Autumn is the time when I feel most connected to nature. The heat and humidity begin to recede, leaving in their place warm, dry days and crisp nights. Leaves fade from vivid green to a more muted shade, only to rekindle as yellow, orange, and red in October. Squirrels crunch in the dry woods, scrounging for acorns and burying them for the winter months ahead.
A walk in the woods on a sunny September afternoon rejuvenates my body and mind as I take in the scents and sounds of nature. Here are some works of nature writing that might inspire your own reconnection to the great outdoors.
Writing Wild: Women Poets, Ramblers, and Mavericks Who Shape How We See the World, opens a new window by Kathyrn Aalto
In response to the male-dominated field of nature writing, Aalto profiles 25 influential women naturalists and authors. Written in a friendly, approachable style, each mini-biography makes you feel that you are part of these remarkable women’s lives. Accompanying each section is a list of writers with similar interests for further exploration. This accessible celebration of female nature writers will intrigue you and might even inspire you to try some nature writing of your own.
Eavesdropping on Animals: What We Can Learn From Wildlife Conversations, opens a new window by George Bumann
While many of us can tell the difference between a “feed me” meow and a “pet me” meow—or bark—we’ve forgotten our ancient ability to tune into the sounds of the natural world to feel connected to our environment. Wildlife naturalist Bumann, with twenty years of experience studying animal language and intelligence in Yellowstone National Park, shows us that we can relearn to connect with wildlife wherever we are, from city to stream. Pausing to listen and observe the creatures all around us, we can learn to interpret their communications to gain a deeper, more meaningful connection to the natural world.
Close to Home: The Wonders of Nature Just Outside Your Door, opens a new window by Thor Hanson
The perfect complement to “Eavesdropping on Animals,” biologist Hanson posits that extraordinary natural wonders can be found in our own backyards and local parks. Hanson reveals the hidden ecosystems in everyday places, from fierce yellowjackets sipping on honeydew in the Pacific Northwest to hundreds of unknown species teeming in urban Los Angeles. This hands-on natural history shows that a deep connection to nature and remarkable discoveries don’t require travel to distant lands; they’re waiting to be found right outside our doors.
You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World, opens a new window edited by Ada Limón
When you think of “nature poetry,” the Romantic poets, such as William Blake and John Keats, might come to mind. But the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate, Ada Limón, challenges this traditional view with a collection of fifty new poems. A diverse group of prominent poets, including Joy Harjo and Jericho Brown, celebrates nature in immediate, local settings—from national parks to a tree by a bus stop—offering a contemporary reimagining of our poetic connection to the world.
The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, opens a new window by Margaret Renkl
Structured as a weekly devotional, Renkl chronicles a year in the life of the flora and fauna in her backyard. Accompanied by 52 original color artworks by her brother Billy, we move with Renkl through the four seasons, from a resourceful crow spotted on New Year’s Day to the bluebirds of December revisiting their spring nesting box. Observations of seasonal rhythms are intertwined with personal reflections on family and memory, capturing both the joy found in nature and the grief over environmental changes, ultimately offering a message of hope and commitment.
A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing from Soil to Stars, opens a new window edited by Erin Sharkey
Named a Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of 2023, this vibrant collection features leading African American writers who examine the multifaceted relationship between Black Americans and the environment. Drawing inspiration from specific objects in African American history, these essays trace a connection to the natural world that has been forged and sustained through profound historical challenges. In doing so, the collection thoughtfully expands and enriches the genre of nature writing by offering essential new perspectives.
Become one with nature at Central Rappahannock Regional Library this fall with classes on gardening, seed-saving, composting, and self-sufficiency. Visit librarypoint.org/events, opens a new window, Event Type: nature.
Tracy McPeck is the Director of Adult Services at Central Rappahannock Regional Library. This column first appeared in the Free Lance-Star newspaper.
