Because of my desire to be come more aware of my natural surroundings, much of my interest in nature also extends to literature.
Our lives are increasingly becoming more frantic and busier, juggling all kinds of responsibilities and it's actually extremely challenging to slow that down and take moments out of the day to notice the natural world and environment right outside my window. Challenging even more so if your life is in the suburbs or city.
For me I felt that getting to know the seasons better, the plant, bird and insect life around me should be part of my daily routines. Not to just get in my car and drive down the streets of my leafy, hedge-lined suburb and take for granted the micro worlds moving and changing around me.
Part of this personal revolution was joining The Nature Creative, the practice of journalling nature and in one of the monthly book suggestions, this book was recommended. It instantly appealed to me.
Light Rains Sometimes Fall written by Lev Parikian follows an ancient Japanese tradition of micro seasons. Instead of the four main seasons that we know, Japan celebrates 72 micro seasons - watching for, and noticing the tiny micro changes in nature that lead us through the year. But Lev's book is set in England and it's a beautiful hard bound book with a dust cover. It's lovely to hold as well as read.
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| Back Cover |
Lev Parikian writes his observations through the covid pandemic when he is confined to home for some of the time and you get a lovely glimpse into English weather, plant and bird life and seasons.
The chapters are short and beautifully written and have delicious chapter titles such as:
Lavender Assumes Massive Proportions
or
Swifts Arrive
I am transported by the chapter titles of Dragonflies Lay Eggs on Water and Evenings Draw In.
You can buy the book here and follow the author on Instagram or visit his website.
Listen to my reading 5 minutes from the first chapter.
