Book Review: 52 Ways To Walk
Happy Publication Day to Annabel Streets on the launch of her non fiction book 52 Ways To Walk. I’m already a keen walker, which is handy as I have TWO very active working cocker spaniels that LOVE to walk, and run and bounce and roll in smelly things!
Anyway, when I spotted this new non fiction all about different ways of walking I was intrigued. The lovely people at NetGalley kindly sent me an advance copy to read and review. But before I share my thoughts on 52 Ways To Walk, here’s a little bit about the book.
Book Cover Notes
Walking strengthens our bodies, calms our minds and lifts our spirits. But it does so much more than this. Our vision, hearing, respiration, sleep, cognition, memory, blood pressure, sense of smell and balance (to name a few) are all enhanced by how we walk. For instance:
· Walking in cold weather burns extra fat and builds more muscle.
· Walking alone strengthens our memories.
· Walking in woodland helps us sleep.
· And there’s nothing more restorative than a romantic night hike.
Our choice of location, time, direction, duration, walking companion and gait, as well as the weather we opt to walk in, can transform our daily stroll. Here, Annabel Streets shares the thrill of 52 walking styles, explaining the latest science behind each one, and providing practical tips for making the most of your daily steps.
52 Ways to Walk is a revelatory and informative handbook for anyone stuck in a walking rut, curious about the lesser-known benefits of walking or merely in need of some on-foot novelty and adventure.
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My Thoughts
When I read the title for this book, 52 Ways To Walk, I was intrigued. How can the author possibly come up with 52 weeks worth of different walking styles for readers to try? Then I read the book and discovered so much more about the benefits of walking as well as 52 examples of walking styles to try.
The aim of the book is for readers to try a new style of walking each week for a year. Written in a full calendar year, the author has tried to match up walking styles with the seasons, events and weather conditions. 52 Ways To Walk is a handy reference book to pop on your bookshelf and dip into once a week. Put your trainers on, grab your kit (which is covered in the book) and get outdoors. Very doable and very enjoyable.
I totally related to the authors introduction about growing up in an active family. I was encouraged to walk everywhere, from walking to school, meeting up with my friends and lots of coastal walks on our holidays. Sadly, kids today are driven everywhere and miss out on the wonders of nature all around them by not being encouraged to walk more. As the author states, it’s time to rethink walking.
Walking is not – and has never been – boring. We might be stuck in a walking rut; same route, same time of day, same companion. But there are hundreds of ways to walk, and hundreds of reasons for doing so.
I enjoyed reading the authors thoughts on what walking is and what it isn’t. Hint: it’s not about ticking off 10,000 steps! There are so many benefits to walking that the author covers extensively in this book. This book is packed full of expert advice, safety ideas and useful tips. Aimed more at beginner walkers but they’re still a good reminder for experienced walkers.
I will say though, there’s a fair bit of science shared in each chapter relating to the style of walk being introduced. This may be a little too in depth for some people, I found myself skim reading at times where the science bit was a little too in depth. However, I’m sure there will be plenty of keen walkers who will really enjoy reading the latest science findings being shared in each chapter.
Summary
If you’re not a regular walker and would like to start exercising more, 52 Ways To Walk will show you how to get started.
For regular walkers, this book will re-invigorate your love of walking. Packed with walking suggestions, tips and new ways to make your next walk even more enjoyable.
Where To Buy
Further Book Info:
- Published Date: 17 February 2022
- Publisher: Bloomesbury
- Page Count: 318
About The Author
Annabel Streets is a writer of highly researched, award-winning fiction as well as both narrative and practical nonfiction. She is the author, writing as Annabel Abbs, of the nonfiction book Windswept: Women Who Walked.
Under the name Annabel Streets, which she uses for her practical nonfiction, she is coauthor of The Age Well Project. She is the author of novels The Joyce Girl, Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen, which has been described as a Julie & Julia set in Victorian England.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my book review of 52 Ways To Walk. Why not order yourself a copy today, and don’t forget to check out some of the authors other books:
An essential handbook for making the second half of your life happy, healthy and disease-free.
Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen: A Novel of Victorian Cookery and Friendship
Real-life story of Eliza Acton and her assistant as they revolutionised British cooking and cookbooks around the world. Before Mrs. Beeton and well before Julia Child, there was Eliza Acton, who changed the course of cookery writing forever. England, 1835. London is awash with thrilling new ingredients, from rare spices to exotic fruits. But no one knows how to use them.
1928 Avant-garde Paris is buzzing with the latest ideas in art, music, literature and dance. Lucia, the talented and ambitious daughter of James Joyce, is making her name as a dancer, training with some of the world’s most gifted performers.
Inspired by a true story, The Joyce Girl is a compelling and moving account of thwarted ambition and the destructive love of a father.
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