The weather forecast for this week is looking very promising!
Sunshine and warm days are perfect for sitting in the garden with a book, or enjoying birdsong and blossom on the trees as we take our daily exercise...while continuing to 'stay alert' and stay safe.
Getting outside and putting one foot in front of the other has certainly helped me in these difficult times, and I've been reminded of the visit by tv presenter Kate Humble a couple of years ago when she talked to us about her investigation into the benefits of walking.
Her book 'Thinking on My Feet' is packed full of fascinating information. There are scientists explaining the benefits of walking for our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing; stories of extraordinary people who share their own experiences of healing and renewal through walking; and tales of Kate's own yomps through the countryside with her beloved dogs. You can listen again to her talk here.
And my recommended non-fiction title this week is about a very long walk.
Called 'The Salt Path' it tells of how a long-married couple, Raynor and Moth, decided to walk 630 miles of the South-West Coast Path. It proved life-changing for them and is a powerful and beautiful read.
This book has been recommended to me time and again, yet it's only in this period of lockdown that I've found the opportunity to read it. And now I, too, want to tell everyone about it! Scroll down for more details.
This month's book group title came to me as a recommendation from a friend some time ago, too. Called 'The Friend' it's about a woman who is bequeathed a dog, a large dog. The story is about the bond between animals and humans as well as looking at grief and loss, healing and friendship, and what it's like to be a writer. There's humour and sadness, and plenty to think about so we should have a good discussion. If you'd like to join in the online book group, please reply to this email and I'll send you the details of how to get involved.
I hope it won't be too long before we can meet together in person, of course, and look forward to hosting many more author events, but in the meantime we can tap into a programme of online festivals throughout the summer. This week there are some fascinating talks on a huge range of subjects, including an extensive children's programme, at the Hay Festival online, 18-30 May.
Finally, as the lockdown eases, do sign up for updates from Browsers here to find out how and when we might be able to step into a bookshop again.