This is an informative little book of essays on the life of the fungi. It was easy to read and quite conversational--it wasn't a chore to read like some nonfiction can be. Aliya definitely knows what she's talking about and her love of the subject is refreshing. I will definitely pick up more of her books in the future.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read and review this book. You can tell that Whiteley loves and has done a lot of research on fungi. Fungi is beautiful and intriguing, and I enjoyed this read. I learned a lot while reading this, and if you like fungi you should pick this up.

My mushroom loving, soft, eco friendly inclined, hippy heart was as happy as fungi on a rotting corpse reading this. Look, fungi are cool. You know that, I know that, Aliya Whiteley really knows that. A wonderful balance of educational information and profound statements delivered with humour and whimsy. Made me want to eat more mushrooms.

This was an interesting read and I found myself drawn in by the authors writing style. I enjoyed the background information and loved learning more about the mysterious world of fungi.

With thanks to Net Galley and the Author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review. As a mushroom enthusiast I was so keen for this book and I was not disappointed! The sheer passion for the weirdness of fungi is palpable, I even bought a copy as a Christmas gift for a family member!

Last year I read “The Beauty” by Aliya Whiteley and it ended up as one of my favorite books of 2021. I was really interested in reading more things by the author and that’s when I got the opportunity to read “The Secret Life of Fungi: Discoveries from a Hidden World”.

This was such an interesting book. I had never really considered fungi to be something that I was interested in, however I have seen a lot of people talking about books and other media that explore this topic and that made my curiosity emerge.

This book has two of the things that I consider to be super important in every nonfiction. It’s informative without becoming boring, that is, it touches on some key aspects of the topic and explores them in a way that readers can easily follow along. I do have to say that this book doesn’t offer an exhaustive reading of the topic, but by recognizing just that the author compiled a list of literature that allows for further reading. Secondly, it's extremely easy to connect with what we’re reading as the author wove some of her own memories and childhood stories into what could just be a nonfiction book about fungi.

Thank you to @netgalley and @elliottandthompson for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A must read for nature and mycology lovers! I have read several other nature nonfiction books specifically about fungi and I think I enjoyed this one the most!
Aliya does a great job writing in a way that you feel you’re discussing an interesting topic with a good friend. Even thought the writing was more cause I felt that the connections made were fundamental and thought provoking. I especially appreciated the we were given suggestions/inspiration on literature featuring fungi. I will definitely be recommending this one to others!

I really found this book very informative and I could see myself reading it again. I found the writing very easy to read and understand. I really look forward to reading more from Aliya Whiteley soon.

Thank you Netgalley and Elliott & Thompson for letting me read and review this great book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Elliot & Thompson publishing for the ARC of this!

My kids and I are studying fungi for school right now, so this was the perfect time to read this quick non-fiction for myself. The tone was nice and conversational, and it was easy to understand - I had no trouble following with minimal knowledge of fungi. I recommend if you want to quickly skim the surface of fungi knowledge, as it’s only 200 pages/3 hours of audio.

My gran taught me how to distinguish edible from poisonous mushrooms. i learned how to respect them but I didn't know a lot more.
This was an informative and entertaining way to learn more about fungi. Well researched and well written.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I liked this overall. The way this this is put together seems a bit gimmicky, but may be enjoyed by many. Fungi is incredibly cool and important, so I'm glad there's increasing interest in it.

I really appreciate the free review copy for review!!

'Make More Room for the Mushrooms'
****

This latest addition to the burgeoning literature on all things fungal does nothing new. However, it does nothing new well, and is a more than competent entry-level work that neatly lays out the bones of our current state of understanding of this fascinating subject.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

I struggle with non-fiction; even if I am thoroughly captivated by the topic, I almost always feel like I reach a point of disinterest in the book. However, when it comes to non-fiction about fungi, I devour the content and this one was no different. Whiteley brought uniqueness to a book about fungi-- I really liked this!

If you loved Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer & Finding The Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard you need to read this book!

A blend of science, nature, folklore and a sprinkling of Whiteley’s childhood mushroom memories - I’d say this is part field guide, part nature memoir, part love letter to fungi - it was wonderful.

In this beautiful book Aliya Whiteley explores some of the magic of the fungi kingdom. From what a fungus is & how it’s classified, to mycorrhizal networks, to fungi that have the ability to consume plastic, hijack ants & survive in space…

Whiteley talks through some of the 15,000 species of fungi we have in the UK, describing their appearance, sharing some nifty tips on how to identify them and any folklore attached to the species.

What I loved most about this book is how personal it felt. The whole book felt like a conversation, like I was learning all these incredible fungi facts alongside Whiteley.

I absolutely devoured this in one sitting. It’s the perfect cosy, light hearted read for this time of year - it gave all the autumnal vibes.

The Secret Life Of Fungi is the perfect book for any fungi lover - equally great for beginners as it is for fungi fanatics (and those of us in between!)

If I'm being honest, this book was interesting from the start. Since English isn't my first language, it was a little too overwhelming for me to read, but overall the 20 pages I've read were super cute and informative!!

Part biological tidbits, part memoir, this is a fascinating, fun read sure to delight anyone with mycological tendencies. Mushrooms are everywhere, and they are truly fun-gi. Whiteley brings us into the enchanting worlds of various kinda of shrooms, and makes their stories come to life. Altogether an enjoyable and relatable read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced review copy.

What a brilliant book. A quick read that’s packed full of fascinating facts and written with such enthusiasm. A great read.

A cute, niche-filling book that will do well with the ones looking for it while exposing those picking it up based on the cover to new information. The book is fun and light, and while not for my personal reading tastes I would gladly nab this as a gift for my youngest brother or his girlfriend.

This book is so much more than a treatise on fungi. There is a lot of information about these wonderful organisms, but the scientific content is combined with history, art, culture, the philosophy behind our love of nature and even a recipe. I was surprised to learn how fungi are closer to animals than plants, and how much they influence the world and our daily lives. The chapters have wonderful illustrations, even if I had to Google some of the species because I was so curious about them. The science is approachable even if the reader won’t be able to go out foraging immediately after finishing the book (one of the things the author stresses is how it’s best not to risk it, when in doubt, since so many fungi are pretty poisonous). This slim volume may not make you an expert, or tell you exactly how to find truffles in the woods, but it is an enjoyable foray into the world of fascinating and terrifying creatures.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Elliott & Thompson!

As an avid forager and fungi identifier, the weird and whacky surreal world of fungi is my favourite topic to study and discuss, The Secret Life of Fungi is written in a personable tone by Aliya Whiteley as though she were having tea with her readers, She explains her fascination with the otherworldly matter which links us all in one way or the other. She describes some apt common names (Dead Man's Fingers, Dog Sick Slime Mold, Poached Egg Fungus, Stinkhorn, Razor Strop...one of the most entertaining I encounter in the Mediterranean is the Red Cage) as well as a love for words (fellow logophile here) and discusses the father of modern taxonomy Carl Linnaeus and (binomial) nomenclature. She also describes what fungi are composed of, spores (talk about speedy and effective little guys!), scent (intoxicating white truffles which I have hunted here in Croatia where the best in the planet grow), mutualisms, spore basket-carrying beetles, survival (even in space), ergot fungus, psilocybin, fungal infections, growing kits and reproduction. The mycelial network is highlighted, too.

This is not all...the author gives insight into the recent environmental benefits in reducing plastic decomposition. She mentions gorgeous spore prints which can mean the difference between a choice edible and danger. I have done countless prints but hadn't thought of using a fixative to preserve them. What a beautiful idea! Will include several with my wall of mushroom photographs.

So much to learn. What stands out to me most is the orchid connection and the cryptomycota which are found in places we may not think of such as seas. The author writes beautifully with a touch of whimsy and wit, very appealing and approachable.

This book would appeal to any mycophile, particularly those new to the miraculous and important world of fungi. Regardless of knowledge level, this inspiring book has something for everything (so trite but true). Bring on rain and foraging season!

My sincere thank you to Elliott & Thompson and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this awesome book.