Susan Fox Rogers

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC.

An inspiring anthology of nature writing from Susan Fox Rogers. The introduction alone just by itself sold as a thin volume is something I would by. Susan Fox Rogers waxes poetic in the most beautiful way about nature writing and EB White and White's adventurous friend Edward Howe Forbush. You will in the first pages of the introduction just fall in love with Forbush and you will gain a renewed interest in the writing of EB White. When Birds are Near in the show more immediate opening pages make it clear this is a heartfelt earnest and loving anthology for those who of course love birds but those who love nature who love the planet and are in opposition to what is being done to it.

"It's an anthology to keep near when the birds are not." I agree with this wholeheartedly but reading now now in the middle of quarantine and as under 'economic' pressure not unlike Forbush's qualms with 'economic status'; amid all of this troubling nearsightedness is a collection to keep by and read when you need access to nature and you lack access to it. Its an anthology to keep near when you have access to nature and are surrounded by it. Its a beautiful at times tearful but also mostly joyful and uplifting read. Susan Fox Rogers immediately presents herself in the introduction as as a gifted writer. I found the prose just stunning. The collection is likewise just excellently paced and the pieces go together very nicely. I recommend going top to bottom on this one. Although like any anthology you can just pick and choose but I found it so compelling and the choices twenty-six essays in all felt like they were purpose chosen to follow one after the other. I loved it.

As I stare out my window and listen to the mocking birds and watch sparrows scurry in my backyard I have a longing to be anywhere else but my suburban home in lock-down. I yearn to be outdoors. I will make the most of it and more as I find myself inspired to take in what is around me with renewed optimism and interest.

Standouts of the collection to this reader although they were all gems:
Red-headed Love Child by J. Drew Lanham... I mean come-on what a title! Also a great read.
One Single Hummingbird by Eli J. Knapp
Koan Ursula by Murray Husted
Extralimital by Alison Vilag...Again another title. Really thoug all the titles are pretty great. I do love a good title.
Death and the Rose-breasted Grosbeak by John R. Nelson

I have nothing but love for this collection. It is a critical need-to-have in this time of lockdown and it will server you for years beyond this time that we are living in as a course of joy and knowledge and learning about birds and nature. show less

A sort of birding story-as-memoir; as usual I enjoyed the birdy bits more than the memoir bits, but it was still very much worth the read.

4.5 stars. A delightful book about the discovery and joy of bird watching. The book is comprised of short essays about the places the author birded and people who accompanied her. Lots of interesting bits of history about birds in the USA.

I don't think I would have the guts to go on the adventurers that these women did. Riding a bike in the dead of Alaska? Kiyaking by myself between the glaciers? It was good to read about!