Reviews with content warning for Animal death - World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments

This book is not solely about nature; it is a collection of personal essays inspired by nature-related prompts. So, I can understand the surprise expressed by other reviewers who might have expected the essays to focus on nature, removed from human society; instead, the main focus is on the author’s past, sometimes with unpleasant truths included. Not exactly what was advertised, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

The nature writing is informative and the personal essays are touching. The author captures her experience of being a minority so perfectly that I was thrown back to my own memories of growing up as “different”. Unfortunately, the links between the two are tenuous and forced. I would have enjoyed this book more had the nature writing and personal essays been kept separate.

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emotional inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

3.75

These are nice essays. i like the personal spin on the natural world, I like the bits and pieces of her life as it crosses with nature. I think there are times when it's trying too hard to draw parallels between the two. I think I would have liked a hand full of these just on their own the whole book itself just felt like a bit too much. Still, it's a good book. I don't hate it, I just don't love it.

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