2020 Book List

Over the course of the year, I just devour books but not in the conventional cover to cover sense. I’m a dipper. I love having a stash on hand I can always find solace, information or inspiration from. Those who know me know that if there’s a book I really really love, I daren’t read to the end. Perhaps there’s a larger underlying issue of saying goodbye there but lets not pull at that thread! Over the years there are books I’ll turn to again and again, finding a special something amongst the pages no matter the time of life I’m in.

I love having long chats about books and which are currently at the top of the pile. There’s a wonderful community of folk out there who I find have similar book lists which just fills me with comfort. How lucky I am to be amongst brilliant folk like you. There are always questions about which book I’ve got on the go. A connection with someone when we realise we love the same author.

I’m not great at fiction, I have Harry Potter to blame for that as a kid. I don’t think I’ll ever find the magic amongst the pages in any other book as I did with Mr Potter and his buddies. But, for me, there is a huge amount of magic learning about the practicalities of life. So this list will be one of knowledgeable folk, great advice, inspiration, magic and beautiful words and pictures.

• Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer

  This is a big contender for my all time favourite book. Beautifully poetic and full of the most stunning imagery. It speaks of the wisdom of nature and our connection with it, indigenous wisdom and teachings of plants. I can highly recommend the audiobook too, read by the author and soothing to the ears.

• Wintering - Katherine May
  Katherine takes you on a journey of Wintering, how nature and humans are affected by the darker months. It’s funny and heart warming and totally relatable, especially for families of Kith. It feels like a friend speaking to you and having a wonderful conversation about things beyond the day to day.

• Find a Way - Diana Nyad
  This has been a consistent on my pile of books for years now and I’m yet to finish it. The tenacity of the human spirit is wrapped up in the journey of Diana Nyad. If you’ve not heard of her, this is the incredible woman who swam 100-mile swim from Cuba to Florida at 64 years old. Watch her TED talk before reading the book, it’ll give you all the inspiration and motivation you need to do the hard things in life. I watch this a couple of times of year, even the morning we welcomed Little B into the world.

• Nature Stories (also Winter Stories, Magic and Mischief, Springtime Stores) - Enid Blyton

  These short stories are so perfect for Kith. A magical mix of mythical creatures and nature. It’s easily accessible for children to understand big concepts. Most of the stories are 30+ years old and still gives a sense of wonder about our natural world. Pixies, brownies, gnomes and more. Learn why the sparrow got his bib and what happens to the fawn in a thunderstorm.

• From What Is To What If - Rob Hopkins

  Rob speaks of groups of inspiring individuals around the world who are using collective imagination to make real, tangible changes in their communities. Harnessing the power of creativity to give groups the tools to create the future they want. This is the same guy who created Transition Towns, communities of people addressing the big global issues but making real differences.

• Do/Wild Baking/Food. fire and good times - Tom Herbert

  A brilliant little book, full of great ideas for all our campfire cooking. There’s certainly been some wonderful creations and some absolute flops but it’s all about those good times around the fire with friends and family. We’ll keep working our way through this little book and hopefully there’ll be some tasty treats coming your way.

• The Hidden Life of Trees - Peter Wohlleben
  This is the most magical book about trees around at the moment I think. It’s fairly heavy going so totally not an easy bedtime read but absolutely chocked full of incredible facts about the tree kingdom. He’s also done a children’s book called Can You Hear The Trees Talking? which is definitely worth a look at.

• The Organic Artist for Kids - Nic Neddo

  This is a little bit like a recipe book for natural based art. From how to make your own paintbrushes from willow whips to authentic mineral paints. It gives clear instructions and so many inspiring ideas to test out.

• Allotment month by month - Alan Buckingham

  I’m still finding my feet in the allotment garden at Kith so this book gives a really simple overview of what needs to be looked at and attended to each month. It’s fairly simplistic so definitely just a good starting place book but still has loads of wonderful advice and tips.

• Nature Journal - Kristen Rogers

  This is a beautiful beautiful magazine book by the Wild + Free organisation. Inspiring visuals to get you excited and inspired to go out into the natural world to create. It gives you permission to find your own style but also gives lovely tips and moral boosters for parents to encourage their little ones to put pen to paper.

• The Women’s Heritage Sourcebook - Ashley Moore

  This is the book I pick up time and time again for all sorts of remedies. Simple, practical, useful advice for working with natural products to work into your day to day. Modern day homesteading skills and recipes for your own health. It’s beautifully put together and sits proudly on my side at home. Often thumbed through and always brings a good dose of inspiration when I’m needing it.

• Earth Wisdom - Glennie Kindred
  A book full of magic and wisdom following the wheel of the year. Ancient folklore, tree wisdom and rituals for honouring nature and those powers we can’t see with our eyes but feel with our souls. Giving ideas for each of the 8 turning points of the Celtic year.

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