The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert

Reading this informative, scientifically detailed book was arduous because I found it so sad and dispiriting but essential reading. So much loss of biodiversity of plants and animals to absorb and ponder. The majority of scientists believe and have collected evidence to prove that modern human behavior and actions and out of control population growth and spread have led to our current sixth extinction crisis. Five years on from the release of this book, daily news from a myriad of sources makes it clear that our species continues to largely ignore the blatant need to reverse the accelerating extinction rate on our planet. Earth will survive the sixth extinction as it did the first five although most current living creatures may go extinct. Then as evidenced historically by Earth's billions of years of geologic development and the slow development over many more millions of years of plants and animals, it is also likely that eventually, new species will repopulate a recovered planet. Perhaps there will be a new top primate with a true intelligence that recognizes a need to live within a balance of Nature.

The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg

After two previous wonderful books about this town and an evolving group of characters, ( The Story of Arthur Truluv and The Night of Miracles), I am glad to go back and visit again. The daily ordinariness of human lives shines through, and yet also strikes a poignant note that resonates.  This narrative is about a group of women who share some of their dark secrets with one another, and in so doing, as they reveal vulnerable details of their lives also illuminate the many difficulties, fears and concerns that so many ordinary lives hide behind a thin veneer of well being and sangfroid. To enjoy the full flavor of this book, read the first two in order. The town and community are important as are the previous characters that while physically gone nevertheless still exert a relevant context for the continuing story of life in Mason, Missouri. Recommended.

Saving Jemima by Julie Zickefoose

It was a delight reading this book, of course, I too love wild birds. The author has spent decades providing sanctuary for wild birds and taking care of rescued birds until they can be released safely back to the wild. Her love and dedication for birds shine through this narrative which focuses on her raising a rescued baby Blue Jay, nursing it through several serious health events, and then after releasing it back to the wild, nurturing it through to a full return to its wild heritage. She extolls the intelligence of this member of the corvid family, citing details, and describing her observations with enthusiasm and ends her story with essential information about how to care for these beautiful creatures. This was a pre-publication e-book so there were no photos, although she describes taking thousands as she developed her ability to identify individual birds. After finishing this book, I now look with even more enjoyment and amazement at the Stellar's Jays and Scrub Jays, Western relatives of Blue Jays, that visit my bird feeder daily. Recommended. Also, visit the author's blog at https://juliezickefoose.blogspot.com/

The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

Delightful and poignant. A cat describes his life with the Japanese man who rescued him from the streets.