The Costa Rica Reader is the exact thing you are looking for in terms of history and culture.
Sadly, I can't help you with nature & wildlife as I have no interest in those topics, but you can probably find some good books on the subject by browsing Amazon or Goodreads.
Geared more toward packing up a family than solo adventure nonetheless interesting travel:
How to Be a Family: The Year I Dragged My Kids Around the World to Find a New Way to Be Together https://www.amazon.com/dp/0316552623/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_i_APB61Y88GTNWHK7873E4
Awesome, I'm studying abroad in Costa Rica in a few weeks and I don't have any literature to settle my racing mind.
Very nice video. They sound genuinely happy.
Personally not a huge fan of people that live this type of lifestyle and sell books but here it is on Amazon.
Edit: I also recommend watching some of the other videos in their series.