Our favourite books of 2022
We pick some of the captivating countryside reads that we have enjoyed the most in the past year
THE SOUTH WEST COAST PATH
Author Stephen Neale spent more than a year on the South West Coast Path researching this book. The fruits of his exploration are 1,000 mini adventures along Britain’s favourite national trail. This number of anything is difficult to fit into just one book, let alone 1,000 adventures, but this well-designed guide – packed with inspiring images and illustrations, affordable places to eat, drink and stay, and exciting outdoor quests – seems to do it effortlessly.
In his introduction, Neale lays down his three objectives for the book, one of which is “to reset all your senses”. This sensory theme encourages readers and walkers to not only see “the magic” of the 630-mile coastal trail, but to hear, smell, touch and taste it, too, from swimming in a tidal pool at Talland to immersing yourself in a sunken forest at Pendower Beach.
THE FLOW: RIVERS, WATER AND WILDNESS
“A river is a tree,” says Amy-Jane Beer, its myriad branches and roots defying any simple explanation of where it begins or ends.
In The Flow, she takes us on an exhilarating journey along and through Britain’s waterways, from
Daniel Graham, outdoors editor seething torrents to gin-clear chalk streams and springs. It’s a hell of a ride: water is life, after all; it shapes us and the land, physically and culturally.
Opening with a kayaking tragedy, The Flow is gutsy and profound from the off, with exquisite evocations of place, dives into deep time, moments of humour and surging anger at what we’ve done to our rivers.
In a golden age for nature writing, this stunning book is one of the very best.
Ben Hoare, naturalist
DYLAN THOMAS’S UNDER MILK WOOD: A RETELLING
“To begin at the beginning…” In this glorious picture-book retelling, musician, broadcaster and author Cerys Matthews brings Dylan Thomas’ much-loved 1954 radio play to a younger audience, preserving all the musicality and captivating beauty of the original. Thomas’s lyrical words float across beautifully detailed and richly coloured illustrations by Kate Evans, welcoming you to the fictional Welsh seaside village of Llareggub. Meet the endearing cast of characters, from blind Captain Cat to fastidious Mrs Ogmore Pritchard and lazy Nogood Boyo.
This book continues Cerys Matthews’ life-long connection with Thomas’ work; she has composed music for several of his poems, and her music version of A Child’s Christmas in Wales is being made into a musical in America. Created to be read aloud, this is a delightful book that will cultivate an enduring love of words.
Margaret Bartlett, production editor
IN SEARCH OF ONE LAST SONG
A real heartstring tugger this – and one that reflects my own feelings on wildlife loss. Galbraith undertakes quests to find answers as to why so many birds that were common just 20–30 years ago are disappearing from our farms, woods and hills. Coupled with that comes a need to set eyes on these birds – the lapwings, turtle doves, cuckoos and more that are not just an intrinsic part of our biodiversity but also our culture. Along the way, Galbraith ropes in gamekeepers, conservationists and others who love these birds.
Among the stories and smidgens of hope, is a personal, sometimes painful journey – our generation may be the last to hear some of these species in the UK.
Fergus Collins, editor
INTO THE RED
To raise the profile of the 70 birds now on the UK Red List, this book features contributions from 140 artists and authors. With ecological experts (such as Richard Mabey and Isabella Tree) intermingling with enthusiastic ornithological amateurs, it reminds me of my local nature group.
What unites the written contributions is the varied experience of bird-watching, bird-seeking or sometimes bird-missing-completely. “…here’s to the boasters, the believers, the bad bird-watchers”, in the words of comedian Alex Horne. That’s not to downplay the inevitable anxiety about the birds’ existential peril. Yet the rich and varied writing and sumptuous artwork ensures this book will grace any coffee table and delight all bird-lovers, whatever their age or expertise.
Julie Brominicks, landscape writer
