A Year In Nature: A Memoir of Solace Paperback – Import, 7 May 2020

I have read almost all of Clare Walker Leslie's books on nature journaling and naturalist education since the early 1980s. Each one has been truly wonderful and I have learned so much from her! This most recent book of hers feels like a personal expression of all she has experienced and taught in her previous books. She shares her own hand written and drawn nature journals, day by day, month by month, for a full year. I am savoring each page I read, and I keep putting off reading the last page because I don't want it to end! Her drawing/watercolors are exquisitely expressive and I sometimes just page through the book for the lift I feel from looking at them. Her writing includes snippets from her personal life, observations from her time spent in nature, scientific information from her explorations of nature, comments about the news of that particular day,, her love and concern for the environment, her favorite quotes and the deeper questions of life on this planet, which we all have, particularly as we grow older.Every entry tugs at my heartstrings as Clare seamlessly weaves all this together, sometimes through her drawing, sometimes through her writing. She gives us glimpses into the joy she experiences sharing nature with her grandchildren and practical ideas she teaches them to explore nature with her. I also found many ideas to help me to grow and deepen my own reflection and connection with nature. I feel inspired to incorporate these to make my journal more meaningful and to help me live my life in the presence of nature. Clare's journal pages are fun, intriguing, and comforting. I frequently felt I was receiving a big hug from Mother Nature herself. This book has become one of my all-time forever books - a book I will treasure and read forever!

Some months back, I saw that this book was going to be released, and I was thrilled! I have just about every book Ms. Walker Leslie has every written. I admire her work greatly.This gem of a book doesn’t disappoint. It’s lovely. Charming illustration, and thoughtful observations and commentary fill the pages.If you are a fan of this author, you must get this memoir. You’ll so enjoy it.Ms. Leslie was the one who inspired me to start keeping a nature journal a few years back. I haven’t been as faithful to journaling as I was, life gets so hectic, but maybe this inspiring book will get me recording my observations again. Here’s hoping.I think we all need this now! A healthy dose of Vitamin N.

In addition to being a talented artist, the author captures the beauty of things around her, taking time on a daily basis to note in writing and with art her impressions of what is going on in her life and in the greater essence of the world. We need to clone her because of her ability to see beauty around her. Purchasing this book is well worth it because you can become a better artist and also become a better observer.

I bought this book for my wife who loved it. She has taken to sketching nature drawings and this book was an inspiration. Not only that but, as a therapist, she has shared it with clients as well who also loved it. It’s a very calming book to have.

I love this book and Clare Walker Leslie's Nature Journal books - each is its own magical journey. From "how to" to this gem ... a Memoir of Solice, of life and nature and the inseparable weaving of the two. Her inspiring drawings (art) and observations are addictive and have me turning pages to see what's next. They also have motivated me to keep my own nature journals ... going on book # 22 now!! Thank you CWL!