12 Birds to Save Your Life: Nature's Lessons in Happiness

Charlie Corbett writes elegantly but simply about the joy and peace each of us can gain by reconnecting with the natural world. He compelling weaves a deeply personal story of loss with his surprising journey to rediscover the beauty of the English countryside. Sentimental but never mawkish, funny but never trivial, and clearly no trees were hugged in the making of this book. It makes me want to go outside, stop, listen and look at the world around me through Charlie's eyes, for this semi-city-dweller he explains beautifully the actual point of our countryside. One to keep and one to give. Five stars.

I like Charlie Corbett’s book immensely and have recommended it to many and bought copies for friends and relations. I read it at two sittings, some of it twice.I slowed my reading towards the end on purpose to enjoy the book all the longer.In case you are ornithologically lukewarm, I’d point out that the birds are a context, rather than the whole story. The core theme is personal: an interplay of memory, family, remorse, mourning, living, learning and loving.Having said which, if like me you didn’t know your starlings from your bullfinches, you will enjoy finding out more. I was hearing birdsong every day. Now I listen to it. And I had not known, for example, about the derivation of halcyon from the Greek alkyon, and am delighted that now I do. You’ll have to read the book to discover that!There’s a lovely, music-like structure to each chapter: bird/long personal/brings back to bird/personal round-up — plus coda of factual-bird. It’s neatly done and has a proper rhythm to it. In fact two rhythms: one within chapters and one overall, as the family story and personal coming-to-terms develop in tandem.Mr Corbett’s prose style is clear and unwearisome. There’s the odd echo of Waugh, the odd echo of Wodehouse — yet no hint of pastiche in any of that. He is good at bringing to the light of common day some of those thoughts that lie too deep for words.His poetic quotations as chapter epigraphs are fine, fitting, and well chosen.In the humdrum details of farm, London-abroad-country-and-home family life, we find a fascinating story that will resonate with every reader’s considered life. Oikophilia.

Have just finished reading this book and I absolutely loved it, you don’t have to have any prior knowledge of birds to appreciate the gorgeous writing and obvious passion from the author. It’s also one of the prettiest books I’ve seen, the cover deserves a special mention. A perfect gift or a good investment.

This is a very personal account of a difficult and private time. No problem with that but the writing style is overly… loose…and not engaging for me. So sorry - but I do hope it helped the author reach resolution

12 birds to save your life is a true gem. I was drawn to this book after it popped up on my social media news feed from Penguin publishers. Initially I was drawn to it by its wonderful art work showing such beautiful images of all the birds featured in the book. Corbett eloquently weaves his own personal account of grief through the meaning, myths & beauty of each bird. Having been recently bereaved myself I took comfort in Corbetts brave personal journey towards happiness through the lens of the wonderful world of nature. 12 birds to save your life will open your ears & eyes to nature and your heart to brighter days & new beginnings.

Charlie Corbett is a freelance writer, journalist and public speaker. He comes farming family, and went on to study at the University of Edinburgh. He then spent 20 years travelling the world, reporting on finance - a world that has little obvious connection to his background. He now lives in Wiltshire.As much as this book tells the story of the birds Charlie had chosen, it also tells his own and his family's story - from his mother's diagnosis with an inoperable brain tumour, through her final months and beyond. What he went through reminded him how important nature is for our own mental health - how time spent in nature and the birds he heard and saw helped him through. It’s a very easily read book, and many of the birds he’s chosen we see every day – robins, sparrows and magpies, for example. You don’t need to be an expert ornithologist to enjoy the book – this is certainly not a list of facts and figures.An absolutely lovely book, very much recommended.

The book Is heart warming and emotional, the writer has such depth as he takes you through the journey of his life, one minute tears of sadness the next tears of laughter , along the way your knowledge and understanding of birds is one that will accompany you on every walk, your ears are pricked and your eyes are alert to the magic and healing powers of nature. A wonderful book.

I have just finished reading 12 Birds....... This book has brought back many family memories of my own. Loved the content , the humour and the trying times, which makes up life. Nature helps everyone, and not just those with problems, but it is full of surprises, puts life into perspective. and will always win in the end............... For all the information about the garden birds, many of whom come to my small bird feeder. Thank you Charlie