9/24/2024
“Once I notice something and begin to really see it, I then see the organism everywhere.” — Kelly Brenner in Nature Obscura
See more. Look closer. Look even closer. Inspire others to observe. Pay attention. Observe in more detail. These are some of the things RCMG readers said in the September discussion of Nature Obscura: A City’s Hidden Natural World by Kelly Brenner. Master Gardener volunteers thought the author’s incredible descriptions of the natural environments near and around her Seattle home were inspiring. Beginning with winter, the essays explore birds, plants, mammals, insects, water, and microscopic organisms across the four seasons and offer a perspective about the connections between humans and the natural world. The author’s level of curiosity and dedication to thorough investigation are incredible! Readers were motivated to do further research about topics and words “new” to our vocabularies (e.g. neochrome, exuvia, cryptobiosis). The group consensus is that we can utilize the author’s examples and encourage observation and discovery in our work with community members.
Reader Poll
Enjoyable—4.0 out of 5 stars
Educational— 4.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended—4.0 out of 5 stars
Reader Comments
What the readers said about this book:
Very interesting perspective from someone who brought us along on her discovery journey.
Fascinating!
I loved the incredible detail that Kelly Brenner looked at her subjects.
Loved the variety of topics with the immense depth of topics.
While sometimes lacking in depth, this book makes up for it in breadth. You might know everything in a single chapter, but you’re sure to find another chapter full of interesting new details.
Wish it had more narrative.
Next Book Club Discussion – November 2024
The November Book of the Month is Forest Walking: Discovering the Trees and Woodlands of North America by Peter Wohlleben and Jane Billinghurst.
Forest Walking teaches you how to get the most out of your next adventure by becoming a forest detective, decoding nature's signs and awakening to the ancient past and thrilling present of the ecosystem around you. The authors share experiences and observations from visiting forests across North America: from the rainforests and redwoods of the west coast to the towering white pines of the east, and down to the cypress swamps of the south and up to the boreal forests of the north