Winter Reading List, Part Deux

Snowstorms are conducive to being tucked in lots of blankets on the couch, fire blazing, tea in hand with a book (or 2 or 3). So I’ve assembled for you a list of books I’ve enjoyed that you may find delight in. (And one thing: if you click on the links to the books, it’ll take you to Amazon, but I’d like to recommend that you check your local and/or used book seller first.)

The Lost Language of Plants: The Ecological Importance of Plant Medicines to Life on Earth by Stephen Harrod Buhner

Buhner’s a great writer, and I’ve really been inspired about how he’s incorporated systemic thinking and complexity theory into human-plant relationships. In this book, he describes a variety of aspects of the flora kingdom’s role in the greater planetary picture–from biophilia to the ecological impacts of industrial medicine. Thought-provoking and beautiful.

The Genius Within: Discovering the Intelligence of Every Living Thing by Frank Vertosick

I just started reading this. I think how we characterize intelligence is a crucial issue, and informs how we order and classify life forms and determines how we treat other living things. So maybe how we define and frame intelligence deserves more consideration. Plant folks, you’ll love this!

Why We Get Sick: The New Science of Darwinian Medicine by Randolph Nesse & George Williams

For practitioners and folks working in the medical field, if you are eager to geek out on some pathology theory, grab a copy of this book. It’s a great summary of a new perspective slowly making its way into medical thought: evolutionary medicine. Evolutionary medicine is simply applying an evolutionary trajectory to pathogenesis and considering human origins and development when considering disease origins and treatments. Fantastic! I’m reviewing these for my thesis.

Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature by Janine Benyus

For the readers that are coming from the design field, you already know this one. Janine Benyus and the Biomimicry Institute have done a lot to transform our thinking and design processes by drawing inspiration from natural processes. This has big implications and opens up many opportunities to create products, organizations and systems that are more natural.

A Natural History of the Senses by Diane Ackerman

A classic that’s been on my shelf for years that I’m now coming back to. Diane Ackerman’s a stellar author and takes us on a vivid description of the sensory life throughout history. And we all know how important engaging all the sense are. So if you haven’t exposed yourself to this gem, now’s the time.

Here’s to the growth and expanse of mind, heart & spirit during this mystical Winter season!