Book Corner 2025.9

A Walk in the Park

by Keivn Fedarko

When it was good, it was very good. But it had a lot of sidetracks, and not just their hike.

Pete & Kevin embark on a cross-Canyon hike with no preparation. At first I was afraid we were in for another Bill Bryson schtick, where we were expected to laugh at stupidity – like not even TRYING ON your loaded pack before the trip begins. That gets me every time. They put on their packs and are like, “Wow, this is heavy.” I want to knock them upside the head.

It wasn’t like that; although Mistakes Were Made, they were not funny. Spoiler, Pete & Kevin survive – because they know when to quit.

The sidetracks into other people’s stories were a little dull to me. I wanted to stay with one story, Pete, Kevin, & the Grand Canyon. I have not yet been to Grand Canyon. This book inspired in me what to do & what not to do.

Book Corner 2025.8

Heidi

by Johanna Spyri

(re-re-read)

So it’s a little over the top. If Johanna Spyri could have dialed it back just a little, it could have been the kind of classic suited for adults as well as children. What am I saying? This IS a classic and I’m trying to improve it.

Heidi is a little wood sprite. The world is enchanted to her; everything is alive, every tree and mountain and goat is an individual.

“[S]he made personal acquaintance with [the goats] all in turn, for they were like separate individuals to her, each single goat having a particular way of behavior of its own.” I can certainly vouch for the fact that every goat is an individual.

According to grandfather, the big bird of prey who lives on top of the mountain and croaks and screams is saying, “If you would separate and each go your own way and come up here and live on a height as I do, it would be better for you!” How I dream of living alone high in an Alpine hut, spending my time smoking my pipe and looking down over the valley.

Bob

First time was July 1986, with my boyfriend David. Bought me tickets for my 17th birthday. True Confessions tour with Tom Petty. I got a polinoidal cyst days before, but I made it anyway.

I went at least one other time with David. I remember people rushed the stage. I ran up too and saw Bob’s face. Frankly he looked a bit scared.

I went one time in college. I was between boyfriends and had no one to go with. Margaret suggested her friend Phil. He was Ken’s brother. I hadn’t met Ken yet. Ken was living in Pennsylvania. I went with Phil. It wasn’t a date. We thought he played good guitar.

I went once with Margaret. Bob sucked that night and Margaret didn’t like it.

I went at least once with Ken when we were dating. I remember the first time. It was in New Jersey. We played a game trying to be the first one trying to identify the song.

Then famously once I saw Bob in Burlington, Vermont, by myself. It was my first trip to Vermont. I was with Aunt Alice. Bob just happened to be playing Burlington that night. She didn’t want to go. I bought one ticket at Pure Pop and saw him at Memorial Auditorium. He was fantastic.

I went once at the Champlain Valley Expo on a triple bill with Willie Nelson and Mellencamp. Xopher came and didn’t enjoy it.

Finally I last saw him in 2017. I met up with Ken in Montreal to see him. Xopher came for the trip; Ken & I saw Bob and X went and did something else.

There may have been more times with David and more times with Ken that I don’t remember explicitly.

I think this ticket must have been the time with Margaret. $22.50, jeez.

Book Corner 2025.7

The Matter with Things

by Ian McGilchrist

The word “life-changing” gets thrown around a lot, by folks including me. But I feel after reading THE MASTER & HIS EMISSARY, and now this opus, that blinders have been lifted from me. I see my left hemisphere for what it is. I just wish I knew what to do with this newfound perspective.

Be it known this two-volume 600+ page work is partly responsible for me only being up to Book Corner 7 at the end of March. That and my new tendency to abandon books with wild abandon after significant investment. I’ve abandoned so many books halfway through lately.