Discover why we label certain animals as ‘pests’ in Bethany Brookshire’s compelling book, Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains. This insightful study, perfect for “The Bookish Owl” and lovers of “nature books”, explores our complex relationship with animals like rats, pigeons, and even elephants. Moving beyond simple nature writing, Brookshire’s work delves into human perception, beliefs, and actions, revealing how our categorization of wildlife reflects our own human nature. Through fascinating narrative journalism and scientific research, “Pests” challenges readers to see the world differently, finding value in the ‘vermin’ that have thrived despite human intervention. Understand the animals that share our spaces and learn what they truly tell us about ourselves. An essential read for anyone interested in “animal behavior”, “environmental studies”, and “human-animal interaction”.