Welcome to Litsy!

I love nature writing and National Parks, so I should have loved this, but I fought with it for literal years. I would typically enjoy it while reading, but would then set it down and not pick it up again for months. Parts of it are great, but parts are much too sentimental for my taste. I‘m not sure she‘s the writer for me.

I did not want this book to end. I listened to the author on a podcast and have been desperately needing to read/listen to her again. The way she writes about nature is unreal riveting. This book was emotional, beautiful, covering activism, indigenous roots, historical changes, and personal stories of land in America.

Thanks for the tag! @Cosmos_Moon
1. I don‘t think I‘m named after some else. I think my parents just liked the name? When someone asked my sister if her daughter was named for anyone, she said: herself. So I‘ll use that answer too. 😎
2. I‘m thankful that I was able to vote. And I got a free pen in the process!
#thankfulthursday

Did a little vacation shopping #shoplocal

Such an important work. Sharing stories about our national parks that bring forth the true importance of protecting these lands. Her writing is poetry, striking strong and calling us to action to discover the importance of keeping our National Parks intact. “...quieting of the soul inspires creative acts...”p.354

#AlltheBooks!TBR

Beautifully written in honor of our National Parks. TTW shares her personal experiences visiting several parks; Grand Teton, Theodore Roosevelt, Gettysburg, Gates of the Arctic, to name a few. She deepened my love for nature and fueled my anger towards people in power who make ignorant decisions to destroy it. #MountTBR #ReadingUSA2019 #Alaska

Thank you so much, @RebelReader - I have circled Killers on BOTM a few times, have wanted to read Anne Lamott, and you have no idea how many times I've almost bought the TTW, since I love her. And the pampering and sweets are fun! Thank you again for your generosity.

#2018nfbe #2018nonfictionbookexchange @inwhichHeikereadsharder

Confession: I‘ve never been to a National Park.

I‘ve been to lots of state parks & love camping, but never a national park. I don‘t think I truly appreciated them until today when I finished this book. & I don‘t think I can appreciate them properly until I go to one.

& while I recycle & compost & garden & hardly drive, I don‘t think I really understood what being a climate activist meant until I read this.

I‘d call it a life-changing book. 🌱🌲

This book is too dang pretty not to make it on to our #24in48 stack. Plus, it's been languishing on the shelf, unread, for FAR too long. Are you using the upcoming #readathon as an excuse to get to a book you've been meaning to read? (Don't forget, it's not too late to sign up to participate in the #24in48readathon, Jan 27-28, at 24in48.com.)

From my #currentlisten which is amazing. Adding Terry Tempest Williams to the list of new-to-me authors I discovered in 2017.
#wonder #quotsydec17 @TK-421

This was my favorite cover of the books I read this year. There are also beautiful photos inside. #allthebooksof2017

"Our public lands - whether a national park or monument, wildlife refuge, forest or prairie - make each one of us land-rich. It is our inheritance as citizens of a country called America.”
Pic taken at Bryce Canyon 2009, I need to get back out west #currentlyreading #overdrive

I really gave it a try today. Terry is such a great person and a great writer. This topic is very interesting in theory. However, I have much more important reading that I need to do for myself right now.

I am looking forward to something different and very interesting.

First third was 5 stars, last third 4, and that middle third...rambling and confusing and a little lost.

I am a bit obsessed. I want all the books in the library. Sigh

Tempest Williams is a beautiful writer and her ability to evoke emotion and sense of place made her the perfect author for this book commemorating the centennial of our parks system. She weaves together history, environment, spirituality, and current events so seamlessly -- and she acknowledges the conflicts inherent in any discussion of how we use or protect our natural resources. Incredible read.

"To live in the United States of America and tell only one story, from one point of view, diminishes all of us."

"Wilderness is an antidote to the war within ourselves."

From the section about Gettysburg --"all wars are political. We fight for the myth that will support and sustain our point of view at all costs."

I'm here, I listened to Williams speak, and I am in awe. Her writing is...hope. ❤️

#TBT to last Friday when I met Terry Tempest Williams!!! Her talk was so amazing and inspiring, and when I met her she literally made me cry. She is an absolute joy and so wonderful to hear speak. I haven't been able to read that much due to my move but this was such a great treat for my first week in a new city.

Sitting on my porch reading until I think of a reason to bother getting dressed.

returning to this after a long, grueling day at congaree national park.

The next author even on my calendar.

"An indigo sky deepened. A mile away, a herd of a hundred bison or more graze unconcerned. Seven left and walked single file toward the remains of the mother bison. They circled her twice, sniffed her, nudged her body, and tightened their circle as they lowered their heads. They stayed with her until twilight. Then the bison left as they came, walking single file back toward the herd--save one lone bull who stayed behind."❤️?#WhattaMan #90sInJuly

#NoRain at the beginning of this book in Big Bend National Park! This book is so much and the perfect read for me today. I know you all won't judge me when I say it's making me tear up a bit. 😥#90sInJuly

You guys know my reading habits are insane, so here's my flexible #tbr clockwise from the top left: reading more in my currently reading list of 28 books; 1 book left to finish for #LitsyAtoZ ; continuing my Mansfield Park reread with my mom; 3 reserved books from the library; and the tons of books I have from #netgalley and haven't finished! The tagged book is my #julymostanticipated #sizzlinsummerbooks #jubilantjuly

So excited for these upcoming author events!!!

A powerful meditation on land, wild spaces, and our connection to the earth. A must-read!

Petrichor: the pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather

I've come across this word in two different books today!

#vocabulary #wordoftheday #definitions

"From a distance, the mountains in Acadia appear blue and rounded, not at all like the toothed peaks of the west... You can climb them in an afternoon, wearing a skirt. Their grandeur belongs not to ruggedness but to a gradual ascent toward grace. Once you're on top of the bald summit, a view of a watery planet inspires." (The view today from the top of Cadillac Mtn in Acadia National Park! I did not wear a skirt tho, sorry TTW you're crazy. ?)

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG

These books are unrelated but the spines go together so well.

We're going on a trip to Acadia National Park next week, and I wrote a blog post (link in profile) about the books I'm reading to get ready! THE HOUR OF LAND IS SO GOOD. Do you have any suggestions for other nature-friendly books to read? (I've got A Walk In The Woods on audio but bailed a third of the way through for reasons unremembered-- maybe I should try again or try in print?)

👍🏻👍🏻I finally got back around to this book after checking it out from the library and not reading it. This time, I chose to listen to the audio version. (I think this might become a thing for me for my non fiction books, especially if read by the author). Beautifully written. Sobering. Timely.

Guess where we are headed tonight for my birthday trip!?

I'm a person who really enjoys nature writing. The Hour of Land is about national parks and national historic sites, but it's not just waxing poetic about trees. I'm unfamiliar with Williams so I was unprepared for how very political this book is. Her views happen to align with mine as she talks about oil spills, reliance on fossil fuels, the states rights vs slavery context in which we frame Gettysburg, etc. I'd really like to read more by her!

Reads like a sacred hike in a National Park. Calms the day into perspective and reminds me why I could not wait until I finally became 62 years old---to get the lifelong membership to the National Parks for $10.

Terry Tempest Williams stands at the top of a mountain screaming to my soul while I rest in the valley listening intently to every word. The Hour of the Land celebrates our national parks while attempting to define what they mean to us, all while dredging up hard but cold truths. She is showing her soul, not begging us to care, but instead showing us how much she does.
I adored this book and meditated on several passages. Protect our wilderness!

"Awe is the moment when ego surrenders to wonder..."

This book is getting me into this mindset... A nature lovers perfect getaway inside the cover, a bit political at times, but its acknowledging the truth of what our National Parks, these wild and untamed places, are truly up against.

This book is speaking straight to my soul ... Def. going to have to read more of her books when I'm done.

Went to the Grand Canyon today so I bought this book. Figured what better place to buy it than a National Park.