Newt Scamander’s Reading List
Even though Newt Scamander is often busy chasing after his escaped magical creatures and traveling around the world, he needs time to rest too. When Newt isn’t busy, he enjoys resting with a warm cup of tea, a Niffler on his lap, and a new book in his hands. If you’re looking for new books to enjoy, here are Newt’s recommendations.
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
For someone who spends so much time with a Bowtruckle, Newt would appreciate this informational book about trees. Wohlleben discusses the science behind trees’ relationships with each other. It’s a wonderful way to discover the beautiful relationships between all species and find out how nature is all connected. This is a must-read for anyone interested in science, especially environmental conservation.
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
No one writes about animals with quite the same respect as James Herriot. Herriot writes about his own experiences with all kinds of animals, and he reminds me of the Muggle version of Newt. Herriot’s stories are entertaining, illuminating, and informative. This book would give Newt hope that Muggles care about animals too. Best of all, Herriot structures the book as a collection of short stories, perfect for when Newt has to take reading breaks to feed all his creatures.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
This is a novel about a man and a tiger against the world. Life of Pi follows the plot of what would happen if a man only spent time with an animal – basically, what Newt does all the time! Newt would find the pair’s journey fascinating and thrilling. The novel heavily focuses on man’s inner thoughts about loneliness, something that Newt has also had to deal with as an introvert.
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
The book is just as wonderful as the Disney adaptation, I promise. All the characters are complex, unique, and developed in meticulous detail throughout the novel. This is essentially a story told through the point of view of animals, something that I think Newt would enjoy. While Mowgli is the main character, his familial relationships with other animals are at the heart of the story. The descriptions are lush and rich and the language is so inviting; I can easily picture Newt exploring the jungle alongside Mowgli.
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
From his close relationship with the Thunderbird, Frank, it’s clear that Newt is fascinated by winged creatures. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring discusses the fragile relationship between humans and birds and how humans have a powerful impact on birds’ survival. Newt would appreciate the substantial research Carson put into this book, not unlike the efforts Newt went through in writing Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Similar to Carson, Newt wanted to educate the public on how to protect and respect other species.
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
While it’s not the most popular classic novel, I found it riveting. Thoreau does include extraneous detail about the natural world, but his passion for nature shouldn’t be overlooked. I can see Newt admiring Thoreau’s rational and logical approach to environmentalism. While it’s not the most exciting and fast-paced book, Walden is an eye-opening story about how deeply people can benefit from nature and the outdoors. This is the perfect book for Newt to read while he’s relaxing in his magical case with all his creature friends.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
I am surprised that for all Newt’s experience with magical creatures, Potterheads have yet to see him in a scene with a dragon. After all, dragons are one of the most famous magical creatures and make for the most action-packed fantasy movies. In case Newt wants to learn more about dragons, he can look no further for an expert than J.R.R. Tolkien. For a Muggle, Tolkien sure knew a lot about dragons! In his novel The Hobbit, Tolkien creates the most infamous dragon of all time: Smaug. Smaug is legendary for his aggression and mystery. Newt would delight in reading about the adventures of Middle Earth, specifically when it comes to the comprehensive and intricate character descriptions of dragons. Reading this book may even get Newt more excited to chase after magical creatures!
What other books do you think Newt should add to his reading list? Let us know in the comments section.
