20 Must-Read Books for Nature Lovers | Book Riot

21 Best Nature Books – Inspiring Books for Nature Lovers 2021

From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

De Perdida a Encontrada en el Sendero del Cresta del Pacífico

Wild

Salvaje

The story begins with the protagonist having spent two years in solitude near a pond in Massachusetts, living a bare life without anyone's assistance. He reveals that he is now back from his hermit experience, living among others. The initial chapter, titled "Economy," provides insights into social thinking and household management along with the protagonist's ideals about his pond project. He acknowledges the skepticism expressed by the locals about his project and defends himself against their perception that living in society is the only way to live. He shares the reasons for his move to the pond and gives a comprehensive account of building his humble home. He also details his survival methods during his wilderness experiment. This chapter is a blend of facts, figures, and practical advice, and presents a comparison between individualism and social existence.

The protagonist tells us that he finished building his house in the Spring of 1845 and moved in on Independence Day. He borrowed or scavenged most of the tools and materials used for construction from previous sites. He resides on a land owned by his friend and details the cost-analysis of the entire construction project. To earn money, he cultivates a small bean-field which occupies his mornings. His afternoons and evenings are reserved for contemplation, reading, and walking around the countryside. He frequently emphasizes his minimalist lifestyle and the satisfaction derived from it. Despite his solitude, he is aware of the society around him. The railroad near his dwelling interrupts his musings and prompts him to think about the power of technology. He converses with various people ranging from farmers, railroad workers, to occasional visitors. On a trip into town, he lands in jail for refusing to pay a tax as he believes the government supports slavery. He is released the next day and returns to his solitude.

The protagonist gives significant attention to nature, shifting seasons, and the animals he shares the woods with. He observes and describes the habits of various animals, attributing philosophical and moral significance to each, as if they were lessons to learn from. As winter approaches, he prepares for the cold by observing the animals gathering food and welcoming the pests infesting his cabin as they escape the coming frosts. He fortifies his walls against the wind. During the day, he studies the snow and ice, giving special attention to the blue ice of the pond, and at night listens to the whipping wind. He sees ice-fishermen cutting out large blocks of ice to be sent off to cities, and ponders how most of the ice will eventually melt and return to the pond. The story ends with the protagonist declaring the end of his pond project and his return to a civilized life, encouraging us to live fully and meet life head-on.

Walden

In the late 1950s, a young girl named Kya is abandoned by her family and left to fend for herself in the marshes of North Carolina. Surviving off the land and the generosity of a local man named Jumpin', she grows up in isolation, earning the derogatory nickname "Marsh Girl" from the townsfolk. A brief foray into public education results in humiliation and she retreats back to her marsh, where she spends her time watching the wildlife and the local boys, including the charismatic Chase Andrews. Her solitary life takes a turn when she befriends Tate Walker, a friend of her brother Jodie, who takes her under his wing and teaches her to read. Their friendship blossoms into a young romance, only to be cut short when Tate leaves for college.

In Tate's absence, Kya finds herself drawn to Chase, who lures her with promises of love and acceptance. However, their relationship takes a dark turn when Chase proves to be unfaithful and violent. In spite of this, Kya finds success as an author of nature books, thanks to Tate's encouragement. Her life takes another drastic turn when Chase is found dead by the abandoned fire tower in the marsh. The circumstances of his death are suspicious and, due to her known issues with Chase and her status as an outsider, Kya quickly becomes the prime suspect. Despite an alibi, evidence mounts against her and she is arrested and put on trial.

During her trial, Kya is defended by pro-bono lawyer Tom Milton. He challenges the prosecution's evidence and, with the support of witnesses including Tate, manages to drum up reasonable doubt about Kya's involvement in Chase's death. After a tense trial, Kya is acquitted and returns home to the marsh she loves. In the years that follow, she and Tate rekindle their relationship. Kya continues to write and publish books until her death at age sixty-four. After her passing, Tate discovers a collection of poems written by Kya under a pseudonym which hint at her involvement in Chase's death, along with the missing necklace that Chase was supposedly wearing on the night of his death. Despite the shocking revelation, Tate chooses to protect Kya's memory and destroys the evidence.

Where the Crawdads Sing

Donde Cantan las Marismas

In a small café in Pondicherry, India, a restless Canadian traveler meets an elderly man, Francis Adirubasamy, who promises to tell him a tale so extraordinary that it will restore his faith in God. The narrative revolves around a young man named Pi Patel, who recounts his life from his mature years, reminiscing about his youthful days in Toronto. Pi reveals his fascination with religion and zoology, his training in swimming by Adirubasamy, and his unique name, inspired by a famous Parisian swimming club. He also details his father's former occupation as the owner of Pondicherry Zoo, where Pi and his brother, Ravi, learned about the perilous nature of animals. Raised a Hindu, Pi later finds solace in Christianity and Islam, practicing all three faiths simultaneously. Due to political unrest in India, Pi's family decides to emigrate to Canada on a cargo ship filled with animals from their zoo, embarking on their journey on June 21, 1977.

Their voyage takes a disastrous turn when their ship begins to sink. In the ensuing chaos, Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with a zebra, an orangutan, and a hyena. Soon his family and the ship's crew are lost to the sea. In a shocking turn of events, a tiger named Richard Parker surfaces from the depths of the lifeboat. The tiger swiftly kills the other animals, leaving Pi and Richard Parker as the sole survivors. Stranded at sea, Pi survives on emergency rations, filtered seawater, and caught sea life, while also taking care of the tiger, whom he manages to tame and control.

The narrative takes a bizarre twist when Pi, suffering from dehydration-induced blindness, encounters another blind castaway. When the man attempts to attack Pi for food, Richard Parker kills him. Later, they come across a peculiar island full of trees growing directly on vegetation and inhabited by a large population of meerkats. They temporarily reside there until Pi finds human teeth in a tree's fruit, deducing that the island devours humans, prompting them to return to sea. Their ordeal finally ends when they reach a beach in Mexico, where Richard Parker disappears into the wilderness, and locals take Pi to a hospital. Japanese officials later interrogate Pi, seeking insight on the ship's demise. Unconvinced by his initial account, they prompt him to re-tell his story, replacing the animals with humans. Despite their skepticism, they ultimately commend Pi for surviving an extensive period with a full-grown tiger.

Life of Pi

Vida de Pi

Staff Book Recommendations: The Ultimate Reading List on Nature, Wildlife & Wanderlust

14 Best Nature Books of All Time

Wild

From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Walden

Where the Crawdads Sing

Life of Pi

A Walk in the Woods

Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

H Is for Hawk

Desert Solitaire

A Season in the Wilderness

My Side of the Mountain

Silent Spring

Underland

A Deep Time Journe

Owls of the Eastern Ice

A Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest Owl

Losing Eden

Why Our Minds Need the Wild

Guidebook to Relative Strangers

Journeys into Race, Motherhood, and History

The Grassling

Sources

What To Read Next

14 Best Nature Books of All Time

Wild

From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Walden

Where the Crawdads Sing

Life of Pi

A Walk in the Woods

Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

H Is for Hawk

Desert Solitaire

A Season in the Wilderness

My Side of the Mountain

Silent Spring

Underland

A Deep Time Journe

Owls of the Eastern Ice

A Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest Owl

Losing Eden

Why Our Minds Need the Wild

Guidebook to Relative Strangers

Journeys into Race, Motherhood, and History

The Grassling

Sources

What To Read Next

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