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The Outrun
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
When Amy Liptrot returns to Orkney after more than a decade away, she is drawn back to the Outrun on the sheep farm where she grew up. Approaching the land that was once home, memories of her childhood merge with the recent events that have set her on this journey. Amy was shaped by the cycle of the seasons, birth and death on the farm, and her father's mental illness, which were as much a part of her childhood as the wild, carefree existence on Orkney. But as she grew up, she longed to leave this remote life. She moved to London and found herself in a hedonistic cycle. Unable to control her drinking, alcohol gradually took over. Now thirty, she finds herself washed up back home on Orkney, standing unstable at the cliff edge, trying to come to terms with what happened to her in London. Spending early mornings swimming in the bracingly cold sea, the days tracking Orkney's wildlife - puffins nesting on sea stacks, arctic terns swooping close enough to feel their wings - and nights searching the sky for the Merry Dancers, Amy slowly makes the journey towards recovery from addiction. The Outrun is a beautiful, inspiring book about living on the edge, about the pull between island and city, and about the ability of the sea, the land, the wind and the moon to restore life and renew hope.
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review
Cathythoughts
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

Another island story. Orkney. I saw that Saoirse Ronan will play the lead in the movie of The Outrun, so I wanted to read the book. I loved the island setting, the wild unforgiving and beautiful landscape, the cliffs , and the basic close to the earth lives the islanders live.
I‘m looking so forward to the movie now.

andrew61 I read the book years ago, Cathy, and have recently seen the film. It is an excellent film and saioirsie ronan is incredible although as you can imagine tough watch at times. My wife, who hadn't read it, also loved it. 5d
Anna40 Is it a memoir? Sounds wonderful. 4d
Cathythoughts @andrew61 Thanks Andrew, I‘m looking forward to the film. Yes I imagine it will be tough too. 4d
Cathythoughts @Anna40 Yes , a memoir. It‘s very good , I would recommend it 👍🏻 4d
41 likes1 stack add4 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

Oh, how I loved this one. Liptrot's writing is beautiful, and her story is raw and vulnerable.

After getting sober (again), and determined to make it stick, Liptrot leaves London and returns to the Orkney islands. What follows reads like a series of essays as she delves into various aspects of island life, nature, and considers her own sobriety.

cont'd in comments

TheKidUpstairs It is a thoughtful and vibrant read, you can feel the windswept chill of the islands. And the last chapter brought tears to my eyes. Highly recommend. 2mo
BarbaraBB Great review. Just what you expect of a book set in the Orkneys I think! (edited) 2mo
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TheKidUpstairs
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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"I'm back under these decaying clouds and deep skies, living among the elements that made me. I want to see if these forces will weigh me down, like coping stones, and stop the jolting."

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TheKidUpstairs
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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#WhereAreYouMonday

Windswept in the Orkneys (and carried away in a different way in London) with Amy Liptrot's beautiful, raw journey.

@Cupcake12

Cuilin Did you say Orkneys? Stacked!! 2mo
BarbaraBB Orkneys? Cool. 2mo
TheKidUpstairs @BarbaraBB I love an isolated island setting! 2mo
Cupcake12 Orkney is stunning 🤩 2mo
BarbaraBB I know! Me too. The Scottish islands are always good for a great story! 2mo
52 likes1 stack add5 comments
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merelybookish
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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This memoir was right book, right time. Like Liptrot, I've moved back to a home I once left for brighter lights. (Although nowhere as cool as London or the Orkney Islands.) I enjoyed her reconnection and (re)discovery of the place she's from, seeing the landscape and the people with new understanding.
This is also an addiction memoir. Part of what drives her home is her recovery from alcoholism, about which she writes with honesty. Next week 👇

merelybookish I start a counseling job at a recovery center for women, which is exciting & scary. So learning what helped Liptrot was interesting to me. This is a #192025 pick for 2015. @Librarybelle 2y
Billypar Congrats on the new job!! And what an important one too - there are so many substance abuse support needs right now. 2y
merelybookish @Billypar Thank you! Yes, there is massive need. It is a bit overwhelming. 2y
See All 15 Comments
LeahBergen Congrats on the new job! 2y
Librarybelle Congratulations!! 2y
Ruthiella I love it when a book fits into a reader‘s life like that. Good luck with the new job! 👍 2y
batsy Congratulations on the new job! And good luck. What @Billypar said 💜 2y
TheLudicReader Haha for the gig! That looks like the Old River Road. (edited) 2y
merelybookish @TheLudicReader It is! We live in Oak Point! 2y
TheLudicReader @merelybookish haha. My grandparents lived in Morrisdale and my bff has property in Hampstead. I probably drive by your place a dozen times during the summer. That drive never gets old. 2y
merelybookish @TheLudicReader My dad grew up in Hampstead. 🙂 And you absolutely do pass by our place. We are #6712. Just before the Oak Point wharf. 2y
Bookwomble Congrats on your new, and so worthwhile, job 😊💖 2y
kspenmoll Best of everything for your new job. 💕 2y
Centique What a lovely photo and best wishes for the new job 💕 2y
74 likes1 stack add15 comments
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MegCaldwell
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book but was not as huge into the AA bits but understand how they were integral to the story. I also enjoyed listening to it through Libby.

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Teresereading
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Eggs Perfect 🤩 2y
16 likes1 comment
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Yahui07
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

This one is between pick and soso
So glad this book introduces me to the remote island and I really want to take a trip to see for myself.
However, for some reason I sometimes felt impatient when reading it.

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Soubhiville
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

Finished up this morning.
I‘d call The Outrun a soft pick. I was hoping for more island/ outdoor life, and that is in here, but the focus of the book is the author‘s alcohol addiction and her 2 year recovery. It‘s an important book that may be really helpful for someone going through recovery themselves. If your focus is more on the environmental story, you might want to try something else.

Venkman‘s ready for the fun part of the day to start!

ShelleyBooksie Venkman is sooooo handsome ♡ 3y
EvieBee Venkman 😍 3y
Soubhiville @ShelleyBooksie @EvieBee isn‘t he cute? He‘s a really sweet and loving guy too. 3y
62 likes3 comments
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Twocougs
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

So honest. A story of finding yourself at “home” among nature. Now I want to go to the Orkney Island!

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Mitch
The Outrun: A Memoir | Amy Liptrot
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I had mixed feelings about her first book - a powerful, soul bearing, hold nothing back, memoir… a great bookclub book. Her second book has just been announced … shall I / shan‘t i ???

Ruthiella Maybe wait for reviews to see if those aspects you didn‘t enjoy about her first are still prevalent? 🤔 3y
Mitch @Ruthiella 👍🏼👏🏼👍🏼 3y
54 likes2 comments
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Soubhiville
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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@Mitch ! What a lovely surprise! Thank you so much, how sweet of you to send this beautiful book my way. It sounds like something I‘ll love. I can‘t wait to read it. If you follow the book link there‘s an adorable picture of baby Woodford just a few posts down too ❤️.

Mitch 🥰😍🥰😍🥰 4y
AmyG He was so little. 💕 4y
63 likes2 comments
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Mitch
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

Liptrot writes about the natural world with a beautiful unique vision, weaving mythology, folklore, geology, history & lived experience. I wanted to return to Orkney so bad! She reminded me of the awesomeness of being on top land rising from the sea in the middle of nowhere and just feeling the power of nature. She mirrored this with her journey as an alcoholic - which was brave but maybe she needed to think more about her impact on others.

Clwojick This is a stunning book! 🤗 4y
Mitch @Clwojick I was a book my bookseller picked for me as part of a subscription service and I loved it! 4y
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Mitch
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Getting in some quiet morning reading time whilst the puppy dynamo recharges!

This book came as my monthly personalised reading subscription from Mr Bs Bookshop. It‘s a book I‘ve skirted around, picked up before in a store and not left with - but I‘m a few chapters in and really liking it. Sometimes a good bookstore person knows best!

#nfn2020

veritysalter I love Mr B‘s they got my selections spot on every time. 4y
TheSpineView Awww 💙🐾 4y
AmyG I don‘t even know what you wrote because I am too busy looking at your sweet puppy. 💕 4y
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Mitch @AmyG Ahhh... sweet whilst asleep! 4y
Mitch @veritysalter they‘re brilliant aren‘t they. 4y
LeahBergen He is too sweet. 😩 4y
Cathythoughts Oh he is really adorable 🥰 4y
Clwojick So sweet! 4y
93 likes8 comments
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Mitch
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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I‘ve loved my personalised book subscription from Mr B‘s. They‘ve picked me a perfect book every month but it‘s felt less “treaty” as it‘s come in a brown cardboard box. Until now that is ... ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

britt_brooke 🤩 4y
Soubhiville Wow! That‘s beautiful! 4y
LeahBergen So pretty! 4y
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Mitch @Soubhiville It was very special. Made it feel like a real treat x 4y
paper.reveries This is gorgeous! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Mr. B's was my favorite book subscription I've ever tried. I loved every book they sent me! 4y
Mitch @TheAromaofBooks I‘ve had 3 of my books so far and they‘ve all been spot on ! 4y
TheAromaofBooks The funny part was, they were books that I loved, but weren't necessarily books I would have picked out on my own, so I felt both that they were catering to my reading tastes and somehow still expanding them! I just got some birthday money, so now you have me wondering if a Mr. B's subscription is how I want to spend it!!! 4y
Oryx Oh wow. I think I want to try a mr b subscription. 4y
Oryx Oh also, this book is excellent. So it's a good choice - I think you'll love it. 4y
Mitch @TheAromaofBooks I know what you mean. I‘ve discovered some great new reads that have just been 1 degree away from my normal picks - enough to feel familiar yet different enough to feel fresh! 4y
Mitch @Oryx 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 4y
eraderneely This is gorgeous! 4y
Mitch @eraderneely and they‘re great at picking books too ! 4y
76 likes14 comments
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Oryx
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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#audioknitting in the (last?) summer sun. Finished the back of my Aran sweater, now I'm onto the front.

Tamra A furry somebody is living the good life in this pic 😁 5y
AlaMich @Tamra It was like a “spot the pup” photo! 🐶❤️ 5y
cathipink Your sweater looks beautiful! Happy knitting 🙂 5y
Oryx @cathipink thank you 😀 5y
Oryx @Tamra @AlaMich She's usually lurking around somewhere, living her best life (aka napping) 5y
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rachaich
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

Goodness. How much did I like this?
Beautiful prose. Honest thought and emotions. Made me truly feel for her whilst admiring her.

Emilymdxn I felt the same! 5y
16 likes1 comment
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rachaich
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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No idea what this is about but the cover appealed hugely :)

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rockpools
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Rather than heading for formal #rehab, Amy Liptrot goes home to Orkney to recover from her alcohol addiction.

Not sure if I‘ll ever get to reading this one, but I love the covers. All of them!!

#AnglophileApril

quietlycuriouskate Nice cover but I wasn't thrilled by the book. 6y
rockpools @kathedron Your review convinced me that maybe it‘s not essential reading after all. Thank you! 6y
Mdargusch Great cover! 6y
See All 7 Comments
Reviewsbylola This looks like a great book. Sad to see that it‘s not. ⬆️ 6y
quietlycuriouskate @RachelO @Reviewsbylola Mine is a minority view though: most people seem to love it. 6y
Teresereading I enjoyed it, lived her personal journey and the island life. 4y
rockpools @Tereses Good to know - I‘m sure I *will* get to it one day! 4y
66 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Goose312
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
Pickpick

Beautiful, honest, evocative. A brilliant interweaving of two contrasting lifestyles and the lessons learned through both.

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andrew61
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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#BirdofParadise #winterwonderland
I went back thru my gr list of bks read. This was one of my books of 2017 and a heart wrenching account of a young woman struggling with alcoholism who returns to Orkney, her island of birth to recover. Part of her recovery includes working for rspb to monitor the corncrake population. A wonderful book + definitely a bird of a paradise. listen to tweet of the day corncrake - curious sound, another place to see ☺

Cathythoughts 👍🏻♥️ 6y
29 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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awonderinglife
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

Gorgeous, painful, hopeful and evocative. Loved this memoir.

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Emilymdxn
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Hi I‘m a new litten and so pleased to have just discovered #litworld2018gb!

I love reading books from other countries and these are the ones I‘ve managed so far in 2018 - some (particularly Greece, Thailand and Australia) id like to swap out for books by people actually from that country as I prefer to read books from the country or in the language rather than books set there, but I am counting books set in a country I think!

callielafleur By the by, you have gorgeous handwriting! 😍 7y
Emilymdxn @callielafleur thanks lovely! 7y
BookishMe So EXCITED for you! Will stay tuned for your choices 💖💖 7y
GatheringBooks welcome to the literary voyage around the world reading challenge! so thrilled to have you on board!! :) 7y
Mdargusch Glad you found a niche so soon! And I agree - beautiful handwriting! 7y
29 likes5 comments
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rachelwill
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

Book 2: What. An. Adventure. Into the wilds of remote Orkney islands and the human psyche. In this memoir come nature book, Liptrot captures something raw and unique and bracing. As bracing as winter sea swimming and at times, just as dark. Simply could not recommend this book enough.

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rachelwill
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Poetry in every paragraph.

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quietlycuriouskate
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Mehso-so

I get it: she lives at the edge (geographically, psychologically) but, goodness, does she labour the point! After a while the courage with which she writes about her alcoholism begins to read more like self-flagellation/self-indulgence. And once back on Orkney she persistently relates corncrakes, jellyfish, wave action, the aurora back to herself.
As one (self-absorbed) isolate to another I wish her well but doubt I'll look out for future books.

quietlycuriouskate Next time I feel the need for a nature-based recovery memoir I'll re-read Richard Mabey instead. 7y
merelybookish I had this from the library and was excited to read it. But there was a too cool for school vibe that I found off-putting. I didn't get far. 7y
44 likes2 comments
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Libby1
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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A good morning‘s work at the charity shops. 😃

Has anyone read these?

andrew61 They are both excellent ☺ 7y
BarbaraBB If Nobody Speaks is one of my all time favourites 😍 7y
rockpools No, but if I met them in a charity shop, they'd totally be leaving with me. Well spotted! 7y
See All 7 Comments
merelybookish I have Outrun from the library but haven't started yet. 7y
quietlycuriouskate I've got The Outrun on hold on Overdrive. 7y
RidgewayGirl Jon MacGregor's books are all amazing. 7y
Libby1 Thanks for the thoughts recommendations, @andrew61 , @BarbaraBB , @RachelO , @merelybookish , @River_Voice , @RidgewayGirl 💕 7y
96 likes7 comments
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BooksCatsMaine
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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On the road again! This time off to Seattle for work.

Reading the Outrun (think H is for Hawk meets Wild) and loving this beautiful cover art!

#flyinglittens #threebookspackedforthreedays

18 likes3 stack adds
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ReadingEnvy
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Reading Envy Podcast 085: An Acquired Taste with guest Thomas Otto (from The Readers Podcast.) http://tinyurl.com/ReadingEnvy085

saresmoore I really like how this collage turned out! 8y
My_novel_obsession Can't wait to listen to this one! I love listening to both you and Thomas talk about books so having you both on one podcast is awesome! 🤗 8y
ReadingEnvy @saresmoore It was like I had a color scheme! 8y
See All 7 Comments
ReadingEnvy @Anovelobsession Thanks! I like listening to him to, so it was a pleasure! 8y
LeahBergen Ooo, can't wait! 8y
andrew61 I was only just listening to the latest The readers in the car today- im looking forward to your chat. 8y
68 likes7 comments
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erinreads
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Reading has come to a halt tonight because my husband hooked our Sega back up and Outrun takes priority over EVERYTHING. 🎮

Chessa OMG!!!!! 8y
8little_paws Dude this is awesome 8y
55 likes2 comments
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awonderinglife
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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My current 'being read' pile...

Reagan Keep the Kleenex handy for Another Day in the Death of America. 8y
8 likes1 comment
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andrew61
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

A wonderful memoir of the redemptive power of nature - i had to finish it off in my car before a meeting, a rainy Wednesday in Manchester hardly competes with the beauty of the islands of Scotland

Lindy I suggested this as a purchase for my local library and now I'm on the waiting list. Plenty of other stuff to read while I wait, but I'm looking forward to this. 8y
andrew61 Ill be interested to see what you think. 8y
4 likes2 comments
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andrew61
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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I went to quickly pick up a reservation from the library at lunch and ended up with a bundle of books. Particularly looking forward to the Naomi Alderman and trying modiano.

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Kkhalifeh
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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I love this cover! 💕

LeahBergen Pretty bookends! 8y
ephemeralwaltz Wow!😍 8y
19 likes2 comments
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ReadingEnvy
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Pickpick

Last book of 2016! Part addict memoir, part spectacular nature writing about the Orkneys. Highly recommended.

Flaneurette Added this to my tbr after I read about it on the BBC website ( I think?) but it doesn't come out til April ☹️.. maybe I should order from book depository because this U.K. cover is so pretty! (edited) 8y
ReadingEnvy @Flaneurette I saw that, not until April! While it had already won an award in the UK. I like this cover better too so I may do the same. I had a review copy but this is one I want for my personal collection. 8y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BooksCatsMaine
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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Some blues! I just picked up "The outrun" and am saving it for a long rainy weekend. And I'm counting down to winter so I can read "A Winter Book"!
#Blues #somethingforsept #septphotochallene

@RealLifeReading @TheSpinecrackersBookClub

RealLifeReading Tove Jansson! 💙💙 8y
DebinHawaii Nice! 💙📘 8y
cariashley Goodness that second to last one is ginormous 😮 8y
20 likes3 comments
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Feexby
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
Pickpick

The Outrun is a fabulous book, full of stuff about not belonging, the chaos of dependency, and how spiritual adjustments can bring people back from the brink. A solid, honest, encouraging memoir that stands apart from the narcissistic lunacy of most of the rest of the world.

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peggyriley
The Outrun | Amy Liptrot
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I caught the full moon in my wing mirror.

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