List
Embrace Nature
Whether the nature you know is outside your back door or in a remote wilderness destination, there is endless beauty and wonder to be celebrated in the natural world. Skokie library staff share some favorite books about nature and the benefits of getting outdoors.
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A Natural History of the Chicago Region
2002 by Greenberg, JoelGet this itemNot a dry, scholarly tome, this beautifully researched and presented book about the natural history of the Chicago region is one I always keep within reach. No book has better helped me understand the place we live. Suggested by Chris.
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Andy Goldsworthy: A Collaboration with Nature
1990 by Goldsworthy, AndyGet this itemGoldworthy has committed himself, for several decades, to creating beautiful, ephemeral works of "natural" art that both reflect and amplify the place they're made. He uses only nature's objects--twigs, rocks, snow, ice, etc.--spending hours on his creations, only to have the next tide, heat of the sun, or wind undo his labor. Suggested by Chris.
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Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
2007 by Dillard, AnnieGet this itemA book almost overwhelmed by the author's powers of seeing. And not just any kind of seeing, but a kind of transcendent seeing, almost mystical at times, maybe even touched by a hint of madness. And overflowing with life, joy, observation, and a tree with lights in it. Suggested by Chris.
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How to Forage for Wild Foods without Dying
2023 by Zachos, EllenGet this itemI appreciate this title. The author is a an expert in wild foraging and offers a well-researched, beautifully illustrated guide to some of the more popular edible plants around us. Most important, as Library Journal notes, the "author also wisely urges would-be foragers to seek professional advice if there's even minor doubt about any plant's safety." Suggested by Chris.
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Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
2020 by Kimmerer, Robin WallGet this itemThis book prompted me reflect on my place in the natural world in an intentional and joyful way. The author draws on her experience as a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation to explore the connection between the scientific and spiritual worlds. Suggested by Brenna.
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Where We Meet the World: The Story of the Senses
2023 by Ward, AshleyGet this itemEngaging and thought-provoking, this book takes readers on a journey about the power of our senses and how they shape our encounters with the world. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly claims, "this [book] will change how readers see the world." Suggested by Rummanah.
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Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest: A Simple Guide to Common Mushrooms
2020 by Marrone, TeresaGet this itemForaging for mushrooms is a hobby of mine–you’ll find me searching for morels every spring! This is my go-to guide for identification. It includes photographs and concise text to help correctly identify our fungi friends. Suggested by Brenna.
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Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness
2018 by Li, QingGet this itemShinrin-yoku (forest bathing) is the Japanese practice of mindfully spending time in and around trees. In this book, doctor and forest medicine expert Qing Li presents the many benefits of this practice and why we all should spend more time in nature. Suggested by Paul.
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The Eight Master Lessons of Nature: What Nature Teaches Us about Living Well in the World
2019 by Ferguson, GaryGet this itemNature writer Gary Ferguson argues that the harmony of nature can teach humans how to live more peaceful and balanced lives. If you want to reconnect with nature and don't know where to start, this may be a great book to pick up. Suggested by Paul.
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Better Living through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World
2023 by Cooper, ChristianGet this itemChristian Cooper describes himself as a “Black gay activist birder.” In 2020, his video showing an encounter with a woman in Central Park went viral. Part nature writing, part memoir, and part travelog, this is beautifully written, engaging, thought-provoking, and a wonderful way to appreciate our feathered friends. Suggested by Sharon.
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Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures
2020 by Sheldrake, MerlinGet this itemA unique, devoted account of the importance of fungi. Although it is science writing, it's accessible, passionate, and surprisingly lyrical. There is also a new abridged illustrated 2023 edition. Suggested by Elise.
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Nature Swagger: Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors
2022 by Mapp, RueGet this itemTold through essays and beautiful pieces of photography, this title blends Black history with the inspirational stories of a conservation community trying to celebrate nature and remind folks about the importance of maintaining the natural world. Suggested by Amber.
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Diary of a Young Naturalist
2021 by McAnulty, DaraGet this itemBased on blog posts the author wrote over the course of his 14th year, this love letter to the imperiled Northern Irish countryside is already considered a classic of nature writing. See the world through the eyes of an extraordinary young man as he begins to find his voice as an author and activist. Suggested by Andrew.
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Fen, Bog & Swamp: A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis
2022 by Proulx, AnnieGet this itemA novelist well into her 80s writes what is less a traditional ecological manifesto--though it certainly makes important points--than a journey through her lifelong fascination with the ecosystems that humanity values the least and her voluminous reading about them. She titles one section "Discursive Thoughts on Wetlands," which honestly sums up the whole book. Suggested by Andrew.
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