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Everybody who knows me knows that I’m a homebody.
I don’t leave my house unless I absolutely have to.
Normally, I could go days without stepping outside – but these days, I have to leave the house every single day because I’m in school.
But believe me, if I didn’t have to, I really wouldn’t leave at all.
I’m not an adventure junkie, but one thing I am is an easy reader and reading is honestly my way of experiencing the world.
It lets me live through everyone else’s stories and there’s really nothing I love more than armchair exploring.
I love that there are people out there doing bold, brave things – tackling dangerous situations – and then writing books about them.
If you’re like me and don’t have the nerve (or maybe just the desire) to get into all that, but you still want to know what really happens and feel that adrenaline rush then you need to check out these adventure nonfiction books.
Farther Than Any Man: The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook by Martin Dugard
This book tells the story of a man who didn’t even see the sea until he was a teenager, but went on to become one of the most famous explorers in history.
Captain James Cook’s life is like a real adventure movie – full of brave choices, daring voyages, and tough challenges.
I love how the author, Martin Dugard, makes Cook feel like a real person, not just a name from a history book.
He had big dreams, made bold decisions, and sometimes got things wrong, but he always pushed forward.
If you like reading about people who take risks and chase the unknown, this is a beautiful, gripping story to read.
Kon Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
This is one of the most incredible sea stories I’ve ever read.
Thor Heyerdahl believed that ancient people might have traveled across the ocean on simple wooden rafts.
Instead of just writing about it, he actually built one and tried it himself.
With five friends, he set sail from South America to Polynesia on a handmade raft.
They faced storms, sharks, and long days at sea. But they made it and proved that ancient people were capable of amazing things.
It’s such an inspiring story of belief, bravery, and never giving up. I was in awe the whole time.
The Kid Who Climbed Everest by Bear Grylls
This one really touched my heart. Bear Grylls, who many of us know from TV, had a terrible accident when he was just 23.
He broke his back during a parachute jump and was told he might never walk again.
But less than two years later, he climbed Mount Everest – the tallest mountain in the world. Can you imagine that?
It’s a story about pain, healing, hope, and determination.
It made me think deeply about what we can do when we refuse to give up on our dreams.
I found it incredibly moving and uplifting.
Touching the Void by Joe Simpson
This book is intense, emotional, and unforgettable.
Joe Simpson and his friend Simon were climbing a remote mountain in Peru.
On their way down, Joe had a terrible fall and broke his leg. With almost no chance of survival, he was left alone in the freezing mountains.
But somehow, he crawled for days and made it back.
It’s hard to believe a human could survive something like this, but he did.
This one is about survival, friendship, hard choices, and never losing hope even in the darkest times. I was on edge the entire time reading it.
Annapurna by Maurice Herzog
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to climb one of the world’s tallest and most dangerous mountains, this book gives you a raw and honest view.
Maurice Herzog led a team to climb Annapurna, one of the deadliest peaks.
They were the first to do it and it came with a heavy cost.
The story is full of danger, teamwork, and the painful reality of exploration.
And, I was in awe of how much these climbers were willing to sacrifice just to stand on a mountaintop.
It’s inspiring, but also deeply humbling.
Trespassers on the Roof of the World by Peter Hopkirk
I had no idea how many people risked everything to get into Tibet in the 1800s.
This book reads like a secret spy adventure, but it’s all true.
Explorers from Britain, Russia, and even America wanted to reach Tibet’s capital, Lhasa, which was closed off to outsiders.
They disguised themselves, snuck across mountains, and faced harsh punishments just to get in.
It was fascinating to learn how Tibet was caught between major powers and how much people wanted to uncover its mysteries.
I think anyone curious about history and faraway places will be amazed by this one.
Death in the Long Grass by Peter Hathaway Capstick
This one is both thrilling and kind of scary.
Peter Capstick was a big-game hunter in Africa, and in this book, he shares his wildest, most dangerous moments. Lions, leopards, elephants, snakes – he faced them all up close.
And, Capstick wasn’t just chasing animals for sport – he was also really honest about how risky and unpredictable nature is.
You feel like you’re right there with him, sweating and holding your breath.
If you enjoy heart-pounding stories and love hearing about wild animals, this book delivers big time.
A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko
This is such a beautiful and deep book.
It’s about a man, Kevin Fedarko, who set out to walk the entire length of the Grand Canyon – a nearly impossible journey full of cliffs, deserts, and dangers.
He was joined by a photographer, and together they explored places very few people have ever seen.
I loved how the book talks about the natural beauty of the canyon, but also the history, the old ruins, and the Native American lands they found along the way.
It made me think about how much land holds stories, and how special it is to protect it.
Quiet, powerful, and unforgettable, this is a book I’ll recommend to everyone.
The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons by John Wesley Powell
This book is an old classic, but it still reads like a great adventure.
John Wesley Powell, a one-armed Civil War veteran, led a group down the dangerous Colorado River in wooden boats, through places no one had ever explored.
They didn’t have maps or gear like we do now – they were just brave, curious men hoping to survive.
They faced hunger, wild rapids, and even fear of attacks.
I’m still in shock about how much courage they had, even when everything seemed to go wrong.
It’s a beautiful story about discovery and the human spirit.
The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger
This book is about a group of fishermen who were caught in a once-in-a-lifetime storm.
The sea rose up with waves taller than buildings, and the wind blew harder than most people could survive.
The book tells their story, but also explains how storms work, and how dangerous life at sea can be.
What I really appreciated is how Junger made me feel like I was right there, struggling with the crew.
Even though it’s a tragic story, it’s full of respect for the bravery of people who go to sea every day to provide for their families.
Let me know which of these books you’re adding to your reading list, and which ones you’ve already read.
And if you happen to be one of the adventurous ones in the house, tell me – what’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever done?
