Blog Archives
The Earth Speaks: Conversations with Our Living Planet
Sten Linnander’s The Earth Speaks is a poetic and often mesmerizing dive into a personal and unconventional spiritual journey. Structured as a dialogue between Linnander and the Earth itself, the book unfolds in three parts: a transcription of direct “messages” from the planet, a guide for engaging with the Earth on a co-creative spiritual level, and an introduction to a visionary technological project called “Living Globes.” The book is a call to remember our intimate, emotional, and energetic connection to the Earth, and to reclaim a relationship that is as ancient as humanity itself.
The Earth’s voice is tender yet unflinching, mystical but not abstract. There’s an emotional richness in passages like Chapter 1, where the Earth proclaims, “I have been nurturing you as my children… but now I wish to speak to you as to a partner.” I found that line beautiful and oddly humbling. It made me pause. The entire first section feels like a spiritual love letter, but it’s also an invitation to grow up—to stop acting like guests on this planet and start behaving like equals in a shared relationship. The Earth’s discussion of shame, especially around sexuality (Chapter 15), felt vulnerable, even startling at times. The idea that volcanoes and storms are expressions of the planet’s sexual energy challenged my assumptions and made me reconsider how much of life we dismiss as mere mechanics when, maybe, it’s all deeply alive.
The book resists structure and often loops back on ideas. The metaphors come in waves—pirouettes of energy, wombs of consciousness, dancing fields of intimacy and trust. And yet, just when I thought it might be too abstract, Linnander grounds it in something tactile, like the idea of humans being the Earth’s eyes so she can see herself (Chapter 3), or his proposal of a real communication device that could let us interact with the Earth’s electromagnetic field (Chapter 27). That blending of the mystical and the technical kept me engaged, even when I wasn’t sure what to make of it all.
The Earth Speaks is less a book and more a transmission. I would recommend it to those open to an experiential, spiritual journey—especially readers attuned to shamanic work, Earth-based spirituality, or emotional healing. It’s strange and bold and undeniably heartfelt. It reminded me to slow down, to feel more, and, perhaps most importantly, to listen.
Pages: 209 | ASIN : B0DYZHMQFJ
Shell Shocked: An Ocean Mystery
Kathleen Welton’s Shell Shocked: An Ocean Mystery introduces readers to 16-year-old Alex, whose passion for sea turtles transforms her summer into a thrilling yet treacherous adventure. Alex starts by volunteering at a local turtle rescue center, but her idyllic island life takes a dark turn as she and her best friend, Avery, uncover threats to the turtles she cherishes. Together, they navigate a dangerous mystery that puts both the turtles and their own lives at risk.
Welton captures the spirit of conservation beautifully, weaving Alex’s love for sea turtles into a compelling narrative. I particularly enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Cataluna Island, where the ocean’s beauty contrasts starkly with the shadowy threats beneath its surface. One standout moment for me was when Alex first encounters an injured loggerhead turtle, its scarred shell a haunting reminder of human negligence. The emotional weight of that scene stuck with me and underscored the importance of the book’s environmental message. Key moments, like the discovery of the mysterious markings on the turtles’ shells, carried significant intrigue, but some plot developments happened off-page or lacked depth. For example, Alex and Avery’s decision to confront the poachers directly felt rushed, and I found myself wishing for more buildup to heighten the tension. The stakes were clear, but the execution didn’t always deliver the urgency the story demanded. Alex is a relatable and determined protagonist, and her mentor, Maya, adds depth with her wisdom and wit. Avery’s role felt underdeveloped. His contributions to the plot were overshadowed by Alex’s larger-than-life drive, making him more of a sidekick than an equal partner in their shared mission. While their bond was endearing, I wanted more nuance in his character to balance the dynamic.
Shell Shocked offers an engaging tale for readers who love stories with environmental themes and strong-willed protagonists. The book’s heart is in the right place, and its vivid imagery and sincere message make it a worthwhile read. I’d recommend it to teens and young adults who enjoy eco-mysteries or are passionate about wildlife conservation. It’s a story that will make you think twice about the impact of human actions on the world’s oceans—and leave you rooting for every turtle that makes it to the sea.
Pages: 121 | ASIN : B0DRPC38HR
Introducing Readers to Environmental Justice
Future Hack follows Lexa, whose prank propels her into Thistleton Academy for Highly Creatives, where she strives to unravel the school’s mysteries and prevent an impending extinction event. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I set out to introduce readers to environmental justice issues and to explore climate change and their feelings about it—so sending Lexa off to a green school gone rogue created an opportunity to explore these themes. The story’s opening prank quickly establishes the long term friendship between Lexa and Jack and sets the stage for the appearance of Norbu, a time-traveler from the future. Norbu has come to recruit Lexa to help him prevent an impending extinction event. Setting the extinction event in Norbu’s timeline enabled me to introduce the urgency of the climate crisis while giving agency to the young activists to change the future. Thistleton’s takeover by a nefarious corporation enabled me to tell a complete story while leaving the corporate villain intact for future books in the series.
How did you approach integrating themes of nature and environmental stewardship into the narrative of Future Hack?
I approached this from several angles. Lexa’s parents work in the field of environmental protection and reminisce about their education at Thistleton Academy (back when it was the bastion of green education). Due to their backgrounds, they naturally encourage their daughter’s activism around environmental and social issues. The theme of environmental stewardship is also introduced through its absence. For example, Norbu travels from the future to seek help due to an impending extinction event. One of the school’s teachers, Mr. Mathis struggles emotionally with the loss of the green curriculum at Thistleton. In addition, the kids uncover evidence that Thistleton is engaging in environmentally damaging activities. Toward the end of the story, the team creates an edtech portal “Mission: G.A.I.A.” to recruit team members to help them accomplish the critical missions that are essential to protecting the future. On the last page of the book, readers discover a QR code that takes them to the Mission: G.A.I.A. website. The site is designed to support ecoliteracy and activism and extends the educational potential of the book.
Can you share insights into your process for creating the Thistleton Academy and its role in the story?
Thistleton Academy served a number of purposes. As a literary device, it brought the team together quickly and removed the kids from their parents’ guardianship—granting them a certain amount of autonomy and adding an element of danger. As an institution, Thistleton plays a large role in the story because it introduces the importance of creativity and the “green school” as a preferred approach to education, albeit an approach that has been lost due to a corporate takeover. Thistleton introduces readers to the negative impacts corporate takeovers can have on people and the environment. Escaping and exposing Thistleton is a worthy first advesary for the team. It serves to introduce Chronnite Ltd. as the corporate villain which the team will encounter more directly in future books. Finally, Thistleton Academy is a commentary on public education which is failing to nurture relationships between students and the natural world and failing to teach environmental stewardship.
What can readers expect in the next book in the Chronicles of G.A.I.A. series?
In the next book, the team sets out to investigate the disappearance of the jaguars and discovers Chronnite is engaged in poaching and habitat destruction. Young Indigenous activists play a central role in the story and their sacred technology of shamanism is important to the story’s outcome. Readers will learn more about Norbu and his future which makes the second book a bit darker. However, readers will learn more about anticipatory thinking and techniques to combat eco-anxiety.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Lexa Andromeda is just a normal twelve-year-old girl, until the day her dog dies.
She’s at a loss—until she discovers pranking. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it gives her something to do while she mourns. But when one prank goes too far, Lexa finds herself sent to Thistleton Academy—a prestigious boarding school for “Highly Creatives” like her.
And that’s when things start getting weird. Lexa soon discovers a sinister plot that could lead to a mass extinction event. Join Lexa, her friends, and a mysterious time traveler as they navigate the dangerous halls of Thistleton and work to reveal the truth and save the world before it’s too late.
Future Hack
Dana Klisanin’s Future Hack introduces readers to Lexa Andromeda, a protagonist both fearless and deeply committed to environmental preservation. The narrative takes off when an ill-conceived prank leads Lexa into serious trouble, prompting her supportive but disappointed parents to channel her fervor into a constructive outlet: the Thistleton Academy for Highly Creatives. However, the academy is not as it appears, and the revelation of an impending extinction event, disclosed by a time traveler, catapults Lexa and her friends into a quest to unearth Thistleton’s secrets and advocate for a brighter future.
Lexa, with her charismatic and determined spirit, truly resonates with the reader. Her late Saluki, Zara, remains a poignant memory throughout the story, enriching Lexa’s character with depth and resilience. Jack, another student at the academy, is particularly notable for his intelligence and loyalty. Klisanin’s prose brings each character to life with distinctive personalities and expressive dialogues, effectively weaving themes of nature, environmental stewardship, friendship, and responsibility into the fabric of the narrative.
Initially, the story takes a measured pace to establish Lexa’s background and her family’s environmental ethos. This slower start lays a solid foundation for the ensuing action and mystery that grip the reader once Lexa steps into Thistleton Academy. Klisanin’s meticulous character development ensures a connection between the reader and the characters, fostering a deep empathy for their journeys.
Future Hack is a compelling exploration of environmental conservation’s complexities, underscored by the importance of creativity and perseverance. Klisanin has crafted a world where young, creative minds confront significant challenges, making this book a notable contribution to young adult speculative fiction.
Pages: 251 | ASIN: B0CJJ9K8PZ
Loose on the Landscape
In Loose on the Landscape, readers get to join Joel Everett Harding in an immersing journey through diverse environments and are provided deep insights into intriguing aspects of life. In Umatilla, we see the meticulous ecological assessments that reveal the potential impact of a gas pipeline. Also, Admiralty Island, Alaska, is depicted as a remote haven where nature thrives in abundance. Here, the book portrays a variety of fascinations, including brown bears, bald eagles, and a vibrant Tlingit Indian community. Joel’s stories provide a clear view of the complex challenges of our ever-changing world, where exploration and environmental stewardship intertwine seamlessly.
The author’s artistic language usage is a perfect match for the beautiful sceneries in his explorations of nature. Sometimes, he uses funny expressions to capture the reader’s heart, such as pointing out that he has “hugged trees without their consent… or any regard to their sexual preferences or pronouns.” Other times, he uses sensational, poetic words that capture his experience aptly and create happy mental images.
Since the book is filled with research findings and ample statistical figures, I had confidence in the information I was getting. Also, the author’s detailed description of his work as an ecologist offers intriguing lessons for people considering the career, as well as relatable thoughts for experienced ecologists. I was intrigued that he sometimes had to pack his bags quickly and travel around the country for days or weeks when his work called.
As a nature lover, Joel’s adventure-packed and highly poetic book helped me understand the value of nature better and the threat of environmental change in different ecosystems. Like Harding, I also felt sad that the Rio Sinú and the Emberá would lose their way of life when “the lake arrived and smothered their landscape.” Ultimately, I have been inspired by the book to make time for exploring the natural world. Meanwhile, I’ll bask in the beautiful images of nature that flashed through my mind while reading the highly descriptive book.
Pages: 441 | ASIN : B0CF2BM3Z4
The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry
“The Metamorphosis of Emma Murry” elegantly portrays the tale of thirteen-year-old Emma, an aspiring artist and ardent environmentalist passionately devoted to preserving the ecological integrity of her hometown and, more specifically, its Monarch butterflies. Emma and her trusted confidante, Sophie, frequently find joy in skateboarding and stewarding the verdant greenway of Black Mountain. However, their tranquil routine is interrupted when a famous movie star aims to purchase the greenway and adjacent mountain for conversion into a ski resort, catapulting the girls into a battle to preserve their cherished environment.
Rebecca Laxton artfully intertwines the allure of small-town adventures, imbuing her narrative with a warm and inviting ambiance that is synonymous with the tranquil life of Black Mountain. The characters are intricately woven into the fabric of the town, fostering a sense of community and familiarity. The book is an invitation into a world that feels remarkably real, prompting the reader to step into its narrative sphere and be reluctant to exit. Laxton leaves a trail of breadcrumbs for potential sequels, and I can’t help but hope that she explores the possibility of further tales set in Black Mountain.
Laxton’s ability to inject her narrative with tangible elements rooted in reality offers a unique and intriguing dimension to her storytelling. She selects an actual location in North Carolina, reinforcing her story with well-documented aspects such as the Dog Man map sightings, an authentic resource readily available online. She crafts her narrative with meticulous attention to detail, incorporating interesting facets like a playful ghost in Emma’s father’s shop that develops a penchant for hiding dolls. Although these elements do not directly influence the storyline, they significantly enhance the reader’s engagement.
The prose is well-crafted, and the narrative masterfully straddles the line between heartwarming insight and palpable suspense, weaving an essential thread of environmental consciousness throughout. This book is a shining testament to Laxton’s literary prowess, making it an irresistible addition to any reading list.
Pages: 252 | ASIN: B0C63KMN3H
The Story of Humanity: Ecology & Consequence
The Story of Humanity: Ecology & Consequence is a fascinating read that will make you ponder your life and that of other beings. Author Ishi Nobu gets the reader in a state of mind where one reflects on human activity and the consequences of our actions. Can man preserve the earth until the end? Will extinction happen gradually? What are some of the past events that have made the world to be the way that it is? Through this thought-provoking book readers get answers to some questions while they ruminate about others. The Story of Humanity is a book about human existence and extinction, the state of the earth, animal and human relations, and nature. Reading about the universe and our ecology has never been more fun.
The book has five engaging chapters which tell various stories. The chapters are titled ‘A Fateful Ape’, ‘The Reign of Thought’, ‘The Evolution of Civilization’, ‘The Toll of Industry’, and ‘An Inevitable End’. Each of these chapters appear individually, but are still related in some way. The connection between chapters is revealed to keen readers and shows how much care the author has put into writing this book. Reading through the chapters was a pleasurable experience. The question the author poses, his style of narration, his diction and the vocabulary in the book are all excellent.
What happens after human extinction? After reading The Story of Humanity, questions of that nature will linger on your mind. As you read about the story of humanity, evolution of hominids, past and current trends, and issues like capitalism and politics, readers will reflect on the human experience and think about the universe from a different point of view.
What I enjoyed most about this book were the stories in each chapter. Even when discussing serious subjects Ishi Nobu tells the stories in a manner that even young readers would enjoy. Nothing too complex for the average reader, rather, the author applies words that are familiar to many.
This book is a stimulating read for readers that love indulging in subjects about human experience, the world, nature and civilization. The Story of Humanity: Ecology & Consequence is a stimulating and intellectually invigorating book that will inspire readers to think bigger.
Pages: 252 | ASIN: B0BGMQ9KKQ
The Way of Courage
Mia the small raccoon loves exploring and hunting alongside her mother and brothers. But when the unexpected occurs, Mia finds herself far from home and everything she knew. Thrust into a brand-new environment, and struggling to use her limited knowledge to survive, Mia finds herself in danger as she fights to adapt. Discovering new allies as well as new enemies, Mia and her friends, Coe the handsome raccoon, Henry the badger, and Gallant the crow work together to defend their forest home. Encountering both good and bad from their human neighbors, Mia and her forest community must find a way to protect their futures against a deadly foe.
Raccoons are one of nature’s most endearing creatures. When I was young, my family and I would safely observe these highly intelligent creatures from our own home. The Way of Courage showcases the raccoons propensity for mischief and their ingenuity in navigating situations. The message of protecting the forest environment as shown through the eyes of Mia feels authentic and grounded, while the characterization of the animals weaves a story that is both suspenseful and engaging. I loved the legend of how the raccoon got her mask, and I look forward to the day when leg-hold traps are effectively illegal nationwide. This is an adventure story that has intense moments, but that ends satisfactorily with no loose ends. This educational children’s chapter book also includes notes on safe observation tactics and how to chronicle your own nature findings.
I recommend The Way of Courage by Janet Hallagin for its ability to weave an important message of ecological protection into an interesting and informative narrative. A story of bravery, teamwork, and going the extra mile to protect the world from harm, The Way of Courage is a highly engaging children’s book about heroism, and how even one small raccoon can make a big difference.
Pages: 156 | ASIN: B0056J6WES
LITERARY TITAN 