Jo Moseley's Christmas gift guide

Looking for ideas for family and friends this Christmas? Or maybe they are asking you what you’d like?

 

We asked Jo Moseley, bestselling award-winning author of Stand-up Paddleboarding in Great Britain, Stand-up Paddleboarding in the Lake District and most recently Adventures on the Water to share some of her favourite Vertebrate books.

 

And as Jo says, don’t forget to treat yourself to a book or two this holiday season. You deserve it!

 

Perfect for anyone who loves stories from everyday adventurers and wants to make the outdoors a bigger part of their lives too.

 

Journalist and chart topping podcast host of the hugely popular The Outdoors Fix Liv Bolton brings together thirty of her inspirational guests who have found a way to make the outdoors a bigger part of their lives and the joy it’s brought them. Whether it’s running, climbing, photography, conservation advocacy, paddleboarding, filmmaking, swimming or cooking in the outdoors, each one has a unique story of how immersing themselves in nature has benefited their lives, personally and sometimes even professionally.With great photos, tips and suggestions on how to get started, this might just be the book that will help make 2026 your year of living adventurously and embracing the outdoors.

 

Cook Out by Harrison Ward

Perfect for anyone who loves cooking in the outdoors and is looking for Fell Foodie flavour on their hikes.

 

Harrison Ward – known fondly far and wide as Fell Foodie – shares eighty gourmet recipes that will elevate your outdoor cooking to new heights of taste and creativity. Whether you’re out for a hike in the hills, need breakfast after a wild camp under the stars or are relaxing with friends at the campsite, there is a delicious recipe that will hit the spot. There’s something for breakfast, lunch, dinner, puddings and adventure snacks plus tips on equipment, kit and how to look after the outdoor spaces where you cook. 

 

 

 

Walk Britain by Elise Downing

Perfect for anyone who wants to explore Great Britain and leave the car at home.

 

Best known for being the first woman to run self-supported around the coastline of Great Britain, speaker and award winning author of Coasting, Elise Downing brings all that knowledge, experience and passion to you with these ninety inspiring car-free routes.The book is structured with base locations from which you can enjoy shorter relaxed walks, longer day hikes and multi-day challenges. Beautiful photography, Elise’s joyful humour and cafe recommendations sit alongside all the technical information you need to make the most of your time outdoors. With Ordnance Survey overview maps, public transport information, interesting things to look out for and GPX files to download, Elise really has thought of everything you need to make your adventure a success.Look after yourself and the planet one walk at a time.

 

Mountain Walks Helvellyn by Tina Codling

Perfect for lovers of the Lake District and hiking enthusiasts who want to enjoy England’s third highest mountain.

 

If you love the Lakes and hiking this is the book for you. Highly experienced Mountain Leader and Cumbrian local, Tina Codling shares fifteen spectacular routes on and around Helvellyn. She has included everything you need to know to make it a safe and wonderful day out in a handy sized book that will keep you company on the route.Big fells and smaller summits there is something for everyone from one of Cumbria’s most knowledgeable and welcoming Mountain Leaders. A pocket sized book that packs a punch for your grand days out!

 

 

Smart Running by Jen and Sim Benson

Perfect for anyone who wants to start or progress their running journey from two of the UK’s leading running experts.

 

Full transparency, I’m in the middle of Couch to 5K and so Jen and Sim’s book is of personal interest to me.And truly, they have thought of everything. Physiology, psychology, training, hydration, and nutrition are all carefully explored. They have also explained how to create a running training plan personalised to your lifestyle and goals. Plus there’s information on mobility, strength training, creating routes and entering races. With Q&As on all the questions you wanted to ask but were too afraid to, Jen and Sim really have you covered, whether you’re looking to run your first 5k or achieve an ultramarathon. 

 

 

Retirement Rebel by Siobhan Daniels

Perfect for anyone who feels the urge to sell up, hit the road and find their happy place!

 

Retirement Rebel is a lovely, engaging read which will leave you cheering Siobhan on her motorhome adventures in Dora the Explora. You’ll walk along Scottish beaches with her, jump into the river and experience the kindness of strangers who offer Siobhan a safe haven during lockdown.More than this, you’ll watch a woman in her 60s rediscover happiness after life has crushed her spirit and the menopause her sense of self.As well as sharing her personal journey, Siobhan is a huge advocate for ageing adventurously and smashing stereotypes of what it means to be a woman in her 60s.Her honest, vulnerable account of what she calls her “motorhome madness” is relatable and uplifting.Whether you’re looking for your own motorhome life or simply a roadmap for greater happiness, then Retirement Rebel could be just what you’re looking for.

 

TheBeaches of Scotland by Stacey McGowan Holloway

Perfect for anyone who loves Scotland and dreams of walks, dips or paddles at the coast.

 

I have a particular fondness for Stacey’s gorgeous book as we both became first time authors in spring 2022.It’s also one of the most beautiful books you’ll want to own or gift to anyone who dreams of being by the sea. Thanks to Stacey’s dedicated research and carefully and personally selected 150 beaches on the mainland and islands of Scotland, you will be transported to rugged and remote places and picture postcard long sandy beaches and blue waters. These are not randomly chosen spots, Stacey has clearly weighed up issues of sustainable tourism and infrastructure, accessibility and historical and geographical detail.Whether Scotland is your home or you’re a first time visitor, Stacey will open your eyes to beautiful Scottish beaches that will lift your soul.

 

The Cold Fix by Sara Barnes

Perfect for anyone who wants to explore what it is about cold water that so many people are drawn to.

 

The Cold Fix is an inspiring and thoughtful book about the impact of cold water on our physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing.Following a diagnosis of severe osteoarthritis, Sara Barnes had major surgery on both her legs, leaving her facing a future without the mobility to run and cycle which had been such a big part of her life. So she turned to the waters of Cumbria - her home for the last 30 years - to find healing, peace and happiness.A journey into the magic of the cold began for Sara and ultimately for the reader as we join her on her travels in person and online to meet sixteen other swimmers around the world.Whether you’re a fan of cold water already or intrigued to find out more, The Cold Fix is a wonderful book to gift yourself and friends and make 2026 a year of watery adventures.

 

Fantastic Female Adventurers by Lily Dyu

Perfect for children and adults alike looking for inspirational stories of incredible women explorers – their challenges and achievements.

 

This is quite simply the book I wish I had had as a little girl.Journalist and adventurer Lily Dyu shares the stories of fourteen inspirational women across the globe taking us on their journeys with them. Ski to the North Pole with Ann Daniels while watching out for polar bears and lethal cracks in the ice. Feel the air beneath your feet as you climb high on a cliff face with Gwen Moffat. Sail the oceans with Ellen MacArthur, the girl who saved up her lunch money to buy her first boat. You'll even fly into space with Britain's first astronaut, Helen Sharman.Forget the tat they’ll tire of tomorrow and bring lasting inspiration to the boys and girls in your life with stories of what women can and have achieved. And take a sneak peek before Fantastic Female Adventurers goes under the tree – you’ll love it too!

 

Waymaking – Edited by Helen Mort, Claire Carter, Heather Dawe and Camilla Barnard

Perfect for anyone who enjoys beautiful writing and artwork by women inspired by wild places, adventure and landscape.

 

This truly feels like a book that opened the door and created opportunities for women adventure writers like myself to follow in their footsteps.Waymaking set out to continue the legacy of authors such as Gwen Moffat and Nan Shepherd. It aimed and succeeding in giving space for women’s stories about wild places, and their relationship to them, to be heard. Buy Waymaking for yourself and your friends and adventure with these women, their words and art. It’s a book that changed the conversation around writing in and about the outdoors and whose voices were being heard. A unique and game changing book.

 

 

Find Jo on Instagram @jomoseley  She’d love to hear which you choose!