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kmarkus15's review against another edition
Just couldn’t get into it. It did help the the audio narration is is ridiculously slow. I was listening at 1.5 speed and it still felt slower than most audiobooks
laurenrussell's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
A gentle, comforting book with gorgeous imagery. there are uncomfortable parts (that’s how nature is), but Renkl shows (not convince) us that it is all ok. I’m not a huge fan of essay collections, but the premise of this book sounded too good to pass up and i found it during a very stressful time. if you are a maladaptive daydreamer pondering the world 24/7—this book is for you.
i highly recommend this book as something to read on a nature-y vacation or something to pick up and put down frequently when you want to feel grounded and connected to the natural world. I think reading this book in 1 sitting takes away from its potential. i will definitely reread this book when im out in a cabin or camping!
themes of environmentalism, community, aging, mindfulness, and acceptance.
my favorite part of this was the author and her reflections on aging and how it felt to her. it seems most books now are a struggling 20 something woman so this was refreshing. the pandemic references and reflections were also very tolerable and relatable—i don’t like to read about it but in this case it was comforting. also as a tennessean, it’s always a joy to read about someone appreciating the beauty of this state and the south in general.
it can be very wordy and flowery but i enjoyed it in this context. i almost think it forces you to slow down, listen, and appreciate which is the entire theme of the book! only criticism is that it can be a little repetitive and a bit judgmental towards others.
i highly recommend this book as something to read on a nature-y vacation or something to pick up and put down frequently when you want to feel grounded and connected to the natural world. I think reading this book in 1 sitting takes away from its potential. i will definitely reread this book when im out in a cabin or camping!
themes of environmentalism, community, aging, mindfulness, and acceptance.
my favorite part of this was the author and her reflections on aging and how it felt to her. it seems most books now are a struggling 20 something woman so this was refreshing. the pandemic references and reflections were also very tolerable and relatable—i don’t like to read about it but in this case it was comforting. also as a tennessean, it’s always a joy to read about someone appreciating the beauty of this state and the south in general.
it can be very wordy and flowery but i enjoyed it in this context. i almost think it forces you to slow down, listen, and appreciate which is the entire theme of the book! only criticism is that it can be a little repetitive and a bit judgmental towards others.
kaciereads's review
Lovely book and ideas but I just wasn't picking it up and my library loan needed returned
onecrab's review
4.0
There is so much to love about this book: the reflections brought on by spending time in nature, the observations of the seasons, and the joy in sharing your life with the natural world. For me, the beauty of this was tarnished by how harshly the author attacked others in the book for not doing as she does.
I wish the author had given her neighbors and the developers the same grace and forgiveness she gives herself. Margaret Renkl tells on herself when she makes mistakes or interferes with nature. But for her neighbors that fight the dandelion blooms in their yard she has little patience or grace. All of this while never acknowledging the tremendous privilege she has in owning a property and having the disposable income for the bird seed, feeders, and more.
The print book has beautiful artwork with each chapter (and there are a lot of chapters!) The auidobook is narrated by the author herself. I admit I definitely preferred the paper book.
I wish the author had given her neighbors and the developers the same grace and forgiveness she gives herself. Margaret Renkl tells on herself when she makes mistakes or interferes with nature. But for her neighbors that fight the dandelion blooms in their yard she has little patience or grace. All of this while never acknowledging the tremendous privilege she has in owning a property and having the disposable income for the bird seed, feeders, and more.
The print book has beautiful artwork with each chapter (and there are a lot of chapters!) The auidobook is narrated by the author herself. I admit I definitely preferred the paper book.
eve_prime's review
4.5
Renkl and her husband own a half-acre of land in Nashville, and the other houses in her neighborhood are getting bulldozed and replaced with luxury homes, but she's holding out because of her deep commitment to the many creatures who also spend time on their land. She's intimately acquainted with all of the nesting birds, for example. In this book, she's written a short essay (usually 2-3 pages) for each week of the year, interspersed with "praise songs" for various aspects of their life there, often humorous, like "Praise Song for the Carpenter Bees Eating Our Fence to Ruin." (She isn't fond of the fence.) Before each of the weekly chapters there's a page of absolutely beautiful art by her brother, illustrating that chapter's theme. I wish his art were also on the book jacket - that art is okay too but I like his better, and they aren't really consistent color-wise.
aliciasokol's review
5.0
Unexpectedly engrossing and beautiful. I listened to the audiobook, which was read by the author. Her voice and its cadence are like warm honey. A treasure for those who appreciate the natural world and embrace the inevitable seasons of life.