9 Books Every Outdoor Enthusiast Will Love
- Written by
- On Thursday, July 13, 2023
There’s something about the summer season that makes it feel like the perfect time to finally dive into all of those reads you’ve been meaning to get to. And fortunately for outdoor enthusiasts everywhere, there are a ton of great books that allow you to embark on some of the world’s most amazing outdoor adventures - right from the comfort of your couch.
From stories about dog sledding through Alaska to tales about surviving a plane crash, these are the perfect books for anyone who's looking to get lost in the great outdoors.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
This book follows the true story of Christopher McCandless after he gave all of his savings to charity, hitchhiked to Alaska, and set out to live in the wilderness alone. At once compelling and tragic, this is the kind of book that will keep you up late into the night because you simply can’t put it down.
The Names of the Stars by Pete Fromm
In this lyrical memoir, Peter Fromm takes you through his time of living in the wilderness as a river ranger. With its mix of reflection, observation, and adventure, the book meditates on the trials and triumphs of both solitude and togetherness.
To the Ice and Beyond by Graeme Kendall
For 193 days, yachtsman Graeme Kendall crossed 28,000 miles of ocean to become the first person to sail the Northwest Passage solo, nonstop. Any adventure lover will be inspired by Kendall’s courage to take on some of Mother Nature’s biggest challenges.
Into the Abyss by Carol Shaben
In 1984, a commuter plane carrying nine passengers crashed into the wilderness of Alberta. Four people survived, and this book tells the gripping tale of how they did it. Equally tragic and hopeful, this is the kind of book that will stay with you for years to come.
Winterdance by Gary Paulsen
In this book, Gary Paulsen tells the story of when he and his beloved dogs embarked on a 1,150-mile dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome. From moose attacks to hallucinations to frostbite, the book shows just how much it takes to endure some of nature’s toughest battles.
Walking the Nile by Levinson Wood
Beginning in a Rwandan forest in 2013, writer, photographer, and explorer Levison Wood set out to become the first person to walk the entire length of the Nile River, and this is his story. Levison trekked over 4,000 miles through six nations, enduring life-threatening conditions that he recounts with stunning detail.
Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube by Blair Braverman
This is the memoir of Blair Braverman, a woman who left home at 18, moved to Norway to drive sled dogs, and became a glacier tour guide in Alaska. Funny, honest, and compelling, the fast-paced adventure will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Ranger Confidential by Andrea Lankford
Andrea Lankford is a former National Park Service ranger who has seen and done it all, including chaperoning baby sea turtles out to the ocean, pursuing criminals on her patrol horse, and hopping aboard a rescue helicopter heading toward the heart of the Grand Canyon.
The Twenty-Ninth Day: Surviving a Grizzly Attack in the Canadian Tundra by Alex Messenger
17-year-old Alex Messenger was on a 600-mile canoe trip in the Canadian wilderness when he was mauled by a grizzly bear. Somehow, he lived to tell the tale, which is exactly what he did in this spellbinding story of hope, strength, and resilience.
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