Outdoor-oriented books to read before summer ends

I came across a great post on The Clymb awhile back: “6 books that will change your summer.” (I know, know summer is nearly over. I’m in denial.)

Of the books, I’ve read 4: “To Build a Fire,” “A Sand County Almanac,” “A Walk in the Woods” and “The Lorax.”

It got me thinking about my favorite outdoor-oriented books.

My two favorites are “Prodigal Summer” by Barbara Kingsolver and “A River Runs Through It” by Norman MacLean.

Both of these are ideal summer reading. Might I suggest you read these two books and hang onto the season just a bit longer?

“Prodigal Summer” is a sweet story that focuses on three different stories in the mountains and farms of southern Appalachia. The novel moves between the different characters as they are slowly drawn together over the course of a summer. Also, this book should be on everyone’s bookshelf simply because the cover is so beautiful. If you’ve only ever read Kingsolver’s “Poisonwood Bible” or “Bean Trees” series, you should read this. It’s a different, but just as wonderful, side of the author.

“A River Runs Through It” is also gloriously written. I read it again every year or so. Norman MacLean’s prose is right on the edge of being poetry. It’s beautiful to read, and is also fabulous as an audiobook. MacLean’s well-chosen words bring the rivers of Montana to vivid life. Also, as this book is really a novella, you’ll blast through it quickly.