What’s better than reading about the great outdoors? Perhaps reading in the great outdoors? Below is a list of books I’ve read about adventure. Some of the books on this list inspired me. Others were an escape into someone else’s story for a while. Either way, they are stories I wanted to share.
Hell and Highwater
Sean Conway
The book that opened my eyes to adventure. Before Hell and High Water I looked at swimming, and all exercise, as a form to compete, against myself and against others. Sean’s length of Britain swim showed me that you can complete great physical feats, whilst having a great adventure. His swim involves many trials and tribulations that many of us face ourselves when planning an adventure.
The Salt Path
Raynor Winn
A story of love and loss. When you lose everything what do you do? Keep walking forwards of course.
Ray and her partner’s tale of a 630 mile walk across the south west coast is enchanting and inspiring. Her writing paints a picture of the landscape of the coast, and captures the reader in a way that has you wishing you were there, smelling the sea salt in the air.
Free Country – A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain
George Mahood
If you own a bike then you’ve probably heard of someone who has cycled the length of Britain, it’s seem everyone has these days. George and his friend put a little twist on the adventure. Could they cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats without spending any money, or starting with any bikes? The story is funny, light hearted and restores faith in the kindness of others.
The Doorstep Mile
Alastair Humphreys
Getting out of the door is usually the hardest part of making change and living more adventurously. We are not all blessed with sponsorship deals and all the time in the world to live big adventures, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have great adventures. If your feeling a bit deflated, like your life’s song is just a little too monotone, then this book will help you start off small and live a life more adventurously.
Naked and Marooned
Ed Stafford
Think of a desert island and you’ll probably conjure up images of tropical beaches and bottomless cocktails. The reality of trying to survive on an island alone is very different. Ed battles the elements, the island and his own mental struggles as he survives 60 days alone on an island, with nothing at all, not even clothes.
As you follow his story, you question your own reliance on society and others. Could you survive if you had nothing?
Hungry for Miles
Steven Primrose-Smith
Almost 1 in 10 people in the world live below the line of poverty, living off less than £1 a day. For most of us this is unfathomable, so to consider doing so whilst cycling hundreds of miles seems almost impossible. Steven and his friend’s story is light-hearted and funny, whilst raising awareness of a growing worry.
The Backyard Adventurer
Beau Miles
A lot of people would think of Beau as an odd, quirky person, thinking of his hectic, junk-filled life as something far from their desires. Yet, I find his adventures simplistic. Reading about Beau’s local endeavours helped me put my view of life into perspective. There is a fascination in even the smallest of things.
Get Up Go Outside 