# Going to a retreat in the middle of the woods...what books should I bring? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 13, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402 "2017-12-13T15:59:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oedipus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/1 "2017-12-13T15:59:55Z")
Hi all - the day my law school finals end I’m going to a nice little spot in the Georgia Appalachian mountains that’s out in the middle of the woods on the Appalachian Trail for about 3-4 days. I have a number of a books I wanna get through but they’re also very, uh…grounded… a napoleon biography, offender profiling, 14th amendment analysis… I’d very much like to use this time to its greatest effect. What books could I delve into that would be good for this kind of vibe? Thinking about bringing Marcus Aurelius’ meditations. Would bring Into the Wild or Wild, but I just read both recently. Also - any recommendations for iPhone apps for guided meditations, well-done youtube videos I could download, etc are very much appreciated as well. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/2 "2017-12-13T17:11:57Z")
Explore nature: take along some field guides to birds, animals, trees, wild flowers… ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/3 "2017-12-13T17:14:30Z")
The bible ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/4 "2017-12-13T17:15:30Z")
[Walden](https://www.gutenberg.org/files/205/205-h/205-h.htm) ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/5 "2017-12-13T18:05:25Z")
Pet Sematary ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/6 "2017-12-13T18:17:55Z")
Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods”. Some Robert Frost. This is a bit more appropriate for the Amazon, but Ann Patchett’s “State of Wonder”. “The Girl Who Drank The Moon.” ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/7 "2017-12-13T18:23:45Z")
**The Dream of Reason, by Anthony Gottlieb** : [https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Reason-Library-Anthony-Gottlieb/dp/0786190566](https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Reason-Library-Anthony-Gottlieb/dp/0786190566) A wonderful, very accessible overview of western philosophy and how Humans have learned to ponder the Big Questions. Obviously includes Stoics and Aurelius, but in a broader context. Or **Nonzero by Robert Wright** : [https://www.amazon.com/Nonzero-Logic-Destiny-Robert-Wright/dp/0679758941/ref=sr\_1\_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1513189149&sr=1-1&keywords=robert+wright+nonzero](https://www.amazon.com/Nonzero-Logic-Destiny-Robert-Wright/dp/0679758941/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1513189149&sr=1-1&keywords=robert+wright+nonzero) A fascinating, deeply thoughtful book that explores what evolution has taught us about Human behavior. Nonzero refers to Game Theory, which is a huge factor in the decisions individuals and tribes make relative to other groups. Or **Why Does the World Exist? An Existential Detective Story by Jim Holt** : [https://www.amazon.com/Why-Does-World-Exist-Existential/dp/0871403595/ref=sr\_1\_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1513189320&sr=1-1&keywords=holt+why+does](https://www.amazon.com/Why-Does-World-Exist-Existential/dp/0871403595/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1513189320&sr=1-1&keywords=holt+why+does) A wonderful, accessible overview of all of the ways (religious, philosophical, scientific) that Humans have tried to answer the most basic of questions, Why is there Something rather than Nothing? Incredibly thought-provoking. ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/8 "2017-12-13T18:30:35Z")
[Deliverance](https://www.amazon.com/Deliverance-Modern-Library-Best-Novels/dp/038531387X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513189626&sr=8-1&keywords=deliverance+book) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/9 "2017-12-13T18:36:12Z")
[Desert Solitaire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Solitaire) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/10 "2017-12-13T18:40:49Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods”. This was the first thing I thought of. But I like **kunilou** ’s suggestion. And this might be a good time for poetry (Frost or whatever else floats your boat—and at least parts of **Beckdawrek** ’s suggestion would count). ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/11 "2017-12-13T19:09:47Z")
Salt. Why things break. Temperament. ---
**Author:** ![MedellinMike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c6cbf5/32.png) [@MedellinMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MedellinMike)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/12 "2017-12-13T19:33:01Z")
Some of my favorite retreat books: Epic Retreats: From 1776 to the Evacuation of Saigon The Wehrmacht Retreats: Fighting a lost War 1943 Waterloo: Rout and Retreat Retreat: Dunkirk and the Evacuation of Western Europe ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/13 "2017-12-13T19:42:59Z")
Turn off the phone. Put down the book(s). Look up. Look around. Listen. Breathe. Walk; stroll, hike, your choice. Got a camera? Take pictures. Birds. Trees. Plants, flowers. Scenic vistas. At sundown, build a fire. Break out a guitar. Sing. Laugh. Cry. _Love_. Your phone, your FB status, your mundane, everyday life, are all waiting for you when you get home. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/14 "2017-12-13T19:57:53Z")
How to Survive in the Woods followed by How to Eat in the Woods ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/15 "2017-12-13T20:02:58Z")
Followed by [How to Shit in the Woods](https://www.amazon.com/How-Shit-Woods-3rd-Environmentally/dp/1580083633). (Really!) ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/16 "2017-12-13T20:28:52Z")
So many good suggestions! I will add: Ludwig Wittgenstein, _Philosophical Investigations_ Reinhold Niebuhr, _The Nature and Destiny of Man_ Homer, _Odyssey_ Dee Brown, _Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee_ John Milton, _Paradise Lost_ ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/17 "2017-12-13T20:44:57Z")
Close to what Tank suggests, I would leave any electronics and books home. The point of a retreat is to create a clean break with your habits and distractions. Bringing those with you is analogous to dieting while having a candy bar in your pocket. Meditation is as simple as it is demanding. Choose what you want to focus on. Whenever something else distracts you from it, gently bring your awareness back onto the object of meditation. Keep doing that for the chosen duration, no matter how many times you get distracted and have to bring your awareness back. ---
**Author:** ![Oedipus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/18 "2017-12-13T21:16:02Z")
I should’ve clarified - I’m not going to an actual silent meditation retreat. I wish. I’m just hanging out in the woods. Thanks for all your suggestions! I pulled Meditations, Siddhartha, and the Myth of Sisyphus off the shelf and will run to Barnes and Noble too to grab one of the suggestions, even I don’t read it during this time. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/19 "2017-12-13T21:23:33Z")
How many other people will be there? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402/20 "2017-12-13T22:15:19Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > How many other people will be there? Quite a few from the sound of things: Oedipus, Napoleon, Siddartha, Sisyphus and possibly both Barnes and Noble. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-a-retreat-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-what-books-should-i-bring/804402.md?page=2)