Since completing the walk, I’ve done a lot of thinking, and a lot of reading as will become clear if you make it to the last section of the book. This is a list of some of the most influential books which really moved my thinking on, followed by some more practical links in terms of doing your own walk – or self publishing a book!
Windswept by Annabel Abbs – a feminist history of women walking in wild places, with chapters on Frieda Lawrence, Gwen John, Simone de Beauvoir and Georgia O’Keefe amongst others.
Wanderers – A History of Women Walking by Kerri Andrews – a look at some of the women who walked through history, from the eighteenth century to the present day – the obstacles they faced and what walking meant to them
Strong by Poorna Bell – part memoir, part manifesto, a roadmap for enabling women to tap into their physical and mental strength.
Radical Confidence by Lisa Bilyeu – an amazing book about daring to dream and then do something about it.
If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie – the next two books by Sharon Blackie are really hard to describe but inspiring and challenging in equal measure – she weaves myth and folklore with good solid feminist thought and questioning.
Hagitude by Sharon Blackie – focuses on women of more mature years ie beyond child bearing and their marginalisation in todays world, contrasting with veneration in years gone by.
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman – a brilliant book, reminding us all that we only have four thousand weeks on this beautiful planet – if we’re lucky – so we should make the most of them!
The Ribbons are for Fearlessness by Catrina Davies – this author is amazing and I recently had the great pleasure of seeing her at the Cheltenham Literary Festival. This book is about her decision to busk around Scandinavia with a cello…..and what happened.
How To Fail by Elizabeth Day – the book of the incredibly successful podcast, explaining why it’s often our greatest failures which actually help us move forward in life.
Coasting by Elise Downing – the story of this amazing young woman who, fresh out of university, decided to run around the coast of Britain, some 5,000 miles, and completed this epic journey.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle – the book which shows us all how imprisoned we are by our own self limiting fears, and the preconceptions of society – then shows us how to break free, confirming that We Can Do Hard Things!
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – a masterclass on how to unleash your creativity.
Runner by Lizzie Hawker – the memoir of one of the most outstanding endurance athletes of her generation.
Leap In by Alexandra Heminsley
Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
In Her Nature by Rachel Hewitt
Adventure Revolution by Belinda Kirk
Difficult Women – A History of Feminism in 11 Fights by Helen Lewis
The Electricity of Every Living Thing by Katherine May
Wintering by Katherine May
The Naked Hermit by Nick Mayhew-Smith
The Wisdom of your Body by Hillary L. McBride
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Overwhelmed by Brigid Schulte
Stone Will Answer by Beatrice Searle
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Solo by Jenny Tough
Move by Caroline Williams
Practical Help
Aspect Design who have laid out and printed Boots and Roots
