Feral - George Monbiot

We are starting our winter read recommendations with 'Feral'.  A lyrical and gripping story of George Monbiot's efforts to re-engage with nature and discover a new way of living. He shows how, by restoring and rewilding our damaged ecosystems on land and at sea, we can bring wonder back into our lives. Making use of some remarkable scientific discoveries, Feral lays out a new, positive environmentalism, in which nature is allowed to find its own way. Recommended by Matt Swift - Marketing Officer 

Entangled Life - Merlin Sheldrake 

Entangled Life is a mind-altering journey into this hidden kingdom of life, and shows that fungi are key to understanding the planet on which we live, and the ways we think, feel and behave. The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them. Recommended by Megan Kelsall - Partnerships Officer 

The Salt Path - Raynor Winn

The Salt Path is an honest and life-affirming true story of coming to terms with grief and the healing power of the natural world. Ultimately, it is a portrayal of home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt, and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways. A number of recommendations from across the wildlife trust team.

Be a Birder - Hamza Yassin

Winter means Strictly! Our favourite contestant on the show Hamza has written our next recommendation. Journey along with Hamza as he recounts stories of his birdwatching adventures and shares tips and tricks in this beautifully illustrated guide for beginning birders. With practical advice and personal anecdotes, you will learn how to get started in birdwatching and hone your identification skills to become an experienced twitcher. Recommended by Kim Wisdom - Conservation Officer 

Wonderland - Brett Westwood & Stephen Moss

Distilling two lifetimes' knowledge, insight and enthusiasm, naturalists Brett Westwood and Stephen Moss take you through the year, day by day, sharing the delights that you can experience in Britain's skies, seas, rivers, fields, forests and back gardens. Our Fundraising Officer -Lucy recommends this book highly as a gentle reminder to get out and connect with nature all year long. 

The Wild Remedy - Emma Mitchell 

In Emma's hand-illustrated diary, she takes us with her as she follows the local paths and trails, sharing her nature finds over the course of a year. Reflecting on how these encounters impact her mood, Emma's candid account of her own struggles is a powerful testament to how reconnecting with nature may offer some answers to today's mental health epidemic.
Recommended by repeat reader Karen Williams - SHE advisor 

Twelve Words for Moss - Elizabeth-Jane Burnett 

We were not surprised that the recommendation from our peatlands team member Jo Kennedy was a book about Moss featuring our own favourite Sphagnum!  Where nothing grows, moss is the spark that triggers new life. Embarking on a journey though landscape, memory and recovery, Elizabeth-Jane Burnett explores this mysterious, ancient marvel of the plant world, meditating on and renaming her favourite mosses – from Glowflake to Little Loss – and drawing inspiration from place, people and language itself. 

The Wisdom of Sheep - Rosamund Young

Rosamund Young has been an organic farmer for over forty years and this is her record of a life at the beck and call of the animals while observing and preserving the abundant wildlife at Kite's Nest Farm. It is a story of joy, discovery, cooperation and sometimes heartbreak. We learn about sheep growing old disgracefully, the intelligence of supposedly 'bird-brained' hens, 'conversations' between cows and why you should never send a text whilst milking ...

Few and Far Between on The Trail of Britain's Rarest Animals -Charlie Elder

Travelling the length and breadth of the UK, and meeting up with experts along the way, he tracks down secretive and scarce mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects living on the brink, ranging from the iconic Scottish wildcat and surreal spiny seahorse to the striking golden oriole, outlandish wart-biter cricket and sinister black rat. Recommended by Alex Hubberstey - Lancashire Peat Partnership Coordinator.

Wintering - Katharine May 

Wintering is a poignant and comforting meditation on the fallow periods of life, times when we must retreat to care for and repair ourselves. Katherine May thoughtfully shows us how to come through these times with the wisdom of knowing that, like the seasons, our winters and summers are the ebb and flow of life. Recommended by Hannah Stevenson - Marketing Manager.