PRELOVED BY LAUREN BRAVO
If you spent the festive break clearing out your cupboards or – whisper it – putting aside unwanted gifts to immediately take to the charity shop, put your feet up for an afternoon and settle down with this debut from journalist Lauren Bravo. Newly and unexpectedly redundant former senior account manager Gwen is turning 38. She has several months’ worth of payout in her account, giving her a buzz of illusory wealth, but knows she needs a reason to leave the house while she gears herself up to re-enter society. First things first, Gwen clears her home of emotional baggage. Remnants of her relationship: menswear, CDs, whisky stones and engagement ring. While donating the items to her local charity shop, she decides to sign up as a volunteer. In a short space of time, she’s part of the team: sorting, steaming, screeching with laughter at inappropriately donated ‘personal items’ and regaining her sense of self. The main plot is interspersed with beautifully written short stories about the origins of the items on the shelves: who loved them, who was given them, what their previous owners felt about them, why they mattered – and slowly the stories weave together to reveal a shimmering whole. This is a glorious book about second chances, starting over and finding joy in unexpected places. It’ll have you clearing out your cupboards and maybe even volunteering at your local charity shop – who knows where it might lead you?
If you’re hoping to get going on your garden this season, the new year doesn’t really get going until the first shoots appear. To Stand And Stare is the first book from star gardener Andrew Timothy O’Brien, who has been sharing advice and wisdom via Instagram, his podcast and his incredibly popular online coaching courses for years – and he’s finally been persuaded to distil his hard-learned wisdom into book form. His wonderfully written words provide a unique and captivating blend of mindful musing on horticulture and botany, ecological awareness and practical gardening tips and pointers, assessing each situation from the ground up. The resulting chapters will help even the most time-starved gardener make something of their outdoor plot – and maybe even find their soul in the process. Packed with helpful infographics, easy-to-follow suggestions and all-year-round advice for not just what to do in your garden, but how to be while you’re out there, this is the perfect book to gift to a new gardener, or present to someone desperately in need of a diversion. BY ANDREW TIMOTHY O’BRIEN TO STAND AND STARE
A GREAT THYME Garner some green wisdom from this social media sensation and online garden coach
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK FEBRUARY 2023 29
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