This would have been a re-read for me and I am not sure whether I will get time to read it again. However, I am so glad this was included in the swap as I think it's a really interesting book.
I read it earlier this year and find myself recommending it to lots of people, each of whom I think will get something different from it. For some it's the descriptions of the natural world, for others the Orkney settings, and for others again it's the arc of the story - the way that the author heals her life.
This is what I wrote about it on the 50 Books thread earlier this year:
"The depiction of island life, Orkney history and (especially) myths and legends is well done, and she writes beautifully about the natural world and our connection with it. My only criticism is the pacing - the earlier parts of the book, describing her edgy London life, her period in rehab and her initial move back to the Orkneys, are almost too full, while the latter part slows right down and feels repetitive.
I found myself recommending it to a very varied group of friends, all of whom I thought would get something different from it."
Actually, Tobee, reading your comments now I think I want to re-read this one if I can, and compare it to yours. Maybe a spell counting birds in the Orkneys was what JR needed, had she only known it?