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.

Lexi really knows her stuff and she is a friendly, funny, helpful teacher. The book was not what I was expecting in that it is not at all a resource for identification but rather a lot of information about plants, fungi, etc in general and all of the things you need to do to identify anything and do it right. I think I am too far in my own naturalist journey because I felt that I knew what I needed in those regards and was thinking this book was a tool for the identification part. The book is very wordy and in depth, kind of like you’re taking a college course and she’s your professor. It’s excellent for that, but you will need separate guides and books for the actual identification part.

I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC for this book.

This book is an informative guide for those who would love to go into the wild and be field scientists. The information that is provided is very good and simple to understand. It is much easier to grasp than my books to become an environmental scientist 😂.



The one thing that is keeping this from a full 5 ⭐ is that there aren't nearly enough painting or images and the layout of the templates are very simple. I feel like more could have been done on this point.


This would be a great starter guide for the family.

As a total beginner when it comes to identifying animals and plants, I found The Everyday Naturalist to be a super helpful guide. Lexa breaks everything down into simple, easy steps, making it easier to spot key traits and use field guides, apps, and other resources to figure out what you're looking at. The case studies and photos were a great touch and helped me understand how to apply these techniques in real-life situations. While I did feel like there were times when I wanted a bit more detail in certain sections, especially as a newbie, the book still provided a really solid foundation for getting started. It’s a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about nature and how to identify the species around you!