After reading a great piece recently I got to thinking, a lost art nowadays, does anybody read anymore? In an age when we’re consumed by technology and all the fruits that it creates, does anybody ever set the iPod, gaming control, or laptop down and pick up a book?
I post haphazard tirades about my fishing adventures on here all the time, but always wonder if anybody is reading what I am writing. I usually get the most response on here when I post up photos or even better videos. Does everyone just come here for the pictures and video? Maybe that’s all I should post anymore.
I for one enjoy a good read. I am almost always delving my head into a piece of literature. I love non-fiction works because I hate reading about wizards, vampires or spaceships. I can’t comprehend things that are not of this realm. I am no Charlie Sheen. I like to read about things that are real and the human interaction that exists under actual circumstances. I read about all things including the rise and/or fall of prominent athletes and entertainers, historical events and tragedies, outdoor escapades, and survival stories.
Excuse my digression. Here are a few of my favorite outdoor-related books and why. If you have any outdoor/fishing-related reads that you enjoy feel free to share them in the comment section.
1.Where Rivers Change Directions by Mark Spragg
It is merely by coincidence that the first three books on this list have something to do with a river. I enjoy rivers but not to the extent that this list makes it seem. This book is one of my favorite books. The story is an autobiography of Spragg’s upbringing in rural Wyoming where he was forced to grow up quick to survive. Spragg’s writing style and his ability to portray emotion is incredible. The sincerity and rawness of this piece gives you insight into a world that is sometime rough, wild and unpredictable.
2. A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean
Not much needs to be said about this book. This book recounts Maclean’s upbringing as the son of a Presbyterian minister and the time spent on the trout rivers of western Montana. Any book that starts with the opening line ”in our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing” is a must read.
3. The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard
This book relays the story of Theodore Roosevelt’s journey on a dangerous, unknown river in one of the most remote parts of the world. The detail in this book is phenomenal and a bit drawn out, but a great read. Adventure in the Amazon turns to survival for the unsuspecting and unprepared former president of the United States.
4. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Another excellent story of survival which takes place on the top of the world. This book recounts Mount Everest’s deadliest climbing season on record, the 1996 season. Krakauer’s somehow managed to survive a summit attempt on Everest when many others more competent than himself parished on the world’s rooftop. In this book Krakauer communicates the fortunate circumstances that led to his survival and what went wrong for his companions that didn’t make it off the mountain.
5. Plugger by Rudy Grigar
This is a must read for any Texas saltwater fisherman. The writing is good, not great, and recalls times when fishing pressure was low and fish were plentiful. This book was more of a history lesson for me about how great our fisheries once were before intense commerical and recreational overfishing took place. Grigar was one of the original wade fisherman and hardware chunkers. He revolutionized the Texas fishing culture and had a big influence on what it is today.
