World Book Day
I thought I would share ten of the best nature and photography-related books I’ve read recently for World Book Day. I’ll leave full reviews to the professionals, but I truly enjoyed each of these books for different reasons.
The Hidden Lives of Owls: The Science and Spirit of Nature’s Most Elusive Birds by Leigh Calvez
This book might not have been the definitive book on owls I’d hoped for, but it was such a human and conversational read that I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter.
The Overstory by Richard Powers
This was a really original novel and one of the most entertaining ways to learn about trees I can imagine.
Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis by Timothy Egan
This book stands out from the rest as a biography of a photographer. Still, apart from the fact it’s an incredible story, it casts a light on another tragic story in the history of America: the persecution of the first people.
The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World by Andrea Wulf
Everyone knows who Charles Darwin was. And most people are aware of John Muir. After reading this book, it’s baffling that most people have no idea Alexander von Humboldt ever existed, but arguably, he towers above all those giants of natural science.
Wild New World: The Epic Story of Animals and People in America by Dan Flores
It’s painful to consider how much damage we’ve done to the animals we’re (or, in many cases, were) sharing this planet with. This left me in awe at humankind’s path of destruction in America, but I was also extra impressed by our conservation success stories.
What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World by Jon Young
After reading this book, you’ll never look at the birds in your garden the same way again.
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert
Holy shit. This book unsettled me more than any Stephen King novel.
Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther by Craig Pittman
In my opinion, natural science, conservation, and adventure are a perfect cocktail. This book serves it by the pitcher.
The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vaillant
If this book had been fiction, it would have been a beautifully written, if unbelievable, adventure story. But it’s true! It’s actually true.
The Rise and Reign of the Mammals: A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us by Steve Brusatte
Many of us invested a lot of imagination trying to picture the dinosaurs that walked this planet millions of years ago. Still, we haven’t always spent the same time thinking about the long lineage of mammals evolution has produced. This book helps to put that right.
Wilds of the United States: The Animals’ Survival Field Guide by Alexander Vidal
As a bonus, this is the book I enjoyed reading the most with my son, Gavin. The illustrations are stunning, and despite this book being aimed at children, I learned an incredible amount about our ecosystems.
