The Book Vipers discussion

This is the Non-Fiction thread for June 2013.

Have started it this morning

Not sure how many others are joining in on this, but it is well worth reading. It is series of short essays, by an author who is a poet. She has a way with words and language that captivates and immerses you in the subject that she writes about.

This is effortless, exquisite reading.

I'll be reading it. Will try and make a start later this week.

I'm about to start this one today.

Finished! I didn't enjoy it as much as Sightlines, I'm afraid. Sightlines was a much more interesting and varied book.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

However, it was still good.

I am about halfway through and am really enjoying this. And it is NOT AT ALL the sort of thing I would usually read. I mean, I really don't care about birds nor Scottish landscapes, but she does make them come alive. Her writing is just beautiful.

Paul, I didn't exactly see it as a series of short essays...I guess I saw a thread running through it, even though things did jump around a bit! I'm glad you clarified that for me -- I will have a different outlook on each new chapter now.

Glad you are enjoying it Betty. I read it in a morning. As Elizabeth said Sightlines is even better, even though I thought this was great too. You may also like Robert Macfarlane as well

I found the bit where she wrote about her husband's illness very moving.

And I found myself stopping mid daily chores to watch the goldfinches feeding in our garden. I got out a bird book and began reading it.

So reading it did some good. She makes you stop and think about the minutiae of daily life and appreciate what you have.

And the bit about her friend's work colleague. So very sad.