Growing up, books were my doorway to worlds beyond my own, each one a new adventure. I was the quintessential bookworm, the kind who’d get so absorbed in a story that hours would pass in a blink. Just as social media and gaming keep kids up late today, I’d often stay awake into the early hours, telling myself, ‘Just one more chapter’. But as life became a whirlwind of raising kids, working, and keeping up with daily demands, reading became something I put on the back burner. Now that the kids are a bit older, I’ve managed to make more time for it and rediscover my love.

A Passport to New Perspectives

Books are a passport to places I may never visit in person, and they allow me to experience cultures, perspectives, and lives vastly different from my own. Whether I’m reading about gathering down from eider ducks on a remote Norwegian island or viewing earth and all its fragility from space, every book adds to my understanding and broadens my world view. Another benefit - I’m finding that I’m falling into a deep sleep more easily. Of course this is probably down to making a conscious effort to disengage from social media. The quick hit of dopamine is easy to fall into and it’s a hard habit to break. In fact, it’s been harder than I thought it would. Making a conscious effort this year and setting myself a target of 25 books has helped me prioritise reading over mindless scrolling and l feel much better for it.

Book Recommendations

So it’s early November and I’ve hit my target for this year. Not a huge number but a vast improvement on the previous year. I’ve made an effort to read some classics that I’d never read before and to read a variety of genres from fiction to memoir and even young adult. A quarter of the books have been by male authors. I’m interested to see if that varies year by year. I might aim for 30 next year but it really depends on whether l include some meatier books on my pile.

Disclosure: The list below contains affiliate links and I receive a commission if you visit a link and buy something on my recommendation. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra, and I only recommend books I’ve loved (or my children have). All opinions are my own.

My Top Books of the Year

These are quite personal to me - I tend to love reading about anything north of me. My top recommendations this year are:

Storm Pegs by Jen Hatfield. Jen’s poetic talent shines through in Storm Pegs, weaving beautiful prose that captures the rugged beauty of Shetland and the spirit of its people. Her vivid descriptions made me feel as if I could taste the salty sea air and see the windswept landscapes with my own eyes. Each page immersed me deeper into Shetland life, conjuring a vision so clear I didn’t want the book to end. I’m planning to reread it this winter break. (Only out in hardback so far - £18.99 - one I’ll keep forever so absolutely worth it to me).

A Woman in the Polar Night by Christianne Ritter captivated me from the start with its window into life on Svalbard—a place that’s always fascinated me. I was drawn in, eager to understand how the author, Christiane Ritter, found herself in such a remote, challenging environment and what compelled her to endure an Arctic winter. The wildness and isolation she faced, especially during that time period, make her story all the more gripping. Ritter’s vivid reflections on the stark beauty and brutal realities of polar life stayed with me long after I finished reading. (Paperback - £12.99)

Orbital by Samantha Harvey Orbital pulled me into the awe-inspiring beauty of space. Through her poetic prose, I felt a profound sense of both the frailty and vulnerability of the cosmos and the delicate balance of life on earth. This has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize this year. (Paperback - £8.49)

Honourable mentions: The Place of Tides by James Rebanks, Sea Bean by Sally Huband, The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretel Ehrlich.

(Keep reading to see what’s on my Christmas list this year).

Top Children’s Books

Picking out kids books is just as much fun as choosing one for myself. It’s hard work to get the teenager to read but I’ve made big inroads with the tween who is ramping through books and developing a real love for it. Some of our favourites if you are looking for ideas for the kids in your life (these are targeted at the 8+ age group).

- October, October by Katya Balen - one of our favourite all time books. We’ve yet to meet a Katya Balen book that we haven’t loved but this is definitely the favourite. Perfect for the winter season, it tells the story of October and her dad who live in the woods. It’s a coming of age story with lush descriptions of nature and the seasons. Perfect for 9-13 yr olds.

- Another strong favourite that has been read and reread many times - Pax by Sarah Pennypacker . It tells the story of Peter and Pax (a fox) and how they find their way back to each other as war rampages through the country. The story is told from both Peter and Pax’s perspective. (Again - I’d say 9-14 age range).

- The Last Bear by Hannah Gold - An adventure story set on a remote Arctic outpost involving a young girl called April and the last polar bear on Bear Island. Waterstones book of the year 2022. (Perhaps slightly younger age range 8-12)

- Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell - not one I’ve read with them but has been very popular as Katherine Rundell’s books tend to be. My daughter was absorbed in this right from the outset and has been begging me to read it to see why.

Books On My List For 2025

Not much has changed for me since childhood - there’s still lots and lots of books on my Christmas List. Here’s what’s on my list for this year:

- Raising Hare: A Memoir by Chloe Dalton - account of unexpectedly raising a leveret during lockdown

- Life on Svalbard by Cecilia Blomdahl - An insight into living in the extreme wilderness accompanied by some incredible photography.

- A Thousand Feasts by Nigel Slater - A memoir of sorts about food and the memories associated with it.

- Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhurst - A true story of shipwreck, survival and love.

- Apeirogon by Colum McCann - exploring the conflict in the Middle East through the story of two men who have lost their daughters.

- Whale Fall by Elizabeth O’Connor - a story of longing and betrayal set against the backdrop of a world on the edge of great tumult

- Skating to Antarctica by Jenny Disci - tracing a personal journey to Antarctica

- The Places In Between by Rory Stewart - an account of his walk across war-torn Afghanistan.

- In Ascension by Martin MacInnes- A sci-fi novel that covers both the ocean depths and the expanse of outer space

- The Almanac - by Lia Leenderlitz - A seasonal guide to 2025.

I always love a good book recommendation so if you have any that you think I might love - send it on or leave a comment.

I’m heading back to the couch for a bit of self care in the form of reading. Exploring the world anew through pages instead of the screen.

(Waterstones have a code for 20% off their best selling paperbacks. Click here to access).