If that even makes sense. Perhaps I’m wishing for a book that doesn’t or cannot exist. I want to read something that is relaxing while stimulating and satisfying curiosity. I dont want something juvenile. It’s ok if it’s deep and thought provoking, but doesn’t have to be. It should not have conflict.
When I imagine such a book, I think of beautiful descriptions of a forest and the things that live there. The weather. The scenery.
I just had the thought that what Im describing is poetry, but poetry is something which I’ve struggled to enjoy.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Bill Bryson might interest you.
Couldn’t agree with this more. For me Bryson is the pinnacle of comfortable, informative reading. I find him very easy to listen to so the audiobooks he narrates may be fitting for OP as well.
Yes! Bill Bryson is great!
Ironically though, his book about walking the Appalachian trail completely killed any desire I had to walk it myself. He made it sound absolutely miserable lol
Did the first/last 100 mile stretch in Maine in September. We were wet or above the cloud line for 2 of the three weeks. It was rough.
It is
When I imagine such a book, I think of beautiful descriptions of a forest and the things that live there. The weather. The scenery.
The Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson, it is about a nearish future colonisation of Mars, and Mars is as much a character as any of the humans. He spends a lot of time talking about geology and how they go about the project of terraforming. It does have conflict, and it can be exciting, but a lot it is just people work to solve problems.
Another rec would be The Emerald Mile, by Kevin Fedarko, which is just awesome. It’s about the grand canyon generally, and in particular about the rafting scene there.
I’ve read the Mars Trilogy and really enjoyed it. Although I stopped reading the third book when it KSR started writing old man wish fulfillment fantasy of old men sleeping with super young women.
The Emerald Mile sounds very interesting, added to my list.
If you like The Emerald Mile, I would also recommend The Tower by Kelly Cordes. I don’t think it is as strong, but it is another book at the juncture of outdoor adventure and history, and I liked it a lot.
Coelho? My only fear is that you might consider it a bit shallow.
Works by Paulo Coelho is the only thing that come up when I search Coelho.
Yes, that’s the author I was talking about. You could check out The Alchemist, his most famous novel.
Wind Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Not exactly what you’re looking for, but it came straight to mind. There’s conflict, but it’s primarily internal. The vibe I remember is reminiscent of your description.
Sometimes one needs to sit at the bottom of a well.
Ya not sure it’s what I need at the moment, but it looks very interesting and I’ve added it to my to read list.
I’m not usually into that kind of book, so the only thing I’ve read that comes close is The Slow Regard of Silent Things. I wouldn’t suggest any of Rothfuss’s other books, for so many reasons, but this novella is a day in the life of a woman who doesn’t interact with anyone and has no conflict. Many people hated the book because nothing happens, but I really enjoyed how satisfyingly quiet and calm it was. It’s also a short read, so if you don’t like it then not much is lost.
It has been added to my list. Thank you!
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
NovelAI?
I’d say that the Monk and Robot series by Becky Chambers matches perfectly. They are novellas, but they are incredibly thoughtful on the ideas of consciousness, purpose, and the relationship between humans and robots in that universe but also applicable to other experiences.
It might be my admittedly limited genre of reading, but the first long earth book does this for me. Most of the adventure is just stepping through hundred of varying types of earth, most unpopulated, and exploring to see what is out there.
There’s more to the book than that, but those are my favorite sections.
It’s written by Pratchett and Baxter and although not without its faults, the first one is still a fun read for me.
This makes me think of Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. Spiritual without being preachy. Just a man searching for meaning. I remember thinking it was an easy read.
A while back I listened to Siddhartha on Librevox. I love it and the reader was great too.
I can think. I can wait. I can fast.
I also love the Wayfarer Series by Becky Chambers. They take me on a little adventure too!!
Other ones may be Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, The House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. Wholesome reads IMO
Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers might satisfy that itch. It’s not for everyone because it’s more of an “ideas driven” story, but I found it to be a very cozy read.
It’s sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. Just moved it to the top of my Bookwyrm reading queue.
I don’t have any suggestion off-hand, but I understand your request and actually have been reading so much less the past couple years just to avoid the heightened emotional tones that seem so pervasive. I want to read to learn and understand but I don’t need calls to action or tugs on my heartstrings or the sort of smug outrage and moralism that is everywhere – those come from all the rest of life.
Yes, exactly. Nonfiction can sometimes scratch that itch for me, but it’s not exactly what I want either.
Lord of the Rings scratches that ich for me, I can jump into any chapter and read or listen for a while and know the story well enough that I never feel lost
It should not have conflict.
LOTR… really?
I mean, maybe some chapters here and there, but LOTR is ABOUT conflict.
LOTR is about walking with some conflict sprinkled in
Lol
The books are a lot different than the movies. Lots of people who liked the movies find the books boring because Tolkien is fucking awful at writing battles. Half the time you’ll be reading two characters having a casual conversation for several pages, only to remember “oh yea, there’s supposed to be like a massive battle going on”
Alan Watts?
I’ve really enjoyed recordings of his talks. Might not be what I’m looking for but thanks for reminding me about Watts. I need to revisit some of his stuff.
