Hammer Head

Nina MacLauglin builds this book like a fine piece of furniture that you can admire today, tomorrow, and into the future. The writing is honest, real, and powerful.

Loved this book!

I love books in which the main character gives up one way of life in order to explore a new one. I like it even more when it's a true story. I found myself relating to someone who wants to make something tangible, with her own hands. Go girl!
Overall, it's a good read. I found myself getting a little frustrated because I wanted more day to day details (what did she pack for lunch, how did she dress to work in the harsh weather, what did she do in her six months off a year, and how was she managing the money???????) Instead, I had to plow through a bunch of quotes from Ovid and a more philosophical look at carpentry. While some of the history of tools was interesting, I felt the book was missing the details about the actual jobs. My brother is an exterminator and he has “stories” about the houses he visits and the pests that he battles. I can'‘t believe many of Nina and Mary's jobs were this unspectacular. I don't mean this in a gossipy way. Sometimes a client just tells a good story, or is a great character. There is one in the book, but that's it. In five years of work?
So I feel like this is more a frame of a story, and it's light on details.
I am inspired, however, to learn to swing a hammer myself, so that is awesome.

Also, BOO to no photos! Seriously, we don't even get to see the bookcase?