• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

High Shelf Esteem

March 1, 2019

Beat the Last Weeks of Winter by Forest Bathing through Books

Having a hard time pushing through these last few weeks of winter? I sure am. The lack of sun, low temperatures, and dearth of green life outside can make life feel pretty bleak this time of year. Using a sunlamp and reading deep in the folds of a cozy comforter help with the first two wintry downers, but my certified black thumb makes buying indoor plants a no-go for me. What could fill my need for nature and greenery without leaving my warm, comfy couch? Books, of course! But not just any books, we’re talking books that simulate the experience of shinrin-yoku or forest bathing.

Forest bathing is the practice of taking leisurely, mindful walks in a forest environment and experiencing nature through all the senses. Developed in Japan in the 1980s, studies have shown that forest bathing has remarkable effects on health and well-being.

This all sounded great to me when I first heard about it, so last summer, I read Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness, by Dr. Qing Li, and gave forest bathing a try. I don’t know if taking the time to slow down and absorb nature through the senses (I literally gave some trees a hug) lowered my blood pressure or boosted my immune system, but I know I felt calmer and less stressed whenever I did it.

Slowly walking through a lush forest in the summer was a joy for me, but walking among leafless trees in winter’s frigid temperatures doesn’t have nearly the same effect. My solution: read books featuring trees galore in the warmth of my home.

A little silly and a lot unscientific, perhaps, but reading luscious descriptions of leaves and wildlife certainly made me forget about the cold weather outside. So, If you’re looking for books to help you get through the rest of the winter season, try indoor forest bathing through books with these tree-filled titles:
I’ve included a particularly “foresty” quote and a brief summary for each  book

Harry’s Trees, by Jon Cohen

“Awakened by the sun, the terminal bud on the beech opened. A hint of green — the beginning of the beginning…A second bud opened. A third, a fourth, dozens, thousands. A wave of sound cascaded from the top of the three to the bottom, as the sun rose and the beech tree came to life. The chirping birds, hidden within the green of the forest, erupted as one.”

Thirty-four-year-old Harry Crane works as an analyst for the US Forest Service. When his wife dies suddenly, he is unable to cope. Leaving his job and his old life behind, Harry makes his way to the remote woods of northeastern Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains, determined to lose himself. But fate intervenes in the form of a fiercely determined young girl named Oriana. She and her mother, Amanda, are struggling to pick up the pieces from their own tragedy–Amanda stoically holding it together while Oriana roams the forest searching for answers. And in Oriana’s magical, willful mind, she believes that Harry is the key torighting her world. Now it’s time for Harry to let go… ~From the publisher

Lab Girl, by Hope Jahren

“It is easy to become besotted with a willow. The Rapunzel of the plant world, this tree appears as a graceful princess bowed down by her lush tresses, waiting on the riverbank for someone just like you to come along and keep her company.”

Geobiologist Hope Jahren has spent her life studying trees, flowers, seeds, and soil. Lab Girl is her revelatory treatise on plant life–but it is also a celebration of the lifelong curiosity, humility, and passion that drive every scientist. In these pages, Hope takes us back to her Minnesota childhood, where she spent hours in unfettered play in her father’s college laboratory. She tells us how she found a sanctuary in science, learning to perform lab work “with both the heart and the hands.” She introduces us to Bill, her brilliant, eccentric lab manager. And she extends the mantle of scientist to each one of her readers, inviting us to join her in observing and protecting our environment. ~From the publisher

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, by Bill Bryson

“In a normal year we would be walking in zestful bounty of a southern mountain spring, through a radiant, productive, newborn world alive with the zip of insects and the fussy twitter of birds — a world bursting with fresh wholesome air and that rich, velvety, lung-filling smell of chlorophyll you get when you push through low, leafy branches.”

Back in America after twenty years in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. The AT offers an astonishing landscape of silent forests and sparkling lakes–and to a writer with the comic genius of Bill Bryson, it also provides endless opportunities to witness the majestic silliness of his fellow human beings.

For a start there’s the gloriously out-of-shape Stephen Katz, a buddy from Iowa along for the walk. Despite Katz’s overwhelming desire to find cozy restaurants, he and Bryson eventually settle into their stride, and while on the trail they meet a bizarre assortment of hilarious characters. But A Walk in the Woods is more than just a laugh-out-loud hike. Bryson’s acute eye is a wise witness to this beautiful but fragile trail, and as he tells its fascinating history, he makes a moving plea for the conservation of America’s last great wilderness. ~From the publisher

The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wohllenben

“I began to notice bizarre root shapes, peculiar growth patterns, and mossy cushions on the bark. Suddenly, I was aware of countless wonders I could hardly explain even to myself.”

Are trees social beings? In this international bestseller, forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration he has observed in his woodland.

After learning about the complex life of trees, a walk in the woods will never be the same again. ~From the publisher

Now, I won’t pretend that reading books about trees will provide the same benefits as true forest bathing, but hopefully, these books will make winter a little more bearable.

Filed Under: Bookish Musings Kristen Leave a Comment

February 13, 2019

Thank You for Reading High Shelf Esteem!

I’ve been blogging on High Shelf Esteem for about two and half years and it’s with mixed emotions that I announce my next post will be my last. My librarian life is busy as it is, and this year is going to be even busier. I’m on two committees for the American Library Association (one of which will require reading 100-150 books!) and looking to transition to a new library position, so things are going to be rather nutso in 2019.

That being said, sharing my enthusiasm for reading and helping (hopefully) you live your best literary lives has been so much fun and I will miss it very much. I’m still sharing my bookish thoughts and recommendations on Book Riot, though, so please look for me there. Here’s the link to my first post as an official contributor: 8 Year of the Pig Book Releases by Asian American Authors To Add To Your TBR

Thank you very much for reading High Shelf Esteem and I wish you the best in all your future reading adventures!

Filed Under: Bookish Musings Kristen 4 Comments

February 2, 2019

Literary Linking: January 28 – February 1

This week’s link topics include: a school with a book vending machine, the 2019 Newbery & Caldecott medals, reading at parties, and more!

My favorite bookish links from the weeks of January 28 – February 1 :

Instead of Snacks, a Vending Machine at This Elementary School Is Filled with Books
The Rainbow Magic books in there are a little bit like the junk food of books, but it’s still a super fun idea 🙂

I’m an Introvert Who Proudly Takes Reading Breaks at Parties
Plus books make great conversations starters!

How 10 Women of Color Actually Feel about Working in Book Publishing
Patricia Caldwell, founder of People of Color in Publishing, puts it well when she says, “We need to move beyond ‘we need diverse books’ to ‘we need diverse people.’”

Meg Medina Wins Newbery and Sophie Blackall Is Awarded Her Second Caldecott
Meg Medina’s Merci Suarez Changes Gears was one of my fave middle-grade books last year, so I’m thrilled she won the Newbery. Definitely add it to your TBR.

Filed Under: Bookish Musings Kristen Leave a Comment

January 19, 2019

Literary Linking: January 14 – 18

This week’s link topics include: 2019’s book-to-screen adaptations, Instagrammable bookstore cats, sharing Audible books, and more!

My favorite bookish links from the weeks of January 14 – 18 :

Coolest Library Cards From Around the World
Are your library cards as cool as these???

The 20 Most Instagrammable Bookstore Cats
I dare you not to smile as you scroll 🙂

How To Share and Audible Book with a Friend (for free!)
Can’t wait to try this – let me know if you want to give it a whirl! I have tons of audiobooks to share…

The Big Book-To-Screen Adaptations of 2019
The Goldfinch, Little Fires Everywhere, and NOS4A2 are the ones I’m most excited/nervous about. What are you looking forward to?

Filed Under: Bookish Musings Kristen Leave a Comment

January 16, 2019

What I’ve Been Reading: January 2019

Welcome to Quick Lit, where bloggers link up with Anne Bogel at Modern Mrs. Darcy and share short and sweet reviews of what we’ve been reading lately.

I will be on an book awards committee starting in February, so my reading for the year will mostly be for that. With that in mind, I’m trying to read as many “me” books as possible this month. January has been a nice combination of grown-up and middle grade reading, and there’s a bunch more great stuff I’m hoping to get to in the next couple weeks. Wish me luck!

Here’s what I’ve been reading lately:


Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck

When migrant workers, Lennie and George, land a job during the Great Depression as ranch hands in the Salinas Valley, their dream of owning their own farm seems like a real possibility. But their hopes are shattered when Lennie accidentally commits a crime.

I read this as my pick for January’s Anne Arundel County Reading Challenge theme: a book you’ve been meaning to read. Somehow, I managed to get through high school and college without reading this one! I’m so glad I finally got to it. It’s not pleasant or easy read, but I loved how much it made me ponder and chew on the story.

Amal Unbound, by Aisha Saeed

Amal is a Pakistani girl who loves school and aspires to go to college to become a teacher, but when she has a less-than-amicable run-in with the son of her family’s despot landlord, she is forced to become an indentured servant to pay off her debt. Despite her circumstances, Amal holds onto her dream and makes brave decisions to change the power structures in her village.

Amal had me cheering so hard for her by the end of this book. Saeed did an excellent job making me feel the pain of injustice as well as the joy that comes from observing strong young people standing up to the status quo. Everyone should read this book!

The Sittaford Mystery, by Agatha Christie

It’s a snow-covered evening in Dartmoor, England and a group of six has gathered around a table for a seance at Sittaford House. It’s all fun and games until the name of a friend is spelled out as the victim of murder. Is he really dead? Who will check on him in all the snow?

I read this for an Agatha-Christie-themed dinner party I helped organize, and the reason we chose this title in particular is because of its snowy atmosphere. Funny enough, it snowed the night of our dinner party! Overall, it was a fun read and while I found the female lead a little annoying, I did like her how she exercised “girl power” the best ways she could during that time period.

Out of Left Field, by Ellen Klages

Ten-year-old Katy Gordon is an ace pitcher and makes the Little League team as Casey Gordon, but when the coach realizes she’s a girl, he kicks her out. According to him, Little League is for boys only, but Katy doesn’t go down without a fight! She visits her library and learns about all the women who have played baseball in the past in an effort to convince the Little League organization that girls should be allowed to play.

As a huge A League of Their Own fan, this book was totally in my wheelhouse. Katy unearths information about the All American Girls (Yay Dottie and Kit!) as well as so many other women baseball players I’d never heard of! I love when fiction teaches me something new.

What are you reading this month? Please share in the comments below!

Filed Under: Bookish Musings Kristen 2 Comments

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • …
  • Page 46
  • Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Beat the Last Weeks of Winter by Forest Bathing through Books
  • Thank You for Reading High Shelf Esteem!
  • Literary Linking: January 28 – February 1
  • Literary Linking: January 14 – 18
  • What I’ve Been Reading: January 2019

Recent Comments

  • Kevin on Thank You for Reading High Shelf Esteem!
  • Jenny on Thank You for Reading High Shelf Esteem!
  • Allison | Mind Joggle on Thank You for Reading High Shelf Esteem!
  • crystal tracy on Thank You for Reading High Shelf Esteem!
  • Lory @ Emerald City Book Review on What I’ve Been Reading: January 2019

Archives

  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016

Categories

  • Bookish Musings
  • DIY
  • Interviews
  • Literary Linking
  • Recipes
  • Reviews and Recommendations
  • TBR
  • What's Making Me Happy
  • Worth the Read?

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org

© 2015 Pretty Happy WordPress Theme · By: Pretty Darn Cute Design