Bookshelf Essentials

I appreciate the digital world and the freedom it offers but some books need to be appreciated through the turning of pages and then placed on a bookshelf as a reminder of sorts. Bookshelves also don’t have to solely contain books and mine has a good number of random things on it from time to time.

Here are some things on my shelf that I thought are worth sharing.



Books: Read and Recommended


Books: Unread/Unfinished


"DIY" Adventure Books
Miscellaneous Items


Keep an eye on the Bookshelf Essentials page as I'll update it with new recommendations.

Bookshelf Essentials

I appreciate the digital world and the freedom it offers but some books need to be appreciated through the turning of pages and then placed on a bookshelf as a reminder of sorts. Bookshelves also don’t have to solely contain books and mine has a good number of random things on it from time to time.



Books: Read and Recommended


Books: Unread/Unfinished


"DIY" Adventure Books
Miscellaneous Items

Last updated 2014-12-21

"Duck Blind Heaven"


Note: While I'd like to share a photo of this fantastic painting, a woman named Nancy Childress requested I remove the image or she would pursue legal action. I don't have actual proof that she is the copyright holder but I'll respect the request based on her name being the same as the artists (under the assumption they're related).

This painting by Robert Childress really sums up how my wife and I view the majority of outdoor activities. I'm most at home when it's dreary and uncomfortable and she's quite the opposite. In fact, this scene was nearly played out exactly on a recent camping trip.

Full Length YouTube: Jack London's To Build A Fire

A classic tale of man vs nature, this short video adaptation of Jack London's famous story is worth watching.

"Jack London's famous short is filmed with complete fidelity to London's graphic narrative and could be called a screen short story in its purest form. The stark realism of the chilling images combined with the power of Orson Welles' reading fills the viewer with an awesome admiration for the story's courageous hero. The visuals add a new dimension to London's prose and the viewer feels the icy cold to an extent that reaches far beyond the power of words alone. This chilly discomfort provides a tense background for the suspense which is to come as the man attempts to build the fire he must have in order to survive." via Amazon

Visiting with The Van Man

Jon Gaffney is a good friend of mine and recently set out on an epic journey. He bought a van, gutted it, made it livable, and moved into it along with his girlfriend Gale. They're currently traveling the country and I couldn't be more envious (in a healthy way).

It just so happened that I was able to get a tour of their home about a week or two ago and I wanted to share some photos with you. These two have an outpouring of creativity and it was personally refreshing spending time together.











I highly recommend that you follow their expedition online. They're visiting some amazing places and telling an adventurous story in the process. And while it's a bit gratuitous, check out my interview of Jon and Gale near the beginning of their voyage.