FOR SWIMMERS
Swell
by Jenny Landreth
For centuries, women in the water fell into three categories: mermaids luring sailors to their doom, witches being dunked, and those of questionable moral fibre. This fun book explores how female swimmers battled through prejudice and legislation, not to mention the most ridiculous choice of swimwear imaginable. Swell is part personal memoir, and part social history. Even if you aren’t as wildly enthusiastic about swimming as the author, you’ll find her book written with humour and fondness.
Published by Bloomsbury
ISBN: 9781472938947
Price (hardback): £16.99

FOR LIFEBOAT HISTORIANS
Montrose and Selsey
Lifeboat Station History Books
By John Aitken, and Dave Fotheringham
The two new instalments in our RNLI Station History Book series are written, as always, by local experts. Montrose’s John Aitken has spent years with the Board of Montrose Port Authority as an archivist and member. Dave Fotheringham is a volunteer boathouse attendant and press officer at RNLI Selsey. Both authors have given up huge amounts of their own time to research and compile these interesting books. The results include extensive collections of photos, archive materials and real-life stories of bravery to lift your spirits. Available from local outlets
Published by the RNLI
Price: £8.95 each

FOR EXPLORERS
Mediterranean, a year around a charmed and troubled sea
by Huw Kingston
In April 2014, Australian traveller Huw Kingston kayaked away from Anzac Cove at Gallipoli, Turkey. He took the next 3 months to navigate around the coasts of Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Croatia. As if that wasn’t enough exertion, he then trekked and cycled his way almost 9,000 miles to North Africa. It was an eye-opening journey around some extraordinary land and seascapes, and throughout it Huw raised funds for the children of war-torn Syria (in the process becoming Save the Children Australia’s highest-ever individual fundraiser). The result is a fascinating read for anyone with an interest in travel and Mediterranean culture.
Published by Whittles Publishing
ISBN: 9781849952743
Price: £19.99

FOR ISLANDERS
Waypoints – seascapes and stories of Scotland’s west coast
by Ian Stephen
Review by Robin Westcott
The stories of the author’s voyages around the Western Isles are as much a celebration of place and island life, as they are the journeys made and the vessels sailed. Stephen’s book is a charming and engaging read, switching effortlessly between different narrative styles. As a poet, writer, artist and former coastguard officer, Stephen draws heavily on Scottish folklore in his retelling of the King of Lochlinn’s daughter, the great snowball, Macphee’s black dog and other tales. Christine Morrison’s drawings echo the simplicity and honesty of Stephen’s writing. Beautifully written, this is a book you’ll find hard to put down.
Published by Bloomsbury
ISBN: 9781472939630
Price (hardback): £18.99

FOR ADVENTURERS
The Cape Horners’ Club
by Adrian Flanagan
Review by Keith Wilson, Volunteer Fundraiser at Kettering and District RNLI Fundraising Branch People with little knowledge of the sea, but respect for those that sail, will be impressed with this easy-read publication. Understand the geographical timeline of Cape Horn, how the supercontinent broke up 200 million years ago, and why sailors see rounding it a challenge. Many crews and individual sailors have attempted it, some perishing, and others winning the challenge. In the book, we red about the individuals who conquered the Cape, and experience their knock-downs. Among these are some of my heroes – Chichester, Rose, Blyth, not forgetting 17-year-old Jessica Watson sailing single handed. I give it 10 out of 10.
Published by Bloomsbury
ISBN: 9781472912527
Price (hardback): £18.99

FOR SAILORS
THROUGH TIME
Mr Eternity
by Aaron Thier
An ancient sailor called Daniel Defoe (age: 560-ish) is your companion through generations in a story that sails through the course of a millennium on the high seas. It’s a wild and fantastic tale of an always-changing world, where love and humour can still just about be found amid the destruction humans cause. Although the setting shifts around a lot – one minute you’re in South America in the 1500s, the next you’re in the year 2500 – it’s worth taking your time over. Narrative this inventive doesn’t come around too often.
Published by Bloomsbury
ISBN: 9781632860958
Price (hardback): £10.99

Buy these books online via RNLI.org/amazon and Amazon will donate a minimum of 5% of the value to the RNLI.
Recommended retail prices may vary from the time of writing. Post and packaging costs may apply to books ordered online.
SPRING INTO A NEW BOOK Hot off the press – here’s a selection of nautical reads released this year
Words: Laura Rainbow unless stated | Photos: Simon Moss