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deslarsen's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
One of my favorite things is getting "infodump essays" from friends and this whole book felt very similar to that. With each chapter a different topic of the author's interest, cohesively put together by season. There were perfect amounts of personal stories intertwined with scientific facts. I also loved how this was truly about nature as a whole with information on flora, fauna, and fungi.
10/10 read I'd highly recommend it to anyone who loves to learn about the natural world!
10/10 read I'd highly recommend it to anyone who loves to learn about the natural world!
spookystaircase's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
ashcomb's review
5.0
This was a perfect read for now. It was light, humorous, informative, and beautifully written. I loved every moment of it. Even the parts which I knew about lichens and what makes them. The funniest bits were Kelly Brenner's notes about her life and how she engages with nature around her. Her quick, informative humor made me smile. But what got me most was her love for nature. She knows that it is what keeps us going, makes us shine, and is an essential part of our physical and mental health.
Of course, you can criticize the book for being just another pop science book, too light, all over the place, and too personal, but then again, it is not the book for you or anyone looking for a vigorous study of nature. Instead, this book is about building a relationship with your surroundings and learning to look beyond the massive human-made constructions and see the bugs in the back garden. (Or how to transform a bug zapper into something unique and beautiful. Not telling you; you have to read the book.)
Anyway, this was just a perfect read for trying to recuperate from a personal tragedy. Even in the written word, nature can heal, especially when told from the perspective of someone passionate about it.
Thank you for reading, have a beautiful day!
P.S. let's hope I get back to reading and reviewing; this cloud over my head will soon be lifted.
Of course, you can criticize the book for being just another pop science book, too light, all over the place, and too personal, but then again, it is not the book for you or anyone looking for a vigorous study of nature. Instead, this book is about building a relationship with your surroundings and learning to look beyond the massive human-made constructions and see the bugs in the back garden. (Or how to transform a bug zapper into something unique and beautiful. Not telling you; you have to read the book.)
Anyway, this was just a perfect read for trying to recuperate from a personal tragedy. Even in the written word, nature can heal, especially when told from the perspective of someone passionate about it.
Thank you for reading, have a beautiful day!
P.S. let's hope I get back to reading and reviewing; this cloud over my head will soon be lifted.
zach8vb's review
3.0
A lovely book. I am spoiled by Robert Macfarland's Underland, so I found myself hunting for some more depth to this book.
That said, I enjoyed this microscopic exploration of Seattle's wildlife and will be pursuing Brenner's second book - The Naturalist At Home. 3.5/5
That said, I enjoyed this microscopic exploration of Seattle's wildlife and will be pursuing Brenner's second book - The Naturalist At Home. 3.5/5
parker00's review
4.0
Did I pick up this book because I wanted to read about my beloved Seattle from the perspective of a naturalist? Yes. Did I learn more than I wanted to about slime molds, house spiders, and algae? Also yes.
This is not just a book about the flora and fauna hidden in the damp corners of a city, it is a love story written to acknowledge the beauty and resilience of a multilayered ecosystem that most people walk past. Just closing my eyes transported me to the various parks and locations I've walked/biked before.
This is not just a book about the flora and fauna hidden in the damp corners of a city, it is a love story written to acknowledge the beauty and resilience of a multilayered ecosystem that most people walk past. Just closing my eyes transported me to the various parks and locations I've walked/biked before.
isabelgb's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.75
If you love nature and live in a city or the pacific northwest USA you should read this book.