This font size is so small! I thought I’d be able to speed through this book because it didn’t look that big, but with this font size it’s actually probably very long whoops
I do love maps! I’m trying to train myself to use a paper map when I’m out sightseeing, but it’s a bit cumbersome compared to just pulling out your phone. And you’re obviously a tourist if you’re looking at a map (paper, street sign style) which can be a problem in some places. Anyway I’m excited for this book!
I think it's easy to judge someone when they seem to be making multiple bad decisions in a row so I don't want to get into all the things I think she did wrong (most of which stemmed from her inability to ask for help) and how she never changed through the course of the memoir. (I'm not sure if she was trying to point out how stupid she was being or if she was trying to brag about making it without help; either way I'm judging her. Silently. Mostly silently.)returnreturnThe tone did kind of change though-- the early chapters had a more witty biting humor to them and the last chapters were much more melancholy. Which makes sense, because of course she'd be sad about losing all the things she lost. But I don't know that I'd say those last chapters "matched" with the first few chapters, as such. …
I think it's easy to judge someone when they seem to be making multiple bad decisions in a row so I don't want to get into all the things I think she did wrong (most of which stemmed from her inability to ask for help) and how she never changed through the course of the memoir. (I'm not sure if she was trying to point out how stupid she was being or if she was trying to brag about making it without help; either way I'm judging her. Silently. Mostly silently.)returnreturnThe tone did kind of change though-- the early chapters had a more witty biting humor to them and the last chapters were much more melancholy. Which makes sense, because of course she'd be sad about losing all the things she lost. But I don't know that I'd say those last chapters "matched" with the first few chapters, as such. I think perhaps the biting humor ones were sold individually as stories to magazines and the melancholy ones came after, so that's the disconnect. returnreturnI'm not sure I'd recommend this for people interested in farming/homesteading OR Michigan-based memoirs, but perhaps if you're interested instead in post-divorce life then this would be a good book for you.returnreturn(Crossposted from my blog: blog.pixietails.club/2025/08/20/read-bootstrapper-link/)
Overall a good read-- author has a good amount of humor and can write funny scenes well. It's interesting to read about how the logging industry worked before it became industrialized in the late 1940s. The author has some typical 1950s attitudes about thinness and unions which are questionable in modern times, but overall not too bad. It's an upbeat memoir about a particular time in Michigan that I enjoyed reading.
Overall I enjoyed this book, though I think the title/cover does it a bit of a disservice. It makes it seem like a very scientific book with a lot of history about plastic ducks floating in the ocean, but really itâs more of a travel memoir with some popular science bits mixed in. The last two sections in particular were heavy on the personal anecdotes and less about plastic ducksâ possibly because the author hadnât seen any for years by that point.returnreturnThat said, it DID make me more interested about oceanography and oceanographers. I enjoyed the mix of travel, science, and history. The author describes people vividly, without being rude about their quirks, and you can tell he likes people. returnreturnIâm uncertain if it was worth it for him to quit his job and pursue the plastic ducks (especially since he had a young child at the time!) but I …
Overall I enjoyed this book, though I think the title/cover does it a bit of a disservice. It makes it seem like a very scientific book with a lot of history about plastic ducks floating in the ocean, but really itâs more of a travel memoir with some popular science bits mixed in. The last two sections in particular were heavy on the personal anecdotes and less about plastic ducksâ possibly because the author hadnât seen any for years by that point.returnreturnThat said, it DID make me more interested about oceanography and oceanographers. I enjoyed the mix of travel, science, and history. The author describes people vividly, without being rude about their quirks, and you can tell he likes people. returnreturnIâm uncertain if it was worth it for him to quit his job and pursue the plastic ducks (especially since he had a young child at the time!) but I suppose thatâs just me being judgemental. (Although considering how many times he quotes Arctic explorers, I canât help but wonder if wanting to explore himself mixed with fear of fatherhood led to suddenly wanting to go on a multi-year quest. Anyway.)
Really enjoyed this! It's an interesting fantasy setting but the focus is on the characters and not necessarily the magic. Several scenes made me laugh so hard I had to take a break to recover. I really liked how the MC and his love interest were stupid in different ways, and how they worked through their problems together (sometimes by just screaming at each other).
Kind of unbalanced with tone; first half was funny and second half was depressing, with dead secondary characters and 100 years of being kidnapped in a fake dreamworld or whatever. Good storyline ideas but author needs some editing or rewrites to bring both halves together.
Very good fantasy setting, good characters with depth, good writing overall. Ends on a cliffhanger which is frustrating. Also the MCs don't get much happy time together before the whump happens over and over again which is frustrating. I'll read the next book but I need to take a break and read some happier books first.
A fun historical romance written in the style of a Georgette Heyer book, with a bit of historical real life stuff thrown in. Not as well combined as, say, KJ Charles' books, but not bad. Both MCs were very sweet and the secondary characters were fun, too.
