The ReadDown

30 Books You Should Read Outside

Oh the weather outside is delightful, and to read outside is vital. Literary landscapes are all around us–gardens, park benches, beaches, road trips–you name the place, we’ll bring the book.

1

Wild

Find yourself in the great outdoors while on a journey through the Pacific Crest Trail.

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2

The Music Shop

Nothing like a great novel to escape the humdrum – dive in to this great read!

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3

Woman No. 17

If there was ever a book to read pool-side, this is it. Lepucki’s page-turning book about art, identity, and family is charming, clever, and very California.

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4

The Waking Land

“Returning to the homeland of magical legends she has forsaken, Elanna is forced to reckon with her despised, estranged father, branded a traitor long ago. Feeling a strange, deep connection to the natural world, she also must face the truth about the forces she has always denied or disdained as superstition—powers that suddenly stir within her.”

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5

The Wedding Date

Can’t you just imagine diving into a juicy romance novel while relaxing in the grass? THE WEDDING DATE is sweet, escapist, and smart.

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6

The Sandman

Nothing like a spine-tingling thriller to keep you glued to a book. Grab this page-turner and find a comfy spot under the trees!

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7

Mosquitoland

Reading this epic road trip through the USA requires some fresh air.

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8

The Secret Garden

How magically meta it would be to have lunch in a secret garden while reading The Secret Garden.

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9

The Signature of All Things

Another book meant to be read beside a flower bed.

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10

Walden

Drop the iPhone, escape society, and reflect on your natural surroundings.

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11

A Walk in the Woods

Start an outdoor book club with your partner in crime; laugh out loud.

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12

Nature and Selected Essays

Frolic through the park and an exploration of nature’s beauty.

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13

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass

Sit below a shaded tree while you fall down the rabbit hole.

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14

Grasshopper Jungle

Reading this strange adventure outdoors may cure your fear of bugs.

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15

Into Thin Air

Climb up a hill and enjoy the page view.

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16

Station Eleven

Head to the park, play some classical music on Spotify, and enjoy this book.

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17

The People in the Trees

A haunting, ecological adventure best read in the trees.

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18

Origin

Should you find yourself alone, in the depths of a rainforest, this book will revitalize your inner strength.

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19

The Snow Leopard

Find your zen–a favorite bench, tree, bed of grass–and let the sun shine on your face.

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20

Out of Africa

Head out on safari with this book in one hand and binoculars in another.

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21

Rebel of the Sands

Picture a warm, sunny day: the sand between your toes, this book between your fingers.

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22

My First Summer in the Sierra

Explore the wilderness within this books and your own surroundings.

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23

Into the Wild

Journey into the wildnerness while investigating this mesmerizing story.

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24

On Such a Full Sea

Strap on your reading boots and take off on a quest through a vividly imagined future America.

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25

Paper Towns

Inside this book you’ll find a scavenger hunt and a road trip. Outside this book, you scheme the same!

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26

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Far out, way beyond the comforts of your home lies a strange road ahead.

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27

Jurassic Park

Perhaps don’t leave the car for this one, but at least you’re technically outside.

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28

The Wonder Trail

Find lookout point on your local trail. Steve Hely will take you on a hilarious journey from North to South America.

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29

The Call of the Wild

Take the dog for a walk with your favorite survival gear.

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30

The Hobbit

Face your fears and find your courage by embarking on a difficult quest.

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31

The Beach

Going on vacation? This book’s all about beach culture…a troubling, twisted beach culture.

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32

Outlander

“They’re always running around Scotland, horseback riding, and camping beneath the stars.” -Sarah, Web Design

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33

Moby-Dick

This book on a boat, sans giant whale, sounds a lot like paradise.

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34

The Kite Runner

This book makes you want to run through the fields as fast as you can, while staying completely still, reading.

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35

Ready Player One

And finally, our anti-outdoors, outdoors book. This story truly makes the reader appreciate fresh air, nature, adventure, and, most of all, reality.

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