5 Must-Read Books for Nature Lovers
Sometimes life can be overwhelming and the only thing that truly allows me to recenter myself is to walk outside and get lost for a little while. My best ideas have come to me when I disconnect from technology and go on a hike.
Mother Nature amazes me every single day. I feel like there is so much to discover about the natural world around us and how beautiful it can be. So I have included a list of books for all of you who love nature just as must as I do! Also, as beautiful as Mother Nature is, she is a force to be reckoned with. If you have been watching the news or really have looked anywhere, I am sure you have seen the news about the devastating fires happening in Australia right now. So, at the bottom of the article, I have included several links to organizations that need our help right now. Even if it is a small donation, everything helps!
My ultimate hero from a very early age has always been Jane Goodall. She not only advocates for nature and the animals that live within it but also shows us exactly WHY we should care. In Seeds of Hope, Jane creates such a personal experience of connecting with the plants around her but also gives such hope for a truly green future. It is absolutely inspiring.
Okay, the title of this book really just says it all. Sometimes, field identification guides can be quite boring and I tend to stay away from them unless I am using them to look for something specific. But this one is just absolutely amazing. Not only is it educational, but it is also laugh out loud funny! This book contains more than 150 pages crammed full of classic, monochrome plumage art paired with the delightful but dirty aphorisms that will have you hooked!
I have spent many days taking a walk on the Appalachian Trail and feel so lucky that I get to experience it almost every year. But not all of us are so lucky to live just a short drive away from this amazing trail which is why Bill Bryson wrote this book. He guides the reader through majestic mountains, silent forests, and sparkling lakes while telling tales of some of the unique characters he has met along his journey on the trail (including a couple of bears!). So pick up this book and take A Walk In The Woods!
Humans separating themselves from nature is not a new problem, but one that has existed for a long time. It is an issue that Henry David Thoreau felt strongly about and set out to address it in Walden. This timeless classic is worth all of the hype it has been given throughout the years. In this compelling novel, Thoreau recalls his time spent in a cabin (that he built!) in the woods and all of the priceless knowledge he picked up along the way. His story teaches us how to live deliberately and reconnect with our own roots.
Sometimes the journey of life can batter us down and we need to set off on a different path. In Wild, Cheryl Strayed shares her story of rediscovering herself. At the young age of 22, she thought she had lost everything after the loss of her mother and her marriage falling apart. She makes the very bold decision to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State with no experience or training - and she would do it alone. Her journey is incredible and shows how powerful reconnecting with nature while going off the beaten path can be.
Links to help Australia:
Go Fund Me for First Nations Communities
New South Wales Rural Fire Service
Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital
If you know of any other organizations accepting donations or ways to help, please leave your suggestions in the comments for other readers to reference as well!
By guest editor,
Alicia (IG: @thebookishpuff)
About the guest editor:
Alicia is currently the resident blogger over at The Bookish Puff and aspiring author. Raised under the southern sun she is a true eternal optimist with a deep love of history, stories, and a shameless addiction to caffeine. When she’s not on the internet writing about books, you can find her baking up a storm in her kitchen, watching true crime documentaries, sipping on coffee while chatting with friends, or getting lost in nature. She currently lives with her boyfriend and two crazy cats in Charleston, South Carolina in the United States.