Tasmania: A Novel by Paolo Giordano and translated by Antony Shugaar

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

After losing the future he imagined for himself, a writer sets out in search of connection and purpose at a tipping point with climate change and global conflict, in this breathtaking novel from the Strega Prize–winning author of The Solitude of Prime Numbers.

In late 2015, Paolo feels his life coming apart: While his wife, Lorenza, has decided to give up on pregnancy after years of trying, he clings to the dream of becoming a father, not just a father figure to Lorenza’s son. As their marriage strains, Paolo immerses himself in work, traveling to Paris to report on the UN Climate Change Conference in the wake of terrorist attacks that shook the world. His journalism dovetails with a book he hopes to write on the atomic bomb and its survivors, a growing obsession that will take him to cities across Europe and ultimately Japan.

Along the way, Paolo interacts with a vibrant cast of characters, each struggling to find their own Tasmania, a safe haven in which to weather the coming crises—global warming, pandemics, authoritarian governments, and wars. He develops a friendship with a brilliant, opinionated physicist, who followed the scientific path Paolo had abandoned, and who will test Paolo’s loyalty and values.

A stunning return to fiction after How Contagion Works, Paolo Giordano’s semi-autobiographical novel captures the fear, anxiety, wonder, and beauty of this time of uncertainty and upheaval, exploring how we can create and maintain relationships with other people when it feels increasingly difficult to connect.

my thoughts:

An introspective novel, Tasmania by Paolo Giordano and translated by Antony Shugaar, is a must-read for everyone. This is a story about how everything in life (climate crises and the rise of political turbulence) has everyone searching for a safe haven, a Tasmania of their own. The fact that no matter the difficulty, hope never dies, feels so truthful to humanity. The fear, anxieties, and worry that life is unraveling is so relatable. We've all had those moments where things are just so overwhelming and we need to escape - so we dive into a work project, travel plans, anything to divert our attention to whatever crisis it is we wish to avoid for the moment. Of course, problems never really disappear do they? 

Paolo feels like everything is falling apart so he throws himself into his work, which involves travel. And, he decides to focus on a book idea he's been obsessing over. He is wanting to escape into a different part of his life, one that is far from his personal life. Except his work life brings about more questions and worries. Thankfully, through it all, it's the people he meets along the way that remind him of the fact that hope lingers in all of us. Hope connects us. 

I really enjoyed this one. It was thoughtful and relatable. I found myself looking forward to reading it each night - I made myself take my time, because I didn't want to let go. I love when a book is so good you want to savor it. 

I would happily recommend Tasmania to fans of Giordano and to anyone looking for their next great read. 

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Ocean: A Global Odyssey by Sylvia A. Earle

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Discover the world's ocean--from tides and currents to the creatures living in it to the impact it has on our lives, whether we know it or not--in this richly illustrated overview of the life force that defines and sustains our planet, written by world-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle.

Everything you want to know about the ocean can be found inside these beautiful and dynamic pages. National Geographic Ocean unveils the power and significance of our planet's watery essence: the fundamental importance of the ocean in shaping Earth's climate and chemistry as well as its vital role in supporting a multitude of life-forms, including our own human race. 

World-renowned oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Sylvia Earle--affectionately called "Her Deepness"--guides readers with her lyrical style and inspiring wisdom, describing the evolution, beauty, and impact of our ocean; the challenges it faces, such as climate change, plastic, and overfishing; and the myriad ways we can help protect it. 

This comprehensive reference explains the fundamental science of the ocean--from plate tectonics to seawater makeup, including a fascinating illustrated guide to marine life, from sponges, kelp, and zooplankton to whales, sharks, and sea turtles. More than 100 maps and diagrams, including seafloor and political maps of all Earth's seas and oceans, elucidate Dr. Earle's authoritative text. 

For seaside dwellers and landlubbers alike, this is a book you will turn to again and again to understand why, as Sylvia Earle says, "Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea." 

Dive deeper into ocean discovery with more National Geographic favorites:
Into the Deep
The Nature of Nature
100 Dives of a Lifetime
Secrets of the Whales
Pristine Seas
Shark

my thoughts:

Wow! What a beautiful book! Chock full of spectacular photography and informative tidbits, Ocean: A Global Odyssey by Sylvia A. Earle is a must-read! 

Earle provides us with the history of the oceans, which is fascinating to learn about. She also lets us know just how much damage we humans have caused to our oceans. And, she lets us know how all of the damage has impacted our environment and the ways in which it will affect the future of our planet. Talk about depressing and eye-opening. Overall, she has created a terrific book that explains all things ocean. You can't help but get caught up in the beautiful photographs showcasing the depths of our oceans and the unique creatures inhabiting it. This truly makes for such a fun and engaging read. I loved spending the day with this book and mulling over the state of our oceans and our future.  

I would happily recommend Ocean to fans of National Geographic and to anyone interested in learning more about science and the environment - they will fall in deep with this book. 

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Nature Of Nature: Whey We Need the Wild by Enric Sala

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

In this inspiring manifesto, an internationally renowned ecologist makes a clear case for why protecting nature is our best health insurance, and why it makes economic sense.

Enric Sala wants to change the world--and in this compelling book, he shows us how. Once we appreciate how nature works, he asserts, we will understand why conservation is economically wise and essential to our survival. 

Here Sala, director of National Geographic's Pristine Seas project (which has succeeded in protecting more than 5 million sq km of ocean), tells the story of his scientific awakening and his transition from academia to activism--as he puts it, he was tired of writing the obituary of the ocean. His revelations are surprising, sometimes counterintuitive: More sharks signal a healthier ocean; crop diversity, not intensive monoculture farming, is the key to feeding the planet.

Using fascinating examples from his expeditions and those of other scientists, Sala shows the economic wisdom of making room for nature, even as the population becomes more urbanized. In a sober epilogue, he shows how saving nature can save us all, by reversing conditions that led to the coronavirus pandemic and preventing other global catastrophes. With a foreword from Prince Charles and an introduction from E. O. Wilson, this powerful book will change the way you think about our world--and our future.

my thoughts:

Wow. What a book. Talk about thought-provoking and relevant. Yep, this one is all about nature and its importance in the world and to us.  And it is fascinating, compelling, and unputdownable. You won't want to miss this one.

The Nature Of Nature is all about Enric Sala, an ecologist and activist, and his purpose - change the world. From academia to activism, he has become a voice for the environment.  He believes that by teaching people how nature works and how integral it is to the world, to life in general, that he'll then be able to show people what they can do to help protect the environment, how they can change the world. He uses expeditions to share information and provide clear examples of what is happening and what changes can be made; and he also reveals some pretty surprising ideas and facts. This is definitely an interesting read that you won't want to stop reading. I mean. Once you start, you will be searching for more books about nature. I LOVED reading this terrific book and found myself thinking about of the ways in which I can help to do my part.

I would happily recommend The Nature Of Nature to anyone looking for their next great read.

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Attainable Sustainable: The Lost Art Of Self-Reliant Living by Kris Bordessa

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Packed with delicious recipes, natural remedies, gardening tips, crafts, and more, this indispensable lifestyle reference from the popular blogger makes earth-friendly living fun.

Whether you live in a city, suburb, or the country, this essential guide for the backyard homesteader will help you achieve a homespun life–from starting your own garden and pickling the food you grow to pressing wildflowers, baking sourdough loaves, quilting, raising chickens, and creating your own natural cleaning supplies. In these richly illustrated pages, sustainability-guru Kris Bordessa offers DIY lovers an indispensable home reference for sustainability in the 21st century, with tried-and-true advice, 50 enticing recipes, and step-by-step directions for creating easy, cost-efficient projects that will bring out your inner pioneer. Filled with 340 color photographs, this relatable, comprehensive book contains time honored-wisdom and modern know-how for getting back to basics in a beautiful, accessible package.

my thoughts:

Talk about a timely book. With the world deep in the midst of a pandemic, learning about self-sustainability makes perfect sense.  Not only is now a great time to learn about the numerous and various ways in which one can garden, pickle foods, create natural cleaning supplies, and craft; but its also becoming more and more obvious how imperative it is to become even more self-reliant.  Grocery stores are filled with bare shelves and people are stockpiling toilet paper. It is most definitely a trying and terrifying time in the world.  I'll admit that at first talk of the virus, I couldn't help but be reminded of Stephen King's book, The Stand, and AMC's popular TV show, The Walking Dead.  Reality suddenly felt so surreal.

With the help of Bordessa's book, Attainable Sustainable, I feel like I can dive into projects that will help keep me feeling productive, engaged, and self-reliant.  Chock full of beautiful photographs and useful tips, this lovely tome will be a treat to flip through and read through. I am loving perusing it slowly each morning as I drink my cuppa. I can't help but be inspired and motivated to start a few of these projects. I would happily recommend Kris Bordessa's book, Attainable Sustainable to anyone and everyone looking for the next great read - you will LOVE this book so much!! Its a must-read!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Attainable Sustainable

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!