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The Language of Butterflies
The Language of Butterflies: How Thieves, Hoarders, Scientists, and Other Obsessives Unlocked the Secrets of the World's Favorite Insect | Wendy Williams
34 posts | 12 read | 21 to read
In this fascinating book from the New York Times bestselling author of The Horse, Wendy Williams explores the lives of one of the worlds most resilient creaturesthe butterflyshedding light on the role that they play in our ecosystem and in our human lives. Butterflies are one of the worlds most beloved insects. From butterfly gardens to zoo exhibitions, they are one of the few insects weve encouraged to infiltrate our lives. Yet, what has drawn us to these creatures in the first place? And what are their lives really like? In this groundbreaking book, New York Times bestselling author and science journalist Wendy Williams reveals the inner lives of these flying flowerscreatures far more intelligent and tougher than we give them credit for. Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles each year from Canada to Mexico. Other species have learned how to fool ants into taking care of them. Butterflies scales are inspiring researchers to create new life-saving medical technology. Williams takes readers to butterfly habitats across the globe and introduces us to not only various species, but to the scientists who have dedicated their lives to studying them. Coupled with years of research and knowledge gained from experts in the field, this accessible butterfly biography explores the ancient partnership between these special creatures and humans, and why they continue to fascinate us today. Touching, eye-opening, and incredibly profound, The Language of Butterflies reveals the critical role they play in our world.
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Susanita
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1. I saw a butterfly while walking around a local park. My phone says it‘s a white admiral.
2. I didn‘t get to watch much of the convention, but I did see Angela‘s speech.
3. Tater tots!
4. Italian Air Force flyover (not my picture).
5. I rescued a piece of furniture from the trash and found it a new home through my local free cycle group.
#5joysfriday

kspenmoll Tater tots! 2mo
Bookwormjillk Is that why I heard so many jets this week? I was wondering what was going on. 2mo
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 2mo
DebinHawaii A lovely list of joys! 💛💛💛 That butterfly is gorgeous 🦋💙 & of course, tater tot‘s! 😋 Thanks for sharing & helping spread the joy! 🤗 2mo
34 likes4 comments
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Mimi28
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Long ago, when I was twenty, penniless, and hanging in London, looking for something free to do, I drifted into the city‘s Tate Gallery—filled with some of the world‘s best known art— and walked straight into a staggering J.M.W Turner masterpiece. - That‘s the first line of the introduction, lol. This book has good reviews on here, but insects are a major trigger of mine. Butterflies and ladybugs are about all I can take without totally freaking—

Mimi28 Out. Lol, anyone want to warn me before I dig in???? lol 😅😅😅 9mo
24 likes3 comments
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wanderinglynn
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Anne!!! I am overwhelmed! I was just looking at the tagged when shopping for your books & made a note that I needed to get it. I totally forgot I had it on my list. And the Ice & Arctic Dreams books—so looking forward to reading these. As an environmental attorney & environmentalist, both of these I‘m sure will be enlightening. 👇🏻

#naturalitsy #midwintersolaceswap

wanderinglynn And this tea infuser mug! 😍 it‘s gorgeous! My Friday evening plans include breaking in this mug while updating this awesome planner. I just got my 2024 yearly horoscope forecast from MoonOmens, so I‘m be using this planner to track all the important dates & events. 😘

Grazie mille! 😘
10mo
AllDebooks Oh wow, beautiful 😍 10mo
tpixie How lovely 😊 10mo
MittenGirlPeach I‘m so glad you like everything! I decided on a little moon theme and when I saw the mug I just loved it. Your evening sounds wonderful. 10mo
73 likes4 comments
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KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

I found this to be a really interesting read. You learn a great deal of information in this small book. The author goes into great detail about butterflies and their habitats and behaviors. #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1y
40 likes1 comment
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sebrittainclark
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I finally managed a bingo!

#ISpyBingo @Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks

IndoorDame Woohoo! 1y
Clwojick Great job! 1y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Fabulous month!!! 1y
42 likes3 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

Loved this #NaturaLitsy selection on butterflies 🦋 I learned so much and found common ground with many of the butterfly enthusiasts featured in the book!

Pictured with our “pollinator meadow” which is difficult to see in the background but is buzzing with life! Continuing my efforts to provide space for butterflies and other insects which we now know run the world!

AllDebooks Wow, your meadow is beautiful. 😍 1y
91 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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bnp
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Pickpick

The tagged book is a readable and fascinating description of what we know about butterflies and what we're still learning. Did you know the proboscis is porous? That monarchs navigate using antennae?

On to the next book, a science fiction romp.

#NaturalLitsy, #Andrew65, #20in4

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AllDebooks
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#Naturalitsy

Our final chat about 🦋🦋🦋

Comments/reviews have been positive. I take it this was a winner. Did anyone not like it?

**Next up - Islands of abandonment starting Monday 5th June**

TheBookHippie I just loved this book I ordered it because I had a library copy and it was so much information that I want to refer back to. The writing was very good as well at least for me and that helps! Such a good read! 1y
See All 16 Comments
Chelsea.Poole I have been behind and just started this week. I love it! Definitely a winner in my book. Last year I read and LOVED (and recommend to others who enjoyed our current read) 1y
Julsmarshall I really loved it and keep thinking about even though I finished it a while back. I feel like that is a good sign of a great read! 1y
Soubhiville Definitely a winner! I enjoyed her narrative style and learned a great deal. 1y
jlhammar So glad we read this one! Incredible, in these last chapters, learning about their antennae, their eyes, their ability to learn and adapt. Thanks for the recommendation @Chelsea.Poole - Bicycling with Butterflies sounds great! 1y
bnp This was the first one I read with the group, and it was quite readable, with fascinating new-to-me facts. 1y
AllDebooks I really enjoyed it too and there was so much info that was new to me. I'm so pleased you've all liked it too. 😀 1y
AllDebooks @TheBookHippie I'll be doing the same x 1y
AllDebooks @jlhammar you can certainly see why they've survived for millenia, given their adaptability 1y
Cuilin I really enjoyed it. Surprised at the reviews on Goodreads. Looking into planting a pollinator garden. 🪴 1y
Hooked_on_books I thought it was good. I would have liked it to be a touch more dense with info, but if it had been, I don‘t think it would appeal as widely, so that‘s a good choice on the author‘s part. And it gave me hope—these little ones have been around a very long time, so I feel like they can survive our planet-damaging shenanigans. Great segue into the next book, which is also very hopeful. 1y
CaitZ This was wonderful. She wrote in a way that was easy to understand and still delivered detailed information. I learned so much. This wasn't my first pick, but I'm glad I read it. 1y
26 likes16 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

This was a wonderful read. Williams' colloquial style combined with the impressive depth of research made for an engaging blend of fun and fascination, beauty and science.

#NaturalLitsy @AllDebooks

AllDebooks Excellent, pleased you liked it x 1y
75 likes1 comment
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Read4life
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Pickpick

#NaturaLitsy

I love butterflies especially blue ones 🦋
Thanks to #NaturaLitsy, I picked up a book that I probably would not have. I‘m not a big nonfiction reader but I enjoyed learning about these beautiful 🦋🦋.

TheBookHippie This was so good. 1y
AllDebooks So pleased you liked it 😀 1y
58 likes2 comments
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sebrittainclark
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Pickpick

4/5

I learned so many things about butterflies, like their delicate and intricate lifecycles, the structure of their wings that creates their incredible colors, and the massive migrations monarchs make across North America.

#naturalisty

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love butterflies 🦋 1y
AllDebooks So glad you enjoyed it. It has been a great buddyread 😊 1y
54 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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sebrittainclark
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I was inspired by the #naturalitsy pick, and got some Swamp Milkweek over the weekend to add to my little pollinator garden.

@AllDebooks

AllDebooks LOVE THIS 🙌😍 1y
Chelsea.Poole Yes!!!! 🙌 🦋 🌱 1y
45 likes2 comments
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wordslinger42
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Pickpick

This was somewhere between a so-so and a pick for me! I love how much I learned about butterflies, but I waffled back and forth with the author's writing style. On the one hand, the conversational style made it a really fast read and her enthusiasm was great, but I sometimes found the style and all the asides a little distracting and off-putting. Overall, a good read, though!

#naturalitsy

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

I didn‘t know a whole lot about butterflies, but now know some interesting facts and a couple of mind blowing ones (structural color—wow!). Really interesting, accessible read with a gorgeous cover. #NaturaLitsy

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Soubhiville
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Pickpick

Every month #NaturaLitsy brings a wonderful nonfiction nature book into my life and I‘m so glad!

Fascinating and fun to read, I really enjoyed this month‘s selection. Thanks for organizing @AllDebooks , looking forward to discussing on Saturday.

TheBookHippie I borrowed it and now I need to own it 😂😂😂. It was so good. 1y
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jlhammar
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Pickpick

Finished our May #NaturaLitsy read last night. Very good. Accessible, engaging writing and I learned a ton about these fascinating insects.

AllDebooks So glad you enjoyed it x 1y
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AllDebooks
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#Naturalitsy

Our last week with the butterflies. I shall be sad to finish this marvellous book, I'm learning so much! 🦋❤️🦋

Cuilin Me too. I‘m just caught up and will continue. So interesting. I also like her accessible writing style. 1y
29 likes1 comment
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AllDebooks
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#Naturalitsy
Discussion thread- week 2

How's everyone getting on? Fancy tagging a butterfly? 🦋 🫣🦋

Any standout facts this week? I hope you're all enjoying this book and learning as much as me 🤯

*Please see my next post re June's read*

https://litsy.com/p/cXFUZkIzYUYw

Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

All welcome to join in.

See All 18 Comments
Hooked_on_books I liked that in this section she devoted several chapters to one species, giving us a little more of a deep dive on the monarch. I would love to stand under those cypresses by the golf course and see thousands of them! I‘m also appreciating her cheeky bits of humor sprinkled through. It works well for the book‘s tone. 1y
jlhammar I am learning so much! I'd never heard of Miriam Rothschild. What a fascinating woman. “I must say, I find everything interesting.“ I think most of us can relate to that sentiment! It is quite remarkable that they're able to track something so small and light. Oh, and that Walla Walla prison program was very cool. Inmates bringing the insects from eggs to flying stage. What a great idea! 1y
Cuilin I‘m a little behind, playing catch-up this weekend but I‘m loving it. Learning so much and also enjoying her writing style. Very accessible. I keep sharing information with my husband and daughter, the information is so fascinating. 1y
sebrittainclark I loved this section. I had no idea how intricate some of the butterflies' life cycle requirements are. 1y
AllDebooks I'm learning so much from this book. It's crazy. The tagging floored me. All I could think of was their fragility. Although it turns out they're made of steel, sort of. Never knew they had a rigid exoskeleton. 1y
AllDebooks @Hooked_on_books I enjoyed the details of specific species too. I saw my first Holly Blue butterfly in my garden this week, first one ever observed. I was ridiculously excited 😊 1y
AllDebooks @jlhammar Yet another female scientist left out of the history books. I'm very intrigued by her, having never heard of her before. The public science program was amazing. Thrilled, they included the inmates at Walla Walla. 1y
AllDebooks @sebrittainclark it is fascinating, isn't it? So complex 1y
CaitZ I'm learning so much from this. I knew Monarch butterflies migrated to Mexico but never considered there was a whole other population west of the Rockies that winters in California. 1y
Soubhiville Why didn‘t I know that their toxicity comes from the plants they eat? Of course! While reading this chapter I discovered caterpillars on my TX mountain Laurel, which I planted just last year. It was getting devoured. I looked up the species and removed them, a type of moth that feeds on toxic plants. 1y
Soubhiville I find it amazing that different generations in the same species might travel different legs of the migration. What incredible instincts! 1y
bnp I got to visit the Pismo Beach grove several years ago in January, and was fascinated to see the butterflies hanging on the trees. I was really surprised to learn how much monarchs can fly around later in life. 1y
TheKidUpstairs I'm a little behind in my reading, but I'm absolutely loving this selection. I especially appreciate how she honours the forgotten contributions of women, and of children, to science and knowledge. 1y
TheKidUpstairs And the interconnected ecosystem needed for the Large Blue to thrive 🤯 1y
31 likes18 comments
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wordslinger42
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Was lucky enough to see this little guy hanging out on the lilacs 🦋🌸

#naturalitsy

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful! Please tell your mom happy Mother‘s Day! Love y‘all 💜 1y
wordslinger42 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Happy Mother's Day to you! I'll tell her. That will mean a lot to her 💜💜 We love you, too! 1y
quirkyreader Yea, and Admiral Butterfly. 1y
See All 6 Comments
wordslinger42 @quirkyreader I didn't know what kind it was, so thanks! 😊 1y
quirkyreader @wordslinger42 I do a lot of work with pollinator preservation. 🦋🐛🐝 1y
33 likes6 comments
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AllDebooks
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#Naturalitsy

Week 1 discussion thread. I can't wait to see your thoughts 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

As always, please do let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist

See All 30 Comments
AllDebooks @Cazxxx @Cuilin @Morr_Books @Read4life My apologies to anyone if you've been tagged, having already told me you don't wish to participate in this month's #buddyread 1y
Soubhiville I‘m enjoying this a lot! My Libby hold on the audio came in just in time. I wasn‘t familiar with Turner‘s paintings, so went down that Google rabbit hole. I had to laugh about the assumed differences between moths and butterflies and how there are always exceptions, as this is a discussion I‘ve had multiple times and it seems like everyone I‘ve had it with has differing ideas of the “rules” 😆. 1y
Soubhiville The proboscis! What an interesting bit that was. I always assumed it was straw-like, and am glad to have new info about that. Of course did some eye rolling hearing how Charlotte Hill and other woman have been overlooked for their research, with credit going to men who lagged behind. 1y
Soubhiville It‘s fascinating to think of the Blue Morpho‘s iridescence as being a type of camouflage since it‘s so flashy, but it makes sense that it could be hard for predators to focus on. I‘d love to see the wing scales under a microscope, but just hearing about the light refraction and the way the scales provide lift and protection, very cool. 1y
jlhammar I'm enjoying this so far. I knew very little about butterflies so am learning a lot. I also found the proboscis revelation fascinating. And what an amazing woman Maria Sibylla Merian was! I'd never even heard of her before. 1y
sebrittainclark I didn't realize how little I knew about butterflies, so this has been fascinating. The whole thing about the structure of the scales determining the color of the butterfly was so interesting. I had to look up what a gyroid looks like. 1y
Hooked_on_books I was reading and enjoying this book then got to chapter 4 and 🤯! Why is Maria Merian not a household name?!? (I know, patriarchy.) And structural color? Holy cannoli, it‘s so cool I want to run around and tell everyone I know about it! (I‘ve already texted my mom and told my husband. Both are what you might call less excited than me.) Science is so cool! 1y
CaitZ I never thought about the possibility of butterfly fossils existing. It was interesting to find they do and how gentle and precise their preparers must be. 1y
AllDebooks @Soubhiville @jlhammar @sebrittainclark @CaitZ great insights. This section actually blew my mind too, beautifully written, amusing and sooo much information. I need to buy a magnifying glass so I can examine the scales. The probiscus!!! Who knew? 🤯 Imagine spending years studying these amazing insects and making all these discoveries about their complexity!!! I knew very little of them, too, so I'm enjoying learning about them so much 🦋😍🦋 1y
AllDebooks I never realised butterflies had been around for millenia. When you think about ancient species, I tend to think of crocodiles and ferns. Just goes to show that despite its fragility, butterflies are an evolutionary marvel. 1y
AllDebooks @Hooked_on_books HOLY CANNOLI indeed!! 🤣🤣 1y
AllDebooks I, too, get exasperated looks when discussing these mind-blowing details. We'll just have to use here as our safe place to let loose all the excitement 😀 1y
AllDebooks I came across Maria in a great BBC documentary a few years ago, exploring the forgotten female artists. I highly recommend it, if you can find it. https://www.bbcselect.com/the-story-of-women-and-art/ 1y
Soubhiville @Hooked_on_books my family are also “less excited” about science facts than I am. 😞🤣 I like to regale them with knowledge anyway. Can‘t hurt them to accidentally learn something, right? 😉 1y
Soubhiville @CaitZ I was fascinated too, that something as fragile as a butterfly could create a lasting fossil! 1y
Soubhiville @AllDebooks thanks for sharing the link! 1y
bnp This book has been quite rewarding so far - Charlotte Coplen Hill & the Florissant national monument, Maria Sibella Merian & the first scientific expedition to the western hemisphere, and gyroids. I'm looking forward to finding out what's currently happening in the world of butterflies this week.

(edited) 1y
sebrittainclark @AllDebooks the part about not knowing exactly how old butterflies are was such an interesting surprise to me. I had never even considered that they might be so old that we don't know exactly when they first appeared. 1y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa My book hasn‘t arrived yet… so I will be waiting patiently. Happy Mother‘s Day! 1y
AllDebooks @Riveted_Reader_Melissa how frustrating! Happy Mother‘s day x 1y
Hooked_on_books @Soubhiville Exactly! And frankly, they should be excited by facts this cool. Not our faults they don‘t get it like we do! 😉 1y
TheBookHippie @Soubhiville I swear this is the THIRD book this week where this happened to a woman 😵‍💫🤬 so exasperated!!! 1y
TheBookHippie @bnp thx!!! This is alll so fascinating!!! 1y
TheBookHippie I‘m so fascinated by everything I‘ve read but also I very much enjoy her writing style. 1y
AllDebooks @bnp thanks for the links, finally got a minute to sit down and read them x 1y
AllDebooks @bnp the 1st line ? "I think I have a form of nature attention deficit disorder because I get so easily distracted by anything in the natural world." 1y
29 likes30 comments
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LitsyEvents
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repost for @AllDebooks:

#Naturalitsy

Our new #Buddyread starts tomorrow. I've laid out the schedule for May only as it's not particularly long. If you'd rather stretch it out over June, let me know and I'll redo it. Just May will mean we can choose another book for June, whittle down that tbr stack!

Let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist

AllDebooks Thank you for the tag ☺️ 1y
30 likes1 comment
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Julsmarshall
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Im so enjoying this on my afternoon walks while I encounter lots of butterflies. This photo is from today‘s 3 mile walk. #naturalitsy @AllDebooks

AllDebooks Oh wow, how pretty 😍 1y
46 likes1 stack add1 comment
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AllDebooks
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#Naturalitsy

Our new read starts tomorrow. I've laid out the schedule for May only as it's not particularly long. If you'd rather stretch it out over June, let me know and I'll redo it. Just May will mean we can choose another book for June, whittle down that tbr stack!

Let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist
@LitsyEvents

SamAnne I‘m passing on this one but keep me on the list! I love following the conversation. 2y
See All 14 Comments
AllDebooks @SamAnne ok, will do x 2y
rockpools I was stuck on a ridiculous train journey with an expiring Scribd subscription last week, so I accidentally listened to the whole book in a day. Looking forward to actually joining the conversation this time 🦋 (I‘m very bad at readalongs!) 2y
TheBookHippie I just picked it up at library I‘m all set! 2y
jlhammar Schedule works for me. Thanks! 2y
Julsmarshall I too have read ahead! Im just enjoying it so much on my afternoon walks while looking for butterflies! 🦋 2y
Read4life Schedule looks great. Thank you 2y
CaitZ I just picked it up from the library. This schedule looks fine to me 2y
AllDebooks 🦋😍🦋 I can see why you've read ahead. @rockpools @Julsmarshall 1y
Blackink_WhitePaper This schedule looks perfect 😍 I just started to read this book 📖 1y
38 likes14 comments
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Cuilin
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Starting the language of butterflies today. #naturallitsy Decisions had to be made with the bagel. I only had a tablespoon of cream cheese. Guess I‘ll butter the rest and maybe if I put a book down I‘ll actually make a grocery list. 🤷‍♀️🤞

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Julsmarshall
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rockpools
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Today‘s train reading, brought to you by ‘I am never using this train company again‘. Ugh!

Afraid I‘m starting early on next month‘s #NaturalLitsy selection on audio, alternating with Bandit Queens for #Gladstonerds on Kobo.

Loving Bandit Queens, undecided on Butterflies yet, but the proportion of annoying people on this train-that-thinks-it‘s-a-plane (and not in a good way) mean audio is a necessity. But at least I have coffee.

TrishB Ah noisy trains 😞 2y
rockpools @TrishB I should be home by now. I only left London 10 minutes ago… 🥺 2y
TrishB Even worse! Late trains. 2y
52 likes3 comments
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LitsyEvents
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Repost for @AllDebooks

#NatureLitsy. May book is The Language of Butterflies by Wendy Williams. All welcome to join

See original post https://litsy.com/p/N3paMlNVZDR1for more information

AllDebooks Thank you for the share 😃 2y
29 likes1 comment
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AllDebooks
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#Naturalitsy

Our chosen May read is The language of butterflies by Wendy Williams 🦋🦋🦋

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Language-of-Butterflies/Wendy-William...

I'm so excited to read this one!! Please do let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

All welcome to join us.

@LitsyEvents

See All 15 Comments
jlhammar Awesome! Looking forward to it! 2y
TheBookHippie Yippie! 2y
Hooked_on_books When I saw the glorious cover for this one, I couldn‘t not vote for it! It looks like a really interesting choice. I‘m excited we‘ll be reading it! 2y
Soubhiville Yay! I‘m excited to read this too. 🙂 2y
Chelsea.Poole Looks like a good one! 🦋 2y
CaitZ Just put a hold on it at my library 2y
AnnR Sorry, I won't be joining in. Another book my library hasn't purchased yet. Hope you all enjoy the 🦋 book. 2y
AllDebooks @Ann_Reads oh no, I am missing your contributions x 2y
Read4life I‘d like to be added. I‘ve never read a book with this group before. 2y
AllDebooks @Read4life That'slovely, welcometo #NaturaLitsy 2y
bnp I'm planning to join in on this one. My copy arrived at the library today, so I'm starting a few days ahead. Please add me to the list. 2y
45 likes15 comments
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Eggs
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💙 I love butterflies 🦋 3y
Eggs 🌺🦋💗 my friend @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks (edited) 3y
57 likes2 comments
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SilverShanica
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I am posting one book per day from my to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new - don‘t judge me I have a lot of books.
Join the fun if you want. This is day 185.
#bookstoread
#tbrpile
#bookstagram

3 likes1 stack add
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StaceyKondla
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.
This is day 96 #bookstoread #tbrpile #bookstagram

Schnoebs This looks so interesting!!! Definitely had to put it on my Litsy wish tbr lol 4y
StaceyKondla @Schnoebs 🦋💙😇 4y
58 likes1 stack add2 comments