us.He has interesting observations on the London subway/"Tube.” “This all happens in such orderly quiet: all these thousands of people passing on stairs and escalators, stepping on and off crowded trains, sliding off into the darkness with wobbling heads, and never speaking.” I noticed this as well. He mentions Harry Beck, who made up the Tube map: “He gave his map the orderly precision of an electrical wiring system, and in so doing created an entirely new, imaginary London that has very little to do with the disorderly geography of the city above.” This is true; more than once I noted that you’d appear to go east toward the next Tube station when you in reality were going west, etc.I had to smile at his observation of viewing famous sights: “Impressive as Stonehenge is, there comes a moment somewhere about eleven minutes after your arrival when you realize your fascination has peaked, and you spend another forty minutes walking around the perimeter rope looking at it only out of a combination of politeness, reluctance at being the first from your bus to leave, and a desire to get 2.80 worth of exposure from the experience.” Ha ha, very relatable.The book, written in the ’90s, is a bit dated in parts (mentions are made of Oliver North, Lorena Bobbitt, and O.J. Simpson). Bryson has a few bouts with profanity, which always make me cringe. And in some of his curmudgeonly rants, he comes across rather mean: “Nothing provides more interest than the sight of a tableful of fat people tucking into their chow,” “The boy, I noticed, had a double heap of both, the greedy fat pig,” “little dogs that you ache to kick (not out of cruelty, you understand, but from a simple, honest desire to see how far you can make them fly).” These bits of Bryson I could do without. Also, the second half of the book, where he visits many small British and Scottish towns, seems to devolve into a listing of sites seen and didn’t spark much interest from me. Overall though, really enjoyable read. ...more
Oct 09, 2024 04:20AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview ofNotes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
**Susan**is currently reading Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton (Goodreads Author) Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Oct 08, 2024 05:20AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview ofGood Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton
Susan made a comment onLisa of Hopewell’s reviewofQ: A Voyage Around the Queen Q by Craig Brown "Ha I get it. For a while in the middle I was veering toward 2 stars but it's picking up again now toward the end. Ha I get it. For a while in the middle I was veering toward 2 stars but it's picking up again now toward the end. ...more"
Oct 07, 2024 09:52AM · see review
Susan made a comment onher reviewofSeabiscuit: An American Legend Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand "thank you, Peg!"
Oct 06, 2024 02:36PM · see review
**Susan**rated a book it was amazing Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
My former adult piano student is downsizing, and a while back, she passed a stack of books along to me. One was Seabiscuit, which I recently read. I knew that Seabiscuit was a racehorse, but that was about it.Author Laura Hillenbrand tells us the sto My former adult piano student is downsizing, and a while back, she passed a stack of books along to me. One was Seabiscuit, which I recently read. I knew that Seabiscuit was a racehorse, but that was about it.Author Laura Hillenbrand tells us the story a group of men, set in the 1930s: Charles Howard, a horse owner who counts Bing Crosby among his friends. Tom Smith, probably the best horse trainer there has ever been. And John “Red” Pollard, a jockey who you can’t help rooting for. And, of course, a horse named Seabiscuit (“seabiscuit” is another name for hard tack, which was the name of the horse’s father).In the mid 1930s, horse racing was the most attended sport in the US. As I read the book, it was fascinating to read about the sport’s huge crowds, the massive amount of media attention given to the various horses, jockeys, etc. Granted I’m not into horse racing at all, but it’s a topic I pretty much never hear about these days. I know of the Kentucky Derby, and I know Queen Elizabeth II loved her horses, but other than that — zilch. There was a lot of drama involved: attempts were made to kidnap some jockeys, criminals sneaked into stalls to put sponge up a horse’s nose to restrict its breathing, etc.Seabiscuit was an unlikely horse to be pegged as a champion. He was shorter than most champion horses and had an unusual gait while running. He was not regal and majestic as many champion horses were. Some nicknamed him “cow pony.” But trainer Tom Smith was able to work magic with him. “Silent Tom” had made “(horses) the quiet study of his life. He had grown up in a world in which horsemanship was as essential as breathing. Born with a prodigy’s intuitive understanding of the animals, he had devoted himself to them so wholeheartedly that he was incomplete without them. By nature or by exposure he had become like them, in their understatement, their blunt assertion of will. In the company of men, Smith was clipped and bristling. With horses, he was gracefully at ease.” He said, “Horses stay the same from the day they are born until the day they die … they are only changed by the way people treat them.” “Learn your horse” was his life phrase.It was interesting to read about jockeys as well. It is a harrowing profession (at least it was in the 1930s), with jockeys basically starving themselves to stay under a certain weight, and many being killed or seriously injured during races. “Red” Pollard, the main jockey in this book, was thrown from his horse in one race and the horse landed on him, crushing his chest and breaking several ribs. Another time, his leg was crushed against a wall while riding and he never regained full use of the leg. “To pilot a racehorse is to ride a half-ton catapult. It is without question one of the most formidable feats in sport,” Hillenbrand writes. “Jockeys may be, pound for pound, the best overall athletes. They have to be. To begin with, there are the demands on balance, coordination, and reflex. A horse’s body is a constantly shifting topography … a jockey does not sit in the saddle, but crouches over it, leaning all of his weight on his toes.”Several high-stakes races were described (and Hillenbrand does it in a way that keeps you interested), and I found myself wondering how much the horses realized about winning/losing, what was involved, etc. “You don’t have to tell good horses when they win or lose,” said George Woolf, another excellent jockey in the book. “They know.” Seabiscuit became experienced with having his picture taken, and would “pose” whenever a camera came out, causing reporters to call him “Movie Star.”It was also interesting to read all that goes into a horse race. Timing was involved (a horse had to be in the ring by a certain time or would not be allowed to race). Frequently, Seabiscuit’s owner would withdraw him shortly before a race due to track conditions, detecting a fragile place on his leg, etc. Crowds were always disappointed when a big-name horse pulled out last-minute. Strategizing by jockeys was described too; they had to think “on their feet” according to what was transpiring on the track, and would sometimes shout out insults at other horses/jockeys or run into their path to throw them off their stride.I really loved all the affection that the owner, trainer, and jockey all had for Seabiscuit, calling him “Biscuit” and “Pops.” The whole country loved him, and in 1938 he was #1 for newspaper column inches (beating out FDR, Hitler, and Mussolini). “The affection that this inarticulate brown horse has aroused was a most amazing thing,” one journalist wrote.As Seabiscuit approached his final and highest-stakes race, trainer Smith showed his dedication by sleeping in the stall with the horse, wrapping his legs, and watching him eat. Jockey Pollard badly wanted to ride Seabiscuit, but owner Howard wasn’t sure his leg was physically up to it. A friend counseled Howard that it was probably better to break a man’s leg than his heart. Howard let Pollard ride.You’ll have to read the book (or check wikipedia) to see who won. But what a compelling read, about three men in the prime of their lives/careers — it reminded me of George Bush’s admonition to his granddaughter to “enjoy the game” — ie, enjoy life while you’re in its prime. These men all found their meaning in this lowly horse. Wonderful story to read. Shortly after reading it, I got the film from the library. It was good too, although it reminded me of just how much more the book contained. ...more
Oct 02, 2024 04:15AM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview ofSeabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand
**Susan**is currently reading The Promised One by Nancy Guthrie The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis (Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament) by Nancy Guthrie (Goodreads Author) Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Sep 29, 2024 02:28PM · like
Susan made a comment onher reviewofBloom in Your Winter Season Bloom in Your Winter Season by Deborah Malone "Thanks, Peg! I think you'll enjoy it. For me at least, the farther I got into the book, the better the devotions became. Thanks, Peg! I think you'll enjoy it. For me at least, the farther I got into the book, the better the devotions became. ...more"
Sep 28, 2024 08:48AM · see review
**Susan**rated a book really liked it Dissolution by C.J. Sansom Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, #1) by C.J. Sansom Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
"Dissolution" blends history with fiction, which in my opinion is a fun way to learn. Reformer Thomas Cromwell assigns fellow reformer Matthew Shardlake to solve a murder at monastery on England’s southern coast. This is the era of Henry VIII wanting "Dissolution" blends history with fiction, which in my opinion is a fun way to learn. Reformer Thomas Cromwell assigns fellow reformer Matthew Shardlake to solve a murder at monastery on England’s southern coast. This is the era of Henry VIII wanting to do away with monasteries and the Catholic church as a whole.Shardlake, a humpback, takes along a young assistant named Mark. Most of the book consists of them interrogating and wondering about the guilt or innocence of various monastery characters: the doctor/infirmarian, the musician/sacrist, the prior, the abbot, the bursar, and a crazy or two. I guessed the culprit about halfway through the book (well, in part — iykyk).The book’s strength in my opinion is in its ability to create a feel for the bleak winter in medieval England. I really felt I was there in Scarnsea. If you enjoy this time period and mysteries, give “Dissolution” a read. I see that it’s now a miniseries on Hulu. It’s the beginning of a series featuring Shardlake solving various crimes in this era (I assume), so if you enjoy “Dissolution,” there’s more out there. ...more
Sep 25, 2024 04:32AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview ofDissolution by C.J. Sansom. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Dissolution by C.J. Sansom
**Susan**started reading Q by Craig Brown Q: A Voyage Around the Queen by Craig Brown Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Sep 24, 2024 07:36PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview ofQ by Craig Brown. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Q by Craig Brown

More of Susan's books…

“It was as if that great rush of anger had washed me clean, emptied me of hope, and, gazing up at the dark sky spangled with its signs and stars, for the first time, the first, I laid my heart open to the benign indifference of the universe.
To feel it so like myself, indeed, so brotherly, made me realize that I'd been happy, and that I was happy still. For all to be accomplished, for me to feel less lonely, all that remained to hope was that on the day of my execution there should be a huge crowd of spectators and that they should greet me with howls of execration.”
― Albert Camus, The Stranger

“I've never really had much of an imagination. But still I would try to picture the exact moment when the beating of my heart would no longer be going on inside my head.”
― Albert Camus, The Stranger

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
― Albert Camus

“We as Bible-believing evangelical Christians are locked in a battle. This is not a friendly gentleman's discussion. It is a life and death conflict between the spiritual hosts of wickedness and those who claim the name of Christ.”
― David Fiorazo

177609 ACPL Online Book Club — 224 members — last activity Feb 24, 2020 11:28PM
Book club of The Allen County Public Library, Indiana where we discuss quality fiction and nonfiction in all genres. All are welcome to join the onlin Book club of The Allen County Public Library, Indiana where we discuss quality fiction and nonfiction in all genres. All are welcome to join the online discussions and to attend any of the onsite book club meetings sponsored by the Library. ...more

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Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Librarians Group is the official group for requesting additions or updates to the catalog, including: * Adding new books or editions * Editing book information (including covers) * Combining and merging book editions * Edits to page counts, quotes or awards * Correcting author profiles for authors not in the Goodreads Author Program If you're a Goodreads member with a new request, click Join Group. Once you're added to the group, you can post your question following this link. Simple requests (e.g. page count updates) typically take around 48 hours depending on the volume of requests, while more complex requests could take up to a couple of weeks (e.g. adding a new book). Authors, if you are a member of the Goodreads Author Program, you can edit information about your own books. Find out how in this guide. Keep in mind that Librarians don't: * Grant or give insights into Librarian applications / Librarian status * Move ISBNs or ASINs between editions * Help with non-catalog Support questions (e.g. How do I reset my password?) For help with these queries or to submit general questions, comments or feature requests, try Goodreads Help or use the Contact Us form. If you're a Librarian and want to process requests, please refer to our Librarian Manual to ensure edits are performed in line with Goodreads policies. ...more

1146934 Conservative Readers United — 154 members — last activity Oct 05, 2024 10:03PM
This group is for people who tend to lean right in their political beliefs. We will share books we read and compare them to our conservative beliefs. This group is for people who tend to lean right in their political beliefs. We will share books we read and compare them to our conservative beliefs. Books can be from any genre; fiction or non-fiction. Books don't have to be conservative in nature or even written by conservative authors (which are becoming harder and harder to find). We also will look at how liberal ideas / themes are slipped in to our books more and more. This group is private to help keep out trolls and keep a civil tone, but is open to anyone who is not afraid of open and free speech. ...more

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