Nature Gift Guide for Adults 2020

Unfortunately, we can’t all get each other capybaras, even though they’re obviously the perfect gift.

I also have a weakness for browsing gift guides, so I thought I’d put together my own guide to nature-related gifts. This got so big, and I’ve got so many *other* nature-related gift ideas for kids, I’ve moved the kid-related ideas to another list! Expect that next week. :)

I’d also love to hear about the neat nature-related gifts you’ve run across lately — you can comment on this article, email me at info@wanderfinder, or follow me on Twitter at @WanderFinder.

Books

I love using Indiebound to find a nearby independent bookstore to make book purchases. You might also be interested in Bookshop, the online bookshop (natch) that sends its profits to local, independent bookstores (either of your choosing, or through a distributed pool of profits), as well as this list of Black-owned bookstores that take online orders.

Particularly during the pandemic, it’s so important to help keep independent businesses open, I think!

OK, enough of how you’re going to get the book — what books are you going to get?

I’m sure many more natural history books have been published this year, but these are the ones I’ve read, am reading now, or am planning on reading — and I’d love to hear from you about what I’m missing!

• Jennifer Ackerman, The Bird Way: A New Look At How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, And Think, 2020. From the Science Magazine review: “From tales of dazzling plumage to anecdotes about almost unfathomable mimicry, Jennifer Ackerman’s The Bird Way is a walk through the mysteries, wonders, and peculiarities of the avian world . . . Ackerman’s excitement and love for it are evident in her writing. Her superb storytelling paints a rich picture that engages the reader’s imagination, making sometimes-hard-to-grasp research accessible.” I’ve ordered this one and can’t wait for it to arrive!

• Helen MacDonald, Vesper Flights, 2020. It’s no exaggeration to say that MacDonald’s first book, H is for Hawk might have saved my life after my Dad died — I read and re-read it obsessively — so I am both extremely excited, and also maybe a little nervous to read her second book. I probably shouldn’t be nervous, though; apparently it’s just as much of a powerhouse, but in a different way, which I think is great. From the NPR review: “This is not the follow-up to Helen Macdonald’s breakthrough book, H Is for Hawk and in that sense it may disappoint some of her readers. But it needn’t: in fact, as a selection of Macdonald’s journalism and essays, it provides a series of short blasts of insightful, invigorating nature writing.”

• Sy Montgomery, How to be a Good Creature, 2018. I read Montgomery’s book on octopuses a while ago, so I was already sold on her voice: fun, sweet, a master at describing animal behavior. This memoir, told through 12 animals she has known and loved, is maybe a little *too* sweet, but it also shows off her tremendous empathy with animals. I liked the sections about the animals she met out in the field better than the sections about her pets. We’re all sappy about our pets, and I love reading about people’s adoration for their dogs, but 280 characters on Twitter seems like a better vehicle for that kind of thing rather than a whole chapter. Still, it’s a fun, quick read, and her descriptions of animals really make you feel that you’re right there with her, getting to know some tiny kangaroo or strange Australian bird.

• David Allen Sibley, What It's Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing--What Birds Are Doing, and Why, 2020. From the NPR review: "Lingering over every page of What It's Like to Be a Bird, this is what can be seen: The book's beauty mirrors the beauty of birds it describes so marvelously."

• Patrik Svensson, The Book Of Eels: Our Enduring Fascination With The Most Mysterious Creature In The Natural World, 2020. From the Washington Post review: “Svensson has, quite stunningly, discovered in the natural and human history of the European eel a metaphor for his father’s life and a way to explore questions of knowledge, belief and faith.” I’m very much planning on reading this one!

Other Stuff Not Books

There’s stuff we can give each other that’s not capybaras OR books! The world is indeed full of wonder.

Here’s some of that stuff.

Again, let me know what I’m missing in the comments, or @WanderFinder on Twitter, or email me at info@wanderfinder.com.

• Did you know that Japanese culture celebrates 72 microseasons? I didn’t until I started getting (the free versions) of the emails from Spoon & Tomago, purveyors of Japanese goods. However, they also have a paid 72 Seasons Newsletter that I’ve always thought sounded neat: “Our new 72 Seasons Newsletter follows Japan’s ancient calendar of 72 microseasons. Around every 5 days you’ll receive a new microseason in your inbox, describing the subtle yet special changes that are constantly occurring all around us. We also use the microseason to reflect upon a piece of Japanese artwork and share a food or recipe based on the corresponding seasonal food. Think of it as a quick Japanese class, art class and a cooking class all in one!”

• The Best Brushes is an incredibly odd catalog and company with a barely-functioning website, but I’ve always been fascinated with these wooden bird calls which were, of course, “were developed, designed, and made by François Morel, in France.” Mais oui! If anyone buys these and uses them (there’s others, like this North American bird selection), please let me know if they work!

• Do you need a big ol’ padded bucket chair to sit by the fire? No! Is it nice to have one? Yes! When it became clear that, due to the pandemic, I was going to be sitting outside a lot more, I invested in a couple of these chairs from Woods Canada and haven’t regretted it for a moment. (Well, possibly the moment I spent getting them in and out of their bags — they are large — but honestly, I think all the chairs look a little clumsy getting in and out of the car and their bags.) They’re so comfortable, I’m currently using one as my desk chair.

• The birds adore the bird feeder I got for them (and to entertain my cat) from BestNest. Prompt service too.

  

I hope you’ve found something intriguing — or at least fun — on this list!

Don’t forget to share any thoughts in the comments, and I look forward to sharing more gift ideas and yet more capybaras — the world’s best nature gift! — with you next week.