MD Jon's year in (roughly) ten books

I’m going to talk about me. I’ll probably mention books. I’ll roll out some of those familiar themes about inspiring adventure – fresh air, the thrill of the outdoors ... But mostly I’m going to talk about me. Then, if you make it to the end I’ll give you some good news and a chance to win something.

The reason I’m going to talk about me is I got a second chance at living the life I needed, and, with the help of quite a few people – and, yes, predictably, a few books – I managed to take that chance.

For many years I had been a bit sad about a few things, and, despite publishing the country’s very best adventure books, I felt a bit indoorsy when I wanted to be outdoorsy. You see, it was all very well publishing so many inspiring books but there was a problem: I felt increasingly like I was a fraud because I wasn’t using them quite as much as I wanted to. In fact, for the vast majority of books, I wasn’t using them at all. Life had somehow got away from me and the things I had found so important when I founded Vertebrate Publishing just weren’t there any more.  But 2024 was going to turn out differently, thanks to having some good people to talk to in 2023.

Firstly, whatever is going on in your life, it helps to talk about it – and I really won’t bore you with this any more – but it was talking about stuff that helped me move forward.

As Allie Bailey says in her book, There is No Wall, running won’t save you, and I won’t pretend climbing, or running, or the outdoors saved me, because they didn’t. People saved me. But the outdoors did allow me to have one of the best and happiest years of my life.

The happy came from me, but the best bit came from the books and the people I shared adventures with. Whether it was walking in Wicklow or suffering on the Spine.

My year in ten books

Allie Bailey’s There is No Wall:  No book has made me think about how to live my life – and being good enough – like this book has.

Sarah Lister’s Mountain Walks Kinder Scout: My first forays into winter weather for some time, and a lesson in stopping to listen to the mountain.

Hannah Collingridge’s Mountain Walks Yorkshire Three Peaks: Just for the excuse to blast up there in the car and bag a bit of Yorkshire Dales fun, and because, like it or not, Hannah was one of those people.

Stian Christophersen’s The Climbing Bible: Managing Injuries: It’s funny really. Kickstarting your adventurous life again at let’s say 40+ does come with a few injury risks.

Helen Mort’s Ethel: One of the best biographies we will ever publish, Ethel is one of those books where stupendously good writing meets an incredible character. So, while it is all very well wallowing in my self pity, quite simply, there would be no outdoor access to wallow in if it wasn’t for people like Ethel Haythornthwaite.

Keri Wallace’s Running Challenges: This is the book of the year for me. There was a moment in the summer, climbing up to the summit of Sgurr a’ Mhaim, when I thought, this is what it should be, this is why we’re here. The Tea Round, Langdale Skyline and the Ring of Steall were without doubt some of the best mountain days I’ve ever had.

Elise Downing’s Walk Britain: I had a wonderful three days on the North York Moors taking photos and route testing this book. Lots of ice cream was consumed. The fun of this book, (released in a few weeks’ time), is the ‘to heck with it ... let’s go here tomorrow and do this’.

Jen Scotney’s Running Through the Dark: I did that Spine Race Challenger South in the summer. It was Jen’s runs on it that first brought the race to my attention. It had its moments I’ll admit – the race and the book. My memory of it though is so positive, and, despite the gruel and the struggle, it did have a happy ending. For me, the motivation to finish came from knowing people cared about me finishing. It meant a lot to be in that place. Equally I’m glad Jen finished her book, because we all cared about that happy ending.

Paul Besley’s The Search: A book about finding yourself – which is kind of what I’ve been banging on about.

That’s nine … and I don’t think I could have fitted in much more. Stand-up paddleboarding and gravel bike rides will just have to wait for next year.

I say this every year, but be assured I always mean it, and this year more than ever ... Thank you so much for your support. Of course, Vertebrate is not me, it’s about you, the authors and the team here and the great outdoors. Look after yourselves.

Oh, I nearly forgot – check out the pre-order for Elise’s new book which will go live next month – there’s a great prize up for grabs. We will have a prize draw with every release in 2025, some kit prizes and a real chance to win each time.

Next year … well, I’ll tell you all about that in a couple of weeks.