Another good, interesting account of hiking with the Jenkins! Ths time mother and son follow the route taken many years ago by the husband and wife Jenkins.

I read Jedidiah Jenkins’ prior book, To Shake the Sleeping Self, and loved the writing while finding the author a bit self-absorbed. This book still has beautiful writing but also demonstrates an incredible amount of growth and insight. Jedidiah takes his mom on a long car trip, mimicking the walk across America that she did in the seventies with his father. It is a beautiful exploration of how we relate to those we love who have vastly different ideologies and how we find common ground when even the choice of a podcast holds repercussions. I really think Jenkins is a tremendously talented writer and I think this is his best book yet. I received a digital arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

I loved to shake the sleeping self so when I saw that Jed had another book I just could not wait to get my hands on it, especially as this one is another journey where he writes about his travels.
It feels like you’re on the road with Jed and him mom, at moments you can almost feel the car seat upholstery beneath you, and the podcast playing around you.
It is a witty and lighthearted read in most parts with a deeper theme of religion, human life, and love of family running through like a ribbon. Barb is fantastic, as always, and I very much loved the breakfast scene at the end.
It is well written, and Jed’s voice is strong throughout. Finishing his first book had left a hole that I didn’t know I had until I began reading this.
A good book to me is one that gives you something you take away into your own life, a joke, or a moral, or in this case a conversation about free will, with my boyfriend and I enjoyed discussing.
Thank you Jed for such a wonderful book and writing something that pours out of the pages at the listener. Also thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced copy, I read it in one fell swoop on a four hour flight. #Netgalley. #ng #MotherNature

I knew before even starting this book, it was something I was going to need to savor. Jedidiah’s writing has been like a salve to me ever since I discovered him on Instagram all those years ago. Having read his other two books, I knew whatever he wrote next I would love.

But this book? This one hits close to home. As someone whose identity is at odds with the Christian world they were brought up in, it feels aptly timed that I finished Mother, Nature on the flight to my hometown for the first time since understanding this part of me.

Jedidiah writes so openly and honestly about his relationship with his mother. He doesn’t sugar coat anything and his perspective is one that’s not often discussed. Queer people either have accepting parents or they don’t. They have relationships with their families or they don’t. Jedidiah offers an alternative - a deep loving and understanding that our parents are complex beings. Their choices and beliefs may wound us and upset us. But there is a way to build love and relation through boundaries.

While I’m not sure if I have the mental fortitude to make this separation between person and parent, his words comfort me while I’m on the precipice of a life shift. I laughed, I cried (very publicly on the plane), and I’m left with a raw tenderness in my heart.

He also doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. This book is not where the story ends. His relationship with his mother is ever evolving. As life goes. I’m just endlessly grateful that he shares his truth with those who are lucky enough to read it. It’s makes me feel a little less alone in this world.

There are some parts of the narrative that didn’t feel fully necessary, like the summary of podcasts or other mundane topics they discussed on the road trip. But regardless, 5 star read for me.

This book is a memoir of a man trying to find peace with his mother. As a gay man raised by a very conservative Christian mother who does not support him being gay, he tries to hold onto the relationship he has with his mother. This love they have for each other, that is unconditional but has a rift in it, gives them the desire to work through it. Jedidiah decided to go with his mother on a trip across the USA to follow the footsteps of her journey she took as a young adult. Newly married, she followed her husband halfway across the USA.

This is a memoir style book and so it dealt with conversations and experiences between Jedediah and his mother. I feel like the main point of this memoir was not just the story of the road trip they took to retrace her journey, but a story about two people trying to navigate a complicated relationship.

The story did meander a bit, but as a story about a road trip it seemed to fit. The conversations they do have about God, religion, and homosexuality are by far the most interesting and poignant parts of the book. Jedidiah’s writing was really beautiful and the story is really well told. Additionally, he managed to show the hurt and feeling associated with his mother without making her a villain or marking her as wholly evil for not supporting him. I thought it was a really great book on finding a way to embrace the love you have for your family, even if it sometimes feels incomplete.

Thank you for giving me early access through the ARC, Netgalley and Convergent Books!

I am trying my best to give this review an honest review without being too distant with the author's heartfelt written words. I do enjoy the stories being told in the book, a glimpse of someone's life in a book always makes me smile and/or cry. However, I don't really think I can connect with the story, it feels too much for me as some additional information (like some podcasts) were not really needed for me, so I skipped over a few times.

I really enjoyed Mother, Nature for the way it shows the good and bad in familial relationships especially between children and parents. Jedidiah Jenkins and his mother go on a once in a lifetime journey together and grapple with relationships, politics and sexuality as well as showing the love between mothers and sons.

I really enjoyed this memoir, as we follow the author and his mother on a car trip across America, retracing the journey his mother and his dad had taken years ago in the 70's when newly married. Going from Louisiana to Oregon on foot.
This trip was a way for the two of them to reconnect. Old memories revisited for her, as they try and find some highlights of her journey years ago, and for the author, a chance to have some hard talks with his mother, about his life that she could not come to terms with. He wanted answers to certain questions, that have always been an issue for him.
I loved to sense the love they have for each other despite some major differences, and to hear how they navigated through the issues, while enjoying the fun they had together on this trip.
I definitely want to read more of his books as he has an easy way of writing.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Convergent books for a copy of this book.

This memoir begins with the parable, The Blind Monks and the Elephant— teaching us truth is relative to one’s own perception and because of that, we should respect everyone’s perspective, even if they may look different than our own. We really see this come in to play in this memoir with Jed and his mother and their two different beliefs in God and politics. This part of Jed’s story really resonated with me. I, having similar grief with my mother —her shaking her head and saying, more to herself than to me, “where did I go wrong?” anytime I disagree with her religious or political views— found it incredibly relatable. This book poses the very important question that we have likely all faced: How can we love and exist with those whose beliefs differ from our own? Especially when these beliefs feel so fundamental to who we are.
I strongly related to Jed’s reckoning when his mother turned 70, of being an adult child and realizing that time is also passing your parents by and that time with them is limited. It’s something that I have thought about almost incessantly since I moved away from home. So I enjoyed the trips that he described that he took with his mother, including the big trip that this book revolved around.

Something that comes up a lot in this book is how Jed publicly discusses his mother and, of course, this book is one big, giant discussion about his mother. Something writers often question is “how do I write about others?” and it’s a question that I have often wondered myself… Until, the other day, I came across a brilliant Substack post written by Suleika Jaouad so I will just leave that here if anyone is interested. <https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/p/dear-susu-13-to-betray-or-not-to>
Ultimately, I thought that the way Jed wrote about his mother was appropriate, respectful and permitted.

This memoir is beautiful, candid, unflinching, thought-provoking and often times humorous. A must read.

PS that email that he sent his mother 🔥🔥🔥

This book, similar to other Jedidiah Jenkins books, immediately invites you in like a friend, “hey I’m not here to judge”. it’s inviting and comfortable, asking everyone who’s reading to be themselves. It’s a story about his road trip across the US with his mom and flashbacks over time about their relationship in the past. I resonate so hard with the parts about parents aging.. that’s exactly how I feel right now and Jedidiah just gave me words for it.

This book wasn’t quite what I was expecting. It wasn’t a huge grand adventure (physically or spiritually) but it tackled some hard truths about relationships with parents. it was so easy to resonate with the emotions and thoughts he had around relationship with parents who don’t believe the same things as you. I would be interested to know what he told his mom he was writing. If she knew what the book would be about after the part in it about the podcast about her.

Overall it was a quick read. I like the way he writes.

I appreciated getting to tag along on the ride as the author took this trip with his mother, to get a viewpoint into the conflict of an evangelical woman and her gay son. And it was inspiring to see the patience he has for his mother. I definitely struggle to be calm when talking about big differences with people in my life.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was an interesting take on one man’s familial relationships. While in some ways Jedidiah has a good relationship with his mother, it is greatly stunted due to religion and personal beliefs. Jedediah is gay and his mother believes that being gay is a sin, yet the two still truly love each other. I think this book would resonate with a lot of different people since this is a struggle that is not entirely unique. I personally found this book to be rather slow and the emotional parts were not as hard hitting as I would have liked them to be.

"This might be one of the most fundamental concerns of my generation, or any: How do I stay in a relationship with family when differences push us apart."

I read this book a few weeks back and had to let it sit with me, and then went back and read it again. It's a fantastic book. It explores a relationship dynamic that I know everyone can relate to. How do we love our family members or friends when their belief system is incredibly different from our own. And not just a belief system, but when the differences in how we see people and the world are so very far apart. How do we still engage in the relationship?

I think I was hoping to glean some clear cut answer in the pages that might help us know how to navigate the exact question the author poses above, and it does provide an answer, it just might not be the one we want. As I went back through the book and revisited the moments when he began a serious conversation with his mom, when the topic got to the rocky and heavy places, where maybe lines would be drawn - he provided us with an answer to that main question. The author has decided that the love he has for his mother, and that they have for each other, allows him to stay in that relationship. "My love for her is not conditional on her approving of every part of me."

I really enjoyed this book. As someone who has tricky relationships with a few family members, I found so many of the moments and conversations, or the stopping of a conversation, incredibly relatable. Jedidiah's mom is hard not to fall in love with, even when you maybe want her to have a different point of view. He captures his mom's spirit so beautifully and he really did handle an incredibly difficult topic with such grace.

I will say, like other readers, I didn't think he needed to include all the plot points and synopses of the podcasts they listen to on their drive, it felt a little like unnecessary filler.

Overall this was a great read and I highly recommend it.

I received this book for free from NetGalley and Convergent books in exchange for my honest feedback. Thank you to both of them.

This book was quite turbulent and heart-wrenching. As a memoir, I found it difficult to digest.

Over the course of their great road trip, topics such as faith and sexuality are discussed, as parent and child try to find common ground.

Overall, the book was good and I would recommend it.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Jedidiah decides to go on vacation with his mom. He thinks he may get a better appreciation of who she is. This trip takes him on a journey where he questions the decisions he has made in life. This book was good.

Jedidiah Jenkins is such an eloquent, thought-provoking writer. His first book To Shake The Sleeping Self was so moving and insightful to me that I was really excited to get a chance to read Mother, Nature.

Similar to Jedidiah’s other work, this book is a perfect escape for readers who are interested travel, adventure, and seeking deeper meaning. However, this book also explores complicated family dynamics and how to maintain relationships with those we fundamentally disagree with as he takes a trip across the country with his mother, retracing the steps she took on a walk across the country with his dad back in the 70s.

I really appreciate Jedidiah’s willingness to discuss faith and sexuality and his perspective on the differing beliefs he and his mom have. I made it to the end of this book wondering what the point of this whole story was, but I think in the end, the point is that life and relationships are messy and sometimes they don’t ever get wrapped up in the perfect bow we want them to be wrapped up in.

I struggle with memoirs or true storytelling when the author constantly pauses for explanation when it’s irrelevant and felt used for filler.

And while I appreciate Jedidiahs story it didn’t really offer anything unique or groundbreaking emotionally.

Maybe I wasn’t the target audience, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc, all opinions are my own.

With ‘Mother, Nature’, Jedidiah Jenkins captures the complex relationship between parent and child, over the course of a roadtrip with his mother, and inspires a thought-provoking conversation about if it is possible to accept those you love even if they do not conform to your views on life.

Before starting, none of my judgment on this book is about Jenkins’ views regarding his relationship with his mother. While I may not agree with his acceptance, it is not my place to pass judgment on what works for him. I think that his discussion of boundaries is admirable in its own way and definitely an interesting view to read about. However, I do not think just because Jenkins’ ideas are interesting does not mean the novel was told perfectly.

One of my main concerns was about how one of the first stories was about how his mom was disturbed by Jenkins’ publicizing of their relationship and it’s issues… and yet this entire book was exactly that. Of course, that’s the point of the novel but it just fell into the category of oversharing for me at points. Also, the one moral thing I will judge— do men not know their moms are people? I just need to know because it stressed me out.

I did really enjoy the ending, though! When there weren’t page long transcripts of podcasts or stories about stomach issues, Jenkins introduces some really complex conversations about religion and what it means to love others and oneself under God. As someone who is queer and grew up in the church, it’s not something that is easily grappled with. I really valued how candid Jenkins was with balancing his love for his mother while valuing his own happiness. The car ride scene was really beautiful.

Overall, an interesting read and definitely worth it if you can connect with religious issues within yourself or with your family. However, I think much of the journey distracted from what the book was actually meant to represent.

Thank you to NetGalley and Convergent Books!

After a turbulent childhood filled with both personal traumas and eventual family disengagement, I recall reaching this place in my early 20s where I was sitting tearful in my car and picked up a payphone (Remember those?) and called my mother and asked "the question" - "Are sorry I was born?"

I instinctively knew the answer would be "No!" even if the answer was not, in fact, "No!" Yet, there was something inside of me that needed that conversation as part of my own healing journey.

I thought of those days often as I read "Mother, Nature: A 5,000-Mile Journey to Discover if a Mother and Son can Survive Their Differences" by esteemed travel writer and author of the bestselling "To Shake the Sleeping Self" Jedidiah Jenkins.

In "Mother, Nature," Jenkins shares with tender matter-of-factness the story of a 5,000-mile journey he took with his 70-year-old mother in an effort to really discover if their relationship could survive their core differences. The journey followed the route his mother and taken with his father that became the basis of the bestselling "Walk Across America" series in the 1970's.

If you're hoping for a book dripping with sentimentality and emotional resonance, you may very well find "Mother, Nature." There's an almost mundane quality to at least 2/3 of "Mother, Nature" as mother and son head off with their love for one another clearly intact yet clear boundaries dictating no significant conversations. They share a love of podcasts, diners, and thrift stores.

She, on the other hand, is a conservative evangelical Christian who believes his sexuality is a sin and is uncompromising in that belief while still also asserting her love for him. He, on the flip side, longs for his mother's approval and a decision that when he finally marries, to a man, that she will attend the wedding.

They love each other. They really do. Yet, there are key differences and needs unmet.

Over the course of 5,000 miles, questions are revealed both spoken and unspoken. These questions aren't just Jedidiah's. They are universal - How do we stay in relationship when it hurts? When do boundaries turn into separation? When do we stand up for ourselves, and when do we let it go?

The best books are like the conversations that unfold here. They are grounded in love yet complex and challenging. This is very much the case with "Mother, Nature," a remarkable story that will challenge readers to see beyond black-and-white and into the complexities of what it means to be in relationship and to love another human being.

Refreshingly devoid of the usual literary histrionics and faux emotions in favor of naturalness and simplicity, "Mother, Nature" is a tender affirmation of the complexities of love and the beauty of living within them.

I was beyond excited to be approved to receive an ARC of Jenkins’ newest book as, having read (and loved) his previous books, it was already on my list to pre-order soon.
I find myself devouring his books as he is a natural storyteller in a way that not many can accomplish. This book was no different— I found myself laughing, crying, and nodding my head along throughout the entire book. He describes the mother/child relationship in a way that many will be able to relate to: the expectations we hold, the enduring bond/love that exists in a way that can’t always adequately be put into words (yet he found a way!), along with the juxtaposition of leading your own life but still always yearning for the approval of our parents. And, what do you do when your core beliefs are in stark contrast to those who are the very crux of your being?


“ We revisit the past because we want to believe that what shaped us lasts forever. It does not. This is helpful for those who have trauma, and tragic for those returning to remember beauty. I guess you can't have one without the other. Change is either fast or slow, and it is all there is.”