Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

What an interesting read. Made me 'magically think' for days afterwards. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves to reappraise the everyday.

Unfortunately not what I was expecting, although some of the book was interesting and well written, quite a bit was rather judgmental about the people she was socializing with, and that put me of enjoying the book as much as I should have.
I think it would have been better if Jini Reddy had concentrated more on the nature and less on the people.
Thank you NetGalley

One of the highlights of reading Wanderland is knowing that the author, Jini Reddy isn’t an expert herself, and knowing that she is very much like many of us, enjoying the countryside with our pocket guides or mobile phone apps, trying to learn about different trees and plants helps the reader along with her very personal voyage of discovery to try and discover some of the magic of the landscape of Britain.


Born and now living in London, although growing up in Canada Reddy takes us not only on her journey to mystical sites throughout the country but also on a trip through her own life. offering glimpses of her childhood and her parents' struggles in apartheid-era South Africa, which helps to add to the tapestry of the book told in segments and locations, rather than have the reader believe that this was one long continuous adventure, which may be exasperating to some, but something I found quite refreshing as adds a certain honesty about the book as a whole. As such, it can be read per subject, rather than have the reader trying to remember what was where.


For me, the problem with such a ‘personal voyage’ is that the author can often put so much ‘fluff’ into a book which really isn’t necessary. Reddy’s often impatience with her friends, disparaging views of many of the people she encounters which can be quite offensive (whilst in Wales wondering what will come out of people’s mouths when they see her, which shows an incredible ignorance of the multiculturalism of the people of Wales), and the impatience with the subject matter itself (“I just hope the cost won’t be a biblethumping.” whilst at a Christian retreat at Lindisfarne) and a pointless narrative leading to an argument with a friend really shows that the book needed a bit more editing to reduce this unwanted unnecessariness, instead of adding to what could have been a wonderful book they make the author look petty and incompetent, which really shouldn’t be the case here.


As I said above, Wanderland is the author’s personal voyage and that should be taken into account when reading the book. Aside from the few shortcomings, it is a wonderful book that highlights that there is a magic in the landscape, and Reddy’s enthusiasm shines through every page to encourage the reader to try the same. Wanderland is in many ways a triumph of a book, and I look forward to seeing what Jini Reddy treats the reader to next.

A fascinating and well written book that made me wish I could start wandering and search for the magic around.
I was hooked since the first pages and I traveled and lived with the author her emotions and her adventures.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I enjoyed this book and found it well written and engaging.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful read a book of seeking roaming looking for special moments places.Inenjoyed following the authors meandering thoughts.A very charming read.#netgalley#bloomsburyuk

I'm of two minds about this book. There's enough in this that is interesting and worth it to find good things to evaluate, but there was a self-indulgent, and sometimes almost judgemental tone to some of her comments - about those she was travelling with at least one point, which soured the book somewhat for me.

Such a beautiful book thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
Wanderland is a book in which the heart leads, all things are possible and the Other, both wild and human, come in from the cold. It is a paean to the joy of roaming, both figuratively and imaginatively, and to the joy of finding your place in the world.

I was really looking forward to reading this ARC, and perhaps from the preview I had over hyped the book, as I’m sorry to report i was disappointed. It is a collection of musings of her travels seeking spiritual connection with her surroundings, her upbringing and how it has influenced her and her approach to life.
Throughout the musings I found it quite self-indulgent, over critical of her hosts and co-travellers and seeking resolution or a state of mind that I am not sure she knows what she is looking for?
From the book description the book it shares ‘is a paean to the joy of roaming, both figuratively and imaginatively, and to the joy of finding your place in the world.’ This is a good description perhaps I needed to roam in and out of the book too. It’s descriptive, follows an unorthodox path to her wild places but I wasn’t able to be ‘with her’ I felt she was frustrated, perhaps the process of writing this will help find her way?

Jini Reddy wants to discover or commune with the wild. She introduces this book with some of her past experiences and her ideas for the future. An important aspect of this for her is being Other. She was born in the UK of Indian parents who had moved from South Africa because of apartheid. She then spent her childhood in Canada before returning to the UK. Other is something that resonates with her but can she find places to be Other and delve more into the magical and mystical? This book follows her quest to a number of places. Some are quite obvious locations such as Glastonbury and Lindisfarne. Some were - to me - unknown and possibly more interesting.

Personally I found the story of her early life engaging. The writing is good and there is a lightness of touch to her story telling. Her time in Canada was retold with warmth and affection. I looked forward to reading the rest of the book.

For those with an inclination to this subject some of the themes that run through the book will not be surprising. Labyrinths is one of them and initially she visits one on the coast in Cornwall. I enjoyed her telling of this experience and continued to warm to the book. Cornwall appears again in another chapter and this one was a favourite of mine. She walk St Michael's Way which crosses from the north coast to the south to arrive at St Michael's Mount. I was aware of this route however I didn't realise it was part of the Camino. It's certainly gone on to the to do list!

While the theme of looking for the magical continues throughout the book the locations are varied. Her time in Iona was something I really enjoyed however Glastonbury maybe worked less well for her and I was unsurprised I guess. Some of her experiences in Wales fell short of what she had hoped for too. The experiences she had that appealed to me worked well and powerfully so at times. The quest for the secret spring was one I loved. Trees, ruins and legends all feature in this book and in the author's desire to be able to gain something from them.

I was drawn to this book initially based on the idea that it might appeal to those who liked Robert Macfarlane's work (I certainly do!). For me it isn't really quite like that but there are echoes here. This is a quest for something. However to me while apparently a quest in places it seemed like an inner quest too. Jini was seeking the shaman, the mystic, the earth mother and the like within herself as well as meeting Others. Maybe she was also looking for a purpose after some life events that were somewhat mixed. This book is worthwhile for what she finds and what she doesn't. However I found it most fascinating for the things and people who find her - synchronicity, happenstance or whatever; some of these encounters were the best parts of the book for me.

This is an intensely personal narrative and I'm sure some will find it not to their taste. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and I'd like to think I would visit some of the places myself in time. If you see themes and ideas in this that appeal to you I would honestly say give it a try. This is a warm, interesting and accessible read. I will certainly be interested in any further books by Jini Reddy. 4.5/5

Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review