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reader_of_books88's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.5
beesknees13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
jenlouisegallant's review against another edition
4.0
*I received an Audio review copy from Netgalley*
This audiobook managed to be both informative and also cozy. The author's narration was so relaxing to listen to, that I really just wanted to go sit in a little cottage of my own and look at nature all day. I didn't realize there were so many different kinds of bees out in the world. I hope to slowly learn more and more about the nature around me.
This audiobook managed to be both informative and also cozy. The author's narration was so relaxing to listen to, that I really just wanted to go sit in a little cottage of my own and look at nature all day. I didn't realize there were so many different kinds of bees out in the world. I hope to slowly learn more and more about the nature around me.
guarinous's review against another edition
3.0
Dancing with Bees is naturalist Brigit Strawbridge Howard's adventure into becoming reacquainted with the outdoors, inspired by the realization that she barely knew anything about bees she'd see on a day to day basis. She attempts to inspire beyond the "we need to save the bees" aphorisms by learning more about them and their importance in our world.
The book starts strongly, reading as part memoir, part nature documentary as Howard describes her major life events coupled with descriptions and facts about the various bee species she encounters in her native England. I enjoyed these early chapters, as I was engrossed in learning of bees what I, like the author, knew very little about previously. Howard takes a strong conservationist stance, preaching education and a reintroduction to nature as the main ways to stop the species and planetary rot. It's a timely message, and one that she isn't afraid to repeat throughout the book.
My interest began to flag around the 60% mark in the book, where the chapters for me began to read a bit more as journal entries. The author takes a trip to Scotland's Outer Hebrides, which occupies multiple chapters of sightseeing and general descriptions of the flora/fauna, before returning and spending the final few chapters describing native plant and tree life, and circling back to bees. I found these chapters a bit less educational, more informal, and a bit repetitive. In spite of this, I would still recommend this book as a good resource to learn more about the importance of our bee friends.
**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Chelsea Green Publishing.**
The book starts strongly, reading as part memoir, part nature documentary as Howard describes her major life events coupled with descriptions and facts about the various bee species she encounters in her native England. I enjoyed these early chapters, as I was engrossed in learning of bees what I, like the author, knew very little about previously. Howard takes a strong conservationist stance, preaching education and a reintroduction to nature as the main ways to stop the species and planetary rot. It's a timely message, and one that she isn't afraid to repeat throughout the book.
My interest began to flag around the 60% mark in the book, where the chapters for me began to read a bit more as journal entries. The author takes a trip to Scotland's Outer Hebrides, which occupies multiple chapters of sightseeing and general descriptions of the flora/fauna, before returning and spending the final few chapters describing native plant and tree life, and circling back to bees. I found these chapters a bit less educational, more informal, and a bit repetitive. In spite of this, I would still recommend this book as a good resource to learn more about the importance of our bee friends.
**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Chelsea Green Publishing.**
kelamity_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
As something of an armchair naturalist, I've enjoyed reading several books about bees, so I was excited to listen to this book.
My first impression was that the narrator was very well chosen. Their narration was so expressive and full of genuine joy that I had to stop and check who the narrator was and was pleasantly surprised to see that the author herself was narrating her book.
Howard has a wonderful way of truly conveying the charm and magic of the natural word. As an enthusiast and not an expert, Howard's love and passion for bees and nature comes pouring through. I frequently found myself sharing in her wonder.
I personally appreciate that Howard talks about her own rented home and how she has made pollinator friendly improvements to it. As a renter, so much of the advice for pollinator friendly gardens is outside my scope, and I often feel demotivated instead of motivated by the time I finish the book. So I was very pleased and excited to hear how Howard has turned her small rented spaces into a pollinators paradise and I have now started to research how to turn our own little rented yard into a pollinator friendly environment.
Howard has written a charming memoir that truly captures both the majesty and wonder of the natural world and her own personal journey to reconnect and live in partnership with it.
My first impression was that the narrator was very well chosen. Their narration was so expressive and full of genuine joy that I had to stop and check who the narrator was and was pleasantly surprised to see that the author herself was narrating her book.
Howard has a wonderful way of truly conveying the charm and magic of the natural word. As an enthusiast and not an expert, Howard's love and passion for bees and nature comes pouring through. I frequently found myself sharing in her wonder.
I personally appreciate that Howard talks about her own rented home and how she has made pollinator friendly improvements to it. As a renter, so much of the advice for pollinator friendly gardens is outside my scope, and I often feel demotivated instead of motivated by the time I finish the book. So I was very pleased and excited to hear how Howard has turned her small rented spaces into a pollinators paradise and I have now started to research how to turn our own little rented yard into a pollinator friendly environment.
Howard has written a charming memoir that truly captures both the majesty and wonder of the natural world and her own personal journey to reconnect and live in partnership with it.
bethaniemae23's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
Overall I think it’s a lovely book about an older lady discovering a new found love for bumblebees and how incredible they are. As well as how important they are and what we can do to get back to one with nature. But I personally felt like it dragged a bit, I loved it but I think would have preferred some more tips and tricks as to what we could do, and some better drawings or at least annotations with some of them
brennasherrill's review against another edition
3.0
This was definitely more of a 3.5 star read for me, but I rounded down because I felt like it could’ve used some tighter editing by the end. Howard provides loving musings about her observations of bees, as well as other insects and plant life. I learned a lot from this book and wished I could travel to her backyard in the UK (and really wished I could join her on her trip into Scotland). This was a great book to read in the first days of spring.