Talk books with me?

[AZgirl]

I have been really missing the Camino, I'm sure many of you know what that is like, so I like reading about it but I have no one to talk to them about and thought maybe a few like minded souls would like to try an online book club of sorts? I think there is something fun to reading the same book at the same time as others.

I just finally got a copy of "off the road" by jack hitt and am looking forward to reading about the Camino in the nineties, but I would be willing to read anything Camino related.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

I have been really missing the Camino, I'm sure many of you know what that is like, so I like reading about it but I have no one to talk to them about and thought maybe a few like minded souls would like to try an online book club of sorts? I think there is something fun to reading the same book at the same time as others.

I just finally got a copy of "off the road" by jack hitt and am looking forward to reading about the Camino in the nineties, but I would be willing to read anything Camino related.

I recently read and enjoyed Travels wth My Donkey: One Man and His Ass on a Pilgrimage to Santiago, by Tim Moore. Great fun!

Last year I subscribed to "Amazon Kindle" for a small monthly fee, and discovered that every third person who ever walked the Way wrote a book about their experiences! None of these are commercially marketable, although some are pretty good. I can read them for free in Kindle, and then move on....

 

[lizlane]

I loved "Off the Road" by Jack Hitt. I bought it soon after watching the Way and became Camino-obsessed. My Brierly guide was the first book I ordered. I thoroughly loved it and you can see the book's influence on the movie. I read Paul Coehlo's The Pilgrimage. I enjoyed that too but I like allegories.

Right now I'm reading Shirley Maclaine's The Camino. If you like her other books, you will like it too. She remains her typical self and swings randomly into past-life visions, new age dissertations, current experiences which all give a nod to her grandiosity and unique point-of-view. I expected that it would. The only difference between this book and her others is that the Camino is the setting. So I would check libraries for a copy and save your money for a nice bottle of wine to share with other pilgrims.

 

[AZgirl]

I recently read and enjoyed Travels wth My Donkey: One Man and His Ass on a Pilgrimage to Santiago, by Tim Moore. Great fun!

Last year I subscribed to "Amazon Kindle" for a small monthly fee, and discovered that every third person who ever walked the Way wrote a book about their experiences! None of these are commercially marketable, although some are pretty good. I can read them for free in Kindle, and then discard them.

I've read a couple on Kindle as well, I enjoyed most of them.

I will have to check out that donkey book...

 

[AZgirl]

I loved "Off the Road" by Jack Hitt. I bought it soon after watching the Way and became Camino-obsessed. My Brierly guide was the first book I ordered. I thoroughly loved it and you can see the book's influence on the movie. I read Paul Coehlo's The Pilgrimage. I enjoyed that too but I like allegories.

Right now I'm reading Shirley Maclaine's The Camino. If you like her other books, you will like it too. She remains her typical self and swings randomly into past-life visions, new age dissertations, current experiences which all give a nod to her grandiosity and unique point-of-view. I expected that it would. The only difference between this book and her others is that the Camino is the setting. So I would check libraries for a copy and save your money for a nice bottle of wine to share with other pilgrims.

I felt mixed towards Paulo coehlo book. I do really like the alchemist, but those are the only two of his I have read.
I'm not sure how I would feel about Shirley's book, but I'm willing to give it a try....

 

[lizlane]

I almost bought that one the other night!! LOL!

 

[Hansel]

I recently read and enjoyed Travels wth My Donkey: One Man and His Ass on a Pilgrimage to Santiago, by Tim Moore. Great fun!

Last year I subscribed to "Amazon Kindle" for a small monthly fee, and discovered that every third person who ever walked the Way wrote a book about their experiences! None of these are commercially marketable, although some are pretty good. I can read them for free in Kindle, and then discard them.

I read this after my Camino last year, I had ordered a hard back copy which would've been too heavy to carry, I was slightly disappointed , didn't think it was good as his French revolution , cycle , tour de France book, I have Robert Luis Stevenson's book about travelling with his donkey to read next,
Bill

 

[Theatregal]

I loved "The Great Westward Walk" by Antxon Gonzalez Gabarain, beautifully translated by Rebekah Scott. I read it last year and still go back to re-read sections.

 

[alexwalker]

I loved "The Great Westward Walk" by Antxon Gonzalez Gabarain, beautifully translated by Rebekah Scott. I read it last year and still go back to re-read sections.

It is a fantastic book and with a tragic real-life epilogue..

 

[alexwalker]

Walking The Camino through the eyes of a Catholic priest who really knows how to write:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802825923/?tag=casaivar02-20

It may interest some that Martin Sheen (The Way) is one who has written a (short) review...

Scroll down to read the reviews.

 

[Lucyk]

If you want something slightly different, I wrote a historical novel about the medieval pilgrimage to Compostela. Details are in my signature. Also, my all-time favourite book about the Camino is Laurie Dennett's A Hug for the Apostle.

 

[alexwalker]

And just as i wrote you a tip, I found out that the good Father Codd later wrote another book, about his walk from Belgium through France. I'll buy it immediately, so help me Codd...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BRBJ833/?tag=casaivar02-20

Scroll down to read the reviews.

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

I enjoyed this book, which doesn’t get talked about much in Camino circles for some reason. It’s more in the vein of a “literary travelogue” than most Camino books, and the author takes us along for pilgrimages in Japan and the Ukraine in addition to the Camino Francés.

“A Sense of Direction” by Gideon Lewis-Kraus

A Sense of Direction: Pilgrimage for the Restless and t…

In medieval times, a pilgrimage gave the average Joe hi…

www.goodreads.com

 

[Dinkumdigger]

I felt mixed towards Paulo coehlo book. I do really like the alchemist, but those are the only two of his I have read.

I've read quite a lot Paulo Coehlo's books,most of which I really liked but "The Pilgrimage",unlike the real thing,didn't do anything for me.I did think about re-reading it but then decided that life was too short.
"The Great Westward Walk" is my favourite camino book,brilliantly translated by Rebekah Scott.
Tim Moore's "Spanish Steps" is good for a laugh.

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

And I enjoyed this book, which is little known in English but was a best-seller in Spain under the name “El gran caminante.” The author was a Basque who began his pilgrimage the traditional way, at his doorstep. His route took him on the Camino Vasco and through the fabled Tunnel of San Adrián before joining the Francés. He was a prodigious walker and apparently happy to suffer; on a whim he would march past his intended stop and add an extra 20 km onto his day despite blisters that could have written a book of their own. After everything I’ve read by foreign pilgrims, its was great to see the Camino through Spanish eyes.

Don’t read the reviews too closely because the book contains a great jaw-dropping surprise that you don’t want spoiled!

The Great Westward Walk: From the Front Door to the End…

“The Great Westward Walk” is the long-awaited English t…

www.goodreads.com

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

"The Great Westward Walk" is my favourite camino book, brilliantly translated by Rebekah Scott.

Great minds! Dinkum, you hit Post just moments before I did.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I recently read and enjoyed Travels wth My Donkey: One Man and His Ass on a Pilgrimage to Santiago, by Tim Moore. Great fun!

Last year I subscribed to "Amazon Kindle" for a small monthly fee, and discovered that every third person who ever walked the Way wrote a book about their experiences! None of these are commercially marketable, although some are pretty good. I can read them for free in Kindle, and then discard them.

I read this same book last year and thought it very humorous! He uses quite a few "big words" in his writing, but that didn't stop me from laughing!

 

[Former member 69452]

I have been really missing the Camino, I'm sure many of you know what that is like, so I like reading about it but I have no one to talk to them about and thought maybe a few like minded souls would like to try an online book club of sorts? I think there is something fun to reading the same book at the same time as others.

I just finally got a copy of "off the road" by jack hitt and am looking forward to reading about the Camino in the nineties, but I would be willing to read anything Camino related.

Loved "Off the Road"!! You will too!

 

[Former member 69452]

"To the Field of Stars" by Kevin A. Codd remains one of my all-time faves in addition to "Off the Road."

 

[rappahannock_rev]

"To the Field of Stars" by Kevin A. Codd remains one of my all-time faves in addition to "Off the Road."

Agreed

 

[RJM]

Anything but that bizarre book by Shirley Maclaine. Besides being strange, it seems as though she did not even walk the entire route.
Paulo Coehlo's the Pilgrimage book? I put it down after about 2-3 chapters. Found it uninteresting and odd, and he too I later read did not walk the entire Frances.

 

[Purky]

And don't forget Jean-Christophe Rufin with his 'Immortelle randonnée: Compostelle malgré moi', translated in English as 'The Santiago Pilgrimage: Walking the Immortal Way'. One of my favorites, although I agree with the above mentioned 'The Great Westward Walk'. That one struck home the hardest.

 

[BethShearer]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1722279486/?tag=casaivar-21

This was written by my father so apologies for being rather biased !
Funny, poignant and insightful, this is the tale of one man and his young son’s Camino during a long hot Summer three decades ago . Walk with Michael and Kes across Spain, as they make an unconventional spiritual voyage of discovery - one of them on the cusp of middle age, the other of young adulthood – an experience that will shape the rest of their lives. Through hardship, blistered feet and the odd glass of wine, leavened by philosophical observations and ancient lore, we are introduced to a fascinating cast of characters plus the odd señorita, sent by a higher power to test the author’s resistance to temptation. Even with the lapse of time, some of the author’s recollections of the trip can generate an intense emotional reaction, as if they had happened yesterday. A life-enhancing journey for the author and a memorable experience for this particular reader. Surely one of the very best accounts of the Camino experience, and one which may well persuade you to follow in their footsteps.

 

[Stacey Wittig]

And don't forget Jean-Christophe Rufin with his 'Immortelle randonnée: Compostelle malgré moi', translated in English as 'The Santiago Pilgrimage: Walking the Immortal Way'. One of my favorites, although I agree with the above mentioned 'The Great Westward Walk'. That one struck home the hardest.

Thanks for the suggestion of 'The Santiago Pilgrimage: Walking the Immortal Way' - just purchased it on Amazon.

 

[Stacey Wittig]

My fave Camino books are:
1. "To the Field of Stars" by Kevin A. Codd
2. "The Great Westward Walk" by Antxon Gonzalez Gabarain and translated by Rebekah Scott,
and I have read a lot of them. I also write reviews of Camino books on my website. May I recommend my own book, "Spiritual & Walking Guide: Leon to Santiago," which you may purchase at Ivar's bookshop? I am in Flagstaff, Arizona, if you ever want to get together, AZgirl!

 

[tomjane40]

I just read 'Steps out of time' by Katharine Soper (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991149203/?tag=casaivar02-20) Great reflection of a walk. Also loved 'A Million Steps' by Kurt Koontz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ERE7TS6/?tag=casaivar02-20.

 

[Former member 69452]

Thanks for the suggestion of 'The Santiago Pilgrimage: Walking the Immortal Way' - just purchased it on Amazon.

OH me too! I have never heard of this book before. Can't wait to read!

 

[alexwalker]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1722279486/?tag=casaivar-21

This was written by my father so apologies for being rather biased !
Funny, poignant and insightful, this is the tale of one man and his young son’s Camino during a long hot Summer three decades ago . Walk with Michael and Kes across Spain, as they make an unconventional spiritual voyage of discovery - one of them on the cusp of middle age, the other of young adulthood – an experience that will shape the rest of their lives. Through hardship, blistered feet and the odd glass of wine, leavened by philosophical observations and ancient lore, we are introduced to a fascinating cast of characters plus the odd señorita, sent by a higher power to test the author’s resistance to temptation. Even with the lapse of time, some of the author’s recollections of the trip can generate an intense emotional reaction, as if they had happened yesterday. A life-enhancing journey for the author and a memorable experience for this particular reader. Surely one of the very best accounts of the Camino experience, and one which may well persuade you to follow in their footsteps.

Just ordered it. Thank you!

 

[Former member 69452]

Just ordered it. Thank you!

Me too! Sounds like a wonderful travelogue. Can't wait to meet the "odd Senorita" too!

 

[AZgirl]

My fave Camino books are:
1. "To the Field of Stars" by Kevin A. Codd
2. "The Great Westward Walk" by Antxon Gonzalez Gabarain and translated by Rebekah Scott,
and I have read a lot of them. I also write reviews of Camino books on my website. May I recommend my own book, "Spiritual & Walking Guide: Leon to Santiago," which you may purchase at Ivar's bookshop? I am in Flagstaff, Arizona, if you ever want to get together, AZgirl!

I'm in the very rural Southeastern corner of the state. I do sometimes have some training for work around Flagstaff, it would be fun to meet up, be able to talk Camino to someone whose eyes would not glaze over!

 

[t2andreo]

I loved "Off the Road" by Jack Hitt. I bought it soon after watching the Way and became Camino-obsessed. My Brierly guide was the first book I ordered. I thoroughly loved it and you can see the book's influence on the movie. I read Paul Coehlo's The Pilgrimage. I enjoyed that too but I like allegories.

Right now I'm reading Shirley Maclaine's The Camino. If you like her other books, you will like it too. She remains her typical self and swings randomly into past-life visions, new age dissertations, current experiences which all give a nod to her grandiosity and unique point-of-view. I expected that it would. The only difference between this book and her others is that the Camino is the setting. So I would check libraries for a copy and save your money for a nice bottle of wine to share with other pilgrims.

Just a side note: “Off the Road” by Jack Hitt was the book read by Emilio Estavez in 2007, that lead to him sharing it with his father, Ramon Estavez (aka Martin Sheen). Son told father that he thought this would make a good film. The result was “The Way.”

 

[Cicada]

I have been really missing the Camino, I'm sure many of you know what that is like, so I like reading about it but I have no one to talk to them about and thought maybe a few like minded souls would like to try an online book club of sorts? I think there is something fun to reading the same book at the same time as others.

I just finally got a copy of "off the road" by jack hitt and am looking forward to reading about the Camino in the nineties, but I would be willing to read anything Camino related.

Sinning across Spain by Ailsa Piper this book started my love for walking Caminos
Slow journey South followed by Sahara both by Paula Constant i was in awe of her wonderful journey

 

[johnmeyerbooks]

If you're looking for something different -- gulp, self promotion alert -- you can try my book which is a fictional story based on my Camino adventure (along with all usual Camino anecdotes and histories).

Publishers Weekly just reviewed it: ""Meyer's redemptive tale combines elements of travelogue, epistolary novel, romance, and mystery... Meyer has successfully melded ruminations on one of Europe's most famous pilgrimages with a tender story of loss and healing, creating a lovely tale."

You can find it here (and just click on the ebook links): https://www.johnmeyerbooks.com/

 

[Mary Doll]

If you're looking for something different -- gulp, self promotion alert -- you can try my book which is a fictional story based on my Camino adventure (along with all usual Camino anecdotes and histories).

Publishers Weekly just reviewed it: ""Meyer's redemptive tale combines elements of travelogue, epistolary novel, romance, and mystery... Meyer has successfully melded ruminations on one of Europe's most famous pilgrimages with a tender story of loss and healing, creating a lovely tale."

You can find it here (and just click on the ebook links): https://www.johnmeyerbooks.com/

I read your book a few months ago John and thought it was a great read. Other favourites are Terry McHugh's books - Walk With The Sun Till Your Shadow Disappears and I Have Walked 500 Miles.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Sylvia Nilsen, mater familia of Amawalkers and a regular poster here on the Forum, wrote the novel Pilgrim Footprints on the Sands of Time (2012).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/2917183349/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[rappahannock_rev]

The scholarly works of the distinguished historian Bernard Reilly are beyond my price range.... But he's also written some novels!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0938289276/?tag=casaivar02-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580970427/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[Lucyk]

The scholarly works of the distinguished historian Bernard Reilly are beyond my price range.... But he's also written some novels!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0938289276/?tag=casaivar02-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580970427/?tag=casaivar02-20

Good news -- two of Reilly's academic books are available here online for free (with permission -- not pirated copies): https://libro.uca.edu/author.htm

 

[Terri B]

Jack Hitt 's book was the first I ever read and it inspired me to walk the Camino in 2016. I've also read Shirley MacLaine's but found it a bit too out there for me. Ended up skipping some of the stranger parts.
I've read and enjoyed all the below.
Will be returning again in September.
I've also got some others but they are currently with my sister so she can decide if she wants to join me in 2020.
Happy reading
.

Buen Camino

 

[AZgirl]

Just a side note: “Off the Road” by Jack Hitt was the book read by Emilio Estavez in 2007, that lead to him sharing it with his father, Ramon Estavez (aka Martin Sheen). Son told father that he thought this would make a good film. The result was “The Way.”

I just finished it! I loved it . I was shocked to read that there was a bit of a bed race even then as you got close to Santiago. I have seen "the way" more times than I would like to admit, so many of my favorite lines were almost word for word from the book too.

I've ordered "the field of stars" to read next, ( I prefer old fashioned physical books) hopefully it arrives soon, but I may see what is free on Amazon in the meantime.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I plan on reading all of them as I can!

 

[Anamiri]

I read this after my Camino last year, I had ordered a hard back copy which would've been too heavy to carry, I was slightly disappointed , didn't think it was good as his French revolution , cycle , tour de France book, I have Robert Luis Stevenson's book about travelling with his donkey to read next,
Bill

I hadn't read any of his others, loved this as a light hearted laugh out loud story

 

[Former member 42123]

I loved "The Great Westward Walk" by Antxon Gonzalez Gabarain, beautifully translated by Rebekah Scott. I read it last year and still go back to re-read sections.

It is a fantastic book and with a tragic real-life epilogue..

I also rate this as my all time best Camino read.

 

[Former member 42123]

Anything but that bizarre book by Shirley Maclaine. Besides being strange, it seems as though she did not even walk the entire route.
Paulo Coehlo's the Pilgrimage book? I put it down after about 2-3 chapters. Found it uninteresting and odd, and he too I later read did not walk the entire Frances.

Agree with every word you wrote.

 

[CWBuff]

I felt mixed towards Paulo coehlo book. I do really like the alchemist, but those are the only two of his I have read.
I'm not sure how I would feel about Shirley's book, but I'm willing to give it a try....

The Alchemist is coming up in 2 weeks at my book Club (Coram Deo - in our church) and I just got my hands on The Pilgrimage so I am looking forward to read both

 

[Jarrad]

I had not seen The Way before I decided to walk The Way. I was browsing books at the Catholic Information Center, a Catholic bookstore in Washington, DC, looking for a light read (not easily done at the CIC; this is the kind of place that stocks the entire Summa Theologica). I came across "Hiking the Camino: 500 Miles With Jesus" by Father Dave Pivonka. It was my intro to the Camino. It is well written and quite inspiring. I agree with the comment that life is too short, but this title is on my short list of books to re-read. While there is no Kindle edition, you can find the paperback on Amazon.

 

[Karl Oz]

Well, this has enabled me to assemble a reading list to while away my dotage!

I thought it may have been mentioned, but hasn't up until now, so perhaps 'Ich bin dann mal Weg' (English: "Well, I'll be off then") by Hape Kerkerling is worth considering. Written in about 2002 with humility and humour, this became a major best-seller in Germany upon publication. And yes, it is available in English. I thought it quite good.

 

[Dinkumdigger]

I've just finished reading "Off The Road" by Jack Hitt,couldn't put it down,absolutely loved it.
Thankyou all who recommended it.

 

[Former member 42123]

Just a side note: “Off the Road” by Jack Hitt was the book read by Emilio Estavez in 2007, that lead to him sharing it with his father, Ramon Estavez (aka Martin Sheen). Son told father that he thought this would make a good film. The result was “The Way.”

Have just read this book and I can see so much that has been used in the film " The Way",both storylines and even dialogue.It is different from most other Camino books I read,but well worth it.