This book alternatives in time, place, and perspective. The story takes place in Cyprus and the UK between the 1970s and present day. It is told from This book alternatives in time, place, and perspective. The story takes place in Cyprus and the UK between the 1970s and present day. It is told from the perspective of a girl, her father, and a fig tree.
This book was really well researched and I learned so much about both the political and natural history of Cyprus, as well as a lot about trees, insects, and other wildlife. I also loved the characters, so it had pretty much everything I love about books....more
Some of this felt a little contrived, but mostly I absolutely loved it. Somehow it made me feel sad and curious and hopeful and hopeless all at the saSome of this felt a little contrived, but mostly I absolutely loved it. Somehow it made me feel sad and curious and hopeful and hopeless all at the same time. Bewildered, I guess....more
This book is divided into three sections, with each section covering a different plant based substance that humans have used to alter their consciousnThis book is divided into three sections, with each section covering a different plant based substance that humans have used to alter their consciousness: opium, caffeine, and mescaline. The book covers both the science and the culture around each of these substances.
I loved the section on opium. I was fascinated by both the science and the culture surrounding the drug and the ways its use has changed throughout history. The section on caffeine was fairly interesting, but I had a hard time relating to the way Pollan discussed caffeine's effect on the body. It is the only one of the three substances I have used, and I can't say it really makes me feel super focused the way Pollan describes. I found the section on mescaline to be kind of boring. I'm not sure why, as I loved Pollan's book on psychedelics. The section just didn't grab me. ...more
This book looks at birds around the world and some of their unique behaviors. There were a lot of really interesting facts and I wish I'd written someThis book looks at birds around the world and some of their unique behaviors. There were a lot of really interesting facts and I wish I'd written some of them down.
I really hope this book becomes a documentary. I spent a lot of time on YouTube while reading this book watching videos of the birds described throughout the book. ...more
I loved this little book. It has all kinds of funny little cartoons about the natural world. It is fun to read cartoons that I actually get, especiallI loved this little book. It has all kinds of funny little cartoons about the natural world. It is fun to read cartoons that I actually get, especially the ones that were about nerdy birding things that only a really small segment of people would actually get. ...more
This book was sweet and touching. It is told from the perspective of a fox who learns English by listening to bedtime stories being read at an open wiThis book was sweet and touching. It is told from the perspective of a fox who learns English by listening to bedtime stories being read at an open window. The fox becomes fascinated by humans, even as their buildings are encroaching upon his habitat and affecting his survival.
As I was reading, I kept picturing one of my favorite places for birding and the encroaching human development occurring there. While I'm typically not a fan of anthropomorphic stories, this one had me thinking about all the stories animals would tell about habitat destruction if they could. The story was told in a way that was really endearing, and it made me smile, but it was also quite sad....more
This book is told from the shifting perspective of nine different characters. Trees play a pivotal role in each of their lives in different ways, and This book is told from the shifting perspective of nine different characters. Trees play a pivotal role in each of their lives in different ways, and eventually this bring them together.
I absolutely loved the first section of this book, like 5+stars loved. The characterization was phenomenal and I was longing for all these broken people to find each other. I loved the way so many of the characters found solace in nature and was saddened by the way society often beat them down for this. The middle section of the book dragged on just a little too long and by the end I didn't feel quite as invested. If the middle section of the book had been a little shorter, I think some parts at the end would have packed a little more punch. Also, the themes of environmental destruction and over consumption became really depressing at times and made the book hard to read. ...more
This book is written by an entomologist who studies hoverflies on an island off the coast of Sweden. He alternates between stories of his own life andThis book is written by an entomologist who studies hoverflies on an island off the coast of Sweden. He alternates between stories of his own life and studies and giving an account of the life of Rene Malaise, a naturalist who invented a famous bug trap. I loved the parts the author wrote about himself. He has a really entertaining way of describing his life and passion without being sentimental. I wish the whole book was just about him and hoverflies. I found the parts about Malaise quite dull, but I was so entertained by the rest of the book it made up for it.
One of my favorite parts still makes me laugh when I think about it. The author is in a really remote place catching insects when a man he has never seen approaches and says, "I'm looking for you." The author is incredibly confused about how this man found him , but just kind of goes with it figuring he's another odd hoverfly enthusiast and starts talking to him. He comes to find out the man was actually saying, "I'm looking for yew." He was looking for yew trees which have medicinal properties and were said to grow on the island. The way the author tells the story had me laughing out loud. ...more
This book is told from the point of view of Red, an old oak tree. Red is a wishtree. Over the years, people have written their wishes on scraps of cloThis book is told from the point of view of Red, an old oak tree. Red is a wishtree. Over the years, people have written their wishes on scraps of cloth and tied them to Red's branches. Red is really wise and smart and observant, and a surprisingly endearing character. When a new family moves into Red's neighborhood, Red breaks the rules to foster friendship and acceptance. The story was really touching and I loved the little bits of trivia about the natural world that were thrown in.
This book had a lot of interesting studies about how smart birds are. I wish I had made notes of the parts I found interesting, as I already forget moThis book had a lot of interesting studies about how smart birds are. I wish I had made notes of the parts I found interesting, as I already forget most of them. Some of the points Ackerman makes were so drawn out that I started to lose interest, thus 3 stars rather than 4. ...more
Christopher Knight enters the woods in rural Maine in his early twenties and lives there alone for the next 27 years, undiscovered by anyone around hiChristopher Knight enters the woods in rural Maine in his early twenties and lives there alone for the next 27 years, undiscovered by anyone around him. To survive, he steals from nearby cabins and camps, taking food and other necessities, all the while evading law enforcement. He is eventually caught in the midst of a burglary, arrested, and taken to jail. He meets with the author of this book and begrudgingly tells pieces of his story.
When I first heard about this book, I thought it was going to be about a man who had excellent wilderness survival skills, that is the ability to hunt, trap, and gather food, build shelter from natural materials, and come up with all sorts of creative ways to survive in the wilderness. When I discovered in the first few pages of the book that he survived only by stealing, I immediately developed disdain for Knight. As the book went on, that started to change. Its hard to explain, but I just felt really sad for Knight. He's just this guy that can't find his place in the world and wants to be left alone. I liked the fact that he wasn't trying to make a statement about anything. He wasn't self-righteous about his lifestyle being some sort of noble path. He didn't discover any profound truths during his time in the woods. He just really liked solitude.
That being said, his presence instilled a lot of fear in people in the surrounding community. For twenty seven years, many of Knight's neighbors lived with the fear of the mysterious hermit who was breaking into cabins and taking random items, while leaving most valuables. People had these cabins as places for peace and relaxation, and Knight's presence ruined that for many residents, as they couldn't find peace of mind.
The author intersperses Knight's story with research and thoughts about solitude, loneliness, and hermits. Some of this information was interesting, but I found that I never really trusted the author. I felt like he was overly pushy with Knight at times. Knight didn't always want visitors and didn't feel like talking, and it felt like the author was pushing himself on an unwilling subject just to get a good story. I even felt a little guilty reading the book at times, because although Knight agreed to let the author write about him, it felt like it was a decision made under duress, and not what Knight really wanted. It felt like I was given an unfair glimpse into the private life of someone who really wanted his life to remain private. He is an incredibly intriguing character, and I understand why people want to know so much more about him, I also just want to let him be....more
It took me a while to get into this book. The characters were really unlikable at the beginning and they kept making me really mad. Gradually, the stoIt took me a while to get into this book. The characters were really unlikable at the beginning and they kept making me really mad. Gradually, the story grew on me and I liked reading about apple trees, redwoods, and sequoias. It makes me want to get out to California to see all those giant trees. ...more
Each chapter in this book focuses on a certain bird behavior, most often that of a particular species, and explores that behavior in depth while relatEach chapter in this book focuses on a certain bird behavior, most often that of a particular species, and explores that behavior in depth while relating it to human behavior and psychology. All of the chapters were interesting, and about half were incredibly fascinating.
I think what I found most interesting is how different bird species have evolved different types of intelligence and behaviors both in ways we don't understand and for reasons we don't necessarily understand. I'm really amazed by the navigation abilities of many species of birds, even when they are deprived of certain senses and intentionally disoriented by scientists. Even though I'm not a huge fan of starlings, their flocking and flying instincts are incredible. (Do a YouTube search for "starling murmuration" if you have never seen it.) I loved reading about all the intelligent behaviors of magpies and crows and that whole family. The nests that male bowerbirds build to woo females are amazing. (Again, do a google image search if you haven't seen these displays.) I really like the mating/courting/child rearing rituals of albatross.
Overall, the book was really accessible and easy to read. I found that it went into just enough detail so that I learned a lot, but I wasn't bored or overwhelmed with too much information. ...more
The Sense of Wonder is an essay by Rachel Carson encouraging adults to help kids maintain their sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world The Sense of Wonder is an essay by Rachel Carson encouraging adults to help kids maintain their sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world as they grow into adults. She recounts some adventures she has outdoors exploring with her young nephew, the questions he asks, the things they observe, and the things they try to understand. In the edition I read, the essay was accompanied by photographs (from the 60s) of the natural world.
I absolutely loved this book. Carson is an incredible writer and really captures her ideas well. I liked the idea that it isn’t really necessary to teach kids things about nature, what is more important is to encourage curiosity, reverence, and awe, and knowledge will naturally follow.
A few quotes I really liked, although I feel like I could practically quote the whole essay:
“It is possible to compile extensive lists of creatures seen and identified without ever once having caught a breath-taking glimpse of the wonder of life. If a child asked me a question that suggested even a faint awareness of the mystery behind the arrival of a migrant sandpiper on the beach of an August morning, I would be far more pleased than by the mere fact that he knew it was a sandpiper and not a plover.”
“What is the value of preserving and strengthening this sense of awe and wonder, this recognition of something beyond the boundaries of human existence? Is the exploration of the natural world just a pleasant way to pass the golden hours of childhood or is there something deeper? I am sure there is something much deeper, something lasting and significant. Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. Whatever the vexations or concerns of their personal lives, their thoughts can find paths that lead to inner contentment and to renewed excitement in living. Those who contemplate the beauty of earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” ...more
Wow, this one is kind of hard for me to review. I have tried to read so many things by Wendell Berry, probably for about the past ten years, and I've Wow, this one is kind of hard for me to review. I have tried to read so many things by Wendell Berry, probably for about the past ten years, and I've never managed more than a short essay or a dozen pages of a novel before giving up. I've always felt guilty for this. A farmer from Kentucky who writes about the evils of modern agriculture, the joys of engaging in meaningful work, and the importance of being connected to nature and place, it is all right up my alley, why couldn't I get into it? Maybe I just haven't been patient enough.
The pace of this novel is really, really slow. It follows the reflections of "Old Jack," a retired Kentucky farmer. As an old man, he looks back on his life, recalling joys and sorrows, accomplishments and regrets. It's not a book I was ever really eager to pick up, but once I started, I got sucked in. Not in a way that I couldn't put the book down, but I just felt like I was right there with Old Jack, seeing what he was seeing, feeling what he was feeling. I think my eyes were brimming with tears almost the entire time I was reading this. It captured so many of my feelings towards farming and the world in general. I'm not going to be able to say it eloquently, but I was so moved by Old Jack's contentment in the solitude of his work, yet also the pleasure of falling into rhythm when working with others. I related to the joys of working with one's hands and the feelings of both utter exhaustion and delight following a day of work in the fields. His reflections on the simultaneous significance and insignificance of life and being able to really surrender to that idea were really striking. I could go on and on, but I'll stop there.
This book is definitely not for everyone, but I'm glad I finally was able to stick with a Wendell Berry novel. ...more
Lab Girl is a memoir/science-y book written by Hope Jahren, an award winning geobiologist. In the book she writes of both her career and personal lifeLab Girl is a memoir/science-y book written by Hope Jahren, an award winning geobiologist. In the book she writes of both her career and personal life, and also gives a lot of information about the complex world of plant life.
Jahren is a dedicated, inspiring, and talented individual, and her passion for what she does seeps through the pages. I admire her deep reverence for the natural world and her insatiable curiosity. I also appreciate her honesty in talking about her struggles with manic depression and all the doubts and setbacks she experienced along the way.
Jahren writes a lot about Bill, her lab partner and best friend. They work together, travel together, and have done so for years, all while Jahren is happily married. I found their relationship intriguing, and like that it doesn't really fit neatly into any box. They obviously care about each other and that is what matters.
On a side note, I just read an interesting article about Jahren taking over Seventeen Magazine's #ManicureMonday, which encourages people to post pictures of their manicures and nail art. Jahren instead encouraged people to post pictures of their hands doing things, manicured nails or not. Hoping to remind girls and women that what you do with your hands is just as beautiful as what they look like, the twitter feed totally changed, and the next Monday instead of manicured nails, the feed was full of women's hands taking samples from plants, holding test tubes and fossils, and doing other science things. I liked that. ...more
This book tells about various weather events through text and illustration. Some parts were more interesting than others, but overall, I did not like This book tells about various weather events through text and illustration. Some parts were more interesting than others, but overall, I did not like it as much as Radioactive, the other book I read by Redniss. ...more
Loading...
