What do you read on the trail?

[Hounoki]

I'm pouring over the different book choices I have for the AT. There're about 15 to choose from and I want to make the right decision because this book will get read and reread and, I believe, will impact me in some way as it will accompany me throughout my journey.
So I'm looking at things like the I Ching, various nature writings, etc., and on the other hand, books that amuse and entertain like the Oz series (I know, I'm a little kid inside). Do you have trouble concentrating on more intellectual stuff when you stop on the trail? What books have you brought/would you bring?

[Yahtzee]

An obscure book from a late 19th/early 20th century Canadian naturist, Ernest Thomas Seton. Basically, ten or so short stories detailing the lives of different animals from birth to death, but done in a way that gives individual life to each animal. Just brilliant. Not sentimental or schmaltzy but somehow as affecting a book as I have ever read.

Great way to get out of your own head and see life in the forest thru the lives of other animals.

[Marta]

It's possible to find reading material along the way. People leave books in shelters, and many hostels have a "leave a book/take a book" shelf or two. So unless you have a text you particularly want to study, I'd just go with the flow, realizing your books have a good chance of getting wet and dirty...

Marta/Five-Leaf

PS--I reread the Lord of the Rings series, which is always a good choice for someone on a journey. Puts your trials and tribulations on the AT in perspective. ;-) I also read a number of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. In between I read some found books.

[MOWGLI]

Small thin paperbacks. The last few I've read were To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Grapes of Wrath, and Cannery Row by Steinbeck.

OK, Grapes of Wrath is not very thin. But it's an amazing book.

[bigcranky]

Recently in my pack: Travels with Charley, The Hobbit, and Letters from Yellowstone. All good for section hikers, but I wouldn't want to read them over and over and over again on a thru. (I like Marta's suggestion of LOTR - that'll last awhile.)

[BlackCloud]

Read one of the books concerning some of the murders that have occurred on the AT.

Makes the nites more interesting.....

[bfitz]

This year I'm bringing "Culture Warrior" by Bill O'Reilly, "Let Freedom Ring" by Sean Hannity, and "Godless" by Ann Coulter.

[max patch]

I always carried 2 paperbacks with me; my wife also mailed me the Sunday local sports page and SI. I read the same type books on the trail as I do off the trail.

It would have been an ideal time to read the Bible and I regret that I didn't take the opportunity to do so.

[max patch]

Small thin paperbacks.

C'mon Mowgli, fess up.

[atkentucky]

I read probably 10 books on the trail. Everytime that i finished one, amazingly there was one at the next shelter. So i just dropped the one i finished and took the new one.

Also many libraries give free paperbacks to hikers, and many hostels have lots of books you can exchange out.

[bfitz]

And The Necronomicon, by the Mad Arab Abdul Alhazred (almost forgot).

[TDale]

Atlas Shrugged

or

The Fountainhead

[bfitz]

Atlas Shrugged

or

The Fountainhead

Excellent choices.

[Spork]

This year I'm bringing "Culture Warrior" by Bill O'Reilly, "Let Freedom Ring" by Sean Hannity, and "Godless" by Ann Coulter.

I hear the three of them are also collaborating on "Mein Kampf II: Mein Way or Else"...

[Lone Wolf]

current reader's digest

[Spork]

Crossword puzzle books are light, cheap and entertaining. Plus they help expand one's, uh... whatchamakallit... 10 letters, starts with a "v"...

[Tin Man]

current reader's digest

Yup, and it comes in handy when going to the privy.

[bfitz]

I hear the three of them are also collaborating on "Mein Kampf II: Mein Way or Else"...

I did it mien way......!
-Frank Sinatra

[bfitz]

Actually, I dumped the other two books, they sucked, but "Godless" by Ann Coulter is the greatest nonfiction book of this decade, easily.

[Spork]

I did it mien way......!
-Frank Sinatra

You realize, of course, that this song will now be stuck in your head for the next 2000+ miles and you will begin cursing my name by Virginia if not before. I hope to see a video or at least a picture of you posted to WB later this year singing it on top of Mt. Katahdin. Go Frank go!!

Have a great hike!