intertidalkendy's reviews
183 reviews

Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? by Clifford R. Simmons, Steven J. Simmons

informative lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Explore the mysteries of the ocean's bedtime routine in 'Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night?' With vibrant illustrations and engaging storytelling, this charming book takes children on a curious adventure from sandy reefs to the open ocean. From sea otters to octopus, every page introduces unique ocean life and their unique sleeping habits. A delightful blend of education and entertainment, perfect for little ones who love to learn while they laugh.

I received an ARC of this book, thank you to the publisher and author!

River Profiles: The People Restoring Our Waterways by

hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

"River Profiles" takes readers on an immersive journey into the world of river and freshwater restoration. The author does an incredible job describing the work he is reporting on, and even participating in, which makes you feel like you're right there with him, experiencing the challenges and successes of river restoration. The descriptive writing made learning even more engaging and understandable, especially for folks who may not have an existing interest in river or freshwater restoration. 

A quote that really resonated with me, as someone who also has worked in river restoration and conservation, as well as ocean conservation, was, "Like many fields, diagnoses are plentiful and cheap, solutions are rare and unusually expensive“. 

I had never heard of river cane before reading this book and the chapter was illuminating! I immediately started to research more about these plants and conservation efforts. 

Very importantly, Pete Hill makes sure to include the critical importance of restoration involving and centering Indigenous people, and the uses of plants, food, and habitat as a part of restoration project goals. Land and food sovereignty are a core part of restoration work. This is commonly forgotten, or deliberately ignored, in restoration work. This needs to change in the field.

This book also dives into dam removal, speaking about the Elhwa and Snake River. The author does a great job delving into some of the nuances of dam removal and the rivers impacted by dams, both before dam installation, during, and after. The following quote is a great example of his perspective and understanding of dam removal: "I tell people river restoration is the goal, dam removal is the tool". One such topic the author touches on is the complexity of hatcheries for salmon conservation and relating to dam removal. While river restoration can lessen the dependency on hatcheries for salmon conservation, hatcheries are still an important part of preserving salmon populations, though there are issues with many existing hatcheries. The author also uses dam removal to show how folks who usually stand on opposing political sides have come together, and continue to come together, to breach the Snake River dams.
 

I received a free ARC via NetGalley for this book. Thank you to NetGalley, publisher and author! 

Waves of Knowing: A Seascape Epistemology by Karin Amimoto Ingersoll

informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

We Carry the Sea in Our Hands by Janie Kim

emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Came for the nudibranchs, stayed for the absolutely beautiful story & characters!

The beginning was a little slow for me, and I felt it tended to be a bit repetitive with the information (though this may be intentional for non-science people reading but I am also a marine biologist so that absolutely may be the reason I felt like things were unnecessarily being released).

Once I got into it, I thought this was such a beautiful book about understanding oneself through tragedy and growth. I love how family is centric but represented in many ways. I also felt very pulled into the story as an adoptee specifically.

Overall, a lovely book! I loved all the sea slug love in this book, the science, and emotional backbone.

I received a free ARC via NetGalley for this book. Thank you to NetGalley, publisher and author! 

Searching for Seashells: An Artist's Guide to Treasures on the Beach by Jessie King Regunberg

informative relaxing fast-paced

4.5

What a beautiful book! 

The artwork is stunning and definitely inspiring for my naturalist journal. I think this is a great book to preliminary dive into malacology for those beachcombers who would love to know a bit more about their shells and the lives they once led. 

Anyone who loves sea shells/mollusks will love this treasure of a book, and walk away having learned something new, whether that be the history of human connection, use in architecture, currency, cuisine, and art or some biology facts about mollusks! I personally loved the dive into different mollusk dishes and shell use in fashion. 

This book is not a guide for those wishing to learn how to identify mollusks, or a deep dive into knowledge about them. The end has a nice quick guide for collectors and some inspiration on what to do with collected shells. I think it’s definitely more geared towards shell lovers and casual artists who want to admire the beauty of shells from around the world from an artist and author who clearly love these wonderful creatures. So if any of this sounds like you, or intrigues you, I recommend! 

I received a free ARC via NetGalley for this book. Thank you to NetGalley, publisher and author! 

My Life with Sea Turtles: A Marine Biologist's Quest to Protect One of the Most Ancient Animals on Earth by Christine Figgener

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

Such a great and comprehensive book about sea turtle conservation, biology, and research. If you have wondered what it would be like to be a sea turtle biologist, pick up this book! You’ll learn about the reality of field work and research, the challenges of working in nonprofit conservation, and important insights into the field as a whole. 

The author does a wonderful job diving into the issues of working in environmental conservation, especially highlighting the issue of parachute science and people from the Global North trying to do what they think is best without understanding the area, culture, or history. This conservation work is harmful and needs to end. We critically need sustainable conservation. 

Thank you GreyStone books for sending me an ARC! 

The Ocean Speaks: A Photographic Journey of Discovery and Hope by Tamsin Raine, Matt Porteous

hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

Absolutely beautiful book that explores the world ocean, highlighting wildlife, people, and conservation efforts to protect this blue planet. 

The photography is absolutely stunning and will inspire anyone who picks up this book. 

I received a free ARC via NetGalley for this book. Thank you to NetGalley, publisher and author! 

A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

“Anyone who does not fear the abyss is simply naive to its perils” 

This book was such a joy! When I started, I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did due to the letter-correspondence format and wasn’t absorbing a lot of the information as a result. Then I found myself thinking about the characters & mystery after I put the book down & was excited for my work day to be over so I could descend back into the waves of the story. And it ended on a cliff-hanger!! Now I have to wait to know the answers to all my questions!

I am a marine biologist myself and that was the reason I was so intrigued by this book. I wish I could live in the world that Sylvia has written! It is the magical, ocean-centric world of my dreams, filled with ocean loving researchers and  enthusiasts. I was overjoyed to read the characters excitedly discussing planton and other marine life. And I quite enjoyed the subtle discourse and criticism about academia. “Research for research’s sake” is something I personal discuss a lot in my life working in marine conservation, and I often chat with colleagues about academic pressure as well as the barriers academia creates for many people. 

My only wish with the book is that I want to know more about the world! Due to everything being written in letters and Victorian-era language, I feel like I am still a bit lost on the world in which the story takes place.  

I loved the queer representation in the book as well as E’s anxiety (that is how I perceived much of her character and related to immensely as I have a severe anxiety disorder). 

Cannot wait for the second book! 

I received a free ARC via NetGalley for this book. Thank you to the publisher and author! 

Medicine Wheel for the Planet: A Journey Toward Personal and Ecological Healing by Jennifer Grenz

emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

I cannot emphasize strong enough how important this book is for anyone working in environmental conservation, ecology, or biology. Everyone can learn something from this book, but I believe this should be required reading for the groups listed above. 

“Medicine Wheel for the Planet” is a phenomenal book that challenges readers to analyze the colonial connections in the field of ecology and understand the utter importance and need of Indigenous Knowledge in ecology. Humans must remember we are a part of ecosystems and I loved how the author regularly reminds us of this, and how we are a relation to the ecosystem. 

I absolutely love how the author defines and describes “Eden ecology”, it was illuminating to read and how she put it into words perfectly captured how I have reflected on issues in much of Western conservation work. The author illustrates how Indigenous Knowledge and Western science can, and should, work together for ecosystem healing work. 

A quote from this book that I loved:

“Our very existence is inside the ecosystem as an equal relation, meaning we are just as important as the grasshoppers, worms, birds, and soils are. Yet we find ourselves living in a world hampered by colonial legacies that continue to force us outside the ecosystem.”

I received a free ARC via NetGalley for this book. Thank you to the publisher and author!

Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden by Camille T. Dungy

informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

Beautiful book that honors the gardens of community, love, and family in our lives. Love the light she sheds on the connections between environmentalism, racism, colonialism, and reality.