Jeremy’s Bookshelf

A Walk in the Woods

Bill Bryson

I love camping and being outside, so following someone else’s adventure along the Appalachian Trail was an easy sell. Bryson brings humor, curiosity, and enough uncomfortable moments to remind you that a good outdoor story rarely begins with everything going according to plan.

It left me wanting to see those mountains for myself. Someday, I hope to trade reading about the trail for putting a few miles on it.

My pick for: Anyone who enjoys the outdoors, a good travel story, and laughing at someone else’s questionable preparation.

Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance

Stephen Herrero

What interested me most was understanding the bears—and the human decisions that helped turn an encounter into a dangerous situation. Reading about animal behavior and hikers’ mistakes gave me plenty to think about when heading into the woods.

I want to enjoy wild places while understanding the animals that live there. Ideally, my camping stories will feature a peaceful night and breakfast, rather than a chapter in the next edition.

My pick for: Readers interested in bear behavior and learning from real encounters between people and wildlife.

Born to Run

Christopher McDougall

A compelling true story pulled me in, but the questions about how we run and what we put on our feet stayed with me. I’ve always felt more comfortable barefoot, and this book gave me a new way to think about that preference.

I enjoyed the mix of adventure, people, and exploration of the science behind running. It made me curious about movement itself—not just how far or how fast we can go.

My pick for: Anyone who enjoys an adventure story or has ever wondered why taking their shoes off feels so good.

Born to Run 2

Christopher McDougall and Eric Orton

After enjoying the first book, I wanted to spend more time with its ideas. This follow-up brings the focus toward practice: exploring how running can feel more natural, enjoyable, and connected to the way we move.

For me, the appeal was continuing to question assumptions about shoes and comfort. My feet have been voting for fewer shoes for years; these books gave the debate considerably more material.

My pick for: Readers who enjoyed Born to Run and want to explore its approach to movement further.

Move Your DNA

Katy Bowman

An exploration of natural movement and the variety of ways we use our bodies throughout the day. Bowman looks beyond formal workouts to everyday movement, making this a fitting companion to the Born to Run books.

For: Readers curious about natural movement and bringing more variety into everyday activity.

How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci

Michael J. Gelb

A guide to curiosity, observation, and creative thinking inspired by Leonardo’s notebooks and work. Its emphasis on asking questions and making connections fits Wild Notebook’s invitation to look closer at the world around us.

For: Curious readers who enjoy notebooks, creative exploration, and noticing connections.

The Long Run

Matt Long with Charles Butler

A memoir of a New York City firefighter’s recovery after a devastating accident and his return to marathon running. It brings a personal story of persistence to the bookshelf alongside the running and outdoor-adventure titles.

For: Readers drawn to true stories about resilience, recovery, and running.

Blueprint

Ross Edgley

An adventurous look at strength, endurance, and rebuilding after injury. Edgley combines his own recovery and extreme athletic challenges with a year-long approach to training, bringing an outdoor-adventure perspective to physical preparation.

For: Readers interested in endurance, training, and the preparation behind ambitious adventures.

Undeniable

Cameron Hanes

A collection of lessons on discipline, persistence, and pursuing demanding goals. Hanes draws on his experiences in endurance running and bowhunting, alongside conversations with accomplished people from different fields.

For: Readers who enjoy stories of determination and the mindset behind challenging pursuits.