I read Blue Machine by Helen Czerski
The full title is Blue Machine: How the Ocean Shapes Our World. This is a fascinating book about how the ocean works. Temperature, density, salt content—all play a part in determining what lives where, the weather, and much more. The ocean has a huge influence on human life, though this is not widely recognized. Years ago, I heard Jacques Cousteau say that human civilization could not survive the death of the oceans. This book provides more background on that statement. Highly recommended.
I read The High House by Jessie Greengrass
I’ll give this three, or maybe 3 1/2, out of five. The novel is my first foray into climate fiction. No date is given for the events in this novel, but it must be in the near future. Narrated by 3 children rising to adulthood, it chronicles the events leading to their taking shelter from the ravages of climate change in the High House of the title, and of the love expressed by the adults raising them in preparing them and the house for what is to come.
I read Awe by Dacher Keltner
The full title is Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life
To me, the book is summarized by these two quotes, particularly the second one:
It also merits considering what was not mentioned in stories of awe from around the world. Money didn't figure into awe, except in a couple of instances in which people had been cheated out of life savings. No one mentioned their laptop, Facebook, Apple Watch, or smartphone. Nor did anyone mention ccanonsumer pur-chases, like their new Nikes, Tesla, Gucci bag, or Montblane pen.
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In fact, it is hard to imagine a single thing you do that is better for your body and mind than finding awe outdoors.
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