This was a very thought-provoking book. I wasn't sure about it at first but the further I got, the more I enjoyed the experience. I reflected a lot and learned some things too.

A thoughtful lovely book of essay.The author is an American living in Japan he shares personal observations and thoughts on the natural world.Each essay is accompanied by a zen drawing.#netgalley #ofarcsandcircles

This is the book I needed right now. A small island of hope in a current tumultuous world.
Marc Peter Keane is a landscape architect who lived almost 20 years in Kyoto, Japan. And since I love Japan (in a healthy way, duh), I just needed to read this book as soon as I discovered it.

Marc's writing style is ideal for short essays. I had a similar feeling of calm while reading, as if to be in a garden itself or strolling around streets, looking for hidden shrines. You know, that feeling of not rushing anywhere, just taking pleasure in surroudings around you.
I would recommend it to anyone who is in need for peace of mind in a book or just generally loves Japan.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC, this was definitely a catch.

As this book centres on Japanese garden design, I anticipated a book full of images, photos of what has been created. What I received was book full of narrative, short essays on topics. As such, 10% into the philosophising, I put it down. I was looking for garden inspiration and this is not that for me.

After reading this book, I am in absolute awe over the author's thought process and ability to share that in language that reeks of beauty in inexplicable ways. His view of the natural world and how it intersects with his life is almost beyond comprehension.
This isn't a book that you expect or want to read quickly. You need to stop periodically and consider what you've read and reflect on that which the author has noticed and that you, the reader, have never thought of. His knowledge is also amazing; he must be very well read or educated.
It's a hard book to categorize and I'm not entirely sure who will enjoy reading this--but if you have an interest in nature, Japan, philosophy, life or the insect world, this may be your book.

This was a rather lovely book of essays about life in Japan and Keane's observations of the natural world that inform the gardens he makes. Each small essay is accompanied by a zen drawing in ink and he draws parallels between what he observes and his Buddhist practice. It's rather calming on the whole. It's quite a lot less about actual gardens than I imagined from what I read about it, but that's ok.

This is a book of insightful essays on the authors experiences as a Westerner living in Japan. Marc Peter Keane is a garden designer and writer based in the city of Kyoto and has an acute sense of all things Japanese. His observations of everyday life enlighten the reader and at times transport you to his vision of the country and its people.
We discover the origins of Japanese symbols and explore the elegance of the tea ceremony and understand why we give flowers as gifts.
A thoughtful book, from an introspective writer. Of Arcs and Circles needs to be read slowly, one essay at a time. The book will appeal to nature lovers and those who enjoy reading about the rich culture of Japan. I highly recommend this book.

This is a beautifully written book of short essays, each one focused on one tiny aspect of the author’s world which are broadened out via train-of-thought writing to encompass wider and often unexpected ideas. Marc Peter Keane lives in Japan and he writes a lot about the country, it’s culture and history. I enjoyed observing how he moves from one idea to the other, tying different thoughts together into a cohesive whole. I found it to be a truly fascinating read.

In trying to identify the theme of this book, I found several: the author’s love of the natural world, the cycle of nature, and in some of the essays there is a general feeling of melancholy at how progress leads to a disconnection from nature. This book offers a unique look at Japanese culture and includes an exploration of the simplicity of the tea ceremony, reflections on government policies, the beauty of the environment and the origins of many iconic Japanese symbols such as karesansui gardens and torii gates.

It is not a book to be read quickly, and don’t expect to finish it too soon. Each essay invites you to mull over what you have read, to absorb it fully before moving on to the next one. I enjoyed every word I read in this book and if you enjoy reading well written, thoughtful essays, or if you have an interest in Japanese culture, I definitely recommend this book.