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High Tide in Tucson
High Tide in Tucson: Essays from Now or Never | Barbara Kingsolver
31 posts | 27 read | 24 to read
"There is no one quite like Barbara Kingsolver in contemporary literature," raves the Washington Post Book World, and it is right. She has been nominated three times for the ABBY award, and her critically acclaimed writings consistently enjoy spectacular commercial success as they entertain and touch her legions of loyal fans. In High Tide in Tucson, she returnsto her familiar themes of family, community, the common good and the natural world. The title essay considers Buster, a hermit crab that accidentally stows away on Kingsolver's return trip from the Bahamas to her desert home, and turns out to have manic-depressive tendencies. Buster is running around for all he's worth -- one can only presume it's high tide in Tucson. Kingsolver brings a moral vision and refreshing sense of humor to subjects ranging from modern motherhood to the history of private property to the suspended citizenship of human beings in the Animal Kingdom. Beautifully packaged, with original illustrations by well-known illustrator Paul Mirocha, these wise lessons on the urgent business of being alive make it a perfect gift for Kingsolver's many fans.
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KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

I didn‘t look at the details of this audiobook, so I didn‘t know it was abridged. I don‘t generally do abridged books as I feel I‘m missing out. I, therefore, did not expect to be finished with it so soon. Whoever abridged it did a decent job, and I like Kingsolver as a narrator; I‘m giving it a pick, but I really wish it was the complete book. ScribD was being weird; it was telling me I‘d finished and then said I have 44 minutes left.

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KathyWheeler
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I was in the mood for essays when someone posted about this book. I‘d read it years and years ago and liked it, so I thought it might be nice to revisit it. It‘s my new walking book. #audiowalk

Suzze This is my all-time favorite book of essays. 2y
KathyWheeler @Suzze I remember loving it when I read years ago. So far, I‘m enjoying it just as much the second time. 2y
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Butterfinger
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Pickpick

If I could ignore the opinions of Christianity, I could really enjoy her love and appreciation and affection for nature and animals. But I couldn't. It wasn't until the last third when she discussed how Americans do not appreciate the children as much as other nations. This hit me like a brick. If you are asked to vote on money for schools, vote for it. The schools need those extra few tax dollars more than you need to keep them.

Butterfinger Out of my comfort zone @Riveted_Reader_Melissa 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa That sounds like you were a bit uncomfortable by some of it, but it also makes me curious and I want to read it now. 😂. Weird how that can happen sometimes, thanks for the review! Stacking!!! 2y
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Blackink_WhitePaper
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Pickpick

Beautiful essays on diverse topics with an elegant writing style. Starting from nature, environment to war & politics it covers diverse topics. Touched by the intricate observations & the way author connects different topics. 4.5 🌟
Thanks to @Soubhiville #authoramonth Already started my second book.

#aestheticallymatched this challenge is very tempting esp cos of pics 😻 @Clwojick
#nonfiction2022 #unplanned #bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
squirrelbrain I bookmarked this on Scribd; glad to hear it‘s really good! 2y
JamieArc This has been on my TBR for so long. I should finally get to it. 2y
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Blackink_WhitePaper @squirrelbrain yeah ! I hope u ll like it too 😊 2y
Blackink_WhitePaper @JamieArc yeah ! ☺️👍🏻 2y
Clwojick Great match! 2y
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peacegypsy
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Pickpick

This is such a moving tribute to both words and nature. A divine writer, Kingsolver is.

JamieArc I‘ve been meaning to read this for so long! I really should prioritize it for 2022. 2y
peacegypsy @JamieArc So many contemplative and heartwarming essays here! You‘ll love it! 2y
JamieArc @peacegypsy Perfect! I‘ve been craving some contemplative/reflective writing. 2y
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JamieArc
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#Bookspin List for June. Inspired by books I want to read by the lake or pool.

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 3y
EvieBee So pretty! 3y
JamieArc @EvieBee Thank you ❤️ 3y
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peacegypsy
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I‘m again enthralled by Kingsolver‘s relationship with and perspectives about nature.

PaperbackPirate She is one of my favorite authors! I loved this one! 3y
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ImperfectCJ
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“Be still, and the world is bound to turn herself inside out to entertain you. Everywhere you look, joyful noise is clanging to drown out quiet desperation. The choice is draw the blinds and shut it all out, or believe.“

Kenyazero Beautiful little find! 😍 4y
UwannaPublishme 🥰🙌🏻 4y
ImperfectCJ @Kenyazero Thanks! This photo is from a few years ago when we lived in Massachusetts and spent a lot of time in spaces outside of the built environment---forests mostly. Where we live now it's a little more difficult to get out and away. 4y
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ImperfectCJ
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Pickpick

So, I own this in paperback, purchased (I think) from a used book store in Palo Alto shortly after the turn of the century, but finding myself without an audiobook, I checked it out from the e-library. But a strange thing happened: the audiobook doesn't have all of the essays that are in the paperback. Ack! But even though I still need to fill in the blanks, I can safely give this one a hearty endorsement. Faves: Somebody's Baby & the title essay.

ImperfectCJ Another for #bookspinbingo ... Getting closer! 4y
JamieArc This is on my BookSpin bingo list too, though haven‘t read it yet. 4y
ImperfectCJ @JamieArc I had been putting off reading it for years, but it turned out to be perfect for my current mood. The essays are unflinching about the bad in the world but hopeful. 4y
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ImperfectCJ
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"Every one of us is called upon, probably many times, to start a new life. A frightening diagnosis, a marriage, a move, loss of a job or a limb or a loved one, a graduation, bringing a new baby home: it's impossible to think at first how this will all be possible. Eventually, what moves it all forward is the subterranean ebb and flow of being alive among the living."

Trashcanman 💜 4y
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cajunsyd
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I have just started this gem by one of my favorite authors and she does not disappoint. I look forward to exploring Kingsolver‘s Tucson next month!

Tex2Flo I've got this on my TBR list right now, too. Can't seem to find the right weather...or mood...to get started on it. 4y
cajunsyd @Tex2Flo I think that you will love it! 4y
LauraBeth Kingsolver never disappoints! 4y
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cajunsyd @LauraBeth she really doesn‘t! 4y
saguarosally Enjoy Tucson! 4y
cajunsyd @saguarosally I can‘t wait to visit! Our niece is graduating from college. We are planning lots of hikes! 4y
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howjessicareads
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I had a fabulous day (as always) at the #TucsonFestivalofBooks! I went by myself this year, and enjoyed panels featuring Jasmine Guillory, Susanna Kearsley, and Luis Alberto Urrea. Plus I found several new authors to try, hooray!

Find many more photos and videos in my IG stories if you‘re interested. 🙂 #Tucson #tfob

JamieArc 😍😍😍 5y
MCYmermaid Really missing TFOB this year! Enjoy! 5y
Leftcoastzen I was going to go this year , but didn‘t. Went last year and had an amazing time. 5y
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LauraBeth
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Per Kingsolver - teach yourself joy by looking at a single glorious thing. 🌺

Prairiegirl_reading I love her!! 5y
JSW THis is excellent advice. 5y
saguarosally Share the vision then with others. Also, go to Tucson. 5y
Suet624 That‘s wonderful. 5y
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Tex2Flo
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We‘ve had more rain than necessary!! Yes, It‘s good reading weather, but I would rather not be worrying about water in the laundry room...again. Planning my ark.

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crhealey
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Pickpick

Not my favorite, but it's not as if you can go wrong with a Kingsolver! #weekendreads

Bostonmomx2 Holy crow, I‘ve always read her last name as kingsLOVER and just now realized when I thought made a typo I‘ve been wrong all these years 😂😂 6y
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crhealey
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And to think Kingsolver was talking about Reagan and not a certain other someone...😫

Side note: I love the little pops of color throughout this book!

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jillrhudy
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April books, plus I re-read two old faves, “High Tide in Tuscon” and “The French Lieutenant‘s Woman.”

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jillrhudy
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🔥🔥🔥 you go girl 👍🏻 One of my favorite books of essays of all time AND I have met the author. #feminism #economics #history

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Alicia
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My three bags of books for this weekend‘s #tfob2018 or the Tucson Festival of Books!!! I‘d unpack them all but like a nerd I packed the bags very specifically... with the last event at the bottom! Get excited for lots of author and book pics this weekend!!!

MuddyPuddle I moved from Tucson back east a year ago, oh how I will miss the Tucson Festival of Books. Nothing like it! Enjoy!!! 6y
Soubhiville 😲🤓🤤 I can‘t wait to see what you‘ve got in there! 6y
Alicia @MuddyPuddle thank you!!! This is my fourth year. It‘s my favorite!!! 6y
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Alicia @Soubhiville I‘ll post more!!! It‘s a lot of books.... 🙈😀📚 6y
Cupofjo Have a blast! I was totally planning on going, but we‘re going out of town and will miss it this year ☹️ (edited) 6y
dylanisreading I didn't realize the festival is this weekend! 6y
Alicia @Cupofjo awww!!! It‘s always so fun so next year!!! 6y
Alicia @Bianca are you in Tucson? It‘s so great! You should check it out! 6y
Alicia @saguarosally yassss!!! The festival will miss you this weekend! 6y
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Hamishhhh
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My book sale haul... all of this for $7. Woo!!!

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dylanisreading
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Oh how I've missed blue skies and mountains.

saguarosally Oh how I‘m envious! (Mostly of the mountains. I‘m not as big on blue skies.) 6y
LibrarianJen Blue skies and mountains are the best! 💖💖💖 6y
2BR02B I'm headed there Saturday. Can't wait! 🌵🌞 6y
dylanisreading @LibrarianJen Yes! So pretty. @2BR02B Have fun! 6y
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Kamisha
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Pickpick

Jus finished my Arizona book for the #readingroadtrip! And finally moving on to California with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

High Tide in Tucson was a great collection of Kingsolver's essays. Thought provoking and covering a wide range of topics from biology and sociology to parenting and writing. Really enjoyed it!

rockpools I read this years ago and loved it! Congratulations on reaching California 😉 7y
Kamisha @RachelO Thanks! How is yours going? 7y
rockpools @Kamisha Probably best we don't talk about it! I'm hoping to get into Ohio before the end of the month 😐. Not my most successful challenge ever! 7y
Kamisha @RachelO Haha, no judgement here! If I hadn't taken the easiest route I could find, I definitely don't think I could've made it! 7y
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JessFerg
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Is it weird that I feel at peace when my books match my decor? #dontanswerthat #littlethings #kingsolverwouldunderstand

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howjessicareads
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I knew it was coming, and yet I'm still bitter. 😂😖 116 parked in the shade, 127 driving into the sun. 😮🌵

AlaMich 😳😳😳 7y
Melissa_J OMG! 7y
Oryx Wow. I was complaining because it was 87 here (we can't cope with heat in the UK 😀). 😎💟 7y
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howjessicareads @Oryx yeah once I was in London during a "heat wave" and I felt infinitely amused by/superior to all the people wilting around me. Lol. It is hard though since so few places are air-conditioned there! At least here almost all indoor spaces are cool. ? 7y
howjessicareads This makes my bitter heart warm with solidarity @AlaMich & @Melissa_J!! 😂😂 7y
JoeStalksBeck Geez my husband freaks if it's 70. I grew up without ac so heat doesn't get to me though 7y
Amandajoy We've hit 100 the last few days, so when the clouds magically came today & it was in the low 90s I ran outside for a walk! 7y
CouronneDhiver Good gracious. 7y
41 likes8 comments
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JanuarieTimewalker13
Pickpick

I started this book of essays 2 months ago and would read a few here and there. I loved it! She writes about a large range of topics from her Bahamian stowaway hermit crab named Buster to Titan Missiles and the recklessness of war. You travel with her to Tenerife, Benin, Kentucky, and the crater floor of Haleakala. She discussed all types of animals that were attracted to her home in Tucson. Entertaining and educational, highly recommend!

ClairesReads Ooo I didn't know about this but I love Kingsolver! 7y
JanuarieTimewalker13 @ClairesReads I think you'd like it! It was written in 1995, so it gives you glimpse into that time period, although some essays go back to 90. She makes you think about things you may not otherwise examine. 7y
ClairesReads @JanuarieTimewalker13 nice ill have to keep an eye out for t 7y
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JanuarieTimewalker13
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Back to Barbara...love her essays!! And based on this, I really need to read Steinbeck (I read Of Mice and Men in HS, but I really want to read TGOW).
Librarians would love "How Mr. Dewey Decimal Saved my Life." Really enjoying this book of essays!

EvieBee Need to read this book AND Hemingway! 7y
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saguarosally
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Off to #TFOB ! Here, a photo for recognition purposes. I'm seeing four events today so you might catch me anywhere!🏃🏻‍♀️

Lindy Have fun! 7y
Lmstraubie Have a great time! 7y
33 likes3 comments
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howjessicareads
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I'm so excited about #TFOB tomorrow! A few of my fave pictures from years past...

And! I won't be able to stay as late as 6 @saguarosally (& whoever else is coming...). But I plan to be hanging out near-ish Modern Languages around 1:00, if anyone can meet then! Leave a comment below and we can try to find each other. 🙂

RebL Are you doing Writing the West? 7y
saguarosally Let me see what I can do. I've got a schedule of events upon events but I'm always up for making time for Littens! 7y
Lmstraubie This looks like so much fun! 7y
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howjessicareads @saguarosally - I'm still next to modern languages if you're not elsewhere! 7y
howjessicareads @RebL - nope, sorry 7y
RebL Me neither. Was playing a guessing game. 7y
saguarosally @jess.how @rebl At The Story of Autism now. Going to try as a walk in for Incredible Journeys but it was already gone by the time I tried online. 7y
howjessicareads @saguarosally @RebL - sorry to miss you! But had a ton of fun today! 7y
MCYmermaid So sorry to miss the TFOB this year. 7y
52 likes9 comments
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JanuarieTimewalker13
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Thanks to a fellow Litizen, I learned about this book!! Only on p82, but loving it for its witty and thought provoking essays! My first Barbara Kingsolver, and definitely won't be the last.

JanuarieTimewalker13 @Mindyrecycles thank you so much for posting this the other day!! Enjoying it so much!! 7y
Mindyrecycles My pleasure! Welcome to Kingsolver, she's fantastic. 7y
33 likes2 comments
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Mindyrecycles
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Tucson Festival of Books starts Saturday. So excited!

#TFOB

saresmoore COOL! 7y
Oryx Wow 7y
JanuarieTimewalker13 I just ordered this book from my library bc of your post!!! Have fun!!! 7y
minkyb Oh what fun! 7y
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Kimzey
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My orange stack is looking a little pink in the lamplight. #orangecovers #photoadaynov16 @RealLifeReading

vivastory @Kimzey That is my favorite translation of "Inferno." 7y
Desha Lovely! 😍 7y
Kimzey @vivastory Great to know! A friend gave me her copy when she was downsizing. 7y
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Kimzey @Desha Thanks! 7y
Kimzey @MrBook 👍🏻📚 Thanks! 7y
quirkyreader I love the Dickens cover 7y
Kimzey @quirkyreader Me too. My stack needed a classic or two! 😊 7y
Librariana Such beautiful hues! 😍 7y
Kimzey @librariana Thanks, I agree! I'm kind of sorry I've reshelved everything. 7y
saguarosally Speaking of Tucson, anyone off to Tucson Festival of Books this next year? 7y
Kimzey @saguarosally That looks like a huge festival! Have you been? 7y
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