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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
This was an absolutely beautiful read (listen) and I will definitely be re-reading it in the future. Dara’s writing is so beautiful, eloquent and thought provoking - he describes the natural world with such vivid clarity, that I could practically see them all there in front of me. His descriptions of his autistic experience were really relatable as well and validating to read - seeing yourself or parts of yourself reflected in others always is a special thing. I really enjoyed it!
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This reads a lot like nature poetry. There are some lovely coming of age themes aside from the obvious nature themes. I really enjoyed this. If you're looking for something to see quietly with ans contemplate nature, look no further.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
It is only now that so many of us have lost that connection to the natural world we are starting to realise just how important it is. Time spent outdoors walking along a path, or sitting by the river recharges us in ways that we cannot comprehend, but have a deep need for.
But for some people that connection is much more vivid and real. Dara McAnulty is one of those people. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s and autism just over a decade ago and because he was so different to other children, was the victim of bullying at school. Getting out into the natural world was more than an escape from this torment, it became a life support system for him.
Lying below the oak, I can feel it surging below the ground, the roots curling around me, a restless energy feeding me strength.
It is this lifeline that he had from the world around him that gives him the energy to carry on fighting for the things he believes in. Moving home and school took him away from the places that he had grown to love, but this change became a positive one. He found new places to visit, like Murlough Beach where he could see seals, butterflies and hear the scream of gull and the song from the skylarks above the dunes. The new school is a positive too, rather than constantly being defensive and hating it, he is beginning to thrive.
Other changes were afoot too, he was becoming more involved in campaigning, heading to the UK to hand in a petition to the Prime Minister and was even asked to read a poem at the People’s Walk for Wildlife. His fury about the lack of action to protect wildlife and the natural world is starting to have an impact.
I must say that I really enjoyed this book. For someone so young, he has an amazing talent already as a writer. This diary format works real too, you sense the daily battle and the ebbs and flows he has with life in general. I think this comes from within, he is deeply passionate about this cause primarily because it sustains him. It is very evident from this book too that he has grasped from a young age the interconnectedness of all things. This is almost certainly connected to his autism, but I think that this is a strength rather than a weakness. McAnulty has a bright future in this world, troubled as it is at the moment. I think that he has the will to influence others to begin that change that the planet needs.
But for some people that connection is much more vivid and real. Dara McAnulty is one of those people. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s and autism just over a decade ago and because he was so different to other children, was the victim of bullying at school. Getting out into the natural world was more than an escape from this torment, it became a life support system for him.
Lying below the oak, I can feel it surging below the ground, the roots curling around me, a restless energy feeding me strength.
It is this lifeline that he had from the world around him that gives him the energy to carry on fighting for the things he believes in. Moving home and school took him away from the places that he had grown to love, but this change became a positive one. He found new places to visit, like Murlough Beach where he could see seals, butterflies and hear the scream of gull and the song from the skylarks above the dunes. The new school is a positive too, rather than constantly being defensive and hating it, he is beginning to thrive.
Other changes were afoot too, he was becoming more involved in campaigning, heading to the UK to hand in a petition to the Prime Minister and was even asked to read a poem at the People’s Walk for Wildlife. His fury about the lack of action to protect wildlife and the natural world is starting to have an impact.
I must say that I really enjoyed this book. For someone so young, he has an amazing talent already as a writer. This diary format works real too, you sense the daily battle and the ebbs and flows he has with life in general. I think this comes from within, he is deeply passionate about this cause primarily because it sustains him. It is very evident from this book too that he has grasped from a young age the interconnectedness of all things. This is almost certainly connected to his autism, but I think that this is a strength rather than a weakness. McAnulty has a bright future in this world, troubled as it is at the moment. I think that he has the will to influence others to begin that change that the planet needs.
Picked this book up at a bookshop in Ireland because honestly could not pass up a book by a McNulty-even spelled slightly differently. Loved it. Dipped in and out of it, reading some aloud to Fiona. Sitting on the back porch reading while Fi played and a dragonfly landed on my knee to listen for a spell. Having visited most of the places Dara speaks of it was wonderful to hear about them from his perspective. Made me hopeful for the future.
Read for 52 Book Club Challenge 2024 #28 A yellow spine.
Some books are meant to be inhaled, so gripping that you can't put them down. Some books are meant to be savoured, nibbled at occasionally because the writing is too rich to be swallowed down whole. It has taken me several months to read Dara's diary, reading it for just a few minutes a day, but I am glad I slowed down, focused and noticed - a key message of the book.
It is hard to believe that he was just 14/15 when he wrote this - the quality and intensity of his writing is just superb, from his verdant descriptions of nature to the eloquent insights into the emotional rollercoaster of living with autism. This diary is also a plea and call to action to save the natural world that Dara is so connected with. A fantastic book - highly recommended - I am going to miss Dara's daily company and how he transported me to his world through his vivid descriptions.
Some books are meant to be inhaled, so gripping that you can't put them down. Some books are meant to be savoured, nibbled at occasionally because the writing is too rich to be swallowed down whole. It has taken me several months to read Dara's diary, reading it for just a few minutes a day, but I am glad I slowed down, focused and noticed - a key message of the book.
It is hard to believe that he was just 14/15 when he wrote this - the quality and intensity of his writing is just superb, from his verdant descriptions of nature to the eloquent insights into the emotional rollercoaster of living with autism. This diary is also a plea and call to action to save the natural world that Dara is so connected with. A fantastic book - highly recommended - I am going to miss Dara's daily company and how he transported me to his world through his vivid descriptions.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
reflective
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced