Suggest Me: Outdoor Reading Material
Friday, September 14th, 2007 - 3:54am
I'll be turning 21 on October 22nd and to celebrate I'll be doing a few things that I've always wanted to do or haven't done in a long time: travel, camp, and visit the northern states. All solo. So I'm planning on taking a little backpacking trip up north sometime late October, early November. I'm looking forward to cursing the bitter cold, alone while trying to assemble my shelter or any number of other scenarios that have flashed through my head when I thought this up. While I'm not doing that however I'm sure I'll have plenty of alone-time to read up on but not limited to: wilderness survival techniques, the local flora and fauna, maintaining my crazy motorized bike, theoretical physics, anything really.
So I ask all those more experienced goodjers than I: What are some great "outdoors" reading material? Any particular author that writes great nature books? Any particular series thats well put together? Any books you suggest I read up on before I head out?
All Creatures Great and Small, Never Cry Wolf, Mein Kampf.
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So if you're really doing the solo hike thing (god bless you, it's brilliant for the soul) the thing you want is books to read while your hiking that are dense, and compelling in 100 different ways. At the risk of getting wierd, allow me to suggest:
The Bible
The Qur'an
The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart
As for the "getting psyched" part:
Desert Solitaire
Sand County
Walden
To me, those are the most seminal works on being in the wilderness.
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In case you're not kidding about the theoretical physics stuff here are some accessible books:
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kaostheory wrote:
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
There's some good metaphysical discussion wrapped around a journey across the US. Interesting read though parts come off as self-righteous.
Also, I've always found Foundation to be a great camping read. No idea why.
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Into the Wild?
There are a lot of good suggestions in here already. If you want thick, I can suggest more thick stuff.
Bring a copy of the Tao te Ching.
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You know, maybe Zen & the Art of Motorcycle maintenance is too geared for the US crowd, but I found it incredibly boring.
I'd take The Illuminatus Trilogy, just to f*ck with my head a little.
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Bill Bryson: "A Walk in the Woods"
Great easy light reading. Very funny too. Looks like you are interested in camping/ hiking. This would be a good match
Desert Solitaire has been suggested, and it is a very good suggestion. But if I'm going to suggest an Ed Abby title, make it Black Sun. This is a novel, not a memoir and it is a bit darker and emotionally troubling, but a damn, damn, fine novel about the outdoors w/ plenty of good wilderness survival info in it.
As for the motorcycle, Proficient Motorcycling is an absolute must read for anyone who likes to ride a motorized two-wheeler. I'm not kidding, all motorcyclists should read this book. Read the sequel too.
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If you want alittle more fundamental look at why we travel and what moves us when we do, try:
de Botton's The Art of Travel.
Particularly the Landscape chapters.
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Emerson's Self Reliance has a bit about travel as well.
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Great suggestions everyone! I have read a few of these already but I'll definitely write them all down, take a few with me and try and pick up more in the towns I stop by along the way.
Great idea actually! I've always wanted to read through the various religious texts to try and gain insight into people that are more religious than I.
Yes! I can't remember when I last read that! Great suggestion!
I wasn't. I've already read...or rather stumbled my way through a couple Michio Kaku books and love the stuff. Very interesting stuff!
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I think this one might also be within your reading level.
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