Wotton Area CAN - Book Reviews
- Jules Miller
- 3 days ago
- 13 min read
Over the years, our newsletter has shared plenty of book reviews - stories that have inspired, challenged and warmed the hearts of the Wotton Area CAN team.
From moving environmental memoirs to eye-opening guides and tales that celebrate the wonders of the natural world, these are the books that have stayed with us.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next read, or even a thoughtful gift, we hope this collection can be your guide. And if you decide to try one of these books, please consider supporting your local bookshop or borrowing a copy from your library.
We’d also love to hear from you - send us your own recommendations for great sustainability or nature reads (or listens!) so we can share them with our community.
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Rare Earth (Podcast) – BBC Radio 4
Reviewer: Jules
Summary
A weekly BBC Radio 4 podcast hosted by Tom Heap and Helen Czerski, exploring the biggest environmental challenges of our time - from biodiversity loss to climate resilience. Each episode takes a deep dive into a major ecological question, offering clear explanations, hopeful perspectives, and inspiring examples of people restoring nature across the world.
“If you’re interested in the environment but want something more uplifting than the usual doom-scrolling headlines, Rare Earth is the perfect listen.”
Read the full review
Hosted by environmental journalist Tom Heap and physicist Helen Czerski, the show digs deeper into some of the biggest issues facing our planet, from climate change and biodiversity loss to the inspiring efforts of people finding creative ways for both nature and humanity to thrive.
Each episode explores a major environmental story, asking how we got here and what can be done next. In the very first edition, Tom and Helen tackle the question of how to bring nature back from the brink. Should we let the land heal itself, or do we need to carefully guide rewilding efforts?
Tom visits a herd of bison in Kent, part of a project helping to restore a woodland ecosystem, and the Holkham Estate in Norfolk, where the government’s Landscape Recovery pilot is turning farmland into wetlands and wildlife corridors.
Whether it’s exploring the Amazon’s future, the hidden role of microbes in climate resilience, or how we might literally build a better world with wood, each episode feels like a fresh lens on how we live and how we might do better.
If you’re interested in the environment but want something more uplifting than the usual doom-scrolling headlines, Rare Earth is the perfect listen. It celebrates the wonder of the natural world and the people determined to keep it wonderful, and it leaves me feeling both informed and hopeful every time I tune in.
The Place of Tides – James Rebanks
Reviewer: Julia
Summary
Rebanks travels to a remote island off the northwest coast of Norway, close to the Arctic Circle, where he learns from two women who have dedicated their lives to the ancient craft of caring for eider ducks and gathering their down. Immersed in harsh conditions and extraordinary beauty, he reflects deeply on landscape, tradition, and resilience.
“A story that will stay in the mind for a long time.”
Read the full review
This is James Rebanks’ third book - not this time about his regenerative farm in Cumbria, but about time he spent on a remote island off the north-west coast of Norway, close to the Arctic Circle.
There, in the toughest of circumstances, he learned from and helped two exceptional women who encourage eider ducks to their island to nest.
Later, they collect the precious down once the nests are abandoned and the ducklings have fledged and gone back to sea.
This is an ancient and historic form of work and he describes it all, and the beauty of this area of the world, with great sensitivity.
A story that will stay in the mind for a long time.
Silent Earth – Dave Goulson
Reviewer: J Miller
Summary
Goulson explores the alarming decline of insect life, drawing on decades of scientific research and field experience. He explains the ecological roles insects play, the threats they face, and the urgent changes needed to protect them — from rethinking pesticides to restoring habitats.
“A compelling wake-up call… both sobering and full of cautious optimism.”
Read the full review
I was given a copy of this book by my Dad several years ago but have only recently got around to reading it. As someone who has always appreciated nature, I found this book to be a compelling wake-up call.
Goulson, a biologist and passionate advocate for insect conservation, lays out the alarming reality of insect decline with clarity and conviction. He blends scientific evidence with personal experience, and his explanations of ecological processes — pollination, decomposition, and food-web dynamics — are detailed yet accessible.
Through anecdotes from his own research and travels, he brings the science to life, showing how deeply interconnected insects are with everything from agriculture to human well-being.
While much of the book is sobering, Goulson’s tone isn’t despairing. Instead, it’s infused with urgency and cautious optimism. He challenges readers to rethink their relationship with nature, highlighting practical steps we can take, such as reducing pesticide use, rewilding gardens, and changing agricultural policies.
For me, Silent Earth stands out not just as an environmental warning but as a heartfelt appeal for coexistence. Goulson’s passion is contagious and by the end, I felt both more informed and more determined to notice and protect the small creatures that keep our world alive.
A Life on Our Planet – David Attenborough
Reviewer: Jules
Summary
Part memoir and part urgent environmental call to action, Attenborough reflects on his extraordinary life documenting nature and the devastating changes he has witnessed. He warns of where we are headed — and lays out a hopeful blueprint for restoring the planet.
“One of the best books I’ve read this year - powerful, eye-opening and comforting.”
Read the full review
"We have one final chance to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the wonderful world we inherited. All we need is the will to do so."
Sir David Attenborough has a voice that you instantly recognise — calm, wise, and deeply passionate about nature. He’s spent his life sharing the wonders of the natural world through documentaries, many of which have shown animals and ecosystems in ways we’d never seen before.
In recent years, his focus has shifted from simply showcasing nature to urgently protecting it. And that’s exactly what his book, A Life on Our Planet, is all about.
It’s part memoir, part environmental wake-up call, and completely absorbing.
The book is divided into three sections: My Witness Statement, What Lies Ahead, and A Vision for the Future. He starts by reflecting on his incredible career and how much the planet has changed during his lifetime. Then he looks at where we’re headed if we don’t act, and offers a hopeful, realistic vision of what we can do to fix things.
What I loved most is how personal it feels - his travels, his awe at the natural world, and his growing concern over what we’re losing.
It’s easy to read, even when tackling big issues like climate change and biodiversity loss. And somehow it never feels preachy or overwhelming just honest, clear, and deeply human.
A Life on Our Planet is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I highly recommend it.
Raising Hare – Clare Dalton
Reviewer: Tina
Summary
A beautifully illustrated memoir of raising a tiny orphaned leveret during lockdown. Dalton balances the practical challenges of caring for a wild creature with reflections on slowing down, observing nature closely, and confronting the threats hares face today.
“I can’t recommend it highly enough.”
Read the full review
I was recently given this gorgeously illustrated book as a birthday present. Having heard a little of it on Radio 4, I was keen to learn more.
The author, a writer and foreign policy specialist, retreated to the countryside during the first lockdown. There she found a day-old leveret alone in a lane and, believing it abandoned, decided to rescue it.
Knowing nothing about raising a hare, she fed it kitten-milk formula from a pipette. Remarkably, it survived and began to grow.
The writing is beautiful - charting the animal’s transformation from a tiny, cowering bundle of fluff into a strong, long-legged, leaping creature. Much of the available literature was only about cooking hares, making the task even harder.
Determined not to tame it, Dalton never named it and kept her distance so it could return to the wild.
What shines through is how the hare teaches her to slow down and observe the natural world in exquisite detail, contrasted with the grim realities of mechanised farming and hare-coursing.
The book has been shortlisted for several major prizes in 2025. I can’t recommend it highly enough and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
The Story of Stuff - Annie Leonard
Reviewer: JM
Summary
Leonard examines the lifecycle of the objects we buy—from extraction to disposal—exposing the flaws in our linear “take, make, waste” economy. Clear, accessible, and thought-provoking, the book makes the case for a fairer and more sustainable circular system.
“If you're interested in sustainability or want a fresh perspective on consumerism, this book is a must-read.”
Read the full review
This book really made me rethink the world we’re creating through endless consumption. Based on her famous 2007 video, the author takes us on a journey through the life cycle of consumer goods—extraction, production, distribution, consumption, and disposal.
Leonard breaks down complex environmental and economic issues in an accessible way. She doesn’t blame consumers alone; she exposes the bigger systems—corporate, political, global—that drive our throwaway culture.
One major takeaway is her call to move from a linear economy to a circular one, where repairing and reusing become the norm.
The book isn’t just about the environment—it’s also about fairness, showing how the most vulnerable communities bear the brunt of environmental harm.
Inspiring, accessible, and motivating—a powerful read.
Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer
Reviewer: Brenda
Summary
Kimmerer blends plant science with Native American wisdom, weaving together stories of ecology, teaching, family, and reciprocity. Her reflections illuminate how gifts from the natural world ask us to give in return, showing a deeply relational way of living.
“A brilliant and thought-provoking book — rich with ancient wisdom and scientific insight.”
Read the full review
This is a brilliant and thought-provoking book. It took me a long time to read—there is so much in it. If you are interested in botany or ancient wisdom, this is the book for you.
Robin Wall Kimmerer is a Professor of Botany and Environmental Biology, and also a member of the Potawatomi Nation. She combines scientific facts with ancient knowledge in fascinating ways.
Through stories of her children, family, and students, she explains how and why plants grow where they do, what they were used for, and how indigenous cultures understood their gifts.
Many indigenous peoples live in a “gift culture,” where what the earth gives must be reciprocated to maintain balance. All life is intertwined - as in the title Braiding Sweetgrass.
Peter Scott and the Birth of Modern Conservation – Chris Moore
Reviewer: Jules
Summary
A compelling biography of Peter Scott - artist, Olympian, broadcaster, and pioneering conservationist. Drawing on previously unpublished letters, it offers a rich portrait of a man whose influence shaped modern wildlife protection.
“A fascinating glimpse into the life of an extraordinary man.”
Read the full review
I picked up this book from the sustainable and environmental display at Dursley Library.
It offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of an extraordinary man. Peter Scott was not just a writer and artist, but also a broadcaster, conservationist, and sportsman—truly excelling in everything he pursued.
The biography traces his journey from childhood through his career as an artist, Olympic medallist, and broadcaster, highlighting his passion for wildfowl conservation.
Chris Moore, a volunteer at WWT Slimbridge, presents a compelling narrative, drawing on unpublished letters and documents discovered while preparing to open Scott's home to the public.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it hard to put down.
Blue Hawk – Chloe Turner
Reviewer: Julia
Summary
A richly detailed novel set in 17th-century Gloucestershire, following Joan, the daughter of a millworker, as she fights to lift her family out of poverty. Turner’s evocative descriptions of the Stroud valleys and the era’s wool trade bring the period vividly to life.
“A beautifully written story that is really hard to put down.”
Read the full review
Chloe Turner’s novel Blue Hawk is set in 17th-century Gloucestershire, centred on Chalford and the Stroud valleys.
Joan, the daughter of a millworker, tries to raise her family out of poverty after her mother dies and her father turns to drink. She masters the art of dyeing cloth to grow their business, facing many challenges, including rivalry with her difficult sister.
This book is beautifully written with evocative descriptions of the Stroud valleys and expertly researched details of the wool trade and weaving industry.
A book that is really hard to put down.
Climate Change Is Racist – Jeremy Williams
Reviewer: Jenny
Summary
Williams argues that climate injustice is deeply tied to global inequality and historic power imbalances. He explains why he uses the term “racist” and challenges readers to see environmental responsibility through a fairness-centered lens.
“Informing, stretching and challenging my perspectives.”
Read the full review
Jeremy Williams' Climate Change Is Racist is available as an ebook through Gloucestershire Library.
This book gives a global perspective, and although the word “racist” is used, Williams explains clearly why he uses this term. The book challenges the reader—for example, questioning the idea that climate change can be solved if we all simply “use less,” given the tiny carbon footprint of many African consumers.
There is much more to consider, and while I’m not a book critic, I can say that it certainly informs and challenges my perspectives.
The Overstory – Richard Powers
Reviewer: Sam
Summary
An ambitious, interwoven novel following nine seemingly unrelated Americans whose lives become connected through their profound relationships with trees. Powers explores activism, loss, and ecological wonder through haunting and memorable storytelling.
“An un-put-down-able work of fiction entirely dedicated to trees.”
Read the full review
I’ve always loved trees, so why not read an un-put-down-able work of fiction entirely dedicated to them?
The Overstory follows the lives of nine American people who seem completely different but are connected through their experiences with trees.
The stories are beautifully told, and Powers gradually weaves them together around the theme of forest destruction. It feels as though he gives voice to the trees as much as the humans.
Dark at times, but a book I loved and would thoroughly recommend.
Not the End of the World – Hannah Ritchie
Reviewer: Sam
Summary
Ritchie offers a hopeful, data-driven look at humanity’s progress on climate change, pollution, inequality, and more. She argues that while challenges remain, we have countless tools and positive trends that show a sustainable future is possible.
“Hannah’s book offers the one thing we all need: hope.”
Read the full review
Although I’ve not finished reading Not the End of the World, I’d be missing a trick not to recommend it.
For anyone who worries whether our efforts truly help, Ritchie—a data scientist—offers hope, taking a holistic look at how we’re tackling challenges from climate change to inequality.
The book is fact-filled, easy to digest, and banishes doom. It’s newly published, so hard to find second-hand, but The Cotswold Book Room ordered it quickly.
By the time I lend it to friends and family, it will be as dog-eared as all my favourites.
Rooted – Sarah Langford
Reviewer: Julia
Summary
Langford reflects on her return to farming, exploring the land of her childhood and the environmental consequences of post-war agriculture. Through stories of farmers she meets, she maps out a path toward more sustainable and regenerative farming.
“A beautifully written book that inspires us to rethink our relationship with food and the people who produce it.”
Read the full review
Sarah Langford writes movingly about the countryside, her family, and her unexpected journey into farming.
She remembers childhood visits to her grandfather’s farm, then learns about farming today, from the 1950s obsession with production to the damage done to soil, wildlife, and habitats.
The book charts where we’ve gone wrong, what’s at stake, and how change is possible. She learns from farmers with many approaches, taking in what aligns with her ethos.
Langford sees a quiet revolution happening in our fields and hedgerows, led by a new generation adopting regenerative methods.
She argues that restoring the earth lies in the hands of those who live and work closest to it. A beautifully written book of memories and insight.
Sweet Salone – Maria Bradford
Reviewer: Kath
Summary
A visually stunning cookbook blending Sierra Leonean recipes with cultural history, personal stories, and reflections on home, memory, migration, and identity.
“This is a profoundly beautiful book — and the recipes are very good too!”
Read the full review
Much more than just a cookery book. Lavishly illustrated, the recipes sit alongside historical and cultural perspectives and Maria’s reflections on her life.
She writes about her mother and grandmother, childhood memories of hawking produce, and the uncertainty of coming to England during Sierra Leone’s civil war.
Cooking became a way to share good memories and celebrate her culture. This is a profoundly moving and beautiful book—and the recipes are excellent.
The Hidden Life of Trees – Peter Wohlleben
Reviewer: Julia
Summary
Wohlleben reveals the hidden world of trees - how they communicate, nurture each other, and form interdependent forest communities.
“After reading this book, a walk in the woods will never be the same again.”
Read the full review
A fascinating book full of enthralling ecological insights from someone who has dedicated his life to forestry. Wohlleben describes how trees survive against the odds, even supporting each other.
“After reading this book, a walk in the woods will never be the same again.”
Tree Wisdom – Jacqueline Memory Paterson
Reviewer: Julia
Summary
This book explores Britain’s native trees, weaving together physical descriptions, folklore, healing traditions, and ancient symbolism to show our long relationship with the natural world.
“A fascinating look at trees through myth, healing, magic and history.”
Read the full review
The book describes the world of Britain's indigenous trees, telling the story of each specimen—from physical descriptions and myths to healing qualities, magic, and inspiration.
It explores trees through our eyes, the eyes of our ancestors, and highlights their growing role as symbols of connection with nature.
English Pastoral – James Rebanks
Reviewer: Rick & Sam
Summary
James Rebanks tells the story of his family farm and the transformation of Britain’s rural landscapes - from rich, traditional ecosystems to depleted industrial spaces and the hope he finds in restoring a small corner of the land he loves.
“We loved this book and gave it 5 stars.”
Read the full review
As a boy, James Rebanks's grandfather taught him to work the land the old way. Their family farm in the Lake District was part of an ancient agricultural landscape: meadows, pastures, hedgerows, and wildlife.
By the time James inherited the farm, it was barely recognisable: people had left the fields, barns had crumbled, birdsong had declined.
English Pastoral is the story of an inheritance that affects us all—how rural landscapes around the world came close to collapse, and how one farmer began to restore life to his land.
A book about love, pride, and the possibility of building a new, decent pastoral.
We loved this book and gave it 5 stars.
Carbon Copy Podcast
Reviewer: Jules
Summary
A great podcast featuring real people taking meaningful climate and nature action in their communities. Episodes highlight practical local projects from rewilding to community energy with credible, achievable ideas and inspiring stories.
"Thoughtful, credible, and genuinely inspiring"
Read the full review
I keep coming back to the Carbon Copy Podcast because it shines a light on real people doing genuinely meaningful climate and nature work in their own communities.
Carbon Copy is a UK charity that helps spark bigger, bolder local action by sharing what’s working and connecting people who want to make a difference. The podcast feels like an extension of that mission - it gives a platform to some truly inspiring individuals who are improving their local environment in practical, thoughtful ways, backed by hundreds of real projects and Climate Action Plans from across the UK.
Every episode digs into hands-on initiatives - rewilding, community energy, cutting plastic waste, home insulation, and so much more, and the guests always speak from lived experience.
The tone is warm, grounded, and quietly motivating, and I especially love the “Do Something Bigger” series because it brings a clear sense of direction and purpose.
What I enjoy most is how doable everything feels. The stories are uplifting without drifting into the abstract, and even though the focus is very UK-centric, the ideas often feel like they could work anywhere.
It’s thoughtful, credible, and genuinely inspiring - the kind of show that leaves me wanting to get involved and be part of something bigger myself.
