Travel Classic: A Walk in the Woods, 1998

I really like the writings of Bill Bryson in general. He’s very funny, and I’ve read many of his books, including his childhood memoir—but it is in his travel memories that he really seems to be in his element. A Walk in the Woods is his story about attempting to hike the Appalachian Trail. What’s endearing about this book is the idea of two overweight, middle-aged men trying to brave the wilderness and finding that they are, quite naturally, way out of their depth. Bryson’s writing is genial, and that’s what makes them good reads, eliciting a chuckle as he describes his observations and thoughts—he has the ability to pick up the most mundane things and describe them in a manner that you can relate to as well as laugh at. The best part is that he has no qualms about laughing at himself—by the time his book ends, you end up feeling almost as if you were there, a part of the journey. That’s a satisfying feeling, and the hallmark of a good travel memoir.

Yashodhara Lal is the author of bestselling books like There’s Something About You and Just Married, Please Excuse.