THE WALKER’S BOOKSHELF

Great reads to look out for this month

The Pebble Spotter’s Guide Clive Mitchell, £10, pavilionbooks.com

If you’ve ever found yourself trudging head down along a stony beach, stopping every few yards to inspect, admire and pocket any pebble that catches your eye (like Tim on p122) , then you might understand what motivated geologist Clive Mitchell (@CliveBGS on Twitter) to compile this beautifully-illustrated guide. There’s very much an

‘Observer’s Book’ feel to the 100+ pages where an array of pebbles, from plentiful to rare, are lovingly described and celebrated. Read this and your next beach walk is sure to be a treasure hunt.

Treasured Islands Peter Naldrett, £19, bloomsbury.com

A joyous illustrated guide to over 200 of Britain’s quirky, rugged and magical islands, packed with walking options, foodie highlights and wildlife insight. Just some of the islands waiting to charm you are Arran, Lindisfarne, Shetland, Anglesey, Canvey and the Scillies – plus tidal islands you can walk to, such as beautiful Burgh Island in Devon.

Windswept Annabel Abbs, £17, johnmurraypress.co.uk

Subtitled Walking in the footsteps of

remarkable women, this exhilarating book is part memoir, part wild walk, as Annabel follows in the footsteps of iconic figures who drew inspiration from walking in nature, including Daphne Du Maurier, Georgia O'Keeffe, Frieda Lawrence, Nan Shepherd and Simone de Beauvoir.

Ninebarrow’s Dorset (Volume 2) James LaBouchardiere and Jon Whitley, £15, ninebarrow.co.uk

Jay and Jon form the acclaimed folk duo Ninebarrow, and most of their music is inspired by stories they’ve discovered while walking in their beloved Dorset. They’re now writing guidebooks for walks that inspired particular songs. Here’s Vol 2, which includes brilliant walks at Durlston, Studland, Lulworth and the Purbeck Ridge.