At Adventures in Good Company, we all share a deep passion for the outdoors. While we love exploring and embarking on new adventures, we also find great joy in experiencing adventures through the pages of a captivating book.
One of our core values is "we keep learning." We embrace this by delving into inspiring outdoor adventure literature, both fiction and nonfiction. These books offer us fresh perspectives from those who have journeyed to far-off places, tackled longer trails, encountered diverse wildlife, and pursued unique adventures. It is through these stories that we find inspiration for our own explorations.
Here is a list of staff recommendations for books centered around outdoor adventures:
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
This compelling memoir details the author’s journey of self-discovery and healing through a solo Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hike. In the wake of her mother's death, the collapse of her marriage, and a period of self-destructive behavior, Strayed decides to hike the PCT. With little prior experience and a heavy backpack, she faces daunting physical challenges and personal demons. Strayed’s narrative weaves together the trials of her trek with reflections on her past, illustrating how the PCT becomes a path to healing, self-rediscovery, and resilience.
“I loved Wild because the author takes you on her transformative journey through the wilderness, powerfully illustrating how the natural world can catalyze healing. Wild emphasizes how nature can help restore us.”
-Emily Annis, AGC Adventure Specialist
Nowhere for Very Long: The Unexpected Road to an Unconventional Life by Brianna Madia
This memoir explores the author’s journey from a conventional life to embracing a nomadic existence. Madia, a former lawyer, and her husband decide to leave their stable careers and comfortable home to live on the road with their dogs. The book chronicles their adventures, challenges, and personal growth as they navigate life in a camper van across various landscapes.
“This book really resonated with me because I have always wanted something a little different out of life and am always looking for the next adventure. I love that Brianna doesn't follow societal norms and is completely true to herself.”
-Jamie Begrowicz, AGC Progam Manager
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
This non-fiction book tells the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who abandoned his conventional life to venture into the Alaskan wilderness. After graduating from college, McCandless gave away his savings, adopted the alias “Alexander Supertramp,” and embarked on a journey of self-discovery across the American West. The book explores McCandless’s motivations, challenges, and the tragic end of his adventure while reflecting on themes of idealism, isolation, and the quest for meaning.
“There is a quote in this book that has stuck with me for 20 years—“"The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences,””—especially those that are shared. Into the Wild dives into self-discovery through freedom and adventure and is a reminder of the importance of connection and preparedness. It offers great life lessons!”
-Jen Engers, AGC Regional Program Director
Space Below My Feet by Gwen Moffat
This memoir recounts the author's adventures as one of the first female rock climbers and mountaineers in the United Kingdom. The book details Moffat's pioneering climbs, her struggles against societal norms, and the exhilaration of scaling challenging peaks. Her narrative captures the spirit of adventure and the profound connection between nature and personal growth.
“This book was recommended to me by a friend when I first started rock climbing. I enjoyed reading Space Below My Feet for its captivating portrayal of a woman's daring journey in the mid-20th century, embracing a life of adventure, resilience, and mountaineering. Moffat's vivid accounts of her exploits and the challenges she overcame to become Britain's leading female climber are both inspiring and deeply engaging.”
-Dori Nix, AGC Marketing & Communications Director
Awake in the Wild: Mindfulness in Nature as a Path of Self-Discovery by Mark Colemaneman
This guide-style book blends mindfulness practices with nature's transformative power. Coleman, an experienced meditation teacher and nature guide, provides practical techniques for using mindfulness to enhance one's connection to the outdoors and offers insights into how nature can serve as a profound teacher.
“I love this book because it reminds me how deeply interconnected we are with the natural world and highlights how spending time in nature can significantly benefit our mental health.
-Hallie Stuart, AGC Senior Program Manager
Hector and the Search for Happiness by François Lelord.
This novel follows Hector, a psychiatrist who is unsatisfied with his work and decides to travel internationally in search of what makes people happy. He travels to Paris, the Himalayas, Africa, and America to speak to the local populations and learn where they find satisfaction and happiness in their lives. Through his travels and encounters, he learns valuable lessons about joy, personal fulfillment, and the human condition.
“This book has great examples of cultural tourism and empathy while exploring key lessons regarding happiness and its misconceptions. Here are some of my favorite lessons Hector learned: happiness is feeling useful to others, happiness is a long walk in the mountains, many people see happiness only in their future, and Making comparisons can spoil your happiness.”
-Jenna Scott, AGC Program Operations Coordinator
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
This humorous and insightful memoir tells the author's attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail. An avid but inexperienced hiker, Bryson sets out with his old friend Stephen Katz to tackle this challenging trail. Along the way, they face physical hardships and unpredictable weather. Bryson's witty observations and engaging storytelling blend adventure with reflections on nature, history, and the American wilderness.
“This classic memoir makes me laugh out loud every time I read it.”
-Mel Fowler, AGC Field Operations Manager
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This philosophical novel tells the story of Santiago, a young shepherd from Spain who dreams of finding a hidden treasure near the Egyptian pyramids. Motivated by his vision, Santiago embarks on a journey across the desert, meeting various characters such as a crystal merchant, a wise alchemist, and tribal leaders. Through these encounters, he learns valuable lessons about following one's dreams, listening to the heart, and recognizing the interconnectedness of all things.
“I loved this hero story because, throughout the book, we see the shepherd learn the importance of listening to his heart and discover just how interconnected everything is.”
-Emily Annis, AGC Adventure Specialist
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The book weaves together Kimmerer's experiences as a botanist and a member of the Potawatomi Nation, exploring the relationships between humans and the natural world. Through her reflections on the gifts of plants and the practices of indigenous traditions, Kimmerer emphasizes the importance of reciprocity, gratitude, and ecological stewardship. She highlights how scientific knowledge and traditional wisdom can foster a deep connection with nature and promote environmental sustainability.
“I loved this memoir because it differed from anything I'd ever read. It was educational but so well-written and almost poetic that I could envision the places, people, and experiences the writer was sharing. It also helped me reconsider the way I move through the world and the impact I have.”
-Katie Bourque, AGC Program Manager
Iberia by James Michener
Iberia is a comprehensive and vivid travelogue about Spain as experienced by the writer James Michener. He recounts all of his memories, from the first time he set foot in the country, experiencing and unraveling Spanish stereotypes, and socially analyzing how Spaniards live their daily lives. The book is a blend of historical narrative, personal observations, and cultural insights.
“For anyone interested or curious in the Camino de Santiago, I recommend reading this book. In this beautiful account, Michener takes us on a poetic journey. His poignant observations and conversations with people from all walks of life are remarkable. He also breathes life into Spanish art, architecture, and music for the uninitiated.”
-Julie Fast, AGC Director of Sales & Guest Services
Running Home by Katie Arnold
This heartfelt memoir intertwines the author’s passion for running with her journey through personal loss and self-discovery. Following the death of her mother, Arnold, an accomplished ultramarathoner, uses running to navigate her grief and reconnect with her sense of self. The book blends reflections on motherhood, endurance, and the healing power of nature, offering readers a powerful narrative about finding solace and strength through running.
"I appreciate how Katie Arnold openly addressed the mental challenges she faced—grief, loss, and anxiety—and how running served as a transformative outlet for her. Her vivid descriptions made me feel like I was running the Trails of New Mexico and Colorado alongside her. As a runner, I found inspiration in reflecting on the reasons behind my miles and reconnecting with the natural beauty surrounding me during my runs."
-Amy Oldenburg, AGC Marketing Assistant
To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life of Meaning by Jedidiah Jenkins
This transformative memoir follows the author’s 18-month bicycle journey from Oregon to Patagonia. Facing a crossroads in his life, Jenkins embarks on this grueling expedition to break free from his routine and search for a more profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. As he pedals through diverse landscapes and cultures, Jenkins confronts his fears, questions his identity, and explores the essence of happiness and meaning.
"To Shake the Sleeping Self is a beautifully written memoir that I really connected with. As a fellow cyclist and adventurer, I, too, have turned to the open road for healing and growth. It's winding and unpredictable, and sometimes shaking things up a bit is just what we need."
-Jen Engers, AGC Regional Program Director
