The 2026 Washington State Book Award finalists were announced this week, and Close to Home has been honored as a finalist in General Nonfiction! Read the full press release here. Winners of the award will be announced on September 15th.
A reporter from The Seattle Times recently joined Thor for a conversation and a field walk in search of newts. Read the story here in the Times Sunday magazine, Pacific Northwest.
Thor recently filmed a short video for the folks at Less Lawn, More Life, a campaign to boost backyard biodiversity in yards across America. It's a perfect fit for the message at the hear of Thor's latest book, Close to Home. Click here to join the free Less Lawn, More Life challenge, and watch Thor's video, Observe and TUNE IN!
Thor joined paleontologist Mairin Balisi and entomologist Samuel Ramsey to discuss "The Innovation of Animals" at the 2025 Aspen Ideas Festival, and spotted a pair of 'innovative' house wrens nesting in the roof above the audience's heads! The session was moderated by Science editor-in-chief, Holden Thorp, and can be viewed in full here, or on YouTube.
This recent episode of C-SPAN's popular BOOK TV program features Thor reading from his latest work, Close to Home. Filmed at Town Hall Seattle, the presentation includes pictures and stories from the book, as well as questions from the audience. Click here to stream the full episode anytime on C-SPAN.
