October book of the month: The Outrun by Amy Liptrot. Join the discussion and meet the author- Wednesday, 9pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that our October book of the month is The Outrun. Amy Liptrot's stunning memoir recounts her return to her childhood home in Orkney after falling into a chaotic and dangerous life controlled by alcoholism in London.

We rarely select a non-fiction title as book of the month but we all felt this book was so powerful and beautifully written that it triumphed over all the fiction we'd considered. Amy has kindly agreed to join us for a webchat on Wednesday 2 November, 9 - 10pm so apply now for a free copy before 10am Friday 23 September, read the book over the next few weeks and join us back here to discuss it and put questions to Amy.

If you're not lucky enough to bag a free copy, you can still join in the discussion - buy the book here.

[Hygellig]

I read The Outrun earlier in the year after seeing an article about Amy in the Radio Times. I found it very moving to read about her father's mental illness and how the Orkney Islands helped Amy to overcome her alcoholism.

I am now berating myself for never having been to Orkney to see the landscape and the wealth of wildlife there. I would like to ask if there has been an increase in visits to Orkney following the publication of the book. I was also wondering if The Outrun and other recent books - such as Richard Mabey's Nature Cure, Helen Macdonald's H is for Hawk and Cheryl Strayed's Wild - have increased awareness of the potential benefits of nature and the outdoors in helping people get through difficult periods in their lives.

[Givemecoffeeplease]

Getting excited about this webchat now - one of my fave books so far this year! Amy, are you still outdoor swimming? Where do you go? I'm tempted by the London Field's Lido but that's not very extreme....

[RachelMumsnet]

We're delighted to welcome our bookclub guest this evening, Amy Liptrot. It’s not often we feature non-fiction as our book of the month choice but we really felt this was so beautifully written and posed so many questions and points for discussion that it was a great choice. Reading the comments that have been posted up so far it’s clear that many readers agree.

We've got a few standard questions from Mumsnet HQ:

Which childhood book most inspired you?

What was the last book you gave someone as a gift?

What was the best book you have recently read?

And finally - can you describe the room where you wrote The Outrun?

Over to you Amy....

[BearAusten]

A very powerful work, with a certain poetic element to it. Rather raw and bleak, but at times quite uplifting. Overall, I found the novel deeply interesting. It triggered some memories in terms of a family member's path with addiction, and indeed cross addiction.

How do you feel about somebody reading, and then potentially criticizing, what is the story of 'your' life?

Do you enjoy doing interviews for The Outrun or do you find it a necessary evil in order to make sure people are aware of its existence?

Do you think you will write any more books? What about fiction?

[AmyLiptrot]

Hello Mumsnet! Thankyou for inviting me to discuss The Outrun. I'm typing to you from Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides (I'm here for a book festival), wrapped in a tartan shawl, ready for your questions...

[SallySwann]

What a fascinating book this is. It must have been a very difficult book to write but I wonder whether Amy found it to be a cathartic experience. I loved the descriptions of the Orkney Islands and the related wildlife. They were so well portrayed it was the equivalent if watching an episode of Coast. I very much hope that Amy is still enjoying life and wonder whether she is undertaking any more work or studies for the RSPB. Also do you still live in the Orkneys?

[AmyLiptrot]

@weathermum

I would like to ask Amy if she is well now after all she has been through and if so is she finding it easier to manage her health problems?

Hi WeatherMum. Well, I will say that recovery from addiction is an ongoing process... but compared to how I was during the time period of the book, I am so much better and - wonderfully - I very rarely think about having a drink now. I would never have believed this back then. I've now been sober for five and a half years!

[domesticslattern]

Hello Amy, welcome to Mumsnet.
Do you read other modern authors, and if so who do you like?

[AmyLiptrot]

@kateandme

beautiful book.very emotional and described perfectly

Thankyou

[AmyLiptrot]

@Givemecoffeeplease

Getting excited about this webchat now - one of my fave books so far this year! Amy, are you still outdoor swimming? Where do you go? I'm tempted by the London Field's Lido but that's not very extreme....

Hi Givemecoffeeplease! You should go to LF Lido, it's wonderful (heated! luxurious! And mentioned, although not by name, in my book...).

I was in a river in Yorkshire just a few days ago and have taken my swimsuit and neoprene boots here with me to Stornoway. I get in when I can and it's become increasingly important to me as a way to relieve stress, enjoy my surroundings and celebrate the seasons and specials occasions. In a lot of ways, the cold swims function for me like how alcohol used to.

[Stay123]

Loved the descriptions of living in shared houses in London and chasing temp jobs. My question is did you ever get to give your old boyfriend the letter you wrote? Do you still think of him?

[RachelMumsnet]

A question has just come in from Mumsnetbooks twitter feed: from @sardav64:

Are you writing or planning a second book?

[AmyLiptrot]

@starlight36

This book was beautifully written and was a very honest account of Amy's addiction and healing. The descriptions of life in both London and Orkney were vivid and whilst I could already relate to elements of her London life I was left wanting to go and visit the Orkney islands.

I'm left curious as to what Amy is doing now. My question is whether you are still enjoying the 'freedom of sobriety'? Were you able to return to London living or has your time back in Orkney made you need to live life at a different pace?

Hi Starlight36. A few people have asked me about where I'm living now. Well, it's now been two or three years since I was on Papay writing The Outrun and in that time and I have lived in Berlin, London and now in Yorkshire! And yes, it's the freedom you mentioned that's allowed me to do these things... the time I was back home in Orkney allowed me to build up a strong foundation of sobriety so I'm able to go back to cities, and live more fully.

I go back to Orkney and Papay regularly, though, and miss it dreadfully when I'm away. It's my heartland.

[AmyLiptrot]

@Givemecoffeeplease

I want to know if you shagged the artist!!

What a lovely book. Congratulations on your sobriety. I know from family struggles how very very hard it is.

My question is - where are you now? London or Orkney? I hope you are happy and sober and I look forward to reading more of your work.

An aside - I live near London Fields and I loved reading about its chaos, canals and boozing in the park. A huge contrast to the wind and wilds of the islands.

Aha, cheeky question Givemecoffeeplease. I don't think he's a Mumsnetter but I'll give you an enigmatic smile.

I am so damn sober and sometimes happy.

[AmyLiptrot]

@domesticslattern

Hello Amy, welcome to Mumsnet.
Do you read other modern authors, and if so who do you like?

I love Ben Lerner and Rebecca Solnit and Malachy Tallack and Nell Zink and Sarah Perry and Naomi Klein.

[Haggisfish]

I also want to add that it's very bonding moment to think of you in Stornaway, tapping away and me here in my wee house tapping away, and all the other mn too! Loving it.

[AmyLiptrot]

@StillNoFuckingEyeDeer

If it wasn't for Mumsnet books I would probably never have read this book, but I'm very glad I have. It's a moving read and I'd definitely recommend it. I loved the descriptions of Orkney too.

That's great to hear. Thanks!

[ataraxia]

Thrilled to discover this book through the bookclub (and so glad for the focus on non-fiction). Beautifully written.

Would you want to see it made into a film? If so, who would you want to play you?

[AmyLiptrot]

@TheCommoner

I loved hearing this serialized on Radio 4 and would love to read the book - must get it.

My question to Amy is: do you have any regrets about having bared your soul so honestly? Clearly it is what makes the book so amazing, but is there a downside?

When I wrote the book I really felt like I had nothing to lose and wrote with abandon. But I chose what to present and how to present it, with thought and agency. Since it's been published I have been overwhelmed and sometimes surprised by the supportive and open-minded ways in which it's been received. But it does have an emotional toll - I've spent a lot of this year, since it was published, feeling like my nerves are exposed or that little pieces of my heart are being carried in people's bags and kindles. It's really quite something, almost a physical experience.

[AmyLiptrot]

@Stay123

Loved the descriptions of living in shared houses in London and chasing temp jobs. My question is did you ever get to give your old boyfriend the letter you wrote? Do you still think of him?

The chance had never arisen. Yes, sometimes.

[BearAusten]

I can't stop thinking about Stornoway black pudding. The Outrun would make a great TV series or film.

[vikegirl222]

Great book and well written. It kept me wanting to read more even though it's not the sort of book I usually go for. I was wondering if you are considering writing any fiction?

[AmyLiptrot]

@Hygellig

I read The Outrun earlier in the year after seeing an article about Amy in the Radio Times. I found it very moving to read about her father's mental illness and how the Orkney Islands helped Amy to overcome her alcoholism.

I am now berating myself for never having been to Orkney to see the landscape and the wealth of wildlife there. I would like to ask if there has been an increase in visits to Orkney following the publication of the book. I was also wondering if The Outrun and other recent books - such as Richard Mabey's Nature Cure, Helen Macdonald's H is for Hawk and Cheryl Strayed's Wild - have increased awareness of the potential benefits of nature and the outdoors in helping people get through difficult periods in their lives.

Hi Hygellig. You should come to Orkney. I recommend the springtime when the seabird colonies are on the cliffs. And if possible get out to one of the smaller islands (like Papay!).

I have heard of a few folk who've turned up in Orkney after reading the book. I didn't write it as a tourist guide but it's a nice side affect. I actually saw it mentioned in an estate agent's listing of a property for sale the other day, which is a bit nuts! Often I wonder what the hell I've done.

[AmyLiptrot]

@vikegirl222

Great book and well written. It kept me wanting to read more even though it's not the sort of book I usually go for. I was wondering if you are considering writing any fiction?

Hi vikegirl222. Thankyou very much. My background as a writer is as 1) a journalist and 2) a life-long diarist - and I think those two styles combined in The Outrun. I'm probably going to stick to non-fiction for now but might do some experimenting this winter.

[user1478122167]

HI Amy - did you swim in Kings Cross Pond when in London?