Welcome to Litsy!

★★★★☆

First read in 2010. My wife Amy and I started the audiobook of this American nature classic last June while driving home from Moab, Utah, a place that is very special to us. Acknowledging Abbey's ableism, racism, sexism, and hypocrisy, one can't deny that he's a compelling writer. I wish all readers of this book could also read Robert Macfarlane's introduction. ⬇️

This is such an important read! For someone who doesn't know enough about conservation, it is a tough read, in that I had to keep going back over parts to understand what I was reading . .. but it is worth it. The illustrated edition is so beautiful and Angela Harding's prints are gorgeous 🥰 it is really good to share with children.

Happy Friday! Cats and books ... My favourite things 🩷 I'm currently reading 'Wilding' by Isabella Tree.

(Don‘t make me pose, dad! I‘m tired!)

A gentle naturalist classic. He can be a little poetic, but mostly he quietly talks about what he‘s seen, and more passionately talks about what he thinks we are losing (It‘s a 1949 view. He underestimated) There is a lot of naturalist experience behind his writing. Recommended to those interested in the naturalist literary tradition.

The only reason this isn‘t a pan for me is that the author was a 20yo at the time the story takes place and thus his brain was clearly *not* fully formed. TW for the (sometimes senseless, often suffering) deaths of a number of wild animals. The author learned some life lessons, in a good way, but not before I wanted to throat punch him. Also: do not bring a dog along on your tale and then fail to keep me constantly updated on their wellbeing. 3⭐️

★★★★★

I received a free copy of this book through LibraryThing in exchange for a review.

Piesse has written a wonderful, meandering exploration of the Darwin family, their childhood garden in Shrewsbury, her own journey into motherhood as an academic, garden labour and the people who do it, and the importance of place and the living world as we all face the crisis of global heating. ⬇️

On page 161 (50% done)

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A really beautiful collection of essays for #doublespin this month - some super short, some extended, all thoughtful and interesting.

Oh, knock it off!!!

(A statement made to the author by an elder in the Mormon General Authority. He was concerned she was choosing not to have children.)

Started listening with my wife while driving back from visiting Moab, Utah, USA, celebrating 25 years since our engagement there. My second time reading this.

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