The Golden Mole, by Katherine Rundell

Katherine Rundell, teamed up with illustrator Talya Baldwin to weave these tales of animals, some rare, endangered, others more common. The book walks us through ‘a world that is more astonishing, more miraculous and more wonderful than our wildest imaginings’.

“A most beautiful book!! I have one of the original hardback copies which is a pleasure to handle. She is a Renaissance Researcher at Oxford University and a prolific writer.”

Drinkable Rivers, by Li an Phoa and Maarten van der Schaaf

A rich tapestry of travelogue, memoir, reportage, philosophical musings and poetry.

“Last year this delightful couple walked the length of the Thames engaging with river communities, environmental agencies, anyone they met along the way.  They stayed in Henley over one weekend and held a conversation at the River & Rowing Museum.”

Endless Forms, by Seirian Sumner

‘Where bees and ants have long been the darlings of the insect world, wasps are much older, cleverer and more diverse. They are the bee’s evolutionary ancestors – flying 100 million years earlier – and today they are just as essential for the survival of our environment. A book to upturn your expectations about one overlooked animal and the wider architecture of our natural world.’

“Fascinating and exciting!  I learnt so much from reading this.”

The Garden Jungle, by Dave Goulson

The Garden Jungle  ‘is about the wildlife that lives right under our noses, in our gardens and parks, between the gaps in the pavement, and in the soil beneath our feet’. Goulson helps us see how ‘with just a few small changes, our gardens could become a vast network of tiny nature reserves, where humans and wildlife can thrive together in harmony rather than conflict.’

“For those who haven’t read much about gardening for wildlife, this is the book for you! Very amusing as well as informative and he even includes recipes.”

The Darkness Manifesto, by Johan Eklöf

‘How much light is too much light? The Darkness Manifesto urges us to cherish natural darkness for the sake of the environment, our own wellbeing, and all life on earth. Eye-opening and ultimately encouraging, The Darkness Manifesto offers simple steps that can benefit ourselves and the planet.’

“The author is a bat scientist and has spent nearly 20 years sitting in the dark studying them.  Very easy to read, short chapters on all subjects related to light and darkness – why we can’t see so well in the dark now, cosmic light, twilight animals … Simply brilliant!!”

The Age of Resilience, by Jeremy Rifkin

Jeremy Rifkin is the president of the Foundation on Economic Trends in Washington, D.C., teacher, writer and advisor to the EU, the People’s Republic of China and heads of state around the world. Humans have long believed we could force the natural world to adapt to us; only now are we beginning to face the fact that it is we who will have to adapt to survive in an unpredictable natural world.  The transformation has started – see if you agree.

“More erudite than the above but  manageable. Probably the most important and best referenced explanation of how we got to where we are and what is happening to move us forward.”

Orchard, by Benedict Macdonald & Nicholas Gates

Written by two field naturalists who met whilst working on Springwatch and came across this original orchard by accident, which has been kept in its natural state since 1930 and is habitat for many species disappearing elsewhere.

“A delightful read.  Month by month the authors describe the life in the orchard so well that it feels as if you were there with them.”

Doughnut Economics, by Kate Raworth

Devised by Kate Raworth an economist focused on exploring the economic thinking needed to address the twenty first century’s sociological and ecological challenges.  Her idea has won international acclaim – what do you make of it?

“And now for something completely different! Have you heard of Doughnut Economics?  It has nothing to do with the sweet confectionary  but is a positive view of economics for our time. “