I tried over a series of weeks to read this book and unfortunately it wasn't for me. I found it too academic for my taste and struggled to follow what was happening.

Therefore for me this was a "did not finish" book

I learned a lot of fun facts about fungi that I will be spouting off for the next several weeks. Unfortunately, the actual memoir parts were less enjoyable. The writing is beautiful but a lot of it felt artificially deep and in the end it really didn’t add much to the overall experience.

Still fun and now I’m inspired to find another book to explore more fungi lore.

I wish this had been marketed a bit differently. It definitely skews towards memoir over science which is what I had been expecting. Because of this, the tonal shifts made for a jarring reading experience (particularly early on when we went from critter at show in tell to being SA'd as a child).
Definitely not a bad book, just not what I thought I was sitting down for. I think if I reread it with this headspace it would be a more enjoyable read.

One part memoir, one part science lesson, one part queer theory, and all parts very good, Forest Euphoria is one mycologist's experience with all the weird parts of nature and how they helped her come to love herself too. Kaishian grew up in the woods and swamps, drawn to the things that other people didn't want to be near: mushrooms, slugs, crows, insects. She also grew up feeling like she was different from most of the people around her, maybe sharing more in common with her beloved fungi than people. As she learned more, she also learned that nature is a lot queerer than most of us know: fungi with dozens of sexes, intersex slugs, crows in same-sex relationships. This book describes her journey and teaches you really cool science stuff. Ten out of ten.

Author Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian grew up playing and exploring outside. Here, she fell in love with nature. Through snakes, snails, and fungi, she saw her own developing identity as a queer, neurodivergent person.
In this book, she introduces readers to various creatures that reflect her reality. The stories she tells can help others discover their realities, too.
I appreciated the scientific facts in this book and the personal stories. The content is sometimes dry, though, and meanders. However, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique way to uncover a unique look at diversity and discover queerness in nature.
Some of my favorite insights:
"...diversity is not only abundant in nature but is its very premise.”
"Disdain is such a pernicious emotion, whether it’s toward humans or insects. Insects, like 'othered' humans, are too often considered monstrous, haunting and unwanted. They are linked to insanity and psychological abnormalities; their modes of survival are unrecognizable to us and thus stripped of value."
“'Sit spots,' as they are commonly known, are natural places (though not necessarily remote) that one cultivates a long-term relationship with."

Forest Euphoria helped deepen my feelings of wonder and kinship with the natural world. It also taught me new things and reminded me of how nature can be a comfort during difficult times.

A wonderful book with a gentle and genuine tone of voice about the interdependence of all beings on this Earth. I absolutely appreciate the way the author told us this story in an open, honest, and vulnerable way.

There is so much to be said about this book, for me, the most pressing issue is how timely and yet ever-lasting this important message is in the words of yet another wise woman Vimalasara: 'We don't own the land, the land owns us.'
But of course, Forest Euphoria is about way more than soil. It is about the spores of mushrooms, the sun, air, and a bit of it about human beings being human.

For instance, there is the misconception that when we visit a forest we attend nature, as opposed to nature being all around us. Our garden is nature as well, we are nature as well.
No matter how you identify or feel at any given time, you might feel lonely, you might think you're imperfect, you might experience isolation (raising my hand at all three), this book can be your solace, telling you that you are not exactly alone.

I was hoping for something more like H is for Hawk- a mix of history, science and memoir. Unfortunately, this book is mostly memoir with the occasional notes of queer nature. I found the style quite jarring as it seems to mostly be stream of consciousness. It's unlikely I'll finish this.

First off this is a beautiful, captivating cover — an even better story inside! This is a gorgeous book. I’m so happy to have been able to read this mind expanding read

If I had a nickel for every time I read a phenomenal nonfiction that was a memoir mixed with the analysis of the inherent queerness in nature I would have two nickels, which isn't a lot but amazing that it has happening twice. This book is just simply beautiful and was wonderful to read all of the different ways one could find themselves in nature during a time where others are trying to deny their existence.

I really enjoyed this book.
I loved the deep dive into the oft unloved parts of nature, and how that relates to queerness. I found the book a little slow in the middle, but I'm glad I persevered because the ending was lovely.

Very interesting book about queerness in nature. I loved how the author wove in her experience with what happens in nature. This was a perfect balance of art and science.

Thank you to Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian and Spiegel & Grau for the advanced reading copy of this gorgeous book in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot put into words how much I loved this entire book, so much so, that I ended up reading it twice. There was so much information that piqued every curiosity in my brain, I needed to dissect it twice to make sure I fully grasped everything. The book is somewhat akin to what would happen if you made Braiding Sweetness more queer and more anecdotal.

Every chapter follows a different bio-factoid but gives a personal touch to each, which could feel a little quiet and bare. But the writing gives such a full and beautiful touch. You receive so much environmental education, and you don't even notice.

As a queer environmentalist, every story felt personal, heartful, and poignant. I have already recommended it to all of my friends, and will continue to recommend it to anyone I meet.

“As I leave my spot for the very last time, I am full of sadness, excitement, fear, and gratitude. I am full of all that has ever lived and died inside me.” 🤍

a special thank you to Net Galley and Spiegel & Grau for allowing me access to an Advanced Reader’s Copy of Forest Euphoria by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian!! it’s an absolute privilege to receive an ARC & i’m so honored to be able to share a honest review in exchange.

🍄‍🟫 publication date: may 27th, 2025
review: ★ ★ ★ ★.7 (06/30/25)
a curious, childhood reminiscent feeling of wonder enveloped me with each chapter that followed.

i loved how Kaishian explored her identity & beliefs through various creatures. specifically, fungi representing ideas outside of the binary was a clever way to illustrate how one’s prejudice against queerness can transfer into nature.

i also appreciated reading about the historical exclusions of marginalized voices in academia. although the biological, scientific & historical details felt dense at times, it was still understandable.

it was exciting to come across corvidae, the bird family that sparked my interest for ornithology. while it’s not part of the university path i’m on, i can’t help but continue to carry my love for the field.

this book is far more philosophical than i expected. in addition to lessons like creating a life built of choices honoring yourself, Kaishian discussed various abstract topics in witty ways that truly open your eyes AND mind.

“What questions might we be inspired to ask if we can shed the confines of “normal”?

This book was such an unexpected treat and I enjoyed reading it so much. As someone who is also eternally fascinated by the differences in nature and learning about how we interact with nature, this book was very compelling for me. I learned so much from this book, much of it about humans and not just other organisms.

Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian is the Curator of Mycology at the New York State Museum. She is an expert in her field and also works in spaces queer ecology and queer theory. She brought all of these practices and expertise to Forest Euphoria. It was truly fascinating to gain knowledge from her throughout this book. She brings many sociopolitical concepts to what we know and don’t know or recognize about nature.
“What questions might we be inspired to ask if we can shed the confines of “normal”?

This book was such an unexpected treat and I enjoyed reading it so much. As someone who is also eternally fascinated by the differences in nature and learning how we interact with nature, this book was very compelling for me. I learned so much from this book, much of it about humans and not just other organisms.

Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian is the Curator of Mycology at the New York State Museum. She is an expert in her field and also works in spaces of queer ecology and queer theory. She brought all of these practices and expertise to Forest Euphoria. It was truly fascinating to gain knowledge from her throughout this book. She brings many sociopolitical concepts to what we know and don’t know or recognize about nature.

I found myself highlighting so many things throughout reading Forest Euphoria and I could go into all the different things I learned from this book here, but my review would be far too long! I loved each fact and concept that I will be taking away from this book, but mostly I loved how this book made me feel. Throughout this book while reading about the author's feelings and some of her experiences I had such a feeling of weird nostalgia. I was also the kid going outside and getting lost in the experience of staring at one spot all day, watching insects go about their lives or being still and waiting for the amphibians to come out. Growing up and learning about the ways that nature interacts with and has an impact on us has been a huge part of my life.

Forest Euphoria was a valuable read to me in that it presented new concepts to me or more in depth information on concepts I was familiar with. The practices and knowledge in this book are so important for us right now. It is important for us to recognize the diversity in nature and the intersectionality of the many ways that we as humans interpret diversity and differences in order for us to grow.

This quote from Forest Euphoria really hit me. When discussing cicadas and the 2024 broods of cicadas reemerging, Kaishian says:

“I hope that in 2245, when these two broods synchronously erupt again, they will be proud of us.”

Yeah, me too.

I did not finish this book. It wasn't a bad book but not what I wanted to read. It was more of a memoir than a science book. It is well written and the author's experiences were interesting but not enough for me to continue. This book is for people who like to read memoirs.

This book is so unique in the way that it intertwines a sort of memoir along with stories of nature and its queerness. It was so interesting to find out all of this new to me facts on nature. There are flowers that move through genders during their lifetimes, there are parts where it talks about overlooked elements to in nature such as fungi and insects. Interesting, and affirming that nature in itself is queer.

I was already part way through this book when I realised that it's not just about mushrooms but actually about a wide range of animals, insects, and other wonderful things.
It was fascinating to see how Ononiwu Kaishian wove her memoir and personal identity through her life's work (and joy!). Always a lovely feeling to see someone find their passion and to share in that thrill with them!

Forest Euphoria is the most lyrically written non-fiction I have ever read. The writing is beautiful, blending scientific language and concepts seamlessly with descriptive passages. It has the perfect balance of the author’s personal anecdotes and experiences with multicultural and intersectional knowledge. I adore the focus on community this book has. Not only is it informative and entertaining, it feels accessible and welcoming due to Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian’s overflowing enthusiasm for nature and sharing understanding about it all.

Forest Euphoria is a fascinating book full of surprises! I appreciated the mash-up of scientific writing and memoir, making the contents easily digestible. Kaishian has written an enlightening book that invites us to live with curiosity and love. I highly recommend this gem!