I was fascinated by WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING when I first learned about author Delia Owens’s background studying wildlife in Africa, and her awards as a nature writer. I was in the mood for a book lush in setting and critters and love of the earth. I had hoped this book would fill that need. When the introduction discussed the roots of this story – … [Read more...]
Book Review: THE WEIGHT OF INK by Rachel Kadish
THE WEIGHT OF INK by Rachel Kadish is one of those books that, when you close its covers upon reading the final pages, you know you’ve read something special. It is also the kind of book that, days later, sinks even deeper into your subconscious and makes you realize just how impressive a literary accomplishment it is. I was immediately … [Read more...]
Book Review: THE RIVER OF KINGS by Taylor Brown
Wow! What a fascinating book written with absolutely gorgeous, transporting prose. I tend to enjoy dual-period books, but THE RIVER OF KINGS by Taylor Brown actually is a rare treat in that it weaves a third period into the storyline, and does so expertly. The novel follows the stories of two brothers on a quest to take their father’s ashes to … [Read more...]
Book Review: HOMEGOING by Yaa Gyasi
Wow. What an ambitious accomplishment for a debut author (any author, really) – a story following the lives of one family over 300 years, and written in only 320 pages. I don’t think many readers are familiar with the origins of American slavery – how slaves got to the U.S., who was complicit in the capture and transport of slaves, and even the … [Read more...]
Book: EVERGREEN by Rebecca Rasmussen
EVERGREEN by Rebecca Rasmussen -- "The imagery pops, the emotion ignites..." ~ It’s no surprise to anyone who knows me that novels with natural settings are my ‘thing.’ The title of this book alone suggests an outdoorsy feel. The wonderful pine trees stamped on the book jacket, the bird … they speak volumes. Yet this book is SO much more than a … [Read more...]
A Second Mother To Nature
Mother Nature has seen it all! But sometimes we can't help wondering if she needs a back up too. Please welcome new contributing writer Melissa Crytzer Fry, who experienced all the anxiety of a hovering second mom as she watched the progress of her Hummingbird Babies being streamed in from the Hummie Cam set up in her … [Read more...]
“Happy Earth Day?” Thoughts From a Fledgling Phoebe
Happy Earth Day thoughts from a fledgling Say's Phoebe Happy Earth Day? Seriously? One Day? You're going with that? A "Happy" Earth Day, when everyday is Happy Human Day? Earth to humans -- we are not planet Human! Earth is all day, every day, and every where you go. Earth is below your feet and above your head. Earth walks … [Read more...]
For The Joy of Animals: Hummie Cam (New Baby Hummies)
Spring is in the air and I've been celebrating the season of renewal by going over to Melissa Crytzer Fry's What I Saw... blog and watching her Hummie Cam. She set a camera up to record the hummingbird nest in her breezeway. Melissa graciously allowed me to share a couple of awesome images her Hummie Cam captured while I was lucky enough to be … [Read more...]