Welcome to Litsy!

Who would have guessed that a true story about a couple who were shipwrecked and survived 118 days on a raft in the middle of the ocean could be so …emotionless and dull? I don‘t even know how you can take that story and make it boring. But here it is.

At least it‘s short. So that‘s something.

For me, this super buzzy (award nominations, President Obama‘s summer reading list) nonfiction was fine. The narration was fine. The story was fine. I just wasn‘t wowed by it nor was it bad. You would think a story of a couple caught at sea would be more exciting, but I found it blah. The sections on the rest of their lives were dull. Idk. I don‘t get the hype. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The tagged book and the S.A. Cosby book are the only two that were already on my TBR from President Obama‘s list. I always love getting his book picks!

I‘m not sure how a book about a couple stranded at sea for four months could be dull, but this one actually was. A bit of a slog.

Maralyn & Maurice decide to abandon a traditional life, buy a yacht & sale to New Zealand. Their fascinating true story happened in the 1970s. When their ship sinks, they are trapped on the open water for 118 days. I‘ve seen mixed reviews of this, but I couldn‘t put it down. If it had been a novel I might have been pickier, but this is well researched and made for an enthralling read. I like that she includes what happened after they‘re rescued.

Seems to be recommended by several corners of the book world, plus this has an excellent-sounding synopsis but I‘m sorry to say it fell short for me. This married couple (British) came off as insufferable even during their struggles wrecked at sea. Takes place in the 70s. An interesting story that could be read in an article, not sure this form added much to the basics of the event.

In 1973, Brits Maralyn and Maurice decided to sail to New Zealand. But between South America and the Galapagos, a whale sank their boat, casting them adrift for 4 months before being rescued. Seems like it would be fascinating, but I found the book a bit too thin. It feels like an opportunity squandered.

Completely ridiculous. These two were the captains of their own idiocy. I made it to page 40 and realized i wouldn‘t be able to continue without reading this with complete rage. Back to the library it goes. #ThankfulForLibraries

I‘m going to read the first chapter of each and decide which is next. #TBR

I'm not sure I've linked the correct book as I couldn't find Maurice and Maralyn on here...
Anyway, listened on Book of the Week and thoroughly enjoyed it! Enough thinking and positivity to keep their selves intact, thanks to Maralyn, and a good tale of shipwreck and the natural world. Plus a rescue!