Not sure what book to grab for the outdoor friend in your life? Here is my all-encompassing non-fiction outdoorsy book gift guide!
Outdoorsy Book Gift Guide for the Adventure Friend
My favorite adventure books (in no particular order)
Classic Krakauer by Jon Krakauer
An excellent collection of short essays on the outdoors, survival, and safety.
North by Scott Jerek
The story of Scott’s supported FKT trek north on the Appalachian Trail.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakeuer
The story of the most dangerous and disastrous Mt. Everest climb.
Leave Only Footprints by Conor Knighton
The journey to visit every national park in the U.S. in one calendar year.
Journey North by Barny Scout Mamn
One mans journey on the Pacific Crest Trail. Hiking from Mexico to Canada.
To Shake the Sleeping Self by Jedidiah Jenkins
An unlikely journey on bike from Oregon to Patagonia.
The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey By Derick Lugo
An inspiring memoir, showing that there is no “picture perfect” person to thru-hike. This is a journey meant for anyone and everyone. Derick has never been hiking, and embarks on the huge feat of tackling the AT.
Whiteout by Jessica Goodfellow
Beautifully written poems depicting the loss surrounding the 1967 Wilcox Expedition up Denali. Where her own uncle, along with 6 other climbers were lost in a 10-day storm.
Outdoorsy Book Gift Guide for the Bad*ss Woman
Your guide to the best adventure books written by some strong, intelligent women.
Girl in the Woods by Aspen Matis
My favorite book. TW: for sexual assault.
Paddling North by Audrey Sutherland
An incredible solo paddling journey through the NW
run wild and be by Sydney Zester
A collection of poems, perfect for the runner in your life.
Things I Learned from Falling by Claire Nelson
An incredibly scary but important story.
Mud Rocks Blazes by Heather Anderson
The most incredible story on her journey on the FKT (unsupported) north on the Appalachian Trail
Thirst by Heather Anderson
A journey on the Pacific Crest Trail. Heather Anderson’s first major thru-hike.
Off Trail By Jane Parnell
A woman’s journey through life and the outdoors. Her memoir is spanning numerous decades of her life and relating back to her incredible feats of conquering the highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains.
Woman in the Wild By Susan Joy Paul
The ultimate guide for women looking to hike, camp, and explore the backcountry!
Outdoorsy Book Gift Guide Supporting my Favorite Local Mid-West Authors
Three books written by local authors in the mid-west!
The Good Hike by Tim Keenan
From Michigan, Keenan served in the Vietnam war and used to enjoy time outdoors in the woods but since serving, Keenan has experienced PTSD and doesn’t find the peace and enjoyment nature used to bring him. He sets out to hike the entire AT to order to regain the solace he previously had in nature.
Hidden Gems of the Northern Great Lakes: A Trail and Paddling Guide by Madeline Marquardt
Your ultimate guide to trails and waterways in Northern Michigan. Marquardt has an excellent list of places to camp, backpack, hike, and paddle throughout the Northern Great Lakes Region. Including the NW region of Michigan’s lower Peninsula, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the North Shore of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Lake Letters by Mae Stier
A beautiful collection of poem by Mae Stier who currently resides in the NW region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula along the shores of Sleeping Bear Dunes. For anyone looking for some love and cozy feelings for this area this is the perfect book to add to anyone who appreciates nature in Northern Michigan, this is the perfect outdoorsy book gift guide.
