In any exceptional book, setting plays a vital role. Fantasy authors invest their hearts in world-building, crafting unique landscapes that transport readers. Similarly, historical fiction writers meticulously research to bring another place and time to life. Beyond the carefully constructed cities, lies the raw beauty of nature’s tender touch. Poets have long celebrated ponds, seas, winds, and trees as sources of artistic inspiration.
From Homer’s evocative ‘wine-dark sea’ to Jan Karon’s idyllic ‘high, green hills,’ our connection to the earth is a treasure trove for creative exploration. Whether you’re an experienced free climber or simply appreciate the great outdoors, if you crave more adventure and wilderness, start with these books that celebrate nature.
Fiction Books for Nature Lovers
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Before Gary Paulsen’s iconic novel ‘Hatchet’ burst onto the scene, Jean Craighead George had already crafted a timeless tale of wilderness survival and adventure for young readers. In her classic 1970s release, Sam Gribley flees to the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York, forging an unlikely bond with a falcon and a weasel that helps him thrive in his new environment.
While ‘My Side of the Mountain’ is often associated with childhood, its themes of resilience and resourcefulness are equally compelling for readers of all ages. George’s profound respect for the natural world shines through on every page, making this book a must-read for anyone who loves animals and the great outdoors.
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
As the sun dipped below the horizon on the vast expanse of the northern Great Plains, four friends found themselves in a desperate bid to stay alive. The irony was not lost on them that it had been nearly a decade since their seemingly routine elk hunt had set off a chain of events that would test their mettle in ways they could never have imagined.
With the past and present colliding in a maelstrom of myth and reality, the men were forced to confront the harsh realities of survival – and make sacrifices to ensure their very existence.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
In the midst of a surreal odyssey, a young man named Pi finds himself fighting for survival on the Pacific Ocean. His journey begins with a catastrophic event – the sinking of the ocean liner he’s sailing on with his family. As fate would have it, Pi barely escapes with an unexpected companion: a tiger he names Richard Parker. Amidst the desperation and chaos of their situation, Yann Martel masterfully weaves a tale that transcends reality.
Through his experiences, Pi has the privilege of witnessing firsthand the breathtaking diversity of marine life. And in a testament to the power of resilience, Pi and Richard Parker form an unlikely bond, pushing beyond biological boundaries to achieve a profound understanding.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
With no one else to rely on, Kya Clark shapes her own destiny amidst the serene yet unforgiving marshes of North Carolina. When she’s suddenly accused of murder, this enigmatic ‘Marsh Girl’ is forced out of her sanctuary and into a town that had long shunned her existence. As Owens, a dedicated wildlife biologist, delves deeper into the intricacies of the natural world, his fascination with its inner workings takes center stage in this captivating novel.
The majestic yet unforgiving marsh serves as a backdrop to expose the thin veneer of societal norms, revealing the raw, primal nature that lurks beneath the surface of human behavior.
The Shipping News by Annie Proulx
In the aftermath of a shattering betrayal by his former lover, Quoyle, a self-proclaimed ‘third-rate newspaperman’, makes the drastic decision to uproot his two young daughters from their familiar life and relocate to his ancestral homestead in Killick-Claw, Newfoundland. A place where he had always felt rejected and ignored. However, upon settling into this rugged coastal community, Quoyle finds an unexpected sense of belonging among its eccentric and insular inhabitants.
The harsh yet beautiful landscape, shaped by the relentless wind and waves, serves as a backdrop for Proulx’s poignant exploration of what it means to find one’s place in the world.
In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner
The years between 1975 and 1979 were marked by the oppressive rule of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, an era that found its way into the pages of In the Shadow of the Banyan. This poignant novel is told through the eyes of a young girl named Raami, whose aristocratic family was ravaged by the brutal communist regime. As the horrors unfolded, Raami’s voice was silenced, yet she discovered a newfound sense of awe for the world’s beauty in the midst of trauma.
The author’s vivid descriptions of the landscape serve as a testament to the indispensable role that beauty plays in human survival.
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
In a desperate bid to stave off collapse, the Anishinaabe community in this novel turns inward, rekindling ancient connections with the land. As tensions simmer just below the surface, the inhabitants of this once-thriving community are forced to confront the consequences of being trapped in close quarters.
Unlike the expansive and open spaces found in works like The Only Good Indians, Moon of the Crusted Snow delves into the ways in which nature can push us together, revealing the intricate web of relationships that bind us to each other.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
In this gripping novel, Western Kentucky’s most striking contrasts converge as Cussy Carter navigates a challenging journey. As a pack horse librarian, she has overcome skepticism from her community to bring vital reading materials – books, magazines, and newspapers – to the rural residents of the Appalachian wilderness.
Richardson masterfully weaves together themes of racial tension, perseverance in the face of adversity, and the transformative power of education amidst the harsh beauty of this rugged landscape.
Two Old Women by Velma Wallis
In this captivating tale, the lines between superstition and reality blur as two elderly women are left to fend for themselves in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness. Abandoned by their tribe during a period of severe scarcity, they find an unexpected ally in each other. As Wallis vividly recounts, nature’s greatest paradox lies not in its ferocity, but in its capacity to transform even the most daunting challenges into opportunities.
Nonfiction Books for Nature Lovers
The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman
In the tumultuous year 1939, the Warsaw Zoo found itself at the crossroads of eugenics and wildlife biology. As German occupation loomed during World War II, opportunistic officers frequented the zoo, home to some of Western Europe’s most remarkable living specimens. By exploiting the Nazi fixation on science and dominance, Jan and Antonia Zabinski, the zookeepers, took a perilous stand by secretly aiding the Polish resistance.
This meticulously researched narrative seamlessly weaves together elements of history and naturalism, offering readers a fresh perspective on Warsaw.
Born Free by Joy Adamson
The dichotomy between civilization and nature is a longstanding conundrum, one that Adamson’s memoir on her relationship with a lioness cub thoughtfully explores. While the story was adapted into an Oscar-winning film in 1960, it’s the original narrative that truly offers insight into this complex issue. The questions raised in her book continue to resonate today, as humans grapple with finding a balance between respecting the natural world and preserving our own way of life.
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson embarked on an adventure along the winding Appalachian Trail, weaving a rich tapestry of history and ecology into his narrative. As he recounts his journey, he effortlessly avoids didacticism, instead conjuring up the atmosphere of a warm evening spent listening to your most charming relative regale you with tales of yesteryear.
The author’s unique voice is on full display as he shares anecdotes of chance encounters with locals and even bears, all set against the backdrop of his first major hurdle.
Guidebook to Relative Strangers by Camille T. Dugy
With over a decade of traveling across America for work, Dugy has developed a unique perspective on the country’s diverse landscapes. As a Black woman, she has encountered her share of challenges, which were amplified by the added responsibility of caring for an infant. From bustling metropolises to quaint rural towns, Dugy’s experiences have been shaped by her intersecting identities as a mother, poet, and woman of color.
Her writing is a masterful blend of travelogue, maternal memoir, and self-discovery, offering readers a nuanced portrayal of daily life through the eyes of a Black mother.
Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey
The extraordinary story of Dian Fossey is marked by her unrelenting dedication to animals, unwavering moral compass, and tragic assassination at the hands of poachers. Her 13-year odyssey amidst mountain gorillas’ habitats has left an indelible mark on international awareness, elevating these majestic, intelligent creatures to a position of reverence.
Fossey’s legacy transcends mere environmental influence, instead, it is her poignant display of empathy towards these powerful yet vulnerable natural marvels that continues to captivate and inspire.
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
In the era before modern medicine revolutionized human health, a different kind of hero emerged – country veterinarians who worked tirelessly to keep farm animals alive. James Herriot, one such dedicated vet, began his practice in Yorkshire nearly a century ago. His remarkable story has stood the test of time, poignantly illustrating how our very survival relies on the well-being of our animal companions. Moreover, it highlights the importance of preserving mental equilibrium as well.
Once you’ve had a taste of Herriot’s warm and unvarnished storytelling in his iconic book, All Creatures Great and Small, you’ll likely be eager to delve deeper into his writing.
True North by Gavin Francis
As Francis embarks on a Nordic pilgrimage, the past and present converge in a meticulously crafted narrative. Beginning his journey from Great Britain and proceeding northward towards the Arctic Circle, he delves into a region rich in history and mythology. What’s more, this book represents an innovative experiment – a thread of thought carefully grasped and followed to its unexpected conclusion.
My First Summer in the Sierra by John Muir
John Muir’s early years in the Sierra Nevada foothills were marked by a sense of liberation from his tumultuous upbringing. A Scottish immigrant, he had fled indoor confines to explore the vast expanse of western America. Decades later, Muir drew upon these diaries to pen a groundbreaking work on American naturalism. His writing is infused with an unbridled enthusiasm for the majestic terrain, which leaps off the page.
As such, all of Muir’s writings serve as a testament to the joy of nature, but his book ‘My First Summer in the Sierra’ stands out as a quintessential American love story.
Driving Over Lemons by Chris Stewart
As Chris Stewart, Genesis’s Chris Stewart, embarked on an unconventional adventure, he traded his ordinary life for a peculiar existence. He relocated his pregnant wife to a weathered Andalusian farmhouse, accessible only by a rickety footbridge prone to disappearing with each strong gust of wind. This was merely the starting point for a series of surreal experiences that tested Stewart’s resolve.
The neighborhood proved to be a cast of eccentric characters, and the property itself presented mind-boggling architectural challenges. Yet, Stewart skillfully crafted a vivid narrative that transported readers to this sun-kissed haven. As you delve into his story, you can almost detect the sweet aroma of citrus wafting through the air and taste the subtle tang of the Mediterranean on your tongue.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
For anyone who’s ever felt daunted by the idea of hiking, Cheryl Strayed’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, it’s possible to find solace and introspection on the trail. Her journey began with a quarter-life crisis sparked by her divorce, struggles with addiction, and the sudden loss of her mother. With nothing but meager savings from her time as a waitress and a determination to escape her troubled past, Strayed set out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail alone.
Through her writing, she masterfully weaves together her own insecurities and mistakes against the stunning backdrop of the High Sierra. Her vulnerability is palpable, making it feel like you’re having a deeply personal conversation with an old friend. While this may not necessarily inspire you to embark on a 2,000-mile solo trek, it will certainly urge you to take that first step towards self-discovery and introspection.
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau’s words capture the essence of his experience at Walden Pond, where he sought solitude from civilization. This tranquil setting was not just a physical location, but a reflective space that allowed him to measure the depth of his own nature. His writings on modern society have cemented his place in American literary history.
Yet, what makes Walden truly remarkable is its central premise: by slowing down time and immersing oneself in a beautiful environment, one can find solace from the maladies that plague humanity and society. For Thoreau, Walden Pond embodied this concept, becoming a symbol of virtue and beauty through his thoughtful gaze.