Biosphere book reviews – with

Medina Bookshop Biosphere book reviews

A pole-to-pole journey of self-discovery, scientific explanation of nature’s restorative impact, and a powerful collection of letters that give language to the unspeakable reality of the climate crisis. Each of this issue’s selections by the team at Medina Bookshop offer an opportunity to reflect and respond to our changing world

The Last Migration by Charlotte McConaghy (Fiction) Franny Stone goes in search of the last Arctic terns and follows what is believed to be their final migration from the north to the south pole. Told through changing timelines, we learn of Franny’s haunted past and her deep connection to the world around her.

McConaghy’s writing is as immersive, vivid and poetic as the cold water Franny swims in. The story will frustrate you and confuse you but will leave you with a very satisfying ending. For only 256 pages, this short read packs a real punch. A perfect illustration of human affinity with nature and its soothing powers in a subtle yet profound way. Soon to be adapted for film produced by Claire Foy and Benedict Cumberbatch. Losing Eden: Why Our Mind Needs the Wild by Lucy Jones (Non-Fiction) “.... if we lose our relationship with the natural world, we may, in some way, be losing a part of ourselves…” Journalist Lucy Jones explains how walking in Walthamstow Marshes aided in her recovery from addiction. This simple act was one of the influences for her own research into nature’s healing effect on our health and wellbeing. She mixes beautiful descriptions with well-researched scientific studies, providing a comprehensive look at the importance of us reconnecting with the natural world.

You will want to drop everything and go to your nearest green space after reading a single chapter. By understanding our collective need for nature, we will hopefully be more galvanised to look after it in the future. Letters to the Earth introduced by Emma Thompson (Non-Fiction) When four women, Anna Hope, Jo McInnes, Kay Michael and Grace Pengelly sat around a kitchen table two years ago, they were concerned about the growing amount of information coming out about the ecological emergency. Wanting to utilise their day jobs as creatives to help, they invited people to write a letter to our ‘...planet in crisis’.

Letters to the Earth is a thoughtprovoking collection of some of those letters. A great starting point on climate crisis literature. You can dip in and out of the 5 main sections (Love, Loss, Emergence, Hope and Action) or read it cover to cover. This book does not attempt to sugar coat anything but instead guides you to use your feelings as an ‘...antidote to despair.’