I would love to buy just that edition of Three Men in a Boat - for the cover alone with what looks like a Jack Russell hanging over the side of the boat. It sounds fun - a time when folk laughed more readily at themselves.
Likewise Wallington. I'm noting it for posterity although suspect it will be hard to find.
I have another beautiful book by my bed which you may like and which I dip into repeatedly and it's Henry Beston's The Outermost House. A year of his life in a beach shack set in the dunes of Cape Cod. I find it so raw, with such a salty tang in the words, that it's not hard to imagine sitting in that little shack with him.
Most recently, I have seen Salt on Your Tongue - Women and the Sea by Charlotte Runcie which I must try to find. I suspect there'll be much to enjoy.
Like you, I love being outdoors, walking (at my own pace), observing, noting - but the truly big things are for others to accomplish, not me, and then let me read about them. Like Raynor Winn.
My cover designer, Englishwoman Jane Dixon Smith, has just walked the Himalayas (she's a mountain climber) and I'm in utter awe. So much respect. Here's me having to shut my eyes if I walk over a suspension bridge! I hope she writes on her adventures.
So keep ambling, Rebecca and keep detailing it for people like me in the far southern hemisphere, so that I may live vicariously!
The artwork is gorgeous, isn’t it? Actually, Montmorency is a fox terrier, not a Jack Russell - but that’s a pretty close relation, right? I’m so glad that YOUR dear Terrier is feeling better!
Thank you for your recommendation of The Outermost House and the suggestion of the Charlotte Runcie book - I shall take a look at both. I love exchanging recommendations - and my list is growing thanks to the super comments on this post. Perfect!
‘The big things are for others to accomplish’. From my point of you right now, certainly, yes, in terms of long walks - my get-up-and-go has sadly got up and left - but I know very well indeed, Prue, that you and I are capable of big things of a different variety. 😘
Wow to Jane Dixon Smith! What an incredible adventurer!
I loved the Bill Bryson book! It was made into a movie, with Robert Redford and Nick Nolte no less - but it did not translate the atmosphere of the book, in my opinion.
Oh, I haven’t seen it! And I’m glad to say that you haven’t tempted me to seek it out! LOL - I’m having difficultly imagining how Redford and Nolte portrayed Bryson and Katz - I might have to have a look after all, just for the novelty!
Oh my goodness, "A Walk in the Woods" is in my top 5 books of all time! I've read everything by Bryson and he's truly one of the great writers of the late 20th and early 21st century for me.
LOL! To be honest, if I were to borrow a dog for any reason I doubt that either of us would enjoy the experience! It’s lovely that Wallington has Boogie with him, though, because together they make hilarious company!
I love a good travel memoir - or even a memoir about something I have no intention of doing/no interest in, because it doesn’t matter. If an author is clearly passionate, then I’m on board! I will have to track some of these down. I’m a long time Bill Bryson reader but some of these are new to me!
You’re so right, Alison - I agree entirely! The underlying theme of a memoir is secondary to the writer’s 'own’ story.
One of my current reads on Libby is ‘A Curious Career’ by feature writer (and author of ‘An Education’) Lynn Barber, and it’s absolutely wonderful. Her insights into writing stories about others make for a fascinating exploration of a whole tangle of humanity. I haven’t yet read ‘An Education’, nor seen the film, but they’re on my list.
I think I’m drawn to reading memoir because I enjoy writing about my own experiences. Or am I drawn to writing about my own experiences because I enjoy reading memoir? Hmmmm!! 🤣
Oh goodness, why had I never considered travel memoir as a genre?! I’ve been reading mostly memoirs this year (because I’m writing one) and will check out a few traveling ones.
I do remember in high school reading a book called, “A Walk Across America” and being captivated by the slow meandering through each town.
(And the pragmatist in me, even at that age, was like… why?!) 😂
Not long after, my sister and brother-in-law rode their bikes across America from coast to coast.
I think I love reading memoir so much because I enjoy writing about my own experiences. Or is it the other way around?!
And no pressure at all, Jen, but I think you already know how much I’m looking forward to reading your memoir! 😉
Thank you for the recommendation - I’ve just added ‘A Walk Across America’ to my list. Your sister and brother-in-law sound amazingly intrepid - what an AWESOME trip that must have been. Wow, just wow. 🙌
Thanks for sharing the account of my accidental assault by crow! 🍃🐦⬛🔪
Love this reading list. Another author you might enjoy - who talks more broadly on the outdoors, conservation, hiking, etc. - is Nick Offerman. His descriptive use of English is next level; “Where the Deer and the Antelope Play” is quite enjoyable.
Onward, indeed. Grand collection. I would add _Travels with Charley_ by Steinbeck. I think Matthew Long has recently done a review. Ah yes, go here: https://matthewmlong.substack.com
Thanks, Mary - and gosh, I’ve heard about Travels with Charley but have never read it. Thank you for the recommendations, and for linking to Matthew Long’s review. Perfect! 😘
These are wonderful recommendations, Rebecca, right up my alley. I will look for them. Your landscape photos are marvelous and I especially loved the one with extra feet. I think I'd figured it out on my own, though. hah! Thank you so much for the shout out for 🌿Leaves, sweet girl. I am honored by your support. Truly.
Thank you so much, Sue! 😘 It’s cooled down a great deal here too - but we’ve got torrential rain this morning, and even now, at 11am, it’s still DARK! Our clocks go back next weekend - a little sooner than across the pond - and it’s going to be such a shock to the system! 🤣
Holy cow, that's crazy. We had a pretty good rain last week as well. Hope there's much more ahead, California can always use more water. We've had so many trees die this summer due to the heat.
I love your reviews of these books and how much you enjoy them. I prefer memoirs but am drawn to the personal journey whether or not an actual trail or road is included.
Thank you, Carissa! 😊 And yes, it’s the personal journey which is the centre of it - I love the insights into the world shared by so many brilliant writers from their own view of it. Wonderful stuff!
For years, I dreamed of walking the Pacific Crest and Appalacian trails. After passing those same years hiking the trails just around my neighborhood in Truckee, I satisfied my yearnings by reading Cheryl Strayed and Bill Bryson. The Mark Wallington book sounds fun. It reminds me of Travels with Charlie by Steinbeck. Books and videos about nomads and road now feed my wanderlust. Isn't living vicariously through others a wonderful thing? And even the smallest adventure we try on our own becomes epic.
Oh Sue, how lovely - and yes, it’s amazing that the power of words can be enough to satiate our need to get ‘out there’! We’re kindred spirits, you and I. 😘
We live in such a beautiful world and we're lucky to have the time and capacity to enjoy it. And yes, we are kindred spirits. Just don't get lost on me now.
I like you love travel memoir. I managed to get a copy of 500 Hundred Mile Walkies by Mark Wallington so another inch of so in my reading tower.
If anyone wants to borrow a dog for a round Britain trip I have an extremely energetic black Labrador … except his partner in crime would miss him too much. Xxxx
Oh Jo, that’s brilliant! I’d suggest you don’t read it aloud to Humphrey and Mildred in case they pick up any of Boogie’s questionable habits….. but you’ll laugh, oh gosh, you’ll laugh! 🤭 It’s a super story - I’m absolutely loving it so far! 😘
It’s such a super read, isn’t it? When I first picked it up I hadn’t realised that it had been written in the 1880s, because it felt so contemporary and so real to my own (at the time) late 20th-century life. Quite extraordinary!
I would love to buy just that edition of Three Men in a Boat - for the cover alone with what looks like a Jack Russell hanging over the side of the boat. It sounds fun - a time when folk laughed more readily at themselves.
Likewise Wallington. I'm noting it for posterity although suspect it will be hard to find.
I have another beautiful book by my bed which you may like and which I dip into repeatedly and it's Henry Beston's The Outermost House. A year of his life in a beach shack set in the dunes of Cape Cod. I find it so raw, with such a salty tang in the words, that it's not hard to imagine sitting in that little shack with him.
Most recently, I have seen Salt on Your Tongue - Women and the Sea by Charlotte Runcie which I must try to find. I suspect there'll be much to enjoy.
Like you, I love being outdoors, walking (at my own pace), observing, noting - but the truly big things are for others to accomplish, not me, and then let me read about them. Like Raynor Winn.
My cover designer, Englishwoman Jane Dixon Smith, has just walked the Himalayas (she's a mountain climber) and I'm in utter awe. So much respect. Here's me having to shut my eyes if I walk over a suspension bridge! I hope she writes on her adventures.
So keep ambling, Rebecca and keep detailing it for people like me in the far southern hemisphere, so that I may live vicariously!
The artwork is gorgeous, isn’t it? Actually, Montmorency is a fox terrier, not a Jack Russell - but that’s a pretty close relation, right? I’m so glad that YOUR dear Terrier is feeling better!
Thank you for your recommendation of The Outermost House and the suggestion of the Charlotte Runcie book - I shall take a look at both. I love exchanging recommendations - and my list is growing thanks to the super comments on this post. Perfect!
‘The big things are for others to accomplish’. From my point of you right now, certainly, yes, in terms of long walks - my get-up-and-go has sadly got up and left - but I know very well indeed, Prue, that you and I are capable of big things of a different variety. 😘
Wow to Jane Dixon Smith! What an incredible adventurer!
I loved the Bill Bryson book! It was made into a movie, with Robert Redford and Nick Nolte no less - but it did not translate the atmosphere of the book, in my opinion.
I agree, Margreet. The book was so much better!
Oh, I haven’t seen it! And I’m glad to say that you haven’t tempted me to seek it out! LOL - I’m having difficultly imagining how Redford and Nolte portrayed Bryson and Katz - I might have to have a look after all, just for the novelty!
Oh my goodness, "A Walk in the Woods" is in my top 5 books of all time! I've read everything by Bryson and he's truly one of the great writers of the late 20th and early 21st century for me.
I agree. So wise. So FUNNY!
It’s a super read, isn’t it? I’ve read several of his books, but this one is my favourite so far (although I’ve got plenty more Bryson on my list!)!
I’m with you Rebecca, I don’t think I’d borrow a dog to go that far! Thanks for these great book suggestions and wonderful pictures.
LOL! To be honest, if I were to borrow a dog for any reason I doubt that either of us would enjoy the experience! It’s lovely that Wallington has Boogie with him, though, because together they make hilarious company!
Thanks so much for reading, Donna!
I love a good travel memoir - or even a memoir about something I have no intention of doing/no interest in, because it doesn’t matter. If an author is clearly passionate, then I’m on board! I will have to track some of these down. I’m a long time Bill Bryson reader but some of these are new to me!
You’re so right, Alison - I agree entirely! The underlying theme of a memoir is secondary to the writer’s 'own’ story.
One of my current reads on Libby is ‘A Curious Career’ by feature writer (and author of ‘An Education’) Lynn Barber, and it’s absolutely wonderful. Her insights into writing stories about others make for a fascinating exploration of a whole tangle of humanity. I haven’t yet read ‘An Education’, nor seen the film, but they’re on my list.
I think I’m drawn to reading memoir because I enjoy writing about my own experiences. Or am I drawn to writing about my own experiences because I enjoy reading memoir? Hmmmm!! 🤣
There’s no shame in slowing down. Your books will take you where you need to go!
Aww, thanks, Amie! 😘
Oh goodness, why had I never considered travel memoir as a genre?! I’ve been reading mostly memoirs this year (because I’m writing one) and will check out a few traveling ones.
I do remember in high school reading a book called, “A Walk Across America” and being captivated by the slow meandering through each town.
(And the pragmatist in me, even at that age, was like… why?!) 😂
Not long after, my sister and brother-in-law rode their bikes across America from coast to coast.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Walk_Across_America
I think I love reading memoir so much because I enjoy writing about my own experiences. Or is it the other way around?!
And no pressure at all, Jen, but I think you already know how much I’m looking forward to reading your memoir! 😉
Thank you for the recommendation - I’ve just added ‘A Walk Across America’ to my list. Your sister and brother-in-law sound amazingly intrepid - what an AWESOME trip that must have been. Wow, just wow. 🙌
Thanks for sharing the account of my accidental assault by crow! 🍃🐦⬛🔪
Love this reading list. Another author you might enjoy - who talks more broadly on the outdoors, conservation, hiking, etc. - is Nick Offerman. His descriptive use of English is next level; “Where the Deer and the Antelope Play” is quite enjoyable.
Such a pleasure, Bryn! Ooooh, and thank you for adding to my reading list - I’m loving all of the suggestions I’m getting. Brilliant! 🤩
Onward, indeed. Grand collection. I would add _Travels with Charley_ by Steinbeck. I think Matthew Long has recently done a review. Ah yes, go here: https://matthewmlong.substack.com
Thanks, Mary - and gosh, I’ve heard about Travels with Charley but have never read it. Thank you for the recommendations, and for linking to Matthew Long’s review. Perfect! 😘
These are wonderful recommendations, Rebecca, right up my alley. I will look for them. Your landscape photos are marvelous and I especially loved the one with extra feet. I think I'd figured it out on my own, though. hah! Thank you so much for the shout out for 🌿Leaves, sweet girl. I am honored by your support. Truly.
Thanks, Sharron! LOL - I couldn’t resist including that picture, and the silly caption! And it’s such a pleasure. I love reading your words! 😘
Oh, this was wonderful to read, and encouraging to get back outside now that the ridiculously high temps are leaving. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much, Sue! 😘 It’s cooled down a great deal here too - but we’ve got torrential rain this morning, and even now, at 11am, it’s still DARK! Our clocks go back next weekend - a little sooner than across the pond - and it’s going to be such a shock to the system! 🤣
Holy cow, that's crazy. We had a pretty good rain last week as well. Hope there's much more ahead, California can always use more water. We've had so many trees die this summer due to the heat.
It’s such a shame that a happy medium is so often missing from regional weather! 🤣
I love your reviews of these books and how much you enjoy them. I prefer memoirs but am drawn to the personal journey whether or not an actual trail or road is included.
Thank you, Carissa! 😊 And yes, it’s the personal journey which is the centre of it - I love the insights into the world shared by so many brilliant writers from their own view of it. Wonderful stuff!
For years, I dreamed of walking the Pacific Crest and Appalacian trails. After passing those same years hiking the trails just around my neighborhood in Truckee, I satisfied my yearnings by reading Cheryl Strayed and Bill Bryson. The Mark Wallington book sounds fun. It reminds me of Travels with Charlie by Steinbeck. Books and videos about nomads and road now feed my wanderlust. Isn't living vicariously through others a wonderful thing? And even the smallest adventure we try on our own becomes epic.
Oh Sue, how lovely - and yes, it’s amazing that the power of words can be enough to satiate our need to get ‘out there’! We’re kindred spirits, you and I. 😘
We live in such a beautiful world and we're lucky to have the time and capacity to enjoy it. And yes, we are kindred spirits. Just don't get lost on me now.
LOL! Thanks, Sue! xxx
I like you love travel memoir. I managed to get a copy of 500 Hundred Mile Walkies by Mark Wallington so another inch of so in my reading tower.
If anyone wants to borrow a dog for a round Britain trip I have an extremely energetic black Labrador … except his partner in crime would miss him too much. Xxxx
Oh Jo, that’s brilliant! I’d suggest you don’t read it aloud to Humphrey and Mildred in case they pick up any of Boogie’s questionable habits….. but you’ll laugh, oh gosh, you’ll laugh! 🤭 It’s a super story - I’m absolutely loving it so far! 😘
You may have read it, but if not I HIGHLY recommend Robert MacFarlane’s The Old Ways. Actually, anything by MacFarlane is brilliant.
Ooooh, another one for my list - thank you! Robert MacFarlane’s work is absolutely wonderful. Thanks, Bryan!
I love Three Men in a Boat . For me it’s been one of my favourite travel books that I read when I was in school .
It’s such a super read, isn’t it? When I first picked it up I hadn’t realised that it had been written in the 1880s, because it felt so contemporary and so real to my own (at the time) late 20th-century life. Quite extraordinary!