Braiding Sweetgrass

Tkimsal

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

This month and next for book club. #BooksWithBeth #FirstSaturdayReaders

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Gadolby

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

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So, funny enough I didn‘t necessarily love reading this book. I put it down midway and almost didn‘t pick it back up. But, I‘m glad I did because I think it‘s given me an important perspective about reciprocity and motherhood that I‘ve found myself thinking a lot about.

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Tkimsal

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

Up next for book club.

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TracyReadsBooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

This one has been sitting on my shelves awhile but after a librarian I know recommended it this week—he had just accessioned the edition for young readers—I decided it‘s time to start reading.

mcctrish I love this book! I own it and listened to the audio 4w

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AnneCecilie

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

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A call to listen to nature, take more consideration to nature, and to realize that we are not the only species on earth and start to take more consideration to all the others.

I loved the indigenous folklore/ myth stories about how earth and humans were made.

3rd book for #FabulousFebruary
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Sounds excellent, well done 👏👏👏 1mo

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AnneCecilie

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

An important reminder - there‘s always humans behind every decision made by a corporation

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AnneCecilie

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

This - language is more that just words

bthegood Thank you for sharing - love this passage and reminder of the many ways in which words matter - make a great day - 🙂 1mo

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AnneCecilie

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

Because the mature leaves make more sugar than they can use right away, the sugar stream starts to flow in the opposite direction, from leaves back to roots, through the phloem. And so the roots, which fed the buds, are now fed in return by the leaves all summer long. The sugar is converted back to starch, stored in the original “root cellar”. The syrup we pour over pancakes on a winter morning is summer sunshine flowing in golden streams to pool

AnneCecilie on our plates. 2mo

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gossamerchild

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

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Finished my first book of 2023, which also happened to be my IRL book club book and my #doublespin #bookspinbingo.

I loved this. I will probably buy a copy for myself, because I want to reread it and highlight the parts that really struck a chord with me. It was beautiful and heartbreaking, but strangely hopeful, too. Highly recommend it.

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2mo

Kangaj1 I am almost done with this on audio! 2mo

gossamerchild @Kangaj1 Ooh, I didn't think about listening to it. Are you enjoying it? 2mo

Kangaj1 The audio is fantastic - she reads it and her voice is soothing. 2mo

gossamerchild @Kangaj1 That sounds lovely! 2mo

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PaperbackPirate

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

Yet another book read with my book club!
I also loved Book of Extraordinary Tragedies by Joe Meno in September.

#12BooksOf2022
@Andrew65

PaperbackPirate

Book of Extraordinary Tragedies

3mo

Andrew65 Looks a good choice. 3mo

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CaitZ

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

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I finally finished this. Her way of life is unlike what I've known, and it helped me look at things differently. I think it's a book I'll return to. #NaturaLitsy @AllDebooks

AllDebooks It is a beautiful book and defo an eye opener 🌱 3mo

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MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

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5 ⭐️s
This is one of those rare books that once I finish it, I want to buy up several hundred copies and get it into as many people‘s hands as possible. Every essay spoke to me and I will carry this book in my heart for the rest of my life. I urge anyone who loves nature to pick it up sometime. Even if you take away half of what it has filled me with, you will be the better for it. I‘ll be buying a personal copy since this was a library read.

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SayersLover

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

so-so

Honestly, I struggled to get through the second half of this. I heartily agree with her philosophy regarding the importance of having relationships with nature. Yet, I was often left with the impression that only Native Americans currently have relationships with nature. Felt a little insulting. My favorite section was the one on basket making. Overall, I think this book was longer than necessary and repetitive. I liked her book on moss better.

Ann_Reads A thoughtful review and you summed the book up nicely. I felt pretty much the same way and gave up on it about half-way through. 3mo

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Messiejessie

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

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This book is thoughtful and heartfelt. At times it is heartbreaking but it is always hopeful.

It has helped me to begin to connect my mind to my heart.

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AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

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#Naturalitsy
This seminal book has many threads running through it, including botany, connections with nature & each other, science, culture (both western and indigenous), memoir and climate change. With this content in mind, it's best to view it as a collection of essays when reading. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have learned a great deal. There are many points to debate, so it is a good selection for a bookclub. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

AllDebooks Cont. I particularly loved the indigenous folklore stories, Kimmerer's work with her students & family life with her daughters. 3mo

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Graywacke

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

so-so

A collection of personal essays, sometimes accumulating into a sense of theme. They‘re mixed. Some are great, many were plain. They trend idealistic, with romanticized Native American values. Based on these essays we might (sarcastically) conclude that the solution to all the world‘s problems is to purchase a rural property in New York and grow a garden. I wanted a hard but healthy reality check. But she did leave me with stuff to think about.

AllDebooks

Graywacke Read with #naturalitsy 3mo

AllDebooks This a great, honest review. I agree with the reality check, for sure. We can all make a difference whether in an apartment or rural property. 3mo

Graywacke @AllDebooks thanks! And thanks for leading…and for your group. I really wanted to read this and I‘m not sure I would have gotten very far without the group support. 3mo

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AllDebooks @Graywacke it's such a pleasure. I'm so very grateful to find like-minded folks x 3mo

TheBookHippie So fun to be reading with you again! Great review. 3mo

Graywacke @TheBookHippie ditto. I enjoy it too. (I miss our Shakespeare). And thanks. 3mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke I miss Shakespeare ! We might need to do seasonal rereads 😂♥️ 3mo

Ann_Reads @Graywacke - Wonderful review! All your well stated points summed up why I decided not to finish the book. Some of Kimmerer's ideals made for lovely, flowery essays but they seem too impractical to put into practice, even just in the U.S. The disconnect was even more perplexing coming from a (supposed) person of science. Actually, I wish she'd just left all the science related stuff out. 3mo

Graywacke @Ann_Reads i was ready to bail at one point, but I enjoyed the last two sections. I think her relationship with the sciences is not well worked out. Clearly she needs it in her thinking. 3mo

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AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#Naturalitsy

Our final week of Braiding Sweetgrass. What are your thoughts on the book? Was it a hit or miss?

We're having a break for the holidays now. We will pick up our next read, tagged in comments, on Monday 2nd January. Y'know, just in case of New Years hangovers 😊🥂❄️🎄

@wordslinger42 @rockpools @Chrissyreadit @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Blackink_WhitePaper @BookwormAHN @Deblovestoread @MilesnMelodies @Graywacke @Dilara @mitch

AllDebooks Also released as The gospel of eels.

The Book of Eels: Our Enduring Fascination with the Most Mysterious Creature in the Natural World

3mo

AllDebooks @jenniferw88 @ErinSueMreads @Chelsea.Poole @TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jlhammar @MelisK @LeeRHarry @Soubhiville @wanderinglynn @SamAnne @claudiuo @PageShifter @Addison_Reads @BarkingMadRead @BarbaraBB @CaitZ @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @Aimeesue @tdrosebud @Yuki_Onna @PuddleJumper @Soscha @ElizaMarie @Larkken @Caterina @sebrittainclark 3mo

literarymermaid I read Braiding Sweetgrass a while back and am totally in love with it. I look forward to the discussion!
(edited) 3mo

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jenniferw88 I think you mean January, not July! 😂😂😂 I really enjoyed it & has got me thinking on how to do my bit to help the earth - I just need to read more & figure out how best to do it with my health problems. 3mo

rockpools 😂😂 That‘s some hangover! I‘m still reading, and enjoying this - a definite pick from me 😊 (edited) 3mo

AllDebooks Lol, fyi I am not an alcoholic. Trots off to edit 😅😊🙃 3mo

Graywacke The last section had what seemed to me some of the best essays. I really liked her point that information known in the sciences doesn‘t affect the culture or community. Any action has to first be embraced widely. 3mo

Graywacke Overall I‘m mixed. I wanted a glance at reality as part of her relationship with the small stuff she encourages and the native philosophy she promotes. I felt these were presented with blinders on. And some essays were better than others. Some essays felt part of the whole and built on each other, but some felt more random. (edited) 3mo

Graywacke And…July has less letters than January, if you‘re counting Litsy-post characters. ☺️ 3mo

SamAnne I really appreciated this book. I read it last year and didn‘t actively participate in the read-along. Perhaps I didn‘t love it quite as much as others, but I have such admiration the the author. Much of my career has involved working with NW tribes on salmon restoration so some of the themes weren‘t new to me. I love the trend of Tribes fighting for more leadership over natural resource issues and environmental protection. 3mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke An action has to first be embraced wildly AMEN. That in itself is every thing. I do feel she had a bit of blinders on. I did love her lyrical writing style and I believe her to be passionate in her cause and I hope at the very least it gives people pause and think a bit differently. I am very glad I read it! 3mo

Graywacke @TheBookHippie yes, the thinking differently. She had that impact on me and I appreciated that a lot. 3mo

Graywacke @SamAnne sounds like a very interesting career! 3mo

Deblovestoread I loved listening to this and connected with some more than others but still learned some things. 3mo

AllDebooks @literarymermaid Hi, lovely to hear from you. Glad you enjoyed the book. What did you like the most? 3mo

AllDebooks @Graywacke I enjoyed this part the most. The lake/Allied chemicals essay was fascinating.
Hmm, I was mixed about the comments on community and group action. I'm a great believer that an individual can & does make a difference. I have to hope that is true otherwise what's the point!! Look what Greta Thunberg did with her school strikes. Alone for so long but persisted and it became a global event. 3mo

AllDebooks 😂@jenniferw88 hahaha, I did laugh. Thanks to you and @rockpools for drawing my attention to my error. That would have been the mother of all hangovers!! 😂 I'm glad you enjoyed it and it has made you think more. I've been reading so much about environmental impact for a while now. I'm happy to help you if you wish. x (edited) 3mo

AllDebooks @rockpools 😁 Yay, another positive. I hope you continue to enjoy it as you finish it. 3mo

AllDebooks @SamAnne I love this comment, what a fascinating career!! The Tribe's eco-activism made me cheer. I'm behind them and bow to their expertise. 3mo

Graywacke @AllDebooks I was thinking about how resistant the US is to addressing global warming. The science and passions of perceived liberals (like Greta) don‘t compete with the conservative-driven denial/misinformation. (I think it‘s not actually a conservative/liberal issue. That‘s an odd unhelpful political construction.) Without wider popular support, there is only so much that can happen. I think she is touching on that. 3mo

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie I was reading this initially but towards the end moved to the audiobook as short on time. I really enjoyed her writing even more with her narration. I think her passion & reverence for her subject really shows. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. It is a seminal nature book, very widely referenced. 3mo

AllDebooks @Deblovestoread It was an eclectic book. I did feel more comfortable thinking of it as an essay collection to get over the occasional disconnect or random topics. 3mo

AllDebooks @Graywacke lol, great minds. This was going to be my next point!! I was wondering how much more effective our fight against climate change would have been if we had the internet back in the 80s. Ironically, given the amount of environmental damage our technology had caused. But, if we had been able to communicate & connect more effectively, maybe the general population could have been more proactive fighting the lack of gov response. (edited) 3mo

AllDebooks The tide is finally turning. I just hope it's not too late.
3mo

AllDebooks Again, thank you all so much for joining me on this read-along. The discussions have been stimulating and thoughtful. I can't wait for our next one. 3mo

Graywacke @AllDebooks were aligned! I do wish Florida had gone Gore in 2000. (My childhood state was much healthier in the 20th century.) What a difference it might have made. 3mo

AllDebooks @Graywacke Things could have been so different! 3mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke climate change denial is tied to evangelical religious alt right. They are taught from kindergarten it is evil to love this earth and people who do are witches, & this isn‘t their home, their home is heaven where it‘ll be perfect. It is taught at every parochial school here -so that does not help. I attended one and was taught this, we‘ve had discussions in town with people in similar school situations different ages⬇️ 3mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke cont—— all of us were taught it we asked a recent grad. Same thing still being taught. That can‘t help. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ 3mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke GORE. Yes. Ugh. He was right!!!!!! So aggravating. 3mo

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks thanks so much for leading!!! 3mo

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks @Deblovestoread I had to switch very early to thinking it was all short essays. Otherwise it would have driven me to stop reading it! Ha. 3mo

Graywacke @TheBookHippie “taught…it is evil to love this earth” !! 😳😢😟☹️😞 3mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke Welcome to evangelical alt right schooling…. 🤢 3mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke I spent my life in detention age 9 -17 when I graduated 😂 mostly for arguing with teachers. 3mo

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie it's always a pleasure. Keeps me busy and out of trouble 😁 3mo

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie 9 - 17 🤣🤣🤣 3mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I truly loved this book. My personal life made it hard for me to keep up with the read-a-long, but I just finished! I found something of value in just about every essay. My copy‘s from the library, but I‘ll definitely get my own copy to keep around. I‘d like to put this book in the hands of many more people. I want to read it to my son as he grows up. I hope I‘ll be a good enough example to him of how to treat the planet and its non-human peoples. 3mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @TheBookHippie I too grew up being taught that this world was not something to worry over. That it was just an imperfect shadow of our “true” home in the afterlife. I still have family that don‘t believe in climate change and that don‘t care about their impact on the planet. This isn‘t what their religion teaches is their true home, so there‘s no point in being good stewards while they‘re here. Very sad and frustrating. 3mo

TheBookHippie @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm there are so many of us!!! My grandma taught me it was our duty to protect the earth thank goodness. I too had a library book and ordered my own copy yesterday! Parts of it I want to revisit. 3mo

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks made me a good activist ♥️✌🏼✊🏼 3mo

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks also clearly trouble is my DNA … but it‘s good trouble! 3mo

Aimeesue I love this book, & Kimmerer. I think it's a distillation of two diff perspectives, being PART of the world vs being MASTER of the world, and entitled to exploit it for personal gain, regardless of consequences. The early chapters showed how the first connection was established, in ages past, and why so few of us recognized the interconnected web of life today, and the damage that results. Not meant to be a "solution," shows the two mindsets. ❤️ 3mo

AllDebooks @Aimeesue Wow, that is a very astute observation and certainly reflects Kimmerer's storytelling. She certainly gives you enough perspective to decide which side of the fence you want to plant yourself. 3mo

AllDebooks @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I'm so pleased this book had such an impact on you. So much so that you wish to pass it onto others. You will be a perfect example to your son, as you're thinking about this and how to broach the subject as he gets older. 😍 It's always interesting to see something from another perspective. It must be incredibly hard dealing with climate deniers in your family. I would not handle that well. 3mo

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie my grandmother raised me this way, too. She made me the woman I am today. I'll be forever grateful for her care. 3mo

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie yay to being an activist. I'm here for that 💯✋️❤️ 3mo

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks mine did too she made me so so grateful ♥️ grandmas are special . 3mo

CaitZ I've gotten behind on this, but what I've read has given me a new way of looking at the world. I've really enjoyed it. 3mo

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monalyisha

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

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Robin Wall Kimmerer views language as a gift and a responsibility - and she writes that way. Her words are like spider silk: delicate, glittering, soft, and strong. She writes of reciprocity, ethical harvesting, gratitude, consent, and ecological restoration. She writes of strawberries, witch hazel, salmon, cedar trees, and the ties that bind. 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/3: I knew from the very first essay that Braiding Sweetgrass would be among my favorite books of the year. It‘s everything I love about narrative nonfiction: informative and lyrical in equal measure. I learned about how beans transform nitrogen into usable nutrients; I also got teary-eyed while reading about fish guts and salamander mating rituals. 3mo

monalyisha 2/3: The way a story is told matters, and Kimmerer knows how to plant a garden, weave a basket, start a fire, *and* spin a yarn. She also knows how to narrate an audiobook! I highly recommend listening over reading a print copy. A word of caution, however: do yourself a favor and do not attempt to read this on a deadline! It‘s writing that‘s meant to be considered slowly and thoughtfully. (edited) 3mo

monalyisha 3/3: Favorite chapters: The Gift of Strawberries, Witch Hazel, The Honorable Harvest, Burning Cascade Head, Witness to the Rain, and Collateral Damage. 3mo

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monalyisha @JamieArc I cheated when I added this title to your #AuldLangSpine list…but I knew it belonged there. 3mo

IndoorDame Great review ! 3mo

monalyisha Thanks, @IndoorDame! 3mo

jenniferw88 Same here... I knew it was going on my #auldlangspine list before I finished it! 😂 3mo

JamieArc I‘ve been meaning to read this for a long while and needed a nudge so I was glad to see it on your list! 3mo

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jenniferw88

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

pick

#naturalitsy @AllDebooks

#2013 #192025 @Librarybelle

Really enjoyed this one (as you already know!)

Librarybelle I‘ve heard so many good things about this one! 4mo

JamieArc I‘ve been meaning to get to this one, so I was glad to see it on my #AuldLangSpine list to give me a nudge to read it. 4mo

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AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#Naturalitsy

Our final week of reading Braiding Sweetgrass, part 5 - Burning Sweetgrass.
Discussion thread will be posted on Saturday

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AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#Naturalitsy

Week 4 - Discussion thread

@wordslinger42 @Mitch @MelisK @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm
@rockpools @Chrissyreadit @Blackink_WhitePaper
@Deblovestoread @MilesnMelodies @Graywacke @Dilara @jenniferw88 @ErinSueMreads @chesea.poole @TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jlhammar @LeeRHarry
@Soubhiville @wanderinglynn @SamAnne @claudiuo

AllDebooks @PageShifter @BarbaraBB @BarkingMadRead @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @tdrosebud @Addison_Reads @CaitZ @Aimeesue @Caterina @Soscha @ElizaMarie @Larkken @sebrittainclark @Yuki_Onna @PuddleJumper
4mo

Graywacke Morning all. I‘m getting back in tune with the book. I liked the last essay, in the rain, a lot. 4mo

Deblovestoread I really enjoyed this last bunch particularly because I know of the places she wrote about, Mary‘s Peak, Burnt Woods, etc. I will look at them with different eyes in future visits. 4mo

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AllDebooks @Graywacke I am glad you're enjoying it more. I really enjoyed the student's field trip harvesting cat-tails 4mo

AllDebooks @Deblovestoread it's always fun to read about somewhere you recognise, isn't it? 4mo

Aimeesue @AllDebooks I loved the field trip and Kimmerer's descriptions of how they put things to use. I listened to the last essay this morning while walking my dogs through the woods in the rain, which was perfect. I only wish I'd found some moss up high so I could look at the drops 💦 (edited) 4mo

AllDebooks @Aimeesue that sounds like bliss 😍 4mo

Aimeesue @AllDebooks Except for the part where I had to wrestle the Pibble into her raincoat pre-walk, it definitely was! (edited) 4mo

Chelsea.Poole Loved “Wal-Marsh”!! 😆 this was a fun chapter — joking around with the students in the field. 4mo

AllDebooks @Aimeesue 🤣🤣 4mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke Yay!!!!! 4mo

TheBookHippie @Deblovestoread How fun! 4mo

TheBookHippie @Chelsea.Poole I kept thinking WalHell what we call Walmart! 🤦🏻‍♀️ 4mo

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks I loved picking cat tails up north when I was younger by the channels of the lake . 4mo

Chelsea.Poole @TheBookHippie oh yes it is!! I avoid at ALL COSTS! 4mo

TheBookHippie @Chelsea.Poole SAME! Oy. 4mo

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Aimeesue

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is hosting a free event about traditional ways of knowing, which readers of Braiding Sweetgrass may be interested in. I'm signed up - let's see if I make it, since it's mid - holiday season 😄
#naturalitsy
@AllDebooks
https://naturalhistory.si.edu/events/pandemics-wake-embracing-many-ways-knowing-...

AllDebooks I love this, thank you for sharing x 4mo

Aimeesue @Deblovestoread @MilesnMelodies @Graywacke @Dilara @jenniferw88 @ErinSueMreads @Chelsea.Poole @Ann_Reads @TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jlhammar 4mo

Aimeesue @wordslinger42 @rockpools @Chrissyreadit @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @mitch @Blackink_WhitePaper @BookwormAHN 4mo

See All 14 Comments

Aimeesue @MelisK @LeeRHarry @Soubhiville @SamAnne @claudiuo @pageshifter @Addison_Reads @BarkingMadRead @BarbaraBB @CaitZ @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @Aimeesue @tdrosebud 4mo

Aimeesue I hope it's ok to tag everyone. And myself, apparently 😂 4mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm Thank you for the tag! Not sure I‘ll have the time to participate, but will definitely try! 4mo

jlhammar Thanks so much for sharing! Sounds really interesting. 4mo

claudiuo Thank you so much, it sounds interesting, I will try to attend. Thank you! 4mo

Chrissyreadit I love this- I work Tuesdays until 7, but would love to hear about it! 4mo

Mitch Looks fab. Thanks for sharing 4mo

TheBookHippie Oh wonderful!!!! Thx!! 4mo

BookwormAHN Thanks for the tag. I'm looking forward to it 😺 4mo

rockpools Looks great - thanks 😊 4mo

CaitZ This sounds interesting. I'll try to watch it. Thanks for the tag 4mo

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BookwormAHN

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

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Beautifully written book about the connection between native people and the environment and how the rest of us are just destroying it. I don't completely disagree either. We need to learn reciprocity with the earth or we will all die.
#Naturelitsy @AllDebooks

AllDebooks Great review, I'm you enjoyed it 4mo

Moonprismpower They came out with a YA version recently. I own this copy but wouldn‘t mind comparing it to the ya one. 4mo

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AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#Naturalitsy

Week 4 reminder - Part 4 - Braiding Sweetgrass

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TheBookHippie

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

This at a slow pace is good. #naturalitsy

AllDebooks

AllDebooks It really works well doesn't it 😁 4mo

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks Truly it does. I‘m so glad I joined #naturalitsy I need this genre more 💚🌱 it‘s so much a part of how I live. 4mo

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie Awwww, you just made my day!!! I'm so glad you joined too. You're an inspiration. X 4mo

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AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#NaturaLitsy

Week 3 discussion thread

@wordslinger42 @rockpools @Chrissyreadit @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Dilara @Blackink_WhitePaper @BookwormAHN @Deblovestoread @MilesnMelodies @Graywacke @Mitch @jenniferw88 @ErinSueMreads @Chelsea.Poole @TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jlhammar @MelisK @LeeRHarry @Soubhiville @wanderinglynn @SamAnne @claudiuo @PageShifter @Addison_Reads @BarkingMadRead @BarbaraBB

AllDebooks @CaitZ @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @aimeesue @tdrosebud 4mo

BookwormAHN My copy from the library finally came in. I've just started it but so far it's really beautifully written. 4mo

AllDebooks @BookwormAHN It really is so descriptive 4mo

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TheBookHippie The start of this part reminded me of I love you sounds like : Are you hungry? Have you eaten? Text me when you get home…. I‘m enjoying this so much more now that I look at it as short stories. Also I highly agree with gardening even it‘s a small herb plant in your house. 💚🌱Some of the stories really hit some are just beautifully written. It‘s an interesting read. I don‘t think I‘d enjoy it if I wasn‘t reading with pauses. 4mo

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie I agree, I started to enjoy it once I changed my perception, reading as individual essays/stories rather than a book. I just keep dipping in and out now 4mo

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks I do as well, it‘s quite lovely that way. 4mo

Aimeesue I loved the Honorable Harvest chapter, especially the part re looking at purchases and what went into making them (actual cost, as opposed to the $$ price.) And I liked that Kimmerer encouraged people to do what they can, like buying one "green" thing a week if that's all you can do. There's often so much pressure to go all out and give up all meat/ bike everywhere/ grow all your own food. It's overwhelming. Every little bit helps. 4mo

Aimeesue @TheBookHippie Once we settled down, (military family, lots of moves) I decided to curate an "edible yard." We stared with rhubarb and raspberry bushes, added hostas and tulips, and grew lettuce, chives, and strawberries in window boxes. This year we replaced azaleas with blueberry bushes. It's a fun project. ? Not everyone has the time/space/$$ for that, of course, but as you mentioned indoor herb growing is great – easy and delicious (edited) 4mo

TheBookHippie @Aimeesue I agree it‘s the little things, all or nothing is too difficult. I always tell people even Walmart has basil and mint plants a couple bucks it‘s very satisfying. I thrift mostly and it‘s fun as well as helps the Earth. 4mo

CaitZ After reading Honorable Harvest, I went to lunch with my brother. He works in a university greenhouse growing plants for scientists & students. He said they just started growing rice because a scientist thinks he can get more rice from a plant. I'm trying to understand the contradiction between the two viewpoints. Kimmer encourages only taking what you need & respect for plants while the scientist is trying to modify the plant to feed the world. 4mo

AllDebooks @Aimeesue I thought Honourable Harvest was an excellent discourse on consumption and sustainability. Important to note this book is over 10 years old, so such concepts were sadly dismissed rather than embraced 4mo

AllDebooks @CaitZ I find it so frustrating. The more we back off from nature and leave it alone, the better it does. All the answers so well known, tampering and modifying are not the solution 4mo

AllDebooks @Aimeesue I did this too and it brings me so much joy. My garden was barren with very little wildlife. Now have over 22 species of bird visiting and more diversity with every passing year. I'm so thrilled by this. 4mo

Graywacke I‘m in conflict with Kimmerer. I‘m sorry, a bit of bitter counter-post. I do like much of what she says. But I‘m tired of a few things - mainly of the subtext that the solution to 8 billion humans on earth lies in a owning property in rural upstate NY and growing a garden. 4mo

AllDebooks @Graywacke that's actually a fair point. I admire her for advocating more traditional harvesting but do appreciate this is a complex subject that will need so many more changes. Both from an individual, local, national and global level. 4mo

Aimeesue @TheBookHippie Thrifting is my favorite sport! I live in a pretty affluent area so there's a lot of quality stuff donated. I've found 7 down blankets in the past year or so (I won't buy new down unless it's ethically sourced, and a pillow when needed is about it,) cashmere sweaters, and 95% of our clothes. We are extremely fortunate to live near so many great thrift stores! (edited) 4mo

Aimeesue @AllDebooks I love that! We reseeded the lawn with low growing clover and now we get bunnies! And it definitely doesn't require mowing as often as before. 4mo

TheBookHippie @Aimeesue How fun!! Our clothes are 90 percent thrifted as well. I love a good thrift find!! 4mo

Aimeesue @TheBookHippie I think a lot of it is the thrill of the hunt. I get so much satisfaction out of finding great pieces for very few dollars. 4mo

Aimeesue @CaitZ Maybe Kimmerer's point is less literal when it's on a global scale? A big driver of global warming is rice production, so one tactic for reducing that impact is looking at ways to increase yield so you need to plant fewer rice plants. Drawdown (Paul Hawken, Ed) lists that as one of the top 25 ways to stop global warming.

Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming

(edited) 4mo

TheBookHippie @Aimeesue Oh I so agree! We have a fun thrift store here that all the profits go to the animals in the humane society where all the strays are kept so it's a win win! 4mo

CaitZ @Aimeesue I hadn't heard of the book Drawdown. It sounds interesting. I'm adding it to my TBR list. Thank you 4mo

Chelsea.Poole Everyone brings up great points here. I agree that not everyone is privileged enough to grow their own food, but I think that many need a mindset shift and an awareness of where our food comes from. I loved the part about a student reflecting on her grandmother‘s instruction to “kiss the rice” and how horrified she was at the food waste in America. We had Thanksgiving tonight and I wanted to thank the plants and animals that made up our meal. 4mo

Chelsea.Poole Also, I LOVE thrifting @TheBookHippie @Aimeesue I usually have something I‘m hunting — currently a deviled egg platter lol. 4mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke I think more of how to do it in everyday life. Who can get property and time to do these things? Also would it really work? Living communally and ethically about resources is more important to me. Growing even one thing for mental health that may help you not buy it over produced is a small gift. Communally is really what I think has been lost, old hippie here…. That cuts on consumption quickly. 4mo

TheBookHippie @Chelsea.Poole I love a good thrift hunt! 4mo

AllDebooks @Chelsea.Poole I'm all for urban gardening.This guy is my hero 🙌 https://www.ted.com/talks/ron_finley_a_guerrilla_gardener_in_south_central_la?la... 4mo

Chelsea.Poole @AllDebooks yes!! I‘ve seen him before and I love it! 4mo

Graywacke @TheBookHippie I should think more that way. Maybe it would help if the contrast wasn‘t so extreme - the terrible-world followed by very world-insignificant (but personally meaningful) action. The small action may answer a personal need, but it definitely does not address the terrible-world problem that it seems framed against. I do appreciate small things can add up, but maybe I don‘t appreciate it enough. I‘m having trouble seeing it here. 4mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke I have to think this way I‘m an activist 😂😵‍💫 or I‘d lose it, which doubt still happens! My Grandma always would say one percent of France was in the resistance during WW2 & only made it to 3 percent, but look what they did and who they saved. I use this and many raindrops make an ocean and many pebbles a mosaic. I think this author is an extreme of how to do things, ordinary people if they all just did one thing? Miracles. Happen. 4mo

Graywacke @TheBookHippie well, I‘ll take this comment to heart moving forward. 🙂 4mo

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie this is my way of thinking too. If I didn't, I would go crazy 4mo

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks ♥️ 4mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke 😊 4mo

AllDebooks Did John in the black ash segment, remind anyone else of the Lorax? 4mo

Erinsuereads I'm honestly overwhelmed by all the amazing discussion on these posts. I haven't even commented because I just don't even know where to start 4mo

AllDebooks @ErinSueMreads they really are stimulating discussions. Please don't feel overwhelmed. Everyone's opinion matters x 4mo

Erinsuereads @AllDebooks it's totally a good overwhelmed! It's just amazing seeing so many different people's takes on it 4mo

Blackink_WhitePaper @AllDebooks Sorry again I am late to join the discussion. I enjoyed reading all the comments. We have custom where we ve to say ‘Annadaatha sukhi Bhava‘ meaning those who are providing me with this food let them be happy. I m surprised how the same concept of gratitude is followed almost in the other part of the world! 4mo

monalyisha I just finished reading (independently) and am now finding these lovely discussions! I listened on audio and retained little structural awareness…but I think this was the essay in which she talks about consent, right? That part was so interesting to me! In other sections, she talks about how a particular mindset can affect all aspects of life. Imagine how sex would be changed if all of us asked *plants* for consent?! God, what a world. 💚 3mo

30 likes40 comments

REPollock

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

Been looking forward to this one! Borrowed from my dad.

19 likes1 stack add

AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#NaturaLitsy

Week 3 reminder - Picking Sweetgrass
I'll post a discussion thread on Saturday. Wishing you all a great week.
I'm just going to tag you in the discussion threads as don't want to get annoying 😅

Also I'll be posting about our Jan/Feb reads later this week. So keep em peeled 👀🤔

32 likes

ChaoticMissAdventures

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

pick

My Grandmother is Mohawk, and one of her lovely friends made this sweet grass basket for me. I thought a lot about them while reading this book. I liked how Kimmer wove many different Native people groups into this book - showing the similarities and differences, while relating everything back to nature.
Beautifully done book.

Kristin_Reads One of my favorite books! Especially for this season. 4mo

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TheBookHippie

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

Finishing up then I‘ll be over at the discussion #naturalitsy

Tamra I hope you loved it! 4mo

TheBookHippie @Tamra just finishing part two and yes so far I just love it. 4mo

60 likes2 comments

AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#NaturaLitsy

Week 2 - Discussion thread for Tending Sweetgrass.

@wordslinger42 @jenniferw88 @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @rockpools @Chrissyreadit @Blackink_WhitePaper @BookwormAHN @Deblovestoread @MilesnMelodies @Graywacke @Dilara @ErinSueMreads @Chelsea.Poole @Ann_Reads @TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jlhammar @MelisK @LeeRHarry @Soubhiville @wanderinglynn @SamAnne @claudiuo @Addison_Reads @BarkingMadRead @BarbaraBB @CaitZ

AllDebooks @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @Aimeesue @tdrosebud 4mo

Graywacke I enjoyed these five, what I‘m calling essays. I reclassified the book in my head as a collection of personal essays, and that seemed to help how I read them. They seem to be really about Kimmerer and her thinking, experiences and culture. That may explain the freedom of wandering focus. And it seems loneliness is a quiet theme - divorced, empty-nest, rural, restoring a pond no one will really use. Hazel seemed to accentuate that. 4mo

Deblovestoread I enjoyed these chapters and @Graywacke sums them up perfectly. 4mo

See All 20 Comments

AllDebooks @Graywacke that is a perfect summary. It does make more sense to think of essay format. I found the Hazel story touching. I'm also empathetic to the stories of her daughters growing up and starting college. I'm coming up on that stage now and it's tough 4mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke I agree the mind shift to essays makes the reading more . The loneliness is accentuated for sure it‘s actually helped me understand my friend more, she struggles with being alone. I‘m the opposite, I love it. I am enjoying the reading. 4mo

Graywacke @TheBookHippie I have been thinking about this. I have a fear of being alone because I just imagine it, well awfully lonely. I was discussing with a friend who said being disconnected from a person around you (someone close) feels really lonely in a difficult way. But they found living alone quite lovely. I admit I was surprised, in a good way. (Hopefully no tmi here) 4mo

AllDebooks @Graywacke Not too much tmi. I love being alone since seperating from my ex 6 years ago. Not sure I would have felt the same when younger. 4mo

Graywacke @Deblovestoread thanks ☺️ @AllDebooks my daughter is a high school senior. My son a sophomore. So it‘s coming. (All marriages are all different, but it‘s a lot harder these days. I think we just change.) 4mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke I love being alone. People really get mad that I love being alone. (My daughter is almost 34 my son just turned 16 my grandson is 8.) I never wanted to be domestic or married -however it was important to Mr BookHippie -so here we are three decades later, we are both fiercely independent and most people who were are perturbed by our relationship are now not together with their partner. 😂 Glad you do find joy in it, it‘s very zen. (edited) 4mo

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks I‘ve fought to have alone time my entire life. Everyone who knows me -family,friends, kids, I mentor -what gift do we get Miss Christine it‘s all unison “a day by herself” 😂. I travel alone for a week once a year it‘s pure zen. But I make it a priority weekly. 4mo

Chelsea.Poole Loved the pond descriptions — we have a small pond with more scum than anything else and I visualized it while she described cleaning it out, as it so happened, for no one. I really felt those parts about the empty nest; my sons are 5&7 and I‘m very needed. I‘ll be heartbroken setting them out on their own 😭 4mo

Chelsea.Poole @TheBookHippie I admire your commitment to alone time! I‘m a fan as well but my kids have changed my life so I‘m not sure how I feel now that they‘ve been such a huge and constant presence. I haven‘t been alone for 7 years! 😂 4mo

TheBookHippie @Chelsea.Poole I‘ve been actively raising a child in my home for 34 years, straight, I have 3 to go. I‘m more than ready to not parent daily. This makes most people uncomfortable until they realise I‘ve been patenting longer than they‘ve been alive and when my son graduates it‘ll almost be 40 years. Don‘t get me wrong I love my children (and my grandson). I am just looking forward to the next phase. 5&7 are fun ages! Enjoy it! ♥️ 4mo

LeeRHarry Still enjoying a lot - the thought of what might be lurking at the bottom of the pond! 😱😏 4mo

rockpools Another book that‘s so different to how I imagined - although I did expect to enjoy it! I‘m finding her take on reciprocity between humans and the natural world really interesting and kind of encouraging. 4mo

Ann_Reads Sorry all, it seems the consensus is everyone is loving the book but I've actually decided to bail on it. For whatever reason, I just couldn't mentally transition to the idea this is more a book of personal essays more than anything else. It's fine for what it is but not really what I was expecting. Perhaps I'm not in the right frame of mind to read this now. I've posted a review. Enjoy the remainder of your discussion here. 🙂 4mo

AllDebooks @Ann_Reads sorry to hear you're not enjoying it but sometimes we hit a book like that. Took me years to be ok with bailing on a book. You have too, life's too short. X 4mo

Ann_Reads @AllDebooks Thanks for understanding and you're right, sometimes it's just best to move onto another book. A few years from now, maybe it will be the right time to revisit the book that was set aside. I'm often a mood reader, so that's especially important for me to take into consideration. 🌞 4mo

Aimeesue I loved this section - especially tapping the maple trees. I'm originally from Western Mass, near Vermont, so it was very maple-y area. My fifth grade class tapped trees and had a pancake breakfast at the end of the season, so it brought back a lot of memories. I totally get that "missing the blaze of maples" in the fall too - every single year. 4mo

AllDebooks @Aimeesue This is so sweet, pardon the pun. I love that this book evoked so many wonderful memories for you. Thank you for sharing them with us x 4mo

36 likes20 comments

jenniferw88

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

🤣🤣🤣

#naturalitsy @AllDebooks

Aimeesue 😂 4mo

59 likes1 comment

jenniferw88

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#squirrelquotes @squirrelbrain

#naturalitsy @AllDebooks

squirrelbrain ❤️🐿❤️🐿 4mo

55 likes1 comment

Chelsea.Poole

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

Loving this book! Seems like the perfect time of year to be cuddled up, reading about maple syrup tapping 🍁 So happy to be a part of the #NaturaLitsy buddy read for this one. It was also on my #auldlangspine list from last year from @Mitch which I‘m just now getting around to.

AllDebooks

Tamra This is such a soothing read. ☺️ 4mo

Mitch Yeah - love this xx 4mo

89 likes3 stack adds2 comments

AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#NaturaLitsy

Week 2 reminder - Part 2 - Tending Sweetgrass

Thank you for all your insightful comments on Part 1.

Let's see what this week's reading brings.

Wishing you all a great week. 🙂

33 likes

AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#Naturalitsy

Here's our first discussion thread for Part 1 - Planting Sweetgrass.
@wordslinger42 @Mitch @MelisK @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @rockpools @Chrissyreadit @Blackink_WhitePaper @BookwormAHN @Deblovestoread @milesnmelodies @Graywacke @Dilara @jenniferw88 @ErinSueMreads @Chelsea.Poole @Ann_Reads @TheBookHippie @jlhammar @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Soubhiville @wanderinglynn @SamAnne @claudiuo @PageShifter @Addison_Reads @BarkingMadRead

AllDebooks @BarbaraBB @CaitZ @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @Aimeesue @tdrosebud 4mo

rockpools I haven‘t read the whole section yet, but I am loving this so far. It‘s the perfect book to read after Mother Tree - the Interconnectedness of things, the complex nature of plant communication, the importance of stories. Her writing style is very natural, and feels optimistic. Think this will be a good one! And I‘m liking the concept of mast years - I didn‘t know that was a thing. 4mo

Chelsea.Poole I texted my friend to say I was reading another “life-changer” with this one. She‘s already touched on so many topics…removal of children from the families/communities/identifies…theft of land..the real meaning of “Indian giver”….”pecan” from the word “nut”…language as identity and the practices the US gov took from tribes…heartberries (strawberries) reminds me of the book with the same title which is heartbreaking.

Heart Berries: A Memoir

(edited) 4mo

See All 51 Comments

TheBookHippie When the book starts out with the questioning of people and nature together reminds me of how different I was perceived as Mother Earth to a hippie is to be revered and earth is a our gift, nature is home. In parochial school this was taught as a big sin. Made me think of the alt right religious who deny climate change and don‘t respect nature at all. There‘s a cause and effect! love the writing style it feels like Story-Time around a camp fire. 4mo

TheBookHippie Our treatment of Native Americans and the erasure of them and their way of life is unforgivable so much lost, there‘s no words for it. We should have adopted their way on their land. No forced ours in such cruel and evil ways. I love the message we are getting and the education. I knew quite a bit but to see it written this way is a gift. 4mo

TheBookHippie @rockpools I agree. It‘s a great follow up. And everything else you said! 4mo

TheBookHippie @Chelsea.Poole I agree with all of this! Thanks for the book recommendation ! 4mo

Ann_Reads I really liked the first chapter and the story of Skywoman Falling. The writing is gracefully descriptive. I know Ms Kimmerer is a trained in Environmental Biology but there is less science in her conversation than I expected. Sometimes I cannot tell if she is pro or anti science. 4mo

Deblovestoread When she wrote about the gathering of the original speakers being a circle of 9 it was a gut punch. Unthinkable that we have stole so much and made it extinct. Appreciate the comments and insight @rockpools @TheBookHippie @Chelsea.Poole Great book choice. 4mo

Graywacke Such a mixed bag of promises. Mindset, science, Native American history, circumstance and philosophy. Which way will she take us? All? None? Well, definitely the philosophy part, I guess. It‘s a lot less science than I expected. ( @Ann_Reads !) I relate to each aspect differently. Unfortunately I‘m finding the native philosophy the least interesting part. I just see unaddressed problems everywhere there. But some observations are insightful. 4mo

TheBookHippie @Deblovestoread Gut punch is the correct word for sure. 4mo

Graywacke The part that stuck me most was when she asked her students to rate the _positive_ interactions between people and the land, and most of her students said, “none”. I hope she follows up on that. (edited) 4mo

Graywacke @Deblovestoread really sad about having only 9 native speakers living. (edited) 4mo

Deblovestoread @Graywacke that part struck me, too. Is it none because we don‘t recognize nature as the source of our survival or is none because we do recognize that and see how it is being mistreated or ignored. 4mo

Graywacke @Deblovestoread for me personally it‘s because I‘m so attuned to the idea that every natural problem was caused by us. The more isolated a place is from humanity and our impact, the healthier it seems. I would love to see more of our group‘s answers to that question. (edited) 4mo

AllDebooks @rockpools Mast fruiting was new to me too. I found it to be beautifully written so far. There seems to be a real juxtaposition between science and indigenous knowledge. Not certain which she favours, maybe room for both? 4mo

LeeRHarry I‘m really enjoying this one so far - it is a lot less dense than I was expecting which is a plus. Found the part about goldenrods and asters and colour association fascinating. I‘m learning a lot but not in a preachy way which I appreciate. (edited) 4mo

Aimeesue @Ann_Reads I think she's not so much pro/anti science as exploring the stories that science tells, in contrast to the way traditional wisdom tells those stories. Each are useful, but science leaves out the social/emotional/spiritual connections that are the heart of traditional wisdom. Yes, we need hard science to know how to deal with viruses and other threats to health/safety, but we also need to understand connections btw us & them. 2 lenses. 4mo

AllDebooks @Chelsea.Poole the history of Indian removal politics and the Trail of Death are very shameful. Settlers did their best to annihilate an entire peoples. So very wrong and saddening. 4mo

AllDebooks @TheBookHippie camp side stories is exactly the perfect summary!! That's an interesting point you make about the cause and effect of different perceptions. Why do the most damaging ones seem to be cyclical. We never learn, by that I mean collectively (gov, etc) rather than individually 4mo

AllDebooks @Ann_Reads I'm really enjoying the indigenous folklore. 4mo

AllDebooks @Graywacke I was frustrated too by this lack of follow up. In what context do the students see no positive interaction. I really hope this is expanded on. Seems such a huge scope of questioning to give 'none' as an answer. 4mo

AllDebooks @Deblovestoread absolutely floored me too. So much knowledge, history and experience lost 4mo

Aimeesue I adore Kimmerer, and I love her narration of the book - she's got a great voice. She recently won a MacArthur Genius Award too. She did an interview with Krista Tippett for On Being a few years ago and one of the quotes Tippett used to introduce her was “Science polishes the gift of seeing, Indigenous traditions work with gifts of listening and language.” ❤️ 4mo

Aimeesue One of the big points for me was the viewpoints/philosophies of Europeans and Indigenous peoples when colonization started up. Common land vs. parceled out lots that were "owned" because you put work into them to "improve" them. of course, your "improvements" might ruin the land of your downstream neighbor, but that wasn't a huge concern at the outset, but it would have to be if land is held in common. (edited) 4mo

AllDebooks @Deblovestoread that's a fascinating question and like @Graywacke I'm curious to see other opinions. Imo, the majority of people just don't see how dependent our existence is within the natural world. While every materialistic needs are met from the stores, why think about where food comes. Or if everyone has enough water, food, shelter. Saying that I think there has been a seismic shift as people become more attuned to the fragility of ⬇️⬇️ 4mo

AllDebooks Our natural world. Hopefully this gains momentum in time to halt further damage and destruction. 4mo

Aimeesue @AllDebooks Water is likely to become a HUGE issue over the next decade. I recently read a(10 year old) book about water systems and scarcity. It was somewhat scary - look at all the recent issues, Flint, CA droughts, Jackson, MS - but it also outlined some ways we can avoid issues.

The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water

(edited) 4mo

AllDebooks @LeeRHarry that really was beautiful. Initially I understood the professors reaction to her honesty. But as she explained more, I understood her pov. Critical science data is necessary but it should be acknowledged that the beauty and connections we feel are important too. Not sure how I feel about the animate points, could see why it threw her students 4mo

AllDebooks @Aimeesue it is all very scary and so frustrating. All could have been avoided. It makes me so angry at the disregard for life from decades of global governments focused on capitalism 4mo

TheBookHippie @Graywacke me too I hope there is follow up. So sad. 4mo

TheBookHippie @AllDebooks @Graywacke I am always amazed people do not see correlation between what they do and how it affects earth,nature, the cycle of all life. I don‘t like how I‘ve always been dismissed “oh you‘re a hippie that‘s why you …..” no we should all care and realise cause and affect. And also what we‘ve taken from people and earth that cannot be replaced it‘s on us. 4mo

jenniferw88 I really appreciated her thoughts on language (although 'apple it is' reminded me of Yoda 😂), and how (nearly) everything is animate. I also liked the mention of our reluctance to learn foreign languages, so much could be improved if we did - not just in terms of nature but in (for example) race, queer and disability perspectives too. 4mo

jenniferw88 Just remembered - the bit about our reluctance to learn foreign languages reminded me of Pocahontas, which is probably good with the indigenous bit of the book! It's very 'colours of the wind' https://open.spotify.com/track/1OYOLWqKmhkFIx2KC9ek1a?si=zKooOVWLQZa5zUIhF6AuYQ&... 4mo

TheBookHippie @jenniferw88 such a good point!!! Thanks for the link! 4mo

MilesnMelodies I read the first couple chapters.amd I didn't care for how it was written. The design of the hardcover is beautiful though. 4mo

rockpools @jenniferw88 Yes, the language section was fascinating, and you make such good points. We don‘t often recognise how different worldviews play out through language, especially as English is so prevalent. Even thinking about Welsh concepts of ownership- you wouldn‘t say ‘I have a cat‘, you‘d say ‘There‘s a cat with me‘ (I think) - much more relationshipy than possessiony. 4mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Deblovestoread Yes, I was blown away by the surviving speakers being only 9, and I appreciated the optimism of her teacher in trying to keep the language alive. I can only imagine how much we humans have lost to time because of our vindictive ignorance. 😢 4mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Graywacke I have similar thoughts on the “none” answer of her students. One could argue that the only time humans have a positive interaction with nature is after we‘re trying to reverse the damage of one of our previous negative interactions. And even then, sometimes we just exacerbate the issue… 4mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @LeeRHarry I‘m thoroughly enjoying the tone and beautiful descriptions as well. 4mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I‘m enjoying this book quite a bit. I‘m not a spiritual person, but I appreciate the benefit of thinking more about the spirit or soul of everything we come into contact with. I can‘t help but wonder how different our collective view would be. I also think it has a lot to do with how certain cultures believe this world to be a finite place, a passing through point to get to the real destination rather than a home to be cared for and passed on to⬇️ 4mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm future generations. It reminded me of a conversation I had with my mother when I was explaining why I was choosing to use reusable diapers for my son. I told her how it takes hundreds of years for disposable diapers to decompose and her response was, “Well, I won‘t be around, so I don‘t care.” I said, “That kind of thinking is why we‘re in a lot of the messes we‘re in right now!” 4mo

Graywacke @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm “a passing through point” - it‘s an ultimate justification for doing nothing, right? That‘s a human mindset - I don‘t want to deal, so how can I rationalize that? 4mo

CaitZ "The land knows you, even when you're lost." That sentence spoke to me. I was also sad that so few people felt they had a positive interaction with nature. One of the main reasons I bought my house was because of the park 1/2 a block away. Although it's not big when I get frustrated or anxious I can walk among the trees and feel refreshed. 4mo

CaitZ I liked that she started the book with the story of Skywoman. I find origin stories intriguing and think you can learn so much from them about the culture they represent. 4mo

AllDebooks @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm you make a valid point about cultural differences and passing through! Our personal experiences define ourselves and beliefs. I spent a lot of my childhood with my Gran. She taught me to garden and love the natural world. Her organic methods were very different to my parents use of chemicals. I thought about the knock on effect of all those chemicals and never used them. My parents pov was similar to your Mum's 4mo

AllDebooks @CaitZ I know so little about Native American folklore, so am loving these little vignettes 4mo

Blackink_WhitePaper @Ann_Reads I had the same thoughts. It is hard to find people acknowledging both science & customs / culture. 4mo

Blackink_WhitePaper @Aimeesue completely agree with you 👏👏 4mo

Blackink_WhitePaper @AllDebooks I am bit late to join the discussion. Book started off greatly with the folklore story. It reminds me of many story from Hindu mythology as well. I wonder how people from different parts of the world are similar in certain way! I am learning many hard facts about Native Americans which I was ignorant otherwise . I like the fact that it is not only science but spiritual, emotional. M listening to the audio & her voice is soothing. 4mo

AllDebooks @Blackink_WhitePaper so glad you're enjoying it. I'm loving learning anout indigenous knowledge. I may switch to audio as listening to her read a section of Greta Thunberg's book was very soothing, as you say. Even tho the subject was not!! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001ddw5?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Climate Book: The Facts and the Solutions

4mo

33 likes51 comments

Graywacke

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

Kind of cool that the book we just finished in #naturalitsy refers our next book. I‘ve started this one, Braiding Sweetgrass - although I haven‘t figured out what it actually is yet (if that even makes sense).

AllDebooks

AllDebooks It really is a bit of a everything, isn't it? 4mo

Caterina Wait what is Naturalitsy, I want in!! 😍🌳🍄 I have started Finding the Mother Tree and Braiding Sweetgrass and love what I've read of each, but haven't finished them! 4mo

Graywacke @AllDebooks going a lot of different ways, definitely. 4mo

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Graywacke @Caterina - for #naturalisy - Follow the hashtag. It‘s @AllDebooks project and it‘s been terrific. We‘re only on our second book, and we have our first discussion Saturday (on part 1). 4mo

Caterina Amazing, thank you! I'll try to join in! 😊 @AllDebooks 4mo

GingerAntics Loved Braiding Sweet Grass! It is hard to classify. In some ways it‘s a memoir. In others it‘s ecology. It‘s also something else I can‘t quite name. 4mo

Graywacke @Caterina 👍 4mo

Graywacke @GingerAntics I‘m happy to know that. Yeah, it‘s a lot of things so far. 4mo

Ann_Reads @Graywacke - I've read the Planting Sweetgrass section and very much get where you are coming from in yours thoughts about the book so far. 4mo

GingerAntics @Graywacke it‘s lovely and a great read. I hope you‘re enjoying it as much as I did. 4mo

Graywacke @GingerAntics probably not as much, but I‘m happy with it. I‘m calling it a collection of personal essays. 4mo

GingerAntics @Graywacke that‘s probably the most succinct description. I like that. I‘ll second that categorisation. 4mo

46 likes12 comments

AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

"In winter, when the green earth lies resting beneath a blanket of snow, this is the time for storytelling. The storytellers begin by calling upon those who came before who passed the stories down to us, for we are only messengers.
In the beginning there was the Skyworld."

Already hooked #NaturaLitsy folk, how about you?

Graywacke Oh, dear, I haven‘t swooned yet. 😕🙂 I‘m still on dispassionate ground. The reading is fine, but trying to decide/figure out how to take this in. (On page 31) 4mo

AllDebooks @Graywacke oh no, I'm enjoying the history of native Americans. Not got much further than you. Again, it's different to what I was expecting. 4mo

Graywacke @AllDebooks I really didn‘t know what to expect, so keeping an open mind. I want to enjoy it (!). 4mo

jenniferw88 I'm really enjoying it, and already highlighted several quotes on my Kindle! 4mo

31 likes4 comments

AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#Naturalitsy

Week 1 - Part 1 - Planting Sweetgrass

Discussion thread will be posted on Saturday as we're reading this over a shorter period this time.
All welcome to join in.

@wordslinger42 @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @rockpools @Chrissyreadit @Blackink_WhitePaper @BookwormAHN @Deblovestoread @MilesnMelodies @Graywacke @dilara @Mitch @jenniferw88 @ErinSueMreads @Chelsea.Poole @Ann_Reads @TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jlhammar @MelisK

AllDebooks @Soubhiville @wanderinglynn @SamAnne @claudiuo @PageShifter @Addison_Reads @BarkingMadRun @BarbaraBB @CaitZ @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks @Aimeesue 4mo

AllDebooks @ravenlee Hi Anne, I've been thinking of you and your family. I hope you're ok and your daughter is recuperating. If I can do anything to help, or you need a shoulder to lean on , I'm always happy to help. My email is debs.gregory@gmail.com or IG tag in bio. 4mo

LeeRHarry I have missed the reading schedule - let‘s go find it and then I can get reading! 😊 4mo

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AllDebooks @LeeRHarry we're reading a part per week, finishing on the 11th December x 4mo

LeeRHarry @AllDebooks that makes it easy - thanks 😊 4mo

AllDebooks I just found this short video clip of Bruce King's artwork. He's new to me but this certainly sets the scene to our first chapter. I find his depiction of the natural world very evocative. Although it doesn't show Moment in Flight, I'll post that separately. Enjoy x https://youtu.be/cDrof5un7r8 4mo

Blackink_WhitePaper Thanks for hosting 💐🥰 looking forward for the discussion 4mo

Graywacke Thanks @AllDebooks - I just started. 4mo

tdrosebud Please add me to the list, I'm just starting it. 4mo

AllDebooks @tdrosebud welcome and thanks for joining us 😁 4mo

AllDebooks @Blackink_WhitePaper @Graywacke I get the feeling, just from the 1st chapter that this is going to be another good one for discussion 4mo

Caterina Hello, please add me to the tag list! This is so cool, I'm excited to join in! 😊🌳🍄 4mo

AllDebooks @Caterina Great, good to have you joining us. 😊 4mo

43 likes13 comments

AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#Naturalitsy

All good to go for our next readalong, starting tomorrow. I will post reminders on Mondays and discussion posts on Saturday.
All welcome to join us. Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list.

Ann_Reads Looking forward to it! (Have the audio & Kindle versions ready to go.) 4mo

BookwormAHN Still waiting for my library copy to come in but I'll catch up when it does. 4mo

AllDebooks @Ann_Reads @BookwormAHN 😊 4mo

39 likes3 comments

MallenNC

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

Almost a year after @Cinfhen put it on my radar I‘m finally reading Braiding Sweetgrass. I‘m reading/listening to one chapter a day so I will finish at the end of the month. Katee on the Currently Reading podcast suggested that on this week‘s show, so that was the push I needed. Perfect for #NonfictionNovember

akaGingerK Oh, good plan! I switched from book to audio on this one when my ability to focus… broke for awhile. I still have ~9 hours of audio even though I am enjoying it! 5mo

Cinfhen I hope you enjoy 😊 this book was put on my #ReaderRadar by the amazing @ReadingEnvy Jenny Colvin (RIP) 5mo

MallenNC @Cinfhen Oh that makes it more special. I am enjoying it so far. 5mo

MallenNC @akaGingerK I definitely relate to losing the ability to focus. Also I tend to rush through reading sometimes so I thought this approach would allow me to appreciate the writing more. 5mo

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sprainedbrain

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

Thank you so much for my #BasicWitchSwap goodies, Kim! I‘m VERY excited about all of the books, and love all of the goodies! I‘m so set for incense for a while.🖤 You‘re awesome!

BarkingMadRead

BarkingMadRead I may have gonna a little incense crazy 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5mo

sprainedbrain @BarkingMadRun no such thing for me! I‘m an incense witch, if that‘s a thing. 😂 5mo

AllDebooks Great gifts. We're reading Braiding Sweetgrass next if you're interested in #Naturalitsy 5mo

70 likes3 comments

AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#Naturalitsy

Quick poll
Please state your preference when you would you prefer to start our next read
1st November - 23rd December (10 days per section) or
7th November - 11th December (7 days per section)
This would give us a nice long break over Christmas holidays.

AllDebooks @wordslinger42 @Mitch @MelisK @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @rockpools @Chrissyreadit @Blackink_WhitePaper @BookwormAHN @Deblovestoread @MilesnMelodies @Graywacke @Dilara @jenniferw88 @ErinSueMreads @Chelsea.Poole @Ann_Reads @TheBookHippie @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jlhammar @LeeRHarry @Soubhiville @wanderinglynn @SamAnne @claudiuo @PageShifter @BarbaraBB @BarkingMadRun
5mo

AllDebooks @ravenlee please let me know if you would like me to keep you on the tag list for

Braiding Sweetgrass

5mo

Erinsuereads Either is fine with me. Finishing before Christmas might produce better discussion 5mo

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TheBookHippie @ErinSueMreads I agree. 5mo

AllDebooks @ErinSueMreads That's what I thought, busy time of year and we can all come back in 2023 ready for more 5mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I agree with the consensus so far that it‘d be nice to finish before Christmas. 👍 This is my first Christmas with a kid, so I don‘t know what to expect with the already crazy time of year. 😅 5mo

Soubhiville No preference from me, I read this one some time ago so won‘t be reading along. 5mo

BookwormAHN I'd like to finish before Christmas but either is fine 😺 5mo

rockpools Finishing a little earlier would work well for me, but happy to go with whatever works. 5mo

BeckyWithTheGoodBooks I‘d like to be on the tag list for this, please! And before Christmas would be good for me as well. 5mo

wanderinglynn 7 Nov - 11 Dec (edited) 5mo

Chelsea.Poole Earlier is fine for me too. And I would like to be on the list for this! 5mo

AllDebooks @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks that's great, welcome x 5mo

Ann_Reads I'm okay with either but prefer 7 Nov - 11 Dec, mainly due to the holidays & #WinterGames2022. 🎅 ⛄ 5mo

Deblovestoread 7 Nov to 11 Dec gets my vote 5mo

jenniferw88 7 nov for me. 5mo

ravenlee Please remove me from tags for now. Kiddo is recovering from multiple surgeries and a week-long hospital stay, with probably physical therapy in our future. I‘m cutting way back on commitments for the time being. 5mo

Graywacke @ravenlee I wish your kid well 5mo

Graywacke I like the weekly routine so I prefer 7 days per section. I‘m ok with either though. (But I think it‘s a unanimous vote so far.) 5mo

CaitZ Could you add me to the list? I've had this for a while but never seem to read books I own this would be good motivation. And ending earlier is fine. 5mo

AllDebooks @ravenlee will do, of course. Wishing your child well, lots of love to your family x 5mo

AllDebooks @CaitZ absolutely, welcome x 5mo

jlhammar Either is fine with me. Since I've already read it (and don't plan to reread), not sure how much I'll be joining in the discussion this time around. 5mo

Aimeesue I'm currently listening to this and would love to discuss with others. May I join in? 5mo

AllDebooks @Aimeesue absolutely. Great to have you with us. We'll be starting on the 7th November. I'll put the schedule up next week and add you to the tag list x 5mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @ravenlee Hoping your kiddo feels better soon! ❤️ 5mo

ravenlee @Graywacke @AllDebooks @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm thank you. She‘s doing better all the time, but it‘s a long process. 5mo

AllDebooks @ravenlee That's good to hear x 5mo

44 likes28 comments

sakeriver

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

pick

This book gets so much love and praise, and I think deservedly so. So much of what we as a society fail at in terms of making necessary change comes down to a lack of ability to imagine something better, which is why a book like this is so vital. In sharing Indigenous ways of seeing and engaging with the natural world as family and reciprocal caregivers, Robin Wall Kimmerer gives us a path forward toward healing.

9 likes

AllDebooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

#NaturaLitsy #LitsyEvents

Please feel free to join us for our November/December readalong starting 1st November.

Julsmarshall I loved this book and the author just one a McArthur Genius grant 😄 5mo

BookwormAHN I'm really looking forward to reading this 😺 5mo

Ann_Reads Looking forward to reattempting this one. I bought the audio book and should be able to borrow the ebook for part of our reading time. I'm so grateful we take two months to read these books. They are much more enjoyable and I don't feel like I'm pushing myself through to finish. Thanks again for hosting @AllDebooks. Appreciated! 5mo

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Aimeesue

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

Obviously I thought I needed this book in every format, although now I can't remember why. 😂

LeahBergen Oops. 😆 5mo

Aimeesue @LeahBergen I mean, it's a really good book, but I'm not sure there is a real need for me to have immediate access to it every minute of the day! Although. . . . Kimmerer had a fabulous, soothing voice, so maybe I could use the audiobook as a bedtime story? (edited) 5mo

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PaperbackPirate

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

I did not meet my #Superseptember goals.
I did not finish this book but I‘m still enjoying it.
🌽🫘🎃 257/405 pages

Thanks for hosting @Andrew65 ! 🙌

Andrew65 Same for me! Well done on what you did get completed 👏👏👏 (edited) 6mo

Gissy But you completed the most important reading goal, you enjoyed your reading time📖🙌 6mo

PaperbackPirate Thank you @Andrew65 ! 🙌 4mo

PaperbackPirate Excellent point @Gissy and very true! 💙📚 4mo

52 likes4 comments

TracyReadsBooks

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

Super excited about Saturday book mail and this eclectic stack of books. Sunny, high 60s, chores are done—it‘s a gorgeous day. Now all I have to do is decide which one to read first!

39 likes

Creme_de_la_them

Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer

pick

Book #20 of the year: “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer

I‘ve been reading this one for a while, as evidenced by the worn cover. “Braiding Sweetgrass” is the kind of book that nourishes the soul and makes you a better person. It made me feel so many things—it made me feel. I took this book in sips, a chapter at a time, and savored it. If you read one book this year, make it “Braiding Sweetgrass”.

8 likes

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