Markiyan Kamysh
[isbn]
Part Kerouac. Part Barry Lopez. Totally weird and poetic. Travelers make their journeys to the Zone from all over the world for all different reasons. Kamysh guides them through. No stories here exactly, just life — kind of. Sometimes reality can be much stranger than fiction, and here we get what very well could be a final glimpse of a relatively undisturbed Chernobyl, a place the author calls "the most exotic place on Earth."
Recommended by Eric L.
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Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing
[isbn]
Set in the PNW's own Cascade Mountains, Tsing's examination of the Matsutake mushroom trade and its far-reaching affects on trade and currency locally and abroad is at once journalistic, scientific, and socially motivated. A fascinating look at how ecosystems emerge and thrive in spite of capitalist excavation, Tsing helps readers imagine a world where life and humanity coexist and even build new value systems together.
Recommended by SitaraG
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Jonathan Meiburg
[isbn]
This book is a delight, and I've added a visit to the Falklands to meet the hilarious, obnoxious, Johnny Rooks to my bucket list. Meiburg is an entertaining writer, and his descriptions of his travels throughout South America to find the amazing caracaras were wonderfully vivid. One of my top five books from 2021!
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Grady Hillhouse
[isbn]
The engineered environment is all around us and pretty much impossible to escape. While we live so dependently on these systems, we take for granted the profound benefits engineering bring to our lives. In Engineering in Plain Sight we get a front-row view of what it takes to run our cities and a better understanding of the systems around us. With clear illustrations and layman-friendly writing, we get an opportunity to explore (and... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Sandra Lawrence, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
[isbn]
All hail the glory of mushrooms! Quite possibly the most beautiful and important resource in the natural environment, mushrooms have been treasured since the dawn of humans. The Magic of Mushrooms walks us through the practice and lore of the mighty fungus, showing us how people have treasured, been fascinated by, and misused the mushroom throughout history. The illustrations are beautiful as they speak to the magical influence the... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Oliver Milman
[isbn]
We wouldn't have chocolate without flies? Everyone knows about the plight of bees and butterflies, but the entire insect world is essential for ecosystems to keep functioning. You'll journey with the author to learn from entomologists as they share their expertise. I did not like the imagined scenario of what the world would look like without insects. Even if they give you the creeps, The Insect Crisis will help you appreciate insects... (read more)
Recommended by Erica B.
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Dan Saladino
[isbn]
I could not put this book down! An insightful look at how global homogenization has not only shaped what and how we eat, but has ruthlessly reduced the variety as well. Saladino walks us through the rich and varied food choices of the past that were important cultural markers of the societies that nurtured them. He then describes their loss, be it due to habitat cleared for monoculture crops, war, climate change, or simply time. Saladino rounds... (read more)
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Robert A Jacobs
[isbn]
As terrifying as it is that we once again find ourselves potentially inching towards a nuclear standoff, it's even more terrifying to consider the costs already incurred from nuclear weapons testing — a toll we will pay for centuries. This book is a disturbing read, but as the machinations of the military-industrial complex become more distant and obfuscated, it's one that needs our attention.
Recommended by John Ha
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Sy Montgomery
[isbn]
Like a bird of prey, this short book may not weigh a lot, but its grip is fierce. Sy Montgomery’s account of her encounters with hawks and a master falconer is full of heart. This is superb nature writing.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Taylor Brorby
[isbn]
This is one of those rare books where every word is perfect, the storytelling is precisely paced and, while fractal, never feels broken or out-of-step. Environmentalist Broby ties the destruction of his beloved North Dakota home to the destruction of queer bodies, weaving his coming-out tale seamlessly into the story of coal and oil mining in the American Prairie. The effect is devastating and beautiful, and the book left me in breathless tears... (read more)
Recommended by Deana R.
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Frans de Waal
[isbn]
Gender has become one of the most ubiquitous topics in both popular and academic discourse. While much has been written on the psychological and biological aspects of human gender, what might gender expression among humanity's closest living relatives, the other great apes, tell us about our own experiences with the topic?
Frans de Waal seeks to answer that question in this multifaceted and accessible work of science writing. De Waal draws on... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Ben Orlin
[isbn]
Math Games with Bad Drawings made me smile. A well-organized format gets you quickly to what you need. The positive tone and happy stick figure drawings guide you through the how-tos and history of each game. If you already know the standard game (like Dots and Boxes), Orlin includes variations or similar games for continued fun. Simple household materials, easy-to-learn rules, but complex play make this a perfect gift for anyone (or... (read more)
Recommended by Erica B.
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Michael J. Hathaway
[isbn]
The second book in a planned trilogy (following the excellent The Mushroom at the End of the World by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing), What a Mushroom Lives For explores the world created by the interplay between matsutake and the people, plants, and animals who are shaped by them. The world of fungi is fascinating and Hathaway is a wonderful guide.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Yuri Herrera and Lisa Dillman
[isbn]
This slim volume, which chronicles the 1920 El Bordo mine fire in Pachuca, Mexico, is a brave, diligent, and heartbreakingly beautiful act of solidarity. Herrera travels back in time to restore dignity and a voice to workers who were afforded neither for nearly a hundred years; to show kindness to their families, who were questioned and humiliated as they mourned; and to condemn their employer, who declared his workers dead as they still drew... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Diana Beresford Kroeger
[isbn]
We heal ourselves by healing the trees.
“...the forest is far more than a source of timber. It is our collective medicine cabinet. It is our lungs. It is the regulatory system for our climate and our oceans. It is the mantle of our planet. It is the health and well-being of our children and grandchildren. It is our sacred home. It is our salvation.”
—from the Introduction, by the author
Recommended by Marianne T
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Thomas Halliday
[isbn]
Otherlands is a voyage through the bygone menageries of Earth's past. But this book is more than a simple exploration of Earth's history — built firmly on the fascinating sciences of geology, paleontology, and evolutionary biology — it is also a passionate love letter to this strange little planet we call home. What makes Otherlands unique is the touch of poetry author Thomas Halliday weaves into the text, evoking a sense of the... (read more)
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Richard Dawkins
[isbn]
The Greatest Show on Earth is a fun, engaging, and informative read. You'll find the expertise and passion of Dawkins shining bright on every page as he takes you on a journey of discovery. This is an excellent book both for biology enthusiasts and for those new to this field of science. Simply put, I'd recommend this work to anyone and everyone wanting to know more about the intriguing world of evolutionary biology.
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Sagan, Carl and Druyan, Ann
[isbn]
The Demon Haunted World is one of those books with the power to truly change your perspective of the world. In this incisive yet emotionally engaging treatise, Carl Sagan not only shines a light on our darkest superstitions and fears but also demonstrates why science and reason are not simply the best way toward a brighter future, but the only way. A must read for every scientist, skeptic, and human being.
Recommended by Nickolas J.
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Louise L Hay
[isbn]
A best-selling classic, this book changes lives. I read it years ago and have used affirmations ever since. Especially these days, we could all use a little improvement in our lives, so why not utilize the power of daily affirmations, as millions do!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Roddy Scheer
[isbn]
In the Pacific Northwest, we’re gifted with so many natural wonders that it can be hard to keep track: enter Roddy Scheer’s indispensable guide. This book will be my personal tour guide for spring (and summer, fall, and winter, too).
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Roger Fouts
[isbn]
This book will break your heart and then put it back together again.
Recommended by Milo D.
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Matt Kracht
[isbn]
Believe it or not, there are dumb birds all over this whole stupid world. In this follow up to The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America, you’ll learn to identify dumb birds on every single idiotic continent. Split into helpful categories like show-offs, dork-legs, and murder birds, you’ll become a true expert on these little jerks.
Recommended by Moses M.
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Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson
[isbn]
I read a lot of books about climate change. They can be depressing, infuriating, and induce apathy over action. All We Can Save is truly the most inspirational book I've read on our climate emergency. The book is full of essays, poetry, and art by a wonderful variety of women who share their passion, creativity, ideas, and hope as they fight for the future. What fantastic collection.
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Elizabeth Kolbert
[isbn]
Elizabeth Kolbert examines the ways human intervention has caused environmental devastation. And yet, further intervention seems all that will mitigate the consequences. Don't we have a responsibility to explore any and all measures to save the environment? To what degree do we have the right?
Recommended by Abigail R.
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Merlin Sheldrake
[isbn]
Reading Merlin Sheldrake feels like getting a personal tour of the most overlooked kingdom of life from an enthusiastic expert. Helpfully illustrated and full of fascinating stories, Entangled Life is the perfect introduction to mycology for a lay reader. You will never look at fungi the same way again.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Philipp Dettmer
[isbn]
As someone living with an autoimmune disease, I've long had a love-hate relationship with my immune system, but I've rarely thought about the system as a whole. Dettmer rectified that. Immune is an engrossing illustrated primer on the wonders and horrors of the immune system that will leave you with a new appreciation for the human body.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Fukiharu Toshimitsu , Bone Eugenia
[isbn]
Mushrooms are having a moment (or maybe are always en vogue in the Pacific Northwest). These gorgeous illustrations from the 18th and 19th centuries are captivating, whether you're a fan of fungi in the culinary, scientific, or strictly aesthetic realm.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Rebecca Solnit
[isbn]
A contemplation on the life of one of the 20th century's greatest essayists, journalists, and truth-tellers by one of the 21st century's greatest? I'm in! I dropped everything on my TBR with plans to fly through it in a weekend, but quickly slowed down because this is an adroit, scholarly collection that deserves to be savored with deliberative reflection.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Nick Offerman
[isbn]
Join Nick Offerman, Jeff Tweedy, and George Saunders on a journey to Glacier National Park. Offerman’s observations about conservation, history, and geology, and humorous musings about the area, will make you feel like you’re right alongside him, selecting gear from REI, sipping on coffee, and smelling the fresh air together with your pals.
Recommended by Kim T.
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Susan Orlean
[isbn]
From tigers as household pets to show dogs, backyard chickens, and one very famous whale, Orlean is in fine form in this collection of essays detailing our various relationships to animals. As always, her prose is insightful, informative, and full of incisive metaphors.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Jessica Pierce, Marc Bekoff
[isbn]
We are a dog-loving people, collectively. Approximately 76,811,305 dogs are in the United States as I write this, and just how many of those dogs do you suppose could go on living happily without their loving human (or any human for that matter) by their side? It's an interesting question, and one that the authors, Jessica Pierce and Marc Bekoff, have tried to figure out. What traits would make the most sturdy specimen in the wilds, roaming free... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Mary Roach
[isbn]
Mary Roach always offers absorbing, entertaining science, and Fuzz, all about “when wild animals break laws intended for people,” delivers the funny and fascinating goods — full of facts, wry wit, and important commentary on the ways animals and humans (in all their goodness and not-so-goodness) can coexist.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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James Kelman
[isbn]
Winner of the 1994 Man Booker Prize, How Late It Was, How Late follows the trials and tribulations of our main character Sammy after he unwisely picks a fight with some plainclothes police. Getting beaten senseless, literally, he wakes up the next day completely blind. Written in Kelman's inimitable style with an emphasis on the first-person stream-of-consciousness technique, Scottish literature is a law unto its own self and this book... (read more)
Recommended by Fletcher O.
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Carrot Quinn
[isbn]
Jumping between her childhood in Alaska and time spent traveling across the country via hopping trains, Carrot Quinn’s book is searing, gut-wrenching, and deeply nomadic. Whether she’s writing about her mother or about how to hop a freight train, Quinn’s prose is evocative, direct, and eloquent.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Barry Lopez
[isbn]
It feels reductive to call Barry Lopez's work nature writing. He had a gift for taking the awe that the natural world can inspire and distilling it into prose. It is difficult to choose just one of his books to recommend — read them all! — but Arctic Dreams is exceptional. Epic in scope and execution, it covers every aspect of the Arctic: its Native peoples, flora, fauna, geology, explorers, climate. In Lopez's skilled hands the barren... (read more)
Recommended by Emily B.
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Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan
[isbn]
Carl Sagan wrote about our smallness in the universe in the most uplifting way imaginable. He understood it first-hand; the famous “Pale Blue Dot” photo was taken by Voyager on his recommendation to NASA. It would be easy to look at a photograph like that and say: “We are so small; nothing we do matters.” Instead, Sagan says: "[I]t underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish…the only home we've... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Masanobu Fukuoka and Larry Korn
[isbn]
Out of print and highly sought after in the US for more than 25 years, Masanobu Fukuoka’s natural farming manifesto is no less revolutionary today than it was when it was first published in 1978, and arguably more necessary with time. A radical rethinking of agriculture, global food systems, and the relationship between humans and the earth we inhabit, The One-Straw Revolution contains both practical gardening advice and profound,... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Terry Tempest Williams
[isbn]
Activist, author, and conservationist Terry Tempest Williams is as vital as the wildernesses she so magnificently writes about (whether on a map or located within). For nearly four decades now, this advocate, defender, and all-around American treasure has been an unwavering voice for environmental and social justice, encouraging compassion for and (re)connection with the natural world. In Erosion: Essays of Undoing, Williams balances... (read more)
Recommended by Jeremy G.
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Peter Wohlleben and Jane Billinghurst
[isbn]
The Heartbeat of Trees is a love letter to the forest. Rejecting the credo that humankind has caused too much damage to ever restore our ties with nature, Wohlleben draws on recent scientific studies to show how intensely we are connected to the natural world even now — and how vital that connection will be for the battle ahead.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Carol Gracie, Amy Jean Porter
[isbn]
I love this new entry in the Pedia Books series by Princeton University Press. Fun, informative, and prettily illustrated by Amy Jean Porter. Open anywhere and be delighted!
Recommended by Jennifer K.
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Kevin Hobbs
[isbn]
A beautiful encyclopedia of the world's trees, informative and enchanting. It discusses special animal-tree relationships that have existed through time, such as between the giant ground sloth and the avocado tree, but also how human relations with trees have altered from the time of Neanderthals to today.
Recommended by Jennifer K.
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Max Adams
[isbn]
I love this book! It's the perfect coffee table or display volume, with gorgeous illustrations, as well as photographs that really give you a sense of being in the presence of each tree. Each entry is the perfect blend of informative and charming, emphasizing traditional and current use by humans and animals. From trees that purify the soil or water (moringa, for an example of the latter), to those that provide food, medicine, cosmetic oils (sea... (read more)
Recommended by Jennifer K.
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Helen Macdonald
[isbn]
Helen Macdonald returns with an essay collection centered on our relationship to the world around us. Whether she’s discussing migration patterns, mushroom hunting, or returning to her childhood stomping grounds, MacDonald paints an eloquent and illuminating portrayal of the natural world.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Erika Engelhaupt
[isbn]
I take a great deal of enjoyment out of the weird, and the dark, and the gory. I guess it's the adult version of children's ghost stories told around the campfire. Let's be honest, who exactly can resist a creepy science tale at family dinner? As they say, truth is often stranger than fiction, and I'm thinking Gory Details: Adventures From the Dark Side of Science will prove this old adage in spades.
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Sarah Stirling
[isbn]
Taking cues from everything going on in the world, many have found a need to reconnect with the spaces around us and of course, nature is such a large part of that. Nature walks in our neighborhoods have become commonplace, foraging has become a cherished family activity, and mushrooms have become sought-out treasures. I think many of us took nature for granted before 2020. It took a pandemic to open our eyes to the wonders around us. Rewild... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Neil DeGrasse Tyson and James Trefil
[isbn]
A philosopher’s science guide, for every curious mind who likes to pore over beautiful photos and graphs about the universe and revel over its (and our own) origins. You really can’t go wrong with physicists Neil deGrasse Tyson and James Trefil at the helm.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Michelle Nijhuis
[isbn]
Read Nijhuis if you want to understand the conservation movement and its key figures. A dense but deeply important read, Beloved Beasts depicts the triumphs without papering over the racism and colonialism that have always been deeply intertwined with the movement.
Recommended by Emily B.
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John Bradshaw and Sarah Ellis
[isbn]
Want to prove to the dog people in your life that cats can learn tricks too? This guide will explain how to train your kitty to sit, high five, take their medicine, get in their carrier, come when called, and generally impress your friends, family, and people at the local dog park with your cat on a leash.
Recommended by Alice G.
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Jenny Odell
[isbn]
In 2020, we were forcibly thrust into the long-promised future of virtual hyper-connectivity. Given this new landscape, Jenny Odell's perceptive analysis of the anxious routines of our online lives has taken on new meaning. Going beyond simple critique, she offers a considered framework for reimagining our relationship with the virtual and the real.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Michael E. Mann
[isbn]
Fossil fuel companies and politicians beholden to business interests have waged a propaganda war, transforming climate change in the public imagination from the urgent responsibility of governments and corporations into an issue of personal responsibility. In The New Climate War, Mann reveals the inner machinations of this war and empowers readers to fight back.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Bill Bryson
[isbn]
Bill Bryson takes the reader through fascinating facts of the human body (the kidneys process over 3 pounds of salt a day!); best guesses as to why we exist the way we do (is the uvula a "mudflap for the mouth"?); and the often questionable medical experiments and characters that have helped illuminate how the body works. The Body is a surprisingly cheerful journey through both the ways in which we seem to be perfectly designed, and the... (read more)
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Anna Wiener
[isbn]
Uncanny Valley is the truest thing I’ve ever read. It’s such a precise picture of the last decade in the tech industry, told in matter-of-fact prose that made me gasp and cringe and laugh. Anna Wiener takes readers on her journey from barely-scraping-by publishing assistant to well-compensated tech worker, and how she grapples with the slow burn of false promises and the unforeseen consequences of the venture-backed playground of Silicon... (read more)
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Steven Johnson
[isbn]
Johnson has a knack for honing in on pivotal moments in scientific history, and making the big, lofty ideas behind them, as well as the more intimate personal aspects of the people involved, riveting. This chronicle of the 1854 cholera outbreak in London is also an exciting detective story — one with huge ramifications for the development and sustainability of urban life. It’s an especially timely read during the age of COVID-19.
Recommended by Lori M.
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Yuval Noah Harari
[isbn]
There are a lot of choices in evolutionary science titles, and I personally feel it can get a bit overwhelming. When Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens came out a few years ago, it really brought evolutionary science to the masses. Thoughtful, engaging writing that is accessible, even to the non-science-y folks. With The Birth of Human Kind (Sapiens #1), we can see Harari's work brought to life in captivating illustrations, further encouraging... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris
[isbn]
The calmness of nature poetry combined with beautiful watercolor artistry makes for a delightful combination. I find myself staring at the few sample copies provided, and yearning for more. I'm bookmarking this title as my go-to gift for all my fellow nature lovers.
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Michael Pollan
[isbn]
Credited with igniting the mainstream's consciousness surrounding food, Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan carefully examines the culture and processes of the food we eat. A catalyst for various food movements in the 21st century, Pollan successfully wrote a text that challenged and changed the way omnivores the world over think about what's on their dinner plate.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Danae Horst
[isbn]
Nature has a way of clearing our mind, and taking us to a place that's a little less tense. While a lovely nature walk may not be feasible for all of us, we can certainly enjoy nature in our home... one houseplant at a time. Environmental profiles, plant descriptions, and all the basics required for thriving indoor greenery are included in this expansive title.
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Ed Yong
[isbn]
If you've been devouring British science writer Ed Yong's insightful articles on COVID-19 in The Atlantic these last few months, but haven't read his 2016 book, you are in for a treat. Yong's enthusiasm for his subject — the microbial world and our ever-expanding research into it — is absolutely infectious. Yong shares some of the most significant research into our planet’s diverse and countless microbes and explains the symbiotic... (read more)
Recommended by Lori M.
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Douglas W. Tallamy
[isbn]
Buying books for the climate change section can get a little depressing sometimes, so when a book with “hope” in the title comes along, I pay attention! This title is part of a growing area of climate literature that focuses on big picture changes individual folks can make — in this case, how to make your backyard part of a conservation corridor for wildlife in order to help boost biodiversity. Practical, inspirational, and full of scientific and... (read more)
Recommended by Leah C.
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Barry Lopez
[isbn]
As someone who has broadened the notion of what it means to be both a world traveler and a profoundly curious writer, it’s no wonder that National Book Award–winning author Barry Lopez, now 74 years old and battling terminal cancer, has given us a work so expansive it can only be named Horizon. Lopez has visited more than 70 countries, and though his book is loosely divided into just six regions — from the Oregon Coast to the... (read more)
Recommended by Renee P.
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Mark Kurlansky
[isbn]
A Pacific Northwest native, I’ve been surrounded by salmon culture my whole life. I was shocked by how much I didn’t know about these incredible fish and their possible fate, but who better than Mark Kurlansky to teach me with this concise yet wide-ranging history.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Laura Trethewey
[isbn]
Trethewey shows humanity's dependence on the sea, and currently, humanity's changing relationship to it. Revealing different aspects of this connection through different oceans, the book is like several extremely well researched and written long-form essays. One thing Trethewey does well is taking an overwhelming topic and making it accessible through the stories of individuals who represent a global issue like the refugee crisis, property... (read more)
Recommended by Bill L.
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Lauren Redniss
[isbn]
Oak Flat is simultaneously an object of mesmerizing beauty and an urgent book of complete necessity. Lauren Redniss tells the tale of the struggle to preserve a site sacred to the Apache people from a copper mining project that would destroy it utterly. Her vibrant illustrations and careful curation of competing voices convey the high stakes while honoring the dignity of the people on both sides, and the dignity of the natural world as... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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John Wackman, Elizabeth Knight
[isbn]
Consumerism is such a tricky friend. I"ll be the first to admit that I'm attracted to something new and shiny, even when the item I'm replacing could be repaired easily. I'm convinced that there must be a happy medium in there somewhere, and the rise of the repair café culture definitely brings that point home. Repair Revolution: How Fixers Are Transforming Our Throwaway Culture reminds us that we don't always need to upgrade, and that... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Lulu Miller
[isbn]
Lulu Miller is a master storyteller who honed her craft on podcasts like Radiolab and Invisibilia. In her debut book, she guides the reader through her research into David Starr Johnson, a fish scientist and the founding President of Stanford University, whose life's work came crashing down around him. Why Fish Don’t Exist is a beautiful and moving book about three of the driving forces behind modern life: fear,... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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Brian Greene
[isbn]
On a journey from the Big Bang to the likely entropic death of our universe, Greene reminds us that we are nothing more than bundles of particles created through natural selection and random chance, beholden to nature’s laws — but there is infinite beauty in the meaning we create in the space in between.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Joshua D Mezrich
[isbn]
When Death Becomes Life is a beautifully written tribute to science, medicine, and humanity, viewed through the capable lens of a transplant surgeon. Joshua Mezrich synthesizes over 100 years of medical history, shares extraordinary stories about his patients, and writes emotionally and joyously about his own life's work. A remarkable and inspiring memoir.
Recommended by Jill O.
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Damon Krukowski
[isbn]
An interesting, fun, and thoughtful look at sound, both ambient and musical, by a member of one of my favorite bands ever (Galaxie 500). A great companion to the podcast.
Recommended by Kevin S.
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Robert MacFarlane
[isbn]
With poetic command of language, keen observational gifts, and worldly perspective, Robert Macfarlane seamlessly blends scientific inquiry, nature writing, travelogue, adventure tale, reportage, history, and requiem for our Anthropocenic age. Perceptive, reflective, and educative, Underland is unequivocally one of the year's must-read books; it is a masterful, magnificent work.
Recommended by Jeremy G.
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Isabella Tree
[isbn]
This book has done the impossible — it has given me hope for the future. Wilding is the true story of how the owners of a depleted British farm decided to return the ecosystem to its natural state in an attempt to make the land viable again — and the fact that 28 years later the plants and animals and insects and soil are all now FLOURISHING is so beautiful and hopeful and moving I can hardly stand it. This planet is desperate for more... (read more)
Recommended by Leah C.
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Pam Houston
[isbn]
Deep Creek, Pam Houston's new memoir, details her life over decades on her 120-acre ranch in Colorado, including rich, vivid details about rural life, and honest, sometimes searing stories about Houston's own history. For any fans of her earlier work, or anyone who loves strong female voices or nature memoirs, Deep Creek hits the spot.
Recommended by Jill O.
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Michael Lewis
[isbn]
The numerous exposés on the current president have almost entirely neglected the lower-level appointees currently burrowing into the agencies of the federal government. Who better than the author of Moneyball and The Big Short to chronicle the exploitation of weaknesses in our system?
Recommended by Keith M.
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Robert Michael Pyle
[isbn]
Along with salmon, rain, and huge trees, Bigfoot is one of the Northwest's enduring icons, yet the blurry beast seldom gets taken seriously. Where Bigfoot Walks is an open-minded and wide-ranging look at the phenomenon of Bigfoot, and the cultural significance of Sasquatch in regional history, place names, and collective consciousness. It takes us deep into the natural beauty of our remaining wilderness, investigates the cool weirdness... (read more)
Recommended by Jason W.
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Craig Childs
[isbn]
Part travel narrative and part investigative journalism, Craig Childs explores and contemplates the two major questions about us humans: who we are and where we came from. Though not providing definitive answers, Childs writes a great and fun adventure book about Ice Age America. A real fun read.
Recommended by Manuel H.
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Robin Wall Kimmerer
[isbn]
In this luminous and wise book, botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer (Potawatomi Nation) makes a lyrical and convincing case for reimagining our relationship to nature as mutually beneficial. Taking the reader from her classroom to her lab to her (enviably abundant) garden to a rainforest in Oregon, Kimmerer demonstrates time and again how working with the land, as opposed to shaping it to one’s purpose, is a method rooted in Indigenous tradition and... (read more)
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Amaryllis Fox
[isbn]
Amaryllis Fox’s absolutely fascinating memoir about working in the CIA is as electric and heart-stopping as the best spy movies. Seriously, one of the most captivating books I have ever read, period.
Recommended by Mary S.
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David Murphy
[isbn]
So many Instant Pot cookbooks are almost interchangeable, but this one really does seem magical. There are recipes here that I’ve never heard of before: Dampfnudel (a German cake that can be served either as an entrée or a dessert), Potato Candy (it’s a potato AND a candy), Squared Deviled Eggs (I think you can get the picture), and good old normal stuff like Funeral Potatoes and Detox Soup. Pull this cookbook off your shelves when you get bored... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Roger McNamee
[isbn]
Roger McNamee advised Mark Zuckerberg during the early days at Facebook. Years later, he tried to tell his former mentee that things had gone terribly wrong. We’re all living with the consequences. Zucked shows that it was a combination of numerous human errors exacerbated by algorithms that brought us to this point, but the one man with the power to pursue solutions refuses to do so.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Jonathan Safran Foer
[isbn]
A thoughtful and urgent examination of climate change anxiety and how we can — and must — overcome it to take action.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Marc Hamer
[isbn]
In this quiet, respectful, and inspiring tome, Hamer uses moles as a framework for his philosophy on nature and life, incorporating prose, poetry and even illustrations. Part natural observation, part memoir of a life spent mostly outdoors, How to Catch a Mole is 100% delightful.
Recommended by Leah C.
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Maja Säfström
[isbn]
An engaging compendium of animal facts (bats give birth upside down! parrots name their young!) accompanied by playful ink drawings, Maja Säfström’s Amazing Facts About Baby Animals is a delightful way to celebrate the world’s diversity while refueling on fascinating conversation starters for all those holiday parties.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Barbara Natterson Horowitz, Kathryn Bowers
[isbn]
Safety. Status. Sex. Self-Reliance. Wildhood argues that mastering these four things are the markers of maturity. Using four different species (penguin, hyena, blue whale, and wolf), in addition to humans, the authors demonstrate how adolescent behaviors pertaining to these four competencies are universal, and have been in existence from the beginning. A fascinating, easily readable book, Wildhood is a MUST-READ for teachers,... (read more)
Recommended by Beth C.
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Thor Hanson
[isbn]
Both informative and readable, Buzz is a fascinating deep dive into the world of bees. Thor Hanson adeptly tours us through the history and mythology of the bee.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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Christopher McDougall
[isbn]
I love this heartwarming true story about a donkey named Sherman. The author and his family rescued him from a hoarding situation. He was in bad shape, but with the help of friends, neighbors, and some fellow animals, Sherman trained to run the World Championship Pack Burro Race.
Recommended by Jennifer H.
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Randall Munroe
[isbn]
Cartoonist Randall Munroe’s impish love of physics has driven him to discover and share how to best use it for absurd ends, like moving a house with rockets or boiling a river with tea kettles. Please don’t do either.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Terry Tempest Williams
[isbn]
Activist, nature writer, and conservationist Terry Tempest Williams
is also an American treasure. In Erosion:
Essays of Undoing, Williams balances empathy and outrage, anger and
forgiveness, beauty and loss, hope and despair. Williams is a magnificent
writer and Erosion is simultaneously
a salvo and salve for our disquieting Anthropocenic age.
Recommended by Jeremy G.
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Caitlin Doughty and Dianne Ruz
[isbn]
Mortician Caitlin Doughty is a death myth-buster. Will My Cat is made up of kids' questions about death. Her practical approach helps to normalize the post-life we will all face. Her informative answers are sometimes yucky but always funny, making this guide to death good for the whole (slightly ghoulish) family.
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Sean Carroll
[isbn]
Sean Carroll, author of From Eternity to Here, takes on some of the most challenging and mind-bending questions in modern physics in his new book, Something Deeply Hidden. In lucid prose, using accessible and hard-to-refute arguments, Carroll lays out his case that there are more than one of us — of everyone — in the universe. A persuasive, fascinating, and landmark work of physics.
Recommended by Jill O.
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Oliver Sacks
[isbn]
This collection is one of two books Sacks was working on when he passed away, and with probing essays on time, memory, creativity, and consciousness, it’s a fitting send-off. As usual, his inquiries reveal a dedication to intellectual rigor matched by an extraordinary generosity of spirit.
Recommended by Renee P.
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Edward O Wilson
[isbn]
Edward O. Wilson's latest book is a beautifully written and persuasive argument for resisting the separation of the arts and sciences, and understanding how — combined — they hold the keys to the most essential human traits. The Origins of Creativity is a graceful, intelligent, and crucial work.
Recommended by Jill O.
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Anil Ananthaswamy
[isbn]
The “double-slit” experiment has flummoxed scientists for 200 years. With concise, compelling prose that makes this complex, bizarre subject not only fathomable but downright fascinating, Anil Ananthaswamy explores the who, what, why, and how of one of the weirdest, most mysterious experiments in the history of science.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Yuval Noah Harari
[isbn]
Once man has conquered plague, famine, and war, what will the next quest be? New York Times bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari tackles this question deftly, painting a fascinating, insightful, and frankly downright scary picture of the future of the species that strives to be gods of the earth.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Edmund Morris
[isbn]
Thomas Edison was a colossus of American life, holding over a thousand patents when he died. The great inventor is a fitting subject for Edmund Morris’s final work, for which he spent seven years working through Edison’s voluminous archives.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Rachel Maddow
[isbn]
Rachel Maddow is known for digging deep to find surprising connections between the forces that shape contemporary politics. In her new book, she reveals just how pervasive, and toxic, Big Oil’s influence has been across the globe.
Recommended by Moses M.
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Naomi Klein
[isbn]
With signature moxie, Naomi Klein takes on climate reform through a series of essays that examine where we are, how we got to this point, and where to go from here. Her indefatigable efforts and journalistic integrity continue to blaze an enduring path of hope.
Recommended by Moses M.
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Christopher Ryan
[isbn]
Christopher Ryan wants you to reconsider the lives of our foraging ancestors. Perhaps, like me, you’ve never much considered their lives at all, and just assumed that any humans living before the advent of agriculture slogged through grim existences that — to the extent that they can even be imagined — were short and miserable. In Civilized to Death, Ryan makes a compelling case that whatever modern miracles prehistoric humans may have... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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Ian Stewart
[isbn]
Scientist Ian Stewart takes the complexity of our universe and explains it, bit by bit, according to how the numbers add up. Stewart also humanizes our history of calculations, explaining how we came to better understand the universe through detailing our insights, mistakes, recalculations, and lucky guesses. This book is for anyone who is fascinated by looking at the stars and wants to better understand their — and our — place in the cosmos.
Recommended by Bill L.
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Alexandra Horowitz
[isbn]
In Our Dogs, Ourselves, Alexandra Horowitz takes us inside the relationship between humans and dogs, opening our eyes to the many rules and requirements that narrate our canine friends’ domestic existences. From naming them to the songs we sing to them, she shows us who we are by how we treat them, and also a better way forward for honoring the true nature of these most loyal of all companions.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Yuval Noah Harari
[isbn]
Having written about mankind’s past and future, Harari turns his keen eye and provocative fusion of historical and scientific reasoning to an examination of the present. Harari is a captivating writer, unafraid to follow the paths technology, climate change, national politics, and other hot button issues are leading us on. It’s a journey well worth joining.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Jaron Lanier
[isbn]
Social media is certainly affecting your life and your perceptions more than you realize, and you should challenge yourself to contend with Lanier’s arguments, which are clear, concise, and (unlike so much other technology writing) neither utopian nor dystopian.
Recommended by Keith M.
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