Summer officially begins on June 21, and there's no better way to beat the Oklahoma heat than with a good book. Whether you're looking for a tale of adventure, a guide to birds and fishing, inspiration for cooking wild game, or a story that celebrates the outdoors, ODWC employees have you covered.
Find a shady spot and explore some of our favorite summer reads. Check your local library or favorite bookstore and dive into a wild new adventure this summer.
Summer Grilling Vibes
Summer cookouts are a must, and these books might inspire you to use that wild game tucked away in your freezer before fall hunting seasons arrive.
- Girl Hunter: Revolutionizing the Way We Eat, One Hunt at a Time by Georgia Pellegrini
Part memoir, part cookbook, Pellegrini shares her journey as a hunter while encouraging readers to reconnect with their food through hunting, fishing, and cooking.
- The MeatEater Fish and Game Cookbook by Steven Rinella
A go-to resource for wild game enthusiasts featuring recipes, techniques, and tips for preparing everything from fish to venison.
- Chef Wilson's Wild Game Cookbook for Outdoor Grilling & Smoking
Packed with creative recipes for venison, elk, moose, bear, boar, rabbit, squirrel, duck, goose, pheasant, and more.
Nature-Inspired Fiction
Lose yourself in stories and poems where nature shapes lives, adventures, and unforgettable journeys.
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Part mystery, part coming-of-age story, this bestselling novel follows Kya Clark, known locally as the "Marsh Girl," as she grows up alone in the marshes of North Carolina. Owens' background as a wildlife scientist shines through in her vivid descriptions of the natural world and Kya's deep connection to it. Recommended by Salema Panama and Lance Meek.
I also recommend the film. Although it changes a few key details and seems to rush, it does bring the book to life visually.
-Salema Panama, Administrative Assistant
This is not the kind of book I normally read, but it is beautifully done and will stick with you a long time.
-Lance Meek, Communication & Education Supervisor
- The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett
This is a historical romance and adventure set in Mount Rainier National Park in 1927, blending the beauty of the wilderness with the challenges of preserving it.
I enjoy historical fiction and it was fun to read a book set during the beginnings of the National Park service.
-Megan Moore, Shooting Range Coordinator
- Joe Pickett Series by C.J. Box
C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett series follows the career of Joe Pickett, a Wyoming game warden whose job is to protect wildlife and the natural beauty of the state.
I love C.J. Box's Joe Pickett Series.
-Kelly Boyer, Communication & Education Specialist
- Devotions the Selected Poems of Mary Oliver
This collection, curated by Mary Oliver herself, is the kind of book that slows you down in the best possible way. Oliver has a remarkable gift for noticing the beauty and wonder woven through the natural world and inviting readers to do the same. If you've ever stopped what you were doing to admire a bird in flight, listen to the wind in the trees, or simply soak in the quiet gifts of nature, this book is for you.
One of my favorite poems from the collection is The Summer Day, which ends with a poignant question:
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"It's a beautiful reminder to pay attention, embrace wonder, and fully inhabit the life we've been given.
-Kara Gardner, Web Developer
Conservation, Wildlife and the Outdoors
Explore books that grow our understanding of wildlife, conservation, and the importance of protecting the natural resources we cherish.
- A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
This is a landmark 1949 collection of essays by naturalist Aldo Leopold that advocates for a a moral responsibility for humans to coexist ethically with, care for, and preserve the natural world.
This book reminds us how critical land stewardship is.
-Marcus Thibodeau, Wildlife Senior Biologist
This book is a must read.
-Colby Cook, Communication & Education Specialist
- The Diversity of Life by Edward O. Wilson
An engaging look at biodiversity, conservation biology, and why protecting habitat matters.
I try to reread this book every year.
-Marcus Thibodeau, Wildlife Senior Biologist
- The Big Burn by Timothy Egan
The Big Burn recounts the devastating 1910 wildfire that reshaped America's conservation efforts, highlighting the roles of Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot in establishing the U.S. Forest Service.
I am a huge Timothy Egan fan and try to read all his books. The book centers around the worst forest fire in American History that sparked a catalyst to better fund the US Forest Service, etc.
-Darrin Hill, Communication & Education Specialist
- A Naturalist's Guide to Oklahoma by Priscilla Crawford
A comprehensive exploration of the state’s rich biodiversity and varied landscapes.
We often think the most unusual species live in faraway countries, but Priscills H.C. Crawford proves that our own backyards hold just as many surprises! She takes us on an engaging journey to every corner of the state and every ecological community, exploring both well-known and the cryptic species calling the state home. Oklahomans have needed a book like this for many years.
-Mark Howery, Wildlife Senior Biologist
- The Song of the Dodo: Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinction by David Quammen
A landmark work of science journalism that explores the history of island biogeography and its critical relevance to modern wildlife conservation.
Quammen leaves us with a message of excitement and hope.
-Douglas Zentner, Fisheries Supervisor
Birding Books
Whether you're a seasoned birder or just enjoy watching visitors at your backyard feeder, these books offer a closer look at the fascinating world of birds.
- Pocket Guide to Prairie Birds by Scott W. Gillihan and Tammy VerCauteren
Pocket Guide to Prairie Birds is a compact, field-friendly reference for identifying and understanding birds of the U.S. Great Plains.
I'm fond of this small book. The sections are organized by Habitats, rather than 'predominant bird color' like many bird books.
-David Murray, GIS Data Analyst/Programmer
- The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan
Part journal, part sketchbook, and part birding adventure, Amy Tan shares observations and illustrations inspired by the birds visiting her backyard.
I didn’t realize how much I was overlooking the daily habits of my own backyard birds until this book! Tan’s incredible drawings [of California birds] also brought home the many ways people can connect with and appreciate nature.
-Anonymous ODWC employee
- What It's Like to Be a Bird by David Allen Sibley
From nesting and migration to feeding and singing, this beautifully illustrated book explains what birds are doing and why.
Fishing Favorites
Cast into stories filled with adventure, humor, tradition, and the timeless connection between anglers and the water.
- The Fly Fishing Book: An Artful Guide to Fly Fishing by Steven Weinberg
This book welcomes both beginners and seasoned anglers into the world of fly fishing using practical advice with stunning watercolor illustrations.
- A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean
A moving book that uses fly fishing as a backdrop to explore family, faith, loss, and love. Fun fact: portions of the film adaptation were filmed in Oklahoma.
- The Guide by Peter Heller
A literary thriller set in the Colorado wilderness, blending nature with a gripping mystery.
A great book.
-Smokey Solis, Communication & Education Specialist
Wild Child
Spark a love for the outdoors in the next generation with these fun, educational, and adventure-filled reads for young readers.
- One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish is a classic children's book that helps early readers learn to read through whimsical rhymes.
Honestly...it's been a while since I've read it...but I recall it being one of my favorite books as a kid and it probably had something to do with what I do today. I think combining something silly with something real is a great way to get children interested in the natural world and fish themselves.
-Doug Zentner, Fisheries Supervisor
My favorite line in the book is "Not one of them is like another. Don't ask us why, go ask your mother."
-Treager Stout, Grants Assistant
- We Leave No Trace by Terry Pierce
This is a cute book for children.
-Daisy Creager, Communication & Education Specialist
- Let's Go Fishing! by Virginia Ponds
Join a young angler and Grandma on an early morning fishing adventure in this easy-to-read children's book that introduces kids to the excitement of fishing.
I love this book because the Grandma "Nan" is teaching her grandkids how to fish. It is so sweet!
-Heather Del Moral , Communication & Education Technician
At the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, we're passionate about the outdoors, conservation, and lifelong learning. We hope you enjoy a summer filled with great stories and wild places.