Wild Life: 50 Projects to Rewild Your Life From the Home to Outdoors

by Anna Carlile

Wild Life is an achingly beautiful gift book that introduces the concept of rewilding. No matter whether you live - in the mountains, by the coast, along the banks of a river or in the inner-city - this book is your passport to disconnect from one world and reconnect with another; to put down your devices and pick up where your wild self left off. Featuring stunning photography and illustrations that evoke the magic and healing effects of nature, Wild Life offers 50 accessible projects that will bring rewilding into your life. You'll press wildflowers, rewild your garden and create a series of micro adventures in your hometown or city. You'll use the sky to find north and the trees to find your way while out camping and hiking. You'll close your eyes and listen to the birds, kick off your shoes and forage for seaweed.

You'll reconnect with your roots, and somewhere along the way, find yourself again.

Genres: Gardening, Nature, Lifestyle

224 pages, Hardcover

Published January 10, 2023

Reviews

[Gracie Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not often that I actually read a “coffee table book” cover to cover but so glad I did for this one! The author didn’t need to convince me of the value in living a “wild” life lived more closely in step with creation. But it was so fun to read through practical ideas of how to further incorporate this value into my daily life!

[Kelsea Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but very simple.

[Christine Garner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flip thru just ‘cause, pretty basic.

Liked: bug hotel, page layout & book binding

[Kelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is more of a coffee book table than something that you can sit down and work through (contradictory to the subtitle “50 projects…”). Though lacking depth, some of the projects are cute.

My main concern is that this book uses the language of neuroscience and medicine to prove a tangible benefit of the projects, without concern for citing sources. This is sometimes harmless (as with the section on circadian rhythm), sometimes humorous (consistently referring to dopamine as just a “feel good chemical” that seems to be constantly at odds with the idyllic wild life), and often troubling- as it is in the “walk barefoot” section when it’s claimed that grounding is scientifically backed while making vague reference to “research” without giving names.

And the thing is that the book would be better without these references to research! I don’t need a study saying that electron transfer from the earth to my feet cures cardiovascular disease (???) to know that walking barefoot can feel good. But not citing papers when mentioned tells me that either (a) you are purposefully hiding your sources or (b) you can’t be bothered to properly research the claims you’re making. Either way I am concerned.

Anyways. I will still be doing some of the projects, particularly leaf printing and nature journaling.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't feel super strongly about this book, nor do I feel I learned anything significantly new, although I did enjoy reading about grounding and connecting with the earth. Probably wouldn't read again unless I was referencing it for basket-making or bug hotel-crafting, but it wasn't a bad read.

3

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

So beautiful.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat, inspiring book. Quick and easy read that pushes you to explore the outdoors!

[Kacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely coffee table book. Delightful reminders of ways to engage with the wild world around us.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely photos and simple ideas to remind you to slow down and enjoy the simple life, nature in all its forms and the beauty of observation ☁️🦜🌱🏕️