Vegan.Hiker
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- Jul 5, 2014
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I thought it might be cool to have a thread to discuss hiking books. The kind you read mainly for entertainment (memoirs, journals, etc.) not the informational type (guide books, manuals, etc.) I know a lot of books serve both purposes, but I was hoping to stick to the entertaining ones.
I’m sure I’m leaving some out but these are the ones I’ve read recently:
“Following Atticus” by Tom Ryan – A true account of a Massachusetts journalist who discovers his love of the White Mountains and hikes each of the 48, Four thousand footers twice in one winter, with his 12 pound MINI SCHNAUZER! This is a great book by a great author. It was a little longer than it needed to be though.
“AWOL on the Appalachian Trail” by David Miller – Basically an AT thru-hiker journal, but well written with an emphasis on story-telling and self-reflection rather than being an information resource. He later went on to write a detailed AT trail guide as well.
“A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson – AT thru-hikers tend to hate this book because they feel he missed out on the true spirit of thru-hiking and only completed less than a third of the trail, but I thought Bryson did an awesome job of supplementing his experiences on the trail with well-researched facts about geology (nearly a chapter on mountain erosion) to botany (nearly a chapter on the great American Chestnut blight) to the history of the AT and it's relationship with an ever-changing American culture. His storytelling was great as well.
“Just Passin’ Thru” by Winton Porter – This is perhaps my favorite hiking book that I have read. It’s a true memoir of Winton Porter, owner of Mountain Crossings; a store, outfitter, AT hostel, with an attached home for his family. The AT literally crosses underneath the breezeway connecting his house and his shop. Porter tells stories and life lessons through real-life accounts with the characters (AT thru-hikers) that he encounters in his daily life. I feel this book would make an awesome play.
“Merle’s Door” by Ted Kerasote – Not a hiking book but I’ll include it here because the setting is in the backcountry and I know there are a lot of dog-lovers on this site. As a dog owner, I had mixed feelings about some of the author’s philosophies about dogs and the bond between man and dog. I still enjoyed it and would still recommend it to those who spend significant time outdoors with their dog.
Currently in Progress – I’m currently reading “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed. This is a a PCT memoir. I haven’t gotten too far into it yet but I’m enjoying it so far.
Books I’ve picked up but haven’t gotten to yet:
“A Walk for Sunshine” by Jeff Alt – Supposed to be an inspirational AT memoir about a fundraiser for his brother’s home for the disabled.
“Skywalker” by Bill Walker – Another PCT memoir. I actually started this a while ago but ditched it since it didn’t grab me and I had another book I wanted to read. I’ll give it another shot when I have a chance.
If anyone has read any of these I’d love to discuss. I’d also love to hear recommendations on other books that people have read.
I’m sure I’m leaving some out but these are the ones I’ve read recently:
“Following Atticus” by Tom Ryan – A true account of a Massachusetts journalist who discovers his love of the White Mountains and hikes each of the 48, Four thousand footers twice in one winter, with his 12 pound MINI SCHNAUZER! This is a great book by a great author. It was a little longer than it needed to be though.
“AWOL on the Appalachian Trail” by David Miller – Basically an AT thru-hiker journal, but well written with an emphasis on story-telling and self-reflection rather than being an information resource. He later went on to write a detailed AT trail guide as well.
“A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson – AT thru-hikers tend to hate this book because they feel he missed out on the true spirit of thru-hiking and only completed less than a third of the trail, but I thought Bryson did an awesome job of supplementing his experiences on the trail with well-researched facts about geology (nearly a chapter on mountain erosion) to botany (nearly a chapter on the great American Chestnut blight) to the history of the AT and it's relationship with an ever-changing American culture. His storytelling was great as well.
“Just Passin’ Thru” by Winton Porter – This is perhaps my favorite hiking book that I have read. It’s a true memoir of Winton Porter, owner of Mountain Crossings; a store, outfitter, AT hostel, with an attached home for his family. The AT literally crosses underneath the breezeway connecting his house and his shop. Porter tells stories and life lessons through real-life accounts with the characters (AT thru-hikers) that he encounters in his daily life. I feel this book would make an awesome play.
“Merle’s Door” by Ted Kerasote – Not a hiking book but I’ll include it here because the setting is in the backcountry and I know there are a lot of dog-lovers on this site. As a dog owner, I had mixed feelings about some of the author’s philosophies about dogs and the bond between man and dog. I still enjoyed it and would still recommend it to those who spend significant time outdoors with their dog.
Currently in Progress – I’m currently reading “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed. This is a a PCT memoir. I haven’t gotten too far into it yet but I’m enjoying it so far.
Books I’ve picked up but haven’t gotten to yet:
“A Walk for Sunshine” by Jeff Alt – Supposed to be an inspirational AT memoir about a fundraiser for his brother’s home for the disabled.
“Skywalker” by Bill Walker – Another PCT memoir. I actually started this a while ago but ditched it since it didn’t grab me and I had another book I wanted to read. I’ll give it another shot when I have a chance.
If anyone has read any of these I’d love to discuss. I’d also love to hear recommendations on other books that people have read.
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