Bookshelf

Alumni and faculty members who would like to have their books considered for this listing should contact Stacey Himmelberger, editor of Hamilton magazine. This list, which dates back to 2018, is updated periodically with books appearing alphabetically on the date of entry.

When Mine Canaries Stop Singing by Nancy Avery Dafoe K’74

May 22, 2025

Tags Kirkland College Alumna

(Finishing Line Press, 2024).

This collection of poetry provides a lyrical warning — take better care of the Earth or find ourselves in the extinction category.

“The poems in this collection also offer a window to the diversity of life and extraordinary creatures on our Blue Planet from mayflies, peacock spiders, and sunset moths of Madagascar; to industrious beavers and diving ospreys; to transparent hydroid jellyfish, star-nosed moles, and nearly indestructible tiny Tardigrades.

“While a clear warning about our too rapidly heating planet, When Mine Canaries Stop Singing is also a testament to the singular beauty of this place in space where hope resides: in our ability to create solutions in our home ‘Halfway Between Center and Edge, in a Galaxy Called the Milky Way.’”