Books to bring hiking

[AlbertaHiker23]

I'm looking for some suggestions for books to bring on the trail. I would like to read something that is simple, yet thought-provoking at the same time. I'm thinking something along the lines of philosophy/spirituality... that kind of thing, books about life in general. The one I have right now is: How to succeed at the game of life, by C. Klemesh.
Anybody else have suggestions?

[hammock engineer]

I am planning on bringing the original version of Frankenstein. Nothing like scaring the crap out of yourself in the middle of the woods, at night, and by yourself.

[firemountain]

Check out 'The Celestine Prophecy' by James Redford.

[jrwiesz]

Pale Blue Dot or Demon Haunted World.

[mnof1000v]

anything you can find in a dover thrift edition... they're lighter than most books and like 1 or 2 dollars....

[ozt42]

can't go wrong with Zen and the art of Motorcycle maintinence

[rafe]

can't go wrong with Zen and the art of Motorcycle maintinence

Yes! That's what I was reading, back in the day. When I had time to read, that is. Amazing book.

[SGT Rock]

I heard a review on a new book called "The Raw Shark Text" that sounds like a winner. I have to go find a copy.

[insure ants]

But here are a few:

Ishmael
Endurance: Shackelton's Incredible Voyage
Siddartha
Grizzly Years
The Long Walk

[hammock engineer]

can't go wrong with Zen and the art of Motorcycle maintinence

I'll have to look into that. Planinng on getting a motorcycle next spring. The DIY'er in me wants to know how to fix it.

[Topcat]

I'll have to look into that. Planinng on getting a motorcycle next spring. The DIY'er in me wants to know how to fix it.

well, that book is mostly about fixing yourself, not your bike. Well worth the read though.

[Topcat]

The trail is littered with classics that people think they ought to read and think that the trail is the perfect place to do it. Just pick the one book you wish you had always read and take it, who cares what it is, then have a library for others to send you as you need them. If you cant read one 3 nights in a row, drop it at a hostel and ask for the next one. Remember, there is a reason that Moby Dick and Huckleberry Finn are required reading in high school, its because no one wants to read them on their own. Well worth the read but most are too lazy to be challenged.

[Earl Grey]

Im taking the Godfather and maybe Into The Wild.

[hammock engineer]

well, that book is mostly about fixing yourself, not your bike. Well worth the read though.

Ahh, well I could use some of that too.

[Kerosene]

anything you can find in a dover thrift edition... they're lighter than most books and like 1 or 2 dollars....

Here is a link to all of the Dover Thrift Edition books sold on Amazon. They range in weight from 2-6 ounces and in price from $1-$5. You'll quickly note that most of the titles encompass the "classics", not all of which I'd want to try to tackle after a hard day of walking. They're printed on something like onionskin, which dramatically reduces the volume of the pages and weight.

[Cedar Tree]

Endurance: Shackelton's Incredible Voyage

Great book to read prior to a Thruhike.
CT

[Jester2000]

Yes! That's what I was reading, back in the day. When I had time to read, that is.

Everyone has time to read.

[moxie]

In 2000 "Shkesphere" carried a book containing the complete works of Shakesphere. He was making a statement as "Tuba Man" did the same year. Most people tear out and carry just the trail guide pages they will need to get to their next mail drops. Same with maps. Books weigh alot and many are taken but most end up as fire starters in shelters where they are left to save weight. In the south you will find bibles in many shelters and magazines and newspapers are not unusual on the entire trail, "Arrow" downloaded several books on her palm pilot to save weight. If you want to carry a book purchase a used book or paperback, tear out only as many pages as you can read between mail drops and mail the rest ahead. Burn what you have read each night. I do not recommend this if you are reading "The London Art Journal of 1889" but only a cheap book you can purchase anywhere. Do not bring a book of value on a long distance hike. Also, if ypu keep a jpurnal and write in it every night you may be on your way to writing your own book.

[Chaco Taco]

When I met Mr Happy a few weeks ago, he was reading The Dharma Bumbs by Kerouac. Well, I just finished it and it would be an awesome book to read while on a hike!

[jambalaya]

I have some fond memories of books I read on my thru last year. I left home with "Leaves of Grass" and ended up trading it in, then trading that book in, etc. and reading a dozen cool books. The Bhagavad-Gita was the best spiritual/philosophical one. But one of my favorite trail experiences was finding a book randomly at a shelter or hostel or bookstore in town. Seemed like whenever I finished one, there was another conveniently waiting for me. You're on the trail , and books are lying 'round everywhere -- just let the random literary greatness come to you.