Reginald Spittle's Blog: See my book blog, page 12

Six Prescriptions to Improve Your Mental Health

These books hold rich nuggets of wisdom for all of us. Click on the links for my brief reviews. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, by Mark Manson. If you are bothered by Mark Manson’s profanity in this book, he would say you are giving a f*ck about the wrong thing. There is … Continue reading Six Prescriptions to Improve Your Mental Health →

Trekking in Europe: ‘Get Out There!’

England’s South West Coast Path presents an idyllic walk-in-the-park look in these photographs from our trek, but don’t be fooled. As we approached Land’s End a couple hundred miles later, Sue and I fought gale-force winds and horizontal rain. Read about this adventure and our challenges on three other European distance treks in Trippin’ Through … Continue reading Trekking in Europe: ‘Get Out There!’ →

Real-Life Stories Challenge the Best in Fiction

These books proved to me that real life can be more captivating than the best fiction. Rocket Boys, by Homer Hickam. For Homer “Sonny” Hickam, the Sputnik 1957 launch was just what he and his friends needed to transform imagination, ingenuity and hard work into a great American success story. From 1957 through 1960, Sonny … Continue reading Real-Life Stories Challenge the Best in Fiction →

A Bicycle Odyssey Across the Americas

What next? When I finished Joy Ride by Kristen Jokinen, that was my question. She met Finnish native Ville Jokinen on a scuba diving boat in Vietnam. Back home in the USA, she had to see if the spark between them would endure, so she booked a flight to Finland. They were soon married and … Continue reading A Bicycle Odyssey Across the Americas →

Seven Novels That I Still Can’t Put Down

Looking for a novel with a compelling human angle? Here are seven I enjoyed very much; click on the links to read my brief reviews. I would love to hear your thoughts about any or all of them. Boy at the Crossroads, by Mary Ford. Conley Ford, 13 years old, can no longer cope with … Continue reading Seven Novels That I Still Can’t Put Down →

What’s on Your Mind While You Trek?

Whether I am doing a day hike or trekking to the top of Mount Whitney, there are times when I forget where I am for a time. My mind wanders to countless places, even if I am walking through some of the greatest scenery in the world. What are three things I think (daydream) about … Continue reading What’s on Your Mind While You Trek? →

Matt Haig: Does Extra Time Bring Happiness?

Do you ever wish you could slow your body clock? What if you would age just a year for every two years? Would it be even better if you would age just a year for every 15 years? Extra time also comes with a bonus: You would be immune from human illnesses. Ready to sign … Continue reading Matt Haig: Does Extra Time Bring Happiness? →

John Muir Trail: ‘We Can’t Do That?’

“We can’t do that!” Those were my words when Sue said we should walk across Spain on a famed pilgrimage. The Camino de Santiago and distance trails in seven countries have taught me to question my first reaction to a backpacking challenge. Two years ago, Sue and I tackled the John Muir Trail in California’s … Continue reading John Muir Trail: ‘We Can’t Do That?’ →

Matt Haig Pens a Comical, Moving Story About an Alien on Earth

Is there intelligent life out there? Are we being watched? Do aliens live amongst us? In The Humans, Matt Haig answers “yes” to these questions in an intriguing story that explores the best and worst parts of human nature. The story begins when an alien is sent to Earth to kill Cambridge University mathematics professor … Continue reading Matt Haig Pens a Comical, Moving Story About an Alien on Earth →

Pico Iyer Leads Journey to Places Beyond and Within

Pico Iyer is a travel writer unlike any other. In The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise, Iyer takes readers to cultures, even during times of unrest, in fascinating ways that will make you sometimes squirm with discomfort for his lifestyle on the road. The author of more than a dozen books and a … Continue reading Pico Iyer Leads Journey to Places Beyond and Within →