Good reading on the AT

[coach lou]

You can always watch the film "Southbounders" for free while you make your decision!

http://www.cultureunplugged.com/docu.../Southbounders

Some like it, some rave about it, others thought it was sorta cheesy......

Thanks Spokes, I just checked it out. It was okay, the love angle is so Hollywood, at least they actually were on site, that was cool. Sherrie and the kids are backyard camping, and I just ran the story by them, so they all want to watch it, now that they are official backpackers!

[coach lou]

Many of which I have read and would not necessarily recommend.

Rain Man

.

So which do you think I should read first?

[Mike2012]

I've love reading along the trail but after finishing Earl Shaffers' Walking with Spring, and having read Bryson and both Barefoot Sisters books plus Whiteblaze Fever, I started getting into other literature like Jack Kerouacs' On the Road and Herman Hesses' Siddhartha. I recommend reading some of the books on your life list but make sure they are not heavy books such as my last book: John Irvings' A Prayer for Owen Meany. I picked that 2 pound book up at Bryant Ridge Shelter (arguably the best shelter on the AT). It was a great read but I loved getting rid of it. Small paperbacks for me, if I can help it. There are people on the trail watching movies and tv shows on their iPods. No judgement but come on!

[verasch]

Also "Fifty shades of grey" seems to be getting a lot of attention, though not sure why, hehehe

"The Story of the Eye" was much better...

There are people on the trail watching movies and tv shows on their iPods. No judgement but come on!

When I get around to actually doing my thru, I'll be carrying a tablet with me. Mostly so I can take a large reading list, but you can be damned sure I'm going to watch a movie on it every now and then. Don't worry though, I'll have my head phones in.

[coach lou]

I've love reading along the trail but after finishing Earl Shaffers' Walking with Spring, and having read Bryson and both Barefoot Sisters books plus Whiteblaze Fever, I started getting into other literature like Jack Kerouacs' On the Road and Herman Hesses' Siddhartha. I recommend reading some of the books on your life list but make sure they are not heavy books such as my last book: John Irvings' A Prayer for Owen Meany. I picked that 2 pound book up at Bryant Ridge Shelter (arguably the best shelter on the AT). It was a great read but I loved getting rid of it. Small paperbacks for me, if I can help it. There are people on the trail watching movies and tv shows on their iPods. No judgement but come on!

I have been carrying Lord Jim around for six months, I can't finish it on the trail..............2 pages.................snoozzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzz..........good morning!

[rocketsocks]

"The Story of the Eye" was much better...



When I get around to actually doing my thru, I'll be carrying a tablet with me. Mostly so I can take a large reading list, but you can be damned sure I'm going to watch a movie on it every now and then. Don't worry though, I'll have my head phones in.

I could see watching a DEAD show, up to buffalo, crimson whit and indigo, 89'JFK,I was there, yep....good show, or Foot Ball!

[Lyle]

Current: "Through Hiker's Eyes" - Lawrence Alexander (Not sure if it's available from B&N) Very humerous.

Best Collection: "Hiking The Appalachian Trail" Volumes One and Two. Published by Rodale. Long out of Print, but WELL worth the effort to find a copy at a library or on EBay.

[kyarmchamp]

Very good read for couples thru-hiking together

[kyarmchamp]

Solemates. Wonderful couples thru-hike read

[chiefduffy]

The Appalachian Trail Reader, an old favorite.

[hikerboy57]

I've love reading along the trail but after finishing Earl Shaffers' Walking with Spring, and having read Bryson and both Barefoot Sisters books plus Whiteblaze Fever, I started getting into other literature like Jack Kerouacs' On the Road and Herman Hesses' Siddhartha. I recommend reading some of the books on your life list but make sure they are not heavy books such as my last book: John Irvings' A Prayer for Owen Meany. I picked that 2 pound book up at Bryant Ridge Shelter (arguably the best shelter on the AT). It was a great read but I loved getting rid of it. Small paperbacks for me, if I can help it. There are people on the trail watching movies and tv shows on their iPods. No judgement but come on!

if you like on the road, pick up dharma bums. and if you like siddhartha, read steppenwolf, actually all hesses books are powerful, all essays on individuality and resistance to societal norms, conformity.( i of course, continue to resist.)although ive read it already, im bringing dharma bums up to maine.

[Rain Man]

So which do you think I should read first?

First is not important. Read several. Or, in my case, a bunch!

RainMan

.

[coach lou]

First is not important. Read several. Or, in my case, a bunch!

RainMan

.

Your right of course, I get obsessive about my reading subject matter. I checked my home library and found I have already read '..The Trail Reader'. Today I will see how far that gift card gets me..............................HB, my son also gave me the Starbucks card!

[OzJacko]

I have read most I can get my hands on (can't actually get to the trail easily so feeding my Springer fever every way I can).
Walking With Spring
Becoming Odyssa
As Far As the Eye Can See
AWOL on the AT (Proof you can do it with blisters and worse)
are all very good.
But my personal favourite that seems to give me the most personal insight is On The Beaten Path (Rubin).

[Texas Phlox]

I enjoyed the Barefoot Sisters: "Southbound"and the sequel "Walking Home".

I'm fixing to read "AWOL".

I

[perrymk]

In Beauty May She Walk: Hiking the Appalachian Trail at Age 60
Leslie Mass
Author/hiker is a 60 year old woman. I guess it's like a trail journal although I haven't read too many of those yet. Very engaging and well written in my opinion.

Southbound on the Appalachian Trail
Ken Sarzynski
Author/hiker is a 30+/- year old man. He goes back and forth between trail journal and chapters offering advice/perspectives. Again, engaging and well written, advice never got overbearing, at least not to me.

[Double Wide]

Gotta add 300 Zeros to the list. Really liked that one.

[Emily Harper]

Becoming Odyssa is one of my Favorites. Here's my review -- http://youtu.be/KbhziM3fN9Q

[coach lou]

Thanks for your help folks. Just checked out 4 titles from HBs Cyber Cafe Library.
Walking with Spring
Awol
Just Passing Thru
& Southbound
That should hold me over for a couple of months.


And you thought all we do at the Cafe was throw bullets, climb 6' walls, and filter water, and tell bad jokes.

[Rain Man]

Thanks for your help folks. Just checked out 4 titles from HBs Cyber Cafe Library.
Walking with Spring
Awol
Just Passing Thru
& Southbound

A great start! BTW, you may not know, but there's a DVD of Earl Shaffer narrating a slide show of photos he took in '48 on his thru-hike. It'd go well with his book.

RainMan

.