The Best BC Adventure Books (Outdoor & West Coast Favourites)
With autumn here, reading season has arrived. My favourite reads are BC nonfiction books, but I’m never quite sure what to call them. In bookstores, I’ve seen them under “West Coast Nonfiction” and “British Columbia Nonfiction”, but they also fall under the BC adventure books or outdoor and nature categories. Whatever the label, these are the stories that capture the beauty of our province, the people who inhabit it, and their unforgettable adventures.
As an avid but selective reader, I’ve read far more titles than what appears here. These are the standouts, the ones I couldn’t put down that have a place of honour on my bookshelf.
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Outsider: An Old Man, a Mountain, and the Search for a Hidden Past
by Brett Popplewell, HarperCollins Canada
Dag Aabye was a mysterious recluse who lived in an old school bus in the woods near Vernon, BC. This captivating book tells the story of his life, from his early years in Norway to becoming an endurance athlete and the search for answers about his past. Check it out
Big Lonely Doug: The Story of One of Canada’s Last Great Trees
by Harley Rustad, House of Anasi Press
When activists discovered a massive Douglas-fir standing alone in a clear-cut, it became a symbol for old-growth preservation. Rustad tells the story of its discovery, survival, and the fight to protect our last stands of vanishing ancient forests. Check it out
Listening to Whales: What the Orcas Have Taught Us
by Alexandra Morton, Ballantine Books
Morton’s orca research in the Broughton Archipelago reveals the rich underwater life of this intelligent species. Her story intertwines science, advocacy, and a deep connection to nature. Check it out
Heart of the Raincoast: A Life Story
by Morton and Proctor, Touchwood Editions
Billy Proctor lived his whole life in Echo Bay, in the Broughton Archipelago. The book tells us the story of his life, and his transformation from fisherman to environmentalist in a changing world. Check it out
Called by Mother Earth: A Father’s Search for His Son
by Greg F. Naterer, Breakwater Books Ltd
When 25-year-old Jordan Naterer went missing in Manning Park’s wilderness, his father embarked on a months-long search for answers. In his quest to find his missing son, he goes on a heartbreaking journey through the rugged backcountry, where he finds himself deeply connected to the spirit of the wild. Check it out
The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed
by John Valliant, Vintage Canada
On Haida Gwaii, there was once a golden-needled spruce tree, revered for its unusual appearance. Valliant tells the story of its felling by logger Grant Hadwin, weaving together history, mystery, and ecological reflection. Check it out
The Curve of Time
by M. Wylie Blanchet, Whitecap Books Ltd
Widow Muriel Blanchet and her five children spent their summers exploring the BC coast aboard their small boat. Capturing the spirit of coastal life that still prevails today, this timeless story paints a picture of days gone by. Check it out
The Last Wildlife Control Officer in British Columbia: Thirty Years of Dealing With Problem Predators
by Dennis Pemble, Friesen Press
Dennis Pemble takes us through decades of working as a wildlife control officer, where he and his tracking dogs deal with problem wildlife. From grizzlies that just won’t stay relocated to chasing a cougar through a city brewery, Pemble’s story offers a rare look at a demanding, unconventional career. Check it out
Raven Walks Around the World: Life of a Wandering Activist
by Thom Henley, Harbour Publishing
As a drifter making his way around the West Coast, Thom Henley’s wanderings eventually took him to Haida Gwaii, where he became an environmental activist. Humorous and inspiring, Henley’s memoir is the story of one man’s connection to people and place. Check it out
Inside: One Woman’s Journey Through the Inside Passage
by Susan Marie Conrad, Epicenter Press
Conrad’s kayak expedition through the Inside Passage takes her along BC’s coastline in all its rugged glory. Dealing with bears, wild weather, and personal struggles, her story is one of perseverance in the face of challenges while on an incredible journey. Check it out
Alone in the Great Unknown: One Woman’s Remarkable Adventures in the Northwestern Wilderness
by Caroll Simpson, Harbour Publishing
What started as a new life in the wilderness turns tragic, leaving Simpson to run a remote fishing lodge alone. Unwilling to give up, this resilient woman rises to the challenge of living in isolation in this inspiring story. Check it out
Cascadia’s Fault: The Coming Earthquake and Tsunami That Could Devastate North America
by Jerry Thompson, Counterpoint LLC
Stretching from Alaska to California, the Cascadia Fault last erupted in 1700. Thompson’s book takes us on a fascinating journey through its discovery, seismic history, and the dangers of its next eruption. Check it out
The Tree Farm: The Evolution of Canada’s First Community Forest
by Michelle Rhodes, Page Two Books, Inc
The Mission Municipal Forest is one of just two community-held tree farm licenses in the province and was the first of its kind in Canada. Rhodes traces its history, development, and ongoing legacy as a model for community-managed forestry. Check it out
