It is important to be honest with yourself as a reviewer. When you don't connect with a book, you need to be able to answer the question, "Why?" I ran into this with Tamsin Mather's Adventures in Volcanoland. Why didn't I connect with it? Well, simply, it's all my fault.

I want to be clear that this is a well-written book with impeccable science and an author passionate about her subject. Mather travels to various places of volcanic activity and discusses what the places look like, the history of the volcano, and the science behind it. This is categorized as a science/travel/nature book and this is exactly how it should be marketed.

All that being said, what's my damn problem? I wasn't honest with myself about my relationship with science which can be charitably described as "frenemies." If a book is about 30-40% science, then I'll have a good time. Once you cross that 60% threshold though, you lose me. This book is heavy on the science and does not disguise that fact.

Quick rant, I hate it when people leave a bad one sentence review to the effect of, "I wish this book was more like this." The author gets to choose the subject and how to tell it. I think reviews should tell a reader if the book is well-written and effectively accomplishes the mission the AUTHOR sets. For Adventures in Volcanoland, Mather nails it. I am just not the target audience for this particular book.

Ok, enough rambling. If you are a science nerd and have even a passing interest in volcanoes then you will love this book. Mather does a fantastic job and that is why I am rating this book highly. If you are like me and can get overwhelmed by the science, then choose this one with care. I still wouldn't tell you NOT to read it. I would just caution you to know what you are getting into.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and HarperCollins.)

I learned a lot from this book, I really didn't know too much about volcanoes until I read this book and it was a great read. It had the science elements that I was hoping for and thought it worked really well with the description. I liked that it was a mixture of memoir and science book. Tamsin Mather has a great writing style and kept me wanting to read more in this book.

Tamsin Mather's Adventures in Volcanoland (Hanover Square Press 2024) is a thorough discussion of this authors experience studying and exploring volcanoes. It's not a memoir though she shares a few personal experiences. Mainly, she explores a lot of detail on the process as well as the what and why of volcanoes from the famous Pompeii to those less well known but more significant on a planetary level like Tambora and Toba.

"...thicker crust of the Central American isthmus. When a liquid basalt cools rapidly it tends to freeze into a dark and fine-grained rock, sometimes f lecked with green olivine crystals stark against."

I read this to bolster my knowledge of volcanoes for my upcoming trilogy. For those intrigued by volcanoes, this is a must read.

Adventure in Volcanoland is a fantastic look at the history, ecology, and majesty of volcanoes. Tamsin Mather does a is a wonderful storyteller, blending her own history with volcanoes with the history of a still emerging science. Volcanoland is a great addition to the science genre.

Very cool trip around some of the world's most notable volcanoes. I very much enjoyed learning about the history of how volcanoes are formed and also the famous eruptions. Reads like an exciting thriller novel rather than a dry textbook.