Earth Almanac

March 1, 2020
Gardeners and naturalists are, by default, keen observers of the living world around them. They are preternaturally attuned to changes in light and sound, revel in the movement of birds and bugs, and draw life lessons from the ways these natural phenomena can guide humans through even the most unnatural of times. An award-winning nature journalist, Williams has collected his columns which were originally published in Audubon magazine and expanded upon their wisdom in this compendium of more than 230 short essays. Organized by season, these observations extol the rewards of early morning birdsong in spring, the luscious fragrances of summer meadows, the bittersweet spectacle of migrating geese in fall, and, of course, winter's challenges to find ways to stay engaged. There is poetry in these brief gems as well as practical wisdom: crushed beautyberries can repel ticks and mosquitoes as well as attract birds and butterflies. Just as time spent in nature is a restorative for the soul, Williams' elegant and expressive observations equally reinstate a necessary equilibrium.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)