In 2022, I embarked on a self-created reading challenge. In an effort to expand my horizons, broaden my understanding of topics in which I wasn’t well-versed, and simply explore interesting themes beyond my ‘usual,’ I deliberately chose a variety of books to read throughout that year. I referred to them as expansive or ‘window’ books, and here’s the opening of a blog I wrote back then:
Years ago, I heard books referred to as mirrors and windows. As I understand it:
Mirrors are books that reflect back to us similarities to our own lives. Reading such books may provide further insight to an experience or help us feel less alone.
Windows, on the other hand, are books that give us a view into someone else’s life, someone with experiences different than our own. These books can provide perspective, prompt empathy, and offer a lens into things we may never experience.
I also refer to those windows as ‘expansive books,’ and I have intentionally read a number of them this year.1
I loved my reading experience that year and have often referred back to several of those books for refreshers and reminders. One such book: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
I am certainly not alone in my appreciation for this book. Everyone from scientists to farmers to business professionals to poets to activists to community leaders and far beyond have sung the praises of this extraordinary resource - with over 2 million copies sold worldwide according to its publisher’s website. You can find evidence of these supporters throughout numerous writings, interviews, podcast episodes, and more (many of which are highlighted below for your convenience).
Braiding Sweetgrass offers a unique blend of exceptional writing and storytelling, sound scientific backing, Indigenous wisdom, tremendous care for plants and people, and imagery that can transport the reader to a place of true beauty, reciprocity, and hope. And as an executive and leadership coach, I found the links between Wall Kimmerer’s nature/science sharing and our personal/professional growth just spell-binding. I have since read her other books, Gathering Moss and The Serviceberry, and found them impactful as well. I will continue to read whatever she decides to write.
One of the podcast episodes below described Braiding Sweetgrass as both edifying and hopeful, and I couldn’t agree more. I can’t wait to chat about all of this in our July book club meetings!
Members of the Reading And Purpose Nonfiction Book Club will find reflection questions, journaling prompts, additional recommended titles, podcasts, interviews, and more below, as well as our meeting details. We welcome new members - simply upgrade to a paid subscription and you’re automatically in!
Anyone in central Iowa is also welcome to join us at Dog-Eared Books in Ames to discuss this book in person. We’ll meet there on Wednesday, July 15, 6-7pm CDT - check their website for details and updates.
As always, you can fully participate in even if you don’t get the book finished! Our discussions always expand well beyond the specifics from the book.
Enjoy all the resources below, and I look forward to chatting with you soon!
“I just wanted to know why… Why is the world so beautiful? It could so easily be otherwise: flowers could be ugly to us and still fulfill their own purpose. But they’re not. It seemed like a good question to me.” - Robin Wall Kimmerer
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