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What stands out here are tidal pools. Carson starts on the rocky coasts of Canada and New England, checking out every niche in every layer if the tidal rhythms, animal by animal. And then she works south. I found it demanding a lot more of my attention, listening, then it was drawing. Another animal, another minute aspect in detail. Which animal now? 🙂☺️ Well, I appreciated her passion. I hope to finally listen to Silent Spring next.

Working my way through Carson‘s four books on audio. I started this one, from 1955, yesterday. The warming of the oceans was already known and an important topic.

First published in 1955, this nature writing holds up, full of wonder and beautiful passages describing three different types of coastline along the eastern edge of the USA, and the many species that exist in this liminal space. Rachel Carson emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life. Audiobook narrated by Kaiulani Lee, who has also written and performed a play about Carson that has since been made into a film: A Sense of Wonder.

These exquisitely delicate and filmy tentacles serve not only as snares to entangle food, but as gills for breathing. Among them is a structure like a long-stemmed goblet. When the worm draws back into its tube, the goblet, or operculum, closes the opening like a neatly-fitted trap door.
(Internet photo of a calcareous tube worm)

In the stillness of night, the strong waveless surge of the rising tide creates a confused tumult of water sounds, swashings and swirlings and continuous slappings against the rocky rim of the land. Sometimes there are undertones of murmurings, of whisperings, then suddenly all lesser sounds are obliterated by a torrential inpouring of water. On such a shore, the tide shapes the nature and behaviour of life.

But a grain of sand is almost indestructible. It is the ultimate product of the work of the waves.

… sensing that intricate fabric of life by which one creature is linked with another and each with its surroundings.

“… the poignant beauty of things which are ephemeral.”

Thank you @julesG - I‘ve had to think about these!

- I recently unearthed the piano, after the best part of 30 years 😟. Time to play it regularly would be quite something.
-My ability to procrastinate. I would have so many more hours in the day if I just DID the thing!
- This is the book equivalent of going out and spending time in a green space. Very calm, beautiful, full of wonder.
- How are you doing @Mishu94 🌝

#moonreflections

A couple of Rachel Carsen picks (and of course the lovely lady Goodall) for #backtoreading day 7- #girlsinscience If you've never read The Edge of the Sea definitely check it out if you like science books! It is such a beautiful, mesmerizing book.

#onomatopeia #jubilantjuly @RealLifeReading

Possibly stretching it a little, but I'm hearing shingle beach with this title.

Rachel Carson is an incredible writer. This is a natural history of the sea shore, but it reads like poetry - she really loved exploring the world around her. And it's packed full of line drawings of creatures and sea shells and seaweed. Bizarrely, it makes for wonderful bedtime reading. (And yes, I will read Silent Spring - one day!)
#5555giveaway

I have to admit, I still haven't read Silent Spring, but The Edge of the Sea is one if the most beautiful #booksaboutnature out there. #readjanuary