Bring yourself a little closer to nature on Earth Day with these books!
As cohabitants of the Earth, we all play some role in how well it does. For Earth Day, you can get involved with organizations and do outdoor activities that help the world around you — even if just for a day.
If you don’t have the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities, don’t worry! Another great way to celebrate Earth Day is to read one of the great books that have been written about the environment. Here, you’ll find a list of titles that will not only help you keep the Earth in mind, but will also let you enjoy learning about the natural world around you!
8 great books that celebrate Earth Day:
1. The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
Think that trees and humans have nothing in common? Well, think again. As author Peter Wohlleben has learned during his extensive time spent with trees, these amazing plants behave and live in much the same manner as human families — whether it’s the way they interact (or don’t interact) with one another.
2. The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
A BookPal book club pick and a New York Times bestseller, famous naturalist Sy Montgomery shares her incredible journey on becoming more familiar with the octopus species. Montgomery tells a personal narrative of cross-species friendship that’s interweaved with fascinating information about octopuses.
3. Enchanted Forest by Johanna Basford
If you’re looking to relax while enjoying imaginative and beautiful forest drawings, then Johanna Basford’s popular Enchanted Forest coloring book is your perfect Earth Day companion. Take a moment to sit outside, color in your paper landscape, and experience the true peace that comes from realizing the magnitude of nature.
4. Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
This beautifully illustrated children’s book is not only great for young readers, it’s also a lovely book to remind readers of every age that nature is a rich tapestry of many organisms. Follow along with the lyricism of author Kate Messner as she shows us how the beautiful life we see above ground begins with the delicate intricacies of what goes on below our feet.
5. Rightful Heritage by Douglas Brinkley
As author Douglas Brinkley details in this book, so much of what we know and enjoy as public parks in this country are predicated on the legacy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This book is a great read for college students. Learn about the history that has secured the care of such wonderful, natural spaces like Joshua Tree, the Great Smokies, and the Everglades.
6. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
While author Bill Bryson is well known for his exploration of the Appalachian Trail in A Walk in the Woods, he expands his views on the natural world in this popular book about the expanse of our universe. Bryson takes an intriguing and necessary look into our universe by going all the way back to when humans first made an appearance.
7. Silent Spring by Rachel Louise Carson
While many of us today are familiar with the environmental movement, it’s actually a fairly recent social development. One of the seminal works that introduce a consciousness and advocacy for the environment is Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. Thanks to this work, readers will learn the root of how such a fundamental movement came to fruition.
8. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
In this classic biography, Jon Krakauer tells the story of a young man who abandoned his comfortable and wealthy life to live in the Alaskan wilderness. Both intriguing and tragic, Krakauer’s narrative focuses on both the natural world and how it can impact human life and understanding.