Sea Bean: A Beachcombers Search for a Magical CharmA Memoir [Paperback]

“Sea Beanis a coastal treasure. Its hard-won attentiveness shows the wonder and vulnerability of our interconnected oceans, wildlife, and people. In Sally's writing, beachcombing—an old island pursuit—is modern, revealing and restorative. The next time I am at the shore I will have a deeper appreciation and curiosity."—Amy Liptrot, author ofThe OutrunandThe Instant

A Waterstones Nature and Travel Best Book of 2023

Winner of the Highlands Book Prize 2023

Longlisted for the Wainwright Nature Prize

A powerful journey of sea and self, trial and hope on the islands of Shetland, where climate change is making marked impacts on the natural world.

When a seed falls from a vine in the tropics and is carried by ocean currents across the Atlantic to the shores of Western Europe, it is known as a sea bean. It’s long been lucky to find a sea bean upon the shore; these seeds have been collected and used as magical charms for more than a thousand years.

This lyrical and moving work of nature writing explores:

• Nature Memoir:A deeply personal account of finding solace and a new sense of self on the wild shores of Shetland after a life-changing diagnosis.
• Island Life:An intimate portrait of the Shetland archipelago, from its ancient myths and unique wildlife to the challenges of climate change impacting a fragile coastal community.
• Healing Journey:How the simple act of searching the strandline for treasures—from storm-tossed curiosities to the elusive sea bean—can become a powerful path to hope and belonging.
• Scottish Nature Writing:A beautifully written exploration of the interconnectedness of our oceans and ourselves, perfect for fans of Amy Liptrot and Robert Macfarlane.

Sally Huband's search for the elusive sea bean begins shortly after she ló.