02/03/25
“I can scroll and worry indoors, or I can step outside and remember how it feels to be part of something larger, something timeless, a world that reaches beyond me and includes me, too.” — Margaret Renkl in The Comfort of Crows: a Backyard Year
Using phrases like “almost a piece of poetry” and “an affirmation to get outdoors” in their sharing about The Comfort of Crows: a Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl, Master Gardener volunteers bestowed great praise during the January book club discussion. Participants appreciated the lifelong wisdom shared by the author in the essays that follow the 52 weeks of the calendar year by season, noting repeatedly that the feeling tone and descriptions Renkl provides are comforting and hopeful.
Each essay in some way reminds us that humans are healed and inspired by the natural world. The discussion focused on the many quotes that affected the readers, how we could use specific essays in conversations with others in our work as Master Gardener volunteers, and the essential roles sensory images, sounds, smells, and touch play in our well-being. Many readers noted the extraordinary artwork that was created by the author’s brother, Billy Renkl. Several people noted that readers who appreciated Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass would like The Comfort of Crows also
Reader Poll
Enjoyable - 4.8 out of 5 stars
Educational - 4.7 out of 5 stars
Recommended - 4.9 out of 5 starsEnjoyable
Reader Comments
The book was melodic.
Well written, informative, affirmative book with words of wisdom and comfort.
Rich with descriptive references, nostalgia, wisdom, and the importance of having a reverence for nature.
Her sense of the natural plant and animal world was brought alive in her writing and infused in the way she talks about her conservation efforts
Beautiful writing about the natural world and our relationship to it.
Very engaging book with beautiful illustrations.
The way the author carries us through the year week by week is very immersive, it's hard to put this book down!
The praise songs were the weak point—at times they felt like interruptions & I'd race through them to get back to the weekly sections.
“I loved her quotes about the healing power of nature. She has a wry sense of humor at needed times.”
“The author reawakened me to the wonder all around me. I've been holed up in my little hobbit hole for awhile and this book was exactly what I needed. Thank you!!”
“So much of this book is about being aware, observing what is around us, and noticing our impacts on the creatures who share our world.”
Next Book Club Discussion – March 25, 2025
The selection for March 2025 is Twelve Trees: The Deep Roots of Our Future by Daniel Lewis. Mr. Lewis spoke with NPR’s Ari Shapiro last spring about his book Click here for the audio version of that interview.