top of page

Huge sunflower

PRESS

McConnell’s work is timely and significant, and daring—a radical exploration and understanding “that environmentalism cannot be about restoration, that the window for reversal has closed, that now, it is a matter of survival."

—Oregon Literary Arts

Acclaim for Ground Truth

Ground Truth is about the deep history of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, a history built on geography rooted in geology. And, like geology, it is full of gems...

—Chet Orloff, Executive Director Emeritus, Oregon Historical Society

McConnell renders her self-portrait against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest’s dynamic geology and, in the process, tenders some of the hard questions we’d do well to ask ourselves.

—Ellen Waterston, author of Walking the High Desert: Encounters with Rural America Along the Oregon Desert Trail

Captivatingly written, the latest work by geologist and adventurer Ruby McConnell is part geological history, part memoir, part ode to the Pacific Northwest and part ecofeminist call to action. Against the backdrop of the devastating eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980, McConnell examines notions of self and our relationships to the natural world in this significant new book.

—Ms. Magazine

Clear-eyed, kind-hearted, and authoritative...by turns wry, gripping, and unflinchingly honest.

—Mary DeMocker, author of The Parent's Guide to Climate Revolution

I appreciate how [McConnell] has linked geological events and time scales into the story of her life span to date...the broader human life messages that she describes reach far beyond any arbitrary geographic boundaries.

—Wendell “Duff” Duffield, U.S. Geological Survey (retired)

Acclaim for A Woman's Guide to the Wild

Ruby McConnell is a force of nature. She’s fun, informative, and never preachy. Buy a copy of A Woman’s Guide to the Wild for all your girlfriends, get out to the backcountry, and get dirty.

—Novella Carpenter, author of Farm City and Gone Feral

A handbook for outdoors-loving women, whether they’re experienced trailblazers or newbies inspired by Cheryl Strayed’s Wild.

—Publishers Weekly

Oregonian Ruby McConnell’s practical guide to the great outdoors is just for women, with topics such as how to deal bathroom needs and condescending men, and advice on camp setup and building fires.

—The Seattle Times

...A Woman’s Guide to the Wild provides wisdom for outdoor adventurers of all levels. Most of all, it is meant to encourage and support women in exploring their full potential.

—Stackedd Magazine

For women who enjoy hiking, camping, backpacking and other outdoor recreation — or those inspired to start getting out there by Cheryl Strayed’s Wild—this book is the definitive guide to being a woman in the great outdoors.

—Bainbridge Island Review

You’ll find that [McConnell] is both inspiring and awesome and I highly recommend her book.

—Hike Like a Woman

It was so refreshing to read straightforward, honest information about the topics that seem to be taboo for every other guidebook.

—Modern Hiker

[McConnell’s] book is a manifesto for women to go exploring the wild, even if it means making mistakes along the way.

—Appalachian Trail Girl

In A Woman’s Guide to the Wild, geologist and outdoor enthusiast Ruby McConnell gives women the tools (and confidence) to safely navigate the backcountry solo.

—Modern Farmer

Cheryl Strayed's famous book Wild was almost a how-NOT-to-survive-wilderness book. Ruby McConnell aims to flip the script and give women useful information on striking out on their own.

—NPR

The book every outdoor-loving woman should have on her shelf.

—Misadventures Magazine

Don't let the Boy Scouts and lumberjacks fool you—women can handle the great outdoors just as well, if not better, than men. Ruby McConnell is helping to prove it.

—The Source Weekly

If your mom devoured Wild and promptly purchased red-laced hiking boots, this local guide from an Oregonian geologist is for her.

—Seattle Met Online

Acclaim for A Girl's Guide to the Wild

Empowering and entertaining.

—Seattle Times

Girls seeking to spend time outdoors will find information, inspiration, and planning tips in this guide.

—Kirkus Reviews

Its useful information fills a critical and largely unoccupied niche in outdoors literature... the mere fact that this book exists is cause for celebration.

—Foreword Magazine

A dominant theme accompanying the accessible advice is gentle admonitions to make sure that everyone is having a good time: be sure that activities are accessible to all and that everyone is included, follow the rules and take care of one another, and, of course, always be prepared. Both kid and adult outdoors-women will appreciate the practical and thoughtful advice and should feel ready to tackle new adventures.

—Booklist

This book is a must have for a young adventurer or future young adventurer in your life.

—Eugene Weekly

With basic outdoor skills, camp recipes, outdoor projects, and inspiring stories, this guide improves the quality of girls’ outdoor time by helping them feel comfortable with skills and knowledge.

—She Explores

Ruby in the News

Ruby receives an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship

"Marching for Science in Eugene: A conversation with writer and geologist Ruby McConnell" from The Scientist

"Eugene Joins Other Cities Around the World in March for Science" from The Register Guard

Lake in the woods

MEDIA

Episode 321: Ruby McConnell

Episode 321: Ruby McConnell

Ruby is interviewed about her work on The Creative Nonfiction Podcast with Brendan O'Meara.

Going Outside With Author Ruby McConnell!

Going Outside With Author Ruby McConnell!

ThePlayTyperGuy talks with Ruby about geology, writing, and sharing the outdoors.

Oregon Wild and author Ruby McConnell

Oregon Wild and author Ruby McConnell

Ruby shares why she supports protecting Oregon's Wild & Scenic rivers, old-growth forests, and what you can do to help keep Oregon wild.

Forest

BOOK REVIEWS

Reviews of
A Woman's Guide to the Wild

"Geek-Friendly Books to Read this Spring" from The Wall Street Journal

"It’s a Woman’s World" Ruby Live on Oregon Public Radio’s Think Out Loud

Ruby on KLCC Radio

Ruby on Nature Kids Radio

"A New Outdoor Guidebook Just for Women" from Portland Monthly

Reviews of
A Girl's Guide to the Wild

“An Outdoor Guide for an Underserved Group" from The Seattle Times

Ruby on KATU’s Afternoon Live

Reviews of
Ground Truth

"A Poem of Persistence: An Interview with Ruby McConnell" from the Seventh Wave on Medium.

"Ground Truth: A Q&A With Author Ruby McConnell" from Ravishly

bottom of page