This book reminded me of the people who taught me the most about nature and how to listen for the songs. I loved listening to the difference between Kathleen and her husband and their processes for working through what they’re identifying. Plus the small ways in which nature can be experienced and the links to everyday life. I loved this book so much.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Nice stories about nature and the wildlife and their songs. I skimmed mostly, did not read cover to cover.

“Sometimes sounds turn me almost inside out with longing.”

The first time I heard a deer vocalize, I was observing her from my second-story window. She and the other adult females that traveled together were protecting their offspring from a coyote that had dared to venture too close to their little family. Until that point, I didn’t know that deer could vocalize. The wheezy screams sent an undeniable message. I was both stunned and amazed. What other sounds had I been missing?

Shortly after that event, I saw a posting for this book and knew I wanted to read it. It was everything I expected and more.

Kathleen Moore, a seasoned essayist, brings us a collection of both new and previously published works. These are her reflections on the presence and joy of song in nature, the tragedy of lost songs, and finally our obligation to save what we can and how we should proceed.

Each essay is filled with detail and emotion. “We must understand,” she writes, “that we do not have the luxury of living in ordinary time…” You can feel her emotional restraint entwined with her plea for urgency and action.

While there is some despair, she never dwells there too long without holding forth the chord of “active hope” for a different future.

There have been many calls to action to find a more sustainable way for humans to live on the Earth. The plea isn’t new yet Moore’s essays still feel vital. More than just about song, this is also about listening. She encourages us to listen to the truth that is playing out around us, a truth that we have so far mostly ignored. Perhaps using song as a vehicle will stir something in the hearts of those who have been otherwise unmoved thus far.


Why you should not miss this one:
* this is an important addition to the genre, introducing another reason for action;
* Moore’s timeline of hope is so on point;
* the writing is accessible and relatable, even if you are not an experienced nature lover.

Thanks to NetGalley, Counterpoint Press, and the author, Kathleen Dean Moore, for the opportunity to read a digital copy in exchange for this review.

#NetGalley #EarthsWildMusic

Will be posted on blog, Goodreads and mentioned on Twitter and Pinterest.

Descriptions so real, so enchanting you can see, hear, breathe, taste, touch and smell them. Through anecdotes the author beautifully captures what it feels like to to listen to nature. Truly listen.

Her descriptions are spine tingling and goose bumpy, so many of them but some of my favourites include fog, sidewinders, raindrops, water at night, pika calls, shrimp, loons, caves, jellyfish, spiders, falling leaves, impeccable timing of bird migration, moss and crickets. Discover your own favourites.

Lovely quotes and definitions are used to further focus on the enjoyment of the moment such as yearning, joy and hope. The use of musical terminology and songs to even further describe is incredible, such as Beethoven's symphonies and "Ode to Joy". Bird songs are spelled out.

Then there is grief.

As a passionate nature lover, I can relate to so much in this book. I explore forests and just...am for hours and hours and have my own "square inch" of perfection where there are no manmade sounds for the entire time. I simply envelop myself in nature with keen awareness of all my senses. One leaf falling can be almost thunderous.

The book ends with ecological and moral issues and duties, pollution, climate change, etc. and a plea to change things. And it's not a canned clichéd plea, either. We are hurting ourselves by doing nothing.

Nature lovers and anyone who is concerned about us and other creatures should read this touching, lovely and inspiring book.

My sincere thank you to Counterpoint Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this multisensory book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.