Spring has sprung and nature is a healing force. It delights, surprises, changes slowly and rapidly, and is nurturing. It is our home, our ultimate shelter in place. The sun on our faces and breathing fresh air are essential for our mental and physical health. Even watching a storm come in can be exhilarating if you are safe. Once it subsides, we may go outside again, breathe in the fresh wet earth, hear a bird, splash in a puddle, muddy our boots, take a walk, soak in the sun, examine a tree, and marvel at the flowers starting to grow again. In these fraught period, we have even more time to revere the earth, as we are its caretakers; likewise, it is taking care of us now. Here is a selection of titles we recommend from our nature section. 

Some personal staff recommendations:

The Tree by John Fowles. "A beautiful rumination on the myriad, interrelated aspects of trees, nature, and art. Fowles was a novelist and short story writer by trade (The French Lieutenant's Woman, The Magus, The Ebony Tower, et al.), and an exceptionally fine one at that. With this lovely little book he took a brief detour into natural history." - Alex

The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf. "A tireless naturalist, Alexander von Humbolt was unrelenting in his quest to illuminate the interconnectedness of all things. Influencing astronomers and scientists, as well as poets, philosophers, and political revolutionaries, his research and writings are unimaginably far-reaching. His observations predicted the environmental problems we now face. Von Humbolt was a true visionary and this is an amazing read." - Gena

Dog Medicine by Julie Barton. "There is a very real, scientifically proven, link between mental health and the healing relief pets (yay me!) can provide. This is a really compelling story -- smart and a page-turner. I can testify first-hand how I saved my owner from herself." - Teddy