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The Way Back Almanac 2022: A Contemporary Seasonal Guide Back to Nature
The Way Back Almanac is a modern spin on the traditional almanac, aimed at women who are looking for a way back to nature and to reawaken that sense of belonging in order to improve their own physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
The traditional almanac is a month-by-month prompt to the beautiful transformations of nature that offer a magical and poetic way to celebrate the year. The Way Back Almanac is a modern twist on the conventional almanac, an accessible and truly contemporary guide back to natural rhythms, designed for those who feel most removed from the old ways and cycles.
If you are concerned about the planet, climate emergency and sustainability, this interactive journal will help you discover a way of living more harmoniously with the planet, but without the necessity for a garden or to make major changes to your life. Both a practical companion to the year and a stunning piece of nature writing, it will show how even a busy modern life in a city can be infused with meaningful connections with the world we live in.
Beautifully illustrated throughout, each month includes sections on stargazing, gardening tips, seasonal vegan recipes, home organisation or crafting ideas, digital wellbeing practices, rituals, book club reads, folklore or ancient wisdom as told by modern women from different walks of life, and free space for your own writing, notes or recipes. This interactive and treasured item will gently encourage creativity, fulfillment and ultimately a way back to yourself.
The traditional almanac is a month-by-month prompt to the beautiful transformations of nature that offer a magical and poetic way to celebrate the year. The Way Back Almanac is a modern twist on the conventional almanac, an accessible and truly contemporary guide back to natural rhythms, designed for those who feel most removed from the old ways and cycles.
If you are concerned about the planet, climate emergency and sustainability, this interactive journal will help you discover a way of living more harmoniously with the planet, but without the necessity for a garden or to make major changes to your life. Both a practical companion to the year and a stunning piece of nature writing, it will show how even a busy modern life in a city can be infused with meaningful connections with the world we live in.
Beautifully illustrated throughout, each month includes sections on stargazing, gardening tips, seasonal vegan recipes, home organisation or crafting ideas, digital wellbeing practices, rituals, book club reads, folklore or ancient wisdom as told by modern women from different walks of life, and free space for your own writing, notes or recipes. This interactive and treasured item will gently encourage creativity, fulfillment and ultimately a way back to yourself.
- GenresNonfiction
272 pages, Hardcover
First published August 10, 2021
5 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Melinda Salisbury
22 books1,367 followersMelinda Salisbury lives by the sea, somewhere in the south of England. As a child she genuinely thought Roald Dahl’s Matilda was her biography, in part helped by her grandfather often mistakenly calling her Matilda, and the local library having a pretty cavalier attitude to the books she borrowed. Sadly she never manifested telekinetic powers. She likes to travel, and have adventures. She also likes medieval castles, non-medieval aquariums, Richard III, and all things Scandinavian The Sin Eater's Daughter is her first novel. She can be found on Twitter at @MESalisbury, though be warned, she tweets often.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 18, 2022
I had been reading this month by month throughout the year but have now reached September and read right through to the end. Each month provides practical steps on how to embrace each season. There are recipes, things to make, apps to try, decluttering ideas, information about each month and some further reading suggestions too. I’ve read an almanac the last few years by different authors and this is one of my favourites so far. It’s more a stepping stone to go and make your own experiences from.
August 9, 2021
The Way Back Almanac 2022 is one woman’s attempt to reconnect with the world, especially with what’s outside: animals, plants, the skies and the weather. She has crafted this almanac full of recipes, ideas, lore, household tips and stories. It’s arranged month-by-month to focus on the stars in the sky, the phases of the moon or the plants that thrive at different times. Recipes and folklore too are be adjusted to fit the time of year. It’s like a gentle hand to lead us back into the world, to learn to love the natural world all around us and to feel confident and positive about life and how beautiful it is. It even contains reviews of the books the author has loved. There are charming line drawings throughout plus space to make your own notes or to write your own accounts of your own frolics in nature.
A perfect toolkit for connecting with the world around us and the year ahead as it unfolds – all in a compact and inspiring guide. It reinvents the tradition of the rural almanac for a new audience. It gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way. Divided into the 12 months sections, it provides practical information that gives access to the outdoors and the seasons, perfect for expeditions, meteor-spotting nights and beach holidays. There are also features on each month’s unique nature, such as the meteor shower of the month, beehive behaviour, folklore, seasonal recipes and charts tracking moon phases and tides. You will find yourself referring to The Almanac all year long, revisiting it again and again and looking forward to the next edition as the year draws to a close. Highly recommended.
A perfect toolkit for connecting with the world around us and the year ahead as it unfolds – all in a compact and inspiring guide. It reinvents the tradition of the rural almanac for a new audience. It gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way. Divided into the 12 months sections, it provides practical information that gives access to the outdoors and the seasons, perfect for expeditions, meteor-spotting nights and beach holidays. There are also features on each month’s unique nature, such as the meteor shower of the month, beehive behaviour, folklore, seasonal recipes and charts tracking moon phases and tides. You will find yourself referring to The Almanac all year long, revisiting it again and again and looking forward to the next edition as the year draws to a close. Highly recommended.
July 19, 2021
I’ve had an alamac for Christmas for the past three years, I absolutely love reading all about the seasonal changes and what to look for in nature; but the recipes are quite often not very relevant or appetising and it can be a little old fashioned.
This book is modern relevant up to date for busy people in 21st century.
The author encourages you to start small, and has thought about everyone, even people with a window box; encouraging the reader to venture further afield to discover the seasonal delights.
The box is split into 12 sections; a month for each chapter. It’s ideal to dip in and out throughout the year.
Each section is interesting and relevant; I love the vegan recipes which have easy obtainable seasonal vegetables for a tasty easy dish. There is a Section for phone; whether is actually taking photos, using your phone as a plant identifier or simplifying your life, it has great tips for the month.
I love reading about the weather, skies and moons.
Then onto gardening, what you can grow or how to care for your garden for that month.
There is an interactive book club section which you can actively join in using hashtag on Twitter and IG.
My most favourite section was caring for yourself making balms and indulgent body products which would make fabulous gifts.
This book will definitely on my kitchen table and be dipped in throughout the month, I love reading snippets and looking forward to the month ahead.
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for giving me an advance copy, I will definitely be buying this when it’s published and buying a few for presents.
This book is modern relevant up to date for busy people in 21st century.
The author encourages you to start small, and has thought about everyone, even people with a window box; encouraging the reader to venture further afield to discover the seasonal delights.
The box is split into 12 sections; a month for each chapter. It’s ideal to dip in and out throughout the year.
Each section is interesting and relevant; I love the vegan recipes which have easy obtainable seasonal vegetables for a tasty easy dish. There is a Section for phone; whether is actually taking photos, using your phone as a plant identifier or simplifying your life, it has great tips for the month.
I love reading about the weather, skies and moons.
Then onto gardening, what you can grow or how to care for your garden for that month.
There is an interactive book club section which you can actively join in using hashtag on Twitter and IG.
My most favourite section was caring for yourself making balms and indulgent body products which would make fabulous gifts.
This book will definitely on my kitchen table and be dipped in throughout the month, I love reading snippets and looking forward to the month ahead.
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for giving me an advance copy, I will definitely be buying this when it’s published and buying a few for presents.
June 21, 2021
I think this is such a timely book and such an important book at the moment. Out of the negatives of the COVID pandemic has come a more thorough appreciation of the natural world around us. For some of us who have gardens, we realised how lucky we were to be able to be outdoors at any chosen point during the strictest lockdown measures. For those in flats or those without outdoor spaces, the daily hourly walk in nature became a lifeline. With the whole world locked down for a third of 2020, the natural world healed itself. I hope it continuous once we start to live properly again.
Each month in this almanac includes information on the weather, the skies and stars, gardening, produce and recipes, the home, the environment, book suggestions, and interviews. I love this because it’s not just about how to save the planet in the basic sense of global warming or recycling. It’s about how we as individuals can be more with nature.
On a personal note, I love that this was written by a British author. A lot of non-fiction books, especially about nature and the environment, I’ve found have catered more towards a US market, and whilst there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s nice to read suggestions directly linked to the world I live in and my experiences.
I love how sensitive Melinda is in this book. She’s aware that not everyone has a garden or access to outdoor spaces, and not everyone is in a position to venture further afield to find outdoor spaces, but she realises they still need to emerge themselves in nature, so she provides links to nature websites and video links so they can still feel part of it all.
Sadly, the e-book version didn’t show any of the images, which I think will be a major part of the book’s message. I plan to buy this book for Christmas (sorry for saying the C word so early) presents so I may flick through the imagery then.
I am very much an autumn and winter and festive season girl and have a dislike for hotter months, so I definitely felt more comfortable with the October-February months. The December chapter specifically is so warm and cosy and joyful. Most people say the summer months makes them happy, but I am the complete opposite. Give me snow and comfy jumpers any day.
I am very much a home bird, and like my own company curled up in bed with a good book. But when I’m feeling anxious or sad, I choose to take long walks through parks or down to local lakes where you can only hear bird song, and you realise the world is bigger than just the problems in your head.
The writing isn’t simplified or dumbed down, but is written in such an easy to read and pleasant manner that you find yourself seamlessly gliding your way through it. Such a warm and inviting book.
Each month in this almanac includes information on the weather, the skies and stars, gardening, produce and recipes, the home, the environment, book suggestions, and interviews. I love this because it’s not just about how to save the planet in the basic sense of global warming or recycling. It’s about how we as individuals can be more with nature.
On a personal note, I love that this was written by a British author. A lot of non-fiction books, especially about nature and the environment, I’ve found have catered more towards a US market, and whilst there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s nice to read suggestions directly linked to the world I live in and my experiences.
I love how sensitive Melinda is in this book. She’s aware that not everyone has a garden or access to outdoor spaces, and not everyone is in a position to venture further afield to find outdoor spaces, but she realises they still need to emerge themselves in nature, so she provides links to nature websites and video links so they can still feel part of it all.
Sadly, the e-book version didn’t show any of the images, which I think will be a major part of the book’s message. I plan to buy this book for Christmas (sorry for saying the C word so early) presents so I may flick through the imagery then.
I am very much an autumn and winter and festive season girl and have a dislike for hotter months, so I definitely felt more comfortable with the October-February months. The December chapter specifically is so warm and cosy and joyful. Most people say the summer months makes them happy, but I am the complete opposite. Give me snow and comfy jumpers any day.
I am very much a home bird, and like my own company curled up in bed with a good book. But when I’m feeling anxious or sad, I choose to take long walks through parks or down to local lakes where you can only hear bird song, and you realise the world is bigger than just the problems in your head.
The writing isn’t simplified or dumbed down, but is written in such an easy to read and pleasant manner that you find yourself seamlessly gliding your way through it. Such a warm and inviting book.
July 16, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Way Back Almanac 2022 is an almanac and seasonal guide full of practical tutorials and exercises to reconnect with the outdoors, nature, and our relationship with the wider world written and presented by Melinda Salisbury. Due out 10th Aug 2021 from Watkins Publishing, it's 272 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
The chapters are arranged around the yearly calendar and seasons, January through December. Each chapter includes some almanac type information: astronomy, first full moon, other celestial events, seasonal garden tasks, what plants to start, checklists, small indulgent self-care tasks and tutorials and some recipes. There are also plenty of writing prompts to help with journaling and diary-keeping. There are also bits of folklore included and some small rituals and lots of philosophy.
The layout is restful and easy to read with high contrast printing. The art is simple with small line drawings scattered throughout. I found the whole very restful and engaging. This would be a really lovely gift for a journaling or gardening friend. I intend to buy a hardcopy for myself and imagine myself sitting with my morning tea and (hopefully) carving out some time to put pen to paper.
The vegan friendly recipes have their ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. Measurements are given in metric (grams & ml) with American standard measurements in parentheses (yay!). The cooking instructions are easy to follow with alternative presentations listed at the end of the recipe. None of the recipes include pictures.
Five stars. Contemplative, engaging, restful, and worthwhile.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Way Back Almanac 2022 is an almanac and seasonal guide full of practical tutorials and exercises to reconnect with the outdoors, nature, and our relationship with the wider world written and presented by Melinda Salisbury. Due out 10th Aug 2021 from Watkins Publishing, it's 272 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
The chapters are arranged around the yearly calendar and seasons, January through December. Each chapter includes some almanac type information: astronomy, first full moon, other celestial events, seasonal garden tasks, what plants to start, checklists, small indulgent self-care tasks and tutorials and some recipes. There are also plenty of writing prompts to help with journaling and diary-keeping. There are also bits of folklore included and some small rituals and lots of philosophy.
The layout is restful and easy to read with high contrast printing. The art is simple with small line drawings scattered throughout. I found the whole very restful and engaging. This would be a really lovely gift for a journaling or gardening friend. I intend to buy a hardcopy for myself and imagine myself sitting with my morning tea and (hopefully) carving out some time to put pen to paper.
The vegan friendly recipes have their ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. Measurements are given in metric (grams & ml) with American standard measurements in parentheses (yay!). The cooking instructions are easy to follow with alternative presentations listed at the end of the recipe. None of the recipes include pictures.
Five stars. Contemplative, engaging, restful, and worthwhile.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
August 20, 2021
A beautiful book that would make a lovely gift to a friend, or to yourself! The Almanac is a gentle, easy-going guide to getting in tune with the seasons, and is full of small steps you can take to include the natural world in your everyday life. It's written in a chatty, fun-loving way and avoids being preachy - the book never berates you for doing things 'wrong' or differently (the only firm rules I spotted were 'magpies are lovely' and 'bats have cute faces'). The author shows how everyone can do little things to get back to nature, no matter how busy or messy our lives are. Unlike other books, it's modern and up to date, including sections on apps you can use and suggestions for taking photos.
I read the whole thing through in two days, but intend to go back through it in depth starting in January 2022. By nature, an almanac only details a specific year, which is a shame, because I would've loved the book to be longer! On the other hand though, it gives you all the hints and tips you need to start observing the seasons, the moon cycles, and the life spans of plants and trees. I've already been out to the nearest park and (correctly!) identified a cobnut tree, which was delightful. I'm looking forward to spending a whole year bumbling around quietly in nature, with this book shoved into the pocket of my big coat.
I read the whole thing through in two days, but intend to go back through it in depth starting in January 2022. By nature, an almanac only details a specific year, which is a shame, because I would've loved the book to be longer! On the other hand though, it gives you all the hints and tips you need to start observing the seasons, the moon cycles, and the life spans of plants and trees. I've already been out to the nearest park and (correctly!) identified a cobnut tree, which was delightful. I'm looking forward to spending a whole year bumbling around quietly in nature, with this book shoved into the pocket of my big coat.
October 18, 2021
BRILLIANT! I love an Almanac; a tasty little monthly digest and this one by Melinda Salisbury is perfect for even my busiest times. It's got a wonderful balance of humour and practical ideas. It's an almanac for the modern homemaker, a homemaker that may well be working as well with little time. There's a cosiness and a comfort to the advice and musings. Recipes, book recommendations and one of my favourite sections each month - voices, past and present. There's ideas and tips for your garden no matter how small - even windowsill gardens! I have to stop myself from romping ahead onto the next month too soon. Although an almanac for 2022 you could absolutely enjoy this book year after year (I've already started this year - 2021) - I know I will be. The only year specific detail is the night sky dates. However, if Melinda feels like writing a 2023 edition I will be snapping it up on pre-order the moment I spot it.
Although I had this as an electronic ARC from the publishers #Watkins and #NetGalley (thank you) I actually went out and bought the hardback after I'd read a couple of months as it was a book that very much resonated with me. #TheWayBackAlmanac2022
Although I had this as an electronic ARC from the publishers #Watkins and #NetGalley (thank you) I actually went out and bought the hardback after I'd read a couple of months as it was a book that very much resonated with me. #TheWayBackAlmanac2022
July 24, 2021
[Review of uncorrected page proofs]
This is an almanac with a twist. It includes many of the elements one would expect in traditional almanac such as moon phases and what to plant when (Salisbury is British so her growing periods are a bit different than mine in a more temperate climate). She mixes in recipes for hand creams, salt scrubs (I want to try them all!), etc. along with sustainable living advice. She's mindful of the differences in veg names across the pond and I found that much of her folklore for various times of the year varied greatly from the tales & adages I'd grown up with--I loved that! This book really spoke to me because I wish we would get back to seasonal fruits and veg rather than trucking all of our produce from goodness knows where. This book will definitely find an audience among my library patrons!
This is an almanac with a twist. It includes many of the elements one would expect in traditional almanac such as moon phases and what to plant when (Salisbury is British so her growing periods are a bit different than mine in a more temperate climate). She mixes in recipes for hand creams, salt scrubs (I want to try them all!), etc. along with sustainable living advice. She's mindful of the differences in veg names across the pond and I found that much of her folklore for various times of the year varied greatly from the tales & adages I'd grown up with--I loved that! This book really spoke to me because I wish we would get back to seasonal fruits and veg rather than trucking all of our produce from goodness knows where. This book will definitely find an audience among my library patrons!
December 29, 2022
I read this in spurts throughout the year, sticking with the seasons mentioned by the author.
I really appreciated the connections to nature, something that the pandemic brought to my attention. I was so fortunate that we have a mini-homestead with acres to roam. What we don't have is all the animals and large garden to truly make it a homestead.
After years of living more disconnected from the natural world, I am taking baby steps like the ideas in this book. Recipes to fit the seasons are a bonus.
I really appreciated the connections to nature, something that the pandemic brought to my attention. I was so fortunate that we have a mini-homestead with acres to roam. What we don't have is all the animals and large garden to truly make it a homestead.
After years of living more disconnected from the natural world, I am taking baby steps like the ideas in this book. Recipes to fit the seasons are a bonus.
July 5, 2021
Loved! We recently moved and we’ve acres of room to spread out and grow things. This book was a perfect companion to figuring out what to plant and grow. I love the little tidbits each month. This is great a great learning tool for students as well.
**huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
**huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
August 14, 2021
I'm a fan of almanacs and I liked how the author used the formula to explain how to reconnect to nature.
Well written, informative and interesting.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Well written, informative and interesting.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 6, 2022
There is something very lovely about reading a book throughout the year with snippets about the weather and nature and little stories Melinda Salisbury wants to share with us. Just an all-over cozy experience.
November 17, 2022
Reading this over the year, in preparation for the next month, has been wonderful. A fantastic, rich book.
December 4, 2023
The formatting of the eArC was a little hard to get into but I did overall enjoy this. Even though I read this well after the fact I still learned a lot from this book.
August 2, 2021
The Way Back Almanac is a lovely antidote to the trials of 2020. Take it one month at a time, one walk, one cup of tea, one lea, one bird…..at a time to find your way back to bliss and planet earth in 2022.
#TheWayBackAlmanac #netgalley
#TheWayBackAlmanac #netgalley
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews