30 review for Boxelder Bug Variations: A Meditation on an Idea in Language and Music

1. 

   5 out of 5

   PlatKat – Dec 17, 2010

   One of my friends at the aquarium bought this for a dollar at Half Price Books. Everything about nature seems to interest her, so why not? I don't know how we got to talking about box elder bugs. I haven't thought about them since I was a kid, collecting them off the side of my friend's house, giving them names (usually Moe), and drawing pictures of them. Although this book alludes to their "variations," I can assure you every drawing looked the same. When you like to draw, but can't do it very One of my friends at the aquarium bought this for a dollar at Half Price Books. Everything about nature seems to interest her, so why not? I don't know how we got to talking about box elder bugs. I haven't thought about them since I was a kid, collecting them off the side of my friend's house, giving them names (usually Moe), and drawing pictures of them. Although this book alludes to their "variations," I can assure you every drawing looked the same. When you like to draw, but can't do it very well, it's best to choose a simple specimen, one that won't get insulted when you get it wrong. This collection of pictures, poems, and songs is an unexpected joy to read. With literary references that could redden any ivory tower, it doesn't leave a single stone unturned when discussing our tiny black and red pals. Five stars, huh? Yeah, FIVE. This book is just one more surprise example of the shared human experience. No matter how many people call you weird for liking something, there are at least as many people somewhere in the world who like it too and evidence of such is marvelous!

2. 

   5 out of 5

   Barb – Mar 06, 2009

   Bill Holm has a way of making the insignificant and even annoying interesting. The book encourages the reader to go further than passive reading -- to fully appreciate what is there, one needs to play/read music, speak out loud, and interact with the world. Somehow his writing bounces the reader more fully back into life.

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Amelia – Jan 23, 2008

   This is so strange - boxelder bugs and music. Boxelder bugs and poetry. Meditation and boxelder bugs. Unfortunately, while several segments shine on their own, Holm lets his smug, showy tone distract from the book's content. This is so strange - boxelder bugs and music. Boxelder bugs and poetry. Meditation and boxelder bugs. Unfortunately, while several segments shine on their own, Holm lets his smug, showy tone distract from the book's content.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Rachel Coyne – Mar 15, 2014

   Musical. A favorite line - Those who save half of what they own feel one pleasure/those who spend everything they have feel another/And who is to say which is the greatest pleasure

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Jim Emery –

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Becky –

7. 

   5 out of 5

   CAG_1337 –

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Sonja –

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Matt –

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Dffisher –

11. 

    5 out of 5

    Andrew –

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Bobbi –

13. 

    4 out of 5

    Josh –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Louise –

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Provichance –

16. 

    5 out of 5

    Mary –

17. 

    4 out of 5

    Barbara –

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Leo –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Jessamyn Tuttle –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    Susan –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Leah –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    Scott Wrobel –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    Sarah Gibbs –

24. 

    4 out of 5

    Ken –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    Lara Peterson –

26. 

    4 out of 5

    Donna –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    Heidi –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Bee –

29. 

    5 out of 5

    Eric –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    Andy Stehr –