The sequel to Amy Liptrot’s acclaimed memoir The Outrun is everything you’d want it to be. (You don’t need to have read one to enjoy the other, though I’d recommend reading both.) Where The Outrun tells the story of Liptrot’s wild days, her ‘rock bottom’ and the process of creating a new, healthier life for herself, The Instant answers the question of what comes next. Venturing to Berlin to search for romance and connection, you follow her dates, to pubs and even the infamous Berghain nightclub, all completely sober and with an open heart. The book takes place pre-Brexit referendum, and it feels as bittersweet to read as it likely does for her to look back on. Liptrot is a fantastic nature writer, and whether she’s writing about searching for a racoon in the city or searching the internet for her ex-boyfriend, her approach is the same. You feel like you’re exploring landscapes with her, feeling as riveted, lost and curious as she does. MG

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