I first heard about the concept of creating a personal “curriculum” from Carly and was instantly intrigued! I love the idea of curating a reading list based around a topic that I’d like to learn more about. While the examples Carly shared included things like poetry, physics, and astrology, the topic that immediately came to mind for me was spending time outdoors.
Like many of our peers, my husband and I are trying as much as possible to give our child an analog, 90s childhood filled with outdoor play and minimal screen time. (Easier said than done, I know!) Spending time outdoors is not something that necessarily comes naturally to me. I love browsing Pinterest and planning outfits and decorating our home and taking baths, and could easily whittle away hours online. But I also recognize the importance of outdoor time. I really want to make an effort as I know how important it is for not just my child, but for my own wellbeing and perspective as well.
I have zero interest in quitting my job to go hike the Appalachian Trail, nor do I have any interest in leading some type of Forest homeschool experience for my child. I simply want a little extra motivation to get my tush off the couch and go for a walk, opting for outdoor experiences over consumption.
So this month, instead of rounding up books I’ve already read and loved, I’m giving you a glimpse at my TBR and the personal curriculum I’m curating that I hope to read over the next weeks/months. Who knows, maybe I will bring my books and read outside 🙂 If you’ve read any other books that relate to this topic that you think I’d like, please do share in the comments!
1000 Hours Outside: Prioritize Nature, Reclaim Childhood and Experience a Fuller life by Ginny Yurich (2022, 175 pages) // I first heard about this movement after seeing Carly’s blog post on it. I was SO inspired by Carly’s experience and I definitely want to give this a try in 2026. I think being able to quantify our time outdoors would be great for my Type-A tendencies.
There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids, by Linda Åkeson McGurk (2017, 304 pages) // I get so many targeted Instagram videos romanticizing parenthood in Denmark, so I was really intrigued by this book. I just finished it and have passed it along to my husband. It was exactly what I was looking for… just a little bit of inspiration to embrace inclement weather and appreciate nature while parenting.
Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela J. Hanscom (2016, 256 pages) // When I was searching for parenting books about getting kids to spend time in nature this came up on a bunch of lists. I just secured my copy and am looking forward to reading it.
Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park by Conor Knighton (2020, 336 pages) // I’ve been to a handful of National Parks, and although its not necessarily a personal goal to see them all, I recently finished this memoir and really enjoyed it, and came away inspired to prioritize hiking and time in nature.
Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery (2014, 288 pages) // I love books about older women who don’t let age slow them down. I’ve never heard of Grandma Gatewood, but her story looks right up my alley! My library doesn’t seem to have a physical copy so I might have to figure out a way to request it.
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, by Bill Bryson (1998, 397 pages) // I had never read Bill Bryson before but this memoir looked like the perfect place to start. I recently finished this book and it was hilarious!!!
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