Books

Finding Albion by Zakia Sewell and The Book of Trespass by Nick Hayes

An incredible combo of books, and I think they've changed my life. Made me feel much more connected to England and feel incredibly drawn to better understanding its magic and spirits, whilst also acknowledging and integrating our colonial legacy as we collectively create a new vision of what England is and could become.
From Olivia Stamp, Brighton

Njuta: The Swedish Art of Savoring the Moment by Niki Brantmark

This book gives us a glimpse into Swedish practices for a joyful life and encourages us to try them in our own lives. It includes both indoor and outdoor activities across the seasons, from foraging in the summer to relaxing at home in the winter with jam made from the foraged summer berries. Reading this book feels like wandering around Sweden with a close friend who understands the country’s traditions and is excited to share them with the world. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook while doing my chores, walking, and commuting — it made me feel connected to Scandinavian countries without having to leave my city!
From Charvi, Ottawa

Cosy: The British Art of Comfort by Laura Weir

This book introduces us to British practices for a joyful and comfortable life — feasting, crafting, reading, drinking tea, dressing for the winter, cosy outdoor activities, and much more. For those of us who don’t live in the UK or have never visited, this book gives a taste of British culture without having to fly there. The audiobook was a great companion for my apartment cleaning sessions.
From Charvi, Ottawa

Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World by Isabel Gillies

This book provides us with a New Yorker’s perspective on finding coziness in our daily lives, from subway rides to family meals. It encourages us to find comfort in the overlooked everyday moments. Listening to this audiobook while cleaning my room helped me brainstorm ways to feel more connected to my home, my city, and the people around me.
From Charvi, Ottawa

The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd

Nan Shepherd was an author and poet who spent her life in the Cairngorms in Scotland. This small book is an ode to the mountains, lochs and life there, and makes a wonderful example of how just one landscape can keep giving more and more, if you return to it over and over again and let it get under your skin. Her ways of seeing the world are truly inspirational, and the book is beautifully, poetically written. 'She makes the familiar strange, and the strange awe-inspiring'