3.5 stars?

Some of the chapters in this book were rather challenging to connect with. I have to admit that I'm certain I didn't fully grasp the meaning of all of them. It felt as if there were hidden depths that I was struggling to reach.

On the other hand, the language used in the book was truly wonderful. There were some extremely intriguing thoughts and beautifully poetic sentences that just leaped off the page. They had the power to make me stop and think, to really ponder the ideas being presented.

I was introduced to this book through the life's library book club. The discussions that took place there were incredibly helpful. They provided different perspectives and insights that I might not have otherwise considered. Thanks to those discussions, I was able to get more out of the book than I would have on my own.

Overall, I'm really glad that I read this book. It was an interesting and thought-provoking experience. However, I'm not entirely sure if I would immediately reach for other books by the same author. I would need to do a bit more research and see if their other works appeal to me in the same way.

I absolutely love the way Annie Dillard has of dissecting the nature that surrounds her and reflecting her thoughts upon it.

She has a unique perspective that allows her to see the beauty and complexity in the simplest of things.

Whether it's a blade of grass, a bird in flight, or a sunset, she can find meaning and inspiration.

Her writing is like a window into a world that many of us overlook.

She makes us stop and pay attention to the details, to the way the light plays on the leaves, or the sound of the wind through the trees.

Annie Dillard's work is a reminder that nature is a source of无尽的 wonder and that we should take the time to appreciate it.

Her ability to capture the essence of nature in her writing is truly remarkable and has inspired countless others to do the same.

"Over my head" is a common expression that can have different meanings depending on the context. It could mean that something is too difficult or complex for me to understand or handle. For example, when faced with a difficult math problem or a complicated legal document, I might say "This is over my head."

It can also imply that something is happening above me or beyond my reach. For instance, if I see a bird flying high over my head, I would use this phrase. Additionally, "over my head" can be used to describe a situation where I am feeling overwhelmed or out of my depth. Maybe I'm in a new job and the responsibilities are more than I expected, and I might think "I'm in over my head."

In conclusion, "over my head" is a versatile expression that can convey a sense of confusion, inability, or being in a challenging situation. It's a phrase that we often use in our daily conversations to describe various experiences where we feel that something is超出我们的能力范围或理解程度.

I gave up reading after 1/3 of the way through.

It was just too random for me. The story seemed to jump from one idea to another without any clear connection.

I found it difficult to follow and lost interest quickly.

I had high hopes for this book at first, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations.

Maybe it's just not the right book for me at this time.

I'll have to look for something else that is more engaging and easier to understand.

Hopefully, the next book I pick up will be a better fit for my reading style.

3.5 stars

I really wanted to have a greater appreciation for this book than I actually did.

I have heard so many wonderful things about Annie Dillard that I think I will give another one of her books a try.

It's possible that I simply picked up this particular book at the wrong moment.

Perhaps my state of mind or the circumstances at the time weren't conducive to fully enjoying it.

Nonetheless, I remain hopeful that I will discover the magic and beauty in her writing that others have raved about.

I look forward to exploring another of her works and seeing if it will resonate with me on a deeper level.

Maybe the next book will be the one that truly captures my heart and makes me a devoted fan of Annie Dillard.

Some people travel as mere tourists, but Annie Dillard roams the earth as a true explorer.

In her work "Teaching A Stone to Talk", she graciously invites the reader into her captivating expeditions and remarkable encounters with a diverse range of creatures. These include not only humans and animals but also inanimate objects like stones.

From the enchanting Puget Sound to the mysterious Galapagos Island, the author employs a microscope, a telescope, and polarized sunglasses to meticulously examine her world. Through her eyes, I gain insights into an expedition to the South Pole, witness a deer caught not just in headlights but in a moment of vulnerability, and get to know a man named Larry who, in his own unique way, attempts to teach a stone to talk.

The narrator seems to suggest that God shouts in amazing mirages and during a total eclipse, yet He also whispers in the fields of silence and in the flights of swans circling. Storyteller Dillard, with her keen eye and vivid imagination, has once again narrated stories that are both poignant in their portrayal of suffering and glorious in their celebration of splendor.

Beautiful and amazing.

This book is truly a masterpiece that has had a profound impact on me. It has ignited a burning desire within me to witness a total solar eclipse, to embark on a journey to the Galápagos Islands, and to always view the world through the unique and captivating eyes of Annie Dillard.

The descriptions in the book are so vivid and detailed that they transport me to these extraordinary places and experiences. I can almost feel the excitement and awe of seeing the sun being completely blocked by the moon during a solar eclipse. The Galápagos Islands, with their diverse and unique wildlife, seem to come alive on the pages.

Annie Dillard's perspective on the world is both refreshing and inspiring. She has a way of noticing the smallest details and finding beauty and meaning in the simplest of things. I long to be able to see the world as she does, with a sense of wonder and curiosity.

This book has opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities and has made me realize that there is so much more to explore and discover. It has truly been a life-changing experience.

No one ever succeeds in teaching a stone to talk. It seems like an impossible feat, doesn't it? But here's the thing. If Dillard could teach me how to write even half as well as she does, I think that'd be about the same thing.

Dillard's writing is like a magical charm that can transport readers to another world. Her words are so vivid and powerful that they seem to come alive on the page.

I can only imagine the kind of transformation that would occur within me if I could learn from her. My writing would no longer be平淡无奇, but rather filled with the same kind of beauty and depth that Dillard possesses.

It would be like learning a new language, a language that allows me to express my thoughts and feelings in the most profound and meaningful way.

So, while teaching a stone to talk may be out of the question, learning from Dillard and improving my writing skills would be a dream come true.

I seriously desired to relish this book and come to cherish this new author who was unfamiliar to me.

However, I found myself stopping at page 23 and resolutely deciding not to proceed any further.

After all, life is fleeting, and there are an abundance of books yet so little time.

Even though I have a penchant for "expeditions, encounters, and the wonders of the universe," this particular book simply did not resonate with me in the slightest.

So much of what transpired within its pages made very little sense to me.

Oh well, at least I gave it a try.

Perhaps another time, another book by this author might capture my interest and imagination. But for now, it's time to move on and explore other literary treasures that await.

Like all of Dillard’s non-fiction, this fairly short book of essays is a treasure trove. It is overflowing with strange word combinations and unique reflections that make the reader stop and think. The vivid descriptions are simply gorgeous, painting a picture in the mind’s eye that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. The insights are profound, giving one regular moments of pause as they consider the world around them.

I added this book to my collection some years ago. Recently, another author’s (Eugene Peterson's) brief reference to a particular essay, “An Expedition to the Pole,” led me on a search through my boxes of un-shelved books. The timing was serendipitous, as I discovered that the first essay, right before “An Expedition to the Pole,” was titled “Total Eclipse.” Coincidentally, a total eclipse had just occurred in my area of the Midwest US about a week earlier. I began with this excellent first essay and then continued on to “An Expedition,” ultimately committing to reading the entire book.

Some of the essays in this collection are quite short, almost like a brief thought or interesting observation expanded upon. Others would be good choices to search out online for those not interested in reading the entire book. Of these, the first two that I’ve specifically mentioned remain my favorites, but “Life on the Rocks: the Galapagos” is also a great choice. The final essay, “Aces and Eights,” is one of the more lengthy ones and offers an interesting reflection on aging and our experience with the passage of time.

I have a serious reader’s crush on Annie Dillard. Her perspective and ability to express her observations and reflections are truly one-of-a-kind. Although I’ve only read a few of her works, including her memoir, An American Childhood, and two small books of essays, Holy the Firm and Teaching a Stone to Talk, I’ve been delighted with each read. I laugh, I marvel, and I stop to reflect. I’ve never intended to read her fiction, but I’m starting to think I should. If her unique perspective and way with words come through in her novels as they do in her essays, I would be missing out if I ignored them. However, my next Dillard read should probably be her debut, the Pulitzer Prize winning Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.

I knew from Holy the Firm that Dillard's writings were filled with wonderings.

However, the scope of her wonderings is truly like a thrilling roller coaster ride!

At one moment, she can be wry and humorous, making you laugh out loud.

The next moment, she delves into the cosmic and religious realm, or perhaps challenges our traditional religious观念.

For example, she asks, "Why do we people in churches seem like cheerful brainless tourists on a packaged tour of the Absolute?"

She even suggests that we should be wearing crash helmets and life preservers!

I must admit that I didn't fully understand everything I read in her works.

But one thing is certain, I will always have a great appreciation for her beautiful nature and geographical narratives.

They transport me to different places and make me see the world in a new light.

Dillard's writing is truly a unique and captivating experience.

Annie Dillard is truly one of my most cherished authors.

Ever since I discovered and fell in love with "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek" fifteen years ago, I have found great joy in reading and re-reading her books.

What sets her apart is her remarkable ability to capture the natural world in all its ordinary yet glorious and mysterious aspects.

Her vivid descriptions make you yearn to step into the woods, feel the gentle breeze on your face, and listen intently to the sounds of nature.

Or perhaps they inspire you to embark on a journey to the distant arctic, where you can walk on the vast expanse of ice and experience the raw beauty of that frozen landscape.

Annie Dillard's words have the power to transport you to different places and make you see the world around you with new eyes.

Her books are not just a source of entertainment but also a means of connecting with the natural world and finding wonder in the simplest of things.