Vivian Swift has led an interesting, nomadic life. After living in 23 different places in 20 years, she decided to stay put in a small village on Long Island Sound. When Wanderers Cease to Roam: A Traveler’s Journal of Staying Put is so much more than her journal for a year of “staying put.” This is one of those books that is hard to categorize or describe. Yes, it is a journal, but it also tells of Vivian’s past (she’s kept a journal since she was 19.) There are some tidbits of news from the local village and some delightful quotes. There are also some interesting facts about things like the teacup handle and why we start our year with January. And, oh, the illustrations! Some of that may sound dull, but this book is anything but!
I adored this book. The drawings are beautiful and I found myself poring over every detail in them. The best thing about this book, though, is the fact that it reminds us to take delight in and be thankful for the small, everyday things in life – things like a bird’s feather, an animal’s tracks in the snow, or a shady spot in the summer. This book was published by Bloomsbury on October 28.
Here are some other reviews:
20 Comments
November 21, 2008 at 8:42 am
Sounds interesting. I’ll have to look for it next time I’m in the bookstore.
November 21, 2008 at 10:10 am
Fingers crossed that this shows up on my door step. The cover is really pretty. Great Review kathy.
November 21, 2008 at 10:50 am
I love it when I discover books I never would have found without a blogger’s review. This one sounds really good!
November 21, 2008 at 11:30 am
This sounds good
November 21, 2008 at 11:57 am
That sounds absolutely lovely — my kind of book, the type that directs attention to small joys. Thanks for the review, Ms. Onion!
November 21, 2008 at 12:10 pm
This book sounds delightful. Everyone should be reminded about the small, everyday things.
November 21, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Great Review! I am looking forward to reading this book also. I have a copy as well and the illustrations look beautiful.
November 21, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Why does the new year start in January? I always thought it should start in September, becuase that’s when the dreaded school year would begin again!
November 21, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Ooh, this is right up my alley! Adding it to my wishlist.
November 21, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Oh, this does sound delightful.
November 21, 2008 at 7:41 pm
What a wonderful review Kathy, you make the book sound divine.
I hope I can get a copy sometime. Your review makes me want to read it and look at the lovely pictures!
Thanks for the review.
-Bobbie
November 21, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Vivian Swift’s life sounds heavenly!
November 21, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Sounds like a nice book…Good review..need to add that to my wishlist!
November 22, 2008 at 11:27 am
I love the cover and it does sound like an interesting story!
November 22, 2008 at 9:38 pm
I enjoyed this too, and left it out for my kids to leaf through … I hope to get my review up tomorrow
November 24, 2008 at 3:33 am
Sounds like a good read. I love reading journals and I love getting those interesting facts and little pieces about different locations and how thing came to be, like your January example. I always file it away to spring on someone in conversation.
November 24, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I have this one, too. I’m in love with the illustrations, they remind me of Susan Branch’s cookbooks.
November 26, 2008 at 9:28 pm
This books sounds like one I’d like. We’ve lived in our house now for 4.5 years and this is the longest I’ve lived anywhere since leaving my parents’ house to go to college. I’m really glad you enjoyed this one, Kathy!
November 26, 2008 at 9:58 pm
This looks like a great read. I just love the cover! I’m curious about the drawings inside.
March 24, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I also did a review entitled “Pure Inspiration” so check the website