Seeing as we’re about to enter a new ice age I thought it might be a good time to share a list of recent reading material.
Before you browse the list I have to confess that I’m actually a slow reader. In the time it takes me to read a chapter, my wife will have completed an entire book. It was a recent audio book subscription that reignited my thirst for books. Many of the books on this list have been listened to rather than read. None-the-less the books below have all impacted on me in some way or another and that’s why I wanted to share them…
1. The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot by Robert MacFarlane
I’ve read this before and loved it. It is one of the most influential books on my photography and I quote a section from it in my artist statement. It was the first book I ordered on my new Audible subscription and listening to it was like recharging my creative batteries!
2. H Is For Hawk by Helen MacDonlad
Wow! This is a riveting, powerful and totally absorbing book. A spellbinding account of a woman and her relationship with a Hawk while drawing parallels with the legendary author T H White (Sword in the Stone!)
3. Fingers in the Sparkle Jar by Chris Packham
Voted best nature book by the British public this is another powerful and compelling page turner.
4. The Peregrine, J.A Baker
Undoubtedly a masterpiece, this is the go to book for many budding nature writers. It is quite simply a breathtaking piece of literature.
5. David Attenborough – Life on Air by David Attenborough It’s a biggie but well worth the effort; although, if you’re prone to travel/experience envy you may want to overlook this one!
6. The Running Hare – The Secret Life of Farmland by John Lewis-Stempel
A stunning peace of work. An honest, frank and refreshing book that is a real eye opener to how our landscape is, has and could be managed.
7. The Invention of Nature: The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt, the Lost Hero of Science by Andrea Wulf
This book blew my mind. History, politics, science, maths, nature, geography, art, this man, this book has it all. I could and probably will write a lot more on this book, this man. I believe every school kid, in every country should study the life and works of Humboldt.
8. Walking Home: Travels With A Troubadour On The Pennine Way by Simon Armitage
A poetic, entertaining and at times humorous tale of a walk that takes in some familiar and local scenery. Very, very enjoyable.
9. The Outrun by Amy Liptrot
A compelling read, beautifully written of how nature, the outdoors and Orkney Islands aid the author’s recovery from addiction, heart ache and trauma.
10. The Shark and the Albatross by John Aitchison
Insightful, fascinating and full of amazing wildlife experiences. Another tough read for those prone to jealousy!
11. The Secret Life of the Owl by John Lewis-Stempel
A short but sweet look at the owls that live and visit the British Isles – there’s more than you think!
12. The Hidden Life of Trees, What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben
I’ve always felt I should know more about trees than I do. This extraordinary book goes way beyond what I was expecting, with some genuinely revolutionary observations.
13. Ancient Wonderings: Journeys into Prehistoric Britain by James Canton
So if you’re not into history you probably want to skip this. But with so many neolithic and bronze age sites on our doorstep I couldn’t pass this one up.
14. Landmarks by Robert Macfarlane
Another inspirational read that opens up the connections between words and landscape.