The Forest Unseen: A Year’s Watch in Nature

A slow, gentle meditation where, instead of twenty minutes focusing on a candle flame, Haskell devotes one year to one specific meter-wide circle of old-growth forest land; to observing the life within and around it. As with any meditation, attention shifts: macro to micro, tree to salamander to seed; also across time, particularly the seasonal changes. As with any meditation, attention drifts, typically to ruminations on humanity and our place in the World. Each chapter has one focus but follows tendrils, too, because the entire point of the book—and of all life—is our interconnectedness.One year. January 1 to December 31. It seems only right to read it that way. The fauna and flora in New Mexico differ from those in Tennessee, as do the seasonal shifts, but the same fundamentals apply and it's the general awareness that matters anyway: the slowing down to lend our attention to the world around us; the weekly-or-so reminders; that's what I found most valuable. I find myself moving differently on trails. (Not always: being present takes constant practice). I also learned much about migrations, amphibians, plant growth.Wish I could give the full five stars, but Haskell's writing... like in [b:Songs of Trees 31522121 The Songs of Trees Stories from Nature's Great Connectors David George Haskell https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1474519192l/31522121.SX50.jpg 52206884]... ouch. There are times I have to read a paragraph three times before the words come together. His style does not work for everyone. But please don't be scared off! Maybe you'll love it; or if not maybe you can push past and glean the good parts. (After all, you're reading my words right now, so you're obviously adept at finding the good in anyone's writing).Huge thanks to A., who year-read it in 2020 and subsequently pressed her copy on me, urging me to do likewise.

Enjoyable. Often I have trouble keeping focused on the narrative when listening to an audiobook, easily distracted by what I'm seeing around me or prone to dozing if I close my eyes, and this was unfortunately the case with this book. As enjoyable as I found the audiobook, the regular book form would have fitted me better.