Introducing the Nature Art Book Club
A cozy space for all things nature, art & books!
Okay… so I turned thirty this week and decided to ring in the fresh decade with a fun new project that combines lots of my interests! I’m very excited to share it with you today. 🎉
My dream book club
What could be better than nature, art, and books? I think my fellow introverts (and many extroverts) would agree that these three things embody so much of the beauty of existence. And when we combine all three? The result is nothing short of magic.
Why I’m starting this project
As you probably know, I’ve written and illustrated two nature books of my own and I plan to make more. This means that I’m constantly on the prowl for beautiful nature art books that stir something within me. These books keep me going when the book-making process feels impossibly long and hard. They remind me that books can be a timeless source of comfort, education, and inspiration—and they’re worth all the effort they take to create.
Throughout my twenties, I moved at least once/year. Because of this, I never had the ability to collect the books that I loved. Now that we’re settled in our home and I have lots of space for books, I’m slowly building out my collection. I came up with the idea to keep a journal about the nature art books that I purchase, a way to look closely and analytically at each one to understand why I found it compelling (yes, this makes me a full-fledged book nerd 🤓).
But then I thought—what if I shared this journey with others, too? It’s a way to support fellow authors & artists and share the joy that these books have brought me. It also seems like a fun way to foster conversation about the role of art in increasing our understanding of and appreciation for the natural world. So here we are! The start of a delightful new project.
What to expect
I created a brand new newsletter where I’ll share a monthly book review. Whenever possible, I’ll include my written interview with the author/artist to share an insider’s look at why and how they brought the book to life. I’ll also capture a bit of the beauty by highlighting my favorite artwork and quotes/excerpts.
Sometimes, the books I choose will be nature classics from 30+ years ago. Other times, they’ll be fresh releases. Some picks will be picture books geared toward a younger audience, and others will be books for adults. Sometimes it will be an instructional nature art workbook, other times it will be an artistic deep dive into an animal, ecosystem, or region. But each selection will have this common thread: it will be a book that made my heart sing.
How to participate
This is a free project and you don’t necessarily need to purchase the books in order to enjoy the reviews and interviews. To join, simply subscribe to the Nature Art Book Club here on Substack. Once you’re signed up, you’ll get the reviews sent directly to your email inbox. I’d also love to have conversations about these books! The comment section of each review will be wide open for your thoughts on the book, and I’ll be accepting recommendations for future features (once we run through my lineup for these next few seasons!).
October Book-of-the-Month: Ornithography
I just published the inaugural book review today! Head over to the book club page to read my interview with author and illustrator Jessica Roux and see some of my fave art from her newest book.
Upcoming book events
Meeting so many of you in person on my book tour has been such a joy! It’s winding down now, and here are the last few places that you can catch me:
OCTOBER 26, 2024
3 PM
Book talk & signing
The River House
Capon Bridge, WV
Suggested donation at the door: $10
NOVEMBER 26, 2024
6 PM
Book talk & signing
Cumberland Mountain Outdoor Sports
Cookeville, TN
Register here
DECEMBER 2, 2024
5:30-7:30 PM
Book talk & signing for Monday Night Science (a public, all-ages event)
National Youth Science Academy
Davis, WV
Registration details to come
JANUARY 15, 2025
6 PM
Tiny Worlds Art Exhibition opening, book talk & signing
West Liberty University
West Liberty, WV
Exhibit on display January 15-Feburary 12, 2025
Free event
Recent press
I’m really honored to have been interviewed about my new book for NPR’s Inside Appalachia and West Virginia Morning! Listen to the podcast here.
Congrats on this inspired idea for a Substack, Rosalie! 👏 I think that promoting and showcasing the good work of other creatives generates a wonderful energy of its own. Looking forward to reading your book reviews!
I'm so in!