Have you taken the time this fall to admire the vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges of the leaves? The abundance of beauty that comes with fall is something I look forward to every year and there are plenty of beautiful leaves to admire around Alexandria, Virginia. How lucky we are to be in a location where we get to experience the changing of seasons!

If you have not taken the time to stop and simply admire the beauty that nature has offered us this season, I encourage you to do so, and if you want to pick up a book or two to supplement your knowledge and admiration of nature...you’ve come to the right place! The Nature and Science section here at Old Town Books is home to many wonderful and eye-opening books. Below are some recommendations to get you started!

• If you are fond of short stories and beautiful illustrations, check out World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatahil.

A collection of wonderfully written short essays, Nezhukumatahil shares how she connects to nature and reminds the reader that while life can get difficult, there is comfort and peace in fireflies, whale sharks, cara cara oranges, axolotls, and many more.

• If you want to take a step back and take time to appreciate how extraordinary nature truly is and learn from indigenous teachings… try out Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. 

Robin Wall Kimmerer does an excellent job of weaving together science with the wisdom and teachings of indigenous people. This book is a reminder that we cannot treat nature as a resource. We must cherish what nature gives us and reciprocate its kindness. 

• If you want more women authors on your bookshelf while also reading about nature, then Writing Wild by Kathryn Aalto is for you!

Aalto has curated a compelling collection of women authors who have written about science, nature, and the environment. For each writer included in the book, there is an overview and an excerpt. If you have not read a ton of nature pieces, this book is a great option since it introduces you to multiple authors!

• If you want to learn how humans and overconsumption impact the environment, check out Consumed by Aja Barber.

Consumed is a fascinating read that discusses the harmful effects of the fast fashion industry that is rooted in colonialism and racism and the extremely negative and harsh effect overconsumption has on the environment. We live in a society where overconsumption is normalized, and Barber brings to light that this normalcy is damaging the exploited workers and our earth.

• If you like taking a walk in the forest or have an appreciation for photography, you’ll love The Hidden Life of Trees: The Illustrated Edition by Peter Wohlleben.

Wohlleben reveals just how complex trees are and presents a wonderfully detailed understanding of the life and death of trees. He makes the argument that the forest is a social network, and he even compares trees to human families! Isn’t that fascinating? The Illustrated Edition of this book also contains glorious pictures of trees from around the world!

Blog contribution by Emily Clevenger
Edited by Jackie Brekke