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Author explores water's many identities

Ladner author Nina Munteanu delves into H2O with her two latest books Water Is... and The Way of Water. The first book is a non-fiction release that Munteanu describes as a celebration of water.
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Ladner’s Nina Munteanu has recently written two books about water, a non-fiction release that celebrates the resource and a short story that offers a cautionary tale.

Ladner author Nina Munteanu delves into H2O with her two latest books Water Is... and The Way of Water.

The first book is a non-fiction release that Munteanu describes as a celebration of water.

"The book, which represents three years in research and writing and a lifetime in the making, combines the expertise and knowledge of scientists, philosophers and artists with a personal journey to explore water's many identities," she explains.

Munteanu is a limnologist, someone who studies fresh water.

The book, which is part history, part science and part philosophy, includes a "cornucopia of interesting information" and can be ingested in "any way people want to read it," she says, noting it doesn't necessarily have to be read cover to cover.

Munteanu explains that water has over 70 anomalous properties in and between its three states.

"At every turn of its existence, water is anomalous. The way it moves from state to state, the way it exists in all the states and its own properties within a state," she says. "Each of those properties allows it to do something for us, for the planet, particularly it's life-giving." The book explains why water is life-giving, humanity's history and also touches on how water has been viewed as sacred by many societies and groups.

Munteanu, who also writes science fiction, teaches at the University of Toronto.

She also notes Canada is a major steward to our planet's freshwater and wetlands and that's a great responsibility.

"I hope people will buy this book and that somewhere in its considerable pages, they will connect with water and to others with a message of respect, openness and kindness. Each page has something for just about everyone," she says.

The Way of Water, a short story, is a cautionary tale about water, says Munteanu.

"The premise is based on some very, very real and scary things that are happening right now between Canada and the (United) States, and within Canada."

The books are available online through Amazon.