In a week and a half, I’m embarking on a new adventure! I’ll be working for the summer in Alaska for Camp Fire, an organization that offers summer camp activities to kids in rural communities only accessible by prop plane.
I’m writing you today because I’m about to spend 2 1/2 months out of wifi range, and I need to plan entertainment ahead of time! So I’m calling in your recommendations.
Hit me with your favorite books in the comment thread below! I’ll take as many as I can with me.
I’m looking for books that shaped you/changed your life. What book has captivated you, carried you along, and filled you with grief when there were only twenty pages left because you knew it had to end? Those are the books I want.
I will have time to dive in and think deeply, and I’d like to use this for personal reflection.
Here are the criteria I would prefer, but I’m not limiting myself if you really sell it:
Non NYT best-sellers (Unless you were really blown away): I’d like to read books that few people have encountered! Everyone has heard of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. There was a huge marketing budget behind it! The best books I’ve ever read have been total surprises (my example is Lame Deer, Seeker of Visions, which I found on a dusty bookshelf in Panama half-eaten by moths in a surf hostel fifty miles from nowhere. What are the unexpected books that shaped you?
Non self-help: The more I read, the more I find myself diving deeply into memoirs, adventure narratives, biographies, epic fantasy, and beautifully written fiction. When I encounter self-help, I usually scan for the main themes and it’s over in fifteen minutes.
More than five years old (unless it’s AMAZING): I’m looking for books that have stood the test of time and deal with timeless human themes! I’m simply not interested in flash-in-the-pan political treatises and whatever is trending. What books have remained after hype and marketing have gone away?
I am so excited to see what recommendations come in!
For beautiful fiction, I highly recommend Train Dreams by Denis Johnson. The best biography I read this year was John Adams by David McCullough. It’s definitely on the more bestseller-y side of things, but I learned surprisingly much about the kind of person I want to be from reading that book.
Hi Aaron! If you get a chance, have a look at Graeme Simsion, an Aussie author. He's versatile, but I read his novel, The Rosie Project, twice, and that's my first choice as a gift to someone as well. If you'd like, I can send it to you (it's very entertaining). My classical favourite would be Oscar Wilde, can't go wrong.
The Afterlife of Billy Fingers by Annie Kagan immediately comes to mind. It falls into the memoir/spiritual category. I read it 8 years ago and find myself still pondering the themes in it. Have a great summer in Alaska!
I read 20+ years ago & just reread this year and felt it was just as relevant then and now. The book touches on human nature , sexual identity, cooperate greed, Artificial Intelligence, hope, love , death , and what humanity’s place in this world might be. Plus it’s very humorous.
Or maybe just bring a couple of good Survival books on living in the wild. ;-)
love you my friend and grandson!! I'll be praying for sure...Proud of you to venture out into the Wilderness...A D V E N T U R E for sure!!! Quite a few of my (and yours) relatives migrated from Canada to US...love, Grandma
For beautiful fiction, I highly recommend Train Dreams by Denis Johnson. The best biography I read this year was John Adams by David McCullough. It’s definitely on the more bestseller-y side of things, but I learned surprisingly much about the kind of person I want to be from reading that book.
Ooooooh perfect I haven't heard of either one Dalton
Hi Aaron! If you get a chance, have a look at Graeme Simsion, an Aussie author. He's versatile, but I read his novel, The Rosie Project, twice, and that's my first choice as a gift to someone as well. If you'd like, I can send it to you (it's very entertaining). My classical favourite would be Oscar Wilde, can't go wrong.
Oooooh I've heard of the Rosie project! Need to check it out
The Afterlife of Billy Fingers by Annie Kagan immediately comes to mind. It falls into the memoir/spiritual category. I read it 8 years ago and find myself still pondering the themes in it. Have a great summer in Alaska!
That one look so interesting, wow. It's recommended in the same canon as "journey of souls"
Thanks for the return recommendation. "Journey of Souls" just got added to my short list of must reads.
Steel Beach. By John Varley
It’s science fiction. It’s a bit otherworldly.
I read 20+ years ago & just reread this year and felt it was just as relevant then and now. The book touches on human nature , sexual identity, cooperate greed, Artificial Intelligence, hope, love , death , and what humanity’s place in this world might be. Plus it’s very humorous.
Or maybe just bring a couple of good Survival books on living in the wild. ;-)
Best of luck and thanks for making a difference.
Thanks! I love that kind of stuff :) I'll keep an eye out!
The Education of Little Tree by Forest Carter, made me alternately laugh and cry more times than any other short book.
Watch for Me on the Mountain by Forest Carter, an amazing story.
Chronicles of Tao: The Secret Life of a Taoist Master by Deng Ming Dao, one of my favorites!
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, one of the best books I’ve ever read!
Enjoy!
I'm VERY familiar with Shantaram, but the others look great :) Thanks Haydn!
My first recommendation is a NON FICTION Book...Very old but Fantastic..".THE HOLY BIBLE " Second is "TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD"
Thank you grandma :p I've read both by now
love you my friend and grandson!! I'll be praying for sure...Proud of you to venture out into the Wilderness...A D V E N T U R E for sure!!! Quite a few of my (and yours) relatives migrated from Canada to US...love, Grandma
Hey Aaron, is that address at the bottom of your email a postal address for you?
Cheers Andrew
It is not! That's the Substack HQ. Email me at AaronJNichols77@gmail.com and I can give you a postal address :)
Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins.
Thanks Mary :) I'll be heading to the used bookstore tomorrow to look for as many of these as I can :)