~ Woman Who Speaks Tree ~ Book Review & Giveaway

April 23, 2009

I love trees. They are one of nature's constants; beautiful in all seasons. Their beauty, regardless of the month, is what gets me through the vegetatively colorless season of winter. It's no coincidence that my outdoor photos from the last 4 months were mostly... trees. There's nothing else growing!

Next to their timeless, all-season beauty I love how trees mark the passage of time. People generally don't buy a new car or cow to mark a special event but they will plant a tree. And reading the growth rings on a fallen tree or coming across a twisted, gnarly trunk never fails to fascinate me. Trees tell stories and I like stories.

So it was with great interest that I picked up the book"WOMAN WHO SPEAKS TREE: Confessions of a Tree Hugger" by Maine author Linda Tatelbaum.

I came across a review in the winter publication of the The Maine Organic Famer and Gardener, found the book at my local library and enjoyed it this winter as a good read. Although I think it would be delightful in all seasons, just like trees are!

Book Review

Where to start? There's so much about this book that I liked but these four points seemed to especially stick out.

• Tatelbaum is an honest-to-goodness homesteader.
In fact she wrote about her homesteading experience in Carrying Water as a Way of Life: A Homesteader's History, which I just finished reading. Although this tree book is not explicitly about homesteading, Tatelbaum's experience is woven throughout and I just eat up stories of people living outside the mainstream; building a home, garden and life out of the woods.
• I'm a tree hugger, you're a tree hugger.
I love trees, I love nature, I love the soil, I love my compost, I love the woods, I love my garden... And I'm doing my best to make choices each day that will preserve these things I love. I have never chained myself to a tree in the face of a bulldozer but I have a deep respect for the natural world. It's not about "saving the environment" it's about preserving the trees, soil, plants, water and air that are necessary for our survival. Linda speaks this message loud and clear by pulling you into the fascinating story of her life. Like my mother says, "a good writer shows not tells". Tatelbaum is very good at showing.
• Without trying to sound corny, this book is as much about self discovery (perhaps more?) as it is about trees.
As Linda chronicled finding out who she was through her twenties and thirties I could relate. My passion for an environmentally in-tune lifestyle (not-fully-realized-yet) began later than most. I was well out of university before the typical youthful idealism started to kick in. But I could relate to Linda's story of finding herself - who she was/is and what she values - through her relationship with trees. My own growing relationship with the natural world is ever defining my values. Granted, I'm not homesteading in the woods but I do spend a fair amount of time in them. The more time I spend camping, hiking and backpacking or gardening and visiting the farm the more I discover about myself.
• The natural world connects us to our Creator.
I don't want to put words in Tatelbaum's mouth, especially in matters of faith but in this book it is clear that through the process of homesteading, being a member of a community and understanding trees Linda returns to her Jewish roots. That is her story. My story is that the natural world shows me the beauty and creativity of God each and every day. I don't need a temple, church building, synagogue, prayer mat, icon or otherwise to connect with God. Give me a green forest, a mossy tree trunk, the smell of warm pine, a newly opened bud and my heart sings worship to my Creator. A book like this encourages me that I'm not the only one who experiences God when I spend time with trees.

Giveaway

I'm very pleased to offer a signed copy of this book to one lucky reader. I contacted Linda a couple months ago and asked if she would be willing to give a copy of her book - and she said yes! Thank you Linda! Speaking of which, she is a recently retired Professor of English & Environmental Studies and knowing that she is going to read my review makes me feel slightly nervous.

But I'm putting all that aside so you can have a chance to own this lovely book. To participate in the giveaway please leave a comment. And I would appreciate it if you would spread the word, and not for FIMBY's sake. I think we should do our best to advertise for independent authors and publishers, (Linda self-published this book). To that end, I'd be grateful if you'd tweet or otherwise promote this giveaway. Let's get out the word for quality writing and publishing.

{Kathy D. is the randomly chosen winner for this book, thanks all for commenting, hope you all can find it at your local library or bookstore}