Ten books for people who love the sea: adventures, life lessons, neuroscience and beach reads!
Happy Summer!!!
I don't know about you, but summer makes me think about reading actual physical books. I have a sweet spot for books about the sea, including books about survival to more quiet books at living near or on the sea. Most of these are available at local bookstores or at Amazon at the least. What are YOU reading this summer?? I'd love to add to this list!
xoxo Whitney
In no particular order...
1. First You Have to Row a Little Boat by Richard Bode. I love this book. It's one I can pick up and read anytime. It's a gem. From Amazon: "Written by a grown man looking back on his childhood, it reflects on what learning to sail taught him about life: making choices, adapting to change, and becoming his own person. The book is filled with the spiritual wisdom and thought-provoking discoveries that marked such books as Walden, The Prophet, and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. For nearly twenty years, it has enchanted and endeared sailors and non-sailors alike, but foremost, anyone who seeks large truths in small things."
2. Blue Mind, by Wallace J. Nichols - This book changed my life. It's also great audio book! #bluemindlife #100daysofblue
3. In the Heart of the Sea by Nathanial Filbrick. A good old fashioned story of survival at sea. This is the story of the whaling ship, The Essex, which inspired Moby Dick. I love reading about life long ago out at sea and back on shore on Nantucket.
4. Listening Below the Noise by Anne D. LeClaire. This is a sweet and enlightening story told in the form of a journal of a woman's quest to find quiet. It's so relevant in our fast-paced and noisy world.
5. The Whydah by Martin W.Sandler. This is the story fo the pirate Sam Bellamy. It's a good old fashioned story of pirates complete with a love story element. Anyone who has been to Cape Cod or enjoys a good pirate story will love this book!
6. Adrift by Steven Callahan. This long-running best seller is a page-turning real-life account of the sailor, Steven Callahan, and his battle to survive 76 days lost at sea after his sailboat capsizes during a transatlantic race. This book reminds me of another favorite book, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (during the scene about survival aboard a life raft).
7. Dying to Sea by Frank Heavey (lol YES, my husband!!). Amazon reviewer (Summergirl)...not me btw: ...."a wonderfully fun read for all those seeking adventure, mystery and romance all in one. Set on the beautiful shores of Cape Cod, three friends... join for one last carefree summer before embarking on their next life path. After a brief intersection (with some bad guys), the trio find themselves entangled in a murder investigation/treasure hunt that will leave them fighting for their lives. From Boston to Chatham, they race against time, in hopes of finding a treasure that will ultimately determine their fate. ... Heavey brings to life the innocence of summer and the charm of Cape Cod as the reader is swept away in an action-packed journey..."
8. The Hungry Ocean by Linda Greenlaw. Told by swordboat captain Linda Greenlaw, The Hungry Ocean is the story of the Hannah Boden which was the sister ship to the Andrea Gail, which is the fishing boat that sunk in The Perfect Storm (see next book). Linda Greenlaw is a master storyteller and the characters she paints are masterpieces. I love this book!!!!
9.The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger. The story of the sinking of a swordfishing boat, the Andrea Gail, and a storm of all storms off the coast of Gloucester, MA. It's a dramatic, gripping and tragic story. You won't be the same after reading it, but I'm so glad I did!
10.Blues by John Hersey. This national bestseller by Pulitzer Prize winning author and journalist is a sweet story that takes place on Martha's Vineyard and is about fishing, life, and bluefish. Every chapter starts with a recipe for cooking bluefish.
Have you read any of these? Do you have any favorite books for people who love the ocean?? I'd love to hear from you!
Have a great summer! xoxoWhitney