Kenneth H. (Threewheeler) -
Such a small book and yet, a book with great power. If you are open to books about real people and how we all live in this world, you also may find your heart touched as I have. I found myself thinking that I recognized people like those that I have known in places where I have lived. At times in this reading I stopped and said aloud to myself "Hey, I get it! I never thoght about it that way, but I understand what he is saying here." We all are admonished to "stop and smell the roses" but, we also should take the time to get past the "hi/goodbye" passing of two people and start to talk to and learn about each other. We may just discover that some people around us are priceless and can give us the lasting gift of friendship.
Joedy C. (operalover) reviewed In the Neighborhood: The Search for Community on an American Street, One Sleepover at a Time on + 15 more book reviews
This is an interesting read that can easily be tackled in an afternoon. While it seems more like an extended magazine article, it does cause a reader to look around their own neighborhood and ask how well the people know one another -- if at all. Having lived on the same street for more than 30 years (and now the second oldest, in terms of residency, on the street), it is interesting to look back over the years at how the neighborhood has evolved -- when we moved onto the street we were the only household (out of 14) that had children -- While our children are now adults and original neighbors have passed away or moved to retirement communities, the neighborhood now has a dozen children in residence!! It's a diverse neighborhood where folks really do look out for one another (as well as the many pets)...and we share a lovely park and a trail down to the river...yet we are just minutes from the Nation's Capitol. The book will give you a new appreciation of those who daily deliver your mail and your newspaper and perhaps encourage you to get to know your neighbors better...
