13 Sustainable Living Books for People Who Hate Boring Books

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Not gonna lie — I’m not a big book reader. I wish I was. I love the idea of grabbing a book and reading for hours, but honestly, it just doesn’t happen often. I do like books with lots of pictures and illustrations, though 😀 Like Be Here Now by Ram Dass. It’s a favorite.

Anyway, I looked around for books that dive into waste, circular design, and environmental impact, and these ones really caught my eye. I keep seeing them everywhere – on Instagram, Goodreads, Reddit – and the reviews are solid.

If you’re curious about sustainable living, or how a banana ranks on the carbon footprint scale, these aren’t your usual fluffy “zero waste tips” books, with stuff you can easily find on the internet.

They’re data-driven, inspiring, and full of stories that stick. Even if you’re not a big reader, like me, I bet you’ll find something here worth your time.

Let’s jump in.

Books on sustainability, systems & environmental impact

1. The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability — Designing for Abundance by William McDonough & Michael Braungart
If you want to move past “reduce, reuse, recycle” to thinking about designing systems that regenerate and create abundance, this is your book.

2. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by the same authors
A classic in sustainable design that’s about circular economies and making products with a positive environmental impact.

3. How Bad Are Bananas? The Carbon Footprint of Everything by Mike Berners-Lee
A sharp, data-driven but easy-to-read look at the carbon footprints of everyday things. It’s funny, surprisingly optimistic, and makes the science digestible.

Systems thinking & climate reality

4. The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells
A sobering but essential wake-up call on climate change’s realities — scary, yes, but also full of urgent calls to action.

5. This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein
Klein links climate change to capitalism and social justice, arguing that tackling one means tackling the other.

6. The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
Explores the ongoing mass extinction caused by human activity — part science, part storytelling.

Books on practical innovation & environmental solutions

7. Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming edited by Paul Hawken
A massively researched guide with 100 solutions to reduce carbon emissions and reverse climate change.

8. Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation by Paul Hawken
Focuses on regenerative practices that heal ecosystems and communities, with inspiring examples.

9. The New Climate War by Michael E. Mann
This one calls out the fossil fuel industry for making us feel like climate change is our fault (spoiler: it’s not just about using metal straws). It breaks down how we got here — and what actually needs to happen to fix it.

10. Is It Really Green? by Georgina Wilson-Powell
This one’s like a sustainability myth-buster. It breaks down everyday eco dilemmas (paper towels vs hand dryers? almond milk vs oat?) and gives you clear, guilt-free answers. Super practical, easy to flick through, and actually kind of fun to read. Great if you’re constantly Googling “what’s the most sustainable option…” mid-task.

Books on culture, philosophy & reflection

11. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Combining indigenous wisdom and science to explore our relationship with nature in a deeply poetic way.

12. The Overstory by Richard Powers
A novel about the hidden life of trees and the people who come to understand their importance. Through the stories of nine interconnected characters, the book explores humanity’s relationship with nature, environmental destruction, and the deep wisdom of the natural world.

13. Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
A novel that reads like a conversation between a man and a telepathic gorilla. Sounds weird (it is), but it dives deep into how modern humans became disconnected from nature.

Tips for buying books sustainably

If you want to keep your eco-conscious streak strong even when buying books, here are some tips:

• Buy second-hand – I like getting mine from AwesomeBooks. They have a wide selection and lots of great copies, plus very affordable. Or you can also check local bookstores, thrift shops, or online marketplaces.
• Use library loans – Libraries are a treasure trove for sustainable living books.
• Choose digital – It saves paper and reduces waste, making it a greener choice for your reading habit.
• Swap or donate after reading – Pass your books on to friends or donate them so they get a second life.

Final thoughts

These sustainable living books cover broader themes around mindful consumption, environmental impact, and how to live in harmony with the planet.

Whether you’re a total newbie or already deep into your sustainability journey, I hope you can find something here for you.

If you’ve got a favorite sustainable living or sustainability book I missed, drop it in the comments. 🙂