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As the year draws to a close and we wind down for the Christmas holidays, this means a well-deserved break from routine and work (for most of us). Christmas is also a time when we start to reflect upon our resolutions and goals for the year ahead. For these reasons, this time of year is a great opportunity to delve into a new and inspiring read. Inspiration comes in many different forms, and regardless of what you do for a living, there is a lot to be gained from reading about unfamiliar and thought-proving subject matter. All of these books seek to guide you towards a better you, and perhaps even a better lifestyle/future. They are also available (and many others) to browse or purchase in both of our stores, or on our website. So, without further ado, kick back with a glass of mulled wine and let’s check out these inspirational books.
Merry Christmas, and happy reading!
Now, I know we at Meander and many of you are always up for an adventure, however, sometimes we need to take a step back and allow ourselves to enjoy a small pause every now and then. The ability to pause can make a real and lasting difference. Many of us associate ‘pausing’ with low productivity and procrastination, and just like machines, we do not want to pause. The modern world is practically addicted to keeping busy.
Pausing is simple and can take many forms, such as connecting with an old friend, taking some time out to go travelling, or simply giving yourself space and time to contemplate issues you usually ignore due to daily responsibilities. Pausing is all about connecting with your inner self and looking at the bigger picture. So go on, take the first step by getting yourself a copy of this handy little guide, and you’ll soon be on your way to boosting your creativity and enhancing your relationships.
Another book that invites you to take a deep breath and slow down is Cabin Porn by the creators of the hugely popular Tumblr blog ‘Cabin Porn’. As Zach Klein and Steven Leckart gathered more cabin photographs, their blog generated thousands of submissions from a passionate audience of more than ten million people and other cabin builders. They knew that something they were so passionate about was also tremendously attractive to many others, so they created this absolute gem of a book.
This book compiles inspiring stories from those who have made their dream homes come to life, supplemented by breathtaking photography of rural escapes. From fisherman’s huts in Ireland to mountain cabins in Morocco and treehouses in Austria, this book will provide you with a source of escapism and allow you to enjoy the heady mix of serenity and beauty that materialises when nature meets simple craft.
If you’re not too sure what a microadventure is, then you’re not alone! A microadventure is simple, cheap, short, close to home, yet still exciting, challenging, and even better - guaranteed to refresh your mind. As the contemporary world is increasingly busy and forces us to be stuck behind our screens, microadventures provide the perfect escape from modern day life, without the need to ski to the South Pole. What makes microadventures so appealing is they enable adventure to be accessible to those who lack outdoor experience, whilst providing the similar benefits of a big adventure. Therefore, if you are too tired, too busy, or not feeling fit enough for a big adventure, then you would no doubt benefit from a microadventure.
This practical guide provides numerous microadventure ideas for you to experience with friends and family or simply on your own. You’ll also find over 150 beautiful photographs, along with advice and tips on safety and kit. Whether it’s sleeping under the stars, climbing a hill, or cycling a lap of the Isle of Wight, now is the perfect opportunity for you to learn something new about yourself and the world around you. As the author Alastair Humphreys states, “Adventure is everywhere, every day and it is up to us to find it.”
There is no denying that venturing up Scotland’s mountains on a glorious sunny day is truly magical. There is a sense of excitement, achievement, and spiritual wellbeing. Whether you’re an occasional hiker looking for inspiration or a dedicated Munro bagger planning to tick off your next peak, The Munros by the Scottish Mountaineering Club is an essential read for any hillwalker. It provides comprehensive descriptions of the best routes on each Munro, Scotland’s 202 mountains above 3000ft. The vivid photography within the book brings each description to life whilst illustrating the dramatic beauty of these iconic mountains.
What’s better is that profits from each book sold go towards the Scottish Mountaineering Trust, a charity providing grants to education, recreation, and safety projects in the outdoors. This is a beautifully produced book with a vast amount of detailed and fantastic information on Munro bagging.
Would you like to be living more consciously, and rather not put much effort, time or money into it, and quite frankly just don’t know how to? This book has all the answers. It is packed with positive and practical tips about what you can do to contribute to a better world and about climate change. From clean beauty, fair fashion, low-impact homes, and eco-travel, this modern definitive handbook shows that sustainability and style can very much go hand in hand. It’s all about doing what you can do and what suits you in a doable and ‘cool’ manner. The book itself also looks absolutely beautiful, inside and out. Leave it out on your coffee table and it’ll be a great conversation starter.
Author and sustainable lifestyle expert Marieke Eyskoot has a witty and accessible style of writing, even when covering topics on major movements such as body liberation, anti-racism, and environmental action. After all, doing good and feeling good at the same time: does it get much better than that?
Do you fancy experiencing the ultimate wild adventure - living and staying the night for free with a roof over your head, in some of Scotland’s most evocative abandoned crofts and farmsteads? Welcome to the glorious world of bothies. You won’t need to book anything, you’ll have no wardens to bother you and you’ll need little more than what you would take camping. These shelters vary in size and are dotted all around Scotland and are available for anyone to use.
This first-ever complete guide to Scottish bothies is written by Geoff Allan, Scotland’s premier bothy expert, who has hiked, biked and slept the night in each and every Scottish bothy. Allan reveals the country’s unique and often hidden network of bothy cabins and mountain huts. This handbook is an impeccably researched reference book, loaded with detail on each bothy, along with fascinating historical information and local activities and attractions.
Whether you’re an emerging or seasoned dipper, The Art of Wild Swimmingis the ultimate guide to becoming a joyful, awesome, and responsible swimmer. Wild swimming is all about finding the most magical locations (and how to protect them), keeping yourself and others safe, finessing your kitbag, and maybe locating a cozy place for a warm-up cake and cuppa. Anna Deacon and Vicky Allan have recently released both the Scottish edition and England & Wales edition, comprised of stories from locals who know the secrets and share over 100 spectacular swim spots.
In the Scottish edition, locals share magnificent swim spots from the dramatic turquoise bays of Orkney to the peaty lochs of the Cairngorms, the thundering waterfalls of Skye to the calm depths of a reservoir in the Pentlands. In the England & Wales edition, locals share wild swim spots from the otherworldly fens of the east to the vast dramatic waters of the Lake District, the thundering icy waterfalls of Snowdonia to the secluded sandy coves of Cornwall. Now they are yours to explore too!
We hope we have inspired you with these reads this Christmas! We offer free delivery, or pop by our Edinburgh store on 33 George Street or our newly opened London store on 103 Commercial Street.
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