Books about Animals - Recommendatioms
- Thread starter Villanelle
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This. This was such a good book. I call my cat Ticky sometimes because of it!
There is "A Kestrel For a Knave", of course (the basis for the classic film "Kes"):
en.wikipedia.org
"Ring of Bright Water" is very popular, too:
en.wikipedia.org
A Kestrel for a Knave - Wikipedia
"Ring of Bright Water" is very popular, too:
Ring of Bright Water - Wikipedia
How does it compare with Duncton Wood or whatever that series featuring moles is called? They seemed to be aimed at similar audiences.
Wind in the Willows is a very dark book, I find. Perhaps coloured by later events with the author's son. But the Pan stuff is weird.
They both have deep mythologies but imo Watership Down does it better. Watership Down is rabbits acting like rabbits with a bit of commentary on political systems snuck in on the down low and some really lovely world building. The movie is also excellent.
Duncton Wood is Game of Thrones with moles. Later on there is also mole Jesus. There is also a lot of untranslated Welsh. It's not bad, but it is a very different vibe, and the author isn't as concise
Boga lizard was soooo cool. No lizards as pets for me thoughNot a book, but Star Wars creatures are pretty cool
I want a pet Voorpak. Badly.
The one from 1999? With the 3D hardcover that looks and feels like a reptile?Not a book, but Star Wars creatures are pretty cool
I want a pet Voorpak. Badly.
Or the other book? The Star Wars Essential Guide to Alien Species?
I have both of them (expanded universe for the win, none of the stuff Disney's thrown at us)
I've always liked the Anooba. So much that, in my Star Wars fanfic, my character has a modified Imperial Shuttle for his bounty hunting business known as the Anooba's FuryBoga lizard was soooo cool. No lizards as pets for me though
I was just talking about the creatures from Star Wars lol.
My SW character is named Knox Corsac after the Corsac Fox because of his nomadic lifestyle. He's a jedi in hiding during the days of the Empire. He uses a repurposed Airborne Clone Trooper helmet that I have. I'll send a picture when I get home
heh, true lolBest not in this thread, because @Villanelle wants new books to read, not Star Wars
Aw yeah I loved these when I was a kid. Great reccos.There is "A Kestrel For a Knave", of course (the basis for the classic film "Kes"):
A Kestrel for a Knave - Wikipedia
"Ring of Bright Water" is very popular, too:
Ring of Bright Water - Wikipedia
Haha everything and anything is welcome here! I love me an ewok.Best not in this thread, because @Villanelle wants new books to read, not Star Wars
This thread is really for anyone to share book reccos for everyone else. If a little bit of subchat goes on it's all good!
@Frankymole I never read Duncton Wood but I can't rate Watership Down highly enough. Posted a few sentences about it a few posts up. One of my all time favourite books and films. Be prepared to laugh, cry and feel genuinely terrified!
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Do you know Gerald Durrell? He is a zoologist and an author of several books about his travels to capture wild animals for British zoos. It is not a book for children.
I reccomend these two:
Gerald Durrell - The Overloaded Ark - This one is about his journey to the Republic of Cameroon (Africa), to catch several rare animals for british zoos.
Gerald Durrell - Three Singles to Adventure - In this one he journey into South American jungle
I have also been reading several books from the director of Prague Zoo, he has written several books full of his notes, stories, journeys and ideas as a zoo director. These books are available in English or Czech on the official Prague Zoo e-shop, but I am not sure if they are shipping worldwide.
I reccomend these two:
Gerald Durrell - The Overloaded Ark - This one is about his journey to the Republic of Cameroon (Africa), to catch several rare animals for british zoos.
Gerald Durrell - Three Singles to Adventure - In this one he journey into South American jungle
I have also been reading several books from the director of Prague Zoo, he has written several books full of his notes, stories, journeys and ideas as a zoo director. These books are available in English or Czech on the official Prague Zoo e-shop, but I am not sure if they are shipping worldwide.
Oh, I remember another one. It’s called Jungle Jack: My Wild Life. It’s Jack Hanna’s autobiography. He’s like the American Steve Irwin. He has advanced Alzheimer’s disease, so I figured that I ought to share his story. He also had a couple of television shows years ago.
Regarding the book, it’s actually pretty funny. Jack has a good sense of humor, and there are plenty of stories of how he developed the Columbus Zoo from a run-down facility into one of the best zoos I’ve ever been to. I suggest that you all give it a read. It’s funny, heartwarming, and endearing.
Regarding the book, it’s actually pretty funny. Jack has a good sense of humor, and there are plenty of stories of how he developed the Columbus Zoo from a run-down facility into one of the best zoos I’ve ever been to. I suggest that you all give it a read. It’s funny, heartwarming, and endearing.
I used to watch his show as a kid. It was one of the things that got me into nature in the first place. I apparently didn’t know that he developed the Columbus Zoo. It makes me want to go more now!
Thanks @FoxyDee - meant to get back to you sooner but its been a busy week
Love Gerald Durrell! Grew up on these - my favourite was My Family and Other Animals. My dad used to read them to me.I didn't know about Bobek though, will check him out!
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Couple of recommendations that might be a bit left-field...
Technically a young adult book and not really about animals per se but Terry Pratchett's Nation is about the glory of the natural world, the wonder of science, the rights and roles of indiginous people with discussions about the ownership of nature all wrapped up in an easy to read and incredibly thoughtful story. Considering his alzheimers was quite far on by the time he wrote it and it was a move away from his Discworld series it is pretty unbelievable it is his best work.
Sheri Tepper's eco-feminism can be a bit offputting to many but I like to think of it as challenging ideas. The Grass trilogy is another that isn't about animals but is about the Gaia principal and what would happen if we were all better connected to each other and to the natural world, the power of empathy and a discussion about free will and whether feeling more deeply what others feel would take away autonomy.
Another of Tepper's that should be on this list is 'The Family tree' which is a brilliant exploration of what it means to be human, the arbitrary lines we draw with other life. It requires some patience but might have one of the most surprising and amazing endings I've ever come across.
Technically a young adult book and not really about animals per se but Terry Pratchett's Nation is about the glory of the natural world, the wonder of science, the rights and roles of indiginous people with discussions about the ownership of nature all wrapped up in an easy to read and incredibly thoughtful story. Considering his alzheimers was quite far on by the time he wrote it and it was a move away from his Discworld series it is pretty unbelievable it is his best work.
Sheri Tepper's eco-feminism can be a bit offputting to many but I like to think of it as challenging ideas. The Grass trilogy is another that isn't about animals but is about the Gaia principal and what would happen if we were all better connected to each other and to the natural world, the power of empathy and a discussion about free will and whether feeling more deeply what others feel would take away autonomy.
Another of Tepper's that should be on this list is 'The Family tree' which is a brilliant exploration of what it means to be human, the arbitrary lines we draw with other life. It requires some patience but might have one of the most surprising and amazing endings I've ever come across.
Nation is one of my all time favorite novels. One of those books that I come back to over and over and always find something new.
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If we're spreading to animal-adjacent recommendations. Anything by James Herriot is a fascinating glimpse into a time not so long ago and the moment when views on animals started turning from them being either tools, tropheys, or vermin to seperate beings to be respected.
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If we're spreading to animal-adjacent recommendations. Anything by James Herriot is a fascinating glimpse into a time not so long ago and the moment when views on animals started turning from them being either tools, tropheys, or vermin to seperate beings to be respected.