Nature Literature discussion

I'd like to welcome everyone to the group and invite you to tell us a little about yourselves. It's great to see more and more people joining our modest little group! Remember, this will only be what you make it, so if you'd like to set up a reading challenge or any other events, please speak up!

Hi!I'm a lover of nature, birdwatcher, kayaker, and environmental novelist. I am always looking for books that bring me into nature - especially in the wintertime. Two recent favorites are Jerry Dennis, The Windward Shore: A Winter on the Great Lakes and David George Haskell's The Forest Unseen: A Year's Watch in Nature.

Welcome, Annis and thank you for getting the ball rolling! I grew up in Wisconsin and have now moved to Ontario so I've pretty much been surrounded by the Great Lakes my whole life. There are various places on Lakes Michigan, Superior and Ontario that I adore - looks like I may have to check out the Jerry Dennis book you mention!

~Becky

I spent a lot of time in Wisconsin as a Prof there - knew the lakes around Madison well, and canoed on the Kickapoo and the Wisconsin River down near the Mississippi at Wyalusing. Here in Michigan I kayak on The Betsie River. I think you'd like Jerry Dennis's It's Raining Frogs and Fishes too - detailed and quite scientific writing about what water does in its many forms. Beautifully illustrated, too.

Hi everyone -- I'm a writer and nature lover and glad to see this group on Goodreads! So... I have a fairly new book out, The Spine of the Continent, and I would love the group to read it! I would be very happy to answer questions, elaborate on whatever points.... you can check it out on my author page, but here I will link to my Pritzker lecture at the California Academy of Sciences, as well as to my interview on KQED's Forum with Michael Krasny. Also, here's a short Publisher's Weekly review:
Starred review of the Spine of the Continent in Publishers Weekly

Hannibal offers a gripping and informative look at the founding of bioconservation, the scientists and controversies behind environmental science, and the ambitious, necessary extension of theoretical knowledge into practical application with the formation of connected wildlife corridors from Canada to Mexico. Giving equal time to anecdotes and interviews, Hannibal supports her engaging and swift narrative with hard facts. This book is far more engrossing and dramatic than the title suggests; it goes beyond the politics of wildlife protection to present a real history of America’s habitat, the animals within it, the people who study them, and the disparate motivations behind responsible conservation. Deep dives into the ecology of species both native—beavers, wolves, jaguar, and pika—and not native—cows—reveal the interdependence of humans and their wilder counterparts in the woods and plains. A thoroughly satisfying gem, readers will find themselves in the company of America’s best minds (Jared Diamond, Michael Soule) and heroes (Sherri Tippie), as Hannibal travels through landscapes chronicling the efforts underway to keep North America habitable for the plants and animals that first lived here and the people who now call it home. This is what scientific writing should be: fascinating and true. Agent: Eleanor Jackson, Markson Thoma Literary Agency. (Sept.)
http://fora.tv/2012/12/04/The_Spine_o...


http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R20121203...


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/29/opi...

Excellent! Welcome MaryEllen! Here's hoping for success with your book - it sounds like an interesting read!

~Becky

I found an interesting quote by Thoreau today, from a poem:

"The truest harvest of my life is intangible-
A little star dust caught,
A portion of the rainbow I have clutched."

And we are the dust of stars, every bit of our bodies derived after the first big bang. It's something to think about!

A lovely image for this weekend...clutching rainbows!

Hi, my name is Paul. I am a prolific reader and one of my favourite genres is natural history, along with travel and science etc. have read a lot of the uk based natural history authors, for example Deakin and Macfarlane and Mabey, and some books based in America. Feel free to add me as a friend

Welcome, Paul! It's good to have you aboard. I'm not very familiar with the UK-based natural history writers - what would you recommend of those you've listed?

~Becky

Hello..new to this group and I love reading about nature and animals - fiction and non fiction (as well as other genres). Camping & being in the woods is relaxing to me

Welcome, Melissa! It's great to have another contributor join the mix!

~Becky

This is a good list of British nature writing:

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/26...

I have read a lot on the list

Thanks for the list, Paul! I'll have to go back and look at those in more detail when I have more time - looks like some very interesting subjects there!

~Becky

Hello! I'm a nature writer and editor, currently editor of Hawk Migration Studies for the Hawk Migration Association of North America. I live in a cabin in the Appalachian Mtns. of Pennsylvania and am always looking for new books on nature, wildlife and the environment. I love to discuss some of the classic older works and reread some, too.

Welcome, Carolyn! I love seeing all these readers AND writers joining! :) Feel free to add any of your book(s) to our bookshelf.

~Becky

So happy to find this group, although I'm a bit late in joining. I've been taking Coursera classes, so have not been on goodreads for a bit.

I'm a retired English teacher and made my "pilgrimage" to Walden Pond several years ago with my eldest son. Thoreau has been an inspiration in my life since I first read WALDEN in high school over 50 years ago.

Others of my favorites in Nature writing include Annie Dillard, Loren Eiseley, Aldo Leopold, John Muir, and Rachel Carson.

So good to see others who share this love of our natural world--I'm looking forward to what is coming up next :-)

I'm just curious as to how the group works; do we all nominate books to read together? I'm only in one other goodreads group, so I'm hoping to learn how to participate in this one.

I see a great list of books on the bookshelf, but I'm trying to figure out what the group has read and what is coming next.

I look forward to catching up :-)

Hi Julia,

We've got a pretty quiet group here so far - I've tried a couple of times to get some activity going with a "book-of-the-month" suggestion, but so far no bites. Do you have any ideas on how we can generate some interest?

~Becky

I realized things might be a bit slow when I saw the last person to join was in March :-) Good for you for continuing.

On the only other goodreads book group in which I participate, the moderator just starts a thread for nominations each month, so maybe you could start one for July? We all add our suggestions, and then he starts a poll (upper right hand corner).

That group has 70 members, and only about 10 of us are active, so it seems par for the course--no worries. If you just open the July nomination thread, you can see what happens :-)

I read Mary Ellen's post, and I'd like to nominate her book, "The Spine of the Continent". I was able to get it from the library, and one of the Amazon blurbs said:

"A thoroughly satisfying gem, readers will find themselves in the company of America’s best minds (Jared Diamond, Michael Soule) and heroes (Sherri Tippie), as Hannibal travels through landscapes chronicling the efforts underway to keep North America habitable for the plants and animals that first lived here and the people who now call it home. This is what scientific writing should be: fascinating and true."
Publisher’s Weekly, Starred Review, 07/09/2012

I'll keep an eye out--my library book club only has about 5 of us at the monthly meetings, but we enjoy ourselves :-)

Take care--and thanks for being in touch so quickly.

I would be happy to participate and would nominate Otter Country: In Search of the Wild Otter as I have this out from the library

I love your "Dilbert" picture, Paul :-) I went to the link for the otter book, which sounds very interesting.

Another thought might be what our library group calls "potluck". We do this in the summer, where everyone reads a book of their choice and then reports back to the group. That's been a joy, since I've found several books that way which I would not have known about. It also lets everyone read what they like, and just do a write-up for the group.

I'm up for anything--including poetry or essays as well as full length books. The natural world has inspired so many people in many different ways :-)

Also, Becky, I visited Annis's blog which is wonderful; that has led me to the Green Group here on goodreads, which I've also joined. It takes a more activist approach, but the goals are still the same--expression of our deep caring for the natural world.

I like that "potluck" idea, Julia. It might be difficult to get enough participation at this stage of the game to pick one book but maybe I can come up with something that's more of a "challenge." I'm a member of a very "robust" historical fiction group here on GoodReads that has really neat challenges based around themes.

If you guys can wait until the weekend (when I have more time) I'll try to set something up to make it fun and informative and which will allow readers to target the books they're interested in at their own pace.

That would be great, Becky--thanks for all your efforts :-) And my motto is "no hurries, no worries"--thanks for the good idea.

Hi!
I'm an animal/environmentally oriented author.

My environmental novel, "The Starling God" (yes, a starling is the main character AND the hero) is out for preorder with forestry press. This is the link:
http://www.forestrypressproducts.com/...
I would like to have as many people read the ideas in this book as possible so they are challenged to think -- and question the idea that one species is "good" while another is "bad". The novel also shows, through the birds' eye point of view, how our iron grip on the environment affects other living things.
Thank you! Please let me know if you have ANY questions.

Hello,
I'm a birder, nature lover, and environmentalist living in Southern California, US. I've already received a few ideas for my To Read list from gleaning this group's discussion. Thanks!

I am currently enjoying Barbara Kingsolver's High Tide in Tucson. Would you all agree that Kingsolver fits this genre?

Cheers,
Sandy

Welcome, Tanya and Sandy!

Tanya - your novel sounds like it has a very unique P.O.V. - I'll have to add that to my TBR list.

Sandy - I've only read one Barbara Kingsolver novel, The Bean Trees and that was awhile ago. I don't remember enough to comment on your question. I'll have to investigate further!

Becky

Tanya wrote: "Hi!
I'm an animal/environmentally oriented author.

My environmental novel, "The Starling God" (yes, a starling is the main character AND the hero) is out for preorder with forestry press. This is..."

Let me add the new movie-style book trailer to this so people will have more information on my environmental novel: http://youtu.be/2CaukL-i8oU Enjoy!

I bought The Poisonwood Bible for 20p the other day. Have heard good things about her books

Hello!

I've lived in various places in Minnesota all my life. Growing up, nature time was family time. No, not all Minnesotans have a cabin by the lake...but we still made use of all of the wonderful natural spaces Minnesota had to offer by hiking/biking/skiing/etc!

Throughout my life, I've always found that the best books are ones that transport me into nature. Such books tend to be the ones I read multiple times.

I also studied the arts and humanities side of the environment and nature. Hopefully my background is useful in some conversations!

Alyssa

Hi, I'm turning 20 in a few days. I've lived in Western Michigan all my life. I'm a second year student at the local community college trying to figure out what I want to do. I love the outdoors, it started at a young age and I joined the Boy Scouts and made rank of Eagle Scout. I love to hunt whitetail, and am learning to properly fish soon! Favorite author: C.J. Box - if you haven't read him you need to.

Chris

Hi everyone! I just joined Good Reads and love it. I've been an environmentalist for my whole life and was an activist for many years. Rachel Carson's Silent Spring was the first enviro book I read... would love to read it again. aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac is another fav that I read in university.

I'm 35 and live with my partner and his 2 kids, 2 dogs, and 2 cats in a rural area of Saskatchewan, Canada. Since moving to this small town from the largest city in the province I have found books and the internet to be my saviours from losing my mind. I also got a job at the local small-town library and it has renewed my love of books and writing and gives me joy to meet people and be part of the awesome that comes from the library.

Crystal wrote: "Hi everyone! I just joined Good Reads and love it. I've been an environmentalist for my whole life and was an activist for many years. Rachel Carson's Silent Spring was the first enviro book I read..."

Hi Crystal and welcome! The environmental literature arena is really picking up more steam - in fiction and nonfiction. :-)

Welcome, Crystal! Sounds like we have a few titles in common in the nature lit. realm that have influenced us in the past. I was just thinking perhaps we could put Silent Spring in the list of possible BOM titles for March/April! :)

~Becky

The Forester

Adirondack Moments

Hello,

I am new in this group & here is some background info.

I am retired from teaching forestry for 30 years at Paul Smith's College located in the Adirondacks near Lake Placid, in northern New York State. Over the years my students often asked the question: what is good forest management? I changed the question to: what should the human relationship be with nature & have done a fair amount of research on this subject especially in the area of "environmental values & ethics." Some of the books I read on these subjects are in my book list.

My research eventually motivated me to write THE FORESTER. The main plot theme of this novel is "conflicting environmental values," which is presented & dramatized by various characters. While values was a major theme the story also developed as an adventure story & a love story & this helps to make the characters & plot more interesting & realistic and made the book more fun to write & to read.

My "click on" book page above goes into more detail on THE FORESTER.

While writing, trout fishing, hiking, canoeing, cross country skiing, forestry, teaching, raising 2 kids, keeping my wife happy & building a house occupied much of my time (list is not in any order of importance) I also have an interest in photography & began photographing the Adirondacks & showed an ongoing slide show to my students. At the end of my teaching career I published ADIRONDACK MOMENTS with Firefly Books, a photo book of this incredible region.

I am interested in hearing from folks about their views on environmental values & ethics & their views on the human relationship with nature & what they have read or written on these subjects.

So, if you have a few minutes, please send me some words.

James Kraus

Hello, everyone!

Hello everyone.
I, like James, have a forestry background. I've worked in UK, Europe, Africa and South Pacific in forestry and I now run a consulting business in UK.
I have always been interested in nature and learning about the environment.
My work is now mostly about urban forestry. I wrote a book called Urban Trees that was published in UK in 2011.
My most recent nature book is Tony Juniper's 'What has nature ever done for us?' I heard him speak at a recent arboriculture conference and was impressed enough to go and buy his book.
I'm looking forward to meeting you all.
Steve

Hello:
I'm Sher from Oregon, although I spent almost twenty years in Southeast Alaska. This is my first foray into groups on Goodreads. Your reading list looks fantastic; I have either read the books or want to read the books on your list. I am just getting ready to retire from online teaching in the humanities, so I am looking around for what I can do to keep my intellectual pursuits alive. Interests: observing nature, reading, writing essays, training donkeys, bird dogs and birds, Taoism, playing old time fiddle music, opera, food preservation, and more...

Thanks for creating this group.
Sher

Hi Rach:
And how do you pronounce your name? Is it Rock or Rach short for Rachel.

Here are a few favorites:
365 Tao Daily Meditations by Deng Ming-Dao
The Tao of Every Day by Derek Lin
Do Nothing & Do Everything Qiguang Zhao
The Tao of Daily Life by Derek Lin

It's an ongoing exploration; I will think of you next time I read something new. I have a more academic book next up to read called Introducing Daoism by Livia Kohn. I apologize I did not make these direct links for you. I need to learn how to do that.

Thanks for the welcome-- Sher

Welcome, Sher. My apologies for the delays in responding sometimes - work (HR Manager for a non-profit) can be an all-consuming business at times! I do love the reading list we've begun to establish here - please feel free to add recommendations as you see fit. Our Book of the Month seems to be the most active part of the discussions and I'll be taking suggestions in mid-April for the May selection, so be sure to participate if you've got a "goodie." :)
~Becky

Thank you Becky! I worked in non-profits for years, so I understand how much a time consuming labor of love the work is.

I'm curious how discussions may run, so I will just check in with this month's selection and see. I read H is for Hawk last fall. It was a 5 star book for me. :)

Best, Sher

Kia ora (Greetings) from New Zealand!

It's a pleasure to be on this list - thanks Becky for putting it together.

I live in New Zealand (for over 20 years), having lived in Germany, Canada and the United States prior. I love the outdoors, including tramping/hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, birding and reading natural history. I have a PhD in environmental policy & management and have been privileged to travel to many parts of the world to witness its beauty & to work on its conservation. Social justice and climate change are my current focus (and have been for over a decade).

Reading people's journeys and connections with nature is always insightful and a reminder of how important and potent nature is and can be. The selections already listed in this group are exemplars of just that.

The other GoodReads list I enjoy is Around the World in 80 Books -- this is my 3rd attempt to hit 80 books in a year. For the last two years I've focused my reading on natural history books from 80 different countries -- a great combination!

I look forward to meeting more of you and learning about your experiences reading about & playing in the environment.

Stefanie

Welcome, Stefanie and thanks for the post! It sounds like you get around - I'm impressed with your travels thus far, especially New Zealand (which is on the wish list of visits for me - it looks like a beautiful country).

As a reminder for you and the rest of the group, I DID set up various challenges for members to read - including an Around the World challenge with a nature slant - in the discussion thread here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

So far, I don't seem to have any takers, but our group has grown from a very modest 20 to around 185 now, so maybe there'll be more interest in 2015...

~Becky

My review of Desert Solitaire
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hi all,

This is a great group - thanks for adding me Becky. It's great to see what nature books others are reading and recommending. A little about me - I am a conservationist biologist and photographer, based in Washington, DC. In September I published my first book, In Search of Lost Frogs, which is a narrative of my journey in search of frogs and salamanders believed to be extinct, wrapped around 400 photos. I think the book may really appeal to some on this list, and I'd love to hear feedback!

Thanks,
~ Robin

Welcome! I looked up your book: great reviews on GR. But it's not available for kindle! :-(

Welcome, Robin and thanks for the compliment! Be sure to add your book details to our author thread.

As an aside - and as a long-time Jim Henson / The Muppets fan, I have to plead guilty to being ridiculously happy to see they'd discovered a frog who so closely resembles Kermit! :)

Robin - welcome to the group. Your book looks compelling! I have added it to my wish list, and I will be sure to comment this summer . What a neat project!
Sher

A former editor now writing my own stuff, I live in St Albans and like the short stuff, novella's and verse. I love being out there, fields, woods, hills, seas. Some of my favourite nature writers are: Richard Jeffries, Gilbert White, Bramwell Evans, and the majestic John Keats.

Swifts are my favourite birds. Saw the first one over St Albans today in fact.

Here is some of my writing:

99 cts / 99 p, May 1-8 - myBook.to/OneSwiftSummer

Two men are at odds over a litter bin in the manicured elegance of London's Kew Gardens. Which side of the fence should it be on? Yes, quite ridiculous, utterly so.
Throw in one jaded young war photographer - Hi, Emma Saywell - one stately monkey puzzle tree and a squadron of screeching swifts and our scene is set for an escalating little drama and a bloody redemption.

On Walden Pond, The Old Man And The Sea, The Natural History of Selborne and the verses of John Keats are the inspirations behind One Swift Summer, a contemporary novella with Nature at its heart.

99 cts / 99 p, May 1-8 - myBook.to/OneSwiftSummer



I also do quite a bit of reviewing - see rjaskew.com for some of my reviews. *bows*