Give the Gift of Books (not written by me)!
I can speak for most of my outdoors writer friends and colleagues that we didn’t go into this business to get rich (although that would be nice). We went into it because we are passionate about the outdoors, healthy lifestyles, discovery, the natural world, and sharing it all with you! It has always been tough making it as a writer, and now with the advent of generative AI (with some of these tech giants blatantly stealing our information) and other internet pirates out there, many of us are seeing flagging book sales. You can help us by purchasing our books! Write online reviews. And please let others know too how much you value our works and that good information written by passionate experts is worth paying for! Okay, I hope you are buying lots of my titles for gifts this Holiday Season, but I want to also draw your attention to some other authors that are worth supporting, too.
Philip Werner
Werner who authors the SectionHiker.com website published his first book this year, Hiking Over 60. So, if you’re a boomer (or a Gen X getting up there) and you want to stay active on the trail, or become active on the trail, this book is for you. Werner gives lots of practical advice from gear to trip planning to safety and issues not only relevant to hikers in general but specifically to those of us who have quite a few miles on our boots. While much of Werner’s writings are geared toward Northeast hikers, this book is relevant for hikers throughout the country.
Taryn Eyton
British Columbia based Eyton who created the Happiest Outdoors website (Happiestoutdoors.ca) has published several books, and her Backpacking on Vancouver Island
book is essential for exploring the wildlands north and west of Victoria. Despite its name, the book also includes plenty of great trips that are day hikes and some easy ones too. Eyton provides lots of accurate details for exploring Strathcona Park, Cape Scott, and Pacific Rim. I have used this book on several hikes on the island.
Leigh McAdam
Calgary based McAdam knows Canada’s parks and wildlands like no one else I know! Her website HikeBikeTravel.com will have you drooling over adventures to try from the Yukon to Newfoundland and beyond! Planning on doing some adventuring in Alberta? Pick up her 200 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta: The Best Parks, Conservation Areas and Wild Places co-written with Debbie Olsen.
Eli Boschetto
Are you planning on doing some hiking in Oregon? Be sure to pick up one of Boschetto’s titles. This former Washington Trails magazine editor and creator of the PCTOregon.com website just released a brand new edition of 100 Classic Hikes Oregon. From the Coast to Steens Mountain this book is full of some of the best trails in Oregon—no make that the country! I look forward to exploring some new territory in the Beaver State next year!
Gus D’Angelo
If you have young ones on your Christmas list, I highly recommend Gus’ National Parks A to Z: Adventure for Acadia to Zion. This illustrator/ animator pairs wonderful lively illustrations with a lot of alliterations guaranteed to entertain, educate and instill 
wonderment in young readers (hell, older readers, too). I bought a copy for my young son. It is such a great book to have to instill interest in young readers about the beauty, importance, and legacy of our national parks!
