13 Comments

Oh I loved Overstory, I will add Playground to my list. thx!

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As a cat lover you should check out Flow, and also Nickel Boys is EXCELLENT especially if you can check it in the theater.

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I loved the book

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I loved Overstory and think Richard Powers is a an amazing author. I also really like Playground - actually thought it would be one of those I would read cover to cover without putting it down, but I'm finding it challenging to finish - I had to put it down 2/3 way through because it was just kind of depressing me. This book comes at a time when I'm already feeling pretty low about governments & imperialism, the state of global environmentalism, race relations and more.....it kind of exacerbates despair for me. For me it feels heavy on my mind when circling around topics like dementia, spousal and parental abuse, man's impact on our environment, racism/classism. I found my mood was agitated when reading it and sometimes my brain just hurt after 20 pages. The writing is amazing, and Richard Powers really knows how to research his topics, that is for sure. I've learned a ton about sea life. I'm sure I'll pick it back up but I really have to be in a better space of mind when I do that.

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I hear that completely

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It’s not the book you think in the end. Although it doesn’t get happier, Powers certainly agrees with you. He’s making a scathing commentary that you only get the pay off to at the very end. I actually have to reread it because I want to see how many times he told me what was happening and I didn’t catch it. It’s one of those kinds of books. Although if it’s causing you pain, skip it for sure. It’s a lot right now just to cope with the day to day world, as you correctly mentioned.

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Love the book recommendations. Upon finishing Martyr, a phrase common to Vinny Ferraro came to mind - it incites thoughts of violence in me 😂. Ugh I needed to talk to someone about that one! You mentioned Dharma books. What 3 dharma books would you recommend for a beginner?

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Why Buddhism is true. That’s a great one. By Robert Wright.

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Did he really say "Go Cowboys????) 😅

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“It also radically altered my reading habits.” Wow! High praise! Thanks, Dan. 😊

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I enjoyed Bewildered by this author. It is a very emotional read. Will have to check his other work!

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@phoenix perry, thanks for that. I have a hunch of what might happen...or at least have a hope for what might happen. I'll finish it...

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Thanks for the book recommendation, Dan. I just got it on my kindle. I’ve been having a hard time focusing since the election and haven’t been able to actually read a book. This book is going to break the ice for me. Looking forward to it.

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