Bookish Briefing
September 2023 Edition- Books on climbing, reading in prison, going on a journey and living a quiet life.
Hello! and welcome to this months instalment of bookshelf inspiration. Hope you find something here that peaks your interest. There’s a good variety, so lets dive in…
A Line Above the Sky- On Mountains and Motherhood by Helen Mort
From the description; “ Written by one of Britain's most talented young writers, A Line Above the Sky melds memoir and nature writing to create what will surely become a classic of the genre; it asks why humans are compelled to climb and poses other, deeper questions about self, motherhood and freedom. It is a love letter to losing oneself in physicality, whether that is the risk of climbing a granite wall solo, without ropes, or the intensity of bringing a child into the world.”
This was an impulse library borrow, based on the intriguing title, beautiful cover and a brief glance at the first few pages. The writing is lyrical and poetic but still easy to read and understand. A lot of reflections on Mort’s lifelong passion for climbing and how this intertwined with becoming a mother for the first time, with all the change and transition that brings. I was surprised to find lots of information woven throughout the book about Alison Hargreaves, a famous local climber who Mort admired greatly. I found the world of climbing fascinating to learn about, it's something I’ve been fairly ignorant of (and have never tried myself). An unusual book with an unusual subject matter but worth reading for the writing alone.
Quote from the book; “It's early January, anaemic light, the trees in the garden still quivering from birds that have left them, robins and slim jays, flecked with near electric blue. The new year is beginning, lifting its weary bones from the sleeping ground and shaking off the earth. The lawn is veined with frost” (pg.27)
So beautiful!
The Prison Book Club by Ann Walmsley
From the description; “ When Ann Walmsley was asked to take part in a book club in a men’s prison, she was initially anxious: after a violent mugging a few years before, could she really cope being surrounded by violent criminals? Luckily, curiosity got the better of her, and she signed up for eighteen months of meetings with heavily tattooed inmates, talking about books ranging from The Grapes of Wrath to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. But this wasn’t your typical book club – there was no wine and cheese, plush furniture or superficial chat about recent holidays. Classic works of fiction and non-fiction became springboards for frank discussions about loss, anger, redemption and loneliness, and for the men a prized oasis in which to regain a sense of humanity.”
This was another random library pick that caught my eye (sensing a theme here?) This book was engaging and I was drawn in from the start. There are heartbreaking stories and moments in this book, a bittersweet read that left me feeling grateful for my freedom and thankful for the gift of reading. Many of the books the inmates read were not ones I would be interested in reading, however it was insightful to get an overview of the books through the individual prisoners' eyes. Their unique perspectives, fuelled by their situations and experiences brought a whole new light to their thoughts on a particular book. I do feel the book could have been a bit shorter as I found myself skimming the last couple of chapters. Even so, I would recommend it.
From the description; “Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, their home is taken away and they lose their livelihood. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall. Carrying only the essentials for survival on their backs, they live wild in the ancient, weathered landscape of cliffs, sea and sky. Yet through every step, every encounter and every test along the way, their walk becomes a remarkable journey.”
I was woefully late in getting around to reading this book, but thankfully it was a recent book club pick. One of those book club picks I was actually excited about as I had been wanting to read it for a while, I sensed I would love it. I wasn’t wrong. I absolutely devoured this book. The writing, the people, the landscape and nature descriptions, the emotion, the humour. There are now three books following Raynor and her husband Moth, the third of which I happily found in a charity shop in new condition! Just need to find the second book now…
Sanctuary- Cultivating a quiet heart in a noisy and demanding world by Denise J Hughes
From the description; “More than ever, we need sanctuary, not only as a refuge from the noise around us but also as a place where God’s truth can be clearly heard. This 31-day devotional explores what it means, and what it looks like in very practical ways, to lead the “quiet life” Paul speaks of in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. Readers will come to see that a quiet life doesn’t mean escaping from the world around them but centering their hearts on Christ so that they can live with a clear focus, a quiet confidence and a steady peace.”
This devotional was beautifully written, thoroughly biblical and Hughe’s personal stories and experiences added real depth to each section. A breath of fresh air and a reminder that ‘in quietness and confidence’ is our strength. If you need encouragement to step away from the screens and the noise, to look to Christ and quiet your heart, then this is for you.
Brown Bear Wood- If You Go Down To The Woods Today by Rachel Piercey and illustrated by Freya Hartas
From the description;
“My woodland's full of animals,
of every different kind.
So shall we stay here for a while
and see what we can find?
Experience the everyday wonder of nature in this first book of poetry, exploring a magical woodland year. With poems by acclaimed writer Rachel Piercey and illustrations by Freya Hartas, join Bear on his journey from spring to winter with lots of friends to meet, places to explore, and things to spot along the way.”
My children and I have been enjoying snuggling up on cosy evenings before bed and reading this together. The illustrations are the epitome of cosy and autumnal, so perfect for this time of year. Lots for kids to spot and wonder at on every page. Delightful!
Look out for more recommended reads next month, grace and peace to you and yours. Ishah x