I’m a sucker for quote collections. I own multiple Outward Bound Readings books, which I often carry with me on expeditions and bust out around the campfire. I also love giving these kinds of books as gifts. Earth, My Dearest (Hatherleigh Press, 2021) is a nearly-pocket sized, sustainably produced, 84-page compilation of over 200 quotes about conservation, stewardship, and sustainability. It begins with this gem from Rainer Maria Rilke: “Earth, my dearest, I will. Oh believe me, you no longer need your springtimes to win me over—one of them, ah, even one, is already too much for my blood. Unspeakably I have belonged to you, from the first.”
From Henry David Thoreau to Greta Thunberg, this is an up-to-date, inspirational collection that will hopefully motivate readers to action. “Return to this book often for inspiration,” reads the introduction, “as you embrace Earth-friendly choices in your daily life.”
Earth, My Dearest would also pair well with a copy of illustrator Leighanna Hoyle’s You Can Save the Earth Coloring Book for Environmental Awareness, Conservation, and Sustainability (Hatherleigh Press, 2021), made for both adults or youngsters.
