Build Back Better: Hobbies

What do we want to keep, and how do we make sure we keep it?

We’ve put together a series of book lists on the theme of ‘building back better’. The global pandemic has been a time of fear, anxiety, and sadness. But for many, there have been moments of joy and reflection. Whether it’s finding new ways to occupy ourselves or showing kindness within our community, there might be something that we want to keep from this period of lockdown and bring into the new world. These lists will each focus on a particular theme; we hope you enjoy them.

This third list is on the subject of hobbies we have taken up or returned to during lockdown, in order to find fulfilment or distraction or calm. Personally, I’ve enjoyed returning to my esoteric hobby of memorising shuffled decks of cards, and reading a few books around the subject of memory. On a more social theme, I’ve been thankful for various chess apps and websites enabling me to stay in touch with friends I’d usually play against in a pub, and inevitably I’ve read a few chess books to try and beat some of those friends for the first time, with varying degrees of success. In lieu of other things that usually give me pleasure and opportunities for socialising, these hobbies have been invaluable to me for the last couple of months. I have determined to keep up with these hobbies, to continue to make time for them as the world begins to return to a new normal. Other Mr B’s colleagues have been doing embroidery, writing, baking, and making books. Below, you’ll find a selection of titles that I and my colleagues have been using to support our hobbies.

If you have taken up a new hobby and need inspiration and support to keep going, let us know on the home page ‘Recommendation Station’ and we’ll recommend some great books just for you!