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Posted on September 6, 2018 by The Art of Ecology

#ReadABookDay

nature book
What books have you been reading to celebrate National “Read a Book Day”?

Did you know that September 6th is National “Read a Book Day”? This is exciting to me! Honestly, I have gained so much knowledge by reading books (granted – not ones assigned for reading assignments in high school or college…) about nature, animals, and ecology, so I wanted to share them with you!

If you’re looking for a new book to pick up and read, here are my absolute favorite nature/animal/ecology themed books:

  1. The Soul of An Octopus, Sy Montgomery – My favorite book ever (aside from Harry Potter, Order of the Phoenix…)! This book explores the emotions and psychology of octopus as the author discovers first hand about the octopuses senses! As a lover of marine biology and who did mini research projects on several octopus species during school classes, this book was fascinating!
  2. The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben – Virtually every other page, I had to stop and tell my husband about the amazing fact that I just learned about trees! Despite the fact that I studied Wildlife Conservation (which heavily focuses on ecology and the environmental sciences) and had done many professional development sessions (I am a certified Tree Tender and have taken classes through Longwood Gardens about trees), there was still so much to learn! Trees have always been fascinating to me, but now I see them in a whole new light. If you want to know more about how trees communicate with each other and behave as a society, this is the book for you!

Conservation photographer gets to experience wildlife in fun and unique ways!
My love of animals and all things wild has only grown since childhood!
  • The Rhino with Glue-On Shoes, Lucy H. Spelman – My father got this for me a long time ago while I was still on the wildlife veterinary track. This book is filled with mini stories from zoo vets all over the world and their amazing adventures. Sometimes this book will make you laugh, stab you in the heart with ALL of the feels, or give you an impressive look at the obstacles that exotic animal veterinarians must overcome. This book inspired me to continue learning more about wildlife and gave me a new respect for those that choose to work directly with these amazing animals.
  • Of Orcas and Men, David Neiwert – This book explores the Orca populations and their struggles and triumphs as they interact with humans. Animal behaviorists, animal activists, animal lovers, or beach bums will love this book as we discover more about their familial relationships, how they migrate, and how human interaction has positively or negatively impacted their lives!
  • ANY James Herriot book – These books were the perfect book for the mother of a wannabe vet to read to her daughter at bedtime! Each book was comprised of short stories that told of the life of a rural, UK farm and small animal veterinarian and his practice. As a child (and even to this day), I wanted to be so badly like James Herriot, until the books introduced Calum, Herriot’s veterinary assistant who had an incredible menagerie of animals! I still remember those short stories and strive to care for animals just as those men did.
  • The Humane Gardener, Nancy Lawson – Do you ever feel as if your garden should include more than just plants, and that it should include wildlife as well?! I do! This book explores what it is to garden with the ecosystem in mind and how interconnected all of life really is.

    • What are your favorite books? Let me know in the comments section so that I can check them out!

    In the meantime, bring those animals that you read about in books to life in your own home through art! Visit my etsy shop or my products page to bring all manners of wildlife to your home.

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