As the temperatures rise and the days grow longer, many of us feel the pull to spend more time outside. Sometimes, all it takes is the right story to turn that feeling into action. Whether it’s a tale of adventure in the wilderness, a thoughtful look at climate and sustainability, or a love story shaped by time spent in nature, books have a unique way of reconnecting us with the outdoors and reminding us why it matters.
Each of these reads offers its own reason to step away from screens and into the fresh air. If you’ve been craving sunshine and meaningful moments outside, consider this your reading list and your invitation to get outdoors.
Scrubbing the Sky: Inside the Race to Cool the Planet by Paul McKendrick
An in-depth exploration of the people, politics and science driving direct air capture, this book traces more than two decades of efforts to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Drawing on interviews across climate science, technology, finance and policy, Paul McKendrick examines the rise of carbon removal — from Biosphere 2 to billion-dollar backing from Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Elon Musk, and the launch of Iceland’s Orca facility. The book reveals the technological challenges, economic debates and global stakes surrounding direct air capture as a potential climate solution.
The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations by Daniel Yergin
In this sweeping analysis of energy and geopolitics, Daniel Yergin explores how climate change, technological disruption and global rivalries are reshaping the world order. From America’s shale revolution to the transition toward low-carbon energy, he examines the forces transforming economies and international power. The book also traces rising tensions among the United States, China, and Russia, instability in the Middle East and the lasting impact of the pandemic. Combining expert insight with vivid storytelling, Yergin maps the profound political and energy challenges defining the twenty-first century.
A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko
A Walk in the Park chronicles Kevin Fedarko and photographer Pete McBride’s grueling attempt to traverse the entire Grand Canyon on foot — one of the world’s most difficult hikes. Over more than a year, the pair endure extreme terrain, scarce water and near-fatal conditions while uncovering hidden corners of the canyon rarely seen by visitors. Through encounters with Indigenous communities, hikers and personal memories, Fedarko crafts a powerful story of adventure, reflection and the urgent need to protect America’s most iconic wilderness.
Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center
Happiness for Beginners follows Helen Carpenter, a newly divorced woman struggling to rebuild her life, who joins a wilderness survival course in Wyoming hoping for a fresh start. Instead, she faces brutal conditions, unexpected challenges and the frustrating presence of Jake, her brother’s charming best friend. As the adventure pushes her beyond her limits, Helen begins to rediscover resilience, courage and connection. Warm, funny and heartfelt, Katherine Center’s novel is an uplifting story about healing, self-discovery and finding joy after heartbreak.
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune
Meet Me at the Lake follows Fern Brookbanks, who has spent years haunted by a missed connection with Will Baxter, the artist she shared one unforgettable day with before he vanished from her life. Now thirty-two and reluctantly managing her family’s struggling lakeside resort, Fern feels stuck between past dreams and present disappointments. When Will suddenly reappears nine years later, offering to help, old feelings resurface alongside painful questions. Tender, emotional and nostalgic, this novel explores second chances, healing and the enduring power of love and timing.
Once and Again by Rebecca Serle
Once and Again follows Lauren, a lifelong surfer who grew up chasing perfect waves in Malibu and now waits for a longed-for pregnancy with her husband Leo. In her family, women possess a rare gift: the ability, once in a lifetime, to turn back time and undo a single moment. As fertility struggles strain her marriage and Leo leaves for a temporary job in New York, Lauren returns to her Malibu home and its surging ocean rhythms. There she reunites with Stone, her first love, forcing her to confront past choices, longing and the possibility of rewriting her future.
The Great Outdoors by Kayla Olson
The Great Outdoors follows Sadie Whitlock, a meticulous planner known for having a backup plan for every possible situation. After her boyfriend ends their relationship, calling her “too high-maintenance,” she sets out to prove him wrong by joining a demanding wilderness expedition in the High Sierras of California. Accustomed to comfort, Sadie struggles with camping, hiking and survival challenges — but also with her growing attraction to her adventurous guide, August Thorn. As the journey unfolds, she discovers that letting go of control might lead to unexpected connection, growth and love.
