From the Bookshelf of Altoona Public Library (IA)…

An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude

Ann Vanderhoof

Start date: September 23, 2014

Finish date: September 23, 2014

Discussion: Who picked this book? Club

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No topics in Who picked this book? Club yet. Start one now »

What Members Thought

Oct 09, 2014 Jenni V. rated it liked it

Shelves: book-club

This was a book club read. It read slower than I expected based on the content. I think the typeface made my eyes tired; I could only read it in short bursts before needing to take a break with something else.

Comparisons are inevitable but if you're looking for something similar to Wild or Eat, Pray, Love, I don't think you'll find it here. Besides the obvious difference that she wasn't alone, this was definitely more travelogue than self-discovery. This isn't a criticism of the book (I wasn't This was a book club read. It read slower than I expected based on the content. I think the typeface made my eyes tired; I could only read it in short bursts before needing to take a break with something else.

Comparisons are inevitable but if you're looking for something similar to Wild or Eat, Pray, Love, I don't think you'll find it here. Besides the obvious difference that she wasn't alone, this was definitely more travelogue than self-discovery. This isn't a criticism of the book (I wasn't a huge fan of either of those books so it didn't bother me at all) but I mention it as a 'heads up' to avoid disappointment for those looking for a certain type of book.

The book made me very hungry while I was reading it because I love seafood! There are recipes included at the end of each chapter that looked simple to follow if you're so inclined. I'm definitely more of an eater than a cook, plus Iowa isn't known for its wide availability of fresh fish, so I skimmed those pages.

I wish there had been pictures in the book. I was told at our book club discussion that her blog has pictures and updates on their more recent travels but I was not interested enough to go look for myself.

She pushed herself out of her comfort zone to take this opportunity and I hope it brought her what she was looking for. I also believe that not every relationship would be able to withstand such constant intimacy so I'm happy that the journey brought her and her husband closer together.

A Few Quotes from the Book
"In one corner: The security of a job, a steady income, a home, a daily routine - comfortable, safe, predictable.
In the other corner: Escape from work, winter, and daily routine; the excitement and risk of the unknown - tempting, and more than a little scary."

"I've realized how disconnected my daily life had been from the natural world. The weather, the wind, the moon, even the seasons - and the attendant plants, insects, birds, and animals - came and went. But I was removed, at a distance. So what if the moon was new or the sky was pissing rain? I still had to go to the office. The natural world - in all its forms - is so much more immediate now. It forces me to pay attention."

"Shortly afterward, friends arrive at their boats and island houses, and a spontaneous party happens. But for us it's bittersweet. I know the last two years have to end, but I can't bear the thought. I don't want just to sink complacently back into our old existence. I've seen too clearly there's more to life than that."

Find all my reviews at:
http://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
...more

Like · see review

Oct 02, 2013 Kim Kietzman rated it it was amazing

I don't like non-fiction at all. This read like a travelogue adventure novel. It also had me thinking about my retirement. I almost wanted to buy a boat and take a year or two off... ...more

Like · see review

Aug 24, 2014 Laura Duffield Biegger rated it really liked it

Books involving boating of any kind usually leave me unable to breathe at some point. This one was a "safe" read! Great mix of humor, history, scenery, recipes and, oh, yes, some sailing incidents. ...more

Like · see review

Aug 11, 2021 Amy rated it liked it

Aug 18, 2021 Ellen Bell rated it really liked it

Group Home Bookshelf Discussions

Photos Videos

Send invite Members Polls