If you loved Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer & Finding The Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard you need to read this book!

A blend of science, nature, folklore and a sprinkling of Whiteley’s childhood mushroom memories - I’d say this is part field guide, part nature memoir, part love letter to fungi - it was wonderful.

In this beautiful book Aliya Whiteley explores some of the magic of the fungi kingdom. From what a fungus is & how it’s classified, to mycorrhizal networks, to fungi that have the ability to consume plastic, hijack ants & survive in space… 

Whiteley talks through some of the 15,000 species of fungi we have in the UK, describing their appearance, sharing some nifty tips on how to identify them and any folklore attached to the species.

What I loved most about this book is how personal it felt. The whole book felt like a conversation, like I was learning all these incredible fungi facts alongside Whiteley. 

I absolutely devoured this in one sitting. It’s the perfect cosy, lighthearted read for this time of year - it gave all the autumnal vibes.

The Secret Life Of Fungi is the perfect book for any fungi lover - equally great for beginners as it is for fungi fanatics (and those of us inbetween)