UK Lockdown 3.0: How About a Book for Distraction?

Happy Sunday, fellow travellers! I thought you might like another quick break from walking before heading into our final round of virtual lockdown strolls?! After some food for thought on vacation last time, I’d like to recommend a few books today, in case you could do with some entertaining distraction that does not involve having to venture outdoors for a change.

There’s no particular genre I tend to stick with being very open to suggestions, easily intrigued by punny titles or creative covers, or letting chance decide when swinging by the nearest book exchange, my personal favourite to be honest. So here a somewhat eclectic selection hopefully including something that could be of interest to you.

The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard

First up, the most recent book I finished which is somewhat topical given the current temperatures and goes well with my Tromsø adventures in which I mentioned the Amundsen movie that popped up on BBC iPlayer just as I posted my story. (If you haven’t watched it yet, I’d say add that to your lockdown entertainment list as well: Amundsen on BBC iPlayer.)

Odd coincidence immediately followed by another one when a recommendation for Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s book The Worst Journey in the World landed in my inbox, which tells the story of Roald Amundsen’s biggest nemesis, Robert Falcon Scott, as he ventured to the South Pole in 1910–1913. Already being hooked on the topic, I dived right in and truly enjoyed the read. The beginning can feel a bit slow as they make their way to the Antarctic, but once they hit the ice, you’re in for a gruelling adventure story. I personally fell in love with the ponies, Weary Willie and Nobby were my favs. Poor Willie knew what was coming.

The book also made me realise how important it is that your sleeping bag is as snug as possible, something I was not a big fan of during my first wild camping experience making me feel like a big ole caterpillar trapped in a cocoon. That was during the summer though when the thought of frostbite would not cross your mind, one of the many challenges Cherry-Garrard addresses. Usually up for anything, frostbite definitely sounds like an experience I happily skip, although I did finish the book with the weird urge to give pemmican a whirl?

Rowing the Pacific: 7,000 Miles from Japan to San Francisco by Mick Dawson

Speaking of adventure and finally wanting to introduce you to the ‘wise man and Peacehaven-based friend of mine’ I mentioned in my very first post, who supportively said, ‘there’s more that can go right than wrong,’ when I was still unsure about this website endeavour. So, hereby I’d like to recommend his very own brainchild, a testament for the encouraging words he uttered when listening to my self-doubting deliberations.

‘There’s more that can go right than wrong,’ be it launching a website or Rowing the Pacific, something Mick Dawson did achieve after many setbacks and risky situations in which more appeared to go wrong than right, not stopping him to follow his ambitions, break a world record and capture his journey in this inspiring read which addresses the importance of determination and companionship, as well as having a laugh when you least feel like it.

Mick published a second book last year, Never Leave a Man Behind: Around the Falklands and Rowing Across the Pacific, which I loved as well although I might have been a bit more biased on that one having met him at that point, whereas I can assure you that the persona in the book matches the offline version, a genuine and terribly humble man not only pursuing his own passion but enabling other people to do so as well, something the second book highlights as he tackles the Pacific once more, this time with a blind vet as companion. It takes you on another inspiring journey showing what’s possible if you put your mind to it and have the right support system, be it Mick’s shoulder right then and there, or the people rooting for you back home.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Not a friend of mine (although I often wish he was), Bill Bryson must be one of my absolute favourites, something I realised last year when having a look at his bibliography and recognising at least five different titles I recalled reading and recommending without paying attention to the author.

This man appears to have snuck into my life many times by now, so if not too sure about my taste just yet, trust the judgment of other people who recommended his books to me in the past, one of them being A Walk in the Woods, which tells the story of Bryson attempting to walk the Appalachian Trail with his friend Stephen Katz, who appears to be in anything but the best shape for such adventure creating a very entertaining dynamic and leading to many ridiculous and yet relatable scenarios.

The book was even turned into a movie with Robert Redford and Nick Nolte playing the hiking pals, the perfect cast I’d say, and unlike most film adaptations, this one did a great job capturing the spirit of the book. I would still recommend reading it first since Bryson’s elaborations are just priceless and will truly make you laugh out loud — perfect for isolation as you won’t earn weird looks when you do, and trust me, you will.

Hops and Glory: One Man’s Search for the Beer that Built the British Empire by Pete Brown

The next book I’d like to throw into the mix might offer an interesting perspective on what makes some people travel the world, when not in pursuit of a world record like Mister Dawson for instance. In the case of Pete Brown, it was the ambition to recreate the actual journey of an Indian Pale Ale, a hoppy endeavour involving a lot of literal and emotional waves, as well as some leakage if I remember correctly — I think I might leave it at that?!

Often referred to as the Bill Bryson of beer, Pete definitely knows his hops, and gloriously presents its history and quirky facts in an easily digestible format. Fully agreeing with the comparison, I first got introduced to Pete’s wisdom when somebody gifted me his very first book, Man Walks into a Pub: A Sociable History of Beer, which I practically inhaled due to its abundance of puntastic facts. Intrigued, I worked my way through the whole beer trilogy, which also includes Three Sheets to the Wind: One Man’s Quest for the Meaning of Beer, if thirsty for more.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Last but not least, something a bit dreamier while still embracing our travel ambitions. Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander will take us back to one of our favourite places, bonnie Scotland which I’m sure you noticed by now has a special place in my heart. If smitten by red-headed giants with accents yourself, this is the perfect read for you. Not only taking you to the Highlands, it even takes us back in time when damsel’s in distress were still a thing making the encounter between modern day nurse Claire and Highland warrior Jamie rather, how shall I say, intense? You decide for yourself if up for venturing down the romantic route as well as back in time.

If you do end up going for this one, I’d suggest not skipping the introduction for a change as Diana’s story of how the book came about is actually quite interesting and, again, inspiring showcasing that it’s never too late to switch careers and follow your dreams.

“[W]hen I turned thirty-five, I said to myself, ‘Mozart was dead at thirty-six! Maybe you’d better get a move on.’ So, I decided that on my thirty-sixth birthday, I would begin writing a book.” That sentence stuck with me and potentially feeds my current creative drive, so who knows what else you might be in for.

As for Diana, one book turned into a series which was put into motion as well, with heartthrob Sam Heughan doing Scotland proud and melting women’s hearts throughout all seasons, whereby Caitriona Balfe is also very easy on the eyes I’m sure, not wanting to forget about our male solotravellers out there. It does feature quite a few grim scenes, so not for the faint-hearted but I guess unavoidable when traveling to battle scenes of the past.

From frosty ventures to the South to romantic time travel in the North — I do hope this random selection of books will offer one or the other pleasant distraction while stuck indoors due to the weather or ongoing restrictions.

Either way, happy reading and hopefully I’ll see you again at our next lockdown stroll, you know where to find me when ready for it! 📚🎒🙋‍♀️