3 minute read

Escape to the wild

from The Bristol Magazine April 2023

from The Bristol Magazine April 2023 , page 77

TOLET

In celebration of Earth Day on 22 April, the brilliant team at GloucesterRoadBooks suggest four fascinating new reads about the natural world to help you reconnect with the world and the wildlife around you...

Anote from the team: “Our primary aim is that the shop be a fascinating place to explore. Some of the subject sections are a little broader than they might be elsewhere –for instance our ‘Time and Place’ section encompasses books on History, Travel Literature, Geography and Reportage. We also have a significant focus on titles published by small independent presses. There are lots of really brilliant small publishers putting out incredibly exciting books, and we want to help get these out into the world. The stock is carefully chosen and constantly changing, so even if you pop in every week there will always be new books to find.”

Visit Gloucester Road Books’ website: gloucesterroadbooks.com. Follow them on Instagram: gloucester_rd_books and browse the collection in store: 184 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, BS7 8NU. Open Monday –Tuesday 9.30am –5pm; Wednesday –Saturday 9.30am –6pm

The Meaning of Geese

by Nick Acheson. Published by Chelsea Green

Publishing

Fascinating account of naturalist Nick Acheson’s bicyclefuelled quest to follow and fully appreciate migrating flocks of geese during Covid lockdowns. He cycles more than a thousand miles, matching the intrepid spirit of the birds he loves, and spots many rare breeds including Russian whitefronts.

We’re delighted to be hosting an event with Nick on 18 April at Sidney & Eden, 198 Gloucester Road. See our website for more information: gloucesterroadbooks.com

Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid

by Thor Hanson.

Published by Icon

Books

An eye-opening look at the ways in which many areas of the natural world are adjusting and evolving in response to the effects of climate change. The emergence of lizards with larger toe pads and shrinking squid, for instance, are clearly explained in a mix of accessible anecdote and wellresearched detail, without ever compromising the science at the book’s heart.

Banzeiro Òkòtó: The Amazon as the Centre of the World by Eliane Brum (translated by Diane Whitty). Published by The Indigo Press

Brazilian journalist and documentary maker Eliane Brum has produced a huge bellow of a book, which lays bare the scars and blows inflicted by climate change, structural inequalities and an unchecked economic model on those who bear little or no responsibility for it. And the consequences for all humans if the destruction of the Amazon continues are starkly proclaimed.

A Flat Place by Noreen Masud. Published

Penguin Books

The flat landscapes of Masud’s childhood in Lahore are explored as a kind of psychogeography that both relate to complex trauma and inform its healing. Now settled in Britain, Masud continues to seek out such stark beauty exploring places of Orford Ness, the Cambridgeshire Fens, Morecambe Bay, and Orkney, whilst also reflecting on the impact of Britain’s colonial history on identity.

‘When we lost mum back in July, we were at a loss of what we needed to do. We contacted Brunel, spoke to Louise who talked us through the process. Following our appointment where we discussed mum’s wishes, within a blink of an eye the funeral was arranged. We met Chris and he put us at ease assuring us that Mum would be very well looked after in their care. We had arranged a bagpiper to pipe mum into the chapel, Louise and Chris spoke with him and on the day of the funeral, everything went as we wanted, but more importantly how mum wanted it. I have already recommended Brunel to people and will continue to do so. Thank you.’

3 Concorde Drive, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS10 6PZ 0117 374 2002 www.brunelfuneraldirectors.co.uk