Read Women discussion

Here is the thread for out August 2026 discussion of Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer

"Living at the limits of our ordinary perception, mosses are a common but largely unnoticed element of the natural world. Gathering Moss is a beautifully written mix of science and personal reflection that invites readers to explore and learn from the elegantly simple lives of mosses. Robin Wall Kimmerer's book is not an identification guide, nor is it a scientific treatise. Rather, it is a series of linked personal essays that will lead general readers and scientists alike to an understanding of how mosses live and how their lives are intertwined with the lives of countless other beings, from salmon and hummingbirds to redwoods and rednecks. Kimmerer clearly and artfully explains the biology of mosses, while at the same time reflecting on what these fascinating organisms have to teach us."

"Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer (also credited as Robin W. Kimmerer) (born 1953) is Associate Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF). She is the author of numerous scientific articles, and the book Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses. She is Potawatomi and combines her heritage with her scientific and environmental passions."

We had a group discussion for Kinmerer's popular 2013 book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants a few years ago. You can find it here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I loved Braiding Sweetgrass and am looking forward to reading this, her first book. Who's in?

I can't wait to start!
I gave it a scroll yesterday and it has some nice illustrations.

Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "I can't wait to start!
I gave it a scroll yesterday and it has some nice illustrations."

Ooo good! Let's hope our versions match this time and I have some nice illustrations too!

Hannah wrote: Ooo good! Let's hope our versions match this time and I have some nice illustratio..."
I went by the edition in the post, with the full title cause there was one without full title, not sure if any difference!

This is actally funny because for the sea buddy read I found first an edition with only half the page and I was afraid of getting the wrong thing again!
This time it better be right!

I've started Kitchen first, but will be re-reading Moss soon!

I absolutely loved this book the first time around. It's sort of meandering and melancholic, if I remember correctly. I listened on audio the first time, but got my hands on a library copy this go-around :)

I have heard great things about this Kimmerer's first book, e.g., the one published before Braiding Sweetgrass. If anyone wants a teaser on the topic, this 2021 Guardian interview is absorbing and I love the photos they included.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2...

and for video fans, this is a one-hour vid in which the UK's Lucy Jones (also an author) interviews Kimmerer.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview...

Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "This is actally funny because for the sea buddy read I found first an edition with only half the page and I was afraid of getting the wrong thing again!
This time it better be right!.."

Half the page?! Haha

Lin wrote: "I've started Kitchen first, but will be re-reading Moss soon!

I absolutely loved this book the first time around. It's sort of meandering and melancholic, if I remember correctly. I listened on a..."

That'll be interesting, I wonder if you'll get more or less out of reading it in print. It's certainly a good sign for us that you want to reread! I don't know about you but I often miss a lot when I'm ear reading

Hannah wrote: "Half the page?! Haha"

Sorry, I meant only half the number of pages, I wrote it wrong. It did have a different cover, so maybe an older edition.

As for reading print, you two will certainly not miss the illustrations, at least!

I seem to have really picked up pace with my current read. So my expectations of starting this read late will likely turns into starting it early, possibly tomorrow or the next day!
I already feel all mossy about it.

Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "Hannah wrote: Ooo good! Let's hope our versions match this time and I have some nice illustratio..."
I went by the edition in the post, with the full title cause there was one without full title, n..."

Ninnisha, same! I found an audio version that was only 25 minutes and did a double take. Turns out, it was a podcast episode with the author.

Hannah wrote: "That'll be interesting, I wonder if you'll get more or less out of reading it in print. It's certainly a good sign for us that you want to reread! I don't know about you but I often miss a lot when I'm ear reading"

Same, Hannah - I miss a lot while ear-reading also. Especially if I'm doing dishes or cleaning the house and not completely focusing on the words.

Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "I already feel all mossy about it ..."

Hehe, love it!

I'm at 9% and so far I'm conflicted, but let's see the direction it takes. I guess the scientist in me is rebelling at the idea of mosses chatting with each other and giving each other names.

I also disagree with her about scientific names being cold and common names being warm. I'm an absolute lover of taxonomy, it's a universal language that allows everything to be crystal clear and people all over the world to understand each other, and it's also made, generally, on tangible facts.
And just to prove my point, to myself mostly, during the first chapter she mentions a bunch of animals and plants all around her as she walks, but she does so with their common names. Obviously, for me it's all very foreign and exotic, and common names ive more a cultural context than an actual understandable description, as it happens. So I felt really lost and a bit cut out of that scene, and I know I should have looked all of them up, but after looking up the first one I realised it'd take me forever, on e-reader. And at the same time I thought: had she called them by their scientific name, I could have had an idea as to what kind of animal/plant they are, at least, just from seeing the name.

But I guess that's more a personal thing, and of course all of you are English natives so it hits very differently. I also understand perfectly how for the general reader a common name wll be way more recognisable, unlike for me.

Anyway, I'm really curious where she goes with the whole spirit thing.

I also wanna add positive things.

First of all the two sentences I underlined so far:
"In telling their story, I came to see the world through moss-colored glasses."
"With sophisticated technology, we strive to see what is beyond us, but are often blind to the myriad sparkling facets that lie so close at hand."
In particular I really love the second one, and fully agree with it.

Also when she talks about pattern recognition and how once you see something you'll see it everywhere, it's so relatable! Really interesting about the brain having a pattern recognition function.

I suspect her opinion surrounding scientific names is related to her Native American background. She discusses it more in her other book Braiding Sweetgrass; I can’t remember her exact explanation.
So to with her musings on plants having secret conversations. When I listened to the audio, she said it with a little chuckle, and I honestly couldn’t tell if she was being serious or just sort of making space for the wonder of it all.

I haven’t started my reread but you have me itching to pick it up tonight!

Do it, do it!

Lin wrote: "I suspect her opinion surrounding scientific names is related to her Native American background. She discusses it more in her other book Braiding Sweetgrass; I can’t remember her exact explanation...."

Yeah, I thought the same, and same about the personification of mosses, it seems to be a cultural thing about all living beings! But interesting to hear about the chuckle, that does absolutely give more context.

As for the names, there's actually a line later thta makes me think her opinion is not so negative:
"But I like the scientific names, because they are as beautiful and intricate as the plants they name."
So I guess it's at the same time the appreciation for scientific names and the wish to have more affectionate nicknames for them next to them. Which is fair.

More noteworthy quotes I marked:

"Mosses are not elevator music; they are intertwined threads of a Beethoven quartet."
(this one is my favourite, so poetic)

"Intimacy gives us a different way of seeing, when visual acuity is not enough."

The other one I marked is a scientific fact so I'll save it.

Oh I do like that quote!

One of the reasons I think Kimmerer’s books resonate so well for me is that interesting juxtaposition between the scientific and the whimsical. She’s a scientist but also appreciates plants and nature on a whole other level, and somehow carries both truths and both identities.

I’m for sure the latter (lover of nature), and wish I had known “plant scientist” /botanist/etc was a career option !

I just started, read the quick prologue and I already love it. On the first page, I realised that I NEED to get myself a magnifying glass IMMEDIATELY!

From reading Sweetgrass I agree that she absolutely has a foot in both worlds of science and spirit. She doesn't disagree with science, she loves both sides. I guess she focuses a little more on the spiritual side sometimes because most of the world doesn't. But this is what I love about her work. She doesn't deny either.

Lin wrote: "I’m for sure the latter (lover of nature), and wish I had known “plant scientist” /botanist/etc was a career option !
"
It's not one with many opportunities, unfortunately. As someone who studied natural sciences, we were heavily directed towards teaching as one of the most likely opportunities, which is sad. Hell, my thesis was on coastal plants cause we were told there were more opportunities if you specialised in those, since you can work for hotels and all.

Hannah wrote: "I just started, read the quick prologue and I already love it. On the first page, I realised that I NEED to get myself a magnifying glass IMMEDIATELY!

From reading Sweetgrass I agree that she abs..."

Yeah, I get it. It must just not be for me, honestly. I do love me some whimsy, but her way to go about this doesn't resonate with me. Alternating a sentence full of technical terms to things like describing the moss as a baby looking at the grandma or a bride at the altar.

I saw a review that said that rather than a book about moss, it's a book about her life seen through the lens of moss, and it could be. I got to 20% and I need to pull back for now. I do absolutely love the parts strictly about moss, but the rest is not for me. Her metaphors made me think about an adult trying to explain sex to their kids through bees and flowers. Except in reverse. A lot of euphemisms.

And Hanna, I think you might need a magnifying glass for the boss itself too! It's probably a lot better in print, but I had to skip an illustration because it was really too tiny for me to see, especially the writing on it, and I wished I had a magnifying glass then and there!!!

Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "And Hanna, I think you might need a magnifying glass for the boss itself too! It's probably a lot better in print, but I had to skip an illustration because it was really too tiny for me to see, especially the writing on it, and I wished I had a magnifying glass then and there!!!..."

Oh no! I'm reading on my kobo and I know it's not good with illustrations

Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "Alternating a sentence full of technical terms to things like describing the moss as a baby looking at the grandma or a bride at the altar...."

I do get where you're coming from Ninnisha. There were times, in Sweetgrass (I've not read enough of this one yet) where I found her sentimentality to be a bit much. Particularly the parts about mothering. I was wondering if this one would be the same. It was only a few points in a generally great book so I still gave it 5 stars but I remember the feeling.

Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "Lin wrote: "I’m for sure the latter (lover of nature), and wish I had known “plant scientist” /botanist/etc was a career option !
"
It's not one with many opportunities, unfortunately. As someone w..."

This is a real shame. I feel the world would be a much better place if humanity put a greater value on other species....Why would a hotel hire a plant specialist?

Hannah wrote: "Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "Lin wrote: "I’m for sure the latter (lover of nature), and wish I had known “plant scientist” /botanist/etc was a career option !
"
It's not one with many opportunities, un..."

to manage shorefront/coastal plant life? I'm thinking of all of the resorts in coastal areas, including in the Caribbean, that have long shorefronts that require a great deal of attention lest the plants get diseased or die or, on the other hand, thrive and take over walkways and other guest spaces. Kiawah Island, near Charleston, SC, definitely has several specialists on its payroll. But I defer to Ninnisha.

Hannah wrote: "This is a real shame. I feel the world would be a much better place if humanity put a greater value on other species....Why would a hotel hire a plant specialist?
."
To preserve and protect the environment of the beach, if so inclined, or even restore it.
In some cases, hotels may also wanna switch to native vegetation for inside the hotel/resort grounds themselves.

I didn't even know that hotels could "own" beaches! I have not travelled much.... I live in a land of concrete and tarmac. Glad to know a business would put effort into maintaining native habitat like this. And hurray for the plant scientists they employ!

Hannah wrote: "I didn't even know that hotels could "own" beaches! I have not travelled much.... I live in a land of concrete and tarmac. Glad to know a business would put effort into maintaining native habitat l..."

I realize this is a side topic, but beach ownership is definitely inconsistent even within the US. California (I believe, but someone correct me if I'm wrong) has privately owned beaches. In my home state, all beaches are public, but any oceanfront hotels would still care about their own immediately adjacent grounds, dunes and vegetation. Privately-owned islands that have beaches would be private. Without careful attention to plant life, including dune management - at least on the East Coast US - erosion will take away meaningful square footage from a property annually.

My very limited experience of the Caribbean - Jamaica and the Bahamas - and anecdotes from friends suggest that the resort companies are able to buy and control beachfront which, from a security standpoint, is desirable for their occupants.

I'm curious what the UK's approach is to beachfront land and whether it differs from Scotland to England to Wales or, for example, on the various Scottish isles vs mainland.

Carol wrote: "I'm curious what the UK's approach is to beachfront land and whether it differs from Scotland to England to Wales or, for example, on the various Scottish isles vs mainland.."
I've been to many a beach in Wales and several in England and Scotland and I didn't even know beaches could be privately owned. Generally, at least where I've been, coastal paths are public "rights of way". Even if there's a farm going right up to a cliff edge, there is usually a footpath and styles where they have to allow access for the public to be able to get through to the next beach.

Back to the book - I finished the chapter on standing stones. I find myself jealous, once again, of the kind of nature spaces friends over the pond have. I'd love to be able to crawl through some rocks into a quiet little meadow with no human imprint and the sounds of only birds ...heaven.

Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "Obviously, for me it's all very foreign and exotic, and common names ive more a cultural context than an actual understandable description, as it happens. So I felt really lost and a bit cut out of that scene, and I know I should have looked all of them up, but after looking up the first one I realised it'd take me forever, on e-reader.."

I'm feeling a little bit of this, but it must be so much more frustrating if English isn't your first language. I'm not familiar with a lot of the common names and it is a bit jarring to the flow. Some of them I can long press and find them in the kobo dictionary, some it doesn't know, but I don't mind looking them up and learning more about wildlife in a different part of the world. Then of course, I have to go back and reread so it does slow things down. Some of it is different bird species which are perhaps a different type of woodpecker to the ones I see here. Sometimes it's a nickname that I can learn about - for example, Americans call wasps yellow-jackets! I was surprised kobo knew that one!

Hannah wrote: "I'm feeling a little bit of this, but it must be so much more frustrating if English isn't your first language. I'm not familiar with a lot of the common names and it is a bit jarring to the flow. Some of them I can long press and find them in the kobo dictionary, some it doesn't know, but I don't mind looking them up and learning more about wildlife in a different part of the world. Then of course, I have to go back and reread so it does slow things down. Some of it is different bird species which are perhaps a different type of woodpecker to the ones I see here. Sometimes it's a nickname that I can learn about - for example, Americans call wasps yellow-jackets! I was surprised kobo knew that one!
.."
I applaud you for having the patience to do that, I guess I just wasn't in the right headspace for it. I looked up the first one with the web function, as it wasn't in the dictionary, but then I stopped.
I would have never imagined the yellow-jackets thing, I thought it was yet anther bird!!!

Hannah wrote: "Sometimes it's a nickname that I can learn about - for example, Americans call wasps yellow-jackets! I was surprised kobo knew that one"

Wasps are the general term for stinging insects that aren't Bees. Yellow Jackets are a very specific kind of Wasp - the worst IMO! They're the ones that will chase you and send pheromones to their friends to attack. We were chased by a hive when my girls were just 3yo (we didn't get stung, but my friends 2yo did, poor kid!)

Familiarization with the common (English, American) plant names is something I've taken for granted while reading this book. I'm sure that's frustrating having to look up so many random words!

Hannah wrote: "Back to the book - I finished the chapter on standing stones. I find myself jealous, once again, of the kind of nature spaces friends over the pond have. I'd love to be able to crawl through some r..."

In what I learned today in RW: I had no idea that wasps and yellow jackets were even related. We have both in the US. CoPilot says that, all yellowjackets are wasps, but not all wasps are yellowjackets, and points toward this source.

https://bugbustersusa.com/2025/08/10/...

I avoid them all, every last one.

Or, what Lin said : )

Haha, ok well kobo dictionary just said it meant wasp! I believe there are actually hundreds of species of wasp in this country alone but when British people say wasp, they mean the ones you guys call yellow jackets because they're the ones that bug people (pun intended!), and people aren't generally aware there are any other types. I think most of them are tiny, and don't sting!

When I was a kid, my whole class got stuck in the narrow gap between 2 hedges, between 2 fields on a field trip with a hornets nest. What did the idiot at the front do.....? He kicked it.... It was traumatising to say the least :O

Hannah wrote: "When I was a kid, my whole class got stuck in the narrow gap between 2 hedges, between 2 fields on a field trip with a hornets nest. What did the idiot at the front do.....? He kicked it.... It was traumatising to say the least :O
"
Oh no!!! I assume nothing bad happened from it, at least?

Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "Oh no!!! I assume nothing bad happened from it, at least?..."

Oh it was most definitely bad! There were hospitalisations. No permanent injuries, although we weren't sure about one girl's eyes at one point. Hornets get MAD. Rightfully so in this instance at least. I wouldn't enjoy a giant boot coming from the sky and walloping my home!

OMG!! That's absolutely terrifying. I'm allergic to stinging things (not deathly - but lots might do the trick!), that's a serious fear of mine.

I like to let all of the wild things live in our yard, but the one thing I'll get an exterminator for are Paper Wasps and Yellow Jackets.

Hannah wrote: "Haha, ok well kobo dictionary just said it meant wasp! I believe there are actually hundreds of species of wasp in this country alone but when British people say wasp, they mean the ones you guys c..."

ACKKKKKKKKK!!! the trauma. the trauma.

I had to look up paper wasps as we don't have them here. Those nests look absolutely fascinating!

I've just finished chapter 2 "Learning to See". I loved the first half, especially when she was looking for the starfish on the foggy beach.

"The revelation of suddenly seeing what I was blind to only moments before is a sublime experience for me. I can revisit those moments and still feel the surge of expansion. The boundaries between my world and the world of another being get pushed back with sudden clarity, an experience both humbling and joyful"

I've definitely had moments like this, although I can't think of anything specific right now. I knew exactly what she meant. I fully agree with what she said about technology too, what Ninnisha highlighted.

Then it got very heavy on the metaphors for a while before going on to describe the actual physiology of mosses. I couldn't really picture what she was talking about here. Are there illustrations or diagrams in the print book along with these descriptions? There's nothing in my ebook

In my edition there were only a few illustrations so far.
I forgot what the first was, but another was about the life cycle of mosses, and it's the one I was saying is so tiny I would have needed a lens to be able to see anything in it. Then there was another picture.
There's none at all in yours?

Nope, none so far. My magnifying glass is on its way though!

I've really enjoyed reading through the discussion. I read the book two years ago, and I really enjoyed it. I didn't think it was quite as good as Braiding Sweetgrass. I felt like Gathering Moss relied more just on her stories - which is fine if that was her goal. What I loved about Braiding Sweetgrass though (because I am a big nerd) was the blending of her science background and Indigenous culture which created this incredible tapestry of the world. I loved it. Gathering Moss I liked.

Sorry for being a little absent, I've had a rough few days but I can read again today woohoo!

The book has started to go into some detail about mosses and how they evolved and I'm learning a lot and loving it!

I've had a couple of illustrations but they aren't viewer friendly at all, I can't see most of the details. Definitely a downside of reading ebooks.

How are you all getting on?

I've only read a bunch more, I still find it very much a mixed bag so I still don't know if I'll finish it. I love the knowledge but her metaphors just confuse me and makes it harder to understand for me.

A good thing ahead though, Hannah, big illustrations!!!

Also, she actually mentions A Room of One's Own!

Misty wrote: "the blending of her science background and Indigenous culture which created this incredible tapestry of the world..."

I must be a big nerd too because I agree :)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Misty. I'm glad you liked it. It is quieter than BS but I really like both

Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: " her metaphors just confuse me and makes it harder to understand for me ..."

I can understand that. I believe metaphors and idioms are a big barrier for English language learning.

Hurray for bigger illustrations ahead!

Hannah wrote: "I must be a big nerd too because I agree :)
"

Nerds unite!!! LOL. :)

Ninnisha|Roberta wrote: "I've only read a bunch more, I still find it very much a mixed bag so I still don't know if I'll finish it. I love the knowledge but her metaphors just confuse me and makes it harder to understand ..."

what does she say about A Room of One's Own?

My copy finally arrived at my library, and I can also read it via Spotify, to catch up. I was pleasantly surprised at how short it is. I was expecting the typical 350 page nonfiction read and this looks ... not like that.

Carol wrote: "what does she say about A Room of One's Own?

My copy finally arrived at my library, and I can also read it via Spotify, to catch up. I was pleasantly surprised at how short it is. I was expecting the typical 350 page nonfiction read and this looks ... not like that."
I can't remember exactly, but something about a certain moss species needing a lot of personal space to grow, like in that book.

Looking forwrad to your opinion!