The Hidden Seasons by Tristan Gooley ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

In The Hidden Seasons, Tristan Gooley shows us how to read the clues that the sun, moon, stars, plants, fungi, animals, water and weather give us - but that we continually miss, because we don't know how and where to look.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

November 2025; Dreamscape Media; 9798349161261
audio (9h 1m), ebook, print; environmental nonfiction

If you follow me on Goodreads, you may have noticed that I've been reading a lot of books about Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy. Several years ago, I started to spend a week in the summer in the Great Smoky Mountains at Naturalist Camp. Two summers ago, I came home wanting to hone my observation skills, and then after this year's trip, where I injured my knee, I couldn't hike for a few months, so I started working on my mindfulness practice, which kind of came out of my study on observation. 

I felt like this book would be a good fit with the naturalist and mindfulness skills I want to develop. 

I struggled at first with getting into this book. I wasn't sure what the author's purpose was with this book. After seeing that it is part of the thematic series Natural Navigation, I understood the purpose more. I still struggled with how I would incorporate the skills he was describing. 

Some of the navigational tips were cool, even if I can't really use them. For example, there are no fields of wheat/grain fields, though perhaps it applies to hay fields as well - but then again, that would be private property, and unlike in the UK, it is illegal to trek across private property here. But still, it was interesting information, and if you are lost in the wilderness, it could be really useful.

That being said, the audiobook was good for an overview of the material, but I think if I really wanted to study it, I would need to get a print copy. There was a lot about the constellations which I don't really know (I can find Orion). There were also tips that I think I would need to be doing along with the instructions, to really understand. But I'm like that with most how-to books. If that isn't a problem for you, then the audiobook is well done.

If you are into survivalist activities or you regularly hike in lesser-known, less well-marked areas, then you will definitely want to check out this book. Even if you are a more casual outdoors person, it is beneficial - maybe not for navigating, but for taking more notice of the world around you.

Buy The Hidden Seasons at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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