Let’s Take a Hike: A Booklist
Audrey Swartz, Adult Services and Readers’ Advisory Librarian
The heat of summer is upon us, and many of us will fill the few nice days with outdoor activities: hikes, trips to the zoo, the county fair, and, of course, the ever-calling draw of swimming. At Manhattan Public Library, we pride ourselves on our diverse program activities. You may have noticed a slew of new adult programs on our calendar thanks to our new Adult Programming Librarian, Victoria. Recently she took a group of 17 library patrons on a hike; it turned out to be a lovely day and a hit. I suspect we will see more outdoor adventures planned in the near future. If you missed the hike, we have created a handy-dandy list of books you can check out to explore the prairie on your own. All information for these titles has been taken from our catalog, which can be accessed at Manhattan Public Library Catalog.
“How to Suffer Outside: A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking and Backpacking” by Diana Helmuth; illustrations by Latasha Dunston.
Part critique of modern hiking culture and part how-to guide, “How to Suffer Outside” is for anyone who wants to hit the trail without breaking the bank. Diana Helmuth offers real advice, opinionated but accessible and based on in-the-field experiences. She wins readers’ hearts and trust through a blend of self-deprecating humor and good-natured heckling of both seasoned backpackers and urbanites who romanticize being outdoorsy, plus a helpful dose of the actual advice a novice needs to get started.
“Forest Walking: Discovering the Trees and Woodlands of North America” by Peter Wohlleben and Jane Billinghurst.
What can you learn by following the spread of a root, by tasting the tip of a branch, by searching out that bitter almond smell? What creatures can be found in a stream if you turn over a rock–and what is the best way to cross a forest stream, anyway? How can you understand a forest’s history by the feel of the path underfoot, the scars on the trees along the trail, or the play of sunlight through the branches? How can we safely explore the forest at night? What activities can we use to engage children with the forest?
“Becoming Odyssa: Adventures on the Appalachian Trail” by Jennifer Pharr Davis.
After graduating from college, Jennifer isn’t sure what she wants to do with her life. She is drawn to the Appalachian Trail, a 2175-mile footpath that stretches from Georgia to Maine. The next four months are the most physically and emotionally challenging of her life. She quickly discovers that thru-hiking is harder than she had imagined: coping with blisters and aching shoulders from the 30-pound pack she carries; sleeping on the hard-wooden floors of trail shelters; hiking through endless torrents of rain and even a blizzard. The trail is full of unexpected kindness, generosity, and humor.
“Hiking Day” by Anne Rockwell; illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell.
A little girl and her family go hiking up a nearby mountain for the very first time. As they climb up and up the path, they see everything from a friendly toad to a prickly porcupine, tall leafy trees to tiny red berries.
“Hike” written and illustrated by Pete Oswald.
In the cool and quiet early light of morning, a father and child wake up. Today they’re going on a hike. Follow the duo into the mountains as they witness the magic of the wilderness, overcome challenges, and play a small role in the survival of the forest. By the time they return home, they feel alive — and closer than ever — as they document their hike and take their place in family history.
“America’s Great Hiking Trails” by Karen Berger; photography by Bart Smith; foreword by Bill McKibben.
A hiker’s dream bucket list is embodied in this lavishly illustrated celebration of more than 50,000 miles of America’s most iconic trails. Celebrating the forty most important trails in America, this volume takes the reader through forty-nine states and eight national parks.
“Kansas Trail Guide: The Best Hiking, Biking, and Riding in the Sunflower State” by Jonathan Conard and Kristin Conard; foreword by Marci Penner.
From the windswept plains to the majestic Flint Hills, the subtle beauty of the Sunflower State is best appreciated from its myriad wide-ranging trails. This comprehensive guide will tell you all you need to know about the trails that crisscross Kansas. The illustrated guide includes detailed full-color maps, GPS coordinates, and, of course, extensive route descriptions.
“Walking Distance: Extraordinary Hikes for Ordinary People” by Robert E. Manning and Martha S. Manning.
Walking is simple, but it can also be profound. Robert and Martha Manning invite readers to explore the pleasures of long-distance walking in their inspiring new book. At the heart of “Walking Distance” are firsthand descriptions of thirty of the world’s great long-distance hikes, spanning six continents and ranging from inn-to-inn to backpacking trips.
I hope to see you exploring our library, gathering your summer reading prizes, and visiting us at events throughout the year! Manhattan Public Library is a cornerstone of free and equal access to a world of ideas and information for the Manhattan, Kansas, community. Manhattan Public Library serves more than 75,000 people in the Riley County area through curated book and other media collections, knowledgeable staff, relevant programming for all ages, and meeting space. Learn more at mhklibrary.org.
# # #
Audrey Swartz, Adult Services and Readers’ Advisory Librarian