7 Outdoor Books to Inspire the Adventurer in You

This one is a classic and one of my all-time favorites. It is about a boy, Brian Robeson, who survives a plane crash that lands him stranded and alone in the Canadian wilderness to live off his wits alone. The name of the book comes from Brian’s lone tool, a hatchet that his mom gave him before his departure. 

My first recurve bow purchase was based off this book and other Brain books by the same author. Even while preparing to head off to college, I had dreams of disappearing into the wild with limited gear for an extended adventure.

In this delicious trilogy, a young boy runs away from the city to live in the Catskill Mountains. He lives in a hollowed-out tree with a Peregrine falcon he captures as a eyas and trains to hunt for him. 

If you have ever dreamed of escaping to the forest, this book will make it seem possible, especially if you are 12 years old living in rural Alabama.

I love reading and offering up books that are maybe not as well known. A Kid in Kearlith is a Young Adult book by an author local to my area, Birmingham, Alabama. This delightful novel is set in Kearlith, a magical city hidden in the Smoky Mountains. The protagonist, Simon, spends much of his time racing through Feerthel Forest hunting for a magical blue leaf called Mizik despite the dangers presented by many intriguing and menacing creatures. While trying to settle into his new home as one of only two humans among many intellectual though animalistic creatures, he soon discovers that secrets abound in this magical kingdom, and they’re not all the good kind. 

This is a hilarious tale of two middle aged men hitting the Appalachian Trail. It will have you crying from laughter at the many realities of undertaking such an endeavor. Bill Bryson ‘s book is popular for a reason. It is so relatable and makes you want to strap on a pack and see if you can face the challenges backpacking offers if even for just a weekend.

Emma Gatewood was the first woman to hike the Appalachian Trail alone and in its entirety … at the age of 65 … in Keds … carrying a hand sewn, drawstring sack. Many adventures have been inspired by this amazing woman. I know her story inspires me, and I hope it will you, too. 

It reminds me that I don’t have to have all the newest fancy gear to get outdoors. I can throw on a pair of kicks, grab a water bottle, and get outside.

Elizabeth Gilbert has a special talent at profiling individuals. The picture she paints of Eustace Conway is phenomenal, but so is her subject. He is the modern-day Davy Crocket. He is a man you could literally drop in the middle of the wilderness, hundreds of miles from civilization and he would be fine. He would be more than fine. He would actually be more likely to survive that situation than being dropped in the middle of a bustling city. 

Eustace Conway and Gilbert’s description of him will have you ready to shrug off the constraints of modern society and live off the land. Eustace believes you can.

The ‘70s seem a time ripe with tales of women adventurers and Robyn Davidson was one of the best. She trekked 1700 miles across the Australian Outback with her dog and four camels as her only companions. She approached this great adventure with a brave heart and the ready answer of, “Why not?” when question by many skeptics. Like most truly epic tales, Davidson experienced true splendor and devastating hardships alike. She ended the journey a different person than when she began. Such are such are the results of great quests.