Literal Summer Reads
Brett Ortler
124 ratings | 21 reviews | avg rating:4.55

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Brett’s Bookshelves

to-read (217)
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Brett Ortler

Goodreads Author


Born
in Minneapolis, The United States
Website

Genre
Nonfiction, Science, Poetry

Member Since
May 2007


Brett Ortler is a writer, a naturalist, and an editor. As the editor at Adventure Publications, he's edited more than 300 titles pertaining to nature and the natural world, including best-selling field guides to the night sky, rocks and minerals, birds, bugs and insects, and pretty much everything in between. For more, visit brettortler.com
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Popular Answered Questions

Actually, I was wondering about the shipwatching book. I won the goodreads giveaway back in April (I think) and haven't received my copy (I know). Bummed because I was looking forward to it, but I love me some fireflies too and would happy to review that book if you'd rather...?
Brett Ortler Dear Kristal,

First, my apologies. I did send all the copies out, including one to you, back in June, but about a week later, I got a weird notice from…moreDear Kristal,

First, my apologies. I did send all the copies out, including one to you, back in June, but about a week later, I got a weird notice from the USPS that said that it "may or may not have been delivered."

Since I didn't hear from you, I assumed it had. I'm really bummed that it didn't get to you. Please send me your address in a private message, and I'll get a copy of the Ships book to you and a Fireflies book. Sound good?

Again, you've got my apologies, and thank you so much for your interest in my work!

Brett(less)
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Combine Editions

Average rating: 4.23 · 81 ratings · 20 reviews · 16 distinct works
Beginner's Guide to Ship Wa...
4.56 avg rating — 18 ratings — published 2015
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Fireflies Book: Fun Facts A...
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 18 ratings — published 2014 — 4 editions
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The Mosquito Book: An Enter...
4.36 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 2014 — 3 editions
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Minnesota Trivia Don'tcha K...
3.92 avg rating — 12 ratings — published 2014
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Lessons of the Dead: Poems
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 6 ratings — 2 editions
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Minnesota "Believe It or No...
3.80 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2015
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A Beginner's Guide to Ship-...
4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings
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Surviving Minnesota Winter:...
3.33 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2015
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Animal Tracks Activity Book
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4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2015
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Dinosaur Discovery Activity...
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0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2015
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More books by Brett Ortler…

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Brett Ortler's Blog

Giveaway Alert!

I'm happy to report I'm giving away five copies of my new book, A Beginner's Guide to Ship Watching on the Great Lakes!

Enter here:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

See all of my books here: Brett Ortler Read more of this blog post »
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Published on May 06, 2015 11:33 • Tags: edmund-fitzgerald, great-lakes, lake-superior, lakers, minnesota, ore-boats, salties, ships, shipwrecks, tourism
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Brett is Currently Reading

The Empathy Exams
Brett Ortler is currently reading
by Leslie Jamison (Goodreads Author)
bookshelves: currently-reading
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Jan 10, 2020 06:54AM
The Amazons: Live...
Brett Ortler is currently reading
by Adrienne Mayor (Goodreads Author)
bookshelves: currently-reading
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Jan 06, 2016 06:38AM
On Boxing
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bookshelves: currently-reading
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Aug 23, 2015 02:09PM

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Brett’s Recent Updates

Brett Ortler rated a book it was amazing
Raised by Ferns by Maya Jewell Zeller
Raised by Ferns
by Maya Jewell Zeller (Goodreads Author)
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This is a lovely memoir in essays that touches on poverty, class, the lifeline that literature, libraries, and books provide, as well as privilege, "poverty porn," our relationship to nature, and no small amount of trauma.

Zeller, also a wonderful poe ...more
Apr 03, 2026 06:47PM  ·   · see review
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Brett’s Groups

28172 Poetry Readers Challenge — 641 members — last activity Jan 08, 2026 06:18AM
Let's talk about poetry books. This group's members read poetry collections, with the goal of reviewing twenty in a year. C'mon. Do it. It's good for ...more
104076 Beta / Proof Readers — 4595 members — last activity 5 hours, 40 min ago
I am hoping that in creating this group I can help writers find someone to proof read their book. All books will be accepted.

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