I did not set out to be an author - never part of the plan. Not that there was a very detailed plan … 

[You can join the conversation about this on the Substack version - to share your favourite books.]

And now I have my 8th book out in the world, the 9th with the publishers, and the 10th (sorry Graffeg) still not quite finished. You might think that would leave me rolling in filthy lucre … but as my accounts attest, that is not the case - and the only reason I have the option of supporting me through the Substack is because this is not a way to riches (and only just a way to keeping ones head above water).

So why do I do it? Well, in large part because I have a drive to try and share ideas - to try and get my belief in the importance of action to help nature in front of as many people as possible. 

But I also do it because the boost to my self-esteem that comes from when people write lovely things in review is enormous! If you have a moment and have enjoyed any of my work, drop a review on satan’s blogspot … 

Though it is a dangerous game, reading reviews … sometimes the exact opposite happens when someone doesn’t like the book.

Anyway - this is all by way of bringing you some news - that my latest book, Cull of the Wild, has been long listed for the prestigious Wainwright Prize. 

I am absolutely thrilled as this is peer-recognition. Now, I know I got a lot of that with blurbs on the cover of the book from all sorts of luminaries - but this is the first time I have ever even been entered into an award.

Surprisingly, looking through the nine other books I am on the list with, I have yet to read any … and I realise why, they came out while I was finishing Cull of the Wild. But there are names of wonderful writers on the list and I hope to get a chance to read through some of them soon. Especially keen to dive into Chantal Lyons’ Groundbreakers - about wild boar. 

That does not mean I have not been reading!!! In fact I have recently finished three books that are utterly brilliant and I recommend them all to you.

First was Kate Bradbury’s One Garden Against the World: In Search of Hope in a Changing Climate - full of righteous anger, love, beauty and LOTS of hedgehogs.

Then I had to ration myself as I started Kathleen Jamie’s new book, Cairn and almost gobbled it up in one sitting.

Finally, finishing this on Wednesday, was George Monbiot’s latest book, written with Peter Hutchinson, The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism (& How It Came to Control Your Life) - utterly brilliant analysis of the state we are in and with a manifesto of hope, guiding us out of the mess the greedy few have created. 

I have just done a lot of driving - my mother’s dear friend, and lover of hedgehogs and badgers, Shona, died and I was chauffeur to the funeral. This meant I have done 14 hours driving in the last few days! When I was alone in the car I have been listening to Doppelgänger by Naomi Klein. Again, as with the three books I have read, I can’t recommend this highly enough. I have lost a few friends to the mirror world of the conspiracy fantasies … a strange realm where the focus of attention is cleverly and very deliberately misdirected away from the system that has caused so much pain and suffering.

So - I have so many books to read - BUT - I would love to hear what you recommend.

Oh - should add - I am about half way through Caspar Henderson’s amazing ‘A Book of Noises’ … utterly brilliant. So - I have shown you mine - show me yours!!

And finally - if any of you are at Global Bird Fair - I will be talking about Cull of the Wild on Sunday at 2pm.