The Way Through the Woods is a memoir about the author's journey through grief after losing her husband and, simultaneously, a unique exploration of mycology (the study of mushrooms). It's difficult to imagine how these subjects intersect, but this book is equal parts heartfelt and interesting.

I knew very little about mushrooms before (I don't even particularly like to eat them), but my interest has officially been piqued, and I've now spent a couple of hours frantically googling every mushroom Long mentions so I can better understand them (and look at pictures; mushrooms are so cool). But I was as compelled by the mycology as I was by Long's description of her grieving process; I especially appreciated the mention of relatively small pieces of her life that remind her of her late husband, such as books on the bookshelf or a Spotify playlist. I can't even imagine how challenging the first years of her life as a widow must have been, but she discusses them here with great tenderness and care.

Whether you're a reader of memoirs, a fan of mycology, or—as I was before reading this—neither, I highly recommend this book!