Nature and Science
October 2025

The ocean book : the stories, science, and history of oceans by Hugo Wilkinson
The ocean book : the stories, science, and history of oceans by Hugo Wilkinson

"Immerse yourself in this beautiful absorbing guide to the marine world. Earth owes its identity as the blue planet to the vast oceans of water that cover almost 70 percent of its surface. Home to an abundance of marine life and vital in regulating Earth's climate, the oceans are also the scene of daring exploits of exploration, intense rivalries between trading empires, and global warfare. Combining arresting photography; rich illustrations; and engaging, expertly written text, The Ocean Book showcases the landscapes; plants and animals; and captivating human stories of the world's oceans. 
Nature at night : discover the hidden world that comes alive after dark by Charles Hood
Nature at night : discover the hidden world that comes alive after dark
by Charles Hood

"Nature doesn't simply stop for 12 hours when the sun goes down. This popular science book explores the mysteries of the natural world that most of us never see. In Monterey, night-feeding dolphins chase nocturnal squid which have made a vertical migration to the surface while manta rays beat the waves with their wings to make the bioluminescent plankton light up so they can see (and eat) it. Charles Hood takes us on several journeys to observe the rich, diverse wildlife that come alive under the cover of night"
Sea of grass : the conquest, ruin, and redemption of nature on the American prairie by Dave Hage
Sea of grass : the conquest, ruin, and redemption of nature on the American prairie  by Dave Hage

"The North American prairie is an ecological marvel. One cubic yard of prairie sod contains so many organisms that it rivals the tropical rainforest for biological diversity. Veteran journalists and Midwesterners Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty follow the history of humanity's relationship with this incredible land, offering a deep, compassionate analysis of the difficult decisions as well as opportunities facing agricultural and Indigenous communities. Sea of Grass is a vivid portrait of one of the world's most miraculous and significant ecosystems, making clear why the future of this region is of essential concern far beyond the heartland"
Human nature : nine ways to feel about our changing planet by Kate Marvel
Human nature : nine ways to feel about our changing planet
by Kate Marvel

An exploration of climate change through nine emotions, blending science, history and personal reflection to examine its impacts while finding wonder, hope and resilience in nature and human ingenuity amid the unfolding environmental crisis. 
Cloud warriors : deadly storms, climate chaos--and the pioneers creating a revolution in weather forecasting by Thomas E. Weber
Cloud warriors : deadly storms, climate chaos--and the pioneers creating a revolution in weather forecasting
by Thomas E. Weber

An inside look at the scientists and innovators using AI, satellites and drones to improve weather forecasting, providing life-saving warnings against extreme events like hurricanes and tornadoes while exploring how better predictions can help mitigate climate change. 
Close to Home: The Wonders of Nature Just Outside Your Door
by Thor Hanson

Conservation biologist Thor Hanson empowers readers to observe their environment with new eyes, showing us that poking around literally just outside one’s door (city or country, no matter) reveals a surprising diversity of wildlife waiting to be discovered. Hanson gives clues as to where to look while pushing the idea of “citizen science.” 
The story of CO2 is the story of everything : how carbon dioxide made our world by Peter Brannen
The story of CO2 is the story of everything : how carbon dioxide made our world
by Peter Brannen

Traces carbon dioxide's role from the origins of life to today's climate crisis, revealing how it has shaped Earth's habitability, influenced mass extinctions, and impacted human development, while arguing that understanding its deep history is key to confronting our planetary emergency. 
Papyrus : the invention of books in the ancient world by Irene Vallejo Moreu
Papyrus : the invention of books in the ancient world
by Irene Vallejo Moreu

Weaving together interpretations of the classics, moving personal anecdotes of the author's own encounters with the written word and fascinating historical stories, this rich exploration of the book's journey from oral tradition to scrolls to codices illuminates how ancient ideas about education, censorship, authority and identity still resonate today.
We are eating the Earth : the race to fix our food system and save our climate by Michael Grunwald
e are eating the Earth : the race to fix our food system and save our climate
by Michael Grunwald

Investigates how global agriculture threatens the climate through land use and emissions, critiques misguided sustainability efforts, and highlights innovative technologies, policies and individuals working to reduce farmland's footprint and reshape food systems to meet future demands without further environmental destruction. 
Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto
by Kōhei Saitō; translated by Brian Bergstrom

University of Tokyo philosopher Kōhei Saitō tackles climate change from both scientific and political angles. According to Saitō, any capitalistic model for combatting climate change is inherently flawed, and he calls instead for a halt to urban development, scaling back industrial manufacturing to focus on quality rather than quantity, and an emphasis on local economies to curb greenhouse emissions and allow nature to heal itself. It’s an unusual yet persuasive idea that Saitō supports with a “conversational, gentle, yet urgent tone” (Kirkus Reviews).
Submersed: Wonder, Obsession, and Murder in the World of Amateur Submarines
by Matthew Gavin Frank

Folded into author Matthew Gavin Frank’s thought-provoking survey of humankind’s urge to explore the ocean depths from deep-water submersibles lies a much darker obsession -- the “strong undercurrent of violence and misogyny” (Kirkus Reviews) running through the amateur sub community that arguably led to the 2017 murder of journalist Kim Wall. 
Trees
Treenotes : a year in the company of trees by Nalini Nadkarni
Treenotes : a year in the company of trees
by Nalini Nadkarni

A collection of over 45 essays exploring the diverse roles and significance of trees in human culture and the natural world, offering insights on various topics—from the variety of tree species to their utility in everyday products—while illustrating the interconnectedness of life through seasonal themes.
Take to the trees : a story of hope, science, and self-discovery in America's imperiled forests by Marguerite Holloway
Take to the trees : a story of hope, science, and self-discovery in America's imperiled forests    by Marguerite Holloway

An empowering journey into the overstory with the arborists and forest experts safeguarding our iconic trees. Journalist Marguerite Holloway learns about the science of trees and tells the stories of charismatic species, including hemlock, aspen, Atlantic white cedar, oak, and beech. She spotlights experts who are chronicling the great dying that is underway in forests around the world as trees face simultaneous and accelerating threats from drought, heat, floods, disease, and other disruptions.
Tree houses within reach : 30 lofty cabins, playhouses, and getaways you can actually build by Derek Diedricksen
Tree houses within reach : 30 lofty cabins, playhouses, and getaways you can actually build
by Derek Diedricksen

"This lively showcase of wildly different and eclectic tree houses will inspire anyone who has ever dreamed of building a tree house of their own".
Science
Science Year by Year : The Ultimate Visual Guide to the Discoveries That Changed the World by Inc. Dorling Kindersley
Science Year by Year : The Ultimate Visual Guide to the Discoveries That Changed the World
by Inc. Dorling Kindersley

From simple machines to modern-day marvels, you’ll follow incredible illustrated timelines that plot the entire history of science and highlight the most momentous discoveries. A jaw-dropping collection of more than 1,500 photographs, illustrations, maps, and graphics charts the evolution of science year by year, century by century.
The forgotten sense : the new science of smell--and the extraordinary power of the nose by Jonas Olofsson
The forgotten sense : the new science of smell--and the extraordinary power of the nose   by Jonas Olofsson

Explores the human sense of smell through the lens of neuroscience and psychology, revealing its extraordinary sensitivity and how it engages the brain, affects our perceptions, and shapes our experiences, while examining historical perspectives, the role of smell in evolution, and the potential for smell rehabilitation after illness.
Proof : the art and science of certainty by Adam Kucharski
Proof : the art and science of certainty
by Adam Kucharski

"An award-winning mathematician shows how we prove what's true, and what to do when we can't. How do we establish what we believe? And how can we be certain that what we believe is true? And how do we convince other people that it is true?  Spanning mathematics, science, politics, philosophy, and economics, this book offers the ultimate exploration of how we can find our way to proof--and, just as importantly, of how to go forward when supposed facts falter".
The ghost lab : how bigfoot hunters, mediums, and alien enthusiasts are wrecking science by Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling
The ghost lab : how bigfoot hunters, mediums, and alien enthusiasts are wrecking science
by Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling

 The Ghost Lab tells the astonishing story of the wild ecosystem of paranormal profiteers and consumers, through the astonishing story of what happened in this one small town. But it also maps the trends of declining scientific literacy, trust in institutions, and the diffusion of a culture that has created space for armies of pseudoscientists to step into the minds of an increasingly credulous public. With his distinct voice, eye for a story and ability to show how one community's experience reflects that of a society, Matt Hongoltz-Hetling crafts a powerful narrative about just how fragmented our understanding of what is real and what is not has become"-- Provided by publisher
The devil reached toward the sky : an oral history of the making & unleashing of the atomic bomb by Garrett M. Graff
The devil reached toward the sky : an oral history of the making & unleashing of the atomic bomb
by Garrett M. Graff

Combines archival research with firsthand accounts from political leaders, scientists, soldiers, and survivors to chronicle the development and use of the atomic bomb, examining its ethical, military, and human consequences during the final months of World War II and the start of the Cold War.
Pseudoscience : an amusing history of crackpot ideas and why we love them by Lydia Kang
Pseudoscience : an amusing history of crackpot ideas and why we love them
by Lydia Kang

From the easily disproved to the wildly speculative to straight-up hucksterism, this volume from the authors of Quackery is a romp through much more than bad science?—?it's a light-hearted look into why we insist on believing in things such as Big Foot, astrology, and the existence of aliens. 
Animals
Lost Animals, Disappearing Worlds : Stories of Extinction by Barbara Allen
Lost Animals, Disappearing Worlds : Stories of Extinction    by Barbara Allen

This book presents thirty-one extinct species through personal portraits. The intimate approach not only highlights each particular species but also explores the broader implications of losing a species forever. How do we honor such a loss? Can we grieve for species we never knew? These animals range from the well-known passenger pigeon, thylacine, and great auk, to lesser-known creatures like the Arabian ostrich, Saint Helena earwig, and Bramble Cay melomys. Through her poignant portraits, Barbara Allen not only tugs on the heartstrings but also aims to inspire readers to protect vulnerable and endangered species today, motivating us to play a positive role in conserving our planet’s biodiversity.
Ornithography : an illustrated guide to bird lore & symbolism by Jessica Roux
Ornithography : an illustrated guide to bird lore & symbolism
by Jessica Roux

In the follow-up to Floriography, each of 100 entries focuses on one bird species, and features a full-page color illustration in the creator's detailed, darkly romantic style and the lore behind each bird. 
Animal behavior / :  Stories of Instinct, Intelligence, and Adaptation by Charlotte Uhlenbroek
Animal behavior : Stories of Instinct, Intelligence, and Adaptation
by Charlotte Uhlenbroek

"A thrilling face-to-face encounter with animals in their own environment--their elaborate displays, intimate lives, and extraordinary behavior. Learn about play through river otters, see socialization among parrots at the riverbank, and catch prey with a fishing spider. Feature panels throughout the book explore the biology behind these traits, introduce case studies from the field, and highlight critical conservation issues facing these animals".

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