Sustainable Bookshelf Winter 2023-24
Autumn on the coast of Harpswell, Maine. Photo: Raine Raynor
Compiled and edited by Raine Raynor
LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT GREAT READ? We asked our friends at local bookstores Longfellow Books in Portland and Royal River Books in Yarmouth for their top picks on books about living with compassion for ourselves and the planet. They delivered, with picks for both adults and young readers alike spanning genres from dystopian fiction to memoir. What each book shares, however, is a message that inspires us to lead happier, healthier and more sustainable lives. In this issue’s Sustainable Bookshelf, get ready to travel to the bottom of the sea, imagine life as a bird, and follow a child determined to clean up their neighborhood, one piece of trash at a time.
LB: recommended by Longfellow Books | RRB: recommended by Royal River Books
Books for adults
The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean
BY SUSAN CASEY
Susan Casey takes us on a fascinating journey through the history of deep-sea exploration, from the myths and legends of the ancient world to storied shipwrecks we can now reach on the bottom, to the first intrepid bathysphere pilots, to the scientists who are just beginning to understand the mind-blowing complexity and ecological importance of the quadrillions of creatures who live in realms long thought to be devoid of life. Throughout this journey, Casey learned how vital the deep is to the future of the planet, and how urgent it is that we understand it in a time of increasing threats from climate change, industrial fishing, pollution and the mining companies that are also exploring its depths. The Underworld is Susan Casey’s most beautiful and thrilling book yet, a gorgeous evocation of the natural world and a powerful call to arms. –RRB
Parable of the Sower
BY OCTAVIA E. BUTLER
Set in a post-apocalyptic California in the early 2020s, Parable of the Sower is a chilling reminder that the future is not as distant as it seems. Written 30 years ago, Parable presents a version of the future in which climate change has wrecked Earth. Despite the chaos and uncertainty that fills the world, the main character is still able to find hope—and so should we. A powerful call to action to live more sustainably and fight for climate justice, so that our future looks different than the one Butler envisioned. –LB
Returning Light: 30 Years of Life on Skellig Michael
BY ROBERT L. HARRIS
In 1987, Robert Harris happened upon an unusual job posting in the local paper—a new warden service was being set up on the island of Skellig Michael, and the deadline was imminent. Just weeks later he was on his way to set up camp in one of Ireland’s most remote locations, unaware that he would be making that same journey every May for the next 30 years. Here he transports us to the otherworldly island, a place that is teeming with natural life, including curious puffins that like to visit his hut. From the precipice, he has observed a coastline that is relatively unchanged for the last thousand years—a beacon of equilibrium in an ever-changing world. A beautiful and evocative work of nature writing, Returning Light is an extraordinary memoir about the profound effect a place can have on us, and how a remote location can bring with it a great sense of belonging. –RRB
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
BY EMILY NAGOSKI, PH.D. AND AMELIA NAGOSKI, D.M.A.
This book explores why women may experience burnout differently than men do and gives science-backed advice to help women reduce stress, manage emotions, navigate the sexist world we find ourselves in, and ultimately better enjoy life. It’s a great reminder of the importance of rest, human connection and self-love. This book does not encourage us to attain the impossibility of perfection, rather to look within ourselves and realize we are enough. –LB
Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell
BY SY MONTGOMERY; ILLUSTRATED BY MATT PATTERSON
Hopeful and optimistic, Of Time and Turtles is an antidote to the instability of our frenzied world. Elegantly blending science, memoir, philosophy, and drawing on cultures from across the globe, this compassionate portrait of injured turtles and their determined rescuers invites us all to slow down and slip into turtle time. Perfect gift for nature lovers. Includes a signature of photos plus stunning, photo-realistic full-color paintings and black-and-white chapter opener art by wildlife artist Matt Patterson. –RRB
Love Real Food
BY KATHRYNE TAYLOR
Even if you’re not a vegetarian, this cookbook inspires you to eat less meat and more whole foods in general. And with less processed food, you will undoubtedly feel better too. With comfort food season approaching, The Butternut Squash Chipotle Chili and Roasted Eggplant Lasagna are definitely in our future. –LB
Books for young readers
The More You Give
BY MARCY CAMPBELL ILLUSTRATED BY FRANCESCA SANNA
This charming picture book feels like an immediate classic. What begins with a grandmother’s simple lessons about generosity and patience expands to include multiple generations of a family—a heartfelt reminder that, just like planting a tree for the future, community is something we can cultivate and nurture now, reaping the benefits for years to come. –LB
What It’s Like to Be a Bird (Adapted for Young Readers)
BY DAVID ALLEN SIBLEY
In this edition for young readers adapted from the bestselling work written and illustrated by David Allen Sibley, readers will find a unique treasure trove of fascinating facts about birds, paired with more than 300 full-color illustrations—some life-size! The extraordinary world of birds is brought to life on the page. Did you know that many species of birds have sensory abilities that surpass those of humans? Or that some birds spend the entire winter in the air, and even sleep while flying? Have you ever wondered why birds have feathers? Or why they are a particular color? Have you noticed that some birdsong sounds like a musical scale? Birds are not only beautiful and fascinating, they also serve an essential role in our ecosystem. This book shows how birds and humans are intrinsically connected, sometimes helping and sometimes hindering each other. –RRB
Begin Again
WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY OLIVER JEFFERS
Oliver Jeffers follows the human path from the dawn of our species through history, sharing profound, sometimes poignant commentary on our present, and then offers a challenge: Where do we go from here? How can we create new stories and new systems that allow all of humanity to flourish? How can we journey toward a collective and robust future? Illustrated in his world-renowned art style, Oliver Jeffers’ reflection on the patterns that have led us to where we are today, the stories we have governed ourselves by, and those we might adopt going forward, is insightful, moving and powerful. A must-have for anyone who wants the next generation to inherit a world to be proud. –RRB
Something, Someday
BY AMANDA GORMAN; ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTIAN ROBINSON
Our point of view is that of a child who notices overflowing trash bins and other pollution in their neighborhood, but the adults in their life assure them it can’t be helped. The determined child and some equally determined friends organize to start cleaning up the neighborhood. Gorman doesn’t represent this effort as pat or straightforward, including some likely frustrations and setbacks, showing how failure doesn’t have to mean that no progress has been made.
–RRB
Unstoppable Us, Volume 1: How Humans Took Over the World
BY YUVAL NOAH HARARI
Even though we’ll never outrun a hungry lion or outswim an angry shark, humans are pretty impressive—and we’re the most dominant species on the planet. How did we become “unstoppable”? The answer to that is one of the strangest tales you’ll ever hear! And it’s a true story. Full-color illustrations and a timeline bring to life this expertly crafted tale of how humans learned to not only survive but also thrive on Earth. It’s unputdownable. –RRB
On the cover: Judi steps out of a cabin in the 100-Mile Wilderness to fresh falling snow.