Litsy

Princess-Kingofkings

Butterflies | Scholastic Books, Gallimard Jeunesse

I left 2 books at this library and chose this book about butterflies for myself. 🦋

julieclair I love how the people put a chair by the library! 🇺🇸 2d

Princess-Kingofkings @julieclair yes, it feels like an invitation to sit and read 2d

18 likes2 comments

ImperfectCJ

Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration | Sara Dykman

1) Resting in Uncertainty (alternate: That Was Fast. What Now?)

2) It's not specifically what I would do at this point in my life (biking solo 10,000+ miles), but I love the way Sara Dykman lives her values.

#TwoForTuesday @TheSpineView

TheSpineView "That Was Fast" so true! Thanks for playing! 3d

31 likes1 comment

ImperfectCJ

Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration | Sara Dykman

pick

I can't remember how I learned about this book, but it's just my cup of tea. An epic, car-free journey following the migratory loop of the monarch butterfly, undertaken to raise awareness about conservation and habitat loss with commentary about community and culture and privilege... it's like the many thru-hiking books I've enjoyed just with a purpose broader than self-discovery. And on a bike. I'll definitely be gifting some copies of this one.

39 likes

ImperfectCJ

Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration | Sara Dykman

A little bittersweet to work this puzzle while listening to Xe Sands tell Sara Dykman's story of biking thousands of miles to raise awareness about the North American monarch migration and conservation in general. I'll review the book once I finish it...and then I'll see if my landlord will let me plant a patch of native milkweed and other butterfly-supporting plants in the tiny yard.

37 likes

BarbaraJean

Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration | Sara Dykman

so-so

I finished this one for the #AuldLangSpine readathon, just under the wire on January 31. It gets full marks for concept—a travelogue of one woman‘s solo journey following the Monarch migration by bicycle—but in the end I just didn‘t resonate with it. Some of my issues were purely personal—I can‘t even begin tell you how Dykman‘s lack of advance planning stressed me out. 😆 While I found her determination and adaptability admirable ⬇️

monalyisha

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …it rubbed me the wrong way when she repeatedly ignored the advice of locals or considered herself the exception to no trespassing signs or camping rules. Another frustration was that her tone often bordered on scoldy/self-righteous when it came to habitat destruction and other factors that threaten the Monarch. I understand being frustrated and angry seeing a farmer mowing down vast swathes of the one plant the Monarch needs ⬇️ 2mo

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d)…but maybe the best response isn‘t to berate people for their ignorance, but to seek to understand and educate. She does a lot of the latter, but her tone about it just grated on me at times. That said, I did enjoy the details I learned about Monarchs, the factors that threaten them & their migration, and the work being done to save both. And there was some beautiful reflection and gorgeous nature writing throughout! 2mo

monalyisha Oh dear. 🙈 I‘m sorry your reading experience was fraught! I suppose Dykman is a complicated narrator…but I also found her to be very candid. I‘d bet that she intentionally seeks out the advice, guidance, and expertise of locals just as much as she ignores it in favor of her own counsel. 2mo

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monalyisha Admittedly, she is headstrong and angry. But I think she eats crow and admits when she is wrong, too (like when she discards feedback about her planned route and has to reverse course, losing precious miles and energy). She seems to struggle with the fact that her anger fuels her *and* gets in her way — and she doesn‘t keep any of that from her readers. 2mo

monalyisha She strikes me as the type of person who holds herself to a very high standard. I think she is disappointed in herself when she does not meet her expectations and I think she is equally disappointed when others fail to meet them. She can be harsh, for sure. (edited) 2mo

monalyisha I have great empathy for her when it comes to her irritation. It‘s one thing to know that you catch more flies with honey, and another thing to remember that adage when the actions that cause your disappointment come with such high stakes. Regardless of whether you can get behind her personality, I think it‘s difficult not to admire her passionate advocacy. 2mo

monalyisha As for the part about her having a strong disregard for private property? That‘s irrefutable. 😆

My friend is reading this right now upon my recommendation, as well; he texted me this afternoon to tell me, “I think the author & I would be friends.” 2mo

monalyisha We all march (or flutter) to the (wing)beat of our own drum, I guess! Who knows how I‘d feel about her in-person? I tend to treasure a more gentle approach, too. Better luck with your next read! 🤞🏻 2mo

monalyisha **And none of this is to say that your review and your impressions weren‘t totally valid! I just loved it so much that I felt I had to defend for anyone else who might be considering whether to read it or skip it. 😉 Gorgeous writing will get me every time. 2mo

BarbaraJean @monalyisha Ha—no need to apologize! She is a complicated narrator, and I did appreciate her honesty. I agree: she's quick to acknowledge when she gets in her own way, and I liked her self-reflection. She takes time to unpack her actions and words, how she comes across to others, and how that impacts her interactions & her advocacy. It's ironic that a side effect of that honesty was my realization that she just rubbed me the wrong way sometimes! ⬇ 2mo

BarbaraJean I'd actually be really interested in hearing her speak—I'm not sure how I'd feel about her in person!

Thank you for chiming in with your own take on the things I had issues with. So much of what made this less than a pick for me is not in any way the fault of the book or the author; it's personal taste. I'm glad I read it, and I wouldn't have come across it without your recommendation. And I'm sure other readers' mileage will vary!! 2mo

44 likes11 comments

GatheringBooks

The Butterfly Workshop | Gioconda Belli

pick

#NewYearNewBooks Day 19: #InsectCover in this gorgeous Wolf Erlbruch title. It is a remarkable story of triumph and resilience, and how being true to one‘s self can be done while also being mindful of explicit limitations. I imagine this generating a good deal of discussion with older readers who may be trying to define who they are, and are experimenting with the many things they can be. My review: https://wp.me/pDlzr-fSO

Eggs, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Beautiful 🩵🦋💙 3mo

38 likes1 comment

Deblovestoread

Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration | Sara Dykman

Jessi! I LOVE a themed gift! I am so excited for this book and its perfect bookmark and cozy blanket. Thank you so much! #NLWS Thanks for hosting, Jenny!

@jenniferw88 @Endowarrior21

58 likes

monalyisha

Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration | Sara Dykman

Some might thrill at settling on a favorite book for the year…but I‘m MUCH more comfortable with a top three! They are, in constantly shifting and swapping order:

1. Saltus by Tara Gereaux (thanks, @JamieArc !)
2. Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman
3. Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

I hope 2024 reveals gems that are just as sparkly. ✨

#2023ReadingBracket
#ReadingBracket2023
@chasjjlee