Advertisement
Books

Top 5 books about women and water, chosen by The Tidal Year author Freya Bromley

The author of The Tidal Year chooses her favourite books that explore the relationship between women and water

Island tales, lake swimming and forming relationships with rivers all feature in Freya Bromley’s pick of the books to focus on women and water.

Turning by Jessica J Lee

At the age of 28, Jessica finds herself alone in Berlin and decides to swim 52 of the city’s lakes. It’s beautiful to follow the re-emergence of her confidence and independence as she swims through the seasons. Jessica’s writing about water is some of the best I’ve encountered.

The Outrun by Amy Liptrot

A sublime story of coming back from the edge. Liptrot returns to the sheep farm in Orkney where she grew up after more than a decade away. This is a memoir to return to again and again, when you’re in need of an escape.  

Sea Bean by Sally Huband 

Another book set on a Scottish island, this is Huband’s quest to find a mermaid’s purse after she develops a chronic illness trigged by pregnancy. Her journey is full of resilience, myths and coastal treasures. It inspires the meditative joy of beachcombing. 

Soundings by Doreen Conningham

In this immersive and gentle story, Doreen and her toddler Max follow the grey whale migration route. This moving journey shares what we can learn from other species about how to parent in a time of change.

The Flow by Amy-Jane Beer

Recent winner of the Wainwright Prize, this intimate meditation on rivers explores our relationship with water. Beer visits the river where her close friend tragically died 12 years earlier. Like grief and water, it meanders. A lyrical and attentive memoir.  

Advertisement
Advertisement
The Tidal Year

The Tidal Yearby Freya Bromley is out in paperback on 9 May (Coronet, £10.99). You can buy it from The Big Issue shop on Bookshop.org, which helps to support The Big Issue and independent bookshops.
This article is taken from The Big Issue magazine, which exists to give homeless, long-term unemployed and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy!
If you cannot reach your local vendor, you can still click HERE to subscribe to The Big Issue or give a gift subscription. You can also purchase one-off issues from The Big Issue Shop or The Big Issue app, available now from the App Store or Google Play

Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

Read All
Top 5 revolutionary books, chosen by historian and author Alice Hunt
Books

Top 5 revolutionary books, chosen by historian and author Alice Hunt

Every family has a secret. By uncovering mine, I liberated my grandmother's sorrowful story
Family secrets

Every family has a secret. By uncovering mine, I liberated my grandmother's sorrowful story

The Most by Jessica Anthony review – cracks just beneath the surface of an all-American family
Books

The Most by Jessica Anthony review – cracks just beneath the surface of an all-American family

Top 5 Desi books – chosen by Indi Deol, founder of British Asian magazine DESIblitz
Books

Top 5 Desi books – chosen by Indi Deol, founder of British Asian magazine DESIblitz

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue