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Deep Breaths: Tales of Hope and Inspiration
Tara Fox Hall’s writing career began in the pages of a small print magazine, Catnip Blossoms!, that a friend, Harald Moore, put out to promote his catnip farm in Johnsonville, New York. One short non-fiction article followed another, detailing her adventures saving wildlife, her experiences living on an acreage, and more than a few humorous recountings detailing the antics of her wacky pets. Written to delight, fascinate, and move readers, her simple but enchanting stories of country life quickly found a following. Tara kept publishing stories for the next five years, even as the name of the magazine changed to Meanwhile, and then to On The River, when the catnip farm went out of business, and Harald moved with his family to a new home near a river. These previously published stories are collected here for the first time with new added content, in the hopes of bringing a little more hope and inspiration into everyday life.
- GenresNonfiction
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2014
6 people want to read
About the author
Tara Fox Hall
92 books447 followersTara Fox Hall’s writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. She also coauthored the essay “The Allure of the Serial Killer,” published in Serial Killers - Philosophy for Everyone: Being and Killing (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). Her first full-length action-adventure novel, Lash, published in April 2012. Her vampire series begins in June 2012, with the 1st novel Promise Me. Tara divides her free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 4, 2015
This is the kind of book that can be dipped into at intervals or read straight through, according to the reader’s mood.
Tara Fox Hall lives on a farm in a part of the American countryside that I have never seen and am not likely to visit, but in reading these essays I sensed the same kind of earthy familiarity with the natural world, animals, landscapes and farming neighbours, that permeates the writing of Robert Frost.
Working outdoors and caring for living creatures gives her, as she says, “a feeling of being part of something much bigger, and making a difference in the quality of life of others”, a feeling that many city-dwellers have lost irretrievably. The author describes how she has often rescued small creatures and helped them to survive, or, movingly, how she has helped them to die. She notices creatures such as moths and mice, dragonflies and snakes, and does what she can for them, even while she engages in robust activities such as driving a tractor, shovelling muck and using a gun.
As a lover of cats, she is faced with the inevitable contradiction between the serious destruction of wildlife that they wreak, and the charming and endearing character of the cats themselves. Cats in turn may, of course, fall prey to larger wild animals, hence her need, on one occasion, to fire her gun in the air and scare away the lone coyote which, amazingly, seemed only to want to play with her dogs. This episode is poignant. There is a sense of something just missed, a bewildered estrangement, a message lost forever. Tara Fox Hall knows that animals are individuals, not merely examples of their species, and she speaks to them personally, hoping that they understand her good intentions. It is this attitude of empathy, compassion and openness to the creatures that humanity has not yet destroyed that makes this collection of essays such a refreshing read – like deep breaths of fresh air, indeed.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Tara Fox Hall lives on a farm in a part of the American countryside that I have never seen and am not likely to visit, but in reading these essays I sensed the same kind of earthy familiarity with the natural world, animals, landscapes and farming neighbours, that permeates the writing of Robert Frost.
Working outdoors and caring for living creatures gives her, as she says, “a feeling of being part of something much bigger, and making a difference in the quality of life of others”, a feeling that many city-dwellers have lost irretrievably. The author describes how she has often rescued small creatures and helped them to survive, or, movingly, how she has helped them to die. She notices creatures such as moths and mice, dragonflies and snakes, and does what she can for them, even while she engages in robust activities such as driving a tractor, shovelling muck and using a gun.
As a lover of cats, she is faced with the inevitable contradiction between the serious destruction of wildlife that they wreak, and the charming and endearing character of the cats themselves. Cats in turn may, of course, fall prey to larger wild animals, hence her need, on one occasion, to fire her gun in the air and scare away the lone coyote which, amazingly, seemed only to want to play with her dogs. This episode is poignant. There is a sense of something just missed, a bewildered estrangement, a message lost forever. Tara Fox Hall knows that animals are individuals, not merely examples of their species, and she speaks to them personally, hoping that they understand her good intentions. It is this attitude of empathy, compassion and openness to the creatures that humanity has not yet destroyed that makes this collection of essays such a refreshing read – like deep breaths of fresh air, indeed.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
June 13, 2015
Uplifting and inspiring
DEEP BREATHS: TALES OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION is an uplifting collection of short stories on life seen through the author's experiences with nature, animals and people. Though there were some essays that merely state a certain experience that the author has with her cats and dogs, for example, there are several stories that contain nuggets of wisdom and inspiring, universal life messages.
Sometimes, I rush through life so fast that reading these real-life short stories is just what I need to pause and take stock of life. I like several stories, but I'll name only a few and what I feel about them.
"Sunset" is a poignant piece, bittersweet and yet, contrary as it may seem, uplifting as well. "Hope" is one of the stories and messages I like best. Let me quote some inspiring sentences from there: "Don't give in to despair, and fear. Choose instead to hope. Break fear's paralyzing hold and give life all you've got."
"Travelling Backroads" is one of the stories I like as well, about opening your mind to possibilities. The message in "Faith" was spot on. I believe all things are perspective, depending on what you believe. "Trapped by Hunger" reminds me of an all-too true truth of how hunger can drive us onward, but that we need to be careful lest we be trapped by it.
The author's thoughts flow well, and the writing is easy to read and get into. She tells an interesting story with each piece, using simple words to convey both the story and the message, all too often a universal truth that serve as a reminder or an eye-opener. This is a book that cannot be read fast like adventure or romance. But it is to be savored, to pause and ponder over in one of those quiet times we all should indulge in each day.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
DEEP BREATHS: TALES OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION is an uplifting collection of short stories on life seen through the author's experiences with nature, animals and people. Though there were some essays that merely state a certain experience that the author has with her cats and dogs, for example, there are several stories that contain nuggets of wisdom and inspiring, universal life messages.
Sometimes, I rush through life so fast that reading these real-life short stories is just what I need to pause and take stock of life. I like several stories, but I'll name only a few and what I feel about them.
"Sunset" is a poignant piece, bittersweet and yet, contrary as it may seem, uplifting as well. "Hope" is one of the stories and messages I like best. Let me quote some inspiring sentences from there: "Don't give in to despair, and fear. Choose instead to hope. Break fear's paralyzing hold and give life all you've got."
"Travelling Backroads" is one of the stories I like as well, about opening your mind to possibilities. The message in "Faith" was spot on. I believe all things are perspective, depending on what you believe. "Trapped by Hunger" reminds me of an all-too true truth of how hunger can drive us onward, but that we need to be careful lest we be trapped by it.
The author's thoughts flow well, and the writing is easy to read and get into. She tells an interesting story with each piece, using simple words to convey both the story and the message, all too often a universal truth that serve as a reminder or an eye-opener. This is a book that cannot be read fast like adventure or romance. But it is to be savored, to pause and ponder over in one of those quiet times we all should indulge in each day.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2015
I have long been a fan of Tara Fox Hall’s fiction so I was quite keen to try her only (as far as I know) non-fiction work.
This is a very moving and often humorous collection of short articles about her life on the farm and her many acts of animal rescue.
Beautifully written, as I would expect from Ms Hall.
A delightful, charming book. Highly recommended.
This is a very moving and often humorous collection of short articles about her life on the farm and her many acts of animal rescue.
Beautifully written, as I would expect from Ms Hall.
A delightful, charming book. Highly recommended.
October 22, 2019
Deep Breaths: Tales of Hope and Inspiration
: Tara Fox Hall
This is a quick clean listen. I wasn't familiar with any of this authors works. The collection of short stories are slices of life on or around her farm. Some of them will give the listener a chuckle, like rescuing dragon flies. Others will dream tears, while others are interesting to hear. I salute Tara Fox Hall for the compassion she shows to creatures large or small.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Deborah Green was very easy to listen to as she shares these stories.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 2, 2021
This was light and airy and just the break from all intense books I recently read. Not that they were not good books. Just intense. The stories of the animals and their rescue, their cute antics, and touching results of the author's tender care were uplifting. The lessons learned from the "characters" inspirational.
The narrator was especially good with my only suggestion being to add a little more pause between the chapters. At times it took me a bit to realize we'd moved on to the next story.
I requested this audio book from Audiobooks Unleashed and have voluntarily left this review.
The narrator was especially good with my only suggestion being to add a little more pause between the chapters. At times it took me a bit to realize we'd moved on to the next story.
I requested this audio book from Audiobooks Unleashed and have voluntarily left this review.
August 23, 2020
audible:Excellent stories to give one a lift in these trying times. Deborah Green was a fine narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
September 22, 2014
I always feel privileged when authors let us into their private worlds and so I entered Tara Fox Hall's world with wonder and some trepidation. I'd read (and thoroughly enjoyed) her stories before, but not her factual essays. But I needn't have worried; stepping into Deep Breaths was like entering an enchanting new world.
Deep Breaths is a collection of reflections on the author's daily life in the idyllic-sounding environment in which she lives. She enjoys complete harmony with the natural world around her and with which she communes as she goes about her daily routine, doing her chores or walking her faithful dogs (and cats). Her extended family of pets is especially delightful and unique, each with their own quirks and personalities as interesting as their names.
Wild creatures, some of whose names I've only ever come across in films, surround the author. Coming from the UK, I've never seen coyotes, chickadees, groundhogs or hummingbird moths, but Hall encounters them every day… and generally rescues them from various dramatic plights. Whether she's saving trapped dragon flies, stray toads, adventurous snapping turtles or opportune starlings nesting in the eaves of her house, her sense of humour and powerful faith shines through her accounts and descriptions , making them uplifting to read.
I found Sunset, in which she ensures a trio of beautiful moths with singed wings meet a dignified end particularly poignant; while Letting Go, her reflections on her beloved, aging dog, Kesteral, had me unashamedly in tears. And only Tara Fox Hall can make the stacking of firewood into such a delightful subject as in Keeping it Straight.
This collection of writings will draw you into the author's special world, lift your spirits and leave you feeling deeply satisfied. She writes with wit, perception and immense sensitivity. Each short essay can be read and savoured in isolation, to raise flagging spirits during short breaks from the mundane routine, or read as I did, in a couple of sittings, because I simply could not tear myself away from Tara Fox Hall's captivating world. Highly recommended.
Deep Breaths is a collection of reflections on the author's daily life in the idyllic-sounding environment in which she lives. She enjoys complete harmony with the natural world around her and with which she communes as she goes about her daily routine, doing her chores or walking her faithful dogs (and cats). Her extended family of pets is especially delightful and unique, each with their own quirks and personalities as interesting as their names.
Wild creatures, some of whose names I've only ever come across in films, surround the author. Coming from the UK, I've never seen coyotes, chickadees, groundhogs or hummingbird moths, but Hall encounters them every day… and generally rescues them from various dramatic plights. Whether she's saving trapped dragon flies, stray toads, adventurous snapping turtles or opportune starlings nesting in the eaves of her house, her sense of humour and powerful faith shines through her accounts and descriptions , making them uplifting to read.
I found Sunset, in which she ensures a trio of beautiful moths with singed wings meet a dignified end particularly poignant; while Letting Go, her reflections on her beloved, aging dog, Kesteral, had me unashamedly in tears. And only Tara Fox Hall can make the stacking of firewood into such a delightful subject as in Keeping it Straight.
This collection of writings will draw you into the author's special world, lift your spirits and leave you feeling deeply satisfied. She writes with wit, perception and immense sensitivity. Each short essay can be read and savoured in isolation, to raise flagging spirits during short breaks from the mundane routine, or read as I did, in a couple of sittings, because I simply could not tear myself away from Tara Fox Hall's captivating world. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews