Explore the Outdoors from the Comfort of Your Couch with Nature Non-Fiction Books
Have you ever wondered if you have the flora knowledge it takes to survive in the wilderness? Do you have a special affinity for wildflowers and wish you could spend all your time exploring the great outdoors? Then you’ll love the expansive and educational world of nature non-fiction books.
Why Should You Read Nature Books?
Sure, nature books may not be as toe-curling as a dark romance or as tear-inducing as a Kristin Hannah novel, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less impactful. In the craziness of our modern world, nothing beats finding the perfect title that makes you take a moment to appreciate Mother Earth.
You might think you know everything about where you call home, but, more often than not, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Categorized as a popular sub-genre, nature non-fiction books typically blend real-life observations and facts about different ecosystems, animals, or plants with philosophy and personal anecdotes to give the reader intimate insight into the natural world we live in. For some, these nature books inspire us to get outside more; for others, the titles provide a deep escapism.
Different Kinds of Non-Fiction Nature Books:
- Memoirs and personal essays
- Environmental literary
- Field guides
- Photography books
- Natural history writing
Add Our Current Favorite Nature Books to Your TBR List
Just like a miraculous little snowflake, no two nature non-fiction books are alike! With countless titles in the nature book section exploring a wide range of fascinating topics, there’s guaranteed to be something in the genre that suits your interests. Before you head to your nearest indie bookstore, consider adding a few of our favorites to your list.
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World written by Robin Wall Kimmerer and illustrated by John Burgoyne
In The Serviceberry, Indigenous scientist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, asking the question, “How can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most?” In an economy rooted in scarcity, resource hoarding, and competition, where we have surrendered our values to a system that does not care for us and harms what we love, how can we ever hope to heal?
Perhaps the secret lies in the serviceberries themselves. Their tree distributes sweet berries to provide for its natural community, a perfect example of a system that prioritizes interconnectedness and ensures its own long-lasting survival. Diving into Kimmerer’s concept in this nature book will open your mind to how we could possibly replace our capitalist society with something inspired by nature itself.
Other Nature Books by Robin Wall Kimmerer:
- Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
- Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses
- Bud Finds Her Gift (a children’s nature book)
The Wheel of the Year: An Illustrated Guide to Nature’s Rhythms written by Fiona Cook and illustrated by Jessica Roux
Geared towards younger readers, yet beloved by all, The Wheel of the Year is an interactive nature guide that uses art, poetry, and myth to encourage its readers to notice, care for, and celebrate the world around them. The beautifully illustrated reference book is split into sections or “spokes,” each with its activities, craft ideas, games, recipes, and an overview of how that season is celebrated in different cultures around the world. From the winter and summer solstices to the spring and fall equinoxes and beyond, there’s plenty to learn as a family in this creative non-fiction nature book.
The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth by Zoë Schlanger
To thrive unmoving in their rooted spots, plants have had to adopt ingenious methods of survival. In recent years, scientists have studied their ability to communicate, hear sounds, morph their bodies to blend in, store memories to inform the rest of their life cycle, and even trick animals to their benefit. The non-fiction nature book, The Light Eaters, goes even deeper into the complexities of greenery, inviting us into the author’s own memories and taking us across the globe to discuss foliage with the scientists who have spent their whole lives studying these amazing beauties up close.
What can we learn about life on Earth from the astounding biological creativity of a plant? What do we owe these life forms, the more we learn? We may need plants to survive—but do they need us? Answer all these questions and more in this eye-opening nature book.
Rewild Your Garden: Create a Haven for Birds, Bees and Butterflies by Frances Tophill
In our increasingly urban world, investing in healthy ecosystems is often the key to combating climate change and reversing biodiversity loss. But how can we do that? The answer is simple: rewilding.
In the non-fiction nature book, Rewild Your Garden, horticulturalist Frances Tophill encourages gardeners to get back in touch with their wild side by providing a practical and illustrated guide for planning and maintaining a garden that will attract bees, birds, and more. It doesn’t matter if you have a small apartment balcony or a large open space—anyone can make a habitat worthy of hosting nature’s most important creatures.
The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl
In the nature book, The Comfort of Crows, Margaret Renkle gifts her readers with 52 chapters that follow the plants and creatures in her backyard over the course of one year. Between a crow appearing on New Year’s Day and bluebirds revisiting their springtime nest in December, we witness a detailed portrait of the joys of the natural world and grief over animals that grow fewer and fewer.
As the days go by, we get glimpses of human life. Children, now grown, visiting home during COVID-19. The city where Renkl raised her family is transforming more every day. With the backyard and the natural world in flux, this non-fiction nature book turns you into an observer.
Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach
In Fuzz, a one-of-a-kind blend of non-fiction nature book and true crime reporting, Mary Roach explores the fascinating crossroads of human behavior and wildlife biology, poring over case after case about animals breaking the law. With the help of animal-attack forensic investigators, human-elephant conflict specialists, bear managers, and more, she travels the globe in an effort to find a way for compassionate coexistence in our ever-evolving human habitat.
Looking for your next book club selection? Searching for the perfect read for your vacation destination? Stop into Novel today and grab one of our favorite non-fiction nature books!