Journals Books

This book had me laughing out loud. She touches on all the things that happen to women as we grow older but still feel young. I especially loved the essay on visiting her college alma mater. When she ran in to the young man and he called her ma'am, I could relate. This is a book to read on those days that you are feeling fat, blue or just generally depressed. You won't be depressed long, you'll be laughing so much that you won't want to put it down. I look forward to more books from this talented author.

I really enjoyed this book. It's light, funny, and the kind of book that makes you glance over your shoulder hoping that no one realizes that you do the same silly things the author just wrote about. And just when you're rolling in the aisles... then she hits you with one of those moments that makes you feel all warm inside. Buy this book - for yourself, and for everyone you know who only goes to the health club when they've forgotten how bad the last time was, or who hides their Barry Manilow records.

Where has this woman been all my life? She's hilarious and pens the definitive book on the perils of Mid-Life. I never laughed so hard since Erma Bombeck. Anyone who has struggled over this hill will love her quirky take on life. And how refreshing to read such wonderful, creative humor that's also from the heart. You'll cry too. Christee Atwood, give us some more!!! Please!

I first heard of this book in a 1927 review of it by Dorothy Parker (available in the 1944 edition of The Portable Dorothy Parker, as well as subsequent editions I believe, including the 1973 one). Parker's review is beautifully apt. She says, "I think that the Journal of Katherine Mansfield is the saddest book I have ever read. Here, set down in exquisite fragments, is the record of six lonely and tormented years, the life's-end of a desperately ill woman. So private is it that one feels forever guilty of prying for having read it." Mansfield suffered from a heart condition and later tuberculosis which kept her in a constant state of physical misery for years. Even worse for her was the constant torment of never being able to achieve enough as a writer to satisfy herself. Parker is completely right: I can't think of who could capture that constant, acute sorrow better than Katherine Mansfield. As Parker said, "She was not of the little breed of the discontented; she was of the high few fated to be ever unsatisfied."

If you've never read her short stories (she never wrote anything else), please do, and I would advise you to read them before you read her journal.

The book itself seems like it could be published as a stream-of-consciousness novel (it's impossible to follow at times but no worse for it. It seems to make perfect sense - even the numerous cryptic little notes). It's full of little pieces of stories never finished. Mansfield's body of work was so small (something that upset her deeply) that these little fragments would be enough to make any fan of hers need to read this journal.

She is most often compared to Chekhov, and it's not difficult to see why. I truly believe that Mansfield innovated and practically invented the English (language) short story. Besides Chekhov (whom she often mentions in her journal) I've never read anything quite like her, particularly not anything that predates her.

What else you need to know:
1. Mansfield was born in New Zealand, the influence of which can be seen in short stories like "At the Bay".
2. Her husband, J. Middleton Murry, published her journals, causing some to accuse him of taking advantage of her.
3. You must read this book.

I first heard of this book in a 1927 review of it by Dorothy Parker (available in the 1944 edition of The Portable Dorothy Parker, as well as subsequent editions I believe, including the 1973 one). Parker's review is beautifully apt. She says, "I think that the Journal of Katherine Mansfield is the saddest book I have ever read. Here, set down in exquisite fragments, is the record of six lonely and tormented years, the life's-end of a desperately ill woman. So private is it that one feels forever guilty of prying for having read it." Mansfield suffered from a heart condition and later tuberculosis which kept her in a constant state of physical misery for years. Even worse for her was the constant torment of never being able to achieve enough as a writer to satisfy herself. Parker is completely right: I can't think of who could capture that constant, acute sorrow better than Katherine Mansfield. As Parker said, "She was not of the little breed of the discontented; she was of the high few fated to be ever unsatisfied."

If you've never read her short stories (she never wrote anything else), please do, and I would advise you to read them before you read her journal.

The book itself seems like it could be published as a stream-of-consciousness novel (it's impossible to follow at times but no worse for it. It seems to make perfect sense - even the numerous cryptic little notes). It's full of little pieces of stories never finished. Mansfield's body of work was so small (something that upset her deeply) that these little fragments would be enough to make any fan of hers need to read this journal.

She is most often compared to Chekhov, and it's not difficult to see why. I truly believe that Mansfield innovated and practically invented the English (language) short story. Besides Chekhov (whom she often mentions in her journal) I've never read anything quite like her, particularly not anything that predates her.

What else you need to know:
1. Mansfield was born in New Zealand, the influence of which can be seen in short stories like "At the Bay".
2. Her husband, J. Middleton Murry, published her journals, causing some to accuse him of taking advantage of her.
3. You must read this book.

Both Katherine and her work are like a flower that has grown within the weeds that make up life.

I read The Journals, now the Journals,BookII: Into the Gulf. An interesting look at some history of war and the people who profit from it, mixed with some interesting stories in the form of diaries, mixed with a lot of religious references including Opus Dei and the Catholic Church. I felt like I was reading parts from the Da Vinci code.

Let me start by saying that I'm a Star Wars fan, and as such, I'm no stranger to the excitement one experiences when the next episode, installment, or whatever hits the theater. Well, waiting for this book was no different. Actually, it was different in the fact that I was looking forward to its release even more than that of any of the Star Wars movies! It's finally here! "The Journals Book II: Into the Gulf" is a wonderful follow up to the first Book. For many years I have waited, and now I have been satisfied. R. T. Stone is one of the greatest writers of our time, and I strongly believe that time will reveal his genius to more and more people. . .eventually to the world. Buy this book immediately, but be sure to read "The Journals Book I: A Message From The Council of Ancients" first!

Wow! I'm speechless, which is a RARE occurance! What an amazing installment! I feel like I've been waiting a lifetime for this sequel to the fantastic "The Journals Book I: A Message From The Council of Ancients"! This book is even more powerful and entertaining than the first one, and that's saying a whole lot! Pick this book up immediately and see what happens to R. T. Stone, Danny, and crew next!

I Love this Series. I feel like i connect with Corrie in so many different ways and wish I had her independent spirit and enthusiasm for life. I like the way the authors incorporate her into real historical events. This is an excellent series and i only wish there were more books about Corrie.

This series was one of the best I have ever read. I am aslo trying to find my place in a world that does not always seem to want me. This would be a good read for anyone who loves historcal fiction, females mainly. If you have read these you can't miss the next series that follows corrie through maired life- the breastons of miricle springs. A can't miss!

This series is excellent for teen years and up! (Some younger readers also may enjoy, depending on their reading ability.) Interest on the level of women starting to make their mark in the world as a journalist. Great reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and have passed it on to many friends to read. I truly believe you will enjoy this series!

This book is a must read. It chronicles life in a unique & refreshing way!!!

This book has been life changing to me. I will tell everyone to read this. It is Great!!!!!!

As I took the "journey" with Mr. Kizer I realized some pathways of my own which i need to travel. I think anyone reading this great work will begin to reflect on their own life & their own choices. I look for "Journies II" at sometime in the future.

gdear

I've found that all of the paperblanks brand journals are very nice and very high quality -- and this journal is no exception. The cover is a nice flat black, it is simple and elegant and pleasing to the eye. The character on the flap is a shiny but subtle black (the image here makes it appear white or gray). The paper is nice and thick, and I've never had an ink pen bleed through the pages. This is, in my estimation, a 5 star product. The only reason I considered giving it 4 stars is because of the size -- it is small (which makes it easy to carry in bags and luggage) but that also means you can go through this as a journal in a short amount of time. Something to consider, especially if you're one who writes a lot. I go through a journal this size every 2-3 months. Over time, that can add up.

I own several of these journals. They are the only ones I will buy. The flap is magnetic and on the inside back flap there is a pocket for keepsakes. It has a nice red ribbon to help keep your place and good quality lined paper. I highly recommend this or any other Smythe journals.

AMAZING journal! Excellent paper, nice cover with good texture, LOVE the magnetic flap! Highly recommended for those who like to write!!

These reviews must be to hard for the authors to read. The only easy ones would the indifferent reviews since the negative ones are upsetting and the great ones are embarrassing. This review is the latter. Being Fifty it's hard to have any heroes these days, especially living heroes but, Jim Harrison fit's the bill. My other hero Neil Welliver, the painter, reminds me so much of Harrison in his individual thinking, direct approach, outspokeness and belief in their own vision. Descartes could have said "If you don't think for yourself, you don't exist" but this would have been a rather hard line for Descartes at the time( the Pope and all). Harrison(not too concerned about the Pope) does take that hard line in all his work and, like Welliver, has created individual, strongly felt and clearly defined worlds and opinions. These worlds help the viewer or the reader find strength, direction and inspiration to work on worlds of there own.

Harrison's Just Before Dark sets itself apart from other works of non-fiction and leaves the reader astonished. Out on the landscape of Hemingway's A Movable Feast, Steinbeck's Travels With Charlie, and Faulkner's Go Down Moses; Harrison has brought forth his expedient andric style in this collection of indelible truths. Divided into Food, Travel & Sport, and Literary Matters the book is saturated with wisdom, humor, and insight into every subject from, bird hunting with a French Count, to bar pool, to Ernest Hemingway, to Zen writings. Whether it's sharing with the reader travel tips through America's dirt roads or showing us the complex simplicity in a walk at dusk, Harrison gives the reader an escape that is based in reality yet woven in the fantastic. In my personal copy stars or markings may appear next to titles or lines. By doing this I realize that I am inevitably suggesting that one story transcends another and therefore is somehow healthier than the rest but no assumption could be more crooked. My tattered, marked, and exhausted copy sits as reminder that some books are truly priceless.

These reviews must be to hard for the authors to read. The only easy ones would the indifferent reviews since the negative ones are upsetting and the great ones are embarrassing. This review is the latter. Being Fifty it's hard to have any heroes these days, especially living heroes but, Jim Harrison fit's the bill. My other hero Neil Welliver, the painter, reminds me so much of Harrison in his individual thinking, direct approach, outspokeness and belief in their own vision. Descartes could have said "If you don't think for yourself, you don't exist" but this would have been a rather hard line for Descartes at the time( the Pope and all). Harrison(not too concerned about the Pope) does take that hard line in all his work and, like Welliver, has created individual, strongly felt and clearly defined worlds and opinions. These worlds help the viewer or the reader find strength, direction and inspiration to work on worlds of their own.

This book changed my whole perspective on dating, marriage andlife as a single person. It helped me finally become secure in beingsingle, even if for life. God definitely used this book to shape who I am today. The writing style is great and you'll find you can't put the book down. The books before this one compliment it and I would suggest reading the first 6 books in the series before it. It will be well worth your time!

After a tragedy in the novel before this seventh book in the series, Corrie finds herself awakened with more questions without answers than she can figure out by herself. She must rely on her faith in God to help sort through the questions to her life. Is she to stay at the convent, is she to continue writing to help those she believes are right? She overcomes some heartaches and misunderstandings by visiting the home of her youth in New York, emerging on the other side with California beckoning to her and a certain someone on her mind. God reveals to her what is to become of her life! Though not as exciting as some of the latter novels, this book certainly keeps me reading! Very good!

I am moved by every book in the "Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister" series, but Land of the Brave and the Free has influenced me most. Displaying God's faithfulness to one life through a sequence of dramatic and suspenseful events, this book accurately describes the struggles and questions that a young person has about life. The reader's interest is stirred by the Civil War setting and by Corrie's placement in major events in U.S. history, such as the Civil War's final battle and the funeral procession of President Lincoln. My favorite aspect of this book is Corrie's growing relationship with God and, in these portions, I learned a lot about myself. God's goodness and beautiful gifts bring the book to a close with an ending that brings tears. Overall, Land of the Brave and the Free is one of the best installments in "Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister" series and a must-read for every Christian fiction enthusiast.

Great job papi, and a great read!
love, your daughter,
Julia

John Nichols is always a joy to read. He is the John Stenbeck of our time. No one combines art and social views so beautifully as he does.

My grandmother gave this beautiful book to me for Christmas the year it was published. (I believe it was 1980 or 1981). I feel madly in love and am still madly in love today. I re-read this book every year in October, it has become a most beloved ritual. I took a chance in early 1992 and wrote to John Nichols and was I ever surprised! He wrote me back. I have two copies and now that they have a new edition, I plan on buying it too! I have a hard back signed copy that I treasure and I know it is authentic because the signature is exactly the way he signed his letter to me. Read this book and plan to be thoroughly enchanted. I was and still am after almost 20 years.

This is a delightful book! I live in the city, where it's easy to overlook the abundance of nature all around. The book helped me to appreciate what was there. Especially when I'm stressed out, this approach to nature journaling helps me unwind and relax in my own backyard absolutely free of charge!

Leaf Bird Days & Firefly Nights: Personal Renewal Through Nature Journaling by veteran nature writer Beverly Letchworth is an elegant, eloquent example of the spiritual tranquility and uplifting beauty that can be experienced through keeping a nature journal. The author's own words describing birds and animals evoke a gentle warmth and faith in the natural world. Appendixes offer ways to entice birds and creatures to visit one's backyard. Leaf Bird Days & Firefly Nights is a welcome, rewarding, and inspiring addition to any environmental activist, nature lover, or bird fancier's personal reading list.

In this book, author Beverly J. Letchworth takes you on a journaling trip through nature. Sharing with you helpful tips and things to observe, she keeps each page brimming with pelasure.

As in the March 8th entry, Leaf Bird. She brings to life the excitement of seeing a bird she thinks is a hawk. She spots the bird in a tree while doing other chores, and quickly reaches for her binoculars to verify the identification. She scrutinizes the tree limbs, then spots the object of her excitement. There it is. Quiet, still. A big clump of leaves!

And so it goes. The seasons change and grow. Winter tiptoes to spring, and summer twirls into a new winter. You journey with nature's surprises, joys and misfortunes. You learn ways to make your own nature journal, or add to the one you all ready keep.

Creating a haven for creatures, in you own backyard, is described with simple easy ideas and valuable information. Finding comfort and a way to relax after a hectic day is easier when you embrace nature. Leaf Bird Days & Firefly Nights will show you how.