A Breath of Fresh Air
By Staff of Nevada Humanities
Can you remember the last time you picked up a rock to study it, smelled a flower, listened to the birds in the trees, or lay on your back to watch the clouds go by? When was the last time you stepped outside and stopped to appreciate your surroundings? In these socially distant times, nurturing our relationships with one another has become of paramount importance, but it is worth considering how we can also find solace, comfort, and inspiration in our relationship with the natural world.
Nevada Reads is a program of Nevada Humanities and a statewide book club that invites the people of Nevada to read works of literature selected around a theme, and then come together in their communities to share the ideas and perceptions inspired by the books they have read. In past years, our Nevada Reads themes have included the opioid epidemic, race and poverty, and contemporary economic challenges. This year, however, we wanted a breath of fresh air - both literally and figuratively.
Throughout 2021, Nevada Reads will feature two memoirs—Miracle Country: A Memoir by Kendra Atleework, and World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Centering on our connections with the natural world, these memoirs ask us to be curious and to look past the distractions of life in order to fully appreciate the world’s gifts - something that we believe to be particularly crucial during a time of pandemic and social distancing. Spanning a collection of 28 essays with accompanying illustrations, each short essay in World of Wonders explores the relationship between a particular plant or animal, introducing new facts and facets of wonder, interwoven with Nezhukumatathil’s life story and experiences. Similarly, Miracle Country emphasizes Atleework's connection with her family and home, thoughtfully weaving together historical accounts and indigenous narratives alongside environmental history.
This year, we want to connect the people of Nevada with their environment in safe, but meaningful ways by encouraging people to step outside, explore familiar and new landscapes, and engage in suggested activities that encourage close contemplation, appreciation, and immersion in the places we encounter. We want to cultivate an appreciation for the Indigenous land upon which we are guests, heighten environmental literacy in our communities, and have our readers think more deeply about how we fit into (and share responsibility for) the ecological structure of our planet.
Join us this year as we delve deeper into topics like the value of our environments and public spaces, the history of people to whom these lands belong, environmental stewardship and sustainability, the threat of climate change, Indigenous land rights, and others. Additional program details about upcoming book club visits, outdoor adventures, virtual art and writing workshops, and community partnership-led initiatives will also be announced throughout the year. We are happy to share that we will be bringing both books to you through the Overdrive service at your public library, so stay tuned for further information on when and where you can find our Nevada Reads books from your library. Keep an eye on our Nevada Reads page for news and to see how you can get involved!
We always love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out on social media or send us an email at info@nevadahumanities.org to let us know what you think about Miracle Country and World of Wonders.
Meet Kendra Atleework, author of Miracle County: A Memoir, and learn more about her connection to Nevada.
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