Introducing the OB Book Club, where sustainability meets storytelling. Coming to you once a month. Each month we’ll be recommending a story that inspires us here at OB HQ and introducing it to you.It’s not strictly just books, but the aim of our book club is to share stories that inspire us to make a difference, wth the hope it will empower us to create a world where plastic pollution is a problem of the past.
JANUARY
New year, new rhythms
As we welcome the new year, January is the perfect time to recalibrate, reflect, and reconnect - with ourselves, the seasons, and the natural world. Our first pick of 2025 embodies this completely: The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz.
This month-by-month guide offers a way to ground yourself in the rhythms of the year, while exploring how these rhythms tie us to the elements, particularly water and the ocean. Lia Leendertz’s The Almanac is a celebration of seasonal living. Each month is a wealth of knowledge and inspiration about the natural world, including:
- Tide tables and moon phases
- Seasonal wildlife observations
- Folklore and traditions
- Seasonal recipes and crafts
Water is a compelling topic through the almanac, making it particularly meaningful for us. The tide tables, in particular, remind us of the ocean’s constant presence, even when we’re far from its shores. By tuning into the lunar cycles, we can reflect on how the moon governs the sea, and our moods, creativity, and energy. The seasonal wildlife observations often focus on coastal and marine life, helping us to notice the ecosystems that depend on the ocean. The Almanac reminds us to pay attention to what’s happening both above and beneath the waves. And offers us a more mindful approach to:
- Marking the seasons with purpose. Whether it’s a winter walk by the sea or noticing the first signs of spring, these rituals ground us
- Celebrating the water cycle. Rainfall, rivers, and the ocean are all interconnected, and by observing these cycles, we’re reminded of the importance of protecting water sources
- Reflect on how our actions, from reducing plastic use to supporting ocean conservation
This year, The Almanac can be your guide to slowing down and noticing the world around you, gaining a deeper appreciation for the ocean’s rhythms, creating small, meaningful rituals that honour the seasons and our connection to water, and finding joy in simple, seasonal living.
FABRUARY
The Wild life of Roger Deakin: A Blue Mind pioneer
Ever dipped into wild swimming? Once you’ve overcome the fear of the freeze, you’ve probably felt that deep, restorative connection between water and mind. In The Swimmer, Patrick Barkham explores the life of a man who mastered that very relationship with water, treating it as his home, and his teacher.
Last month we shared a blog post we produced on “The Blue Mind Concept”. In celebration of this, for Feb we've decided to pick a book that explores that connection between humans and water. Deakin’s philosophy resonates with the Blue Mind concept: the idea that being near, in, or on the water enhances our mental well-being. His journey reminds us that water is a place of healing, and of belonging. The Swimmer also serves as a call to action, as Deakin describes his experiences with polluted rivers, eroding coastlines, and an increasing disconnection from the natural world. It seems as if his writing was his activism, and it urges us to cherish and protect waterways, and the ocean.So, whether it’s an open water dip, a moment of reflection by the sea, or simply choosing to be more present in nature, join us in taking some inspiration from The Swimmer, by Patrick Barkham.
