Moderate Becoming Good Later: Sea Kayaking the Shipping Forecast

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There are barely any descriptions of the places he was in which makes the book very unemotional and one-dimensional. It was at this point that I realised I had become too heavily involved in Toby’s adventure and life, the last chapters were some of the hardest things I’ve ever read, I knew it was coming but just didn’t expect to get hit so hard. There is something special about people experiencing loss who decide to make the most of life while they still have the opportunity. Exceptionally beautiful and moving, a book that conjures connection to people, places and the ocean with the immediacy, grace and clarity of a kayak cutting through sea spray. Moderate Becoming Good Later is the remarkable story of two remarkable people, Toby Karr and his sister Katie.

Informative, humorous and emotional, it left me feeling sad but also really inspired and motivated to tackle my own adventure, what ever the size! The best chapters were the first ones and I guess that was because they were written by Toby, who experienced these places himself.Courageous, uplifting and exquisitely written, Moderate Becoming Good Later is a tale of the indefatigable resilience of the human spirit, the unbreakable bond of family, the life-affirming kindness of strangers and the perpetual freedom of exploring the unknown.

This incredibly moving story weaves together one family's story and shows the sense of hope and love that can be found through adventure even when things don't go according to plan. I did find it hard at times to continue - because it’s clear from the start that Toby doesn’t complete the journey, and I so wanted him to! But what really elevates this above other travellers' tales is the astonishing and moving story of the book's completion - a remarkable collaboration across the ultimate gulf. It is all about one man who goes sea kayaking, I never imagined how I would be so captured with this story but it is so engaging and I didn't want to stop reading. A compelling tale of adventure, coming to terms with life's end, and profound grief, finished magnificently after his death by sister Katie Carr.It’s a book I will keep on my bookshelf and remember and refer to when visiting some of the places in the future. This a great book for anyone who loves the outdoors, the sea and adventure whether in life or from the arm chair as well as a story of personal challenge and heartbreak. And I say "armchair" because I was very happy to just read this one, with all its thrills and spills, without feeling the need to go and do it myself. Thank you to Netgalley, the authors and publishers for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Lots to learn and some amazing places visited and it has definitely spurred me to want to see more of the world once more and live for the moment.

The authors’ light touch when describing his heath problems don’t hide the fact that this is also a very sad tale, but one in which hope and joy shine through. Obviously, I understand how hard it must have been to finish writing a book someone else started when Katie didn't even experience what her brother lived through but at the very least, maybe it would've been worth it for her to go to the places he went and try and picture what he felt by being there, instead of looking at photos on Google. This is an amazing book, so well crafted by Katie from his notes, audio recordings, blogs and messages and it was a pleasure to have had a chance to have read it and join Toby on this adventure. As enduring as any ancient Scandinavian saga, this is a candidly honest tale of a risk-laden, yet existentially meaningful and powerful sea kayaking project.They chapters about the kayaking were interesting, particularly in terms of the people he met along the way, but for me, the most interesting chapters were at the beginning and end. A guide and companion for us all, whether we are embarking on voyages of our choosing or dealing with waves and storms dealt to us. She does such a brilliant job of it, using his notes/voice recordings, etc, that you wouldn't know at which point she had taken over the writing. For those not familiar this is a radio broadcast of weather conditions for those on the sea but has become over time a rather calming British institution that people listen to even if they aren't near the sea. I think any hobby revolving around the sea brings with it a very special group of people - who give so much, are loyal, dependable and thoroughly good - with a side helping of cake!

A manifesto for living, loving and laughing full-heartedly, whatever life's storms and forecasts bring. Toby's story of seizing life's opportunities despite obstacles should inspire all of us to not let life pass us by. On a journey that took him to the harshest and most tranquil stretches of our sea, Toby found the real people, places and stories behind the familiar names and imagined environments of the well-loved BBC broadcast. I enjoyed looking at the maps at the start of the book and they helped me make sense of things throughout the story.No stranger to weathering a storm after living with a rare life-limiting condition and facing the death of his brother, avid kayaker Toby set out to explore the areas of the Forecast whilst he still could. I read this wonderful book often with a lump in my throat, many tears in my eyes and a racing pulse, because of the pure adventure of his inspirational physical and emotional endeavours. To fund for the adventure Toby applied to the Winston Churchill memorial trust and all background and reasons were shared with the reader as the application form was filled out…genius.