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Phenomenal: A Hesitant Adventurer's Search for Wonder in the Natural World
“Leigh Ann Henion has tackled one of the great questions of contemporary, intelligent, adventurous Is it possible to be a wife and mother and still explore the world? Her answer seems to be that this is not only possible, but essential. This story shows how. I think it will open doors for many.” —Elizabeth Gilbert, author of The Signature of All Things and Eat, Pray, Love
Children have the ability to marvel over simple things in nature—leaves, pebbles, twigs. When she becomes a mother, Leigh Ann Henion starts to Could experiencing earth's most dazzling natural phenomena make the world similarly new again? Phenomenal is the improbable story of how she chases eclipses, auroras, and other natural phenomena around the globe to reawaken her sense of wonder.
Whether standing on the still-burning volcanoes of Hawai‘i or in the fearsome lightning storms of Venezuela, amid the vast wildebeest migration in Tanzania, or the millions of swirling butterflies that roost on a mountaintop in Mexico, Henion discovers the visceral awe that her child experiences every day. Her spiritual wanderlust puts her in the path of modern-day shamans, reindeer herders, and astrophysicists. These seekers trust their instincts, follow their passions, shape their days into the lives they most want to lead. And, somewhere along the way, Leigh Ann Henion becomes one of them.
Children have the ability to marvel over simple things in nature—leaves, pebbles, twigs. When she becomes a mother, Leigh Ann Henion starts to Could experiencing earth's most dazzling natural phenomena make the world similarly new again? Phenomenal is the improbable story of how she chases eclipses, auroras, and other natural phenomena around the globe to reawaken her sense of wonder.
Whether standing on the still-burning volcanoes of Hawai‘i or in the fearsome lightning storms of Venezuela, amid the vast wildebeest migration in Tanzania, or the millions of swirling butterflies that roost on a mountaintop in Mexico, Henion discovers the visceral awe that her child experiences every day. Her spiritual wanderlust puts her in the path of modern-day shamans, reindeer herders, and astrophysicists. These seekers trust their instincts, follow their passions, shape their days into the lives they most want to lead. And, somewhere along the way, Leigh Ann Henion becomes one of them.
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 24, 2015
59 people are currently reading
1744 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Ann Henion
3 books96 followersLeigh Ann Henion is the author of Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark, forthcoming September 24, 2024. Her first book, Phenomenal: A Hesitant Adventurer’s Search for Wonder in the Natural World, was a New York Times bestseller. Henion’s writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Smithsonian, Backpacker, and a variety of other publications. She is a former Alicia Patterson Fellow, and her work is supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
July 31, 2015
Last week I was not feeling great. Not sick, but I had lost motivation and was having a hard time just getting through the things I needed to do. I was supposed to read a depressing WWII book for my book club. Instead, I needed a pick-me-up. I remembered meeting Leigh Ann Henion at an author event in the spring. I am almost never influenced by authors to buy their books. My books are very carefully selected after I've read multiple reviews. But Ms. Henion was effervescent. Her enthusiasm and glee with the world was infectious, but not silly. There was real substance behind her joy. That was just what I needed in my life just then.
In this book, Leigh Ann travels around the world to experience natural phenomena--the migration of Monarch butterflies in Mexico, volcanoes in Hawaii, the Northern Lights in Scandinavia, an eclipse in Australia, among others. While experiencing these unique and stunning events, she has been dealing with a difficult adjustment to becoming a mother at home, juggling her marriage and work as well. Taking the time to go see the nightly lightning storms in Venezuala and the bioluminescent coves in Costa Rica, she learns she needs to give herself time to just be, to find herself and her place in her world again, and that she actually is a better mother if she sometimes gets away. Spiritual but not religious, Leigh Ann is also experiencing the utter astonishment of these once-in-a-lifetime types of events and finding comfort and awe in the natural world. She also meets interesting and inspirational people along the way, such as the former Kilimanjaro porter in Africa who thinks his life is normal and boring, and yet doesn't see the astonishment in the fact that he's summited Kilimanjaro dozens of times. They show her how to look to her own life for the phenomenal in the everyday.
The book is well-written, smoothly transitioning from her life in the mountains of North Carolina with her family, and the sometimes bizarre and always fascinating phenomenal events that take her to all the corners of the globe. Every single event in this book is now added to my own bucket list.
In this book, Leigh Ann travels around the world to experience natural phenomena--the migration of Monarch butterflies in Mexico, volcanoes in Hawaii, the Northern Lights in Scandinavia, an eclipse in Australia, among others. While experiencing these unique and stunning events, she has been dealing with a difficult adjustment to becoming a mother at home, juggling her marriage and work as well. Taking the time to go see the nightly lightning storms in Venezuala and the bioluminescent coves in Costa Rica, she learns she needs to give herself time to just be, to find herself and her place in her world again, and that she actually is a better mother if she sometimes gets away. Spiritual but not religious, Leigh Ann is also experiencing the utter astonishment of these once-in-a-lifetime types of events and finding comfort and awe in the natural world. She also meets interesting and inspirational people along the way, such as the former Kilimanjaro porter in Africa who thinks his life is normal and boring, and yet doesn't see the astonishment in the fact that he's summited Kilimanjaro dozens of times. They show her how to look to her own life for the phenomenal in the everyday.
The book is well-written, smoothly transitioning from her life in the mountains of North Carolina with her family, and the sometimes bizarre and always fascinating phenomenal events that take her to all the corners of the globe. Every single event in this book is now added to my own bucket list.
March 15, 2015
If you love nature this book might interest you but only in a superficial way. I enjoyed reading about most of the natural phenomenon that Henion writes about however there’s not much more here. I also sympathize with the postpartum blues she went through after having her first child. She had a loving and responsible husband to leave her son with and grandparents as well who would help when Matt accompanied her to whatever site she traveled to and reported about but she still harps on her angst of leaving him behind. She wants a career and a family life but doesn’t want to pay the price. It’s confusing why she’s complaining so much since many people would feel blessed to have reliable family members who they trusted to leave their children with knowing they were safe and lovingly cared for.
Learning about the sites was informative but her personal journey was boring and self–indulgent for the most part. Even the descriptions of the sites fell short when interspersed with all her personal worries. This book could have been so much more. I think this is the first book I’ve rated with only one star.
This review is based on an ARC provided by the publisher.
Learning about the sites was informative but her personal journey was boring and self–indulgent for the most part. Even the descriptions of the sites fell short when interspersed with all her personal worries. This book could have been so much more. I think this is the first book I’ve rated with only one star.
This review is based on an ARC provided by the publisher.
May 6, 2021
This is an excellent travel/nature memoir because it’s not simply a log of the author’s travels across the world to see awesome natural phenomena but it also focuses on how being a mother has shaped her perspective of what she sees. As a mom myself, Henion’s description of the limits and challenges of motherhood resonate with me and although I still can’t imagine it myself, I enjoyed seeing how she was able to venture away from her family for a while and experience other parts of the world and then share her new repertoire with her family.
That made this not just a great nature book but it also made it inspirational.
That made this not just a great nature book but it also made it inspirational.
October 22, 2014
More than a journey of the world’s phenomena, this book is an illumination of womanhood and motherhood. From a place where those definitions, those roles, are far too often left in the dark or misspelled in black and white, Leigh Ann Henion somehow seems to see the world in full color. She shines her flashlight, takes what we’ve been taught, and examines it closer, and what she finds is equally astounding as a year-round lightning storm or a bay where water glows. What she finds, sheds light on what it means to be human.
April 5, 2015
Leigh Ann Henion's poetic and honest account of her winding journey is a view with a telescope, then a microscope, and then a mirror, in fluid alternation. That flow and ebb between perspectives allows for so many points of entry, and keeps the narrative moving. I found myself pausing to close my eyes and lift my face to the sky in kindred awe with her words, appreciation of this earth, this life, this stardust-strewn experience.
I have travelled and tried to bring that wonder home, too. And yes, I want to see a lava tube and the Northern Lights something fierce after reading this book… but, I am also reassured in its telling that my present moment contentment is connected to those phenomena. Always.
Archer is a lucky boy to have a mama willing to love the world with her whole heart and bring herself back to him, a shining example of opening yourself to all that life offers. What better lesson could a child bear witness to?
I have travelled and tried to bring that wonder home, too. And yes, I want to see a lava tube and the Northern Lights something fierce after reading this book… but, I am also reassured in its telling that my present moment contentment is connected to those phenomena. Always.
Archer is a lucky boy to have a mama willing to love the world with her whole heart and bring herself back to him, a shining example of opening yourself to all that life offers. What better lesson could a child bear witness to?
July 20, 2017
It was great fun to witness these awe-inspiring phenomena vicariously through the author's travels! Very inspirational, and made me think about how to reintroduce wonder back into my life.
January 27, 2016
Aptly named. This book is phenomenal. Henion is a on a quest or should I say many quests. She is a seeker. But what is she seeking? Is it the truth like the recently reissued X-Files? Perhaps. But she is a seeker of mystery and meaning. She beautifully blends the experience of travel with philosophy while she recounts her personal challenges. Great travel writing with soul. Reminds me of Pico Iyer or Bruce Chatwin. Also Kathleen Norris' Dakota: a Spiritual Geography. She is a seeker of phenomenal experiences some of which I had no previous knowledge. I've been to Puerto Rico but knew nothing of the bioluminescence of Vieques Island nor did I know about the daily lightning storms at Lake Maracaibo. Other trips are more familiar like the Northern Lights, eclipse chasing, and pilgrimages to volcanoes. I was left with a sense of wonder too after reading this book and I wonder what she has in store for us in her next book. I eagerly await it.
June 29, 2015
Possibly one of the worst books I've ever read. It ranks in the worst two easily.
Instead of merely accepting "I'd like to continue working (in a fun job as a travel/nature writer) after I have a child," this woman turns that preference into a weird pseudo-religion to justify her choice. She makes a list of natural phenomena around the world. Then she drops her new child off at grandmas or leaves him with his Dad and goes off to experience nature.
Then, in some of the most flowery and overblown language imaginable, she describes the wonderful nature experiences. She takes time to speak to shamans, hula dancers, naturalists, butlers, and tour guides about how all this nature "connects her to the universe." All along she holds up "religion" as the antithesis of feeling and wonder. Religion's "lack of feeling" is the reason she needs to make her own path, her own belief system. Although she never gives a priest or pastor as much credit as an insightful 11-year-old hula dancer as a teacher of "wonder."
It's as if her guilt in being a working Mom needs a bigger, mystical basis beyond the fact she likes it and it makes her feel strong and happy.
What makes matters worse, Henion never misses an opportunity to throw in an abundance of poetic license, similes, adjectives, and hyphenated words. I don't know how anyone would read some of this without near constant eye-rolling.
It's never "my sandals" but instead "my sand-encrusted sandals." I counted six of these modifiers on one page once they started becoming distracting. In fact, It would make a great drinking game -- take a shot for every hyphen. The players would be under the table after one chapter though.
Lastly, Henion is a terrible snob. She tosses in little nasty asides about fellow travelers she clearly feels are somehow unworthy of nature or her quest. Gated resorts, nurses, doctors, manicures, tourists, and a variety of others get the snide treatment when they don't measure up to her expectations.
I stuck it out and read the whole thing, but it was only to prove to myself I could. I am stronger than my gag reflex.
Instead of merely accepting "I'd like to continue working (in a fun job as a travel/nature writer) after I have a child," this woman turns that preference into a weird pseudo-religion to justify her choice. She makes a list of natural phenomena around the world. Then she drops her new child off at grandmas or leaves him with his Dad and goes off to experience nature.
Then, in some of the most flowery and overblown language imaginable, she describes the wonderful nature experiences. She takes time to speak to shamans, hula dancers, naturalists, butlers, and tour guides about how all this nature "connects her to the universe." All along she holds up "religion" as the antithesis of feeling and wonder. Religion's "lack of feeling" is the reason she needs to make her own path, her own belief system. Although she never gives a priest or pastor as much credit as an insightful 11-year-old hula dancer as a teacher of "wonder."
It's as if her guilt in being a working Mom needs a bigger, mystical basis beyond the fact she likes it and it makes her feel strong and happy.
What makes matters worse, Henion never misses an opportunity to throw in an abundance of poetic license, similes, adjectives, and hyphenated words. I don't know how anyone would read some of this without near constant eye-rolling.
It's never "my sandals" but instead "my sand-encrusted sandals." I counted six of these modifiers on one page once they started becoming distracting. In fact, It would make a great drinking game -- take a shot for every hyphen. The players would be under the table after one chapter though.
Lastly, Henion is a terrible snob. She tosses in little nasty asides about fellow travelers she clearly feels are somehow unworthy of nature or her quest. Gated resorts, nurses, doctors, manicures, tourists, and a variety of others get the snide treatment when they don't measure up to her expectations.
I stuck it out and read the whole thing, but it was only to prove to myself I could. I am stronger than my gag reflex.
May 8, 2025
Wonderful book. Thoughtful, spiritual, and provocative. Prescient and colorful. It makes you look at adventuring in a different light.
July 14, 2015
This was one of the books I packed when I left to walk across Spain: it seemed fitting, after all, to read about wonder when I was off on a pilgrimage.
Except...I got to page 153, thought about it, and left the book in Puente la Reina.* It turns out that reading about other people's adventures is not as interesting as having your own.
There are a couple of things going on here. The first, of course, is Henion's quest to observe natural wonder in the world. The second is her struggle to make sure she has an identity beyond Archer's mother. She goes on safari, visits an ice hotel, watches an eclipse, learns about phosphorescent water. The experiences range from envy-inducing to awe-inspiring.
And yet I struggled to maintain interest. I'm not entirely sure why, but I would guess that this was in part because I didn't connect well with her efforts to figure out who she was as, and apart from, a parent (sympathised with -- but didn't connect with); in part, too, it sometimes felt like there was...too much? Too many manufactured experiences? I'm not sure. If I were not having phenomenal experience after phenomenal experience, Henion says, I would not be parenting in this way. If I were not being led by wonder, it is not the source from which I would teach (195). What does that say, though? Why are all these such...scheduled incidences of 'wonder'? Why is it 'wonder' to see lions in the Serengeti but not to see deer in the NC mountains? What about the wonder of a saturated, orange-pink sunset?
Towards the end of the book, Henion mentions trying to see coral spawning. The failed attempt—which required night swimming with sharks—was somewhat disheartening... (236). We don't hear much more about this, presumably because she didn't see the spawning (because there's guesswork involved in the timing). But why is night swimming with sharks not a phenomenal experience in and of itself?
I liked some of the writing; I loved learning about these different places and phenomena; at the end of the day, it wasn't really the book for me, but I expect it will work well for many others. (And perhaps there is a pilgrim in Spain reading it right now...)
*I checked first to make sure I could get a copy at my library, and I finished the book when I got home. This is also not as huge a reflection of Phenomenal as it could be—I left Jane Eyre, my last book, behind eventually, and that's my longstanding favourite book.
I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
Except...I got to page 153, thought about it, and left the book in Puente la Reina.* It turns out that reading about other people's adventures is not as interesting as having your own.
There are a couple of things going on here. The first, of course, is Henion's quest to observe natural wonder in the world. The second is her struggle to make sure she has an identity beyond Archer's mother. She goes on safari, visits an ice hotel, watches an eclipse, learns about phosphorescent water. The experiences range from envy-inducing to awe-inspiring.
And yet I struggled to maintain interest. I'm not entirely sure why, but I would guess that this was in part because I didn't connect well with her efforts to figure out who she was as, and apart from, a parent (sympathised with -- but didn't connect with); in part, too, it sometimes felt like there was...too much? Too many manufactured experiences? I'm not sure. If I were not having phenomenal experience after phenomenal experience, Henion says, I would not be parenting in this way. If I were not being led by wonder, it is not the source from which I would teach (195). What does that say, though? Why are all these such...scheduled incidences of 'wonder'? Why is it 'wonder' to see lions in the Serengeti but not to see deer in the NC mountains? What about the wonder of a saturated, orange-pink sunset?
Towards the end of the book, Henion mentions trying to see coral spawning. The failed attempt—which required night swimming with sharks—was somewhat disheartening... (236). We don't hear much more about this, presumably because she didn't see the spawning (because there's guesswork involved in the timing). But why is night swimming with sharks not a phenomenal experience in and of itself?
I liked some of the writing; I loved learning about these different places and phenomena; at the end of the day, it wasn't really the book for me, but I expect it will work well for many others. (And perhaps there is a pilgrim in Spain reading it right now...)
*I checked first to make sure I could get a copy at my library, and I finished the book when I got home. This is also not as huge a reflection of Phenomenal as it could be—I left Jane Eyre, my last book, behind eventually, and that's my longstanding favourite book.
I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
January 13, 2015
This book made my mind sing with possibilities. Inspiring and beautifully written, I know that this book will be beloved by many!
December 2, 2015
In my chat with Leigh Ann she said, "When something seems impossible, do it anyway."
Check it out:
http://beingandwriting.blogspot.com/2...
Check it out:
http://beingandwriting.blogspot.com/2...
February 5, 2020
I had a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I found the way she wrote about some of the phenomena to be cheesy and annoying. But then I thought about how difficult it is to write about those kinds of experiences. They’re phenomenal because they’re visceral, spiritual, etc. - they’re things you have to experience. So I looked past all the things that annoyed me about the book. I gave it four stars because I think it was an important book for me to read for where I’m at in my life right now.
May 16, 2021
This just makes me want to travel everywhere and experience everything! What a beautiful memoir.
July 6, 2015
Parts of this book jumped off the page, grabbed my hand and made me want to choke on a sob because I connected so deeply with the author. I kept a journal of quotes for those moments. But then, there were other parts that felt dry - overthought and overeager to make connections. I get the intention of the backstory and the motivation to share all she has learned about each place and phenomena, but some parts left me cold (especially the chapter on Hawaii for some reason).
Despite that, I gave the book four stars for the same reason I bought the book. I admire the author's attempt to balance her own adventurous goals with raising a small child. In the land of Mommy blogs, many women are given the impression that the only way to be a good mother is to give everything of yourself to your child(ren). This book is important because there are many mothers (myself included) who do not feel authentic following this "script". This author's words put an arm around the shoulders of good mothers who constantly question whether it is selfish to pursue their own dreams and goals. Henion's words will help to propel me toward personal goals, while I simultaneously attempt to keep the mommy guilt at bay.
"Drudgery, after all, has nothing to do with growing up if we do it right and - beyond tending to the acute physical needs of a child - little to do with what it means to be a good parent". (Pg. 3)
"Parenting is about sacrifice, that is for certain, but does being a good mother mean devoting every drop of my being to my child, or does it mean being true to my spirit in a way that illustrates that there is more than one way to live a good life?" (21)
"I give to my son of myself, as I hope he will someday choose to give to me, but he is his own being. I am my own being. And I fight the idea that my life is no longer my own. I have to think like this because, as Archer grows, it will be increasingly true. I have given birth to a person with free will and my success as a mother, my personal gauge of success, will be how far, how brazenly, he ventures into the world - coming back to me as I will always return to him" (21)
"You wouldn't ask for more if you didn't believe there was more to be had. You have faith in abundance and that's not a bad thing." (147)
"I've been fanning Archer's sense of wonder by giving oxygen to my own." (251)
Despite that, I gave the book four stars for the same reason I bought the book. I admire the author's attempt to balance her own adventurous goals with raising a small child. In the land of Mommy blogs, many women are given the impression that the only way to be a good mother is to give everything of yourself to your child(ren). This book is important because there are many mothers (myself included) who do not feel authentic following this "script". This author's words put an arm around the shoulders of good mothers who constantly question whether it is selfish to pursue their own dreams and goals. Henion's words will help to propel me toward personal goals, while I simultaneously attempt to keep the mommy guilt at bay.
"Drudgery, after all, has nothing to do with growing up if we do it right and - beyond tending to the acute physical needs of a child - little to do with what it means to be a good parent". (Pg. 3)
"Parenting is about sacrifice, that is for certain, but does being a good mother mean devoting every drop of my being to my child, or does it mean being true to my spirit in a way that illustrates that there is more than one way to live a good life?" (21)
"I give to my son of myself, as I hope he will someday choose to give to me, but he is his own being. I am my own being. And I fight the idea that my life is no longer my own. I have to think like this because, as Archer grows, it will be increasingly true. I have given birth to a person with free will and my success as a mother, my personal gauge of success, will be how far, how brazenly, he ventures into the world - coming back to me as I will always return to him" (21)
"You wouldn't ask for more if you didn't believe there was more to be had. You have faith in abundance and that's not a bad thing." (147)
"I've been fanning Archer's sense of wonder by giving oxygen to my own." (251)
April 19, 2018
Read this for memoir club. The writing isn't terrible, I just couldn't relate to the author. I did feel sorry for her - she was literally searching the ends of the earth to find any purpose in life, grasping for shreds of meaning everywhere. I enjoyed hearing about some of the places that she visited, but overall I found her quests tedious and ephemeral... I kept finding myself skimming and was relieved when it was over.
April 25, 2015
If anyone is surprised that Author Leigh Ann Henion is the recipient of awards for her travel writing, they won't be after reading her book, "Phenomenal." The writing about this travel journey is nearly as wonderous as the phenomena she describes, however difficult it may be to encapsulate in words.
For travelers, experiencing any one of the travels taken by the author would be noteworthy: an eclipse viewed from Australia, the migration of animals across the African plains, the Northern Lights viewed from outside the Ice Hotel in Sweden, as just a few of the examples. Yet Henion seems to be a natural experience junkie, traveling from mind-blowing experience to the next and trying to decipher what it all means, both on a personal and universal level.
If travel writers are meant to inspire, there are few books that can surpass this one. She keenly highlights the two things that make any journey great: the people and the place. She touches on the history and folklore that undergird each experience without ever enabling the details become overwhelming. She puts it all into context of her own life (whether or not her readers can relate), which makes it all infinitely richer. Most of all, she understands what it means to dig into a place and look for the hidden treasure, most often via the people she encounters along the way.
This is an extraordinary tale and anyone who needs a little inspiration in their daily life will surely come away richer from reading "Phenomenal."
For travelers, experiencing any one of the travels taken by the author would be noteworthy: an eclipse viewed from Australia, the migration of animals across the African plains, the Northern Lights viewed from outside the Ice Hotel in Sweden, as just a few of the examples. Yet Henion seems to be a natural experience junkie, traveling from mind-blowing experience to the next and trying to decipher what it all means, both on a personal and universal level.
If travel writers are meant to inspire, there are few books that can surpass this one. She keenly highlights the two things that make any journey great: the people and the place. She touches on the history and folklore that undergird each experience without ever enabling the details become overwhelming. She puts it all into context of her own life (whether or not her readers can relate), which makes it all infinitely richer. Most of all, she understands what it means to dig into a place and look for the hidden treasure, most often via the people she encounters along the way.
This is an extraordinary tale and anyone who needs a little inspiration in their daily life will surely come away richer from reading "Phenomenal."
April 3, 2015
I was so excited to learn I was a GoodReads winner for the book, "Phenomenal: A hesitant adventurer's search for wonder in the natural world" by Leigh Ann Henion. Henion refused to believe that motherhood and marriage were the death sentence to adventure, but rather felt compelled to continue to seek the phenomenal wonders all around us to be a better wife and mother.
We are all one with the universe and spirituality encompasses the whole world not only through natural wonders but all the people she encounters on her quest. Her quest reveals, "What I thought, was. What I see, is. And it is phenomenal." This book is a beautiful memoir of revelation during one women's journey for understanding of motherhood and marriage resulting in the discovery of the importance of reclaiming one's self and recognizing the gift of wonder all around us.
After reading the book, I want to reclaim myself and embark on a wanderlust adventure or my own!
We are all one with the universe and spirituality encompasses the whole world not only through natural wonders but all the people she encounters on her quest. Her quest reveals, "What I thought, was. What I see, is. And it is phenomenal." This book is a beautiful memoir of revelation during one women's journey for understanding of motherhood and marriage resulting in the discovery of the importance of reclaiming one's self and recognizing the gift of wonder all around us.
After reading the book, I want to reclaim myself and embark on a wanderlust adventure or my own!
March 6, 2023
Scrolling through a list of 52 Book Challenge Prompts, one that suggested reading "an author with a same name as you" caught my eye. Since I keep track of the data associated with my own name on the Internet, I am aware of at least a few published authors who share my (first) name in a similar configuration. For folks with more popular names, dozens (possibly even hundreds of) options of authors are likely available. People whose surnames are occupational in origin origin (Baker, Miller, Tailor, etc.) may even find authors with the same first AND last names. Mine, not so much.
According to MyFirstName.Rocks (I know - just go with it), the name Leigh Anne has been recorded in the U.S. Social Security Administration public database only 1,276 between 1880 and 2018, having first been used as a first name in this specific spelling (no hyphen) in 1959. Drop the e from the end, and Leigh Ann appears 3,343 in the SSA database. Another (let's go with) source, mynamestats.com, reports that "0.09 people are named Leigh-Anne for every 100,000 Americans" (resulting in an estimated Leigh-Anne population in the U.S. of 279, with the largest number residing in New Jersey). If you remove the last e, the total goes up to 0.14 for every 100,000. Suffice it to say, my name - particularly in my hyphenated configuration with the e on the end - is fairly rare.
But as I said, I knew of a few authors whose names were close to mine - including humorist Leigh Anne Jasheway-Bryant, poet Leigh Anne Couch, and children's author Leigh Anne Florence. In the end, I selected a nonfiction book entitled "Phenomenal: A Hesitant Adventurer's Search for Wonder in the Natural World" by Leigh Ann Henion, with no e on the end (www.leighannhenion.com).
While Henion's name was a less than perfect name match than the others, the topic similarly caught my attention and a sample read proved her writing style and story engaging. Also, the was available for immediate download to my Kindle from my local library, which made it the path of least resistance or delay.
Having borrowed and now read Leigh Ann Henion's book, I can attest that it is well worth the cover price should one wish to purchase it.
As evidence in her favor, let me say that I don't think I've ever highlighted so many passages in a book (that wasn't instructional or the Bible) as much as I did this nonfiction account of her epic adventures. The scientific, philosophical, metaphysical, and more musing as well as sources she notes, quotes, and discusses while she self-analyzes her experiences were almost as captivating as her descriptions of the natural wonders she viewed and became a part of during her globe trotting.
I should back up and quickly summarize the premise of her work, her quest. Henion took on the personal challenge and professional assignments to attend and document a number of natural wonders in this incredible world of ours. The phenomena ("a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question; a remarkable person, thing, or event") she chose for this book were visited between 2010 and 2012 while in her early 30s after becoming a first time mother.
Henion talks quite a bit about how being a mom, as well as the literal experience of becoming a mother, affected her mentally and impacted this yearning to experience the wonders of the world for herself for personal growth as well as making her a better teacher (and mom) to her toddler. The first phenomenal encounter that spurred her interest was witnessing the winter migration of the North American Monarch butterflies to a specific mountain region location in Mexico's Transvolcanic Belt.
The butterflies who make this journey have never made it before and won't make it again despite the fact that they live longer than the typical butterfly. They are driven my some instinct and inherent sense of direction and drive to make the trip. Henion shares that the experience was life changing in that it opened her eyes to the aforementioned incredible wonders of nature.
Sparked by that experience, she travels to Puerto Rico to experience their unique and largely limited bioluminescence bays where beings that are neither technically plant nor animal reside. They are called "living light."
Henion goes on to witness the Catatumbo lightning in Venezuela, explores the traditional art and customs of drum making and hula when visiting Halema'uma'u, the focus of Kilauea's eruptive activity the Big Island of Hawai'i and the traditional home of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes. Completely changing climates, her quest takes her to aurora oval near the Artic Circle in Sweden where she stays at famous ICEHOTEL and bears witness to awe-inspiring displays of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) before making camp with some indigenous hosts and participating in the traditional Sámi reindeer sledding.
Shaking off the cold, her next adventure takes her to Tanzania in Africa, where among other encounters, she has close calls with both an elephant and a party of hippos. While in the Serengeti following the Great Migration of primarily wildebeests - but also zebras, elephants, and occasional lions (following the food source) - she takes notes and waxes on about names in traditional cultures and the impact of missionaries on those traditions. There, the Swahili speakers pronounced our name Leone, which translates as "lion." At first she considered correcting their pronunciation, but decided against it. Henion, and I, rather liked the significance of it.
The final leg of this quest takes her to Australian with the intention of witnessing a massive coral spawning. But, nature keeps its own calendar more concerned with conditions than travel schedules, and the spawning is delayed beyond her visit. However, back in the Artic Circle she'd learned from a newly made friend that if she extended her stay down under just days, she could witness an exceedingly rare total solar eclipse. And so she did - extend her stay - as well as meeting up again with this fellow phenomena-chasing friend to witness this unique cosmic occurrence.
None of what I've explained is spoiler for it isn't the destinations (as they're named in the table of contents) but the journeys and what her experiences prompt in and gift to her that make for this such a pleasurable and noteworthy (note-taking) read. There is a lot of "navel gazing," in a good way, as this renowned travel writer learns not only about the natural world far and away outside herself, but of the interconnectedness of all living things that have been composed of stardust, affirming us as part of the great and expansive universe not merely observers. And yet, by quietly observing, we can find greater connections to and within the cosmos when we open ourselves up to look, listen and learn.
I don't know if my summation is doing justice to Leigh Ann's work, the discussions, her educational research on phenomena, and her poetic prose in describing her encounters. If you take away that this is a book well worth your time particularly if you enjoy learning about the natural world (and universe) beyond your own backyard while simultaneously making you appreciate all that you can see, hear, and experience from your own backyard, I will count this an apt review.
A FINAL NOTE...
more than once Henion speaks wistfully about cosmic coincidences, such as booking an Australian trip to witness coral spawning and learning from a stranger in the Artic Circle that she'll easily have access to an extremely rare cosmic event, that I can't help noting that this is the second book in this new year challenge in which a massive migration of Monarch butterflies plays a key role in the lives of the characters (real or imagined).
Similarly, to learn that the writing by another Leigh Anne (Florence) in the world is largely about on a Weiner dog (named Woody), having only in recent years adopted my own Dachshund (Rose), I am further intrigued by coincidences. I've also made a note to check out the writing of another poetic Leigh Anne (Couch). Maybe "what's in a name?" isn't such a simple question.
According to MyFirstName.Rocks (I know - just go with it), the name Leigh Anne has been recorded in the U.S. Social Security Administration public database only 1,276 between 1880 and 2018, having first been used as a first name in this specific spelling (no hyphen) in 1959. Drop the e from the end, and Leigh Ann appears 3,343 in the SSA database. Another (let's go with) source, mynamestats.com, reports that "0.09 people are named Leigh-Anne for every 100,000 Americans" (resulting in an estimated Leigh-Anne population in the U.S. of 279, with the largest number residing in New Jersey). If you remove the last e, the total goes up to 0.14 for every 100,000. Suffice it to say, my name - particularly in my hyphenated configuration with the e on the end - is fairly rare.
But as I said, I knew of a few authors whose names were close to mine - including humorist Leigh Anne Jasheway-Bryant, poet Leigh Anne Couch, and children's author Leigh Anne Florence. In the end, I selected a nonfiction book entitled "Phenomenal: A Hesitant Adventurer's Search for Wonder in the Natural World" by Leigh Ann Henion, with no e on the end (www.leighannhenion.com).
While Henion's name was a less than perfect name match than the others, the topic similarly caught my attention and a sample read proved her writing style and story engaging. Also, the was available for immediate download to my Kindle from my local library, which made it the path of least resistance or delay.
Having borrowed and now read Leigh Ann Henion's book, I can attest that it is well worth the cover price should one wish to purchase it.
As evidence in her favor, let me say that I don't think I've ever highlighted so many passages in a book (that wasn't instructional or the Bible) as much as I did this nonfiction account of her epic adventures. The scientific, philosophical, metaphysical, and more musing as well as sources she notes, quotes, and discusses while she self-analyzes her experiences were almost as captivating as her descriptions of the natural wonders she viewed and became a part of during her globe trotting.
I should back up and quickly summarize the premise of her work, her quest. Henion took on the personal challenge and professional assignments to attend and document a number of natural wonders in this incredible world of ours. The phenomena ("a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question; a remarkable person, thing, or event") she chose for this book were visited between 2010 and 2012 while in her early 30s after becoming a first time mother.
Henion talks quite a bit about how being a mom, as well as the literal experience of becoming a mother, affected her mentally and impacted this yearning to experience the wonders of the world for herself for personal growth as well as making her a better teacher (and mom) to her toddler. The first phenomenal encounter that spurred her interest was witnessing the winter migration of the North American Monarch butterflies to a specific mountain region location in Mexico's Transvolcanic Belt.
The butterflies who make this journey have never made it before and won't make it again despite the fact that they live longer than the typical butterfly. They are driven my some instinct and inherent sense of direction and drive to make the trip. Henion shares that the experience was life changing in that it opened her eyes to the aforementioned incredible wonders of nature.
Sparked by that experience, she travels to Puerto Rico to experience their unique and largely limited bioluminescence bays where beings that are neither technically plant nor animal reside. They are called "living light."
Henion goes on to witness the Catatumbo lightning in Venezuela, explores the traditional art and customs of drum making and hula when visiting Halema'uma'u, the focus of Kilauea's eruptive activity the Big Island of Hawai'i and the traditional home of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes. Completely changing climates, her quest takes her to aurora oval near the Artic Circle in Sweden where she stays at famous ICEHOTEL and bears witness to awe-inspiring displays of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) before making camp with some indigenous hosts and participating in the traditional Sámi reindeer sledding.
Shaking off the cold, her next adventure takes her to Tanzania in Africa, where among other encounters, she has close calls with both an elephant and a party of hippos. While in the Serengeti following the Great Migration of primarily wildebeests - but also zebras, elephants, and occasional lions (following the food source) - she takes notes and waxes on about names in traditional cultures and the impact of missionaries on those traditions. There, the Swahili speakers pronounced our name Leone, which translates as "lion." At first she considered correcting their pronunciation, but decided against it. Henion, and I, rather liked the significance of it.
The final leg of this quest takes her to Australian with the intention of witnessing a massive coral spawning. But, nature keeps its own calendar more concerned with conditions than travel schedules, and the spawning is delayed beyond her visit. However, back in the Artic Circle she'd learned from a newly made friend that if she extended her stay down under just days, she could witness an exceedingly rare total solar eclipse. And so she did - extend her stay - as well as meeting up again with this fellow phenomena-chasing friend to witness this unique cosmic occurrence.
None of what I've explained is spoiler for it isn't the destinations (as they're named in the table of contents) but the journeys and what her experiences prompt in and gift to her that make for this such a pleasurable and noteworthy (note-taking) read. There is a lot of "navel gazing," in a good way, as this renowned travel writer learns not only about the natural world far and away outside herself, but of the interconnectedness of all living things that have been composed of stardust, affirming us as part of the great and expansive universe not merely observers. And yet, by quietly observing, we can find greater connections to and within the cosmos when we open ourselves up to look, listen and learn.
I don't know if my summation is doing justice to Leigh Ann's work, the discussions, her educational research on phenomena, and her poetic prose in describing her encounters. If you take away that this is a book well worth your time particularly if you enjoy learning about the natural world (and universe) beyond your own backyard while simultaneously making you appreciate all that you can see, hear, and experience from your own backyard, I will count this an apt review.
A FINAL NOTE...
more than once Henion speaks wistfully about cosmic coincidences, such as booking an Australian trip to witness coral spawning and learning from a stranger in the Artic Circle that she'll easily have access to an extremely rare cosmic event, that I can't help noting that this is the second book in this new year challenge in which a massive migration of Monarch butterflies plays a key role in the lives of the characters (real or imagined).
Similarly, to learn that the writing by another Leigh Anne (Florence) in the world is largely about on a Weiner dog (named Woody), having only in recent years adopted my own Dachshund (Rose), I am further intrigued by coincidences. I've also made a note to check out the writing of another poetic Leigh Anne (Couch). Maybe "what's in a name?" isn't such a simple question.
March 28, 2015
A must read! I was so moved by this book that there were points where I was literally wiping tears from my eyes - a very rare occurrence for me. At points, I had a smile so big that my cheeks hurt! Leigh Ann writes in a way that captures the senses and pulls you in, making you feel as if you are right there with her! I was captivated from page 1 all the way to the end! 5 stars, no question about it!
May 13, 2022
2022 "May have loved this even more the 2nd time."
2015 "But maybe transcendence isn't about leaving. It's about being present. Life is a performance piece. Like dance and song, the art is in the process. Like hula and oli, the process is the prayer." Pg 89
Wonderful book. If you love nature, travel, and are curious about the spiritual in nature, this is for you.
I've also now added seeing the Aurora Borealis to my life list. And I must get back to Hawaii.
2015 "But maybe transcendence isn't about leaving. It's about being present. Life is a performance piece. Like dance and song, the art is in the process. Like hula and oli, the process is the prayer." Pg 89
Wonderful book. If you love nature, travel, and are curious about the spiritual in nature, this is for you.
I've also now added seeing the Aurora Borealis to my life list. And I must get back to Hawaii.
February 23, 2016
I really liked the idea for this book; traveling around the world seeing different phenomena that most people have never even heard of. The problem is that I found the author to be so boring. It's like she focused on all the wrong things. That's the only way I can think to describe it.
Her writing should have made me want to travel and see all these places for myself, but it just left me cold. I wasn't excited by any of it.
Her writing should have made me want to travel and see all these places for myself, but it just left me cold. I wasn't excited by any of it.
June 15, 2015
Mother, traveller, nature lover. I connected with this book on so many levels. My heart broke as Leigh Ann recounted that tumultuous period of early motherhood and soared as she experienced each of the phenomena she sought out in her search for wonder.
A truly inspiring read. One that I'll be dipping back into again and again.
A truly inspiring read. One that I'll be dipping back into again and again.
June 29, 2015
Love the ideas explored here, how the experiences of witnessing the many awe inspiring phenomena are described and most of all, the way that Leigh Ann Henion relates to and attempts to understand them. Exactly for those reasons, this isn't just a travelogue but also an exploration of phenomenology. My first time coming across this term and I am already so very curious about it.
July 28, 2016
Just read Eat, Pray,Love instead. This author came across as someone who just had it on her bucket list to write a book, but it probably should have just been a blog. I did enjoy chapter 4, though. So read that one and forget the rest of it.
April 3, 2015
Loved this book, 5 stars, made me want to get out into nature. I identified with her being a reluctant adventurer, I loved the way she wrote about vibrations in Hawaii. Inspirational.
April 24, 2015
I listened to the audio version....I enjoyed it immensely so I purchased the book also.
May 5, 2015
Really enjoyed this book. Learned a lot and it made me want to learn more.
June 21, 2015
I want to go and see these things for myself! There is wonder in the world.
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