Mary Beth Writes

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Quarantine Diary #141 8/5/2020 "Red Dust"
August 5, 2020
Posted by Mary Beth

I just finished reading “Red Dust – A Path Through China” by Ma Jain.  It is a remarkable book that asks more questions than it answers.

Quarantine Diary #70 6/4/2020 What's Your Frame?
June 4, 2020
Posted by Mary Beth

Started this yesterday and couldn’t figure out how to say it clearly. Let me try again…

…

It seems as if nearly all social media has turned into a referendum and compendium of ways to think about Racism in America. This is good. This is necessary. Keep reading and keep sharing.

…

Speaking of things that do not work
Quarantine Diary #58, 5/11/2020 - Traveling to China in a Book
May 11, 2020
Posted by Mary Beth

As you may have noticed, I didn’t post anything yesterday. I had a nice day with an early morning walk (before the hard rain aka snow), talking on the phone with my kids, and reading.

"Death Comes for the Archbishop" and How to drive to the Y without a map.
August 20, 2019
Posted by Mary Beth

I read Willa Cather’s “Death Comes for the Archbishop” when I was in high school. I heard it was an important book which made me curious (still does), so I borrowed it from the library and read the whole thing.

Nomadland. How people live well enough when there is no way to live well.
September 6, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth

Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century - by Jessica Bruder

 

To Never Return - “No Great Mischief” by Alistair MacLeod
June 5, 2018
Posted by Mary Beth

I read a remarkable book that I think some of you might like to read, also.

It’s “No Great Mischief” by Alistair MacLeod (1936-2014) and it is considered one of the Canada’s finest novels.  

American Clutter
November 9, 2017
Posted by Mary Beth

I watched an 18-minute video about Americans and their clutter.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AhSNsBs2Y0 

 (I read about it in the letters section of The Non-Conformist Advocate.   http://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/ )

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell - a book review
October 18, 2017
Posted by Mary Beth

If you are fascinated by how ideas ripple through human communities – you probably already read Malcom Gladwell. If not, check him out. http://gladwell.com/ He is a fascinating thinker and writer.

Barkskins by Annie Proulx
Barkskins, by Annie Proulx - MB's book review
September 28, 2017
Posted by Mary Beth

It took me more than a month to read Annie Proulx’s 700-page novel Barkskins.

Before I return it to the library I am going to attempt to produce a book report here. Not sure if you need to read this as much as I need to write it. When a person lives five weeks with 700 pages, they really ought to know something about where they were and why they stayed there.

Margaret Fuller - Letting Light In
September 17, 2017
Posted by Mary Beth

Margaret Fuller, A New American Life by Megan Marshall

Finalist for Pulitzer in biography and memoir