Travel, Adventure, & Sports from our 2021 Winter Newsletter

Is it a travel book? Is it a history book? Is it a foodie book? Is it a curiosity book? YES! Take a trip around the world, visit all seven continents, and learn more about food, culture, civilization, and geography than you ever knew you cared about. It’s the TikTok of books—I didn’t know I would find 2000-year-old Egyptian egg ovens fascinating, but I can’t stop telling everyone about them now! It’s a feast for the eyes, the mind, and the stomach. Makes a great gift for the person who can’t get enough information and loves to wonder about the world.—Jenny

As one of the Bookshop Spooky Babes, the Atlas of Dark Destinations is my perfect travel wishlist. It lists creepy and kooky spots by continent and includes detailed descriptions, beautiful photographs, and what Hohenhaus calls “Dark Stats” of each destination. Once the world opens up again and it’s safe to travel, I’m dusting off my luggage and picking a page.—Jae

In 2005, Chris Burkard left Pismo Beach to begin his audacious career as a surf photographer, picking up skills, equipment, and incredible experiences as he went. Wayward is the chronicle of this journey, told through his own stories from far flung places over the years. Accompanied by stunning photographs and behind the scene shots, and including technical inserts and pieces by guest authors, this book is an inspiration for budding surfers, travelers, and photographers alike. Or someone like me who is astonished by it all.—Melinda

For the love of skateboarding! In The Most Fun Thing—a memoir by way of essays—Beachy attempts to find what skateboarding REALLY means, and begins a journey of self-discovery along the way. Sometimes we have to dig deep to uncover the gems inside ourselves, to know what’s important to us. A lovely memoir, perfect whether you’re “regular” or “goofy.”—MJ

“What was more apparent to me was that the world I wanted didn’t exist yet.” So begins the career of Billie Jean King, one where her vision ultimately remade our approach to women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, both in sports and in life. Tracing her remarkable journey, King writes with the courage of her convictions, with fierce competitiveness, and with her indomitable spirit laid bare on the page. All In explores the extraordinary life of a true hero.—Casey

How do the 2015 Warriors stack up against the Magic Johnson Lakers? Sports journalist and biographer Marcus Thompson II showcases the best teams in NBA history and explores how these dynasties changed the game by adopting revolutionary strategies and skills. Dynasties shows us how superstars, villains, and players of character emerge on the teams. Reading Dynasties is a perfect way to ramp up for the next NBA season. —Casey

How many of us have walked to gain clarity or intention or to break through the boundaries of our space? In Windswept: Walking the Paths of Trailblazing Women, Annabel Abbs follows the footsteps of extraordinary women, such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Simone de Beauvoir, who saw walking as a path to freedom. Through this book, walk a mile in their shoes and then grab your own pair and head outside.—Casey

When then-49er Colin Kaepernick began taking a knee in protest in 2016, he inspired a movement, and acclaimed sportswriter Dave Zirin wanted to make sure that he and the countless athletes who followed his lead were not forgotten. The result is this project, the stories of these brave players, their actions, and the responses within their communities. Broken into three parts—high school, college, and pro—some of the names are well known like Megan Rapinoe and Michael Bennett, but it is the young kids on hometown fields across the country who truly inspire.—Melinda