One of my favorite hobbies in the warmer seasons is to lay in my hammock under a tree and read a book. There are few activities more relaxing than reading a good book while the wind whistles through surrounding trees.
It can feel like the world is on fire these days. We thought it would be a good time to introduce our new newsletter section. Welcome to Green Pages: Books with WVEC Board Members — an opportunity to learn more about environmental topics through some of our board members’ recommended books.
We’ll kick things off with book picks from our vice president, Morgan King. Morgan is an avid reader with more than a few recommendations. If you don’t already have a library card, it’s a great time to get one. You can also purchase these books at your local bookstore or use Bookshop.org to buy the book online through your independent store.
- Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers
- This solar punk novella, features two creatures cross paths and form a friendship. The two, one a robot and one a human, discuss the meaning of life and a person’s purpose. Years prior, robots and AI were the backbone of the highly industrialized, urban society. When the robots no longer want to play this role, they leave their cities and go into the wilderness to live out their lives. Human civilization then changes their societies to a foundation of small, sustainable farms. Mosscap, the robot, leaves the wilderness and meets a traveling tea monk named Dex. The two set out on a journey to understand a person’s purpose. This book is a grounded meditation in a world that can feel ravenous and savage, especially today.
- Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas
- Leah Thomas — a prominent voice in environmental activism — explicates the undeniable link between environmentalism, racism, and privilege in this short and sweet book. Thomas provides a guide for creating meaningful change for all while protecting the planet. She not only shows how Black and indigenous populations are disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices, but provides readers with a better way forward for all. Intersectional Environmentalist is required reading for anyone interested in improving their understanding of environmental justice in the modern world.
- Amity and Prosperity: One Family and the Fracturing of America by Eliza Griswald
- In this non-fiction book, Eliza Griswald details the impacts of the energy boom on a small Appalachian town in Pennsylvania. The prizewinning author tells the story of a local nurse and mother, Stacy Haney, who experiences the consequences of living near a drill site. After signing a deal with the energy company, the trucks roll in and begin drilling on her property. Soon after, people and animals get sick, including her own children. Haney bands together with the community to fight for the truth about drilling’s impact on the local air and water. Griswald was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 2019 for her work.
- This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. Climate by Naomi Klein
- Can capitalism and the environment coexist? Klein argues we can’t save the planet without addressing neoliberal market fundamentalism because it encourages overconsumption. She challenges the notion that fighting climate change is only possible when tackling carbon. But how do you tackle carbon emissions in a market “addicted to profit and growth”? The book tackles big questions and tough topics, one chapter at a time.
- The Overstory by Richard Powers
- Nine characters, all connected to trees and forests, share their stories. This quilted story weaves together across locations and generations, exploring humanity’s connection to nature. It will challenge how you see the human world and natural world. As so many of us get pulled further from the natural world, as industry and tech continue to grow, this just might be the book to draw you back into the wild. You’ll finish this novel with a new appreciation for the environment and its inner workings.
