Richard

A Wild Idea: The True Story of Douglas Tompkins--The Greatest Conservationist (You've Never Heard Of)

Doug Tompkins and his wife, Kris Tompkins, are superheroes of South American conservation. The account focuses on Doug and his life as a climber, businessman and, finally, conservationist, but also the work of his wife during his life and after. After a kayaking accident took Doug's life in 2015, his work has been left exclusively in the hands of Kris. She has continued the flight to restore South American ecosystems and rewilding, and returning endangered and extinct species to their natural habitats. A fascinating and well-documented book that inspires the adventurer in all of us.
 

Marc

Russka by Edward Rutherford and Poland by James Michener

I’ve recently finished reading Russka by Edward Rutherford and Poland by James Michener. Neither are new (dating back to 1991 & 1983 respectively) but they are both superbly researched and well-told historical fiction novels that help explain the background to not just Russia and Poland, but critically help provide some useful context to the conflict surrounding the country that now occupies the land between these two countries, namely Ukraine.

Both books tell the origin stories of their respective subject countries as seen through the eyes of a variety of key families told over many generations. And what I found to be the most fascinating was to learn how much of Poland and Russia's (and Ukraine)'s history is connected to Asia and Scandinavia. I'd only ever previously viewed them through a Western European perspective and the shift was truly illuminating.
 

Hayley

Beyond the Rice Fields by Naivo

This is the first novel from Madagascar to be translated into English. Historical fiction set in the early nineteenth century, the story is told from the duelling narrative of Fara and her father’s slave, Tsito, a boy sold into slavery after his forest village is destroyed. Growing up together, their friendship blossoms into love, but with the arrival of British Christian missionaries and French industrialists, its pervasive impact on Malagasy society begins to unravel our protagonist's lives. These insights into the island’s brutal history and rich, complex culture, alongside a heartwarming tale of love and family, really helped breathe fresh life and understanding into my impressions of Madagascar and its people. 

Mike

The Perfect Golden Circle by Benjamin Myers

I've been enjoying this fictionalised account of two outsiders who created a series of crop circles in southern England in the late 80s/early 90s. Evoking the second summer of love, it's pretty much an ode to the English countryside with some beautiful nature descriptions set against the backdrop of the hysteria when crop circles first started appearing across the country. It's loosely based on the real-life story of Doug and Dave, two friends who made over 200 elaborate crop circles in the 80s. A perfect summer read.
 

Louisa

Free: Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi

This beautifully written coming-of-age memoir is about the author's experience growing up during the communist regime in Albania, with a strong support/ love for the awful dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. She then has to adapt to the political changes that come with the upheaval of the system, and the liberation of political and religious beliefs as a young teenager. It is a really insightful book to understand the complex recent political history of Albania for anyone who has been or is interested in going. It is also wonderfully easy to read despite the content. 

Jonny

The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan

Hands up, I am cheating a little here as I did read this amazing book by Peter Frankopan seven years ago while on a short summer holiday in Italy. However, I loved it so much, and so dense is it with fascinating facts that I read it again last month. Who knew that prior to Islam taking control around the 10th century AD, Iran (or Persia as it was then) very nearly became a Christian country, or that in 1775 80% of the world’s GDP came from Asia, or that the while the UK took five generations to industrialise, China has taken one! The Silk Roads is an exceptional piece of work, not only taking us through a pivotal time in history, and showing how the trade pendulum has swung from the East to the West and is heading back East again, but it’s also incredibly readable. Much to my wife’s annoyance, I couldn’t put it down. At the end of August, I am heading to France for 10 days of R&R, and the books I am taking there are The Honourable Company by John Keay and Anarchy by my good friend, William Dalrymple.

Lottie

Losing Eden: Why Our Minds Need The Wild by Lucy Jones

Beautiful nature writing at its finest, with fascinating peer-reviewed science to back it up, this accessible, inspiring book will change how you view your relationship with the natural world and have you leaping into your garden or nearest green space. Jones relays our innate need and emotional response to being in nature and how it is needed now more than ever. 

Marianne

Full Tilt by Dervla Murphy

Dervla Murphy has travelled to and written about many of our destinations, each with detail, description and humanity - they are a lesson and inspiration all in one. No matter the destination, she approaches it with the same interest, empathy and her own brand of stubbornness. Full Tilt is the story of how Dervla cycled from Ireland to India, alone, in the early 60s. In diary form, she details her journey, the people she meets, the dangers and incidents she encounters and the incredible countries she passes through. If you only read one Dervla Murphy book then it should be this one, however, you may find that it is just the beginning…