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Article: 14 Books That Every Mushroom Lover Needs to Read at Least Once

14 Books That Every Mushroom Lover Needs to Read at Least Once

Autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to curl up and get cozy with a good book. In the spirit of the season, we’re sharing a list of some of our favorite titles to help you deepen your understanding of nature, get more comfortable cooking mushrooms and instill a love of fungi in the next generation. Whether you’re new to the magic and mystery of mushrooms or your connection to them is long-established, there’s something for you here. 

Mushroom Cookbooks

Fantastic fungi community cookbook.

edited and with essays by Eugenia Bone, with recipes from the Fantastic Fungi Community 

As we’ve said time and again, we’re here because of our community. You helped us expand from an award-winning, acclaimed film into a global movement of like-minded mycophiles. This cookbook is yours — with recipes you will actually want to cook for dinner, from people like you all around the world. Plus, it includes five essays from acclaimed author Bone, who also edited the book. 

With seasonal recipes for cultivated and wild mushrooms, this is the mushroom book you’ll reach for time and time again. Bookmark recipes like Lobster Mushroom Chowdah, Cream of Porcini Soup with Chicken, Rigatoni with Mushroom Bolognese and Oaxacan Wild Mushroom Quesadillas. 

The Mushroom Feast: A Celebration of all Edible Fungi, Cultivated, Wild and Dried, with Recipes

by Jane Grigson 

First published nearly 50 years ago, this indispensable classic includes over 100 recipes with tips on the best ways to use fresh and preserved mushrooms. Grigson also included stories about the rich folklore behind various fungi, along with guides to distinguish edible varieties from potentially harmful lookalikes. 

Grigson was one of the leading cookbook writers of her generation in the UK. She passed in 1990, but her books live on. The book covers all the classic culinary mushrooms, including truffles, cepes (porcini) and morels. There are updated versions or keep an eye out at your favorite secondhand bookstores for early editions.  

Mushroom Gastronomy

by Krista Towns 

Put this one on your 2024 must-read list. Towns is the culinary editor for Fungi Magazine and culinary advisor/recipe developer for a premier mushroom farm. The recipes — 120 in total — range from ambitious to accessible, and they’re all exquisite: Black Trumpet Mushroom and White Bean Bisque, Candy Cap Cream Martini, Lion's Mane Bolognese, Morel Mini Quiche, Grilled Black Pearl Oyster and Charred Ramp Quesadilla, or Corn and Cheddar Grits with Wild Mushroom Ragu. 

Town uses 25 varieties of cultivated and wild mushrooms for appetizers, soups and broths, main dishes, desserts, and even cocktails. Beyond the recipes, she offers up nutritional values, cooking methods, culinary tips and flavor pairings, making this the ultimate culinary resource for home cooks and professional chefs alike. 

 This book will be published June 4, 2024. 

Cooking with Healing Mushrooms: 150 Delicious Adaptogen-Rich Recipes That Boost Immunity, Reduce Inflammation and Promote Whole Body Health  

by Stepfanie Romine 

This well-researched, handy book is half recipes and half guidebook to the supportive qualities of mushrooms. Romine categorizes mushrooms as major and minor based on their traditional and modern uses for health — and also as tough and tender, so you’ll learn how best to prepare them. 

A mix of comfort food favorites (Creamy Morel and Onion Dip, Lion’s Mane Crab Cakes and Oyster Mushroom Philly Cheesesteak Potatoes) and nutrient-dense recipes (Mango Lassi with Turmeric and Cordyceps, Chaga Acai Bowl and Adaptogenic Mushroom Fudge), the book is accessible for new and seasoned cooks alike.  

Nonfiction Mushroom Books

Mycophilia: revelations from the weird world of mushrooms.

by Eugenia Bone

We had to include Bone’s own book on mushrooms, which is captivating and comprehensive. She delves into not only the culinary uses of mushrooms but also the cultural, environmental and scientific potential of the fungi kingdom. From poison to exotic delicacy, hallucinogen to curative, Bone explores the diverse and fascinating uses of mushrooms throughout history and today. 

An accomplished food writer, Bone’s book is a delightful chronicle of her personal connections with the natural world as well as a thoroughly researched work of nonfiction. As a respected journalist who covers both food and natural science, Bone has a knack for reminding us that we are all connected to nature — and always leaves us hungry for more of her stories.  

The Lives of Fungi: A Natural History of Our Planet's Decomposers

by Britt Bunyard

Bunyard is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Fungi, the widest circulating mycology magazine in North America. Here, Bunyard offers stunning photography paired with stories about this extraordinary world beneath our feet. 

Mesmerizing detail shots will make you eager to turn each page, and the accompanying copy is equal parts riveting and accessible. 

Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures

by Merlin Sheldrake

This book captures the magic and mystery of mushrooms — and the entire fungi kingdom — in a way that any fan of our film will appreciate. Sheldrake is on a mission to change how we understand the world, one mycelium and out-of-sight fungal organism at a time. This is a must-read for the science-obsessed person in your life. 

Shortlisted for the British Book Award, Entangled Life explores the myriad ways mushrooms can — and likely will — save the world. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves Fantastic Fungi!

Christopher Hobbs's Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide: Boost Immunity, Improve Memory, Fight Cancer, Stop Infection, and Expand Your Consciousness  

by Christopher Hobbs

This tome — winner of the 2021 American Botanical Council James A. Duke Excellence in Botanical Literature Award — is readable but delivers detailed, intricately researched information about familiar and obscure mushrooms. 

Hobbs is an internationally renowned mycologist and herbalist with over 20 titles to his name; this one is basically a textbook that lay people can still understand. He includes details about nutritional content and active compounds for dozens of mushrooms, along with historical info and interesting anecdotes about traditional uses. 

Field Guides for Foragers 

Fruits of the forest: a field guide to pacific northwest edible mushrooms.

by Daniel Winkler

Whether you’re native to the region or planning a visit, this guide is an essential for any mushroom hunter in the Pacific Northwest. Winkler has called the PNW home for over a quarter-century, and he is a mushroom educator, trained ecologist and award-winning photographer. 

This full-color guide features over 170 edible mushrooms. It offers comprehensive information on habitats and seasonality, look-alikes, storing your haul and more. He even offers a few recipes, like Chanterelles in Cream Sauce, Bold Bolete Quiche, Breaded Saffron Milkcaps and Candy Cap Butter Cookies.  

California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide

by Michael G. Wood, Frederick A. Stevens and Dennis E. Desjardin 

Another geographically-specific guide, this one focuses only on the state of California — yet it features over 1,100 species profiles, with in-depth descriptions and photos. Of those, 650 mushrooms are profiled in enough detail to be accurately identified in the wild! 

The authors — a biologist, a botanist and a mycology-obsessed computer consultant — include info on each mushroom’s habitat, edibility, and comparisons with closely related species and potential look-alikes. A whopping 90% of the species exist outside the Golden State, making this book even more useful to myco-hunters. 

Hunting Mushrooms: How to Safely Identify, Forage and Cook Wild Fungi

by Barbora Batokova 

We’ve peeked at an advance copy of this excellent foraging guide from the “Fungi Woman,” aka Barbora Batokova. With decades of foraging experience under her belt, this book is ideal for new foragers. Batokova included more than two dozen in-depth profiles of various mushrooms — and tells you how to stay safe when foraging. She also added 16 of her favorite recipes. 

More than simply a guide to identifying individual mushrooms, Batokova teaches readers the skills to categorize fungi and observe their natural surroundings. The book goes beyond the common edible mushrooms that most foragers seek, though she dives deep on many of those. Batokova does readers an even greater service by teaching about potentially harmful and even toxic mushrooms, including Death Caps and Destroying Angels. If you want to learn how to forage safely and responsibly, this book is a must-have. 

This book publishes in May 2024, so mark your calendar! 

Books for Kids

Fantastic fungi coloring book.

illustrated by Rohan Daniel Eason 

This one is not just for kids — though they will certainly love coloring page after page. Based on mind-blowing photography by director Louie Schwartzberg, this deluxe coloring book is filled with the gorgeous and exotically beautiful images from the film. 

With over 12 different types of mushrooms, this coloring book is equally entertaining and educational. In addition to breathtaking landscapes featuring fungi, there are also patterns inspired by mushrooms for a meditative coloring experience. 

Mason Goes Mushrooming  

by Melany Kahn and illustrated by Ellen Korbonski 

We didn’t forget about the littlest mushroom lovers. Cultivate a love of foraging fungi with this beautifully illustrated book about a little boy named Mason and his four-legged best friend, Buddy. They travel through the woods of Vermont in search of Mason’s favorite edible mushrooms. 

Author Kahn has over 20 years of experience teaching little ones to forage — and Mason is based on her own son! Kids will love learning about different mushroom species, including chanterelles and lobsters in summer and black trumpets in the fall. There are lessons on the importance of sustainability and respecting nature, and tips about waiting for thunderstorms and apple blossoms to hunt certain species. There’s even a recipe that kids can help make! 

Funky Fungi: 30 Activities for Exploring Molds, Mushrooms, Lichens, and More

by Alisha Gabriel and Sue Heavenrich

This activity book is perfect for active little ones. Entertaining but packed with super fun science lessons, this book is one that parents and kids will enjoy. Pick up a copy before the next school break to keep kids busy and learning. 

Kids will learn how the fungi kingdom is more than mushrooms on pizza. They will learn how mushrooms can help us and the planet we all call home. 

Photo Credit: Green Prophet

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How I used to love and now hate the London Review of Books

Speaking words of wisdom, LRB

I would read the London Review of Books from front to back. I had to read it all, from front to back. I couldn’t miss any part of what I then saw as the absolute requirement of reading the London Review of Books and absorbing all of the information contained in the London Review of Book s (excluding classifieds and incidental advertising about books, copywriters, book-based dating etc). 

I certainly couldn’t dip in and out of the London Review of Books . The London Review of Books told me, so I thought, everything that I needed to know. The best people would provide me with the best information about what I needed to know. It was a joy and my mind expanded and my taste developed and I became a refined intellectual.

I couldn’t read fast enough to keep up

This reading of each and every London Review of Books ended up making me very anxious ; or perhaps, my latent anxiety overwhelmed my joy of reading the London Review of Books . I couldn’t read fast enough to keep up with the bi-weekly production of these reviews of books.

I was reading nothing other than reviews of books in the London Review of Books . I had no remaining time to read the books they were reviews of, nor any other book. I no longer took any joy in the London Review of Books; it simply became a task or duty to read each copy before the next was delivered , and I began to skim read and hated myself for skim reading the London Review of Books , because I loved the London Review of Books .

Copies of the London Review of Books in their cellophane wrapping piled up , and I began to be frightened of them, frightened of the reading demands the London Review of Books was placing on me. 

Eventually I had to stop reading the London Review of Books , and the pile of London Review of Books filled a drawer which I kept entirely for the London Review of Books . I terminated my subscription because I could not accept reading the London Review of Books without reading it front to back (excluding classifieds , and incidental advertising etc). I couldn’t touch a copy for years , and refused offers from friends of their (used and filthy) copies of the London Review of Books ; those friends who couldn’t throw away their own copies due to the high status of the London Review of Books , and its high cost.

This year, after having said how I used to love and now hated the London Review of Books and couldn’t handle my subscription to it and would never want another one, my neighbour subscribed me behind my back and for free to the London Review of Books ; a free gift subscription . They were delivered to my home, now sealed in a paper envelope rather than the cellophane ( environmental responsibility ).

I opened the London Review of Books , the first I had opened for ten years , and prepared myself for a front to back read. I liked how folded it was , and how much better it was to read a fresh copy than the used (filthy) copies which had been pushed on me by friends who primarily wanted to indicate to me that they read the London Review of Books by offering their (used and filthy) copies  — thinking that I respected the London Review of Books and its users. 

I began reading and my attention wouldn’t hold. I skipped ahead and read half of one article, a line of another, a title of another. I tried to read the poetry and I still couldn’t understand a single line of it , and had no will to try.

Whereas before I could only think TJClarkPerryAndersonTariqAliNealAscherson thoughts, now I could think of no such London Review of Book thoughts, not even Mar iaWarnerJohnLanchesterJamesButlerAdam Mar sJones thoughts could enter my brain. My brain could take in no London Review of Books information , and could form no London Review of Books thoughts.

All this learning was in two dimensions

I considered what was wrong. Part of it was that every article was written in a this is how things are tone, all so tasteful and knowledgeable and clever. Yes, I knew that I would learn a lot, but it felt like all this learning was in two dimensions. It was a very narrow field. 

I considered: I had read the London Review of Books in order to belong to the LRB club and the knowledge I had wanted to acquire was wholly in order to become a member of this club. And the way the London Review of Books reviewers write — their style — is that of the self-assurance of a certain sort of group of people who are self-assured , or who want to write and be read among — and be among — those who are self-assured.

I reflected that England is one big private members club , and the LRB is just a part of this club (the letters “ LRB ” being a spoken code to enter that club). I discovered that this LRB club wasn’t in Bloomsbury, but in Hampstead , and I discovered that having been invited to play croquet on Hampstead Heath, in the Hampstead Heath Croquet Association, in which the words “elle are bee” occurred frequently.

I don’t want someone writing to me as if I were a member of their club , or want to be a member of their club. Everything in this country is a private members club, in which cordial agreement, shared references , and a shared picture of the world is required. A shared belief in what are the right views about the right subjects is required. These people — you? — know the facts and know how to pronounce the facts in the right way. Each article, each sentence of the LRB asks: are you a member of our club? aren’t you a member of our club? Club members look down from their vast knowledge, supported by the vast institutions of their education and the vast institutions of their working life. LRB is a performance of Englishness, just as much as the Hampstead Croquet Association is — often attracting performances by those most insecure in their Englishness.

I reject this LRB club and I will not become a member of it and nor will I cancel my free subscription to the London Review of Books .

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A Guide to the Top 10 Best Mushroom Growing Books

Mushrooms are gaining popularity as people discover their unique tastes , nutritional value and health benefits.

For many, the only way to get a regular supply of fresh gourmet mushrooms is to grow them at home.

But, growing your own gourmet or medicinal mushrooms can feel a little intimidating, especially if you’re a complete beginner with no idea where to begin.

One of the best ways to understand mushrooms and learn how to grow them is with a comprehensive mushroom growing book.

In this article we look at 10 of the best mushroom growing books and explore how they’ll help you to grow mushrooms successfully. 

Why a Mushroom Growing Book is a Useful Way to Learn

Personal experience is a great way to learn how to grow mushrooms. But why go through lots of trial and error when you can learn from the success and failure of others?

A good mushroom growing book, written by someone with experience, will help you avoid common mistakes and make the learning process easier.

Many of the best mushroom growing books have comprehensive instructions, step-by-step guides and detailed pictures that help you through every stage of the mushroom growing process.

If you have one of the best mushroom growing books close at hand to refer to when in doubt, it can save you lots of time and money.

10 of the Best Mushroom Growing Books

Every mushroom grower will benefit from the knowledge, tips and tricks that a great mushroom growing book provides. 

Which you choose will depend on your current level of knowledge, what you hope to achieve and exactly how far you plan on taking mushroom growing .

Here, in no particular order, are 10 of the best mushroom growing books with information to help you decide which best meets your needs:

1. “Growing Gourmet & Medicinal Mushrooms” by Paul Stamets

“ Growing Gourmet & Medicinal Mushrooms ” is an in-depth, comprehensive guide to growing mushrooms that any mushroom grower will find helpful.

The author, Paul Stamets, is a well-known mycologist and pioneer in edible and medicinal mushroom cultivation techniques.

He has written several books on the subject.

This best-seller covers every aspect of mushroom growing and is relevant to all levels of mushroom growers. 

Everyone from small-scale hobby growers to large-scale commercial operators will benefit from Stamets’ considerable knowledge.

“Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms” has 592 pages of information split into 25 chapters covering every aspect of mushroom cultivation in detail, including:

• Choosing substrates and supplements
• Preventing contamination
• Making grain and sawdust spawn
• Production techniques 
• Cropping containers
• Harvesting, storing and packaging mushrooms
• Advice on laboratory and growing room construction 
• Tasty mushroom recipes

This book is a must-have for anyone serious about learning more about mushroom growing. 

You’ll find yourself turning to it often for information and solutions.

One of the most definitive guides to growing mushrooms, this book has numerous pros, including: 

• In-depth information on all aspects of mushroom growing based on years of knowledge and experience
• An invaluable troubleshooting guide and lots of tips and tricks
• More than 500 photographs and illustrations to take you through each stage of cultivation
• Growth parameters for 31 species of mushrooms, including information on their mycelial characteristics, suggested substrates and yield potential

Because Paul Stamets goes into such detail, beginners may find the amount of technical information overwhelming, and cons include:

• Not easy to read
• Overwhelming amount of information for beginners
• Most of the photos are black and white, and some are a little dated, although still relevant.

2. “The Essential Guide to Cultivating Mushrooms” by Stephen Russel 

“ The Essential Guide to Cultivating Mushrooms ” is an easy to read, beginner-friendly book that provides practical step-by-step guides.

Although less analytical and comprehensive than “Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms”, it’s an excellent book for people who want to advance beyond mushroom growing kits and a great resource for small-scale farmers.

The book has three easy-to-follow sections: Basics for Beginners, Intermediate Methods and Advanced Methods.

The basics for beginners section provides step-by-step photographs and clear instructions on growing shiitake , oyster, lion’s mane , maitake , and portobello mushrooms at home.

The intermediate methods section covers slightly more complicated mushroom growing techniques, including:

• Creating grain spawn from scratch
• Using laminar flow hoods 
• Making supplemented sawdust fruiting blocks  
• Building a fruiting chamber

The advanced methods section delves into agar work and growing mushrooms on a larger scale using bulk substrates. 

This book offers lots of value and pros, including:

• Well designed and easy to follow for beginners
• Lots of color photographs, diagrams and illustrations
• Detailed step by step guides and tips

Slightly more advanced growers may find it lacking, and cons include:

• Overlooking some common practices
• Beginner-level content without in-depth information on some of the methods

3. “Mycelium Running” by Paul Stamets

“ Mycelium Running ” is another excellent book by leading mycologist Paul Stamets. 

Though still textbook-ish, it’s not as technical as “Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms” and explores the role mushrooms play in our environment and their unique uses.

While not solely focused on mushroom cultivation, it provides valuable information for beginner to intermediate growers on how and why to grow mushrooms outdoors.

The methods in this book don’t need expensive equipment or strict laboratory conditions, making them appealing to gardeners and permaculture farmers who prefer less technical methods of growing mushrooms.

If you’re interested in growing mushrooms to increase yields, control pests or reduce water runoff on your farm or in your garden, this book is for you.

This manual for healing the earth through mushroom cultivation has numerous pros, including:

• Interesting as well as practical information on growing mushrooms 
• Beautifully designed, with more than 300 glossy full-color photographs
• Enjoyable to read and informative even for those who don’t wish to cultivate mushrooms.

This book contains a lot of information, and its cons include:

• Technical terminology that’s difficult for beginners 
• Large amounts of information that can be overwhelming 

4. “Radical Mycology” by Peter McCoy

“ Radical Mycology ” is an inspiring, in-depth introduction to fungi full of exciting ideas and practical information for mushroom cultivators and other fungi enthusiasts.

This 650-page book by Peter McCoy, a self-taught mycologist with over 20 years of experience, covers a broad range of topics.

It encompasses all aspects of mycology in a fun and accessible way and focuses on human relationships with fungi.

“Radical Mycology” explores new ways to develop and maximize the use of fungi, be it as food or medicine or to help the environment.

It begins with in-depth chapters on the structure and life cycle of mushrooms, how to identify them and the role they play in the environment.

Once this foundation is in place, a substantial portion of the book centers around mushroom cultivation. 

It starts with basic principles for novices followed by detailed methods, advice and instructions with more advanced technical details.

The focus is on DIY, low-tech, low-budget ways to cultivate mushrooms.

The author provides practical advice on making, recycling or sourcing low-cost supplies and equipment.

There’s also detailed information on something Peter McCoy calls “regenerative natural mushroom farming,” the science of mycoremediation and psychoactive mushrooms.

This comprehensive book has something for everyone, and the pros include:

• Encompassing all aspects of fungi 
• Interesting sidebar quotes and facts
• Extensive resource lists, appendices and references
• An engaging and quirky writing style that often uses human analogies to explain abstract concepts
• Practical information and affordable techniques and ideas

No one can fault the breadth of content and information in this book, but cons include:

• The quality of the photography and reproduction
• The strength of the binding 

5. “Mushroom Cultivation” by Richard Bray

“ Mushroom Cultivation: 12 Ways to Become the MacGyver of Mushrooms ” is perfect for urban homesteaders and mushroom enthusiasts who want to learn how to grow mushrooms at home.

This 148 page best seller is ideal for beginners, providing comprehensive information on how to start growing mushrooms at home.

The book has 10 chapters and starts by providing information on a mushroom’s structure and life cycle.  

It also includes information on the characteristics and growing parameters of several popular, easy-to-grow mushrooms. 

Once you know how to choose the mushrooms you want to grow, the book covers the stages of mushroom cultivation and the growing process. 

It also includes information on 12 different mushroom growing methods for both indoor and outdoor mushroom cultivation .

The last 2 chapters provide information to help you identify common problems and overcome them and details on how to store and preserve your mushroom harvest .

This book is a great starting point for urban mushroom enthusiasts, and its pros include:

• Informative guide for complete beginners
• Easy to read with troubleshooting tips
• Detailed information on many of the easiest mushrooms to grow , including oyster , shiitake , button, enoki, lion’s mane, maitake and wine cap mushrooms
• 12 different growing methods suitable for urban locations

This book is not for experienced mushroom growers, and the cons include:

• Not covering slightly more advanced processes and sterile procedures
• Needs more photos or illustrations to accompany the growing method explanations

6. “The Mushroom Cultivator” by Paul Stamets and J.S. Chilton

“ The Mushroom Cultivator: A Practical Guide to Growing Mushrooms at Home ” is specifically for people who want to grow mushrooms in their homes. 

Many people consider this 415-page book the best source of information available on growing mushrooms at home. 

The authors, both experts in mushroom cultivation, hope to inspire and enable people to grow mushrooms so that they can enjoy the many health and nutritional benefits they offer.

Although the book contains lots of technical specifications and techniques, they present the information in a clear, easy-to-understand way so anyone can master the art of mushroom cultivation.

It covers everything from growing mushrooms on a kitchen table to sterile culture and spawn production techniques.

It also includes information on the mushroom life cycle and detailed growth requirements for several mushroom species.

This book contains a wealth of information for both beginners and commercial growers, and its pros include:

• Comprehensive, in-depth information on all aspects of small scale mushroom cultivation
• Well illustrated how-to guides with step-by-step instructions
• Growth parameters for 15 different mushroom species

As the book is almost 40 years old, it contains some outdated information, and its cons include:

• Not an easy read due to all the technical information
• Some cultivation techniques are outdated and modern alternatives now exist
• Some of the methods used are a little expensive for people who are just getting started

7. “Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation” by Tradd Cotter

“ Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation ” is a popular book that takes a holistic approach to mushroom growing and focuses on organic techniques.

It emphasizes the role mushrooms play in today’s world and how we can use them to improve our lives. 

Tradd Cotter is a passionate microbiologist, professional mycologist and organic gardener.  

He has more than 22 years of experience and a keen interest in low-tech cultivation strategies that allow people to grow mushrooms anywhere on just about anything.

This 400-page book has 4 parts. The first part covers the basics of mushroom cultivation. It helps readers choose which mushrooms to grow and which methods to use for the best results.

The second part of the book looks in-depth at how mushrooms fit into our world and their potential uses.

The third part explores more advanced techniques for experienced mushroom growers interested in a commercial-scale mushroom growing business.

The final part of the book is a comprehensive guide to commonly cultivated species of mushrooms.

This mushroom growing book takes a different approach from many others, and its pros include:

• Organic cultivation practices and off-grid growing ideas 
• Lots of interesting information and details on groundbreaking research
• Fantastic photographs and illustrations

This book is more of an informative, inspirational reference book than a detailed how-to guide and its cons include:

• Not covering some cultivation techniques in-depth
• Tradd Cotter, in his enthusiasm, tends to veer off into interesting but non-essential topics 

8. “DIY Mushroom Cultivation” by Willoughby Arevalo

“ DIY Mushroom Cultivation ” is a book for beginners that offers a less intimidating introduction to growing mushrooms at home than many other mushroom growing books.

It uses clear language and focuses on growing mushrooms at home on a small scale with a low budget. 

Willoughby Arevalo is a mycologist and educator with over 10 years of experience growing and cooking mushrooms. 

This 208-page book is not for people interested in starting a mushroom growing business or large-scale farm.

It provides plenty of current, accessible, easy-to-follow mushroom growing techniques that anyone can try with very little equipment.

“DIY Mushroom Cultivation” provides step-by-step instructions for several mushroom growing techniques, both indoors and outdoors, accompanied by wonderful full-color photographs.

This urban mushroom growing handbook has many pros, including:

• Easy to follow, clear instructions and excellent photos
• Ideas for urban growers with little space
• Low budget tips and ideas to help get people going
• It’s both practical and inspirational.

This introduction to growing mushrooms focuses on small scale home techniques, and its cons include:

• Not an in-depth guide
• Not for enthusiasts who want to grow mushrooms on a larger scale

9. “Mushroom Cultivation” by Travis Lynch

“ Mushroom Cultivation: An Illustrated Guide to Growing Your Own Mushrooms at Home ” is another book aimed at beginners interested in growing mushrooms in their homes.

Written by Travis Lynch, a mycologist with years of experience who owns and operates a large-scale mushroom farm, the book starts by helping readers understand how mushrooms grow.

This expertly written book focuses on shiitake, oyster, wine cap, Hericium, blewit, and Agaricus mushrooms and begins with what conditions each of them need to thrive .

In subsequent chapters, the book provides information on how to grow mushrooms on logs, straw, sawdust or wood chips and compost with step-by-step instructions.

The last 3 chapters of the book cover:

• Common problems encountered and their solutions, 
• Processing and preparing your mushrooms 
• Cooking tips with 8 tasty recipes

After reading “Mushroom Cultivation”, you’ll learn that growing mushrooms is not more difficult than growing most vegetables. Mushrooms simply require a different set of skills.

This beautifully illustrated guides has pros that include:

• An easy to follow layout aimed at beginners 
• Information that’s not too technical
• Wonderful full-color photos
• Detailed information with practical tips 
• Ideas on how to use mushrooms both for culinary and medicinal purposes

A very informative book for beginners whose cons include:

• Information on a limited selection of mushrooms
• Not covering more advanced mushroom growing techniques
• Pictures that are pretty but don’t show the processes as well as they could

10. “The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible” by Dr. K Mandrake and Virginia Haze

No mushroom growing book collection is complete without a book on growing magic mushrooms.

There are numerous books on the subject, but “ The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing and Using Magic Mushrooms ” tops the list.

This book is an easy-to-read collaboration by Virginia Haze, a writer, photographer and mushroom grower, and Dr. K. Mandrake who did his doctorate in Psilocybe cubensis, the most commonly grown psychedelic mushroom.

“The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible” is a comprehensive 380-page book that guides you through every step of the psilocybin mushroom cultivation process.

Although focused on growing Psilocybe cubensis, it has information and techniques relevant to all mushroom species.

With over 40 step-by-step photographic instruction guides, it teaches a beginner everything they need to know.

Including how to prepare a magic mushroom growing medium, build a simple glove box and produce magic mushroom culture.

There’s also a guide to consuming magic mushrooms safely.

This popular book has many pros, including:

• Easy to read with detailed instructions
• Excellent color photos and diagrams that clearly show each step of the process.
• Humorous style with minimal technical terminology

Good book as a general guide, but cons include:

• Information that’s useful but sometimes a little disorganized
• Not in-depth enough for advanced mushroom growers

Final Thoughts

We hope the information in this guide helps you decide which mushroom growing book is best for you. 

But, while every mushroom grower needs a good book, a mushroom growing course is definitely the best way to learn.

We’ve taught thousands of people worldwide how to grow mushrooms via our online courses and in-person workshops. 

With our mushroom growing courses, you get ongoing support, advice and a community of like-minded people, invaluable benefits that you don’t get from a book.

We offer mushroom cultivation courses for all levels of mushroom growers, so you’ll easily find one that suits you.

Independent Book Review

A Celebration of Indie Press and Self-Published Books

15 Must-Read Mushroom Books

15 Must-Read Mushroom Books is a book list sure to get you falling in love with your next favorite mushroom book. Check out what Jaylynn Korrell has to say about these books from the likes Agate Midway, Pegasus, Paul Stamets, and more.

by Jaylynn Korrell

Your next favorite mushroom book is on this list.

I’m sure we’re not the only ones who have been completely fascinated with mushrooms lately. Some say it’s a phase–that mushrooms are just having a moment.

So what if they are?

These things can change the world. They do change the world. With our embrace, maybe they can change more of it.

It doesn’t matter when you developed your interest in mushrooms and mycelium. Those t-shirts you’re wearing look great. These coffee alternatives are good. These documentaries like Fantastic Fungi are genuinely life-changing for some people.

But there is more learning to be done & more fun to be had. It only gets cooler from here.

So like the foragers we are, we gathered up some of the best mushroom books from indie presses (and a former indie press) that we think you should check out.

You’ll find all sorts of mushroom books in this list. There is a mushroom book about foraging and one about cooking with mushrooms. There are field guides here and books about how mushrooms can save the planet .

We hope that at least one inspires you.

Here are some must-read mushroom books to add to your collection.

(everything on independent book review has been independently selected by a very picky group of people. we may earn a commission on items you purchase through our links.).

1. Mushrooming

An illustrated guide to exploring & identifying fungi

Illustrations can make all the difference in identifying mushrooms. It’s one thing to read about how cool mushrooms are, it’s another to be able to determine which ones they are on your walk.

In this book from The Experiment Publishing , you’ll learn a ton about mushroom identification and details about more than 120 common fungi species. Some can be found in the forest, your local market, or right in your backyard. This book will give you a better chance of knowing exactly what it is, how to use it, or if you should back away. 

2. Fungipedia

An illustrated mini-encyclopedia of mushroom lore

Would you believe that mushrooms are more closely related to humans than to plants?

In Fungipedia ( Princeton University Press , 2019), mycologist Lawrence Millman expands on this concept and delves into a wide variety of mushroom-related topics like Alice in Wonderland, poisonings, waxy caps, Santa Claus, and more. You’ll get a little taste of it all in the 180 entries that make up this collection.

3. Fieldwork

A forager’s memoir

Not every mushroom book is a how-to guide. This brand new memoir from Iliana Regan and Agate Midway documents her life and heritage as a forager. It’s a personal story about one woman’s life and the way that foraging has shaped it. Creative nonfiction readers are going to like this one. That’s why we included it in our Books to Look Out for in Early 2023 !

4. The Mycocultural Revolution

An intro to mycology

Expert mycologist Peter McCoy shares essential mushroom knowledge with amateur and studied mycologists alike in this one. Develop your skills of cultivation and identification while celebrating the fungi kingdom in this book from Microcosm Publishing .

5. In Search of Mycotopia

About the mushroom movement & citizen scientists

People all around the world are taking on the task of furthering mycological research. This book from Chelsea Green Publishing introduces readers to the wonders of mushrooms through the eyes and works of everyday people.

From experts to citizen scientists, there is a strong community of mushroom-devotees out there with stories and information to share.

6. The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi

Fungi in forests, homes, and bodies

Mushrooms play a key role for the earth, but they can also have a significant effect on our health.

Whether it’s through medical breakthroughs, journeys of the mind, or untimely deaths, mushrooms and humans have a complicated and extraordinary relationship. Along with exploring the microscopic world in our forests and home, The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi ( Greystone Books , 2022) takes an impressive look at the microscopic world’s relationship with our bodies.

7. The Magic of Mushrooms

Fungi in folklore, superstition, and traditional medicine

Mushrooms may be having a moment right now, but it is not their first moment. On the contrary, mushrooms have been at the center of magical tales, folklore beliefs, and many superstitions for centuries.

With over 100 striking images sourced from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, The Magic of Mushrooms ( Wellbeck Publishing , 2022) is as stunning as it is informational.

8. The Lives of Fungi

History of fungi

If you want to stick to the historical facts of mushrooms, then you are best off with The Lives of Fungi from Princeton University Press . This book combines accessible text with gorgeous images of fungi to help narrate their history on earth and the impact its made.

9. The Secret Life of Fungi

All things mushroom & the lessons they teach us

This book has all the mushroom facts and fascinations you could ask for. Told through her conversational and personal voice, this book from Pegasus connects our shared life with fungi and has no shortage of trivia on different kinds of mushrooms.

10. Cooking With Mushrooms

Edible mushrooms

Want to cook more with mushrooms but don’t know where to start? Start here. Andrea Gentl’s Cooking with Mushrooms from Artisan Books is a mushroom book that shows you a wide variety of ways to use them.

You’ll find recipes that include mushrooms as a side, a seasoning, the star of the plate, and everything in between. You’ll not only learn how to cook with mushrooms, but you’ll also learn how to do so safely and effectively.

11. Fearless Foraging in the Rocky Mountains

A foraging how-to

Foraging mushrooms is an activity that many people can find pleasure in, but it isn’t always as easy as just taking a walk. There are skills you can learn that help you know how and where to look for mushrooms and what you should do after you find them. Mushroom books like this one can help you forage safely and successfully–a practical addition to your home library. 

Short fiction anthology

Fiction lovers rejoice! There’s a short story anthology from Innsmouth Free Press devoted just to fungi. This mushroom book explores the topic in new and imaginative ways, with each author taking unique approaches and genres from noir to dark fantasy. Jeff VanderMeer is just one of the star-studded authors in the book’s cast.

13. Mushroom

Edible mushroom history

Mushroom by Cynthia Bertelsen takes a look a the history of mushrooms and their edible nature. She goes back to the nineteenth century to begin her edible mushroom storytelling and how they were perceived in different ways by different people.

For some they were dangerous and deadly, associated with accidental death and sickness. For others they were a delight for cooking or a magical religious experience. Anyone interested in how and why people used to eat mushrooms would love this mushroom book from Reaktion Books .

14. Mycelium Running

Mushrooms for the environment

Paul Stamets is one of the leading names in mycology, and his popularity is only growing since the Netflix documentary Fantastic Fungi came out. In Mycelium Running (from then-indie publisher Ten Speed Press ), Stamets shares all the ways that mushrooms can help to save our environment. His “mycorestoration” efforts are definitely worth reading about if you’re intrigued by the many capabilities of fungi.

15. Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World

Psychedelic Mushrooms

Because we know some of you are here looking for mushroom books about magic mushrooms, we decided to end our book list with Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World (also from Ten Speed Press).

It is the only identification guide exclusively devoted to the world’s psilocybin-containing mushroom, and it’s also written by Paul Stamets.

Have you added a mushroom book to your library yet? Let’s chat fungi! If you enjoyed this list, check out some of our other book lists like 2022’s impressive indies .

About the Author

Jaylynn Korrell is a nomadic writer currently based out of Pennsylvania. In addition to her writing and reading for Independent Book Review, she curates lists at GoodGiftLists.com .

Thank you. for reading Jaylynn Korrell’s 15 Must-Read Mushroom Books ! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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The Cultural Encyclopedia of Mushrooms That We Need Right Now

From lewis carroll to john cage, the mycelium are everywhere.

The following entries are from Lawrence Millman’s encyclopedia of fungal lore,  Fungipedia , a compendium of all things mushroom; with illustrations by Amy Jean Porter.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Delightfully surreal 1865 novel by the Reverend Charles Dodgson, otherwise known as Lewis Carroll, which features perhaps the most famous mushroom in all of literature. On top of that mushroom is seated an almost equally famous hookah-smoking caterpillar. “One side [of the mushroom] will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow smaller,” the caterpillar observes to the heroine, Alice, who, being of an adventurous nature, decides to test this seemingly peculiar remark. It turns out to be correct.

It’s likely that Carroll learned about the mushroom in question, probably the fly agaric ( Amanita muscaria ), from reading English mycologist Mordecai Cubitt Cooke’s 1860 book The Seven Sisters of Sleep . This book describes the effects of eating the fly agaric as follows: “Erroneous impressions of size and distance are common occurrences . . . a straw lying on the road becomes a formidable obstacle to overcome.” It should be noted that the first illustrator for Carroll’s own book, John Tenniel, depicted not a fly agaric but a generic mushroom. Carroll’s own illustration for Alice’s Adventures Under Ground looks like a generic mushroom, too.

Alice evolved to become a popular countercultural figure in the 1960s. For example, Grace Slick’s song “White Rabbit” includes these well-known lines: “You’ve had some kind of mushroom, and your mind is moving slow / Go ask Alice, I think she’ll know.” Grace herself certainly knew.

CAGE, JOHN (1912-1992)

Composer–performance artist who tried to emancipate music from its, to him, turgid system of notes by using goose quills, pressure cookers, old wine bottles, rubber ducks, ice cubes, sneezes, and silence in his compositions, which have been described as being akin to a circus taken over by its clowns.

Cage often referred to the fact that the word “mushroom” precedes “music” in dictionaries. In the words of writer David Rose, “the mycological and musical are revealed by Cage as parallel universes.” Indeed, the chance or indeterminate feature of Cage’s music may owe some of its inspiration to mushrooms, which seem to appear or not appear owing to their own idiosyncratic whims.

Cage helped establish the New York Mycological Society in 1962. He also taught a course in mushroom identification at the New School in New York City. Until late in life, he made his living not by his music but by collecting and selling mushrooms to upscale restaurants in New York.

Cage’s attitude toward mushrooms was often worshipful. Indeed, he wrote a poem that ends with this statement about them: “So far they’ve remained just as mysterious as they ever were.” Less worshipful, perhaps, was his belief that if you play a recording of a Beethoven quartet for a fly agaric ( Amanita muscaria ), it will become a prime edible.

Mushrooms figure prominently in fiction not only because they can be used to kill another person, but also because they sometimes look like works of fiction themselves. In addition to Alice in Wonderland , here are a few examples:

· “The Purple Pileus,” a short story by H. G. Wells in which a timid shopkeeper with an odious wife uses a hallucinogenic mushroom to improve his life

· Babar the Elephant , a children’s book by Jean de Brunhoff in which the King of Elephants dies from eating a poisonous mushroom

· Anna Karenina , a novel by Count Leo Tolstoy in which children go from being unruly to joyous at the prospect of hunting mushrooms, and a man eager to propose to a woman ends up identifying mushrooms with her instead

· Journey to the Center of the Earth , a novel by Jules Verne that includes a journey through a forest of giant subterranean mushrooms

· “The Voice in the Night,” a horror story by English writer William Hope Hodgson that features a man shipwrecked on an island of malevolent fungi

· Stowaway to the Mushroom Planet , a children’s book by Eleanor Cameron in which two boys take a spaceship to a planet called Basidium

· The Documents in the Case , a mystery novel by Dorothy Sayers where mushrooms are employed as a murder weapon—a good example of what happens when a fiction writer seems to know nothing about mycology

POTTER, BEATRIX (1866–1940)

An Englishwoman who possessed an interest not only in mycology but also in geology, entomology, and archaeology. She may have been the first person to propose that lichens are the marriage of an alga and at least one fungus. She also made exquisite illustrations of mushrooms and very precise drawings of their spores, although she admitted that she “could not find the courage” to draw stinkhorns.

Ms. Potter couldn’t present a scientific paper titled “On the Germination of Spores in Agaricinaceae” to the Linnaean Society in London in 1897 because, as a woman, she couldn’t attend the proceedings in order to read the paper. Since she wasn’t allowed to do serious mycological work for the same reason, she began writing as well as illustrating children’s books about bunnies, badgers, and cute frogs in breeches. The best known of these books is, of course, The Tale of Peter Rabbit , published in 1901.

Not the chef Wolfgang Puck, who has created numerous mushroom dishes such as his justly acclaimed farro risotto with wild mushrooms, but the mischievous supernatural fairy or sprite of English folklore as well as a prominent character in Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream .

In paintings and illustrations, especially Victorian ones, Puck is frequently depicted as sitting on a mushroom, which would seem to indicate that the English used to associate mushrooms with mischief as well as the supernatural. In a Victorian production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream , he rose onto the stage atop a mechanical mushroom; and in a striking painting by the artist Richard Dadd (1817–1891), a Puck with an extremely puckish grin on his face is squatting on top of a mushroom, and a number of naked men and women are dancing around him as if he were a deity on a throne.

In the past, the English often attributed Puck’s origin to Ireland. After all, the mischief-making abilities of the Irish far surpassed their own . . . or so they believed.

Schobert, Johann (ca. 1735–1767)

A German of Silesian composer who shouldn’t be confused with the somewhat better known, not to mention considerably better, Austrian composer Franz Schubert. Nowadays Schobert is more famous for the manner of his death than for his music.

Although the young Wolfgang Mozart admired Schobert’s music, Mozart’s father, Leopold, thought that the composer’s talent was, as Leopold put it, “low.” But however low Schobert’s musical talent was, his ability to identify mushrooms was even lower. At Le Pré-Saint-Gervais outside Paris, he picked a batch of mushrooms and brought them to a restaurant so the chef could cook them. “Poisonous,” the chef said. Schobert left in a huff and brought them to another restaurant, whose chef said the same thing. Whereupon Schobert went home and cooked the mushrooms himself. The species was probably the death cap ( Amanita phalloides ), with the result that Schobert, his wife, and all but one of his children departed this world.

__________________________________

Excerpted from Fungipedia: A Brief Compendium of Mushroom Lore by Lawrence Millman. Copyright © 2019 by Princeton University Press. Reprinted by permission.

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36 Hours in London

By Desiree Ibekwe Updated Dec. 22, 2022

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To the casual observer, London may present itself as a capital wedded to traditional and, at times, perplexing institutions, particularly over the past year, from the rotating cast of prime ministers to the choreographed schedule of mourning following Queen Elizabeth II’s death. In actuality, London is a complex knot of old and new. It is also an almost insurmountable task to try conquering the city in one weekend. This itinerary — which traverses an 1800s wine bar loved by a new generation, a night out in South London’s Caribbean heart, centuries of British art under one roof and riverside strolls — is here to help you unlock some of the city’s sprawling, youthful and diverse nature.

Recommendations

• Tate Britain is a museum in Millbank that charts centuries of art created in Britain.
• E Pellici is a 122-year-old traditional “caff” in East London.
• Gay’s the Word , established in 1979, is considered the oldest L.G.B.T.Q. bookstore in London.
• Brick Lane Vintage Market is a subterranean thrifter’s bazaar, selling vintage and independently made clothing and accessories.
• Gordon’s Wine Bar , established in 1890 and thought to be London’s oldest wine bar, is situated next to Victoria Embankment Gardens.
• Cafe TPT and Four Seasons are beloved restaurants in Chinatown, in the city’s West End, known for their roast meats.
• Speedboat Bar is a new Thai-Chinese fusion restaurant and bar in Chinatown.
• Fish, Wings and Tings is a South London restaurant serving Caribbean cuisine in Brixton Village market.
• Negril is a small Caribbean restaurant on Brixton Hill.
• The Old Queens Head is a pub in Islington, in North London, serving a hearty Sunday roast.
• The Quality Chop House is a modern British restaurant in Farringdon, in Central London, with an impressive Sunday set menu.
• Hootananny is a music venue in Brixton with diverse live acts and D.J. sets.
• Skoob Books and Judd Books are secondhand bookstores with buckets of charm in Bloomsbury.
• London Review Bookshop is a store connected to the literary magazine London Review of Books with a much-loved cafe.
• Spitalfields Market in East London is home to independent sellers, food stalls, restaurants and boutiques.
• Rajmahal Sweets is a cornucopia of treats on Brick Lane where you can get everything from jalebi and Turkish delight to bhajis and pakoras.
• Atika is a vintage store that spans two floors off Brick Lane; it also sells independent art.
• Jen’s Plants and Florist is a small, Black-owned plant store off Brick Lane.
• Queen’s Walk is a walking route that stretches along the South Bank of the River Thames. Highlights on the walk include Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and the Southbank Center.
• Regent’s Canal is a scenic waterway that stretches for almost nine miles.
• London’s Tube network is the best way to navigate the city. Many lines run a 24-hour service called the “ Night Tube ” on Fridays and Saturdays. You can also hail a black cab in most areas, or order a car with ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt.
• London’s outpost of The Standard is sleek and stylish with a perfect location — it’s a two-minute walk from King’s Cross Station and a short train ride into Central London. A double room hovers around £349 a night, or about $425.
• For those after amazing views of the Thames, Sea Containers on the South Bank is an excellent option. A double room starts at £261 a night.
• The Zetter Townhouse , a 13-room Georgian townhouse in Clerkenwell, is full of charm and eccentric decor. Rooms here start from £249 a night.
• For those on a budget, rooms at the trendy Mama Shelter in Shoreditch start at around £100 a night, while Assembly in Covent Garden puts you at the center of the city without breaking the bank (rooms start at £100).
• Shoreditch in East London can be ridiculously hip, but it is a perfect, slightly off-the-beaten-track location for short-term rentals. Marylebone is also a good option for those who want to be closer to the center of town.

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