The arrival of warmer weather has an interesting way of turning us all into amateur naturalists. One minute you’re fighting off wasps and cursing the arrival of allergies, and the next you’ve taken a single optimistic stroll and declared that you’re getting into wild swimming, alongside a newfound addiction to picnic olives. 

But beyond the sunburn and questionable picnics, summer invites us to reconnect with the outdoors. For some, it’s a remote mountain trail; for others, a neglected local park. Even the most committed indoor enthusiasts flirt with the idea of the British countryside with cautious optimism. 

For those who prefer their call to the wild to be less mosquito-bitten and more metaphorical, books offer the perfect escape; a way to wander without leaving the shade. And whether your summer involves scaling peaks or reclining on a deckchair, there’s always a book waiting for you. You don’t need to sleep in a tent or hike a mountain to experience the sense of possibility that nature brings (though, of course, do those things if that’s your vibe). 

Sometimes it’s the simple call of a good book that captures that same openness and sense of possibility we find in the world around us. Nature is an active, shaping force that frames our relationships and choices and acts as a character in our lives, influencing how we see ourselves and others. It’s this layered view of the natural world that shapes the recommended reads in this article. 

Sightlines – Kathleen Jamie 

Poet, essayist, and travel writer Kathleen Jamie offers a beautifully sharp collection of essays on the natural world in Scotland and beyond. With her signature lyrical clarity, she brings attention to details we might otherwise overlook, turning the ordinary into something quietly remarkable. In Sightlines, she joins experts in the field, weaving in fascinating insights and unexpected facts as she goes. Her writing encourages us to look more closely at our surroundings, to find a sense of wonder and connection in nature, and to rediscover an optimism in simply being part of the world. An enchanting read that brought me nothing but joy. 

People We Meet on Vacation – Emma Henry

If you’re in the mood for warm-weather wanderlust and romance, People We Meet on Vacation is a perfect pick. It’s charming, easy to sink into, and features the beloved friends-to-lovers trope; the one we secretly (or not so secretly) hope happens to us. I’ll admit, it’s not something I would normally choose, but I received it as a gift and ended up grabbing it by accident for a long train journey (true story). I’m so glad I did. Poppy and Alex have fantastic chemistry, and their slow-burn connection felt genuinely believable. By the end, I felt like I’d been on holiday right alongside them. Told from Poppy’s POV, it bounces between present day and flashbacks of her vacations with Alex. Both characters are extremely relatable, witty and their dialogue was, at times, quite hilarious. Afterwards, I secretly judged myself for thinking I was too cool for a good old romcom and had to nurse quite the book hangover. If you know, you know. 

Alive – Piers Paul Reed 

Some years ago, I became fascinated with this real-life event. The unthinkable story of a plane crash in the harsh, desolate vastness of the Andes Mountains. And it isn’t fiction. This book recounts, in detail, how a plane carrying young rugby players crashed into the snow-peaked, freezing-cold Andes Mountains, and how the passengers fought against blinding glaciers that demanded and commanded with unforgiving, non-negotiable force. This true story reminds us that nature is not just a source of beauty and inspiration, but also something that requires respect and reverence. The survivors endured injuries, avalanches and extreme cold trapped at high altitude with almost no supplies. The Andes are merciless and the survivors’ story takes us on a journey of the extraordinary lengths humans will go to stay alive, many of them drawing upon not just their Catholic faith, but the simplicity of friendship. 

The Birdcage – Eve Chase 

Transporting us to the remote and wild coastline of North Cornwall in the UK, The Birdcage explores how landscapes actively shape our experiences and mirror our emotional states. Nature here feels heavy and exposing; an interesting contrast to the more idyllic portrayals of the West Country and specifically, summer, often told. This book tells the story of three half sisters, their summers together, and something terrible that happened during the 1999 eclipse. With secrets, struggles, and a timeline that shifts from the present day to the past, The Birdcage is a delectable read, full of twists and layered with the psychological and emotional wounds of the three sisters. All set at an isolated clifftop house with an intense summer heatwave. Also, there is a parrot.