As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, there’s something about autumn that calls us to cozy up with a good book. It’s the perfect season to dive into new stories, explore different worlds, discover the beauty in nature, and let a cup of coffee warm our hands while we turn the pages.
At my local bookstore, I recently found a sense of calm and peace that mirrored the quiet beauty of autumn itself. My stack included A Walk in the Wood: A Poetic Journey by authors Joseph and Nancy Parent, The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs by author Tristan Gooley, and Leaf, Cloud Crow by author Margaret Renkl, as well as a fun children’s board book on national parks. These reads gently remind us to slow down, observe, and find wonder in the simple, often-overlooked signs of nature – a perfect theme for this season.
In A Walk in the Wood: A Poetic Journey by Joseph and Nancy Parent is a gentle, meditative exploration inspired by the timeless wisdom of Winnie-the-Pooh. Through thoughtful illustrations, the book guides readers on a journey of mindfulness, encouraging them to embrace simplicity, presence, and curiosity. Each page serves as a reminder to find joy in life’s small moments and cultivate inner peace by connecting deeply with nature. This poetic journey is a beautifully illustrated invitation to slow down and appreciate the world around us with a childlike sense of wonder.
In The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs, Tristan Gooley reveals the hidden language of the natural world, teaching readers how to interpret subtle clues from plants, animals, and landscapes. Drawing from his experience as a natural navigator, Gooley shares practical skills for noticing weather patterns, navigating by stars, and understanding animal behavior. This book offers a fascinating look into the lost skills of outdoor observation, encouraging readers to deepen their awareness and reconnect with nature by reading its “signs” like a living map. Perfect for adventurers and nature enthusiasts, it’s a guide to seeing the outdoors in a new and meaningful way.
The book Leaf, Cloud, Crow by Margaret Renkl is a beautifully crafted weekly backyard journal that captures the rhythms of nature through each season. With poetic reflections on the plants, animals, and changing skies observed from her own backyard, Renkl invites readers to pause and appreciate the subtle transformations occurring around them. Her observations highlight the intricate beauty and resilience of the natural world, even within familiar, everyday settings. This journal is an inspiring reminder to find wonder in our immediate surroundings and deepen our awareness of nature’s quiet miracles.
I found all of these wonderful books at my local bookstore thenextchaptergatlinburg.com!
