Extraordinary Books on the Power of Nature
A Year in the Woods is the story of a Norwegian writer, who spent a whole year taking a little time away each month, to spend alone in the woods.
He communes with nature in quiet reflection, leaving the city after work one day each month to camp near the same tiny pond in a forest, then returns to work the next day.
Being alone is something that many people used to do a lot anyway. Getting away from the rat race does not have to mean becoming a hermit, but being a hermit for just a little while is good! The ritual is far from rigorous and never perfect.
One evening, Ekelund grows so cold in his tent, that he hikes out before daybreak (it’s Norway!)
But as Torbjørn greets the same trees and boulders each month, he begins to appreciate the sameness alongside their quiet beauty. He wonders how long they have stood silently in this place, and reflects on his own short existence among them.
The book asks us to reconsider our relationship with nature. Are we anxious wanderers or mindful observers? Do we honour the seasons, or let them pass by? The perfect book for anyone who longs to connect with nature, but is realistic about time.
Maybe it is not true at all, that when you go alone into the woods, your head fills with great thoughts. Maybe it is the opposite? Maybe your head is then simply emptied of great thoughts.
And what is precisely what seems liberating to us. Because the thoughts that arise in the woods are always very primitive. Warm, cold. Easy, hard. Wet, dry. Happy, sad. Hungry, full. Tired, awake.
Author Torbjørn Ekelund writes for a daily newspaper, and is co-editor of a small independent book publishing house. He is also co-founder of the online magazine Harvest, where he writes on adventures in the wilderness, and the relationship between humans and nature. He lives in Oslo, Norway.
Walking Through Time & Nature
Also read Torbjørn’s other book In Praise of Paths. This tells the story of how he took up hiking, when an epileptic fit prevented him from driving. He began to venture more into nature, and walks with shoes and Torbjørn Ekelund started to walk everywhere, and the more he ventured out into nature, and walks through forest creeks and across urban streets.
Contemplating the early tracks made by ancient snails and traces the wanderings of Romantic poets, amongst other musings. He asks ‘What do we lose in an era of car travel and navigation apps? And what will we gain from taking to paths once again?’
A Beautiful Lyrical Love Letter to Nature
Something in the Woods Loves You explores the crucial role of nature on our emotional and physical health.
Written by a man in Ohio (who lives between a forest and a cemetery), he found comfort in the natural world, when life took him to a painfully dark place.
Deliberating watching plants and animals, helped him see the light at every turn.
From appreciations of a single plant to optimistic contemplations of mortality, he also learned that ‘bats can hear shapes, plants can eat light and bees can dance maps!)
A lyrical love letter to nature.
Jarod K Anderson is a writer of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. His work explores his lifelong struggle with depression, through a lens of love and gratitude for nature.
Wild Woman (stories from women who work in nature)
Wild Woman is an engaging blend of conservation stories and personal humorous anecdotes by TV presenter Philippa Forrester who has chosen to live and work in the wild (wildlife fans will know her from programmes filming otters with her husband Charlie Hamilton-Jones).
In this book, she studies and celebrates women who have chosen to live and work in wild and challenging landscapes.
Relating some of her own experiences (she has a degree in ecology & conservation) from 30 years of travelling to some of the wildest places on earth, she looks how at how women benefit from a life spent in the wilderness, and considers what the natural world gains from them.
And as she explores our relationship with the wild, Philippa contemplates what we expect and need from nature, and ponders why we still feel a pull towards it.
For six years, Philippa lived in Wyoming, encountering wolves, grizzly bears, moose and the odd cowboy. But after returning to live here in summer 2020, she is rediscovering her own patch of wilderness and the joys of the English countryside (especially her favourite wild animal – otters!)
When I see a fox run by, my immediate thought is ‘What’s he up to? Where’s he going?’ Journeys are so much of life.
Philippa Forrester is a TV and radio presenter, producer and writer. She has a degree in ecology and conservation, and works with several wildlife organisations, to promote their work.
Connections with Nature (meeting the wild)
Connections with Nature is a wonderful read, by one of our favourite wildlife bloggers and campaigners. Kate has a first-class English degree, and has used her writing skills for 15 years to help all animals.
She’s made friends with everyone from Sir David Attenborough and Chris Packham to wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan and Queen guitarist Brian May (who campaigns to save badgers).
This is basically an anthology by 50 members of her ‘wildlife crowd’, on a journey to meet the wild. From wondering at the moon (rather than stare at a screen), studying the details of a barn owl feather (along with a 7-year old!) and watching the ‘moorland fairground’ at dusk.
This book shows how entwined we are with the natural world. And you’ll be hooked, once you visit her upbeat and interesting blog.
Kate is a conservationist and campaigner for animal welfare, who is passionate on educating future generations. She was the youngest trustee of Born Free and head of communications at Whitley Fund for Nature.
She also has our site as one of 100 wildlife sites that are bettering the world. Thank you, Kate!
Substack Nature Writers (recommendations)
Due to the high cost of printing and huge use of paper, many people (especially modern peeps who use apps!) are turning to alternative mediums like Substack (where visitors read the work of talented writers for free, supported by subscribers).
It’s a nice idea, and a way to let people do what they love (and are good at) and earn a living a the same time. All the while offering quality writing, with no ads or bias.
I’ve often had this fantasy that we should have Fox News. By which I mean news about foxes. Robin Wall Kimmerer (botanist)
Most articles are free, just subscribe for a small fee to read everything (and pay each writer’s bills!) Some of interest are:
Chasing Nature has become one of the platform’s top nature niche spots, with 10,000 subscribers by a very interesting writer from New England.
I’ve never been able to reconcile the beauty of nature with simultaneous misery in the world. Hunger and war aren’t exactly compatible with birdwatching.
Nobody forces migratory birds to head north in spring – it’s their nature. We watch and enjoy them in flight and in the green when they drop from the skies to visit or nest in May. The birds are coming. Look up – rejoice.
Slow Scottish Stories is a nice relaxing read from a woman who lives a slow simple life in the Scottish highlands. Visit for tea and a chat over quiet letters and books, for a kinder world where all are accepted.
This writer has within a short while, managed to create a full-time income from her writing here. And offers tips for others via her own writing planning template
Paul Kingsnorth has been called ‘England’s best living writer’ (even though he now lives in Ireland). After writing many books, he launched a Substack a few years back, and now has over 70,000 subscribers. He writes on nature and Christianity, for a nice blend of posts.
Substack is surging. This platform is fundamentally changing the way writers and other creators engage with audiences, and how they get paid.
Rather than paying a newspaper each month, I will spend it on the Substack writers I trust and admire. Robert Bryce
