Polina’s BOOKS FOR THE BEACH

We all know that laying in the sun on a beach is one of the most relaxing things in the world, but sometimes that can make us feel a bit unsettled or bored.

Polina Rudichenko is here to bring you the solution

Riding Out

- Simon Parker

A post-pandemic journey of self discovery, this epic tale of adventure takes you from the northernmost point of Shetland, across 3,427 miles of Britain, all the way to Land’s End in Cornwall. Combining his love for cycling and travel, Simon Parker embarks on his journey with nothing but a sleeping bag and camping stove. The author had lost three friends and a nephew in close succession as a teenager. He then developed a marijuana habit, and was diagnosed with anxiety. Feeling that he was “living a handful of lives” as well as his own, despite the struggles he completed his degree with first class honours.

A journalist for the BBC, Parker lost his income when Covid hit, regressing his mental health further. Low on funds and without the ability to travel abroad, Parker decided to embark on a journey across Britain, in hope of meeting new people and hearing their stories, perhaps as a type of therapy. His adventures are well told, illuminating, and draw the reader in almost as a co-traveller. Was his mission successful? Well, no spoilers here!

Moderate Becoming Good Later

Sea Kayaking the Shipping Forecast

- Toby Carr

& Katie Carr

Somewhat nostalgic, this reminiscent memoir is written by avid kayaker Toby Carrs’ sister, based on his extensive notes of his life story (after his untimely death from liver cancer). Living with Fanconi anaemia, a genetic disease affecting the bone marrow and most organs of the body, Carr lost his brother to throat cancer at 38, and his mother as he knew her to metal illness in his childhood. He had enjoyed sailing as a child, but at 15 he received a life saving bone marrow transplant. From then until he finished his architecture degree, Carr lived in relative isolation and was advised against going outside.

However, with the sudden death of his father, that changed, and Carr reconnected with the sea. Now a senior lecturer at Falmouth University, in 2018, Carr set off on a journey to kayak the 31 areas of the Shipping Forecast, to share the people’s stories, and to “gain the strength and balance he knew nature could provide”, as well as to “discover what anchors us to each other”. The book is a surprisingly captivating read, charting this life changing adventure, and gaining new perspectives of familiar names and places from the BBC Shipping Forecast.

Coastal - Gray Maylin

From Southern California to New Zealand and Australia, this beautiful coffee-table book will transport you to picturesque coastlines and dreamy beaches right from your living room.

“Coastal” is Gray Malin’s return to his famed aerial beach photography, including stunning, never-before-published photographs from the luminous waters of Maui to the pebbled beaches of Northern Michigan, and the idyllic shores of Nantucket.

The green jungle beaches of Hawaii and the white coasts of Florida are equally as enticing. Whenever you need to escape from the dullness of suburbia, just pick up

The vivid colours and intricate detail of these gorgeous photographs is outstanding. You will be as relaxed as the people lounging on the beach chairs in the images, and get inspiration for your next destination.

“Coastal”, and the talented New York Times Bestselling author will help transport you to a dream world.