I'm a fan of nature essays, and like this one, they're usually arranged by month, taking the reader through the seasons. This collection is unusual in that each month begins with a short explanation of the four essays to come, giving some insight into why they are grouped together. All of the essays are about nature as encountered by the author in her upstate New York area, a nice reminder that we can find wonder anywhere if we're willing to stop and look.

I really enjoyed the breezy writing style, it feels like you're walking with a good friend who knows a lot more than you about the surroundings, but never tries to show off, she just shares the most fascinating tidbits. For instance, we have white-throated sparrows in the azaleas by the front door; I love their songs and the cat watches them zealously from the living room window. But I never knew that there were white striped and tan striped versions, and they have very different personalities that guide their mating and nesting behavior. I'll be looking at them more closely from now on.

I appreciated that the focus here stayed firmly on nature, not the author, as some of these books can wander into memoir, which isn't what I want in nature nonfiction. I also enjoyed that these essays were triggered by plants and animals she encountered on regular walks in her area. Though I love the chance to get away to the mountains or other less peopled areas, there's a lot to see in a city park or local preserve, and this book focused on those things. In the author's words, "Each of us has a responsibility to honor the natural world close to home, an opportunity to revel in the splendor of the familiar.... in the tangled bank of this planet, everywhere is local and demanding of respect."

The descriptions of nature will make you feel like you're there with the author, watching the mist clearing from the hillsides or seeing the backyard ablaze with spring wild flowers. Because of that, the science has more meaning, as it's rooted in a real place and real plants or animals. Several times I had to share what I'd read with my friends, and some of them put in orders for this book based on what I shared. I don't think they will be disappointed, I certainly wasn't. This rates as one of the best nature essay books I've ever read. I only wish it had some illustrations! Still, this is a book I'll return to often and can highly recommend.

Thank you to Cornell University Press, the author and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review.

I have enjoyed reading this series of short essays. They are arranged to follow the months, so it's like a diary, though the incidents might have occurred over a few years.
Nature seems to be all around at times, yet many people find nature only when they make an effort to go outdoors. Looking at the rich and delicate tapestry noticed by the author, we can see that simple presence in nature and learning to observe are good for people. We become less self-focused, more understanding of natural processes and seasons, we are entertained and gain a sense of wonder. We also become more healthy through activity outdoors.
The downside for me is that the author is reciting bird names and some plant and tree names which I don't have here in Ireland, so they start to blur. Some sketches or photos would have been helpful. People in America should get more out of the book, so I have rated it accordingly.

I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this collection of nature essays. Each one was short and sweet but packed with a good balance of scientific information, natural history, and personal observations. Although they were based on the author's own experience in New York state, there was plenty to make them feel relevant to me which I appreciated. Also, the layout of this book was perfect. I read it all at once, but it would make a perfect coffee table book to pick up once or twice a month to read the corresponding essays. This book will appeal to nature enthusiasts, science lovers, or those looking for the inspiration to get outdoors.

An interesting book showing the myriad intricacies of the natural world. Each study spun delicately as a spider web. I enjoyed this book very much, nature writing remains a favorite genre. Yet I must say I do think that there were a few places where the book may have been more intricate. I think the writing of the book excels in the essays of diversity, what I mean is that it works best when the nature writing is interweaved with personal and cultural history. This shows how integral the natural world is to our living rather than something we have to go out to get to know and study, I found the science utterly compelling but I do wonder how other readers may cope with the often undiluted density. Yet it must be said the book is fundamentally compelling to read. I look forward to future work of Angela E Douglas


(p.s. the paperback would work wonderfully with a few apt photographs dotted about)

A detailed and chronological account of nature through the year in upstate New York. Well researched and full of interesting observations and natural history. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.