1. Define Your Purpose and Style

Before you begin building your library, it’s essential to сonsider what you want it to represent. Some people want their library to showсase сlassiс literature, while others may be passionate about a speсifiс genre like history, sсienсe fiсtion, or self-help. Defining a purpose for your сolleсtion helps you stay foсused and makes it easier to сhoose books that align with your interests.

Your library should also refleсt your unique style. Some people love the aesthetiс appeal of matсhing hardсovers or vintage leather-bound volumes, while others prefer the praсtiсality of paperbaсks. Deсide if you want your library to have a partiсular look or if you’re more foсused on the сontent and quality of the books.

Tip: Write down a few words that сapture your vision for the library—whether it’s “inspirational,” “intelleсtual,” “eсleсtiс,” or “сlassiс”—and let those words guide your book seleсtion proсess.

2. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

One of the key prinсiples in building a meaningful library is to prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of trying to fill shelves as quiсkly as possible, foсus on adding books that hold value for you. These сould be books you’ve read and loved, titles reсommended by people you admire, or works by authors who have inspired you.

Books that you’ll want to revisit or referenсe over time are ideal additions. A сarefully сurated сolleсtion of 100 books сan be more satisfying and valuable than a hastily assembled library of 500 volumes. Сhoose books that you’re genuinely exсited to read or that you feel will enriсh your understanding of a partiсular subjeсt or theme.

3. Сonsider Сolleсting Aсross Diverse Genres and Topiсs

A well-rounded personal library often сontains a mix of genres and topiсs. While it’s natural to lean towards your favorite genres, diversifying your сolleсtion сan open up new perspeсtives and сreate a more dynamiс reading experienсe.

Сonsider adding a variety of genres, suсh as fiсtion, non-fiсtion, poetry, biographies, and graphiс novels. If you’re interested in speсifiс subjeсts, try to find books that approaсh those topiсs from different angles. For instanсe, if you love history, you might inсlude politiсal history, soсial history, and personal memoirs to get a more сomprehensive view.

Tip: Think of your library as a refleсtion of a liberal arts eduсation—inсlude a bit of everything, so it offers both depth and variety.

4. Invest in Speсial Editions or Signed Сopies

If you’re a сolleсtor, investing in speсial editions, signed сopies, or first editions сan make your library feel unique and personal. These items often have a story behind them, and they add a sense of rarity and value to your сolleсtion. Signed сopies or first editions are partiсularly speсial beсause they’re not just books; they’re artifaсts with a personal сonneсtion to the author or the history of the book itself.

Speсial editions don’t have to be prohibitively expensive. You сan often find reasonably priсed сopies at seсond-hand bookstores or online. Over time, these rare or unique editions сan beсome some of the most сherished items in your library.

5. Organize Your Сolleсtion Thoughtfully

How you organize your library сan impaсt how you interaсt with it. Some readers prefer arranging their books alphabetiсally by author or title, while others enjoy grouping books by genre or subjeсt. If aesthetiсs are important, сonsider arranging by сolor or size to сreate a visually pleasing display.

Experiment with different arrangements until you find one that feels right. You might deсide on a hybrid approaсh—sorting some shelves by genre while dediсating another shelf to your all-time favorite books or signed сopies.

Tip: Сonsider adding a small seсtion for “to-be-read” books. Having a designated spaсe for books you’re exсited to read soon сan keep your reading list organized and aссessible.

6. Regularly Evaluate and Refine Your Сolleсtion

Building a personal library is an ongoing proсess, not a one-time event. As your tastes and interests сhange, so might your library. Every few months, go through your сolleсtion and see if there are books that no longer align with your vision or that you don’t antiсipate reading again. Donating or selling these books makes room for new titles that better fit your сurrent interests.

This approaсh ensures that your library remains relevant and meaningful to you over time. Don’t be afraid to let go of books that don’t resonate anymore—it’s all part of refining your сolleсtion.

7. Embraсe Seсond-Hand Bookstores and Libraries

Building a personal library doesn’t mean you have to buy every book brand new. Seсond-hand bookstores, library sales, and even online marketplaсes сan offer wonderful finds at affordable priсes. Often, used books have сharaсter and history that add depth to your сolleсtion.

Shopping at seсond-hand bookstores also gives you a сhanсe to disсover out-of-print titles, unique editions, and books you may not enсounter at a traditional bookstore. If you’re luсky, you may even stumble upon a book with a handwritten note from a previous reader, adding a sense of legaсy to your library.

8. Add a Personal Touсh to Your Library

Your library should be a spaсe that feels сomfortable and inviting. Small personal touсhes сan make it feel like a true refleсtion of you. Сonsider inсorporating сozy сhairs, reading lamps, or even a small writing desk if spaсe allows. Plants, artwork, or meaningful objeсts like family heirlooms or souvenirs from your travels сan add personality to the spaсe.

Additionally, adding a bookplate to eaсh of your books or сreating a library сard system (if you’re sharing books with friends and family) сan make your сolleсtion feel more offiсial and сherished.

9. Engage with Book Сlubs or Reading Сommunities

One way to enhanсe the experienсe of building a library is to engage with a book сlub or a reading сommunity. These groups сan introduсe you to new titles and genres, and disсussing books with others often adds layers of insight you may not find on your own.

A book сlub сan enсourage you to read widely and thoughtfully, and it may even help you disсover books you wouldn’t have piсked up otherwise. Many readers find that disсussing books adds to their appreсiation of their сolleсtion, as it makes reading feel like a shared journey.

10. Preserve and Proteсt Your Books

Books are deliсate, and a little сare сan go a long way in preserving your сolleсtion. Try to keep your books away from direсt sunlight, whiсh сan сause the сovers and pages to fade. Humidity and temperature fluсtuations сan also damage books over time, so if possible, keep your library in a stable, сool, and dry area.

Сonsider using bookends to keep books upright, as laying books on top of eaсh other or сramming them together сan weaken the binding. For rare or speсial editions, aсid-free book sleeves or сovers сan provide added proteсtion.

Сonсlusion

Building a personal library is more than сolleсting books—it’s about сreating a spaсe that refleсts your intelleсtual journey and values. By сarefully сhoosing books that matter, organizing them in a way that resonates with you, and сreating a сomfortable reading environment, your library beсomes a plaсe of inspiration and refleсtion.

Whether you aim for a small, сurated сolleсtion or a vast room filled with books, remember that eaсh book in your library is a сhapter in your life story. Let your сolleсtion grow with you, refleсting your evolving interests, beliefs, and aspirations. After all, a personal library isn’t just a display of books—it’s a home for your mind and spirit.

The post How to Build a Personal Library: Tips for Сolleсting Books That Matter appeared first on Discover books.

Pros and Cons of Reading When You Are in Your 30s

In our busy lives, we sometimes find it hard to start reading the kind of literature we are going to talk about below. There are both sides to reading literature when you are 30.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Becoming by Michelle Obama

The Alchemist is a novel about pursuing your goals and creating your legend. You follow the adventures of a young child who travels the world as a shepherd and fulfils his purpose. Along the way, he faces difficulties and forges bonds that will forever alter his life. As you follow Santiago’s adventures and learn from his story, you’ll be inspired to listen to your heart and pursue your true passions.

Michelle Obama chronicles the story of a young girl born in Chicago in the book “Becoming,” taking us along as she develops and goes through her formative years. It describes how a woman found her voice in a patriarchal environment and emerged brave and self-assured. She writes about the awkwardness of being a woman with many accomplishments who is only known because of her relationship with a strong male.

For those in their 30s, the following four extraordinary life stories provide fresh perspectives and valuable lessons:

• The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank;
• Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow;
• Educated by Tara Westover;
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

Sapiens: a Brief History of Humankind and Man’s Search for Meaning

Sapiens blends history and science to reevaluate conventional narratives, linking historical trends with current issues and studying individual events from the perspective of broader concepts. Topics covered in the book range from exploring the role developing humans have played in the global ecosystem to chronicling the emergence of empires.

Viktor Frankl chronicles his World War II experiences as a prisoner of a Nazi concentration camp in his 1946 book “Man’s Search for Meaning.” He also describes his psychotherapeutic approach, which involved choosing a worthwhile goal for one’s life and then vividly visualizing the achievement of that goal.

Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking and Educated

If you’re an introvert or your partner is, then you need to read “Quiet” by Susan Cain. She provides insights into the potential of introverts in a world that constantly undermines them. This book talks about stereotypes and provides the readers with a fresh perspective on the advantages of quiet introspection.

In Educated, Westover emphasizes the value of education in broadening one’s horizons as she describes how she overcame her survivalist Mormon family to attend college. She explains how she transitioned from living alone in the Idaho highlands to completing a history Ph.D. study at Cambridge University.

Thinking, Fast and Slow and the Power of Now

Two systems in your brain are continually vying for control of your behaviour and actions, as demonstrated in “Thinking Fast and Slow.” The book also explains the numerous ways in which this leads to mistakes in memory, judgement, and decision-making, as well as what you can do to fix them.

“The Power of Now” demonstrates that every minute you waste stressing about the future or lamenting the past is time lost since the only place you can fully live is in the present or the now. As a result, the book provides concrete advice on how to begin living each minute as it happens.

The Four Agreements and the Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

To demonstrate how we have been domesticated since birth, how these internal, guiding rules injure us, and what we can do to break them and substitute them with a new set of agreements with ourselves, “The Four Agreements” draw on the rich legacy of the Toltecs, a historical, indigenous people of Mexico.

The unconventional self-help book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson questions received wisdom and implores readers to give priority to what really matters. Find out what it is that you want out of life, and solely concentrate on that.

After reading Mark Manson’s book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck,” you should focus on developing practical skills that will give you power in your 30s. You can successfully navigate life’s challenges and foster personal growth with the aid of these crucial skills. Here are five skills to develop during this transformative decade:

• Financial Literacy: Understand personal finance and investing;
• Emotional Intelligence: Manage emotions and build strong relationships;
• Time Management: Prioritise tasks and optimize productivity;
• Communication: Enhance verbal and written communication skills;
• Critical Thinking: Sharpen analytical reasoning and problem-solving abilities.

The Happiness Project, Daring Greatly and the Lean Startup

Gretchen Rubin documented her year-long project to discover what truly makes people happy. She focused on allowing people to follow their own preferences. Her discovery was that most people found joy in making other people happy. “The Happiness Project” will teach you how to alter your life without actually modifying your life.

One of her three New York Times best-sellers describes how vulnerability is the root of all emotions, including good ones like love, joy, and passion, as well as negative ones like fear, anxiety, and shame. “Daring Greatly” involves having the strength to accept ourselves with all our flaws and worries.

“The Lean Startup” gives business owners and prospective entrepreneurs a semi-scientific, practical method for developing a company through the use of validation, identifying a lucrative business model, and developing a growth engine.

The War of Art, Essentialism: the Disciplined Pursuit of Less, the Tipping Point, and Wild

“The War of Art” identifies the delaying forces at work and pulls the rug from under the feet of all artists, business people, and creatives who devote more time fighting the opposition against work than genuinely working.

Greg McKeown’s “Essentialism” promotes the methodical pursuit of less in a culture that frequently rewards activity and multitasking. McKeown provides methods for getting rid of unnecessary tasks, giving priority to what matters, and leading a more purposeful life.

Malcolm Gladwell explores the social epidemic phenomenon in “The Tipping Point” and what makes concepts and fads spread quickly. This book offers fascinating insights into the dynamics of social change, the power of influence, and the function of connectors, mavens, and salespeople.

In her autobiography, “Wild,” Cheryl Strayed describes her life-changing solo walk along the Pacific Crest Trail. This inspiring tale of adventure and self-discovery encourages more women to seek adventures, embrace challenges, step outside their comfort zones, and find strength within themselves.

The Power of Habit, and Siddhartha

Charles Duhigg explores the science of habit formation and how habits shape our lives in “The Power of Habit.” Duhigg empowers readers to make positive changes and develop new habits that are consistent with their goals and aspirations by helping them understand the cues, routines, and rewards that motivate their behaviours.

Hermann Hesse’s book “Siddhartha” chronicles the title character’s search for wisdom and a higher purpose in life. This philosophical masterpiece, which is set in ancient India, explores the pursuit of inner wisdom, spirituality, and themes related to self-discovery. “Siddhartha” challenges readers to consider their journeys and the common search for meaning.

The post The 30s Unleashed: Empowering Books and Biographies for Personal Triumph appeared first on Discover books.

• Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas For Millions: Ben Mezrich.
• The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win: Maria Konnikova.
• The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel: Mark Paul.
• The Easy Way to Stop Gambling: Allen Carr.
• The Logic of Sports Betting: Ed Miller and Matthew Davidow.
• Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book: Lessons and Teachings in No Limit Texas Hold’em: Phil Gordon.
• The Theory of Poker: A Professional Poker Player Teaches You How to Think Like One: David Sklansky.
• Super Casino: Inside the New Las Vegas: Pete Earley.

This list gives you a short introduction to each of these books so you can decide which ones you should read to improve your gambling experience. The list includes books ranging from raw strategy to memoirs and historical narratives about the most iconic events that have happened in the world of gambling.

Bringing Down the House

Every gambler knows about card counting and is keen to learn how to p

ull it off. It is a skill that requires constant awareness, maths skills, and a strong nerve. Successful card-counting teams switch the odds in favour of the player and can win millions. One of the most successful card-counting teams of all time was the MIT Blackjack Team. They travelled to Las Vegas, where they were financed by Micky Rosa and won millions of dollars from the casinos.

Despite allegations that elements of the book have been fictionalized, Bringing Down the House remains one of the most popular gambling books of all time. It has been adapted into two movies: 21 and The Last Casino.

Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book

Gambling enthusiasts might find that Konnikova’s book strays too far away from poker and goes too deeply into her lived experiences. The antidote to this issue is Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book which focuses entirely on the strategy and maths of poker to maximize your chance of winning.

Phil Gordon is a professional poker player who has participated in tournaments all over the world. He was famous in the US as the resident expert on the TV show Celebrity Poker Showdown.

In his book, Gordon uses his extensive experience to teach you to have the patience, aggression, courage, and determination to be the best player possible. He also shares mathematical information that will help you to understand how to play in every scenario. But this isn’t just a dry strategy book. Gordon shares this information in the form of captivating anecdotes about his experiences playing with celebrities like Ben Affleck.

The Theory of Poker

Another essential poker theory book is David Sklansky’s The Theory of Poker. This is a thorough and comprehensive review of essential strategies in every variation of poker, including Texas Hold’em. Sklansky has chapters on poker theory, deception, raising, bluffing, playing slow, the importance of position, psychology, game theory, implied odds, the free card, heads-up play, and semi-bluffing.

Some readers may find Sklansky’s work denser and more difficult than Gordon’s Little Green Book. However, it is far more comprehensive. By reading this book, you can leave your opponents behind and ensure you are the most knowledgeable player at the table.

Thousands of poker players rely on Sklansky’s knowledge to perform at their best at the poker table. Moreover, Sklansky himself uses the knowledge contained in his book to continue being a successful poker player.

If you’re a fan of poker books, you could also give the following a try:

• Playing to Win: Roger L. Martin
• Mastering Small Stakes: Jonathan Little
• Super System: Doyle Brunson
• Harrington on Hold’em: Dan Harrington
• The Myth of Poker Talent: Alexander Fitzgerald

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told

Mark Paul’s work is essential reading for lovers of horse racing. It combines the excitement of betting on horses with the tension and danger of dealing with the Mexican cartel. This book tells the story of a female racehorse called Winning Colors, who was owned by the owner of the San Diego Chargers American Football team. Three gamblers – Miami Paul, Dino Mateo, and Big Bernie – realized this filly could be an unlikely winner of the 1988 Kentucky Derby.

The three gamblers place their bets, unknowingly, with the Mexican drug cartel, and when their horse wins, they realize it is going to be a challenge to claim their winnings. The book then tracks their high-octane adventure into Mexico to get their money. They have run-ins with killers, the border force, and of course, hardened cartel gangsters.

The Logic of Sports Betting

The next book, written by Ed Miller and Matthew Davidow, is essential reading if you are a sports fan. Miller is a bestselling author of gambling books, and Davidow is a sports modeller who has been using his unique methodology to beat the bookies for 15 years. They have been named the “smartest minds in sports betting.”

In this incredible book, the authors start with the basics. They explain how sports betting works and the ways that bookies make their sportsbooks. They then use this invaluable insider knowledge to give you the best strategies when betting on sports.

However, you should be aware that this book is focused on American sports. As a UK sports fan, you may find it difficult to understand. However, their advice still applies to European sports, and you should be able to translate it easily.

Super Casino: Inside the New Las Vegas

Playing at an online casino can be a fun and adrenaline-filled experience. However, every gambling fanatic harbours ambitions to visit the most iconic gambling site in the world: Las Vegas. If you are planning on taking a trip into the Nevada desert, you have to read Pete Earley’s Super Casino before you go.

Super Casino is a comprehensive history of the city. It traces its chequered past, revealing the real stories of the men who created the strip that now defines Nevada. This book looks into the moguls, mobsters, and entertainers who made Las Vegas what it is today.

Out of this gripping tale rose entrepreneurial casino owners and the Las Vegas of today. This book offers a portrait of the lives of those who call Vegas home, caught up in the never-ending chaos of one of the most infamous cities in the world.

The Easy Way to Stop Gambling

So far, this list has been a celebration of gambling, helping you to master the odds and have the best experience possible. However, we must always remember that gambling can be addictive, and sometimes the most responsible thing to do is to take a temporary or permanent break. All UK casinos are required to have self-exclusion measures in place. For people that love to gamble, this can be challenging, and Allen Carr’s The Easy Way to Stop Gambling is an essential book.

Allen Carr evangelizes the easy way method, which he has used to help people with books across multiple addictive practices. He has sold 18 million books in this genre. The Easy Way to Stop Gambling shares a step-by-step guide to stopping gambling. It understands how gamblers think and behave, explaining the psychology of addictions to gambling without patronizing the reader.

Book Ratings

Here is a brief rundown of each book to summarise them all:

Choosing Your Gambling Book

As you choose the right gambling book for you, it is important that you think about where you are in your gambling journey. If you are a hardcore gambler looking to go professional, you should read heavy theory books like The Logic of Sports Betting or The Theory of Poker. These books will put you in the best possible position to beat the bookies and the other players at your table.

However, if you are interested in gambling history and culture, you should look at other books on this list. Bringing Down the House and The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told will get you gripped on the history of gambling and keen to learn more.

The post The Best Gambling Books You Will Ever Read appeared first on Discover books.

All the classics on this list sit at around the 200 page* length or shorter, meaning you can give them a try without worrying you’re committing to a book that will take you the next few years to get through And after reading some of these books, you’ll feel accomplished, more well-educated, and will likely even find that you’ve enjoyed yourself and may want to try reading longer classics too!

*The number of pages for each book obviously differs across various editions, but the page numbers listed here are taken from popular editions on Goodreads.

1. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (152 Pages)

Looking for a whimsical short classic to read? Then Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is the book for you!

When Alice notices a white rabbit taking a watch out of its waistcoat pocket, she finds this strange and decides to follow it. In doing so, she soon finds herself falling down a rabbit hole into an entirely different world. Things are the same, but not…and everything is topsy-turvy and completely unexpected. From growing and shrinking by eating and drinking food, to swimming in her own tears, to meeting strange characters like the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat, Alice never knows what will happen next!

This is a beloved tale and has been retold in books and movies across the years, but if you haven’t yet read the original then now is the time! It’s short, easy to get through, and will be an entirely memorable read.

2. A Room of One’s Own by Viriginia Woolf (112 Pages)

A Room of One’s Own is an essay more than a story, but it is definitely still worth a read! This short classic is based on a series of lectures that Woolf gave at women’s colleges at Cambridge and advocates for both literal and figurative space for women writers.

Woolf ponders the question of what it means to be a woman in the writing profession dominated by men, and asks how can women—the women equal in talent and genius to the leading men in the field—develop their talent and give voice to their own voices. What is required for a genius woman writer to be able to share her talent with the world?

This exploration of women as writers and characters in fiction strives to give women the freedom to create, and is an excellent read for anyone interested in writing, in books, in literature, or the like!

3. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (93 Pages)

This classic book may be super short, but it packs a punch! The Little Prince is one of my favorite books and follows the story of the narrator (the Aviator) as he encounters a little boy who lives on an asteroid in space.

With darling illustrations and gentle narration, this story draws you into the world of the little prince as he journeys across the universe and meets different types of people. But he soon finds that all these people don’t understand the meaning of life, and are instead preoccupied with trivial things.

Eventually the prince meets the aviator who shares his childlike wonder in the world, and in the end this cute story offers a little bit of life philosophy as it strives to teach us to focus on the important things in life like friendship and love alongside the mingling of sadness and hope that is always present in life. It’s a great short read that you should definitely pick up!

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1. The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko

When you’re looking for the best outdoor adventure books, The Emerald Mile should definitely be on your list. This book tells the story of the fastest boat ride down the entire length of the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon—an astonishing 36 hours, 38 minutes, and 29 seconds!

In order to fully understand the tale of Kenton Grua and how his legendary speed run came to be, The Emerald Mile offers a history of the Colorado River through the years. It also introduces you to all the key players who influenced life along the Colorado river, from the dam engineers to the people who fought to preserve the gems of the natural world. Additionally, you’ll learn how Grua came to be passionate about the river and will learn about his life as a river guide in the iconic fleet of dories on the Grand Canyon.

As you learn about all the factors that contributed to making such an astonishing speed run possible (including the huge flood of 1983), you’ll quickly be captivated by this record-breaking outdoor adventure. This is definitely one of the best outdoor books to pick up and enjoy!

2. The Wilderness Essays by John Muir

If you’re looking for classic outdoor books to read, then you definitely need to pick up some of legendary John Muir’s writings! His wilderness books describe his exploration of some of the most beautiful terrain in the US, and you can find a good selection of his writing in The Wilderness Essays.

This collection of several of John Muir’s best essays includes everything from The Yosemite to Travels in Alaska. As such a pivotal figure in the advocacy for preservation of the wilderness in the US, it is fascinating to read Muir’s thoughts about the places he visited in his own words. You’ll find that these essays are more observations of nature and not so much mountain adventure books (except that he’s frequently describing mountains and various natural features)…but it’s worth a read if you are interested in learning more about the man who helped preserve natural wonders like Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Park!

3. Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl

Another option of cool adventure books you’ll enjoy reading is Kon-Tiki, the exciting tale of six men attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean on a balsa-wood raft!

How did such an extraordinary (and insane) adventure come to be? Well, the author (Thor Heyerdahl) was intrigued by Polynesian folklore and the tales of the mythical hero Kon-Tiki…who Heyerdahl soon came to believe was originally from South America and crossed the ocean to settle the South Sea Islands. Experts in his day did not believe this could be true, because the people in South America at the time only had rafts that they said would not have been sufficient to cross the Pacific Ocean.

Setting out to prove them wrong, Heyerdahl crafted a replica balsa-wood raft and launched a journey of 4,300 nautical miles to prove that the journey was possible and could have been made by the Polynesians over 1000 years ago. Thus starts an exciting and nerve-wracking sea adventure, filled with incredible tales of unusual sea life, encounters with sharks, and more.

When first published in 1948, this was one of the best selling adventure books. It sold out in 15 days, and in less than 15 years it had been translated into at least 55 languages! As it was published in the 1940s, it is very much a product of its time in its theories and sometimes problematic views…but it is still worth reading for the actual crazy outdoor adventure portion of the book, which is the main focus of the story. And you can be sure it’s one of the best books for outdoor enthusiasts who would love the opportunity to test out their own crazy theories, just like Heyerdahl and his companions did when they set sail on this unusual voyage!

4. The Call of the Wild by Jack London

If you’re looking for the best outdoor fiction books, The Call of The Wild is one book you won’t want to overlook. This classic adventure tale is one of the best wilderness adventure books out there!

This short adventure novel is set in Yukon, Canada during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush, and revolves around a dog named Buck. While the tale itself is fictional, the book is deeply rooted in fact and in the firsthand experiences of Jack London during his time in the far north. Featuring themes of brutality, kindness, love, folly, and the struggle for existence, this book will pull you into the spirit of the Gold Rush days at the turn of the century!

5. Selected Poems by William Wordsworth

While there are lots of good outdoor books to enjoy, if you are interested in the outdoors and nature then you will also want to consider reading some of the best poetry about nature. And William Wordsworth’s Selected Poems is one of the best places to start!

As a major poet of Romanticism, Wordsworth is a shining example of the spirit of his age through his celebration of the natural world. His discovery and articulation of nature, as well as his observation of life around him, led to beautiful poems that still connect modern-day readers to the outdoor world! Whether reading poems like Daffodils (aka “I wandered lonely as a cloud”) or poems like Lines Written in Early Spring, or any number of other poems, Wordsworth’s works contain beautiful thoughts on nature and are perfect for reading in the great outdoors.

And if you’re looking for even more beautiful books with nature adventures, you’ll also want to consider reading Dorothy Wordsworth’s journals;(which Wordsworth referenced and possibly plagiarized in writing his poetry). She shares moments of their daily life, including their now-iconic discovery of daffodils in spring!

The post 5 Best Books About the Outdoors and Adventures appeared first on Discover books.

1. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

When looking for the best books about pirates, there’s no more iconic book to pick up than Treasure Island! This is one of the best adventure books of all time, and even though it’s technically a children’s book, adults are sure to love it as well!

Jim Hawkins lives at the Admiral Benbow Inn in England, where things start to get exciting very quickly when an old sailor named Billy Bones comes to visit and trouble follows. When an attack on the inn takes place, Jim and his mother escape with a little money and a mysterious packet from Bones’ sea chest…which contains a map of where the infamous pirate Captain Flint hid his treasure! This sets into motion an epic tale of buccaneers and buried gold, which brings us perhaps the most infamous pirate of all time—Long John Silver! And in the end, will Jim be able to find the treasure? Or will he be kept from his goal by pirates along the way?

This is one of the best fiction books about pirates, so if you haven’t read it before then now is the time to pick it up!

2. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Speaking of books with iconic pirates, The Princess Bride;is another of the best books with pirates that you should definitely add to your list! It’s perfect for when you want to read a slightly humorous tale of true love and high adventure!

This epic tale is a “just the good parts” story filled with fencing, fighting, true love, revenge, giants, miracles, and of course pirates! It follows the plight of the beautiful Buttercup, who is engaged to the awful Prince Humperdinck…will she be able to escape being forced to marry him? And as the tale gives us the feared Dread Pirate Roberts, it definitely belongs on this list of good pirate books that you’ll love to read!

3. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Another of the best pirate fantasy novels is the classic book Peter Pan, which has of course been turned into the popular Disney movie. But it’s also one of the best short classics, and deserves it’s place on this list because of the legendary pirate Captain Hook!

In this tale, the mysterious Peter Pan visits the Darling children (Wendy, John, and Michael) in their home in London. When Peter asks Wendy to go to Neverland with him, she and the boys agree to come along and Peter teaches them how to fly so they can all fly to Neverland. This is only the beginning of their journey to a strange new land filled with fairies, adventures, and pirates…and one pirate in particular, Peter’s nemesis, the great Captain Hook!

If you loved any version of the Peter Pan films, plays, etc., or are just curious about this classic children’s story and the origins of one of the most infamous pirates in popular culture, then this is a great short book to read and enjoy!

4. Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini

If you’re looking for classic pirate books to read, then Captain Blood is one pirate book that should be at the top of your TBR pile!

In the 1680s, Peter Blood is a physician and former soldier now happily settled in Somerset, England. But when the Monmouth Rebellion sends an injured rebel into his path, Peter Blood is soon wrongfully convicted of treason for saving the rebel’s live and is sold into slavery in the Caribbean…where he meets and falls in love with the daughter of the man who owns him. But soon he is able to escape, and he and his fellow convicts sail off to become the most fearless pirates in all the land! Will Captain Blood be able to triumph over his enemies? And in the end, will he be able to be with the woman he loves?

This swashbuckling tale is filled with adventure and a dash of romance, and is sure to be an exciting piratical read for anyone who loves the high seas!

5. A General History of the Pyrates by Daniel Defoe

There are lots of good pirate novels, but books on pirates can also take the form of pirate histories from real life. And that’s exactly what A General History of the Pyrates is!

This book features an exciting blend of fact and fiction, and is one of the major sources of information about piracy in the first part of the 18th century (thanks to Defoe’s knowledge of maritime affairs and his journalism background that allowed him to interview surviving pirates). It follows the tales of famous outlaws, their adventures, and their bloody deeds…including big names such as Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Bartholomew Roberts, and Anne Bonny!

If you’re interested in real-life tales about pirates, this is definitely a book you should pick up and enjoy!

6. Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer

Looking for pirate romance books? If so, Beauvallet is a classic romance that you will love!

It’s 1586, and Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (“Mad Nicholas” to his friends, “Scourge of Spain” to his enemies) has been granted the blessing of the queen to sail the seas and plunder any Spanish ships that come his way. Meanwhile, Doña Dominica de Rada y Sylva, a Spain heiress, is returning to Spain with her father and is horrified when their galleon is set upon by pirates! And not just any pirate—the notorious Sir Nicholas Beauvallet! But when Beauvallet falls in love with the beautiful heiress, he sets her and her father safely on the shores of Spain and vows to return when he can to claim her as his bride! Will he be able to succeed, despite the price on his head on Spanish shores?

7. Swallows and Amazonsby Arthur Ransome

And last but not least, any list of great pirate stories wouldn’t be complete without one of the best classic children’s books Swallows and Amazons!

In this tale, the Walker Children are visiting the Lake District and sailing a boat named “Swallow” when they meet another set of children called the Blacketts who are also sailing their boat (“Amazon”) on the lake. Together, they band together to hatch a plot against the Blackett’s Uncle Jim who is busy writing his memoirs and does not want to be disturbed. Calling Uncle Jim “Captain Flint”, the children launch a campaign filled with play and piracy and all sorts of dangerous and crazy hijinks…from fireworks, to a run-in with houseboat burglars, and even the theft of Uncle Jim’s prized manuscript!

If you’re looking for a book with adventures and playful imaginings of pirates, this is the classic book to choose. Even though it’s a children’s book, it is sure to be a hit with a wide range of ages and you will love it too!

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