Radio Book Club: Naming Nature: A Cabinet of Natural Curiosities for Word Lovers

Radio Book Club: Naming Nature: A Cabinet of Natural Curiosities for Word Lovers Maeve Conran

The June 2026 installment of the Radio Book Club, a collaboration between KGNU and the Boulder Bookstore, is Naming Nature: A Cabinet of Natural Curiosities for Word Lovers by Colorado author T.A. Barron.

Barron is best known for his fantasy novels for children and young adults, including the popular Merlin series. Throughout his more than 30 books, he has frequently explored themes of nature, stewardship and conservation.

In his latest work, Barron turns to nonfiction, examining the fascinating stories behind how plants, animals and birds came to be named across different cultures and societies. The book also highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity and preserving the species that share our world.

This interview was broadcast on KGNU at 9 am on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

Listen to our special podcast Afterhours at the Radio Book Club, where T.A. Barron talks about the origins of the names of creatures from the vampire squid from hell to the aquatic salamander called the hellbender, also known as the Allegheny alligator. We also hear about the fertility benefits of eating truffles and T.A. Barron’s spiritual encounter with an ancient redwood tree.

Subscribe to our Radio Book Club Series on iTunes to get new editions and web-only content. Also on Spotify and Stitcher. The Radio Bookclub is a collaboration between KGNU and the Boulder Bookstore. Every month, Arsen Kashkashian, head buyer at the Boulder Bookstore, selects a book to inspire listeners to read along together.