Saturday Samplers Book Group to Discuss "The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating"

Bernardsville Library’s book discussion group, Saturday Samplers, will meet on Saturday, July 1 at 11:00 am to discuss "The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating" (2010) by Elisabeth Tova Bailey. [The author will not be present.] Please note the new start time.

In a work that beautifully demonstrates the rewards of closely observing nature, the author shares an inspiring and intimate story of her uncommon encounter with a Neohelix albolabris —a common woodland snail. The book won the 2010 John Burroughs Medal, the Natural History Literature category of the 2010 National Outdoor Book Award (joint award), and the non-fiction category of the 2012 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing.

While an illness keeps her bedridden, Bailey watches a wild snail that a friend brought her in a pot of flowers. That nearly motionless mollusk became Bailey's companion. As a result, she discovers the solace and sense of wonder that this mysterious creature brings and comes to a greater understanding of her own confined place in the world. Intrigued by the snail’s molluscan anatomy, cryptic defenses, clear decision making, hydraulic locomotion, and mysterious courtship activities, Bailey becomes an astute and amused observer, providing a candid and engaging look into the curious life of this under-appreciated small animal. Told with wit and grace, "The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating" is a remarkable journey of survival and resilience, showing us how a small part of the natural world illuminates our own human existence and provides an appreciation of what it means to be fully alive.

Led by Program/PR Assistant Evelyn Fischel, Saturday Samplers is a book discussion group dedicated to sampling various kinds of literature, including short stories, nonfiction, new and old novels, and teen fiction. Its goal is to search out interesting, noteworthy, and sometimes overlooked literary and narrative works. Readers can find information about the group and about the books and authors on the reading list at http://saturdaysamplers.blogspot.com. No sign-up is needed to join the discussion. Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.