We are nature, inseparable and whole. Every breath we take connects us to the trees that exhale life into the air, every drop of blood mirrors the rivers that course through the earth. The rhythms of the tides beat within our hearts, and the hum of the cosmos vibrates in our cells. We carry the wisdom of mountains, the patience of forests, and the resilience of oceans within us. This oneness is a profound truth—written in the stars that made us and the earth that cradles us.
This connection is beautifully captured in books that speak with such eloquence and love for nature, they feel like a quiet conversation with the earth itself. These thought-provoking books have deepened my understanding of the bond we share with the natural world, shedding new light on our place within it.
The ten books I’m sharing with you here have moved me to reflect, to reconsider, and to live fully with renewed curiosity and reverence. I hope they do the same for you.
1. A Philosophy of Walking by Frédéric Gros
Walking is one of the most universal acts of being human. It connects us to our most primal instincts—survival, exploration, and community. Every culture carries traditions rooted in walking, whether it’s the ceremonial processions of indigenous peoples, the simple act of gathering water from a distant source or pilgrimage circumference of Mount Kailash. Walking has always been more than just a way to get somewhere; it’s a form of connection.
It’s how humans have marked moments of change—crossing borders, leaving home, or returning after long journeys. It’s how we’ve sought meaning, whether through sacred paths or quiet strolls to clear the mind. Walking ties us to the rhythms of the earth and the shared experience of countless generations who moved through landscapes with purpose and intention. Each step is a reminder of our place in this continuous journey—part of a tradition that has shaped who we are.
Using the lives of great thinkers such as Nietzsche, Rousseau, and Thoreau as a backdrop, the author explores how walking shaped their ideas and personal journeys. Each chapter is a philosophical reflection on the act of walking—its solitude, slowness, and transformative power.
If you enjoy this book, I will recommend to check this podcast as well: Science of Happiness
"Walk alone, across mountains or through forests. You are nobody to the hills or the thick boughs heavy with greenery. You are no longer a role, or a status, not even an individual, but a body, a body that feels sharp stones on the paths, the caress of long grass and the freshness of the wind."
2. The Wizard and the Prophet by Charles C. Mann
This book is a masterful dual biography of Norman Borlaug and William Vogt, presenting two contrasting visions of humanity’s future in the face of environmental challenges. On one side, the “wizard” believes in technological innovation to save the day. On the other, the “prophet” calls for a return to living in harmony with nature. It’s a fascinating exploration of these competing visions, woven with history, science, and a sense of urgency. Author balances these opposing perspectives with historical context, scientific analysis, and personal insight, forcing us to grapple with questions about sustainability, progress, and ethics.
“On the one hand, forcing other people to clean up our mess violates basic notions of fairness. On the other hand, actually preventing climate-change problems would require societies today to make investments, some of them costly, to benefit people in the faraway future. It’s like asking teenagers to save for their grandchildren’s retirement. Or, maybe, for somebody else’s grandchildren. Not many would do it.”
3. An Immense World by Ed Yong
This book completely changed the way I see animals—and the world itself. Yong takes you into the sensory worlds of different creatures, revealing how they hear, see, taste, and even “feel” their surroundings in ways we can barely imagine. Yong beautifully writing will pull you in to imagine what it’s like to live in these otherworldly dimensions. Every page opened a new door to wonder. His writing is an absolute delight and a humbling reminder of the limitations of human perception.
This book profoundly changed my relationship with other living beings. I started looking at birds, bugs, and my dog and cat with fresh eyes.
“A moth will never know what a zebra finch hears in its song, a zebra finch will never feel the electric buzz of a black ghost knifefish, a knifefish will never see through the eyes of a mantis shrimp, a mantis shrimp will never smell the way a dog can, and a dog will never understand what it is to be a bat. We will never fully do any of these things either, but we are the only animal that can try.”
4. Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard
Simard’s groundbreaking research into forest communication is the heart of this book, but it’s also a deeply personal memoir. She shares how her discoveries of trees communicating through underground fungal networks—sharing nutrients, warning of danger, and nurturing young seedlings—challenged traditional forestry practices. She weaves scientific insights and the challenges of being a female scientist in a male-dominated field in her book. Simard’s book opens a new perspective about forests and about community; as well as its collaboration and resilience.
“The forest itself is part of much larger cycles, the building of soil and migration of species and circulation of oceans. The source of clean air and pure water and good food. There is a necessary wisdom in the give-and-take of nature—its quiet agreements and search for balance. There is an extraordinary generosity.”
5. American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West by Nate Blakeslee
This book broke my heart and filled it at the same time. It is the story of O-Six, a legendary wolf in Yellowstone, whose life symbolized both the triumph and tragedy of coexistence between humans and the wild. Her life unfolded against the backdrop of Yellowstone’s wolf reintroduction project, an ambitious effort to repair an ecosystem disrupted by the near extinction of wolves. It is a deeply moving, multigenerational saga that weaves together the lives of wolves and humans.
Reading O-Six’s story brought one of the most magical experiences of my life full circle. In 2011, we joined naturalist Rick McIntyre and Yellowstone’s dedicated wolf watchers in the early hours of dawn to follow and observe the Agate Creek pack. Bundled up against the cold, we watched in awe as the wolves moved through the landscape, their howls echoing in the morning fog. Rick pointed out the alpha female, O-Six—it was a moment steeped in magic, a rare connection to the wild that felt both profound and humbling.
I read this book during my second visit to Yellowstone, 11 years later. Learning more about the wolf I had once seen filled me with an overwhelming sense of reverence and sorrow. The beauty of her story and the tragedy of her untimely death struck a deep chord within me, making my memories of that frosty morning even more precious.
This book is a poignant reminder of the fragility of nature and the delicate balance between preservation and human encroachment. O-Six’s legacy and my brief encounter with her in the wild remain vivid, an enduring connection to the beauty and resilience of the natural world.
If you love this book, I will highly recommend Rick McIntyre’s latest book - Thinking Like a Wolf: Lessons From the Yellowstone Packs.
"But wolves, Rick felt, were more like humans than they were given credit for, in their tribal ways and territoriality; in their tendency to mate for life; and in the way male wolves provided food and care for their offspring, so unusual in the animal world. He loved to quote the early-twentieth-century English philosopher Carveth Read: Man, in character, is more like a wolf… than he is any other animal."
6. Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide by Robert Michael Pyle
This book is an exploration of wilderness, curiosity, and the human need to connect with the unknown. Pyle, a naturalist and a masterful storyteller, takes us on a journey through the rugged and untamed wilderness of Dark Divide near Mount St. Helen, a place steeped in lore and legends of Bigfoot. He approaches the subject with both a scientist’s skepticism and a poet’s openness, weaving together the biological, mythical, and deeply personal.
Pyle paints the forest as a character, alive with its own mysteries—the soft hush of moss-covered trails, the shadows that shift in the undergrowth, and the quiet awe of being surrounded by something larger than yourself. Along the way, he encounters people whose lives have been touched by the legend of Bigfoot, their stories offering glimpses into the way myths shape our connection to nature.
What struck me most about this book is how Pyle shifts the focus from finding Bigfoot to rediscovering a sense of wonder. He reminds us that there’s value in not knowing, in letting the wilderness hold its secrets. And whether Bigfoot is real or a figment of collective mythology, the dark divide it inhabits—the space between what we know and what we dream—remains as vital as ever.
Reading this felt like hiking alongside Pyle, soaking in his deep respect for nature, his humor, and his quiet reflections on life. Whether or not you believe in Bigfoot, Pyle’s words will make you pause, consider the mysteries around you, and perhaps look at the world with a little more curiosity.
After reading this book, I highly recommend to watch the movie adaption.
"The forest doesn’t care if you believe in Bigfoot. It is there, wild and untamed, regardless of the stories we create about it."
7. Erosion Essays on Undoing by Terry Tempest Williams
This is a deeply moving collection of essays that examines the physical and emotional erosion we face as individuals and as a society. From the literal erosion of the American West’s landscapes to the metaphorical erosion of freedoms and hope, Williams writes with raw honesty and poetic beauty. Her reflections on grief, resilience, and activism challenge readers to confront what’s being lost and inspire them to act.
Every essay felt like a conversation with an old friend—one who understands the pain of loss but refuses to give up on hope. Williams’s voice is both urgent and comforting, a rare combination that makes her work unforgettable.
"If we are to flourish as a species, an erosion of belief will be necessary, that says we are not the center of the universe but a dynamic part of an expanding and contracting future that celebrates and collaborates with uncertainty."
8. Life on Earth by David Attenborough
Life on Earth is a celebration of evolution and adaptation, told with his trademark wonder. Attenborough is a storyteller at heart, and this book is no exception.
This iconic book traces the evolution of life, from its beginnings in the primordial seas to the incredible diversity of species we see today. Attenborough’s storytelling is vivid and engaging, blending history, science, and personal anecdotes from his travels around the world. The sense of wonder that Attenborough infuses into every page makes this book special. Attenborough’s ability to make even the most complex scientific concepts feel accessible and awe-inspiring is commendable.
I listened to this book, since he narrated it himself. Attenborough’s passion is utterly infectious, and listening to him narrate this book brought an extra layer of joy, making the learning experience even more enriching.
"We have come as far as we have because we are the cleverest creatures to have ever lived on Earth. But if we are to continue to exist, we will require more than intelligence. We will require wisdom."
9. A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
Leopold’s seminal work combines observations of his Wisconsin farm with essays on conservation ethics. His writing is a poetic plea for humans to develop a respectful relationship with the land, urging readers to see themselves as part of an ecological community. Leopold’s essays on ecology and land ethics form the foundation of modern environmental thought. He challenges us to view the land not as a commodity but as a community to which we belong.
This book made me more mindful of my place in the world. It’s a reminder that the choices we make, even small ones, have an impact.
"When I call to mind my earliest impressions, I wonder whether the process ordinarily referred to as growing up is not actually a process of growing down; whether experience, so much touted among adults as the thing children lack, is not actually a progressive dilution of the essentials by the trivialities of living.”
10. A Year in the Woods by Torbjørn Ekelund
Ekelund spent a year revisiting the same forest, observing its changes through the seasons. He called his overnights “micro-expeditions” because his hikes were short, and in close proximity, and he camped near the same spot each month, to notice the changes of the world on a manageable scale. In this reflective book, he chronicles his once a month camping in the forest experiences, Each chapter captures a month, offering insights into how the natural world mirrors our own lives. His reflections are simple yet profound, capturing the small wonders that often go unnoticed. His writing is meditative and unpretentious, a reminder of the beauty in slowing down and reconnecting with the outdoors.
Inspired by this book, I am looking for a spot where I can camp once a month for the whole year, without worrying about avalanche danger in the winter.
"To live in nature is to learn to listen—to the wind, to the birds, to the trees. They speak in ways we often forget to hear."
Each of these books has added something profound to my life—whether it’s a new way of seeing the world, a deeper connection to nature, or simply a sense of wonder. They’ve shaped the way I think, walk, and experience life. I am sure you will find inspiration and wisdom in these books.
Happy trails!