For each month during the years 2006-2012, The Ocean Project highlighted a book focused on our blue planet. Books for all age groups were covered, non-fiction and fiction, prose and poetry. As of 2013, our esteemed friends are taking over the honors as announced here:
From: Kelly Drinnen — NOAA Federal <kelly.drinnen@noaa.gov>
To: The Ocean Project Staff
The National Marine Sanctuaries Southeast Region is starting an online book club, in 2013, in an effort to share the ocean and its wonders with people throughout the country, not just those on the coastlines. Education & Outreach staff from Florida Keys, Gray's Reef, and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuaries will moderate the discussion, offering conversation ideas, questions, and sanctuary connections to the topics at hand. Guest "commentators" may include sanctuary researchers and other topic experts.
Each of the books selected for discussion will have some connection to ocean science, conservation, exploration, or recreation. Discussions about each book will take place in an online forum where guests may post their thoughts at any time, allowing for flexibility in the reading schedule and interaction with other readers. Plans are to include posting areas for related educational activities, resources, and even recipes. Do contact Kelly if you want to participate.
2012
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December
Worldchanging:
A User's Guide for the 21st Century
Edited by Alex Steffen
- Non-fiction Guidebook
- Subject: Optimistic view of change for the better through personal action
- Synopsis: A highly thoughtful collection of author voices to provide ideas and suggested implementations for world changing.
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November
Fixing Climate:
What Past Climate Changes Reveal About the Current Threat—and How to Counter It
by Wallace S. Broecker and Robert Kunzig
- Non-fiction Biography
- Subject: Unconventional approach to global warming
- Synopsis: A highly thoughtful biography which suggests how scientists gain perspective on climate change through a well-lived life.
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October
What Are People For?
by Wendell Berry
- Non-fiction Short Stories
- Subject: Speaking up against over-consumption
- Synopsis: A highly thoughtful collection of stories for considering the effect of consumption on our ocean ecosystem.
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September
World Without Fish
by Mark Kurlansky
- Family-suitable Non-fiction
- Subject: Speaking up for the fish
- Synopsis: A highly accessible primer on the systematic destruction of the ocean ecosystem.
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August
Food Not Lawns:
How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden And Your Neighborhood into a Community
by Heather Coburn Flores
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Environmentally Sustainable Environment Decisions
- Synopsis: Read a deeper, darker manifesto discussing the reasons to replace your lawn with a food-producing garden now rather than later.
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July
Ocean Soul
By: Brian Skerry
- Non-Fiction
- Subject: A book of underwater photography with narrative.
- Synopsis: By investigating photography from the eyes of a lifelong admirer, we further develop our own affection for the sea.
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June
Ocean Babies
By: Deborah Lee Rose
- Non-Fiction
- Subject: A picture book of ocean babies.
- Synopsis: By investigating pictures of the babies of the ocean, we bond with our affection for the sea.
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May
What's Gotten Into Us?:
Staying Healthy in a Toxic World
By: Mckay Jenkins
- Non-Fiction
- Subject: An investigation of environmental chemical effects on personal health.
- Synopsis: By considering the over use of chemicals in our lives, we gain insight into yet another risk for the ocean.
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April
Moby-Duck
By: Donovan Hohn
- Non-Fiction
- Subject: An investigatory look into the ways of our ocean.
- Synopsis: By following along on one journalist's emerging awareness, we improve our own on behalf of the ocean.
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March
Aldo Leopold: A Fierce Green Fire
By: Marybeth Lorbiecki
- Non-Fiction
- Subject: A biography of one of the most beloved conservation personalities.
- Synopsis: By reliving the life of a proven proponent for nature and man's place in it, we gain motivation to conserve.
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February
Eaarth: Making Life on a Tough New Planet
By: Bill McKibben
- Non-Fiction
- Subject: A primer on the evidence for global climate change and potential futures.
- Synopsis: Getting to know more about aspects of climate change, and appreciation for, likely effects on the eco-systems on our planet can help you help the ocean.
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January
Demon Fish: Travels Through the Hidden World of Sharks
By: Juliet Eilperin
- Non-Fiction
- Subject: A primer on sharks and their contribution to a healthy ocean.
- Synopsis: Getting to know more about sharks will add to your knowledge of, and appreciation for, the predators that manage eco-systems on our planet.
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2011
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December
Cold: Adventures in the World's Frozen Places
By: Bill Streever
- Non-Fiction
- Subject: A primer on cold and its effect on life on land and in the sea.
- Synopsis: Getting to know those who study the effects of cold add to your knowledge of, and appreciation for, climate change ramifications.
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November
Kraken
By: Wendy Williams
- Non-Fiction
- Subject: A primer on squid and their place among the cephalopods.
- Synopsis: Exploring the ocean from the perspective of another creature adds to your knowledge of, and appreciation for, the ocean.
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October
Thinking in Systems: A Primer
By: Donella Meadows
- Non-Fiction
- Subject: A primer on systems thinking for a different perspective on the world's issues.
- Synopsis: Exploring successful solutions from systems thinking helps you consider providing your own for issues that confront our ocean.
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September
The Rainbow Fish
By: Marcus Pfister
- Fiction
- Subject: A beautiful fish learns a lesson about sharing with others in the ocean.
- Synopsis: Children's story with insights into how human culture can benefit from sharing its best resources.
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August
The Coming Transformation:
Values to Sustain Human and Natural Communities
Edited by: Stephen R. Kellert and James Gustave Speth
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Is a human cultural transformation necessary/possible on behalf of our ocean?
- Synopsis: Insights into how human culture arrived at our current state and where we might go from here.
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July
The Wave:
In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks and Giants of the Ocean
By: Susan Casey
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Investigation of large waves brings surfers and scientists together.
- Synopsis: Insights into the surfing community and their recent addiction with large wave surfing.
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June
Dove
By: Robin L. Graham (author) Derek L. T. Gill (contributor)
- Non-fiction
- Subject: True story of a California boy who sails around the world by himself.
- Synopsis: 16-year-old Robin Graham embarks on the journey of a lifetime when he sails out of his home port in Southern California headed for the open sea.
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May
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
By Barbara Kingsolver
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Consideration of the many benefits of home-grown food.
- Synopsis: This book should help you appreciate the connection between growing your own food and a healthy lifestyle.
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April
SeaSick:
The Global Ocean in Crisis
By Alanna Mitchell
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Journalistic look at the state of the world ocean.
- Synopsis: This book should help you appreciate the interconnectedness of many different issues associated with attaining a healthy ocean.
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March
The Cyclist's Manifesto
By Robert Hurst
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Motivation for living a cycling lifestyle.
- Synopsis: This book should help you appreciate the benefits to mental and physical health when commuting by bicycle.
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February
Ocean Seasons
By Ron Hirschi (author) and Kirsten Carlson (illustrator)
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Colorful and imaginative picture book.
- Synopsis: This book should help you appreciate the power of books as aids for teaching children.
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January
Nature and Walking
By Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Perspectives on being out with nature from two favorite writers.
- Synopsis: This book should motivate you to walk in nature more often to gain a personal connection with your world.
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2010
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December
Homemade:
How-to Make Hundreds of Everyday Products Fast, Fresh, and More Naturally
By Readers Digest Editors
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Do it yourself guide for homemade products.
- Synopsis: This book should help you consider making things yourself so you can manage their contents to be ocean-friendly.
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November
The Unnatural History of the Sea
By Callum Roberts
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Reflection on the last five hundred years of human-ocean interaction.
- Synopsis: This book should help you set a better baseline of what the ocean could provide humanity when healthy.
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October
A Leaky Tent is a Piece of Paradise:
20 Young Writers on Finding a Place in the Natural World
Edited by Bonnie Tsui
- Non-fiction Stories
- Subject: Next generation of writers reflect on integrating nature into their lives.
- Synopsis: This book should help you consider the relationship of tomorrow's leaders to the natural world.
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September
Beyond Ecophobia:
Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education
by David Sobel
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Consideration of the need for children to embrace nature to benefit their development.
- Synopsis: This book should help you consider the advantages gained through a healthy relationship with the natural world.
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August
The Most Important Fish in the Sea:
Menhaden and America
by H. Bruce Franklin
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Interconnections between components of the food web and fish consumption.
- Synopsis: This book should help you consider complexities in the food web on which we rely for nourishment.
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July
Entanglements:
The Intertwined Fates of Whales and Fishermen
by Tora Johnson
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Interconnections among those who depend on the ocean for survival.
- Synopsis: This book should help you consider complexities among ocean life and human actions.
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June
Rapture of the Deep: The Art of Ray Troll
by Ray Troll
- Art book
- Subject: Zany, irreverent, and often surreal art.
- Synopsis: This book provides you a unique way to celebrate the ocean before, during, and after World Oceans Day on June 8th.
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May
On Guerrilla Gardening:
A Handbook for Gardening without Boundaries
by Richard Reynolds
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Seeing the full potential for gardens in your community.
- Synopsis: This book provides you an extensive discussion of gardens and the opportunity for them to improve community health.
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April
A Community Guide to Environmental Health
by Jeff Conant and Pam Fadem
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Working towards community health.
- Synopsis: This book provides you an extensive checklist of concerns and solutions to issues to consider for creating or maintaining community health.
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March
Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf
by John Muir
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Appreciation for nature as a pasttime.
- Synopsis: This book should introduce you to more natural environments to inspire you to walk and explore your surroundings.
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February
Fight Global Warming Now:
The Handbook for Taking Action in Your Community
by Bill McKibben
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Taking action against global warming.
- Synopsis: This book presents the "Step It Up" community action case study for you to consider.
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January
The Outermost House:
A Year of Life On The Great Beach of Cape Cod
by Henry Beston
- Non-fiction
- Subject: Historical lives in ocean communities.
- Synopsis: This book should introduce you to more natural times to inspire you to reconsider the ocean.
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2009
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December
A Sense of Wonder
by Rachel Carson
- Family friendly
- Subject: Love for the outdoors.
- Synopsis: This book should remind you of childhood memories that inspire you to get back to nature.
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November
Low Carbon Diet:
A 30 day program to lose 5000 pounds
by David Gershon
- Adult, Do-it-yourself
- Subject: Practical primer on reducing personal carbon output.
- Synopsis: This book should educate and give you a hopeful outlook on the power of one person to reduce carbon output.
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October
Sea Change: A Message of the Oceans
by Sylvia Earle
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: The life and insights of an ocean researcher.
- Synopsis: This book should educate and give you a hopeful perspective on the power of one person's work on behalf of the world's ocean.
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September
Sea of Slaughter
by Farley Mowat
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Historical perspective on the North Atlantic coast from Cape Cod up to Labrador.
- Synopsis: This book should give you a historical basis for becoming more mindful on behalf of the world's ocean.
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August
Smithsonian Ocean: Our Water, Our World
by Deborah Cramer
- Family Friendly, Non-fiction
- Subject: Developing a personal, family, and community ethic for the ocean.
- Synopsis: This book should help you appreciate and become more mindful on behalf of the world's ocean.
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July
Soil Not Oil:
Environmental Justice in an Age of Climate Crisis
by Vendana Shiva
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Connecting critical issues from food security to peak oil to global warming.
- Synopsis: This book should help you consider and adapt your food choices to be a better world citizen.
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June
Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul:
Amazing Sea Stories and Wyland Artwork to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit
by Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield, and Wyland
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Celebrating our world ocean through stories and pictures that inspire.
- Synopsis: This book should help you see and re-connect with the wonders of our world ocean.
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May
Planet Ocean:
Photo Stories from the 'Defending Our Oceans' Voyage
by Sara Holden
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Considering our ocean and its need for protection.
- Synopsis: This book should help you see and connect with the work others have done to bring the plight of our world ocean into our awareness.
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April
Souls in the Sea:
Dolphins, Whales, and Human Destiny
by Scott Taylor
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Considering our large mammal cousins of the sea.
- Synopsis: This book should help you see and investigate the lives of whales and dolphins as relevant to our consideration of the ocean and the environment.
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March
Earth Odyssey: Around the World in Search of Our Environmental Future
by Mark Hertsgaard
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Considering the effect of poverty on the environment
- Synopsis: This book should help you better ponder the effect dire poverty has on the ocean and the environment.
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February
Trust Us We're Experts: How Industry Manipulates Science and Gambles with Your Future
by Sheldon Rampton
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Questioning independent science and reporting
- Synopsis: This book should help you better consider the sources of information you turn to when trying to find truth regarding safe and dangerous phenomena in the environment.
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January
At the Ends of the Earth
by Kieran Mulvaney
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Plight of the water at our poles
- Synopsis: This book should help you better consider the current beauty of our Arctic and Antarctic regions and how their water properties are changing over time.
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2008
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December
Last Child in the Woods:
Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder
by Richard Louv
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Awareness of the Looming Nature-Deficit crisis
- Synopsis: This book should help you better consider "the nature-deficit problem" and consider diverse efforts to confront it.
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November
Confronting Consumption
Edited by Thomas Princen, Michael F. Maniates and Ken Conca
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Conservation Through Mindful Consumption
- Synopsis: This book should help you better conceptualize "the consumption problem" and consider diverse efforts to confront it.
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October
The Great Gulf:
Fishermen, Scientists, and the Struggle to Revive the World's Greatest Fishery
by David Dobbs
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subjects: Fisherman/ Fish/ Northern Atlantic Ocean
- Synopsis: This book should help you solidify your understanding of the fish crisis from many different stakeholder perspectives.
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September
The Whale Warriors:
The Battle at the Bottom of the World to Save the Planet's Largest Mammals
by Peter Heller
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subjects: Whales/ Conservation/ Antarctic Ocean
- Synopsis: This book may yet again give you an appreciation for the world's largest mammals and interest in their plight.
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August
Edible Estates:
Attack on the Front Lawn
Edited by Fritz Haeg
- All Ages, Non-fiction
- Subject: Environmentally Sustainable Environment Decisions
- Synopsis: Inspire yourself to get rid of all that water hungry lawn with pictures, letters, interviews from people who have made the switch regionally in the US.
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July
Hope's Edge:
The Next Diet for a Small Planet
by Frances Moore Lappé and Anna Lappé
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Environmentally Sustainable Food Decisions
- Synopsis: This book may change the way you look at the world and how you eat, motivating you to smarter personal action when you make your food choices.
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June
Reef
by Scubazoo
- All Ages, Non-fiction
- Subject: Marine Conservation and Ocean Photography
- Synopsis: This book powerfully demonstrates the beauty and diversity of reefs found around the world while helping to educate us about this year’s World Ocean Day theme: "helping our climate – helping our ocean" with a focus on coral reefs.
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May
From Eco-Cities to Living Machines:
Principles of Ecological Design
by John Todd and Nancy Todd
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Ecological Design
- Synopsis: John and Nancy lay out the precepts of ecological design and map out how we can apply them to re-design our communities and economies into healthy sustainable systems.
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April
The Edge of the Sea
by Rachel Carson
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Coastal ecosystems
- Synopsis: Carson explores rocky shores, sandy beaches, and coral reefs, leading us into unknown worlds to catch the evanescent beauty of a tide pool and tell the story of a grain of sand.
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March
How to Live Well Without Owning a Car
by Chris Balish
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Green Living / transportation
- Synopsis: The first practical, accessible, and sensible guide to living in North America without owning a car.
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February
Blessed Unrest:
How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming
by Paul Hawken
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: Environmental / Social activism
- Synopsis: A leading environmentalist and social activist's examination of the worldwide movement for social and environmental change.
- Watch the video
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January
Ignition: What You Can Do To Fight Global Warming and Spark a Movement
Edited by Jonathan Isham and Sissel Waage
- Adult, Non-fiction
- Subject: climate change advocacy
- Synopsis: For anyone who feels compelled to do more about climate change
than change their light bulbs or occasionally carpool, Ignition is an essential guide.
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2007
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December
Deep Economy:
The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future:
by Bill McKibben
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November
Cape Wind:
Money, Celebrity, Class, Politics, and the Battle for Our Energy Future on Nantucket Sound:
by Wendy Williams and Robert Whitcomb
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October
The Lazy Environmentalist:
Your Guide to Easy, Stylish Green Living:
by Josh Dorfman
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September
Garbage Land:
On the Secret Trail of Trash
by Elizabeth Royte
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August
Hooked:
Pirates, Poaching, and the Perfect Fish
by G. Bruce Knecht
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July
Gaia Girls:
Way of Water
by Lee Welles
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June
Kon-Tiki
by Thor Heyerdahl
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May
Swimming in Circles:
Aquaculture and the End of Wild Oceans
by Paul Molyneaux
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April
The Monkey Wrench Gang
by Edward Abbey
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March
Silent Spring
by Rachel Carson
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February
Ocean Life From A to Z
by Cynthia Stierle and Annie Crawley |
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January
The National Geographic
Atlas of the Ocean: The Deep Frontiers
By Sylvia Earle |
