The Pleasure of My Company: Finding the Motivation and Courage to Spend Time Alone

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It will be for sure standing out on the bookshelves. Let's stop in Florence for a moment - this stop was full of art. I loved the precise descriptions, the slow motion, the no - hurry, to see Florence through Stephanie Rosenbloom's eyes like this. The one or two anecdotes or memories were an added bonus, of course, the secret place so worth mention.

This destination was beautifully described, with so much heart and soul in every word, and the educational part was truly well balanced by humour and sharp observations. Stephanie Rosenbloom has visited Florence in autumn and the descriptions of trees glowing yellow in the sunshine were so vivid, as well the descriptions of food and streets, and I really didn't know there are streets like Death, Hell and The Way of the Discontented in Tuscany - but this book is so much more than a travel guide.

Many great names are being mentioned in this chapter, just think about Michelangelo, Padre Pinocchio, The Birth of Venus, and I would really take someone's arm off to see those things with my own eyes. There were brilliant, interesting facts mentioned that I would probably never hear about if I hadn't read this book, and it was full of clever insights and observations.

Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review. Jun 24, Joanna Park rated it really liked it. However I very much enjoyed the journey to the four countries that the author takes us on. The four cities Paris, Istanbul, Florence and New York are vividly described by the author so that the reader feels like they are there alongside her experiencing all the sights and sounds too. I really felt that I could visualise the cities in my mind and I now want to visit them in the near future as Stephanie makes them seem so interesting.

In each city we are taken on a whistle stop tour of the tourist attractions and must see sights which were fascinating to read about.

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I spent a lot of time on Google looking up some of the places as they sounded so intriguing. This is cleverly interwoven with some history of each place and some quotes from famous people who lived in or visited the area. This helped add to the experience of each place and it was very interesting to know more about how other people perceived the city too. I had no idea so many famous people had lived in New York and that so many interesting things had happened there.

I love the idea of revisiting your home town and seeing it again with fresh eyes. I have lived in the same town for over twenty years and will be taking time out to visit some of the famous and beautiful areas as soon as possible. Huge thanks to Hayley and Transworld publishers for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour. Jul 22, Kat rated it it was ok. Preaching to the choir for me Sep 20, Steph rated it really liked it Shelves: I've recently figured out that I really enjoy traveling alone and I'm a sucker for any book that gives me ideas for how to have even more fun doing so.

It'd be worth reading that chunk of the book if you're thinking of traveling alone or even if you're just traveling. Aug 11, Bookworm rated it did not like it. As someone who is very introverted, doesn't mind spending lots of time alone, avoids crowds, etc. Being "alone" is an increasingly precious commodity and her book sounded very interesting. Being alone in four cities, and the experience of being alone in her travels with her solo spaces and solitude.

Unfortunately, the negative reviews are on point. If you've done any reading of relatively recent articles urging people to do more things by themselves or taking As someone who is very introverted, doesn't mind spending lots of time alone, avoids crowds, etc. If you've done any reading of relatively recent articles urging people to do more things by themselves or taking off on a trip solo or finding ways to find "quiet" in the world, etc. I also agree with the assessment that the book can't quite decide what it wants to be: Normally travel memoirs are fine for me and I always like reading about experiences of people going off on their own but this was another book that should have stayed a long-form article or a series that runs on weekly basis or something.

If you're someone who hasn't done this or is unfamiliar with the concept this may be something to read. If you're at all interested in any of the cities she mentions it may be of interest. Otherwise, though, you can probably read better magazine articles that cover this topic just fine. Library borrow if you're really interested.

May 16, Heather Nixon rated it liked it. As someone who definitely values alone time, likes time on my own and is interested in solo travelling, it made for an interesting, eye opening and somewhat relatable read.

The main negative was the repetition, especially the phrases: Additionally, on occasion it felt forcefully wistful which came across as cheesy at times and the tips at the end of the book appeared to be sponsored by the websites and apps mentioned maybe not! However, I adored the slow but rich experience of reading about the wonderful cities mentioned, I found myself tabbing so many quotes, statistics and places to visit within this book it gave me serious wanderlust and despite my grievances, I would highly recommend it, particularly if you're planning to visit any of the four cities explored in the book.

Alone Time: Four Seasons, Four Cities, and the Pleasures of Solitude by Stephanie Rosenbloom

Review taken in part from my blog: Sep 16, Pam Cipkowski rated it it was amazing Shelves: Rosenbloom recounts her travels alone in four different cities around the world: She describes what it is to walk, dine, and go to a museum alone, among other singular activities. While some readers bemoaned the lack of a narrative or a memoir-like style, I found her vignettes pleasurable to read.

If you enjoy traveling alone or opportunities to be by yourself, you will savor and delight in this book. Jul 24, Liz Pardey rated it did not like it. Totally boring -- it is written like a magazine article -- a teaser personal reminiscence followed by 'tips for travellers' I had expected a memoir and ended up skim skipping through which I something I rarely do.

Aug 08, Kyle Lane rated it did not like it. It's like she wanted to write about a trip she had and made up a reason for it and tried to find supporting arguments after the fact. I get it, you like Paris, we all like Paris. Jul 01, Miko Lee rated it it was ok. Bits of research and history are added to the tales but overall a bit dry.

Jul 09, Susie rated it it was ok. I wanted this to feel more like a memoir or narrative than it actually did. Nov 03, Jennifer rated it liked it. I like to travel and fine with going alone so this was a perfect read. Jul 07, Joanna rated it liked it Shelves: Solo travel and the pleasures of solitude in general are topics that I heartily endorse.

All of my trips to Italy so far have been solo adventures. I have learned more about the country and also myself through these opportunities precisely because I traveled on my own. With that in mind, initially, I was very excited to read this book. And, parts of it I enjoyed. The author's chapter on her market experience to organize a picnic for herself in the Luxembourg Gardens was equally entertaining and Solo travel and the pleasures of solitude in general are topics that I heartily endorse.

The author's chapter on her market experience to organize a picnic for herself in the Luxembourg Gardens was equally entertaining and relatable. I would do the same thing she did by following the older French ladies who clearly knew the market's best vendors and then fumbling my way through my purchase with that vendor - language barriers and all.

Loved, loved, loved the descriptions of that entire experience. My overarching disappointment with this book, however, is that it doesn't know what it wants to be - Travel memoir? Rosenbloom clearly did her research across a wide range of topics related to solitude, and that is commendable.

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But, the organization of the book was so disjointed that I struggled to hit a reading "flow" suitable to reference this since she talks about the "flow" concept in the book. One paragraph would be research references to make a point, then the next paragraph would be her experience or observations of said point. It was challenging for me to relate to the author's chapters on Florence.

My own experiences in the city were different, and to use another reference from the book, more serendipitous in the moments of joy I experienced even joy amidst frustration in learning to be flexible with plans when Mother Nature thwarts your best laid plans. What stood out clearly in this book is that Rosenbloom adores Paris. Through her eyes, I experienced a solo travel perspective of Paris that motivates me to plan my own solo excursion there soon. I happily take that motivation, and am currently doing research for such a trip. If you are looking for a true "four seasons" memoir abroad, read Anthony Doerr's Four Seasons in Rome.

A friend recommended the book to me after my first solo trip to Rome, and I'm so grateful for her spot-on recommendation. Doerr's memoir is a true love song to Rome, and my experiences echoed so many of his lyrical expressions. Aug 26, Kate Schwarz rated it liked it Shelves: I liked this book. I liked living vicariously through Rosenbloom's travels as she visited four cities for about a week each: I liked listening to the results of her research on the benefits of being alone--such as how solo museum-goers appreciated the art more when alone.

The statistics on the rise of solo travel and solo dining surprised me, and encouraged me to try it sometime, albeit on a smaller scale. I was surprised that there was only one single mention about how traveling solo to places far and near is a massive luxury, and how the ironic it is to write and promote a book on solo travels when so many people wish they didn't have so much alone time.

They'd rather have rooms full of laughter and conversation and meaningful exchanges rather than silence; I can relate. I am pretty sure she was single when she wrote the book and makes no mention of children, and talks only briefly about why people might want to go alone. I think in ten years she might spend more time on this. Still, I found myself thinking about her book and the idea of traveling with or without a companion or two. It was lovely daydreaming about this, so I am glad I listened to her book.

Sep 30, Lisa Carlson rated it it was amazing Recommended to Lisa by: NY Times staff columnist Travel section and writer Stephanie Rosenbloom superbly stimulates the senses in her terrifically written book Alone Time: When I recently browsed the library shelves of new releases librarians had put this one out on display and for good reason. Indeed this is a book to "savor" as I enjoyed each page. As I turned the pages I was immediately taken in by her seemingly "old soul" approach and even more surprised whe NY Times staff columnist Travel section and writer Stephanie Rosenbloom superbly stimulates the senses in her terrifically written book Alone Time: As I turned the pages I was immediately taken in by her seemingly "old soul" approach and even more surprised when her photo revealed another detail; she's young.

Rosenbloom offers her experiences in Paris, Istanbul, Florence and NY intertwined with factual and interesting revelations which should endear and attract any lover of travel, history, reading and writing. One of my favorite parts comes near the end in the form of suggestions for lodging, eating, safety, giving etc. I am now a member of Bookcrossings. Complete with acknowledgments and notes. Jul 10, Maria rated it really liked it Shelves: Have you ever come home from a vacation and needed a vacation to recover from your vacation? Rosenbloom preaches the joys of an unscheduled holiday, were you are in complete control of your itinerary and time.

She encourages readers to anticipate and savor the experiences of walking thru strange cities and spending time in the now. Why I started this book: Why I finished it: In addition to Have you ever come home from a vacation and needed a vacation to recover from your vacation? In addition to reporting on her trips solo, Rosenbloom research what artists, poets and others from the past have written about traveling alone. It is a reminder that we all need time alone to rest and recharge, and an invitation to do so.

Jun 07, Rosie Amber rated it liked it Shelves: The author believes that the single person, as a commodity, is a growing market particularly for travel and dining alone, whilst time alone is good for the soul: With this in mind Stephanie Rosenbloom travelled to four cities to explore and experience them through solo travel.

See here for full review https: Sep 29, Kelli rated it liked it. I wanted to like this book so much, but it fell a little bit flat for me. I am a big fan of solo travel and actually read this while I was on a solo leg of a recent trip to Europe. The book spent a large amount of time describing Paris, and felt a little lighter on the other trips she took. Any item with "FREE Shipping" label on the search and the product detail page is eligible and contributes to your free shipping order minimum.

You can get the remaining amount to reach the Free shipping threshold by adding any eligible item to your cart. How much do you enjoy the pleasure of your own company? Morrell shares her enthusiasm for spending time alone in a style that's amusing and provocative, lighthearted and inspiring, and she dispels the negative connotations of the word 'alone. Morrell, our personal stories are what make us interesting. They help us to connect with, teach and inspire others. So sitting home and not doing something or going somewhere just because you'd have to do it by yourself are missed opportunities for creating your 'stories' and for enriching your own life and the lives of those with whom you interact.

Due to our social nature, many people are apprehensive at the prospect of doing the simplest of activities without company. Morrell breaks down those barriers into simple terms so they become less daunting, whether it's the reader's choice to be alone or if it's a personal set of circumstances.

Some of the practical, solitary experiences she writes about are going to a movie, eating out, attending a class, working out and traveling. Besides these practical applications, the book also talks, on a deeper level, about the value of solitude, meditation, silence and creating balance in your life. Everyone needs to honor themselves with some 'alone time, ' whether you're single or in a relationship, living alone or living with others.

Morrell doesn't pretend to have all the answers. So, at the end of each chapter, she poses provocative questions and offers exercises, books and suggestions to help readers find their own answers for stepping out of their comfort zones and enriching their lives in the pleasure of their own company. We will send you an SMS containing a verification code. Please double check your mobile number and click on "Send Verification Code". Enter the code below and hit Verify.

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