Mementos From the Wild is a collection of behind-the-scenes stories inspired by select wildlife photographs captured during the author’s journeys into forests, national parks, and natural habitats. Through engaging storytelling and vivid imagery, the book showcases the beauty of wildlife, their habitats, and their behaviour from the perspective of a novice wildlife enthusiast and photographer.
The book challenges common misconceptions about wildlife — especially big cats like tigers — often perceived as dangerous and aggressive. By observing these magnificent animals in their natural environment, readers gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of their behaviour, creating a stronger connection towards wildlife conservation and coexistence.
Blending personal experiences, humour, analogies, and reflections, the book also highlights that wildlife appreciation does not always require travelling deep into forests. Even around cities like Chennai, nature and wildlife can be observed and enjoyed by anyone willing to pause and look closely.
Above all, Mementos From the Wild is a heartfelt invitation for readers to explore nature, live in the present moment, and rediscover the joy of observing the wild world around them.
1. Can you provide an overview of your book and how it addresses key challenges in the world today?
The book is an attempt to showcase the beauty of wildlife, its habitat, and behaviour, while also sharing what a novice experiences when encountering wildlife for the first time. Many of the stories revolve around big cats and aim to break common assumptions and misconceptions about wildlife — such as the belief that tigers and other big cats are inherently dangerous and likely to attack humans.
However, when one observes them in the wild, one begins to understand their behaviour and appreciate them more deeply. That appreciation becomes the foundation for conserving and protecting wildlife on a planet that human beings are meant to share with other living creatures.
The stories also carry an implicit message: although my journey into wildlife began through photography, the people who truly enjoyed the wildlife experience the most were often those who were not burdened by carrying cameras or worrying about technical settings. If the stories and photographs inspire even a few readers to develop an interest in wildlife and nature, I would consider the book successful.
2. What inspired you to write this book, and what specific expertise or experiences do you bring to the subject matter?
Whenever I shared my experiences from the various wildlife trips I had undertaken, I noticed that the interest and curiosity to visit national parks or observe birds around one’s surroundings naturally spread to others. Wanting to extend that reach and inspire more people, I decided to create this book.
The book is built entirely on firsthand experiences — observing wildlife, travelling through forests, photographing animals, and understanding their behaviour through direct encounters in their natural habitat.
3. Could you share some of the most valuable insights or takeaways that readers can expect from your book?
Some of the key takeaways for readers include:
- Firsthand experiences of visiting forests and sighting various wild animals
- Understanding wildlife behaviour through real-life encounters
- Realising that appreciating wildlife does not always require visiting a national park
- Discovering that even around cities like Chennai, there are opportunities to observe and enjoy birds and wildlife
The book encourages readers to slow down, observe nature more closely, and appreciate the beauty that exists around them.
4. Can you highlight any case studies or real-world examples from your book that illustrate the principles you discuss?
The stories are narrated using relatable analogies so readers can emotionally connect with the experiences. In one story, I compare the sighting of a tiger and the way it moves through the forest to the legendary cricketer Sir Vivian Richards walking onto the batting pitch — calm, confident, and commanding attention effortlessly.
Towards the end of the book, the collection of photographs captured in and around Chennai illustrates that one does not always need to travel far to enjoy wildlife. There are abundant opportunities to connect with nature close to home if one is willing to observe patiently.
5. Were there any particular challenges or obstacles you encountered while writing this book, and how did you overcome them?
The journey of creating this book with Indie Press began nearly four years ago. There were several challenges along the way:
- Due to professional commitments, the time available to work on the book was limited, resulting in phases of pause and resume
- The prolonged timeline also led to team handovers within Indie Press, causing additional delays
- Since the book is highly photo-oriented, aligning feedback, layouts, and visual presentation took considerable time and effort
Despite these challenges, persistence and passion for the subject helped bring the project to completion.
6. What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book, and how do you envision it making a positive impact on their lives?
I hope readers find the book to be a fun and engaging read. More importantly, I hope it inspires them to visit national parks, explore local birding spots, and spend more time observing nature.
Such experiences encourage people to explore new places, appreciate the present moment, and reconnect with the natural world around them.
7. In a rapidly changing environment, how does your book stay relevant and adaptable for readers over time?
The relevance of the book lies in its core message — when people experience wildlife and witness its beauty firsthand, they begin to understand animal behaviour and appreciate nature more deeply. That appreciation naturally fosters awareness about conservation and the need to protect wildlife and their habitats for future generations.
The message of coexistence between humans and wildlife will always remain relevant.
Experience the beauty of wildlife through captivating stories and breathtaking moments from the wild.
Get your copy of Mementos From the Wild by Ganesh Namasivayam on Amazon today.
