Books I Read For Inspiration
I've always been a big reader, so starting a new project or endeavor inevitably involves exploring relevant reading material. Someone once scoffed at me for wanting to do some reading about camping when I first started out. This person thought it was silly to read about an activity that clearly called for experiential learning. I think reading about activities is more about mitigating anxiety about trying something knew- but it also doesn't hurt to have some basic knowledge about terminology, what to expect mentally, or just general tips. So I get that person's point and I think he was wrong. Can you tell this person was an ex-boyfriend? Anyway, these books were really about keeping me curious and inspired about hiking the trail and they served this purpose excellently.
I really like books that weave science, history, and human interest stories into a great narrative and this book accomplishes this masterfully. It’s a meditation on various kinds of trails including animal-made trails, weather-made trails, and man-made trails. It also explores how these various trails intersect and examines philosophies about humanity and nature and a potential false dichotomy that has been established in humanity’s conceptualization of nature. This book is probably my favorite of the books I read this year.
Miller gives a pretty straightforward account of his experience on the trail. I appreciated his practical knowledge and that he actually described what he did. This was one of the first books I read about the overall trail experience, so I was thirsty for the step-by-step descriptions he provided. He is also the editor of a trail guide that many hikers use as he edits it every year to give the most up-to-date information about water sources, hostels, post offices, stores, transportation and restaurants along the trail. This book provides a comprehensive account of what to expect on the trail logistically, phsycically and mentally.
Now, obviously, reading this book isn't going to tell me a whole lot about how I'm going to my hike. This book uses as many primary sources as possible, including letters, receipts, and journal entries, to reconstruct Lewis and Clark's journey to the west. It highlights Thomas Jefferson's role and his relationship with Meriwether Lewis to illustrate how these personalities contributed to the formation of the United States. The trip sounded utterly miserable and it's bananas that they were able to accomplish what they did- knowing so little about the terrain and basically winging it with transportation and supplies. Perseverance is the word for their journey, so this book was an apt meditation in perserverance.
Cheryl Strayed's account of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail seems to be most people’s reference point for thru-hiking. I thought the book did a great job portraying life on the trail without getting too bogged down in the details. Also, Strayed's writing allowed the reader to connect easily with her personal and hiking hardships. The book provides more detail than the movie, of course, so I think it’s worth a read.
Firstly, let me say, the movie does not do this book justice by a long shot. Bryson weaves science, history, politics, and his personal story into a really great read. I liked learning about how the flora and fauna has changed on the trail over the years and about the histories of some of the towns along the trail. He's funny and self-deprecating and clearly did a lot of research about many aspects of the trail. The meat of the book is in this research- the journey he and his friend take are really just the backdrop for the story about the trail. Which is why I think the movie is so boring.
This book is to the Appalachian Trail what Wild is to the Pacific Crest Trail. This is the story of a 67-year-old woman, who told her family she was going for a walk, but left for months to hike the Appalachian Trail. I have heard a lot of people who were inspired by Grandma Gatewood say "I figured if she could do it, I could do it." I think that Grandma Gatewood and my experience are in no way comparable- she worked on a farm and raised 11 children, I cannot do the trail just because she was old. The Appalachian Trail was probably one of the easier things she did in her life. She's an interesting person that went through a lot in her life and her experience of the trail gives a snapshot of the trail's past when it was less developed or maintained. A quick and easy read for anyone interested in the Appalachian Trail.
This book was in my family's kindle account and it caught my eye because the Natchez Trace was the trail Meriwether Lewis was traveling when he died, which I had learned in the book about Lewis and Clark listed above. This is a quick read and chronicles the author's walk along the Natchez Trace to launch a different book of hers. As often happens on long walks, the initial motivation for walking the trail becomes secondary to connecting with her aging father, who is supporting her progress in a vehicle. I most enjoyed her perspective as an average person, not an experienced hiker, slogging out 15 miles a day and the mental games she learns to keep her going.
I figured, "why not read about being in the outdoors from one of the most famous frontiersman?!" I actually knew very little about Davy Crockett before reading this book and never realized he was also a politician, but anyway his writing is hilarious. I'm not sure it's intended to be hilarious, but his use of Southern euphemisms and metaphors is amazing. For example, when describing his need to chill in his pursuit of a women because she isn't that into him yet he says, "I saw quick enough my cake was dough." I love it! He was a roamer from a young age (mostly to avoid whippings) and definitely had a lot of adventures. His narrative voice and interesting position in history make this a great quick read.
Every book list I ever make will include a Harry Potter book. Dare me not to find parallels between anything in real life and Harry Potter. I have downloaded all the books via Audible because that was the only way I could bring myself to get rid of the cassette tapes. So I have listened to all the books over this past year. This book vaguely relates to being outdoorsy in that Harry, Hermione and Ron live much of their time in a magical tent and get very grouchy with one another. I figured that would be an experience I'll likely have on the trail. Also, Harry's internal world is fraught with insecurity and self-doubt- constantly wondering whether he's doing the right thing or on the right path. I get it, Harry.