Nature Literature discussion
Side Reads
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Request Your Side Read book here.
Mod
Denzil:
Great book to suggest. We have read it here, but I was not able to join in and a good friend from Germany sent me this book right after it was published in Europe. It's been sitting beside my bathtub. My husband has already read it. I'd love to read it with you.
Let me add the add the link to this book for you. And, I know you are new to Goodreads, so maybe you are not familiar with how to add a link. Above this comment box you will see add book/author--click on this and enter the title of the book. This will add the link to the book here (inside this box) so other members can go and look at the reviews etc. and see if they would like to join us.
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World
You see--there it is.
Because you are the sponsor for the book, please post the date range you like to read the book. I am fine with a 3- 4 week range, and we may finish early--perhaps. So, you could say Oct 20 - Nov 20...or Please choose and let me know so I can set up our discussion thread.
Would anyone else like to commit to reading and discussing this book with us?
Mod
I know this book has great reviews; I am too busy with a few other books right now. Good luck! Maybe someone else will be interested.
I'll post a message about your request.
Sher
loved the book Lab Girl, but loaned it out and don't expect it too come back. Has this group read The Ecology of a Cracker Childhood? I have begun reading it.
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Adding for you in case someone wants to quickly look. I haven't red a it -- will check it out
Halfway through ecology of a cracker childhood.
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Ray- how are you enjoying this book? What do you like about it - the writing or what thoughts and ideas does it bring up for you?
It has a very "folksy" style. I like her way of seeing things, and, like our current selection, The Home Place, it gives a different way of viewing the natural world.
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Very nice. Thanks for explaining.
I'm listening to the audiobook of the Edwardian children's classic The Secret Garden and the descriptions of the earth coming back to life in the spring are lovely.
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Hello Storyheart-- wonderful; I am very excited - a small opera company located in Bend Oregon about 3 hours away is producing an operative version of the Secret Garden in late March. I am very much looking forward to attending. It's a wonderful story; it makes sense a reread of it before March would be nice, and I can imagine listening would be very good too. I'm glad you are enjoying it.
Rach wrote: "Storyheart, I recently reread The Secret Garden. I had not read it since years ago as a child. It is a wonderful book. You can almost smell the scent of rich, damp soil as you're reading her descri..."So true, Rach. It's a beautiful exploration of the power of the life force.
I just got to this part: “Sometimes since I've been in the garden I've looked up through the trees at the sky and I have had a strange feeling of being happy as if something was pushing and drawing in my chest and making me breathe fast. Magic is always pushing and drawing and making things out of nothing. Everything is made out of magic, leaves and trees, flowers and birds, badgers and foxes and squirrels and people. So it must be all around us. In this garden - in all the places.”
I'm so happy for you, Sher that you get to go see it! My audiobook version is narrated by Josephine Bailey and she does a very nice job of it. It's on Overdrive if you're an e-library user.
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Thank you Storyheart- we just bought tickets for March 23rd! I am going to listen to Secret Garden beginning March 1st. That will really set me up to see the production. We are going with a young couple who have never seen an "opera" before, so I hope they will enjoy it. I'll be sure to let you know how it was.
Mod
I would like to present a Side Read for March . Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
if we consider human nature part of nature than this book works for our group. I began reading this book 5 months ago and I stopped because I wanted to read it and discuss it with others. I found the ideas provocative and worthy of discussion. Check it out- I'd like to begin March 1st. I will be discussing this book also with another group. If just one person commits from Nature Lit, then we will make it a Side Reads for March. If not-- that's okay too; I just wanted to put it out there for consideration.
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I would like the group to consider Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
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You can request this as a buddy read, and if one other person (or more) wants to discuss it with you, then we will set up a thread for your buddy read. I'm getting ready to send a message to the group on various things- shall I add this as a buddy read request?
Sher
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Is anyone interested in reading this book with Ray as a Side Read?
Please post here if you are, so we can work out some dates.
Thanks, Sher
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Nice to hear from you.
Re-reading A Sand County Almanac (Aldo Leopold) and The Outermost House (Henry Beston) in tandem right now. Lots of similarities and differences.
Rach wrote: "I will read Prodigal Summer."I may start it later this month. Lots of projects over the next few weeks.
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I wondered where you were, because you have been so quiet. Wow, Colorado will be different; I am thinking snow maybe... I used to live in Carbondale, CO on a ranch many years ago. It was incredible country and not too far from Aspen.
It sounds like Ray won't be ready to go on Prodigal Summer until late month if he is able. I thought maybe he was dying to read it right now, so let's see if anyone else would like to join in or maybe the Side Read could begin May 1st. :)
The Outermost House is a nature through the seasons book, much like Sand County Almanac,but set on Cape Cod.
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I got inspired to look up the Roaring Fork Ranch that my stepdad managed when I was 12--wow, it's a ranch resort now with condos and houses and gold courses!
I hope you enjoy Colorado , and I hope you will post some observations in the daily observations thread. Everyone has really enjoyed reading about everyone's landscape.
Ray wrote: "Rach wrote: "I will read Prodigal Summer."I may start it later this month. Lots of projects over the next few weeks."
I have wrapped up my other projects and will begin reading Prodigal Summer this week.
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May- June 2018
Please use that thread to run your discussion -- thanks and enjoy!
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Rach:
I also liked Death Comes for the Archbishop, but when I have attempted other Calla I have been disappointed. But those attempts were years back. When specifically will you begin?
Sher
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Right a busy month.. I will get back to you on Cather, and I will try to announce the possible side read in a newsletter before then to help generate more enthusiasm. A message will reach more members and possibly interest someone else to join in.
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I will always find time for My Antonia. One of my faves! :)
Becky
I just finished this one and found interesting comparisons to contemporary bird observations in my part of the world. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
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Becky
Rach wrote: "Becky, I'm so glad to hear My Antonia is one of your favorites! I'm really looking forward to reading it."
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Becky
Rach wrote: "Becky, I'm so glad..."
Hi Rach:
I am also interested to know when you plan on reading My Ántonia I will join, if I am able. Sher
Mod
Hi Sarah:
A Side Read is like a buddy read. You post a book with a nature them you'd like to read with another person, and if someone else wants to read it with you, we will set up a thread and you can discuss the book there. This is beyond the book of the month-- it could be a book of the month nomination that did not win, or even a book of the month we have read in the past, but that you did not get to join in on.
You'll need to decide on what dates you would like to read your book. Once you and another member agree- we will start a thread for you. Sometimes a side read request works and sometimes it doesn't if timing isn't right. Rach and Becky are getting ready to read My Ántonia , and I'd like to join , but the dates might not work for me --because I have a lot of reading on my plate right now.
I hope that helps.
Sher
Moderator
Hey, thanks so much for answering my question! I now understand. Woohoo! 🙂I’ll keep my eyes peeled for one. Thanks again.
Having just come in from a very cold walk, I thought I'd like to try re-reading Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival - anyone interested in reading it with me? It's been a few years since I've read it and I see it has previously been a Book of the Month read. I am fascinated by the way that animals are able to survive the extreme climatic conditions (it was -34C with windchill here last night...brrrr!).
Pam, I try to reread that book every winter and would enjoy reading it with you! He is one of my favorites! Also Pam in Vermont where Bernd Heinrich lives
Pam wrote: "Pam, I try to reread that book every winter and would enjoy reading it with you! He is one of my favorites! Also Pam in Vermont where Bernd Heinrich lives"That sounds great Pam! When would you like to start? I actually have his book One Wild Bird at a Time: Portraits of Individual Lives out on library loan..hope to start it in the next day or so. Just have to find Winter World in my book stash, but would be open to reading it whenever it works for you.
I haven't read that one. Summer World is also great and Life Everlasting really changed my perspective on dying and decay. I have been wanting to read one of his "bird" books - I just love crows! I could start in a few weeks...shalll we set a date? How about Groundhog Day?
I'll have to keep my eyes open for Life Everlasting - it sounds really interesting. I think you'd enjoy One Bird at a Time - I just finished reading a chapter about crows ;) - fascinating birds! Sure, starting on Groundhog Day sounds great - I look forward to reading it with you!
I'm up for reading Winter World. It has been on my To-read list for a long time.
Helen wrote: "I'm up for reading Winter World. It has been on my To-read list for a long time."That would be great Helen - the more the merrier! Does starting on Groundhog Day (Feb 2) work for you?
Great Helen! Join us! Where do you live, Helen? How about you Pam (and what does the K stand for? I am Pam Kennedy!) I live in northeastern Vermont and we are truly a winter world!
Pam wrote: "Great Helen! Join us! Where do you live, Helen? How about you Pam (and what does the K stand for? I am Pam Kennedy!) I live in northeastern Vermont and we are truly a winter world!"I am Pam Keetch and I live in Ottawa, Ontario. I grew up in northern Ontario (North Bay) where winters are long and cold - they say there are 2 seasons in northern Ontario - winter and blackflies!
I live in small town Indiana east of Indianapolis. We've had lots of know and ice lately and it's a good time to read Winter World. I'm also reading The Snow Leopard right now. Great writing!
Hi there. Pam and Helen, are you both still up for reading Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival? I located the book and hope to start it today (a little after Groundhog Day, but my intentions were good..lol).
I'm good with reading it. I'm on Chapter 6 - Squirrels in a Huddle.
I had to travel to Boston unexpectedly. I will be back next weekend and can start then...forgot to bring the book! But I,am with grandkids, including. 2 1/2 year old so I might not get much reading done!
Pam wrote: "I had to travel to Boston unexpectedly. I will be back next weekend and can start then...forgot to bring the book! But I,am with grandkids, including. 2 1/2 year old so I might not get much reading..."No worries Pam....I tend to be a very slow reader anyways. Started the book yesterday, but didn't get too far...I fell asleep too quickly.
Nature Literature
Books mentioned in this topic
What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories, and Personalities of Bees (other topics)Now Comes Good Sailing: Writers Reflect on Henry David Thoreau (other topics)
The Wild Fox of Yemen: Poems (other topics)
The Living Mountain (other topics)
The Living Mountain (other topics)
More...
You can ask to read a book that has already been a group read of the month!
The book needs to have some connection to nature. Could be nonfiction, fiction, art, poetry...
Getting a buddy to read with you is hit or miss- so if you try in January and no one bites, please try again in June. Someone may be able to read with you then.
If you get a side read set up, I will set up up thread for you. Sometimes other folks may join in the discussion too.
Good luck, and please PM me if you have questions.
Sher