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The Overstory: A Novel
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
A monumental novel about reimagining our place in the living world, by one of our most prodigiously talented novelists (New York Times Book Review). The Overstory unfolds in concentric rings of interlocking fable that range from antebellum New York to the late twentieth-century Timber Wars of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. An air force loadmaster in the Vietnam War is shot out of the sky, then saved by falling into a banyan. An artist inherits a hundred years of photographic portraits, all of the same doomed American chestnut. A hard-partying undergraduate in the late 1980s electrocutes herself, dies, and is sent back into life by creatures of air and light. A hearing-and speech-impaired scientist discovers that trees are communicating with one another. These and five other strangers, each summoned in different ways by trees, are brought together in a last and violent stand to save the continents few remaining acres of virgin forest. There is a world alongside oursvast, slow, interconnected, resourceful, magnificently inventive, and almost invisible to us. This is the story of a handful of people who learn how to see that world and who are drawn up into its unfolding catastrophe.
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review
RamsFan1963
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

90/150 I'll be the first to admit this isn't my usual choice of reading, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance because I thought it was amazing! So beautifully written, with wonderful, complex and complicated characters, following their lives I felt sad when the book was done. 5 🌟 read. Highly recommended.
5th book finished for #SummerEndReadathon @TheSpineView 15th book finished for #RushathonExtended @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES @Andrew65

currentlyreadinginCO A favorite! 4d
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 4d
Graywacke I really enjoyed his Bewilderment. I would like to read this too. 4d
See All 9 Comments
TheSpineView Awesome!🤩📖📚 4d
JanuarieTimewalker13 I have been wanting to read this forever and I have no excuse for not reading it. Unfortunately, there‘s so many books in this category for me!!! This may have been the push I need. It‘s a chunker, so maybe November! 4d
RamsFan1963 @JanuarieTimewalker13 I did the audiobook, and while it was 22 hours long, it seemed to fly by very quickly. 3d
Andrew65 Brilliant 👏👏👏 I always like it when a book surprises you. 3d
JanuarieTimewalker13 Thank you!! Good to know! 3d
PaperbackPirate I picked this book up when I was in Oregon for spring break. So glad to hear how much you liked it! 2d
78 likes2 stack adds9 comments
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bookishbitch
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

This was lyrical, philosophical, enraging, heartbreaking and illuminating. Ultimately it is about connections. I think it is also a love letter, as well as a warning. I loved it for so many different reasons.

Decalino This book affected me so deeply. Truly powerful. 2w
bookishbitch @Decalino it is so enlightening!! 2w
SamAnne One of my best reading experiences. Loved it. 2w
24 likes3 comments
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IuliaC
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

Simply brilliant! So ingenious, informative, heart-breaking

"If we could see what green was doing, we'd never be lonely or bored. If we could understand green, we'd learn how to grow all the food we need in layers three deep, on a third of the ground we need right now, with plants that protected one another from pests and stress. If we knew what green wanted, we wouldn't have to choose between the Earth's interests and ours. They'd be the same!"

SamAnne One of my favorite novels. 3w
Graywacke Nice view 3w
IuliaC @SamAnne as of today, one of mine too! 3w
See All 7 Comments
IuliaC @Graywacke It includes two types of wood, to match the story a little 😊 3w
Graywacke @IuliaC that‘s cool! 3w
sarahbarnes I still want to get to this! 3w
IuliaC @sarahbarnes It's good 👍 3w
67 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Soubhiville
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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Later than usual, but this is my August wrap up. Another great month!

Favorites: The Overstory, Demon Copperhead, Now is Not the Time to Panic, Feed Them Silence, and Bunny.

Gissy Never too late! Great month! 📚 📚📚👏👏👏 3w
KateReadsYA Oh my goodness Bunny was a trip 😅 3w
BeeMagical @KateReadsYA Yesss!!! 🐰 3w
britt_brooke Amazing month! 3w
Suet624 I really need to get to Overstory 3w
62 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Soubhiville
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

The past few months have held some great books. I keep thinking, “this might be the best book I read all year.” And then I read another amazing one.

The Overstory is phenomenal. I‘m finding it hard to put into words how much I love it and it‘s message.

There was a time I would have been up in that tree with Maidenhair and Watchman. Or in the trailer cataloging seeds with Patricia.

It‘s so easy to not see the trees, but it might not be now.

AmyG Ok, I am stacking this. I was reluctant because I read a book of his years ago and di not like it. So, I will give him another try. (edited) 2mo
Ruthiella It‘s been a couple years now, but for awhile after I read this, I would touch and say “hello” to trees when walking my dogs. 2mo
Soubhiville @AmyG 🙂 I loved it so much. 2mo
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Soubhiville @Ruthiella I love that 🤍🌱 2mo
sarahbarnes I still want to read this! Beautiful review. 🌳 2mo
quietlycuriouskate Love this book! ❤️🌳 2mo
bookishbitch It's a damn masterpiece!! 2mo
JuniperWilde One of my favourites from the last 10 yrs for sure. So layered. I‘m not sure which storyline was my favourite. 2mo
alysonimagines So glad you enjoyed this! The characters you named are my faves for sure. 😊🌳 2mo
SamAnne One of my favorites of the decade. I was active in forest conservation for many years-well still am! So right up my alley. (edited) 2mo
JanuarieTimewalker13 I have put this book off for years. I‘m hoping to get to it in 2024. 1mo
101 likes4 stack adds11 comments
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bookishbitch
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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Vacation is going well. My feet aren't happy with the amount of walking we have been doing though. Excuse the bad lighting. I hide under a shade umbrella so I don't burst into flame.

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Soubhiville
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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I‘ve got so many book club/ buddy reads for August I decided to get an early start on this chunkster. It‘s wonderful so far, but I can tell it‘s going to be a slow paced read. For #NaturaLitsy and a gift from @alysonimagines 🙂🌳

Igor keeping my feet warm this morning. 🩵

RaeLovesToRead Igor, you cutie!!! 2mo
Soubhiville Oh my gosh why did I wait so long to read this? It‘s beautiful! 2mo
ShelleyBooksie Awesome photo of Igor!! 2mo
See All 8 Comments
AllDebooks Gorgeous Ivor!! 😍 It looks like a lovely edition too. I've still to read this and I don't know why I keep putting it off 😅 2mo
SamAnne One of my favorites!! 2mo
dabbe Oh, Igor, you're so handsome! Those eyes! 🖤🐾🖤 2mo
alysonimagines Love Igor. 😻 The Overstory is definitely not a quick or easy read, so good idea to get a head start! Glad you‘re liking it so far. 😊 2mo
Hooked_on_books I loved this one! It‘s really unique. 2mo
82 likes1 stack add8 comments
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bookishbitch
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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I'm only a few chapters into this book and I already adore it.

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bookishbitch
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Did I buy a book because Keanu recommended it? Yes, I absolutely did. (Backstory: The interviewer asked him what books he would recommend as a known lover of literature so he said he was chosing one he read recently.)

Caroline2 Ohhh 😮 This book just moved up my to be read pile!!!! 😆 4mo
SamAnne One of the best books I‘ve read. 4mo
bookishbitch @Caroline2 right?! @SamAnne glad to hear this! It definitely looks interesting. 4mo
iread2much If I was going to buy a book based on a celebrity he‘s certainly be one I would pay attention too. 4mo
bookishbitch @iread2much He just seems like a great human. 4mo
31 likes5 comments
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Jenken1998
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

Beautiful! A true work of art. In this book there are multiple characters/plots woven together to form an intricate story about trees/nature. An environmental philosophy work of fiction. It looks at how trees work, why we need them, what they mean to us, what horrible things we are doing to them, and who is trying to save them. I enjoyed some of the story arcs more than others but it was amazing. 4 stars.

CatMS Our bookclub picked this book last year, some of us were not excited to read it but I grew to really love the book, it has stayed with me. As I walk my dog through my neighborhood and the Kleinstuck preserve near my home I walk among and look at the trees with awe. 4mo
62 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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staci.reads
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

Catching up on a couple weeks of finished books. This one was my February #Bookspin, and it was epic. I bought this well over a year ago, and it's been hanging out on my bookshelf, looking a little intimidating. I think knowing there were 9 main characters and nearly as many plot lines kept me from diving in, but thank goodness for #Bookspin! It's beautifully done and definitely makes me look at trees in a whole new way. @TheAromaofBooks

Jess861 This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for a while! 7mo
SamAnne One of my best reads of the decade. But I was a longtime forest activist having watched all the trees come down in my logging community. So it resonated! 7mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 7mo
72 likes3 comments
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SamAnne
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Did not know all details & backstory. Powerful intersection between conservation & environmental justice concerns. The Overstory hit close. From a logging town, I became a forest defender fo both for environmental reasons and social reasons--destroyed my town when they logged everything and left, gave us 26% unemployment, and managed to blame it on the spotted owl. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/02/opinion/atlanta-police-center-protests.html

Tamra Ugh 😞 8mo
marleed Oh dang, heartbreaking article. Will we never learn to respect the land an the trees. 8mo
Jeg After I read this book when it first came out it impacted me enough for me to go and join a political party. A green one. 8mo
SamAnne ❤️❤️. @Jeg Yes, has defined my life and purpose. While my work has been focused on building bridges and working across the political spectrum, I still can‘t be polite to somewhat who works for Weyerhaeuser. They fucked my river, my forest my town. I either yell at them. Or I cry. If I‘m behaved I walk away without saying anything. I really try for the latter but I‘m not always successful. (edited) 8mo
56 likes4 comments
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smallthings
Overstory | Richard Powers
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#bookspin

I can't believe I've waited 4 years to read it! Started it yesterday, I'm so excited :)

And this cover is so beautiful! I like it when polish publishers choose their own cover designs

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Megbert
Overstory | Richard Powers
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Omg fan-girling out, a Barbara Kingsolver review of Richard Powers “Overstory”

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/09/books/review/overstory-richard-powers.html

SamAnne I read this and bought The Overstory the next day. Then went around asking everyone if they had read it because I desperately wanted to discuss! LOL. 9mo
Megbert It‘s a book worth discussing! So rich and beautifully layered x 9mo
14 likes2 comments
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LMJenkins
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Great #bookhaul this Christmas! Merry merry to all of you Littens! 🎄⭐️🎁

Ruthiella Merry Christmas 🎄! 9mo
CarolynM Merry Christmas 🎄 9mo
Eggs Merry Christmas!! 9mo
37 likes3 comments
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Megbert
Overstory | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

A mesmerizing collision of multiple narratives, each all connected to a forest or tree. Powers weaves incredible and sometimes alarming info-metrics into the story, arming the reader with a battalion in favour of our forests and eco-systems. A book that has stayed with me for the years since I last read it. Quite wonderful!

SamAnne One of my favorites I‘ve read in the past 10 years. (edited) 9mo
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TalesandTexts
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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Mehso-so

While I agree that we need more books about conservation and climate advocacy, there were such strong underlying themes of racism and indigenous exclusionary behaviour in the book, that I just could not get behind it.

You can watch my video review here, where I discuss the problems I have with The Overstory and why we need to become more vocal about these issues - https://youtu.be/XMlg9Bjuw70

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AnneCecilie
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing! 13mo
41 likes1 comment
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RobinGustafson
Overstory | Richard Powers
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Reading this with my aunt. It‘s been on my TBR for a long time so I was happy when she suggested it as our next book group read

SamAnne Oh, one of my favorites 14mo
RobinGustafson I‘m really enjoying it so far! 14mo
20 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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traa
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

The Overstory gives a powerful illustration of the importance of breaking out of our destructive systems as a culture. I only wish it had ended with some resources for readers who want to be involved - so here are a few I know of:
Who Gives a Crap (sustainable toilet paper company)
Forest Stewardship Council (oversight for sustainable paper products)
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (protecting rain forests)

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Lauriezp
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

Wow. Left me speechless and moved like nothing I‘ve read in a long while. It was a tough read at times but so very worth the effort.

Leftcoastzen I felt the same way! 1y
10 likes1 comment
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Frankies.space
The Overstory | Richard Powers
Bailedbailed

Individual stories with trees as a central theme. So great writing but I just couldn‘t get into it.

Lisa_lost If you liked the writing you might like Bewilderment? I found the Overstory too long, too much, though thought the format was cool! 1y
2 likes1 comment
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jackday
Overstory | Richard Powers
Pickpick

Quite the tome so proud I made it through. Loved the character setups in the beginning. The way Powers describes each gives all the details you want and need and no unnecessary ones. Fell in love with each of them. The second 2/3 of the book felt a bit draggy but overall v powerful. Def made me start paying hella more attention to the trees in my environment, which alone is a huge bonus.

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MrsHood
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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About halfway through. Was reading this aloud to my husband, but he‘s not super into the book. Maybe I‘ll finish it on my own!

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candority
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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My most recent #BookHaul, all from my favourite thrift store! 😊

BennettBookworm Gorgeous bookend!! 1y
sarahbarnes Wow, those are great finds! 1y
candority @sarahbarnes Right?! I‘m so excited about all of them 😊 1y
89 likes1 stack add4 comments
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lynneamch
Overstory | Richard Powers
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While researching and writing this powerful novel, Powers moved to East Tennessee and decided to stay. He opened my eyes and soul to the understanding of how the lives of trees and humans are so deeply intertwined. Pic is highway heading to the Great Smokey #Mountains #SavvySettings @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Eggs Gorgeous photo 👏🏻🏔❤️ 2y
lynneamch Thanks @Eggs This is really a fun challenge. I'm enjoying looking through my pics and Litsy ""Books Read" list to pair up. 2y
Eggs Well you are doing so well with your pairings! A pleasure to read/view 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love going to those mountains 🏔 🤍 2y
50 likes1 stack add4 comments
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JillR
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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• Best Reads of 2021 • These are my best ten reads of the year; the books that have captured, calmed and captivated me and that I couldn‘t put down. Happy New Year Littens, and thank you for the reading inspiration!

Mitch Great stack. You had a great year. Bodies of Light is my favourite Sarah Moss book. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 2y
TrishB That‘s a great stack 👍🏻 2y
JillR @mitch thank you. Bodies of Light was a surprise favourite, and I‘m currently reading and loving the sequel Signs for Lost Children… 2y
See All 15 Comments
Mitch @JillR I‘ve read all but 2 on your stack and loved them all - so hastily adding the missing 2 to my TBR! 2y
JillR Thanks @trishb, did that thing where I didn‘t think I‘d read anything really amazing this year then was surprised when I looked back! 2y
JillR @mitch now intrigued as to what those 2 are! 2y
JillR @mitch they are both great, I particularly loved The Other Bennet Sister, and Mary Lawson is a new-to-me-author who I can‘t wait to read more of! 2y
rockpools How fantastic! I‘m going to have to investigate Mary Lawson. And seeing Sarah Moss on so many lists makes me want to catch up with her backlist (I adored Bodies of Light. Ally 💔). 2y
Cathythoughts Shuggie ❤️ and Bodies of Light ❤️ and Hamnet ❤️ (edited) 2y
JillR @rockpools my heart is breaking again for Ally in the sequel Songs for Lost Children which I‘m reading right now 💔 2y
JillR @cathythoughts all so good! 2y
rockpools @JillR I still haven‘t worked up to reading May‘s story - is it the Tidal Zone? Maybe this year. 2y
JillR @rockpools it‘s Night Waking; I did read it quite a while ago, but it was before I‘d read Bodies of Light and I didn‘t get the May link, so am planning to reread it at some point! 2y
46 likes1 stack add15 comments
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Readergrrl
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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@Soubhiville How funny! We were direct matches for the #WinterSolsticeSwap and I had no idea! I love my gifts so much. Thank youuu!!! The irony is that the BN spruce soap (which you now know I gave you too) almost stayed home with me. I loved the scent so much but begrudgingly mailed it off to you. Serendipitous!! I think I‘ll read the tagged book first, but they all look so good. And I love those Yule cards! Thank you so much!

Soubhiville Isn‘t that funny? I thought it was the same but wasn‘t 100% sure. I love the scent too, now both our bathrooms will smell festive! 🤣 I hope you‘ll love the books. Happy Solstice! 2y
DebinHawaii I love that you got each other the same soap! Wonderful box! 💚🌲🤍 2y
Chrissyreadit Now I‘m totally curious about the soap 😍! 🤍❄️🤍❄️🤍❄️ 2y
See All 6 Comments
Chrissyreadit Also I love the tarot cards- I‘m excited to see if there will be more for other Sabbats. The art is gorgeous, and the card meanings feel just right. 2y
sprainedbrain I love it when people get each other the same awesome gifts! Love all of this! ❤️ 2y
Mitch That‘s so funny xxxx 2y
65 likes6 comments
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Bookboss
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

This novel begins almost as a series of short stories. Each character gets their own story, then the characters start to come together and interact. I found the beginning to be fairly fast-paced, but then the pace slows down as the characters meet each other. Powers does an excellent job of showing the interconnections between all living things, plants and animals. I didn‘t like all the characters, but they each one gave me things to think about.

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alysonimagines
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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An epic story of people who love trees doing what they can to save them. Very well written but also very challenging—both the academic vocabulary and the intense drama.🔸#septemberreads2021

19 likes1 stack add
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MelKelsey
Overstory | Richard Powers
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Mehso-so

Book 112

I listened to The Overstory, a book about trees, by Richard Powers. It's a novel with potential; it has heart, interwoven storylines, and compelling characters. It's too long, though. I don't know if I would have been able to sludge through actually reading it. ⭐⭐⭐

JLaurenceCohen Very funny to describe a Pulitzer winner as a novel "with potential," though there are certainly too many characters 2y
32 likes1 stack add1 comment
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sherri
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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The book is as wonderful as my reading companion.

Libby1 😻 2y
20 likes1 stack add1 comment
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sherri
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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My weekend.

SamAnne Love that novel. 2y
21 likes1 comment
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Cazxxx
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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Leftcoastzen Great quote! Love this book 2y
Cazxxx @Leftcoastzen I‘m finding it quite hard work! It‘s beautifully written though 2y
37 likes2 comments
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StellaB
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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Bailedbailed

I really wanted to like this, it‘s had such amazing reviews. But I gave up pretty early on. Perhaps one for later.

marleed This one was tough for me too. I loved the nonfiction aspects about trees but the fictional story didn‘t warrant its length for me. 2y
7 likes1 comment
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JillR
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

When a book you‘re slightly scared of grabs you and doesn‘t let you go until the end, 625 pages later, you know it‘s a good one. I loved this so much. There‘s too much to it to try and describe here, but essentially this is the story of trees and the harm done to them, and the stories of those who have loved them or come to love them, those stories slowly, slowly coming together and intermingling 👇

JillR Parts oddly reminded me of Margaret Atwood‘s Oryx & Crake trilogy and I‘m still puzzling over why given this story is sadly our now, not a dystopian fantasy. 2y
readingjedi Great review, I loved this book too. 2y
TheLudicReader I don‘t know if you know the singer Jann Arden, but she did a Cameo on my birthday video and recommended this book to me. A book about trees doesn‘t sound like something I‘d like, but your review is making me reconsider. 2y
See All 9 Comments
quietlycuriouskate Wonderful book! ❤️ 2y
SamAnne For me, it was one of my best reads in a decade. But I was active in the forest protection movement so it really resonated. I plan a reread of this one next year. 2y
JillR @readingjedi thank you 😊 2y
JillR @theludicreader a bookshop I trust highly recommended this but I‘d read mixed reviews and was worried it would be a bit too literary for me, but am so glad I gave it a go, it wasn‘t anything like I expected, try it! 😊 🌳 2y
JillR @SamAnne I am so pleased I liked it as I‘d read mixed reviews and went into it apprehensive, but then raced through it. A great book but such a sad and frustrating situation 🌳 2y
JillR @kathedron isn‘t it? 💚 2y
46 likes1 stack add9 comments
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sherri
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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Sought this out at the library today. I wasn't expecting it to be so thick!

BkClubCare It‘s immersive! Hope you enjoy it 2y
SamAnne One of my faves! Begins with many different story threads but they do come together. 2y
Megabooks It‘s intimidated me with its length. Sounds like I should try it! 2y
See All 12 Comments
Leftcoastzen ❤️ 2y
Cathythoughts I remember some lovely writing in places ❤️ 2y
tpixie I kind of enjoyed it but I liked … better 14mo
tpixie @SamAnne yes- the threads do join! 14mo
sherri @SamAnne @tpixie I preferred the stories in the beginning. They drew me in. The rest of it was fine, but the first chunk was my favorite. 14mo
sherri @tpixie I have Lab Girl on my shelf from a library sale. Thanks for the recommendation! I'll have to get to that one soon. 14mo
sherri @Megabooks It is a lengthy book, for sure. I had to take my time with it and pausing a few times. I ended up returning the library edition and buying my own copy so I didn't feel rushed. 14mo
sherri @Cathythoughts I recall that as well. I underlined a few passages. 14mo
tpixie @sherri ☺️ 14mo
15 likes1 stack add12 comments
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MinnieTimperley
Overstory | Richard Powers
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1. In our bell tent.
2. Camp Night Owl
3. The Overstory by Richard Powers
4. To finish The Poisonwood Bible. Enjoying it, but it's taking me a while to read. I have just over 3 hours remaining according to Kindle and the next book on my TBR pile, Still Alice, is 7 hours so I am going to aim for 10.

Thank you @ImperfectCJ for the idea. I have been away from Litsy for months and this is the perfect return event.

#LitsySummerCampReadathon

RenePenn I really enjoyed Still Alice. 2y
Larkken Love the camp name! 2y
37 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Floresj
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

The beginning of this book was wonderful- short stories as an introduction to each character. Then, the middle intertwines the characters. Though interesting, it was a bit long in the development of the final event. The end was interesting again and engaging. (The book did make me want to plant more trees.) As the message is similar, I preferred Braiding Sweetgrass as the book to drive home conservation.

tpixie You may also like 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Well I really liked Braiding Sweetgrass, and I loved Lab Girl, so I guess I better move this one up my to read list. 2y
Floresj @tpixie Yes! I really enjoyed Lab Girl- more than this one. I love Jahren‘s writing style. 2y
tpixie @Floresj me too! I was amazed at how much I liked it! 2y
SamAnne This is one of my favorite books of the decade. 2y
31 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Twainy
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Mehso-so

I LOVED half!

I DNF‘d half in my head.

I learned a lot about trees.

It got preachy. I started to wish I was a tree. Not everyone‘s spraying Aquanet into the air, clearcutting forests, starting forest fires …

So much of this book was lovely, knowledge, hope & I focused on that for my rating.

A great book if you really reallllly REALLY love trees.

So you‘ll either DNF the book, rate it 5⭐️ or you‘ll be like me & split the difference.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

marleed Omg! Like you said! Can I just copy your review, scroll down to my comment and paste what you wrote on top of mine! Lol!! 2y
Twainy @marleed I know I‘m in the minority. 😫 apologies to all of those who adored this book!! 🤗 (edited) 2y
marleed @Twainy I‘m still laughing at your review because it sums up my experience so perfectly. I wanted to love this because I worked so hard to finish it. I think about the American Chestnut so often on my walks now. But the actual story and characters- I don‘t think of them at all. 2y
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Twainy @marleed I‘m afraid this is exactly how I felt. It reminded me about grade school learning about trees. I really wanted to love this book. 🤗 2y
BarbaraBB Great review, I felt the same 2y
Twainy @BarbaraBB woo hoooo that‘s 3 of us!! 🤗😁 2y
32 likes6 comments
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JoyBlue
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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I'm *at least* putting a pin in this (but, maybe bailing—we'll see) at 18%. The stories so far are pretty interesting, but every one is such a downer. I need to be happy (or excited, or informed) right now.

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wideeyedreader
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ challenging and powerful, this book really got me thinking about trees!

Leftcoastzen I love this book so much ! 2y
Jess861 Just picked up this book and I'm so excited to read it!! 2y
wideeyedreader @Jess861 I‘d totally recommend it!! 2y
SamAnne One of my favorite reads ever and one I will reread. (edited) 2y
28 likes4 comments
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Jess861
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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Had to go into work for a bit this morning so I figured why not treat myself to some more books. Went to our local bookstore and picked up these three books (all on my TBR) to add to the stack of books I have. Can't wait to dig into these (even if it's years away 😉).

#BookHaul #TBR #IndieBookstore #ShopLocal

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wideeyedreader
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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“First there was nothing.”
#firstlinefridays

Leftcoastzen Love this book! 2y
30 likes1 comment
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kera_11
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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“The best arguments in the world won‘t change a person‘s mind. The only thing that can do that is a good story.”
A novel that could have been an academic journal but I‘m glad it wasn‘t; follows 9 (yes, nine) main characters and their varying lives and how they all essentially become activists for the protection of forests.

SamAnne One of my favorite books of the decade. 2y
13 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Meg8
The Overstory: A Novel | Richard Powers
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I‘m Midwesterner living in the desert. I miss my giant shade trees. Anyone have a tree that is of particular importance to you or your family‘s story? I do! Trees are not just tees to me. Beautiful writing about the human/tree connection, and much more than that.

Decalino I loved this book so much! 2y
SamAnne @Decalino me too . It is a book I will revisit. 2y
11 likes2 comments
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ValerieAndBooks
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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Pickpick

The characters in this book either passionately love trees & go to all costs to try to save them, or they learn to appreciate trees. It‘s an epic & intertwining story. Like many other readers, I felt the first part was strongest — that‘s when each chapter focuses on the story of individual characters. When they start meeting each other it gets a bit harder to track them. Overall, I really liked this memorable book.

Background: our backyard 💚

SamAnne One of my favorites. I‘m a treehugger! 2y
Reggie Awwww I love this picture. 2y
Cathythoughts I thought the first part strongest too ... beautiful picture... beautiful book 👍🏻❤️ 2y
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ValerieAndBooks @SamAnne 💚💚 I‘ve gotten to appreciate trees a lot more since living where there‘s so many 💚 2y
ValerieAndBooks @Reggie thanks! Most of the trees on our property are old growth tulip poplars….very tall! 2y
ValerieAndBooks @Cathythoughts yes, a very strong first part — if I were to re-read someday, it probably would be just that section 💚 2y
DivineDiana I bought this for my husband who was a member of the Township‘s Shade Tree Commission for years. High up on my #TBR list! 2y
ValerieAndBooks @DivineDiana has your husband read this yet? This would be a good one for both of you to discuss together! Let me know what you think when you get to it. 2y
DivineDiana He has almost finished it. He has just a few more pages, but is waiting for the right time to end the book. I want to read, but right now too many that I need to read first! Four New Book Club Books to start. 🙂 2y
ValerieAndBooks @divinediana So many books, so little time right?!📚📚💖 2y
DivineDiana Absolutely! 🙂 2y
66 likes6 stack adds11 comments
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ValerieAndBooks
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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It‘s been a while since I‘ve been on Litsy! Currently sitting in LAX airport waiting for my next connection. I was in NorCal for two weeks helping my mom out with her upcoming move. Picked this up at the airport bookstore— glad to see it because I‘ve been wanting to read this. Inset picture is redwoods right in my mom‘s backyard. I‘ll miss seeing them.

vivastory I've heard so many intriguing reviews about this book. I'll be interested to see what you think! 2y
vivastory Safe travels ✈️ 2y
BarbaraBB Must have been hard. Hope you are doing okay - and your mom too! 2y
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Suet624 Nice to see you again. 2y
Ruthiella I‘ll be interested to hear your thoughts on The Overstory. I found it frustrating in parts but ultimately worth the read. 2y
LeahBergen I hope everything went well. 😘 2y
Reggie I hope you like this book. The first half was the strongest for me and the last half went over my head but I loved it and found a new appreciation for trees. 🌲 🌳 2y
ValerieAndBooks @vivastory I‘m really liking it so far! Into part 2 right now. Just haven‘t had the time for reading this month 😓 2y
ValerieAndBooks @BarbaraBB it was hard in a lot of ways but my mom is a real trooper. It won‘t be easy for her adjusting to a new place but she‘s a strong person and it‘ll help that she‘ll be near my sister 💖 2y
ValerieAndBooks @Suet624 thanks! Things continue to be busy since I got back home, though! Barely any time to read or Litsy. 2y
ValerieAndBooks @LeahBergen it‘d have gone better if powder post beetles hadn‘t turned up in the inspection causing the buyers to back out...long story...but Mom is moving out anyway! 2y
ValerieAndBooks @Reggie I really enjoyed the first part where each chapter focuses on an individual — harder to keep track now but I think a lot of that has to do with that I‘ve barely had time to read since I got back home! 2y
55 likes12 comments
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Reggie
The Overstory | Richard Powers
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1. Yes, Boy Wonder by James Robert Baker.
2. Sometimes.
3. My goodness. When I read this book I wanted to go hug the tree outside. This book gave me a whole new appreciation for nature that I never had had before.

Thanks for the tag @LitStephanie sorry I was late.

Rissreads I adored this book too! 🌳 2y
quietlycuriouskate Love the Overstory! I borrowed it from the library but mentioned it so much that my daughter bought me a copy. 💕 2y
LitStephanie Thanks for sharing! 2y
63 likes3 comments
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Cathythoughts
Overstory | Richard Powers
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Thankyou @wanderinglynn for the tag 👍🏻❤️

I read In Cold Blood & Wuthering Heights more than once .... but I don‘t usually, too many books .. maybe in the future I‘ll reread some ( I think some people love it... as you do @wanderinglynn 😁

Not really , but I‘d admire a lovely cover

Overstory 💚
#ThoughtfulThursday @MoonWitch94

Tagging all those who‘d like to join in 👍🏻💚

wanderinglynn Yes, I love rereading. It‘s like reconnecting with an old friend. ☺️ 2y
MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing ☺️🌿📚 2y
45 likes2 comments