New Titles

 

1) McGhie, Henry A. (Editor). Nineteenth–Century Ornithology (Two Volumes). 2026. Routledge. Hardbound: volume one: 388 pages, volume two: 515 pages. Price: $420.00 U.S. 

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: This two-volume set explores some of the main themes in 19th century ornithology, as it was understood at the time. For most of the century, British ornithology was dominated by wealthy middle-class and upper-class men. These ‘amateurs’ (an ahistorical term) interacted in a system of societies, publications and collecting practices. Ornithology held an especially high status among natural history topics, and ornithologists typically held high positions in natural history society and societies. The emphasis of what constituted ornithology was different from later times, dominated by the description of ‘new’ species and establishing their distribution. The endeavour of collecting, preserving, naming and describing was, of course, contemporaneous with colonial and imperial expansion, and the system that brought great numbers of specimens to British private collections and museums mirrored the flow of natural resources for more overtly economic purposes.

     These two volumes cover ‘Ornithology at Home’ and ‘Ornithology Abroad’. The two volumes are not split in a strictly geographic sense, but aim to help the reader explore what ornithology was like in Britain (with its societies, institutions and characters), and what ornithology was like abroad in the sense of exploring what ornithologists were doing beyond Britain. The volumes aim to help the reader gain an insight into the interplay of personal travel, collecting, collectors’ networks, access to specimens and publishing in the lives of 19th century ornithologists. Paying attention to the social and political contexts in which ornithologists operated, and to the birds that were the subject of their passions, provides a rich exploration of what birds meant in the lives of these people, and what it meant to be an ornithologist.

RECOMMENDATION: These volumes are a must-have for those with a very serious interest in ornithological history!  

 

 

 

2) Constantine, Mark, and The Sound Approach. The Sound Approach to Birding (Second Edition). 2026. HarperCollins. Hardbound: 256 pages. Price: $35.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: The Sound Approach to Birding is the pioneering book on birdsong by the global leaders in bird sound recording, identification and analysis, Mark Constantine OBE (CEO and co-founder of LUSH) and the Sound Approach team. Readers are invited on a journey through practical field experience, scientific theory and an in-depth understanding of birds and their calls.

     Illustrated with stunning original artwork and photographs of over 200 species, the book is accompanied by a bespoke, free-to-download app that allows the reader to listen to original sound recordings of authentic birdcalls alongside the informative text. The Sound Approach to Birding is for beginners, experienced birdwatchers, ornithologists, nature enthusiasts, families and educators to discover more about birdwatching, a wide variety of species and their songs and all in a beautiful gift package.

     This edition features extensive updates, revised content, a new cover and new chapters and artwork.

RECOMMENDATION: If you have the first edition, you will want this second edition!

New Titles

 

1) Gorman, Gerard. The Pied Woodpeckers: The Natural History of Europe's Black & White Woodpeckers. 2026. Pelagic. Paperback: 195 pages. Price: $36.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: A resonant hammering from the canopy, a flicker of black and white with a flash of red: surely the archetypal image of a woodpecker? This book describes the natural history of five European species, the so-called pied woodpeckers: Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker and White-backed Woodpecker.

     These fascinating birds are important ecosystem engineers, shaping the environment by creating cavities in trees where they can raise their young. This ability makes them keystone species, as their holes often go on to become homes for many other animals. Woodpeckers are also umbrella species, as their conservation invariably confers protection on a plethora of other birds, along with mammals and countless invertebrates. They are indicator species, too, for their presence is indicative of the biodiversity and condition of the woodland habitats they frequent. If you walk in a forest and there are no woodpeckers, this is in all likelihood a sign of ecological degradation.

     Each species is covered in detail, with information on taxonomy, appearance, moult, calls, drumming, distribution, conservation status, habitats, movements, breeding, diet and relationships with other wildlife and with humans. The text is richly illustrated with stunning photographs as well as sound spectrograms. The author is an acknowledged authority on woodpeckers who supplements his vast field experience with an in-depth review of the literature. 

RECOMMENDATION: This book is a must-have for those with an interest in European woodpeckers.

 

 

 

2) Iselin, Josie. The Mysterious World of the Bull Kelp Forest. 2026. Heyday. Hardbound: 119 pages. Price: $26.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY:  Offshore and out of sight to most beachgoers on the North Pacific coast is a wondrous habitat: the bull kelp forest. Each year, tiny bull kelp saplings explode into sixty-foot "redwoods," until winter storms tear them loose and fling great tangles of wrack on the shore. While they flourish, these underwater forests harbor abalone, salmon, and rockfish, and they entreat cormorants and murrelets to hunt among their thrumming canopies. Meanwhile, sea otters and sunflower sea stars gorge on spiny urchins who, if left to run rampant, will devour a kelp bed down to barren wasteland. In The Mysterious World of the Bull Kelp Forest, Josie Iselin profiles thirteen species—with stylish illustrations from Ellen Litwiller—to be our ambassadors to this undersung world. She explores how their interspecies dramas play out in eight coastal regions, from Central California to Alaska, exploring instances of interdependent, compromised, and resilient coastal ecosystems. An array of sea creatures feature in these pages, as well as shorebirds that connect land and sea. Land-dwelling humans are also deeply implicated in this saga—by turns beneficiaries, agents of harm, and stewards of these subtidal sanctuaries.

RECOMMENDATION: The artwork by Ellen Litwiller highlights this book. Anyone with an interest in the marine biology of the West Coast will want to read this book. 

 

New Titles

 

1) Cleere, Nigel. Nightjars of the World. 2026. Helm. Hardbound: 512 pages. Price: $95.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Usually appearing in the fading light of dusk and vanishing again before sunrise, nightjars are a charismatic group of predominantly nocturnal birds. While some species have developed spectacular tails and wing adornments, the majority are fairly uniform in appearance; subtle browns, oranges and greys make them masters of camouflage among the leaf-litter where they generally nest and roost in the daytime, with these colour schemes providing birders with a stern identification challenge in the field.

     The culmination of more than 50 years of study by the world's leading expert on these birds, Nigel Cleere, Nightjars of the World features detailed text covering their taxonomy, physiology, plumage and moult, foraging, migration and breeding biology. The species accounts are accompanied by accurate distribution maps, and a comprehensive photographic selection encompasses as much subspecific, sexual and age-related variation as possible. A series of illustrated plates by Dave Nurney depicts every species in exceptional detail.

     Meticulously researched, this book represents the ultimate resource on nightjars and their relationships, appearance, identification and biology, bringing these beautiful night-birds out of the dark and into the spotlight.

RECOMMENDATION: This book updates Cleere's 1998 Nightjars title by focusing just on the Caprimulgidae (nightjars and their close relatives). This book is a MUST-HAVE for anyone with a serious interest in the nightjars!

 

2) Brooks, Steve and Steve Cham. Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland: Sixth edition. 2026. Bloomsbury Wildlife. Paperback: 224 pages. Price: $38.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Adult dragonflies are among the largest and most spectacular insects alive today, and their beautiful colours, phenomenal aerobatic skills and preference for flying in warm, sunny weather make them easy to observe.

     Now in its sixth edition, this trusted, practical guide enables you to identify all 58 species across the British Isles, featuring fascinating descriptive accounts and helpful insect-watching tips. It brings together more than 300 exquisitely detailed illustrations by renowned wildlife artist Richard Lewington alongside 168 stunning photographs to showcase the essential identification characteristics. Regional guides, flight-period charts and distribution maps help you to determine when and where to see each species, and an identification key to the larvae of all the resident and migratory dragonfly and damselfly species is also provided.

     Whether you are just beginning to explore the world of dragonflies and damselflies or are a long-time enthusiast, this an indispensable companion for discovering and identifying these remarkable insects.

RECOMMENDATION: This book is a MUST-HAVE for anyone interested in the Odonata of Great Britain and Ireland!

 

3) Browne, Janet. Darwin: A Biography. 2026. Princeton University Press. Hardbound: 608 pages. Price: $35.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Janet Browne’s award-winning, two-volume biography of Charles Darwin has been described by many reviewers as the definitive biography of the father of evolution. Now, Browne has skillfully distilled and fully revised the work into a concise yet comprehensive one-volume biography that offers significant new interpretations of Darwin and the scientific and political legacy of his discoveries.

     Few men shook the Victorian world like Darwin did, and his story is in many ways that of the nineteenth century. His theory of evolution was born in the age of empire and had its greatest effect in the age of capitalism. It was to change the course of science, culture, and history, and deeply influence literature, art, philosophy, religion, politics, and economics. This magisterial biography follows Darwin from his early life and adventures on HMS Beagle to the tumult of becoming one of the first scientific celebrities with the publication of the Origin of Species. Through personal letters and archives, Browne describes the processes that brought the idea of evolution by natural selection into British society and beyond, especially Darwin’s relationship with Alfred Russel Wallace, who simultaneously proposed the same theory, and with the many people who helped and supported Darwin, including his wife Emma Wedgwood. Combining the best elements of social and intellectual biography, Browne places Darwin in cultural context and integrates his ideas with his private life.

     Vivid, revealing, and compellingly readable, Darwin is the indispensable biography of a gentleman naturalist who would become one of the most important, influential, and controversial scientists of all time.

RECOMMENDATION: This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in Charles Darwin!

 

4) Jepsen, David J.. Unbelonging. 2026. Historium Press. Paperback: 270 pages. Price: $18.99 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Seattle, 1945. The war is ending-but for many, the hardest battles are just beginning.

     In a city transformed by global conflict, four families struggle to find their place amid rising tensions, buried prejudice, and shifting identities. Victory overseas has brought hope, but at home, fear, suspicion, and inequality continue to shape everyday life.

     A female defense worker, newly awakened to injustice, risks everything as she steps into the dangerous world of labor activism-threatening not only her future, but the safety of those she loves. A decorated Black war hero returns home expecting honor and opportunity, only to face a different kind of battlefield, where racism and exclusion deny him the freedoms he fought to defend. A Japanese American, released from internment, discovers that the end of war does not mean the end of hatred, and that rebuilding a life in a community that no longer trusts him may be the greatest challenge of all. A hopeful British war bride arrives chasing the promise of a new beginning, only to learn that the American dream is complicated, fragile, and not equally shared.

     As labor strikes ripple through the city, racial tensions simmer, and the first shadows of Cold War hysteria begin to take hold, Seattle reveals itself as a place both beautiful and deeply divided. Old prejudices harden even as new voices rise, demanding change.

     This powerful, emotionally charged novel strips away the myth of an open and enlightened city, exposing the human cost of exclusion and the quiet courage of those who refuse to accept it.

     A sweeping story of resilience, identity, and the search for belonging-welcome to the City on the Sound, where no one is quite sure where they belong.

RECOMMENDATION: Seattle area historical fiction readers will want this book!

 

New Titles

 

1) Brusatte, Steve. The Story of Birds: A New History from Their Dinosaur Origins to the Present. 2026. Mariner Books. Hardbound: 437 pages. Price: $35.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Tens of billions of birds share the planet with us, an astonishingly diverse array of species that are present nearly everywhere humans call home—and many places we do not. With their flamboyant plumage, joyous dawn serenades, extraordinary aerial feats, they have captivated human imagination for millennia. Undeniably delicate creatures with hollow bones and thin skin protected by downy feathers, how did such a seemingly fragile species break the bounds of Earth and begin to fly, how have they survived millennia, and how does their legacy shape our world?

     Hailed as “one of the stars of modern paleontology” (National Geographic), Steve Brusatte now tells the extraordinary story of the dinosaurs' living legacy: birds. He begins by exploring how dinosaurs gradually developed the trademark features of birds one-by-one—feathers, wings, beaks, big brains, keen senses, and warm-blooded metabolisms. He investigates why birds were the only dinosaurs to survive the cataclysmic asteroid impact 66 million years ago and chronicles how these survivors rapidly proliferated to produce the diversity of avian species we know today.

     Along the way, we meet a variety of remarkable – now extinct – species:

• 10-foot-tall terror birds with beaks that sliced flesh
• Elephant birds that lived on Madagascar and laid eggs the size of footballs
• Pelagornithid seabirds with 20-foot wingspans
• A ferocious Jamaican ibis that used its wings as clubs to attack rivals

     Yet, Brusatte also urges us to appreciate the extraordinariness of birds alive today – penguins that literally fly underwater, parrots that can mimic human speech and crows that can make tools and are smarter than most mammals.

     A fascinating scientific history that unearths the origins of birds, The Story of Birds establishes the living legacy of these remarkable species. 

RECOMMENDATION: This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in bird evolution!

 

 

 

2) Darwin, Charles with annotations by James T. Costa and Elizabeth E. Yale. The Descent of Man: An Annotated Edition of Darwin’s Classic Work. 2026. Princeton University Press. Hardbound: 767 pages. Price: $54.95 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: When Charles Darwin's The Descent of Man was published in 1871, the book was an immediate sensation. It presents Darwin's account of how we evolved from primates and expounds his theory of sexual selection, which he believed accounted for human origins and diversity. James Costa and Elizabeth Yale bring Darwin's Descent to new life in this authoritative annotated edition, shedding light on the cultural context in which the legendary naturalist developed his ideas and exploring how subsequent generations of scientists, scholars, and social reformers adapted them.

     Informative and in-depth commentaries accompany the text of The Descent of Man, enabling readers to engage with Darwin's ideas and contextualize them in light of our current understanding of human evolution and sexual selection. Costa and Yale show how Darwin's antislavery commitments and his beliefs in European superiority shaped his account of the evolution of human difference, and examine how Victorian beliefs about gender informed the development of his theory of sexual selection. They explain where Darwin's arguments about the origins of human differences line up with modern science—and where they don't.

     Spanning the boundaries of history and science, this fully annotated edition illuminates the rich cultural and scientific contexts underpinning Darwin's ideas and introduces his landmark book to a new generation of readers.

RECOMMENDATION: This book is a must-have for anyone with an interest in Darwin's writings! 

 

 

New Titles

 

1) Mudd Ruth, Maria. The Bird with Flaming Red Feet: Seasons with an Uncommonly Common Seabird. 2026. Skipstone. Paperback: 205 pages. Price: $24.95 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: The Bird with Flaming Red Feet is a lively and heartfelt natural history of the Pigeon Guillemot, a charismatic seabird with a surprising story to tell. Found along the coast around the North Pacific and from Alaska to Southern California, this talkative and often-overlooked bird plays an outsized role in the health of marine ecosystem--earning its status as an "indicator species," especially for Washington’s Puget Sound.

     Author and longtime volunteer surveyor Maria Mudd Ruth weaves together science, field observation, and community storytelling in this engaging exploration of one bird’s life. Drawing from over a decade of beachside study, she dives deep into the guillemot’s behaviors, quirky traits, and ecological relationships. Along the way, readers meet the passionate citizen scientists who have built a unique community around caring for and studying this vibrant bird.

     Bridging the gap between field guide and memoir, The Bird with Flaming Red Feet invites readers to slow down, look closely, and reconnect with the wild places--and creatures--just outside their door. It’s a joyful call to observation, stewardship, and a deeper understanding of our coastal world.

RECOMMENDATION: This book is a MUST-HAVE for those with an interest in the Pigeon Guillemot!  

 

 

 

2) Weidensaul, Scott. The Return of the Oystercatcher: Saving Birds to Save the Planet. 2026. W. W. Norton & Company. Hardbound: 356 pages. Price: $32.99 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: As populations fall and once-great migration multitudes wither away, the future of birds may seem grim. But surprisingly, from gnatcatchers and waterfowl to select groups of forest songbirds, some bird populations are soaring. Habitats and species that once neared extinction are now multiplying around the world because bird conservation is making things better.

     The Return of the Oystercatcher explores the recovery efforts that are not only preventing declines in bird population, but helping birds to thrive. From the spectacular recovery of North American raptors, whose numbers have tripled in the last fifty years, to the mind-bending resurgence of the Canada goose in Maine―which increased its population by 146,000 percent during the same period―Scott Weidensaul shares amazing stories of hope and progress in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Weidensaul also depicts the initiatives at the heart of this recovery, from the hyperlocal to the hemispherically immense: wetlands restoration, raptor protection, and bans on harmful pesticides, as well as the US Farm Bill and the preservation of sovereign lands by Indigenous communities. The result is a roadmap of breathtaking environmental resilience in some of the most unlikely places, including a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific, the vast boreal forest that stretches across Canada, a hereditary estate in England, and a watery wilderness at the edge of a Ukrainian war zone.

     Because birds are so diverse, so ubiquitous, and cover virtually every square mile of the Earth’s surface, the fight to save the birds is also one to save the world. The Return of the Oystercatcher is an inspiring story of what’s working in bird conservation―and what can work for the rest of the planet.

RECOMMENDATION: If you enjoyed the author's other books, you should enjoy this one.

 

3) Dunstan, Stephen et al.. Where to Watch Birds in Northwest England: Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester. 2026. Helm. Paperback: 288 pages. Price: $40.00 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: With a surprisingly diverse range of habitats, Lancashire, Cheshire and the metropolitan areas of Manchester and Liverpool provide some of the best birding opportunities in England.

     The region is blessed with estuaries including Morecambe Bay, one of Britain's finest wetland sites and home to the largest wader roost in the country. The Ribble, Dee and Mersey offer further sanctuary to wildfowl and waders, while inland lie marshland sites such as Leighton Moss and Martin Mere, a lure to wintering swans and thousands of Pink-footed Geese.

     Inland upland areas towards the Pennines host Dunlin, Ring Ouzel, Merlin, breeding plovers and the last English Twite population. Cheshire boasts breeding Black-necked Grebes at Woolston Eyes and productive wetland reserves such as Frodsham Marsh, Burton Mere Wetlands and Sandbach Flashes. The entire coastline can afford excellent seawatching, including charismatic Leach's Petrels in autumn storms.

     Where to Watch Birds in Northwest England contains a comprehensive review of the region's significant birdwatching sites, providing all the information needed to make the most of each trip. With detailed maps, notes on access, when to visit and target species, this guide is an indispensable resource for any birder in this bird-rich corner of northern England.

 

RECOMMENDATION: This book is a MUST-HAVE for those birding this part of England!  

 

 

 

4) Lam, Ed. Dragonflies of Eastern and Western North America. 2026. Scott & Nix, Inc. Posters. Price: $29.95 U.S. each.

 

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Featuring 63 of the most common dragonfly species found in eastern North America (59 species for the western poster), these 24 x 36 inch wall posters includes a selection of exquisitely rendered illustrations designed to highlight the intricate details of each species. Reproduced at maximum life size, dragonflies are arranged by types—from darners to clubtails to skimmers, spike tails, and cruisers. Printed on high quality 80# matte paper stock, these fine art posters will enhance any nature lover's home or office. (For the purposes of these posters, Eastern North America is defined as all states and provinces east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Rocky Mountains for the western poster.)

 

RECOMMENDATION: These posters are a MUST-HAVE for anyone with an interest in the dragonflies of North America! The posters can be ordered here.

 

5) Kowinsky, Jayson. The First Female Fossil Hunter: The Life and Legacy of Mary Anning. 2025. Pen and Sword History. Hardbound: 194 pages. Price: $39.95 U.S.

PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Standing at the base of a towering cliff, the layers of rock before you tell a story millions of years in the making. Few places on Earth reveal this tale as vividly as the Jurassic Coast of southern England. This book invites you to explore the geological, paleontological, and human history of this remarkable region, with a focus on the extraordinary life of Mary Anning.

     Mary Anning, a self-taught paleontologist of the early nineteenth century, made groundbreaking fossil discoveries along the cliffs of Lyme Regis. Her finds—ranging from great marine reptiles to ammonites—transformed our understanding of extinction, deep time, and evolution. Mary’s contributions not only advanced science but also sparked debates that shaped the emerging field of paleontology.

     Yet Mary’s story is also deeply human. As a working-class woman in Georgian England, she overcame societal barriers, navigating a world dominated by ‘gentlemen naturalists.’ Her determination and expertise earned her recognition from the prominent geologists of the time and even from figures like Charles Dickens, who celebrated her achievements in his writings.

     The book goes beyond Mary’s life to explore the broader context of her era. It examines the formation of the Jurassic Coast’s fossil-rich cliffs, the rise of professional geology and paleontology, and the harmonious interplay between faith and scientific discovery during the time. Mary’s story is intertwined with those of other trailblazing women who also defied societal norms to shape the emerging sciences. Together, they formed a network of pioneering women whose contributions revolutionized our understanding of Earth’s history.

     This is not just a story of fossils and science—it’s a tale of resilience, curiosity, and the enduring impact of those who dared to challenge societal norms, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.

RECOMMENDATION: This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in paleontological history.