About Grace (2004) is Anthony Doerr’s debut novel. It narrates the tale of a man whose dreams predict the future, leading him to try and prevent a vision of his infant daughter drowning. Fans of The Shell Collector: Stories will appreciate Doerr's unique take on the classic Cassandra theme.

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, Snowflake Bentley (2004), authored by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrated by Mary Azarian, recounts the life of photographer Wilson Bentley, who aimed to capture snowflakes on film. Bentley, one of Doerr’s scientific inspirations, shared a keen interest in the intricate details of the natural world, paralleling Doerr’s own curiosity.

Andrea Barrett’s Ship Fever (1996), a National Book Award recipient, is a collection of eight stories that weave together a fascination with science and nature while exploring the personal and professional lives of those who study them. These narratives span the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries. In an interview, Doerr mentioned that Barrett’s work taught him valuable lessons in writing.

The Sea Around Us (1951) by Rachel Carson offers an introduction to marine life and geological features. This poetic yet scientific book inspired an award-winning documentary and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for an impressive thirty-one weeks.