I enjoyed this modern take on an almanac, while also being adaptable to my own life! I look forward to adapting some of these suggestions into my day-to-day life throughout the year.

A really wonderful, inclusive, supportive almanac that was a delight to dip into! I love Melinda Salisbury's chatty style, it feels like sitting down with a friend and talking about how to reconnect with nature over a glass of wine. The activities sprinkled throughout the book seem like they're well thought-out and are very tailorable to any individual reader, and the book as a whole feels like a really comforting, affirming experience.

I liked this Almanac even though I live in America and I think the book is published for the UK market. Lots of it is still very relevant and the tips and insights are all worth a read and a ponder.
A very accessable book with lots of useful information.

This is a nice book about making the most out of each season. It is supposedly beautifully illustrated but my arc had no illustrations so I can’t speak to that. It is written by a vegan British author and so the recipes and nature info are best suited for similar readers. It is rather spiritual in a general sense but not religious.

While I love the idea of seasonal almanacs and I personally live very seasonally, I didn’t get a lot from here that spoke to me personally. I do a lot of foraging, gardening, canning, etc and would have liked more of this sort of info. This book is better suited for someone rather cut off from nature and the seasons and wants to sort of be more mindful of them.

This is the second almanac I have read by the author and just like the first loved it! They are easy reads, and you can dip in and out of them easily. I read it in one go but will go back month by month. Love the recipes and little additions. Can't wait for 2024!

I loved this so much, I ordered a copy for myself and several others to give as Christmas gifts to friends and family. I would say this is a definite success.

This year I have created a series of blog posts titled “The Way Back”, where I share the things I have done whilst following Melinda Salisbury’s 2022 The Way Back Almanac. Like many of the people featured in the Voices section, I was always outside as a kid making potions and perfumes, and little tiny fairy outfits with my great Nana’s flowers, and “helping” in the garden by very carefully tending to the weeds. I have strong memories of being in the garden with my grandad and the taste of raspberries straight off the canes and radishes from the veg patch. I grew out of the outdoor life as a teen / young adult, and it’s only now I am much older, with a space of my own and stunning places to explore on my doorstep, that I have come back to enjoying the outdoors.

This year Mel and her brilliant almanac have given me the nudge to explore closer to home, and to find my way back to nature. I’ve learned to appreciate the natural spots right on my doorstep; I’ve packed my phone with apps which have helped me to learn the trees, plants and birds in my nearby dene and wooded area – I’ve discovered we had woodpeckers nesting close by, which I would never have expected. I’ve seen how the area changes subtly each month instead of just the big, obvious seasonal changes. I’ve grown vegetables in my own garden with varying degrees of success, but I’ve enjoyed tending and eating them! I’ve tried new recipes, new books, and making things like moisturiser and a flower crown. I’ve learned so much from this journey and enjoyed everything I’ve tried. It’s been a great year so far.

I like to enjoy each month’s section with a warm drink and my journal in hand to make notes about what to look for and what I will try that month. I particularly love the overview at the start of each new month which gives me an idea of what the month will hold and the things that I can see, as well as the Voices section where I have learned so many new folklore tales and superstitions as well as getting to read about other people’s journeys with nature. It’s a routine I’ve come to love and I was hoping for a 2023 version to carry on this little monthly tradition of mine, so when I had the opportunity to read an early copy, I snapped it up.
I am excited for the adventure next year’s almanac will bring, and I would be lying if I said I hadn’t already started thinking about what I want to try. I’m looking forward particularly to honing my gardening skills and hopefully using the things I grow to try new seasonal recipes – I think I stand a fair chance of growing some spring onions and tomatoes to contribute to the sweetcorn fitter and salsa recipe I particularly like the sound of. I’m very keen to try my hand at new crafts, especially making my own St Brigid’s cross – I’ve always thought these looked so cool but too complicated for me to try.

I love the way the 2023 almanac builds on 2022 without excluding anyone new to The Way Back – Mel gives us enough information to introduce new folk to the journey in a way that existing Way Backers will still enjoy. I enjoyed finding that the format is the same; there’s something incredibly fitting and comforting about following the repeating routines of nature, but with new things to look for and try along the way. Once again, this almanac is accessible and easily adaptable to your personal circumstances; I am fortunate to have a garden and the space to grow but this book is designed so it can be followed if you have nothing more than a windowsill to grow on. Mel encourages the use of technology in a way that it enhances the journey, rather than insisting you do without it. Her recipes are seasonal and vegan; the activities don’t require long lists of equipment or ingredients you will never use again (and often, the ingredients are used in multiple recipes) and everything is environmentally friendly and designed with nature in mind.

It is a beautifully thought out guide to gently coax the reader back to understanding, appreciating and working with nature, whilst still living in the modern world. If you haven’t already picked up a copy then I strongly urge you to do so. It’s been the best thing I invested my time and energy into in 2022, and I have no doubt it will be the same in 2023.

So much of this book was so interesting! I didn't know about a lot of this information and it spells it out in very clear ways. Not really sure how much I will use it but it was fun to read.

While I didn’t read this book in depth, I did read through some sections and decided I want to read it all month by month as it’s designed. I read the first month in full, scanned the other months and decided to make a commitment in 2023 to get my self back to the old ways.

The topics are awesome and I like how the author shares why she selected each topic. My favorite parts are the folklore, recipes and self care tips. This would make a fantastic gift for the holidays!

I absolutely adore this book and I’m so glad something like this exists!! It’s exactly what I’ve always wanted I just didn’t know it until I saw Way Back almanac. I appreciate that there’s spaces to write within and written in a way that anyone can easily understand and relate to. Even though I’m in the US and this is based in the UK I found it useful no matter where in the northern hemisphere you live.

I love an Almanac and this one doesn't fail to deliver. A great mix of new ideas and old traditions. I cannot wait to dip back into this throughout the year.

I love the idea that the hard copy allows you to write notes alongside some of the gardening and phone sections. I really do think the interactive nature of the book will ensure I return to it time and time again.

The final bit I want to rave about is the helpful spring cleaning section. I can personally get a bit overwhelmed by proper spring cleaning (I'm also a bit of a hoarder) so I love the seven day plan. It focuses on one area (toiletries and make-up, entertainment - books and cds, clothes etc) per day. Just enough for my busy mind.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it a useful tool to ground myself and return to nature.

The recipes and ideas contained within it are really interesting and I will definitely be following the advice it contains.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

I love this! It's creative and beautifully done. I really enjoyed this and will continue to enjoy. Will recommend it to others.

I know so many people who would like this book, even my Grandaughter asked if I could buy it for her. Friends who garden or are cooks will be getting this for Christmas. Its a great idea to have a book where you can dip into it each day, just sit with a cuppa and make a mini daily occasion of reading your book. I dipped in here and there but did not want to spoil it too much by reading it all. I hope I can wait till January.

If you were to compare 2022 and 2023 editions, there isn't a massive amount that's different - and I like that. The structure is the same, but the content is what changes. There is a different line-up of books for the bookclub, and different interviews and writings.

The illustrations in 2023 are different and if I dare say are even more gorgeous than the first one.

This book would make the perfect gift for anyone in your life who misses natures, loves the small wonders of the world, and wants to experience personal growth.

If you want to experience proper growth next year, then pre-order The Way Back Almanac 2023, read it when you get it, and get planning. If there is one thing I've learned following this year's Almanac, it's that life gets in the way. I want to take part more thoroughly next year so I'll be putting the prep in.

I have included Amazon links about but I would recommend going straight to the author's store where you can pick up a signed copy.

Hipster nature-girl almanac for journal and life guidance with monthly tips for cleaning, gardening, and astronomy. A cute and informative handbook for the times to come.

Thank you @NetGalley, @WatkinsPublishing, and #Melinda Salisbury for allowing me to read and review The Way Back Almanac 2023.

This is a gorgeous book that helps you become close to nature. Whether you are on a new journey and revisiting this journey, it will have everything you need to reinvigorate your path to becoming one with nature.

The book has an introduction on how and why the author, Melinda Salisbury chose each subject in each month.

Then, beginning in January 2023, you can follow along. There are food recipes, recommended books to read, ideas/recipes on how to care for yourself and lots of space to take notes.

This would be a fabulous Christmas gift!

What a great update to a classic type of book!

My favorite parts, hands down, were the folklore sections of this book. They were varied and interesting, and though I'm pretty big on folklore in general, there was still a lot I hadn't head before, so that was nice. The well being and self care bits were very well tailored to modern day practices, and the crafting ideas were interesting too. So many interesting little bits, page after page! I love that this is geared toward just making us aware of what's going on around us - just the act of knowing what to looks for makes you more in touch with your surroundings. Even if you're not interested in all the things in the book, or don't try/do everything, I feel like there is something for everyone here, and it's so well organized and structured.

While this book is planed around 2023, I think it's incredibly helpful to read it a bit in advance to have some time to plan if you want to utilize the information therein.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is an interesting book.

The author talks about how the information in this book is based on the UK so there are things that are not applicable to Americans. It's a mix of astronomy, astrology, mindfulness, skin care, and ways to connect with nature in 2023. Each chapter is separated by month and within that month has information about the moon cycle, tips on cleansing your mind, home, and things to do with nature and your phone. There's interesting tidbits about superstitions around the world and significant of some of the days.

It's an interesting kind of guide for those looking for ways to move with the seasons.

While this almanac is for next year, I really enjoyed reading it in advance so that it gives me food for thought for the balance of this year, and planning for next year at the same time.
The almanac is more designed for those in the UK, with reference to the US insofar as botanical/growing seasons. This isn't to much of an issue for myself in the US as the UK is not that much different climate-wise.
I truly enjoyed how Melinda Salisbury utilizes the moon phases each month. I do follow the moon phases, however, Ms. Salisbury took me a few steps further by explaining how to plan utilizing the actual phases of the moon - i.e. planning during the new moon phase. I thoroughly have taken this to heart, and realized it is the new moon for me right now and have started planning accordingly.
One aspect of the almanac that was not necessarily to my taste is the "Voices, past and present" section. My own personal taste does not run towards Greek Mythology, however, I did read the sections, and did take away from the myths. Unfortunately, this took me back to my HS studies, and Mythology was not my favorite. I did enjoy the monthly layout, the sections are so informative. The growing section, monthly recipe, cleaning (especially "In your phone"), and I also love the "In caring for yourself" section.
February book club recommendation references a person named Lev. I do not find a last name reference, but his tale resonates with me. I also have been learning to live life "at a slower pace", and have taken to bird watching.

Overall, I would recommend this almanac to other readers. There is something for everyone. I would like to thank the publisher, Watkins Publishing, and NetGalley ,for allowing me to read and review this almanac.