Reading on a walk: books connecting with nature

Antique bookstore in Istanbul Bazaar district, 2025 © esther nour

With this post for the "Reading on walk" series, I'd like to share my latest reads with you: there is a roter faden (in German, fil rouge) connecting these books, as they all feature characters with a deep connection to nature and explore how natural elements might have a significant impact on our inner selves. There are flowers, fields, trees and gardens to discover a connection with. These element act as an extraordinary bridge between challenging life moments and the inner calm and joy we can encounter in nature.

This is an invitation to uncover how nature can profoundly influence or transform our lives and how to seek for more opportunities of these moments of (re)connection to balance our spirit.

Also, I would be delighted to hear about your experiences in nature: if you have any literary recommendations that include natural elements, please leave me a comment in the section below.

So, here we start:

CATRINA DAVIES

Once Upon a Raven's Nest (non-fiction)

Based on the life of a Somerset's farmer soul.

A beautiful retelling of his story around and in the nature.

An emotional path across decades of farming, foresting, administering trees and fields and animals.

The love for nature does come however at a cost of risky behavious and choices, where Thomas has to learn to slow down.

A wild spirit calming only within the greens of wilderness.

I read this book in a sip, as it is hugely captivating and moving.

OLIVIA LAING

The Garden Against Time (non-fiction)

An historical insight into gardens and gardening.

The book takes you on an historical journey about the cultural and societal meaning of "gardens". I loved to discover the intrinsic values of how humans have connected over a simple plot of land.

At times with deep sorrow, at other times with contemplation, and with wonder.

COOLEEN HOOVER

It ends with us (fiction)

I only became aware of this book's fame after encountering its movie on a streaming platform, and I instantly fell in love with the complexity and authenticity of its characters: Lily, Atlas, and Ryle.

Lily's love for flowers and her flower shop provides a connection to the simple beauty of life, even in the most challenging situations.

The essence of multigenerational traumas, it requires strength, but only the current generation can break the future ones free.

A true love story.

MARJORIE GUNTHARDT

Poems for Survivors / Poems Between Eternities (poetry)

I found this poetry book in a secondhand bookstore, initially drawn to the cover image. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and delicacy of the poems, which explore themes of nature, relationships, emotions, places, and conflicts.

free soul

always choosing

to fight or flee

makes soul contract

to diminutive

again, go back

to primitive

entity.

once refusing

hostility -

to tolerate

or to understand -

released from hate

the soul expands

and goes free.

Hope you will have a lovely read!