In the final installment of his trilogy of books about California’s landscape, Obi Kaufmann tackles terrain that’s far more diverse and lively than most Californians realize. “The Deserts of California: A California Field Atlas,” out this month from Heyday, takes readers from the Salton Sea to Mono Lake and beyond in an exploration of the eastern side of the state. Along the way, you’ll learn about plants endemic to the San Bernardino Mountains; the endangered California bighorn sheep of the Sierra Nevada; and the resilient pupfish populations found in spots like the Death Valley basin and Amargosa River.

Related article: 

• Mono Lake Committee: Many calls for a State Water Board hearing