Thursday, February 26, 2009

First Impressions

If Thoreau is the "father" of nature writing, then Rachel Carson is apparently his female counterpart. I hadn't realized how influential she was and how much courage it must have taken to publish Silent Spring. I'm glad we chose her as our first author to read!

Second Hand Bookstore Find!

This evening I found a 1951 hardbound copy of The Sea Around Us! El cheapo. 9th printing but still a good deal.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

What book(s) are you reading?

Your blogmistress is reading Always, Rachel (skipping around! its a huge volume) and will read Under the Sea-Wind in its entirety. Add your comments below re what you have chosen to read.
We had a great turnout for the first meeting of the Potomac Valley Nature Writing Group (PVNWG).

Let me know if you have not received your member list.

Author to Read: The author we will be reading and discussing for next meeting is Rachel Carson. The primary book we will discuss is Always, Rachel: The Letters of Rachel Carson and Dorothy Freeman, 1952-1964 - The Story of a Remarkable Friendship. However, feel free to read any of her works instead of or in addition to this. See side bar to the right for helpful links.
Members suggest that we check our local libraries, used book stores, ebay, and used items available on amazon.com, bookfinder.com and other websites as alternatives to buying new.

Discussion Question: The general discussion question we will use for the next meeting is: Pick at least one or two passages (no more than a page or so) that you found exceptional or of special interest/impact. Think about why and how these passages affected you. Consider content, but also style of writing, and what the passages tell you about the author.

Writing: All members are encouraged to keep an ongoing journal of nature observations, thoughts, and any responses to the group selection or other readings. We agreed that each member would write a paragraph of personal response to the selected reading. Bring one copy of your paragraph to the meeting.