5 Must-Read Books About Mushrooms: Our Favorites at MO' Mushrooms
Mushrooms aren’t just food—they’re a gateway to fascinating worlds of science, culture, and discovery. Whether you’re a forager, farmer, or simply fungi-curious, these books offer unique insights into the hidden world beneath our feet. Here are five of our favorite mushroom-related reads.
1. All That the Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms by David Arora
If you’re interested in foraging, this pocket-sized field guide is a gem. David Arora combines practical identification tips with quirky humor and beautiful illustrations. It’s small enough to bring on hikes but packed with useful information for anyone curious about spotting edible and wild mushrooms. It feels less like a textbook and more like a friendly conversation with an expert forager.
2. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World by Paul Stamets
Paul Stamets is a legend in the mycology world, and this book is his call to action. Mycelium Running explores how fungi are not just fascinating but essential to the health of our planet. Stamets dives into topics like mycoremediation—the use of fungi to clean up pollutants—and offers a hopeful vision of how mushrooms can help heal ecosystems. It’s part science, part environmental manifesto.
3. Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation by Tradd Cotter
This is the ultimate hands-on guide for anyone interested in growing mushrooms. Tradd Cotter goes beyond basic cultivation and explores creative, sustainable methods for farming fungi. What sets this book apart is its deep dive into mycoremediation, showing how mushrooms can be used to clean contaminated soils and water. It’s an inspiring read for both hobbyists and serious growers.
4. Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
This book reads like a love letter to fungi. Merlin Sheldrake weaves science, philosophy, and storytelling into a fascinating narrative about how fungi influence nearly every aspect of life on Earth. It’s a mind-bending journey that will change how you think about nature and your connection to it.
5. How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan
While not solely about mushrooms, this book explores the resurgence of psychedelic research, with psilocybin (the active compound in “magic mushrooms”) taking center stage. Michael Pollan’s deep dive into the science and history of psychedelics is both personal and informative, offering a thoughtful perspective on how these compounds could transform mental health treatments.
Why We Love These Books
Each of these books shows a different side of fungi—from practical foraging to groundbreaking science. Whether you want to learn how mushrooms grow, how they can heal the planet, or simply expand your mind, this list has something for you.
