ESSENTIAL SUMMER READING LIST

A GORP mindset does not necessarily only come from grappling with mountain climbing or sweating buckets on a hike.

You can feel a connection to nature by putting your feet up and immersing yourself in a new world by picking up a book.

Here are some recommendations to get you started, or to add to your ever-increasing ‘to read’ pile:

KOOK – by Chris Vick

This novel encourages you to release your inner surfer and experience a summer of love. When teenager Sam arrives in a coastal town in the middle of nowhere, he doesn’t think adventure is on the horizon. However, when pro-surfer Jade introduces him to the sport, his obsession with catching a legendary wave takes hold.

Nowhere for Very Long: the Unexpected Road to an Unconventional Life – by Brianna Madia

For everyone who has dreamed of ditching the nine to five and exploring the world in a minivan, Brianna did exactly that. The memoir chronicles her experience of travelling across the American West in a worn, but reliable, van called Bertha.

Journey to Eternity: and More Stories of (Mis)adventure, on Rock and in the Mountains – by Wendy Bruere

Don’t be put off by the wordy title. Journey to Eternity includes the stories of 13 adventurers from across the world. One even has a close shave with an AK47. Bruere includes a diverse selection of perspectives, and takes you to some of the most beautiful locations through her visual descriptions.

Rewilding the Urban Soul – by Claire Dunn

In this explorative memoir, Claire Dunn considers if we can actually feel connected to nature while living in a concrete jungle. She spent a year living off-grid in a wilderness survival program, only to return to an overcrowded city where everyone is glued to technology. Is it too late to change our ways?

Timothy – by Verylin Klinkenborg

Based on a true story, this novel is told from the perspective of the tortoise who lived in naturalist Gilbert White’s garden for 13 years in the 18th- century. If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to be a tortoise, this is the book for you. Even if you haven’t experienced your mind going down that particular rabbit hole, it is still a charming and unique read.