It all started with a book. Reading has lead me to chase dreams. It has given me the inspiration to improve myself. Reading is my single most constructive daily practice. In this series, I will cover books on adventure, personal finance, self-improvement, fiction and more. I will share some of my favorite titles that have led to new projects, ways of thinking, or personal advancement.
Today’s list focuses on 3 Adventure Books I Love. These inspiring stories have opened my mind to exploration beyond my everyday routine.
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
Michael Easter is a contributing editor for Men’s Health magazine, a columnist for Outside magazine, and professor at UNLV. His book, The Comfort Crisis is an examination of how our society prioritizes daily comforts over challenging ourselves.
The story weaves through his journey backpacking through the Alaskan tundra for 30 days, and shows us how it forced him to approach life with a new perspective. The idea that we have created an easy button in our lives (i.e. temperature-controlled rooms, endless access to food) was eye-opening for me.
He doesn’t bash these luxuries but he promotes getting a little (or sometimes very) uncomfortable as often as we can. This allows us to actually appreciate the conveniences we have. Both physical and mental challenges he endured on his trip led to a whole new outlook on life and the book covers a wide variety of actionable ways to push yourself.
This is one of those books that I think about daily. It shifted my perspective. It motivates me to take the stairs instead of the elevator, or to add some weight to my hiking backpack. To want more out of each activity by pushing my limits.
I like to challenge myself, but I am also currently sitting in a 67° room, in a comfy chair, drinking coffee that was delivered to my door from New Mexico (really good coffee by the way). That’s ok. What’s important is that each day I do something that makes me uncomfortable. This way, I can sometimes push the easy button guilt free.
To Shake the Sleeping Self by Jedidiah Jenkins
To Shake the Sleeping Self is an example of how an everyday person can do extraordinary things. Jedidiah worked at an office job for a brief period in his 20s. He quickly realized that it was not the life for him. He switched gears and worked with a non-profit organization in Africa, which triggered an insatiable sense of adventure.
After speaking with a friend about a recent bicycle trip they had been on, he got the idea to ride a bike 14,000 miles from Oregon to Patagonia in South America.
While this adventure proves to be an extraordinary challenge, the book is about much more than the bike ride. The trip exposed him to new people, new experiences and allowed him to reflect on all aspects of his life. He discusses friendships, family, religion, societal norms and where he fits in to all of it. Some of my favorite parts were conversations he has with his friends about life’s unanswerable questions, and how they challenge each other when discussing heavy topics.
Jenkins has an engaging personality that jumps off the pages and makes the reader feel like they are his best friend (I keep texting him, but he hasn’t responded yet). As he rides, you travel alongside him listening to him beautifully express his thoughts. His honest telling of the journey is real and truly inspiring.
The Greatest Beer Run Ever by John “Chick” Donohue
As far as adventure books go, this story is both extraordinary and heartfelt. John “Chick” Donohue is a veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a merchant seaman. During the Vietnam war he and some friends were at their local New York City bar talking about their buddies who were still overseas, and an idea came up:
What if one of them could sneak into Vietnam and deliver some beer to their friends as a show of support?
Chick volunteered and embarked on the extremely dangerous but rewarding journey exhibiting the boundlessness of comradery and loyalty.
This adventure book gives a very real take on what life was like in Vietnam during the war and what soldiers were experiencing while fighting a publicly unpopular crusade. It is also a lesson in thinking outside of the box. The idea of going into an active war zone just to show a simple act of support to a friend is unheard of.
Chick defies the limits of what is thought to be possible and adventures to an unwelcoming land in the name of friendship.
Go!
“Something hidden. Go and find it. Go and look behind the Ranges – “Something lost behind the Ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go!”
Rudyard Kipling – The Explorer
Each of these adventure books inspired me to want more out of my days. I will never see every corner of the world, but stories like these inspire me to explore as many as possible.
