Ready for an ADVENTURE? Here are 12 recommendations to get you started.
What do readers do when they are stressed, lonely, or have to stay home? We read. Then we read more. To me, it seems like the perfect time for an adventure. Here's a list of 12 recommended adventure reads from the big and dramatic to the quiet and somewhat tame.
Most must-read lists heavily favor new releases, but this list includes lots of excellent back list books that you may have overlooked. In fact, maybe they're already on your own bookshelves! Let's go on an armchair adventure - where are you headed?
ACTION, ACTION, ACTION ADVENTURES
The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA Sci-Fi, Dystopian
Published 2008, 374 pages
Most of us know at least the broad strokes of the story of Katniss Everdeen and the Games and the war against the Capital. Exciting, filled with adventure, action, romance, it's a series about a young girl who grows to be a strong woman and the books are definitely worth reading!
The Knife of Never Letting Go trilogy by Patrick Ness
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Published 2008, 512 pages
Reviewed here. Another action-packed YA series filled with excellent characters and two kids that will steal your hearts as they try to keep alive and bring peace to a planet. This was a surprisingly good read!
Children of Blood and Bone #1 by Tomi Adeyemi
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Published 2018, 544 pages
As a debut novel, this one is a winner - all the magic is taken from the world and it's up to one young woman to save it - but she's falling in love with the prince who's trying to kill magic. Her adventure through her world as she tries to do what's best is entertaining ala Hunger Games or the Maze Runner series. Want more? The second in the series came out in 2019.
TRUE ADVENTURES
Winterdance by Gary Paulsen
Genre: Nonfiction
Published 1994, 272 pages
This story of a man's journey to participating in the Iditarod, the classic dog sled race in Alaska, is nothing short of inspiring. He tells the story of moving from the idea through finding and training the dogs to actually running in the race. A quick read I couldn't put down.
Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer
Genre: General Fiction
Published 2009, 363 pages
Loosely based on the story of real mountain climber George Mallory, he lived his dream adventure to climb Mt. Everest but on his third attempt he was last seen near the top but there's uncertainty about whether he and his climbing partner ever reached the top. Interesting and exciting.
The Terror by Dan Simmons
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published 2007, 769 pages
Based on a real Northwest Passage expedition, this sweeping adventure is gripping after you get past the 50-60 pages of interminable names (most of which you don't have to remember). Once the expedition starts, I couldn't put it down as the group weather disaster after disaster. A good long book to get you through 'shelter-at-home' days.
ADVENTURE FOR FUN
The Princess Bride by WilliamGoldman
Genre: Fantasy
Published 1973, 512 pages
Romance, battles, action, and piles of adventure - I enjoyed the lighthearted touch and if you haven't read it yet, now may be the perfect time.
The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty
Genre: YA Fantasy
Published 2017, 512 pages
Reviewed here. This is such a fun, lighthearted book; it put a smile on my face. Young Bronte must follow her dead parents' wishes and deliver gifts to her many aunts and while on this adventure, she encounters water sprites, dragons, and magic potions. Wonderful!
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
Genre: Fantasy
Published 1968, 294 pages
Reviewed here. I've read this classic twice, which tells you how much I love this story of a unicorn searching for others of her kind. Helped by a bumbling magician and hindered by a nasty King, this tale takes you on a great journey.
SCARY, DICEY ADVENTURE
The Blue by Lucy Clarke
Genre: General Fiction, Mystery
Published 2015, 336 pages
Two college girlfriends join a yacht crew for the adventure of a lifetime sailing around the world. Until someone goes missing at sea and turns the adventure into a nightmarish mystery. A good mix of adventure and thriller that will keep you turning the pages.
The Magicians trilogy by Lev Grossman
Genre: Fantasy
Published 2009, 402 pages
A young man gets admitted to a secretive college of magic but still feels something is missing from his life till he and his friends find another world, a darker world, where they have big sweeping adventures. Excellent coming-of-age and world-building series.
The River by Peter Heller
Genre: General Fiction
Published 2019, 253 pages
Reviewed here. This is one of my favorite reads from last year. Two college buddies start off on a canoe and camping adventure that turns scary when Mother Nature and some bad guys complicate things. (TP)
Which one of these great adventure stories intrigues you? Do you have a favorite to share with me? I love a good adventure book!