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When Women Were Birds


"Brilliant, meditative, and full of surprises, wisdom, and wonder." - Ann Lamott...
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What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

Created: 03/08/13

Replies: 19

Posted Mar. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert

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What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?


Posted Apr. 01, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
eileenp

Join Date: 10/20/10

Posts: 33

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

The design of this book is absolutely brilliant. The section of blank pages after the opening passage about Williams' mother's journals was surprising and heartbreaking. The italicized reflections on what her mother's journals might be tied the book together in an extraordinarily effective way.


Posted Apr. 01, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
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christy

Join Date: 05/22/12

Posts: 41

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

I echo what eileenp comments earlier: in addition to the surprise there is beauty in the way she recounts her reflections interspersed with stories. I loved the way she 'told the story' about writing this book by using different colored paper to represent different thoughts--and mixed them together to achieve a type of balance.


Posted Apr. 01, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carolea

Join Date: 10/06/12

Posts: 12

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

I agree the design of this book is brilliant. It is a truly beautiful book. The blank pages created the mystery and yet the explanation all at once. This is a book that will be purchased for my sister and a few special friends.


Posted Apr. 01, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cynthiad

Join Date: 11/25/12

Posts: 34

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

It's definitely unique. I was puzzled for awhile that there was not a plot. Almost felt that I was reading Terry's journal as she told stories of teaching in the school where they threw away all her natural decorations; later she's telling us of working in Africa with women planting trees. Each segment was very interesting and contributed to understanding of the daughter's outgoing personality and freedom of expression.


Posted Apr. 02, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pattys

Join Date: 09/17/11

Posts: 19

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

I appreciate the design of this book very much. Because it doesn't really have a plot, I can pick it up and read any passage. It is the first book I've read in quite awhile that made me rush out to buy a copy so I would be able to read it over and over again. Beautiful.


Posted Apr. 02, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
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bestmartin

Join Date: 02/20/13

Posts: 103

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

I loved the design of the book and echo what others said. I loved the blank pages. They gave me a chance to process what she wrote. I loved her stories and her pondering a about the meaning of the blank journals. I must say that some of the " nature" descriptions bored me. I wanted the more personal thoughts but I understood why she choose to intersperse the reality of the natural environment.


Posted Apr. 03, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

The book's design bothered me. My orderly, linear thinking, sort of OCD personality was assaulted and almost offended by what I read. I was looking for a direction, purpose, plot or something as I started the book. When I finally figured out that it wasn't going anywhere in particular and I was just getting bit and pieces of her life I was educated, enlightened and pleased in some way. Confusing!!


Posted Apr. 03, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LReads

Join Date: 06/23/12

Posts: 27

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

I loved the design of the book and agree with what has been said. I will say that I think some people might be put off by the fact that it is different and not a book that is designed to speed through. At least in my opinion it needs to be examines, savored and used as a springboard for self examination.


Posted Apr. 03, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Gin

Join Date: 10/21/12

Posts: 32

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

The physical design of this little book is really lovely with the thick deckeled pages and a nameplate in the beginning. The blank pages, the frequent chapter divisions, the italics and the unhurried pace seemed to suggest a leisurely read. The writing was lyrical at times and the descriptions of nature show keen observation. But ultimately, I ended up feeling frustrated. It seemed to me that I was reading a Buddist koan. Things were alluded to, hinted at and suggested creating many questions and confusions for me that were ultimately unsatisfying. Perhaps a second or third reading will clarify things for me.


Posted Apr. 03, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lisag

Join Date: 01/12/12

Posts: 298

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

Did anyone use these extra pages to record your own thoughts?


Posted Apr. 03, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mystinamarie

Join Date: 12/19/12

Posts: 37

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

I loved the design of the book. First, the cover and embossing was absolutely gorgeous. I know that's not what this thread is about, but it was the first thing that caught my eye and I loved it. Really a beautiful concept.
But speaking of the writing design of the book, I really enjoyed it. I had never read a book like this, but it read almost like a diary or a book of poems and short stories. It had an air of casual reading about it, yet it was deep enough to keep your attention like a novel.
I liked how some "chapters" were only a few lines, that's all they needed to be. Some were pages after pages describing a huge storyline. Some just echoed her thoughts. The blank pages I thought were a great creative source because they gave the reader time to digest the work. Also, it seemed to tie in the theme of her mother's diaries and the blank pages.


Posted Apr. 07, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jww

Join Date: 05/31/11

Posts: 166

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

A theatrical opening...I liked it. To present blank pages at the beginning of a book is somewhat of a shock. Similar to the shock Terry must have felt as she opened her mother's first journal. For her, the shock just grew as she tried each journal in turn. She was looking to know her mother through her journals...and that was not to be. Instead, she had to look WITHIN to find herself, her mother and her grandmothers.


Posted Apr. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
poniesnpearls

Join Date: 06/28/11

Posts: 78

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

The blank pages after the brief introduction were so poignant. What a unique way to drive feeling into a book along with thinking. It really gives a sense of what the author might have felt upon opening the journals her mother left her. Blank pages waiting for words of explanation, exploration, discovery...page after page of mystery and what I interpreted as almost defiance.

Overall the book felt very journal-like. I liked it very much.


Posted Apr. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
JAKL1

Join Date: 12/06/12

Posts: 55

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

Yes, you can tell a good book by its book jacket and cover!!!
The unique and clever way the book is designed sets the tone for this book.
As you can tell, I enjoyed the design very much.


Posted Apr. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
arielf

Join Date: 04/22/11

Posts: 34

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

I very much liked the design of the book. Having the blank pages at the opening got my attention right away. Clever design.


Posted Apr. 19, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lynnr

Join Date: 07/31/11

Posts: 12

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

I am glad that someone started this topic and I agree with Joyces that once you figure it out the book design seems to work. I like the blank pages in the beginning to get a sense of what it would be like to page through her mother's blank journals but I'm still not sure I understand why some of the quotes and short chapters were given an entire page.


Posted Apr. 19, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lynnr

Join Date: 07/31/11

Posts: 12

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

I also read another book by this author titled, Finding Beauty In a Broken World, and the layout of the book was similar to this one. In all honesty I don't like this layout very much but I did like this book more than I thought I would. It is about mosaics, prairie dogs, and genocide in Rwanda and she manages to tie it all together! Has anyone else read this book or others by this author?


Posted Apr. 20, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janec

Join Date: 09/06/11

Posts: 12

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

Very unique way of book presentation. I liked it. It was a very easy to read a book. I wondered why there were blank pages at the beginning. Found out quickly and enjoyed.


Posted May. 17, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
booksnob

Join Date: 11/12/11

Posts: 31

RE: What did you think about the unique way the book is designed? Did you like it?

YES, I loved it. This is a very special book. I found it beautiful, mysterious and genuine.


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