Author Archives: John Walters

Another Journey

Regardless of outward circumstances, whether constantly traveling or remaining stationary for a prolonged amount of time, a perennial nomad recognizes the transitory nature of existence and acknowledges that life is a continually evolving series of adventures. My latest journey does … Continue reading

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Book Review:  Joyride: A Memoir by Susan Orlean

To many people, Susan Orlean is a character played by Meryl Streep in the film Adaptation, which is based on Orlean’s book The Orchid Thief. Others know her for her decades-long work as a staff writer for the New Yorker. … Continue reading

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Strange Christmases – Part Two: Penang, Malaysia

Here’s a holiday reprint for your enjoyment and edification! On one of the strangest Christmases I have ever spent, when I was all alone on the island of Penang in Malaysia, I received an unusual but intensely valuable gift: a … Continue reading

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Strange Christmases – Part One: Goa, India

Here’s a holiday reprint for your enjoyment and edification! As we enter into the winter holiday season, I find myself looking back to some of the unusual places where I have spent past Christmases. The first that comes to mind … Continue reading

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Book Review:  Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a children’s book, isn’t it? Then how came I to review it on this blog, which is devoted to literary works for adults? Not by the usual pathways, I assure you. In fact, renewed interest … Continue reading

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Book Review:  Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It by Cory Doctorow

Lest anyone should conclude that the title of this book is merely a blatant foul-mouthed outcry for reader attention, Doctorow states in the acknowledgement section that “in late 2023, the American Dialect Society named enshittification their Word of the Year.” … Continue reading

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Book Review:  Roads: Driving America’s Great Highways by Larry McMurtry

Larry McMurtry is best known for his award-winning novels and screenplays, but he also wrote several memoirs. Roads tells of a series of trips he made by car in 1999. By way of explanation he says: “I wanted to drive … Continue reading

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An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin; Part Two

As history, backed up by Dick Goodwin’s documentation, points out, John F. Kennedy was in the midst of overseeing many profound societal changes when he was assassinated, and Johnson, on assuming the presidency, became determined to see these initiatives through … Continue reading

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Book Review:  An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin; Part One

The third time’s the charm. On three different occasions I checked this book out of the library. The first two times I returned it without reading it. I was tempted by it, as I am by all things having to … Continue reading

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Book Review:  Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. Morris

From the mid-1970s until 2012 I lived overseas in Europe, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand, and this kept me out of touch with much of what was happening in my homeland of the United States. Besides the … Continue reading

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