
Wow, week 3 already! I have been finding so many great books – I am so glad that I participated this year. This week’s prompt is:
Be The Expert/Ask the Expert/Become the Expert (Hosted by Katie at Doing Dewey)
Three ways to join in this week! You can either share three or more books on a single topic that you have read and can recommend (be the expert), you can put the call out for good nonfiction on a specific topic that you have been dying to read (ask the expert), or you can create your own list of books on a topic that you’d like to read (become the expert).
This is the week I was really nervous about. In the past few years I haven’t read much nonfiction. Not enough to consider myself an expert at anything. Maybe years ago, when I was reading more. But now, not so much. So, I am opting for a blend of the remaining two options! I am asking for recommendations as well as sharing a list of the books I had already started. If you have a suggestion on my topic, I would love to hear it! If you have an opinion on any of the books I am sharing, I would love to hear that too! And finally, if you don’t have one on this particular topic exactly, I would love your suggestions for nature reading!
Rewilding/Wilding our Family
For much of my adult life, I have suffered from anxiety. When things began to pile up, I would find a walk in the woods always made me feel so much better. Years later, I have learned that this is something that has been studied and scientists are finding that nature and a connection to nature is so important to our health, mental and physical. My son has cerebral palsy, so sometimes finding the accessibility is tough, so I have joined a million groups online and read all sorts of different philosophies to find different ideas that I can adapt. I really believe that some of his progress is due to the way we are trying to raise him, with a closeness to nature. Yes, he has multiple therapy appointments a week, and monthly doctors appointments, but I believe this nature connection is providing a healthy balance to that world, and they are working in tandem. So,with all that being said, I need your suggestions! I have read a few already, like The Nature Fix and There is No Such Thing as Bad Weather, but I am looking for more!







These are the few I have found but I would love to hear your recommendations or suggestions! If you don’t have a rewilding/widling specific book suggestion, I would love to hear your nature book suggestions!
I love the idea of your nature walks. I remember that we went camping every year when I was a child, and walking along the nature trails was very peaceful.
I love memoirs…and I have a stack of them. A couple are about the younger generation of Kennedys (Caroline and John), and another (Touched by the Sun) is about Carly Simon’s friendship with Jackie.
Enjoy your week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have such a nice time – and I love that the nature center where we go is one of Wyatt’s favorite places. 🙂
My mom is a huge fan of memoirs! I will have to share those titles with her, they are exactly who she likes to read about too! And I love Carly Simon – I will have to check that one out.
Thanks Laurel! I’ll be hopping over your way as soon as my husband gets home! No school today (my blogging time!) due to crazy snow!
LikeLike
I’m definitely going to have to look up that one: There is No Such Thing as Bad Weather, especially since winter already is here where we live and I beg to differ. 🙂 Plus it seems like this post is coming at the wrong time of the year for me. I don’t want to be outside. I want to curl up on my recliner with a blanket and a good book…well, maybe one of these books? Hmmm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! It snowed here today too – 6 inches I believe! That book was amazing. We were already winter hikers but it made me feel better about taking my tiny son out in it. Lol. It’s this one : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34466962-there-s-no-such-thing-as-bad-weather
We are weird winter lovers. I love to be outside in the snow, I feel so alive in it. But, I also like going back in and getting warm and cozy too. 🙂 I’m all about the hygge.
LikeLike
There should be shirts with that on it: “All About The Hygge”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! I love it!
LikeLike
I chose nature books as my theme for Be the Expert as that is one of my favorite sorts of reads these days. I haven’t read any of these wonderful books, though, so I am going to add several of them to my TBR.
The only wilding sort of book I’ve read (and loved) is Forest Bathing. You might like that one. Such a good book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oo I am excited to hop over!! I need to wait until my kiddo goes to bed now – my blogging time while he is in school didn’t happen today, due to snow!
I will have to check out Forest Bathing!
LikeLike
Excellent topic. Have you read Last Child in the Woods https://www.amazon.com/s?k=last+child+in+the+woods+by+richard+louv&crid=3LIX180TUFN6G&sprefix=last+child+in%2Caps%2C273&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_13
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t! Thank you for the suggestion!
LikeLike
These all look great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a lot of reading ahead. Lol.
LikeLike
A great topic and a good idea. I certainly find getting out for a run or walk in one of our local parks is very restorative.
I would add Isabella Tree’s “Wilding”, Simon Barnes’ “On the Marsh” and Catrina Davies; “Homesick” – I bought these all recently and haven’t read them yet. Pics and descriptions here https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2019/10/06/incomings-and-west-penwith-highlights/ and Nick Baker’s “Rewild” which was full of excellent tips although I still haven’t been out in the deep deep dark!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am adding all of your suggestions! Although being out in the deep deep dark sounds terrifying to me! Lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like this topic – my dad instilled in us a love of the outdoors and it was a big part of our growing up (we took a lot of camping trips!). Thank you for stopping over at my post – I know Braving It will fit in perfectly with your topic this week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m excited to read it! We are planning a camping trip soon with our little guy. I am excited but also nervous! Lol.
LikeLike
they all look great. i haven’t read a lot of nonfiction this year either. i do love the woods. there is something about trees, i am drawn to books with them on the cover, i love to sketch them, sometimes finding hidden images in them.
sherry @ fundinmental
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see things in the trees all the time! Although looking at that sentence makes me sound crazy? Lol. Sometimes they just look like people dancing, etc. Lol. I really hope to start more nature journaling next year, with some sketches!
LikeLike
I’ve never heard the expression of wilding yourself. I love it. Amazing how a walk in the woods has so much power isn’t it? Very cool that you’re supplementing your son’s therapy with a connection to nature!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a new idea to me too but I am fully diving in. Lol. It really does have such an effect. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness, I’m exactly the same! I’ve experienced anxiety my entire life, and long walks outside were my absolute rock during my tough teenage years. There’s really nothing quite as soothing as time spent outside in nature.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is something so calming by walking outdoors. Maybe we are free from all other distractions and intrusions that add to anxiety, and maybe just the magic of nature itself. 🙂 Probably all of those things.
LikeLike
I’ve never heard of the concept of wilding yourself or wilding your family, but what a great concept! My goal is for my kids (and me!) to have less screen time and more exploring time, but we only tend to “explore” our house and backyard. I’m excited to read some of your suggestions and maybe start changing our mindset!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s new to me too! I love the idea of it. I think getting outside at all is important, so exploring your own yard is perfect too! There is so much to see once you start looking. 🙂
LikeLike
I love this post! I struggle to ever get out in nature due to my disability but I’m trying to find more accessible places to go. I love the sound of a lot of the books in your post and will definitely make a note of them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! I think it is so important! Sometimes we have to get creative with Wyatt which is easier since he is still a tiny kid and we can still swing him up in a backpack carrier. However, I am doing some research on what might be possible in all his possible futures. 🙂 I am not sure what your disability is but I know a lot of state parks have wheelchair accessible paths. I know a lot of Michigan stuff but if you want me to help you look I will!
LikeLike
I love that you’re using nature as therapy! I wish I had recs for you, but I’m more of an indoor cat 🙂 Looks like you got some nice responses though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
I very much agree with you regarding nature working in partnership with other things to help us on a health level, and can see why you would want to read more about this.
Unfortunately I don’t have any specific recommendations on rewilding – in fact a couple books you’ve mentioned are on my own wishlist already – however I do think it be may be worth branching further from rewilding and looking into forest bathing too (pretty similar concepts in all honesty).
Last year I read The Joy of Forest Bathing: The Mysterious Art of Shin-rin Yoku and really quite enjoyed it; I have seen a bunch of similar books since reading that one but not picked any up yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do want to read that nature book you just read this year. I have it written it down on my list! I will definitely add this one too. It is something I think I need to add to my life in general!
LikeLike
I don’t think I’ve read anything in this realm, except a textbook or two on environmental education in early childhood when I was at university. You might find some interesting resources if you use search terms such as inclusive environmental education.
Thanks for sharing your list
Please stop by to see my NonFicNov: Become The Expert
LikeLike
I love your list! I’d heard about The Nature Fix on Gretchen Rubin’s blog and Happier podcast, and I’m intrigued by the importance of spending time in the natural world. It always feels great, but who knew there was such good science to back that up? Pretty fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will have to listen to that podcast! It is really interesting isn’t it? I think it makes total sense too.
LikeLike
This is a fantastic topic! I recently bought a book on Forest Bathing. It’s all so worthwhile. Every once in a while I have to pick up ‘Last Child in the Woods’ just to stay motivated and get the kids outside. Here’s to mud pies and creek hopping!
LikeLike
Pingback: My Sunday-Monday Post! – Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs..
What a great topic! And I love your approach to it. I often use this post primarily to ask for suggestions; it’s so great to hear from all the bloggers participating 🙂 I’ve not read anything I can recommend, but two somewhat related books that have caught my attention recently are On Trails and A Walking Life. I’m not sure how nature focused they are vs simply getting outside and moving, but they might add something to your exploration of this topic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw this list on bookriot after reading your post and thought some of the books they mention may also be a good fit for this topic – https://bookriot.com/2019/11/15/books-about-education/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I will check it out!!
LikeLike
Thanks! And I will look those books up, and check out that article too! 🙂
LikeLike