Hannah’s Reviews > Small Bodies of Water > Status Update

Possibly my favourite chapter so far, 161 - 176, "Ache". Has inspired me to go swimming in those transitional seasons, especially poignant in these first few days of spring. Where can I swim? Where will I swim in the future? What is the coolest temperature which I could sustain and feel empowered from?

Loved the essay "we are all dreaming of pools". She lists a range of different pools she has swum in, a few I too have used frequently in Wellington when I lived there. I especially loved the following quote "away from the changing rooms, in the pool itself - a public body of water - I am a stronger version of myself"

Loved this chapter. All about different earthquakes and tsunamis which have happened and for me as a geographer and someone who remembers these earthquakes happening and living in Wellington, definitely resonated with me. She parallels this with her understanding of anxiety. Once again related back to water. So refreshing.

First chapter is lovely. Descriptions of different places which she swims at, a Ladies only Pond in England, Borneo, Wellington harbor. I looked each of them up, love learning about places through text 🗺 Also tells us about her popo and women as half fish. So interesting.

Loving the geography in this book. Just had a chapter looking at her experiences with earthquakes and tsunamis and dreams

In the first chapter you are introduced to Powles background and the various places she has lived in life. Touching on what and where "home" really is and the closure she feels when she is immersed under water. So many beautiful metaphors and analogies about water. "Underwater everything was different, bathed in holy silence and blue echoes. We felt the way our limbs moved, lithe and strong and brand new" (p.5)