'Joyful spelunking' is absolutely the activity I have in mind when I enter a secondhand bookshop, Mitchell - you've put it absolutely beautifully! A badly-arranged collection of books is no fun at all.
Another post that puts a grin on my face, as I imagine you and an imaginary Terry collaborating on this. And my goodness, the puzzle book itself... I can't imagine what it took to create such a series of puzzles! Well done!
Golly. Maths-oriented puzzles would make me want to GET lost! Your dedication is pretty amazing.
I ask myself what sort of brain it would take to think up these sorts of things.
I noted Terry's reading/review advice and plan to give it a whirl. My question would be how to read/review an audiobook? I imagine he'll have a concise and well-thought out solution.
And thank you for the recommends - especially love the comic.
LOL - I know what you mean, Prue! It's why I'd rejected the book as a potential Christmas present (ungrateful wretch that I am!).
Oooooh, good question about reviewing an audio book! Kind of hard to refer back to specific points in the text, I would imagine, but of course listeners have all sorts of preferences as to what kind of voice, accent and style of delivery they like, so that's another factor to review. I absolutely love what I'm listening to at the moment, read by Clare Corbett.
Another wonderful post! Loved it, loved it, loved it. Two pounds well spent. Well done Terry too! (And with my mathematical brain, that last problem was delightfully easy. Thanks so much.)
Thank you so much, Beth - and brilliant work on the maths! I go around in circles with things like that - which will come as no surprise to any reader! 🤣
Wonderful post. My map anxiety has been normalized and I have learned good reading tips. What a cheerful read. Plus! Can't wait for Legends and Landmarks if I make it to England in future.
In about 20 years, Rebecca, you will be driving along and suddenly forget where you are even going! You will pull off the road and have this conversation with yourself: Okay, now... where are you headed? Um, the pharmacy? Oh yes. Okay, now what street is this..." etc. It is shocking how a map is of no help at all if you can't remember your destination. I'm just saying.
However, I am directionally challenged so when driving around the areas close to where I live I inevitably turn the complete opposite of where I should turn. I am not sure why, but this is my experience living in New England where there are not many road areas that are in grids. And there are trees everywhere so you can’t always see the sun to help you tell direction (or clouds). I recently started using the compass in the car. I forgot that I had it, so that has slightly helped as long as I can figure out which direction my home is in.
Normally this would not be an issue, but often there are roads closed due to work on the road, or an accident or some other obstruction. And then I cannot take my normal route that I have memorized.
Oh, and now my phone has been set up by my daughter so that it always tells me how to get home. So perhaps I will be able to get home quicker than I usually do.
I've often wondered about the grid system of many US cities, Julie, and feel that I might find it more disorientating than straightforward to find my way around!
And you're right - it's all very well knowing where you're going when the route is a familiar one, but like you I am always thrown by curveballs of obstructions or diversions.
I had to call Jim the other day while I was out - I was heading for Eastbourne, but instead of turning left off the roundabout toward the industrial estate I needed to get to, my built-in autopilot (don't laugh!) directed me to go straight on, towards the hospital. I felt like such an idiot! 🤣
So some cities like Seattle have a grid system and you can tell by someone’s address exactly where they live. But here in the east no such luck.
Funny you should mention roundabouts. Here they are becoming more popular, and I have to say more than one time I have had to go around several times to go to the right exit lol
LOL - glad it's not just me who goes around roundabouts more than once!
When I lived in Germany the first time (1993) I don't recall coming across a single roundabout - it was traffic lights all the way! Later on they became more widespread - I haven't been over there in 20 years, now - I wonder if they're just as common there now as they always have been over here? 🤔
I agree! I much prefer them to traffic lights..... 🚦....well, if people use them correctly, that is. I am SO TEMPTED to paint arrows on the road at one roundabout local to me - I get very frustrated with people using the wrong lane!
I wish I had the determination, or maybe what's actually lacking is the belief that I could ever improve! Please do let us know how this exercise works out. I will try to remain open minded. The illustration of your inner compass made me laugh right out loud. Yep. I'm there!
I'm hoping that both homework and practice will eventually make perfect, Elizabeth, both with solving puzzles and with the not getting lost thing!
I had fun with that inner compass illustration - I've used it in a couple of previous posts already, actually, and felt it fitted right in with this one, too! 😁
That's such good advice, Mary - I agree wholeheartedly with your caveat! 🙌
Brace yourself for this: I remember being told by a former colleague that she would always flick right to the end of a book in a bookshop or library 'to check that it would be worth reading'. That's right - she would only read books that didn't surprise her at the end; she would want to know in advance how the story was going to end. I was absolutely floored.
It's a great book, isn't it? I feel very guilty for my initially-churlish thoughts about it! And thank you for such a lovely comment - you're so kind! 😘
Oh, how I love this post! So many chuckles, so many things that relate, I LOVE "Rebecca's Inner Compass by Rebecca". I'm going through my 2nd read now, reading bits to Jim, both of us laughing.
Your first paragraph reminded me of a high school Physics class with a final exam word problem about a train moving at a certain mph heading west and another train moving at a different mph heading east and calculating which train would get to the destination first. My answer? "I don't know anyone on either train so I don't really care which train gets there first."
I'm so intrigued by the book I did a quick search to see if there's an equivalent for Texas or the US but, no, there isn't! (Jim's idea: he and I should write one, starting with New York City. How fun would that be? Also, Jim mail address is "map guy" in Chinese.)
I'm also going to give Terry's advice on deciding whether to read something or not and share it with Jim. Jim does a few those things already. Terry is so gifted!
Thanks, too, for other the Substack recommendations - I've checked them out. And thanks for being one of the brightest literary spots in my week. 😁⭐️
Very flattered, Rebecca. Nice of you to thank me for all my help, but you did it yourself. Really interesting to see my patent-pending method applied to a completely different type of book! 😁
😁 So kind, Terry, but you started it with that fabulous post of yours! However, I take your compliment proudly and am grateful for it! 😊😊😊 Thank you. 🤩
Great review! I will buy one. I love maps and I love puzzles, so, a perfect fit. Except for the ones requiring math/algebra. I'll save those for my number-nerdy son. We both read maps for hours as if we were reading books. Do you know if there are any Scotland maps in this book, Rebecca?
Thanks, Sharron, and how lovely! Yes, Scotland is one of the eight sections in the books, with five maps (each with eight questions; two for each difficulty level). Specific areas covered by the Scotland maps are:
Fort Augustus, Highland
Edinburgh
Oban, Argyll and Bute
Unst, Shetland Islands
Black Isle, Highland
To my delight, one of the maps in the north west England section of the book shows the area where I spent every one of my childhood summers, although it's a shame that none in the south east England section show where I live.
Lovely! I have visited all the Scottish places you mentioned! Even Unst and Shetland. I just ordered this book, used, on Amazon. They promised there was no writing in it...
'Joyful spelunking' is absolutely the activity I have in mind when I enter a secondhand bookshop, Mitchell - you've put it absolutely beautifully! A badly-arranged collection of books is no fun at all.
Another post that puts a grin on my face, as I imagine you and an imaginary Terry collaborating on this. And my goodness, the puzzle book itself... I can't imagine what it took to create such a series of puzzles! Well done!
Thanks, Mark! I really enjoyed working on this post using Terry's tips - it was a fun project! 🗺️
Golly. Maths-oriented puzzles would make me want to GET lost! Your dedication is pretty amazing.
I ask myself what sort of brain it would take to think up these sorts of things.
I noted Terry's reading/review advice and plan to give it a whirl. My question would be how to read/review an audiobook? I imagine he'll have a concise and well-thought out solution.
And thank you for the recommends - especially love the comic.
LOL - I know what you mean, Prue! It's why I'd rejected the book as a potential Christmas present (ungrateful wretch that I am!).
Oooooh, good question about reviewing an audio book! Kind of hard to refer back to specific points in the text, I would imagine, but of course listeners have all sorts of preferences as to what kind of voice, accent and style of delivery they like, so that's another factor to review. I absolutely love what I'm listening to at the moment, read by Clare Corbett.
Another wonderful post! Loved it, loved it, loved it. Two pounds well spent. Well done Terry too! (And with my mathematical brain, that last problem was delightfully easy. Thanks so much.)
Thank you so much, Beth - and brilliant work on the maths! I go around in circles with things like that - which will come as no surprise to any reader! 🤣
Thanks for the shoutout for my comic, Rebecca! Much appreciated! :D
Such a pleasure, Margreet! Loved it! 😊
Wonderful post. My map anxiety has been normalized and I have learned good reading tips. What a cheerful read. Plus! Can't wait for Legends and Landmarks if I make it to England in future.
KLC in Canada
I'm glad I'm not the only one out there with map anxiety, Krista! Thank you so much for reading and commenting! 🗺️
In about 20 years, Rebecca, you will be driving along and suddenly forget where you are even going! You will pull off the road and have this conversation with yourself: Okay, now... where are you headed? Um, the pharmacy? Oh yes. Okay, now what street is this..." etc. It is shocking how a map is of no help at all if you can't remember your destination. I'm just saying.
I have to say that that's not just 20 years from now, Sharron... I do exactly this already! 🤣
Oh no! This is not good. Too soon! Too soon!
🤣
Ok, first of all, I love maps.
However, I am directionally challenged so when driving around the areas close to where I live I inevitably turn the complete opposite of where I should turn. I am not sure why, but this is my experience living in New England where there are not many road areas that are in grids. And there are trees everywhere so you can’t always see the sun to help you tell direction (or clouds). I recently started using the compass in the car. I forgot that I had it, so that has slightly helped as long as I can figure out which direction my home is in.
Normally this would not be an issue, but often there are roads closed due to work on the road, or an accident or some other obstruction. And then I cannot take my normal route that I have memorized.
Oh, and now my phone has been set up by my daughter so that it always tells me how to get home. So perhaps I will be able to get home quicker than I usually do.
I've often wondered about the grid system of many US cities, Julie, and feel that I might find it more disorientating than straightforward to find my way around!
And you're right - it's all very well knowing where you're going when the route is a familiar one, but like you I am always thrown by curveballs of obstructions or diversions.
I had to call Jim the other day while I was out - I was heading for Eastbourne, but instead of turning left off the roundabout toward the industrial estate I needed to get to, my built-in autopilot (don't laugh!) directed me to go straight on, towards the hospital. I felt like such an idiot! 🤣
So some cities like Seattle have a grid system and you can tell by someone’s address exactly where they live. But here in the east no such luck.
Funny you should mention roundabouts. Here they are becoming more popular, and I have to say more than one time I have had to go around several times to go to the right exit lol
LOL - glad it's not just me who goes around roundabouts more than once!
When I lived in Germany the first time (1993) I don't recall coming across a single roundabout - it was traffic lights all the way! Later on they became more widespread - I haven't been over there in 20 years, now - I wonder if they're just as common there now as they always have been over here? 🤔
There are huge ones in New Jersey, and small ones in CT. People are getting used to them. I believe that they are better than traffic lights
I agree! I much prefer them to traffic lights..... 🚦....well, if people use them correctly, that is. I am SO TEMPTED to paint arrows on the road at one roundabout local to me - I get very frustrated with people using the wrong lane!
This was delightful, combining Terry’s advice with a quirky puzzle book. I giggled the whole time. Thank you for this, Rebecca!
I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, Alison - thank you for reading! 😁
I wish I had the determination, or maybe what's actually lacking is the belief that I could ever improve! Please do let us know how this exercise works out. I will try to remain open minded. The illustration of your inner compass made me laugh right out loud. Yep. I'm there!
I'm hoping that both homework and practice will eventually make perfect, Elizabeth, both with solving puzzles and with the not getting lost thing!
I had fun with that inner compass illustration - I've used it in a couple of previous posts already, actually, and felt it fitted right in with this one, too! 😁
Oooh. I just subbed to Seasalt and Serpentine! I love how fluid their sketchers are! I like how you have the 'reading' section!
Oh how lovely, Medha! Melanie's work is delicious, isn't it? (As, dear girl, is yours!) 😘
Aaahh... delicious is one of my favourite words!
Lucky this worked for you. One caveat: on a memoir or a novel never read the end first EVER! disagreements welcome.
That's such good advice, Mary - I agree wholeheartedly with your caveat! 🙌
Brace yourself for this: I remember being told by a former colleague that she would always flick right to the end of a book in a bookshop or library 'to check that it would be worth reading'. That's right - she would only read books that didn't surprise her at the end; she would want to know in advance how the story was going to end. I was absolutely floored.
It takes all sorts, doesn't it?! 🤣
What a clever book. Where will you go first and will you take us with you? (In one of your fabulously written essays of course.)
It's a great book, isn't it? I feel very guilty for my initially-churlish thoughts about it! And thank you for such a lovely comment - you're so kind! 😘
Oh, how I love this post! So many chuckles, so many things that relate, I LOVE "Rebecca's Inner Compass by Rebecca". I'm going through my 2nd read now, reading bits to Jim, both of us laughing.
Your first paragraph reminded me of a high school Physics class with a final exam word problem about a train moving at a certain mph heading west and another train moving at a different mph heading east and calculating which train would get to the destination first. My answer? "I don't know anyone on either train so I don't really care which train gets there first."
I'm so intrigued by the book I did a quick search to see if there's an equivalent for Texas or the US but, no, there isn't! (Jim's idea: he and I should write one, starting with New York City. How fun would that be? Also, Jim mail address is "map guy" in Chinese.)
I'm also going to give Terry's advice on deciding whether to read something or not and share it with Jim. Jim does a few those things already. Terry is so gifted!
Thanks, too, for other the Substack recommendations - I've checked them out. And thanks for being one of the brightest literary spots in my week. 😁⭐️
Very flattered, Rebecca. Nice of you to thank me for all my help, but you did it yourself. Really interesting to see my patent-pending method applied to a completely different type of book! 😁
😁 So kind, Terry, but you started it with that fabulous post of yours! However, I take your compliment proudly and am grateful for it! 😊😊😊 Thank you. 🤩
Great review! I will buy one. I love maps and I love puzzles, so, a perfect fit. Except for the ones requiring math/algebra. I'll save those for my number-nerdy son. We both read maps for hours as if we were reading books. Do you know if there are any Scotland maps in this book, Rebecca?
Thanks, Sharron, and how lovely! Yes, Scotland is one of the eight sections in the books, with five maps (each with eight questions; two for each difficulty level). Specific areas covered by the Scotland maps are:
Fort Augustus, Highland
Edinburgh
Oban, Argyll and Bute
Unst, Shetland Islands
Black Isle, Highland
To my delight, one of the maps in the north west England section of the book shows the area where I spent every one of my childhood summers, although it's a shame that none in the south east England section show where I live.
Lovely! I have visited all the Scottish places you mentioned! Even Unst and Shetland. I just ordered this book, used, on Amazon. They promised there was no writing in it...
Oh, that's brilliant, Sharron! 😊
I took a test recently which involved the exact "age of two people" type of question you mentioned. You gave me a little shudder with that haha!
LOL, Punit! 🤣