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The Shape of a Year
"A new year is a gift, a small piece of infinity, to do with as we will." So begins The Shape of a Year, a month-by-month chronicle of events in one woman's life, in her Connecticut house set in a meadow bounded by a rushing brook and hills covered with maples and hemlocks. It is a personal book, written with humor, keen observation, friendliness and a deep awareness of a meaning and pattern beneath the surface trivia of daily life. Includes black and white illustrations at the beginning of every chapter and an index of recipes and projects on page 243.
242 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1967
12 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Jean Hersey
23 books6 followersJean Hersey, born in 1902 and living in the eastern United States, was a prolific writer of magazine articles for Woman’s Day and various gardening and houseplant periodicals. She also wrote several nonfiction books dealing with gardening, homemaking, and semi-rural life.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 8, 2024
10🌟!! This might be my favorite book of the year. It's definitely my favorite non-fiction book of the year. I absolutely loved every minute I spent reading each chapter, month-by-month this entire year. I can't say enough about it 😍❤️
If you know me, you know that I love reading seasonal books, especially ones that have a chapter per month and describe everyday life in detail. This is another author from Connecticut (like Gladys Taber), but their writing styles are not similar (though both are wonderful!)
Jean Hersey has less of a cozy, informal style than Gladys Taber, but her choice of words had me completely immersed in her world. Each month, she describes not only nature (including weather, birds, smells, colors, sounds, etc), but also shares what her and her family are doing, recipes, crafts and other tidbits of life.
I used almost 50 book darts while reading this book—the amount of gorgeous, lyrical passages is endless. Someday, I'll add them all to my Commonplace Book. Until then, I can grab the book at one of the golden darts and read a paragraph (or sentence) that I love.
One of the best things about this book is the last section. She notes down every single recipe, craft or to-do activity in the book with the corresponding page number. Brilliant!!!
There's so much to say about The Shape of a Year that it's impossible to put my feelings and thoughts into words. All I can tell you is that I loved it and it's one of those books I could never part with. It's a book that brought me a deep feeling of inner joy, contentment and hope, even though the words are not specifically happy, excited or energetic (does that make sense?).
Anyway, I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone. I already have the book that comes before this, A Sense of Seasons, waiting to be opened on January 1st. I can only hope it's half as lovely as this one. Please give it a try!
If you know me, you know that I love reading seasonal books, especially ones that have a chapter per month and describe everyday life in detail. This is another author from Connecticut (like Gladys Taber), but their writing styles are not similar (though both are wonderful!)
Jean Hersey has less of a cozy, informal style than Gladys Taber, but her choice of words had me completely immersed in her world. Each month, she describes not only nature (including weather, birds, smells, colors, sounds, etc), but also shares what her and her family are doing, recipes, crafts and other tidbits of life.
I used almost 50 book darts while reading this book—the amount of gorgeous, lyrical passages is endless. Someday, I'll add them all to my Commonplace Book. Until then, I can grab the book at one of the golden darts and read a paragraph (or sentence) that I love.
One of the best things about this book is the last section. She notes down every single recipe, craft or to-do activity in the book with the corresponding page number. Brilliant!!!
There's so much to say about The Shape of a Year that it's impossible to put my feelings and thoughts into words. All I can tell you is that I loved it and it's one of those books I could never part with. It's a book that brought me a deep feeling of inner joy, contentment and hope, even though the words are not specifically happy, excited or energetic (does that make sense?).
Anyway, I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone. I already have the book that comes before this, A Sense of Seasons, waiting to be opened on January 1st. I can only hope it's half as lovely as this one. Please give it a try!
December 2, 2025
This has been a lovely book to pick up around the first of every month. To live awhile at the Hersey’s place, to see, hear, smell, and feel their beautiful meadow, woods, garden and greenhouse month by month. I can’t genuinely call it dated - it’s just a simpler time ; a joy-filled year of their life!
December 28, 2012
"Live in each season as it passes; breath the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each."
Henry David Thoreau
Since this lovely book is broken into monthly chapters, I decided to read along in that manner. This proved to be difficult as there was a persistent temptation to just sit and read it straight through. Hersey's reflections on her life in Connecticut were warm and cozy, like having tea with a favorite neighbor, if any of my neighbors bothered to notice things like the way the sky looks after a storm, or how rhododendron leaves curl into tight little cigars in the coldest weather.
In winter, we have no love affair with Nature, just a passing friendship, respect, appreciation. We go our separate, unrelated ways with a good stout wall between us.
Things change when spring rolls around.
Our ceiling these days is high as the heavens, our walls stretch to the horizon. With our senses alert we have merged with the world of nature. We become keenly aware of the sounds, the smells, the feel of everything, and gradually an integral part of it all.
Summer is a time for relaxing and enjoying the fruits of earlier labors.
Too late for different plans for this year, too early for next, so we accept what is and find it basically good. Living totally in the now as nature fulfills herself around us, we savor the best and discover fresh rewards every day.
And suddenly, fall arrives. There is excitement in the air.
One morning the air is crisp and cool and sharp. Nature first hints delicately of winter ahead with a day that is chilly around the edges. Something in us responds to the flaming foliage and falling of leaves. We feel a surge of fresh energy as this new season is born.
The book was published in 1967, and some of Hersey's accounts seem quaint and dated. She is quite set in her ways. This is demonstrated during one incident when her grandson comes to call, sporting a Beatles-like mop-top. She insists on stopping by the barber before continuing their visit. (I had a good laugh over this, but I'd be pissed as hell if my mother-in-law tried it with one of my sons.)
In all, this is a very pleasant book that makes you really appreciate all the sights, sounds, and smells of each passing season.
Henry David Thoreau
Since this lovely book is broken into monthly chapters, I decided to read along in that manner. This proved to be difficult as there was a persistent temptation to just sit and read it straight through. Hersey's reflections on her life in Connecticut were warm and cozy, like having tea with a favorite neighbor, if any of my neighbors bothered to notice things like the way the sky looks after a storm, or how rhododendron leaves curl into tight little cigars in the coldest weather.
In winter, we have no love affair with Nature, just a passing friendship, respect, appreciation. We go our separate, unrelated ways with a good stout wall between us.
Things change when spring rolls around.
Our ceiling these days is high as the heavens, our walls stretch to the horizon. With our senses alert we have merged with the world of nature. We become keenly aware of the sounds, the smells, the feel of everything, and gradually an integral part of it all.
Summer is a time for relaxing and enjoying the fruits of earlier labors.
Too late for different plans for this year, too early for next, so we accept what is and find it basically good. Living totally in the now as nature fulfills herself around us, we savor the best and discover fresh rewards every day.
And suddenly, fall arrives. There is excitement in the air.
One morning the air is crisp and cool and sharp. Nature first hints delicately of winter ahead with a day that is chilly around the edges. Something in us responds to the flaming foliage and falling of leaves. We feel a surge of fresh energy as this new season is born.
The book was published in 1967, and some of Hersey's accounts seem quaint and dated. She is quite set in her ways. This is demonstrated during one incident when her grandson comes to call, sporting a Beatles-like mop-top. She insists on stopping by the barber before continuing their visit. (I had a good laugh over this, but I'd be pissed as hell if my mother-in-law tried it with one of my sons.)
In all, this is a very pleasant book that makes you really appreciate all the sights, sounds, and smells of each passing season.
July 4, 2025
Five stars.
All day long, five stars. ⭐️
All day long, five stars. ⭐️
June 24, 2025
A beautiful seasonal book going month by month in life! A lovely yesteryear feeling of joy and contentment which this world has lost. If you love gardening, flowers and nature you will adore this!
November 11, 2015
A gentle, beautiful book about life in New England with Jean Hersey and her husband. The book is divided into months and seasons. Illustrations by John Pimlott add beauty to words. I bought this as a hardbound book for the simple pleasure of seeing those illustrations and reading each chapter slowly. I began the book back in the cold of February and have slowly savored each chapter.
Hersey's descriptions of the gardens, the woods and the surrounding area sparked my muse and I created some lovely poetry inspired by her musings.
She paints a picture of life on her rolling acres, and even though this was written in a different era - 1967, her insights seem like predictions of the future.
In the midst of the new rocket age, Hersey reminds us that the earth is our home, and we should guard it carefully and lovingly.
A keepsake I will turn to again and again.
Hersey's descriptions of the gardens, the woods and the surrounding area sparked my muse and I created some lovely poetry inspired by her musings.
She paints a picture of life on her rolling acres, and even though this was written in a different era - 1967, her insights seem like predictions of the future.
In the midst of the new rocket age, Hersey reminds us that the earth is our home, and we should guard it carefully and lovingly.
A keepsake I will turn to again and again.
July 31, 2020
Descriptive, carefree take on life with gems of wisdom n humor like confetti sprinkled throughout.
November 12, 2021
I love Jean Hersey.
December 24, 2021
Moments of brilliance, in a monthly format. The biggest problem is that if you read the chapter of the month it takes a year to read the book. I enjoyed the process.
June 6, 2015
Wonderful book from the 1960s. The author/gardener goes through the months of the year, discussing planting, growing, picking, eating, etc. on her small area of land in Connecticut. She hikes with her husband and friends along the brook, through the meadow and to the hills surrounding her property. There are lots of plans and reports on visits by her grandchildren. Lots of great observations and good advice.
"It is always satisfying to use up what you have, or turn it into something else."
"No matter what our outer conditions and commitments, we are still completely free to alter our thinking about them."
"A good listener is a warm and friendly person with a basic affection for people, a great capacity for understanding and compassion, and an ability and willingness to listen without wanting to snatch the conversation at the first interval."
"She never stopped learning and studying. Nor did she ever feel that she had to convert others to her particular way of thinking."
"Angels fly because they take themselves lightly."
"Be definite, be decisive. Give the business at hand your best."
"It is always satisfying to use up what you have, or turn it into something else."
"No matter what our outer conditions and commitments, we are still completely free to alter our thinking about them."
"A good listener is a warm and friendly person with a basic affection for people, a great capacity for understanding and compassion, and an ability and willingness to listen without wanting to snatch the conversation at the first interval."
"She never stopped learning and studying. Nor did she ever feel that she had to convert others to her particular way of thinking."
"Angels fly because they take themselves lightly."
"Be definite, be decisive. Give the business at hand your best."
May 19, 2012
Jean Hersey took the time to share her life in a one-year gardening memoir. The setting took place in Connecticut sometime during the 1960's. She talks about her husband and neighbors. She lets you experience cold winter nights with her children and grandchildren. There are birds to feed and seeds to plant and harvest.
You are allowed to glimpse daily moments in her life. Recipes are given. Grape juice is made, forsythias are forced and patchwork pillows are sewn. How to make maple peppermint tea, what to do with boiled day lilies and how you should winterize your perennials is included in this personal cycle of life.
This is a book written for someone who enjoys gardening. Or if you are looking for easy moments and simple times. It has calming qualities and is a smooth read. Try THE SHAPE OF A YEAR.
You are allowed to glimpse daily moments in her life. Recipes are given. Grape juice is made, forsythias are forced and patchwork pillows are sewn. How to make maple peppermint tea, what to do with boiled day lilies and how you should winterize your perennials is included in this personal cycle of life.
This is a book written for someone who enjoys gardening. Or if you are looking for easy moments and simple times. It has calming qualities and is a smooth read. Try THE SHAPE OF A YEAR.
February 12, 2013
This was a rather old-fashioned feel-good book. Jean Hersey was a garden writer in the 50's and 60's. I could find virtually nothing about her on-line so I assume she's long dead now. It appears she may have done gardening columns for women's magazines. ??? This book is a month by month chronicle of events in her quiet life in Weston CT. She sings the praises of nature, family and god. She seems to live in an idyllic place with a brook and woods and gardens and mountains. What's not to love? She seems to enjoy life and looks forward to every season. It was hard not to like her optimism and good spirits BUT... her recipes weren't of interest to me and she seemed to be a product of her time. Life revolved around homemaking. She also seemed overly critical of things like a grandson's long hair (this was written after the "Beatle Invasion") and that really dated the book.
October 27, 2015
What an excellent book. Covers a full year living in New England. Clear writing style gives you a solid picture in your mind of everything she talks about. From the orchids in the greenhouse, the meadow garden, the times with the grandchildren. I copied out a few of the recipes she gives hiding in there. She mentions other books she has written so I will be looking for their author and for my own copy of this one. It is worth reading again, especially on a cold Winter day.
January 31, 2015
Very soothing book to read...gardening, living, homemaking....all about 45 years ago but many papagraphs and pages are timeless. This book has much the same feel as work by the author Gladys Taber...and in fact, they were of the same time period.
May 19, 2011
Read long ago and really enjoyed it.
Read
July 2, 2023"Belonged to my friend Margaret, as I read it over and over, I will remember all we shared-
Barbara 1998
Margaret died January 2, 1998"
Barbara 1998
Margaret died January 2, 1998"
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews