I consider myself pretty wild but this book, beautifully written and gently humorous, reminded me of places yet to look, creatures to discover and the joy of learning. A truly wonderful read. An education.

It was the cover of this book that drew me to it as all I wanted to do was spend some time at the side of the water. Split into 23 accessible chapters, each focusing on a different change you can make to feel more within the wild that is always around us but that you haven’t noticed. I love books that have small chapters as it’s a great bedside read, dipping in and out before you fall asleep. This is especially true of books on art and nature due to the positive feelings you get from them. The big problem with ‘Rewild Yourself‘ was I was so spellbound by it I read it in a day. From learning to identify a few butterflies to wearing waterproof trousers, each change is small, but taken as a whole could make a great difference to your appreciation of the plants and animals around you, it will also help make those #lockdown walks more interesting. A well-written and well-argued collection of essays it will be a great reference to return to when I want to learn a new spell beyond the ones I’m already doing.

'There is wildness in us all, but in most of us it's latent, sleeping, unused. Wild we are in our deeper selves: we are hunter-gatherers in suits and dresses and jeans and t-shirts. We have been civilised - tame - for less than 1 % of our existence as a species.' Myself and my university friends started an unofficial book club for 2021 and this was our second book! Not gonna lie, I had no idea what to expect but I loved the idea of getting back in touch with nature. We’re spending so much time inside so I’ll take any help I can get! ⁣ Rewild Yourself is a witty and very accessible book that gives some very simple and shamefully obvious suggestions on how we can reawaken ourselves and rekindle our relationship with nature. ⁣⁣ I was a little worried it would be a little pretentious and make me feel guilty that I don’t appreciate nature as much but it was completely the opposite. Barnes is an excellent storyteller and the writing is very casual, witty and accessible to everyone. Anyone can pick up this book and learn from it! ⁣He ties in themes and quotes from Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and more and it’s such a lovely way to showcase the magic behind nature and the little ‘spells’ we can learn to reconnect with it. I also loved how simple these ideas are and how little effort we have to make in order to reconnect with nature. We don't need to take long boat trips into the sea or scale the highest mountain, simply by opening up our senses and listening we can find all of the nature that already surrounds us. Even in the busy streets and concrete jungle of the city of London! If you’re looking for a nice short read that will expand your knowledge then I highly recommend it. Already I am putting into practice little things like going for walks without my headphones so I can actually listen to nature’s chorus. ⁣⁣ I’m not going to put a rating because it isn’t really a book that can be rated but I found it very enjoyable! ⁣

Rewilding, as a concept, has been around for a while and there have been fascinating books written on it by George Monbiot and Isabella Tree but they are very much aimed at what society, governments and landowners can do. This book is far more about how ordinary individuals can get themselves more in touch with the natural world – about how we can all learn to spend quality time with nature. In some ways it is the perfect book for those emerging from a lockdown cocoon and wanting to see things beyond their own four walls – introducing the reader to common butterflies, birds and animal footprint (and droppings…). But it also gives some suggestions about how to alter your mindset and your relationship with flora and fauna: sitting still, looking and listening. This is a book suitable for all ages and would be great for adults to share as a learning experience with children. I feel that I am already on my way (not showing off, but I already knew all the butterflies…) but also that I have plenty to learn.

After lockdown, there will be a great need for books like this. Books that help you reframe and re-engage with the outside world. It isn't a serious book. Not like many other books that write about the natural world. So don't pick this up thinking it is a heavy read meant to provoke. It is a simple book that simply nudges you, suggests rather than prescribes. Hidden in its joyful and slightly quirky frame is a message of real importance. Of recognising the healing effects that the natural world provides. The stress relief. The exercise. The ideas and inspiration. This book is sharing that spirit of childhood exploration. It's playful. The narrative style is conversational. A style that is very welcome after the lack of conversation during the long period of isolation. It sets you up for returning to the world in a way that allows you to draw more sustenance from it than you did before. Or, more than most of us did. I know, from my own interaction with the outside world, that nature was very much a background aspect of my life. Rewild Yourself makes you aware and I think that awareness is precious. We don't know if we will be forced to return indoors at a future stage. For that reason alone, it should be important to try to suck the marrow out of a walk. To notice more. To discover more. It is a short read, well structured into bitesize 'spells'. This initially put me off. More new age nonsense. But no, I prefer to think of them as experiments. Challenges. It's reference to magic is just the everyday, exceptional and thrilling magic of the natural world. Not actually jazzed up with spiritual stuff, but laid bare as an acknowledgement of how miraculous nature can be. It's funny. Engaging. Descriptive. Educational. A good read for children, as well as adults. Simon Barnes asks you to look at the world around you for a little longer. To look a little closer. To explore a little deeper. And for that reason, I highly recommend this book as a tonic for the post-lockdown person. Save yourself some time as well. Buy some binoculars now. I didn't order them until I was halfway through reading it and I wish I'd gotten them straight away!