🌿 What a charming book. I could feel Rebecca’s passion for identification from her personality shining through in the writing and the fun mixed bag of nature facts she shared.

This book has identification history, how to sort through information to determine credibility, Rebecca’s broad identification process, and ideas on how to catalogue the information you find. I especially appreciated the mention of how disability plays into this hobby and will be looking into the resources she offered there. It’s important to know that this book is NOT a field guide, it’s more an overview of the hobby and tips for beginning as a naturalist.

What I got from this is that it’s such a joyful thing to just allow yourself to be curious about nature. To make connections and learn facts about the world around you, be more in the present on a walk, and notice changes in your environment based on seasons or location. As someone with a degree in Sustainability, I full-heartedly agree with her that you do not need to be an expert to immerse yourself in all of the cool things nature has to offer. Get out there and find what inspires you. For me it’s flowers, for you it could be mushrooms, birds, or even tidepooling for small oceanic creatures.

Thanks Rebecca for inspiring me to get out this summer and finally use the bird field guide I inherited. 🦆

And finally, thanks to NetGalley, Ten Speed Press, and Rebecca for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 🌿

This is a lovely book with the most charming illustrations. I love how it teaches you how to become an everyday naturalist using the tools you already have or can easily access. This book was very descriptive and would be an excellent gift for anyone interested in the natural world around us!

I was initially inspired to read this book because of my boyfriend. He is such a nature enthusiast from trees to fauna to wild birds, he knows more facts than the average 30-year old. And I love him for it on our first date. He spoke to me about trees and rocks for a very long time and now it’s been almost four years together.

Over the years, I have been introduced to nature in a more intimate way because of him. I’ve gone birding, I have taken survivalist classes, and I have tried my best to learn the names of trees and wild animals.

I really do think it’s interesting, but I am unfortunately not yet at a place where I can identify a plant based on its bark or leaves. I also must admit, something deep inside me—perhaps the dastardly divine feminine-would love to better understand herbs and natural medicine. I feel drawn to understanding the way nature can take care of us.

There’s something about the power of girlhood; the intrigue we create around the most menial of things, the ability we have to make the abstract envisionary, even the way self medicating with herbs and foraged plants came to be—we can be quite mystical when we’d like.

So despite my failures thus far, to come into my own with the natural world, some part of me is convinced that this book will help me ground myself in these theories and sciences, so they can take root in my mind. Then, should I ever need it, I can do what I need to survive with limited resources.

The beginning of this book goes back to the history of naturalism and those who contributed to the study of nature. Funnily enough, and I think this primarily tickles me because of my complicated history with religion, there are folks who were burned for their legitimate claims about the world. As someone who was mocked in Sunday School for asserting that dinosaurs were real…let’s just say I get it. How ridiculous that studying reality can make you the enemy of faith.

I really enjoyed the approachable tone this takes. Although it is non-fiction, I’m actually excited to read the history behind naturalism and better understand how humans formed more accurate perceptions of the world around them.

One fun fact, which probably should be obvious to me, but I had no idea: taxonomy is not fixed! As we learn more about the relationships between organisms and the diversity that exists in nature, things shuffle. Can you believe that? I know from school that science is just a process through with you prove/disprove a series of hypotheses. However, I did not realize it was so flexible or regularly revisited, that we continue to update knowledge bases to this day. That’s something I definitely did not learn from the 20-year-old textbooks in my middle school biology class.

Beyond all of this, the author admits that this study is confusing and that even professionals don’t have it all down. Do you know how difficult it is to have an expert communicate their field in a comprehensible way? To provide empathy to new learners rather than creating artificial barriers that only reinforce ego & privilege?

The Everyday Naturalist is a gorgeous text. That makes natural knowledge more accessible, and the author seems to be passionate about empowering people to understand actual applications for the things they learn.

I learned how to read a map from my former hiking instructor — a man who was in the military, and he essentially gave me the map, pointed to where I am, and told me to lead the group. I don’t recall being successful & I don’t mean to make him sound unhelpful. He was kind to me and I enjoyed our conversations, but it just goes to show how even those who are trying to share information with you might unintentionally be setting you up to fail. I mean, as much as I have been told to avoid poison ivy, I’m still uncertain about whether I can identify it in the wild and in truth. I just avoid any pointy leaf that is near the ground.

What I’m trying to say is that having this book in the world is pretty incredible and while I was reading it, I felt warm. This is what it feels like to learn from someone who cares, and all I am doing is absorbing the words she has put on a page.

Fantastic book which gives great advice and insights for bird watchers, and all things naturalist. Packed full of information. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

A good read about how to identify different aspects of the world around us. Including animal species, name, and sex

This was very fun. More of a how-to on how to create a field guide and how to become a naturalist, and less about identifying animals.

Thought it was cute and would love a physical copy!

3 stars to Rebecca Lexa's <i>The Everyday Naturalist!</i> An informative read on improving skills in the identification of animals, plants, and fungi.

What I Liked:
- included beautiful illustrations of some of the animal, plant, and fungi examples used throughout the book, usually in passages discussing identifying features to look out for.
- provided many resources for further education in plant, animal, and fungi identification. This included a list of books, websites, and journals, and what each was best for.
- helpful templates for cataloging various natural objects and creatures, aiding in the identification process.

What I Didn't Like:
- was expecting more of a hands-on nature guide, providing specific details on specific plants. Instead, it offered more broad identification tips, such as paying attention to leaf shape or fungi spotting without saying what any of it meant or giving object specific examples.
- more of a "how-to learn how to identify plants, animals, and fungi" rather than an actual identification guide. This wasn't a bad thing, just not what I expected.

Overall, this was an interesting and informative read for the "everyday naturalist." If you're looking for a first step to improving nature identification, this is a great place to start.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC of this title. The cover on this book is gorgeous, as well as the illustrations within it. I'm just a little disappointed that this wasn't more of a identification guide as it was a history and commentary on the act of being a field naturalist. There was a small bit with mushrooms and I enjoyed that section the most. This title was more textbook (with very few reference illustrations) and less glossary guide. But that is a personal preference and should not dissuade anyone from reading this title. However, I will definitely be recommending this title for purchase at my shop, because I know there are people out there that will absolutely adore this book.

The illustrations in this book are lovely and really add to the content!
While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this for someone who is completely new to identifying organisms (too much jargon), it also doesn’t have much for the experienced naturalist. I’d say that the target audience is someone who has basic knowledge of taxonomy and is looking for a systematic approach to identification and recording. A website might be a better medium for this information than a book.

If you have ever found yourself wondering about the birds coming to the feeder in your backyard, or curious about a plant you noticed growing by your mailbox, this might be the book for you.

Rebecca Lexa takes the daunting task of nature identification and breaks in down into easy, digestible lessons in The Everyday Naturalist. She walks with you through the natural world, showing you step by step what is important to observe, and how to use those observations to identify what you're seeing. And not only does she teach you what to look for, she teaches you where to take that information once you have it and how to use it. Her lists of resources are absolutely invaluable, and make this book worth purchasing in and of itself.

As someone who grew up learning how to use guides and websites to ID nature, much of this book was reviewing what I already knew. But it was a thorough and interesting review, and while I wish it could have gone a little more in depth, I would absolutely recommend it to a beginner. I will be buying a physical copy to keep on hand once it comes out - it will be perfect for teaching my children one day, and in the meantime, I will use it as a reference when looking for new resources.

4/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

This book was a fun look at our world and how we have interacted with it throughout centuries past and into the modern era. I appreciated the author’s writing style: informative but also casual enough to feel as though the offer assumes the best out of the reader. That balance was refreshing. I do think this book is a great foundational resource for someone just beginning to learn about/practice being a naturalist, but those who are more experienced may not learn much, if anything, new. That said, I flew through this book, excited to refresh my memory in certain areas while also being introduced to new resources such as identification apps.

If you’d like to gain helpful tools to grow in your nature identification skills and appreciation for the natural world, pick yourself up a copy on June 17, 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/TenSpeed Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An easy read and very beginner friendly for those looking for a way to start learning more about the natural world, especially plants, around them.

I liked the suggestions in this book! It strengthened my resolve for continually slowing my family down during hikes so I can "just look at this plant for a sec". I would have liked a few more pictures, but I did like the ones that were included.

The Advanced Review Copy (ARC) was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wish there were more pictures to help identify things. But for the most part this would be super helpful. It is organized really well and I love the addition of case studies. The blank templates in the back were also a nice touch.

4 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I found Rebecca Lexa to be a very fun, inviting teacher. The Everyday Naturalist is a great beginner's guide to ecological knowledge and has a lot of useful tips and tricks to guide anyone's journey to becoming a naturalist. I enjoyed the formatting of the book as well and the inclusion of illustrations. I wish the book had spent more time highlighting some individual species.

Overall, The Everyday Naturalist is a good starting point for anyone looking to broaden their abilities, particularly those without any ecology background.

Well organized and clearly written, a handy guide for those who want to know a bit more of the woodsy wonders and what can be useful or what to avoid. Written for those who want to start out on the right foot, a great source and springboard for those who want to learn even more.

I've been on a mission to deepen my understanding of the natural world as I work toward becoming a Master Naturalist this year, and The Everyday Naturalist by Rebecca Lexa was an excellent guide along my journey. This book doesn't just tell you what to look for—it teaches you how to think like a naturalist, whether you're in your own backyard or halfway across the world.

Lexa breaks down the key traits for identifying animals, plants, fungi, and other organisms.. Her step-by-step approach made me feel more confident about tackling the mysteries of nature without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, the detailed case studies and beautiful photos really helped bring the concepts to life.

What I loved most is that this book empowers you to move beyond relying solely on field guides or apps. It trains your eyes and instincts so you can truly engage with the environment wherever you go. If you're even a little curious about the natural world, this book belongs on your shelf.

Thanks to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Everyday Naturalist is an inspiring and accessible guide that encourages a deeper connection with nature, particularly suited for beginners. It offers practical tips on identifying plants, animals, and natural elements, making it easy to start or revive a nature journal. While its approachable tone and clear advice are perfect for those new to nature observation, more experienced enthusiasts might find it a bit basic. Nonetheless, its heartfelt message and actionable insights make it a wonderful companion for anyone looking to slow down, observe, and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors.

2 stars

Well, I thought this book was about the identification of animals, plants, fungi, and other organisms we encounter in everyday life, or at least brief characterizations of them. I knew it would be impossible for the book to include descriptions of all species, but I expected it to serve as a mini reference guide for common animals, plants, and fungi—like how to differentiate a moth from a butterfly or how to identify a common sparrow, etc.

However, this book was actually about how to document characteristics when we come across animals, plants, or fungi and how to record these findings using an app or other books. While that might be useful for some, it wasn’t what I was expecting.

That said, it’s still a nice read, and I did learn something from it.

This book is very interesting. Not what I was expecting, very wordy. But I think the drawings are beautiful and the information is interesting.

If you love looking at wildlife, this is very informative. Definitely not for everyone but the ones that care will love this.