In the last two weeks I have brought you reading suggestions for a beach holiday and for a city break. This week I want to share with you some of my suggestions for books you might want to read when on an adventure, or even planning an adventure. Each of them I believe will take you to another land, in some cases challenge your thinking of what you think you can or cannot do and hopefully overall give you hours of reading enjoyment.
Just a Little Run Around the World by Rosie Swale Pope
Rosie Swale Pope is an incredible lady who after her husbands death ran an astonishing solo 20,000 miles around the world to raise money for charity. Her attitude is humbling and her courage and hope in the face of adversity is second to none. I read this when training to trek to Everest Base Camp and during difficult parts of the trek would often think back to Rosie and how she coped in circumstances far beyond anything I was experiencing. Even now when I’m out running and its feeling hard and I’m struggling. I remember what Rosie achieved. Rosie’s website has details of all her adventures and is well worth a visit.
Out of Africa by Karen Blixen
“I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills” is the opening sentence of this classic memoir by Karen Blixen who arrived in Kenya in 1914 to manage a coffee plantation. This is the story of Karen but also the story of Africa. Descriptions of vivid landscapes form the back drop to her adventures. She was a woman who faced danger sometimes in the form of Lions and other wild animals, at others in her interactions with local people and sometimes in the battles she faced to keep her plantation going. This was written at a particular time and some of the phrases may be uncomfortable today but this takes nothing away from the stories that Karen Blixen tells and her fearlessness as a woman on a huge adventure.
Terra Incognita, Travels in Antarctica by Sarah Wheeler
Antarctica captured my imagination many years ago and the stories of Scott and Shackleton I remember from school have always held some fascination. Antarctica is the ultimate destination for explorers and adventurers. This book by Sarah Wheeler captures all of that and more. She was fortunate enough to spend 7 months living in Antarctica, and in this book she takes you there with her. A combination of historical facts and fascinating insights into what it really is like to ‘over winter’ in Antarctica. This will take you on a wonderful journey, through icebergs and penguin colonies as you walk in the footsteps of those who described Antarctica as “the last great journey”. The spirit of adventure and discovery in this book is fabulous!
Here you can find my suggestions for reading on a City break and reading on a Beach holiday
I hope you have enjoyed my suggestions in recent weeks. I would love to know any of your holiday reading recommendations…..