Random tiny detail, but I love the little dog-walker strolling through the book!
Random tiny detail, but I love the little dog-walker strolling through the book!
The author was a journalist and it shows in his writing. He is clear and factual in his analysis of Southeast Asian politics and society. It also shows that his heart is breaking for this region that has been his life‘s work, first as a journalist and then as a mediator. Overall, a very depressing pick. Also, it should be noted that this book was published in 2017, so obviously some things have changed.
What?! What nonsense is this?
So, today I learned that
a. Mt. Everest was named for, but not by, George Everest.
b. George Everest was actually a proponent of learning the local name of mountains he surveyed, rather than coming up with new English names.
and c. He hated it when people pronounced his name Ever-est, rather than Eve-rest.
“We instinctively think of mountains as eternal, but they‘re not. They are falling to bits and being remade like the rest of nature - like us.”
Just a #prettycover appreciation post before I dive into this re-read. The end papers even match the floral design of the letters:)
… And a lovely afternoon at Munro‘s. I definitely went in just for a calendar, but Christmas books were on sale, and who could resist that forest stories book? Not me, apparently. #bookhaul
A perfect Saturday morning moment:)
“The past is the ultimate abyss.”
Last book of 2023: Persuasion, the last in my Jane Austen reread.
First book started in 2024: Finally getting around to Imagining Head-Smashed-In, which I think I bought in 2018.
#lastfirst @BookNAround
Reading by the Christmas Tree😀
One of my favourite parts of the holiday season.
One of my amazing co-workers randomly made this necklace for me!
So, if Henry III was the one appointing the popes, did he dismiss one for buying the title from…himself? Bold move, Henry, bold move.
I enjoy Bown‘s writing style and his ability to concisely convey complex histories, while still providing interesting details. In this case, he tells the story of the building of the CPR. However, this may only be a pick for history buffs. See the previous quotes I posted to get a sense of the writing.