Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster (Anchor Books) | 
so-soThis was a very harrowing story that makes you doubt the sanity of anyone who summits Everest. The story was well written, but a little bit rambly at times switching between 1996 and previous expeditions, at times this was lightly annoying because I wanted to hear more about what happened in 1996, but I understand that a lot of context needed to be set so that the layman (like me) could understand mountaineering terms.
#WednesdayWanderings @AllDebooks @jenniferw88 @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit
1. My favorite literary walks (hikes) are the tagged book as well as Wild by Cheryl Strayed
2. The terrain is vastly different looking but the feelings of solitude and loneliness seem similar. I feel inspired by the discipline and focus it takes to accomplish individual physical and mental challenges. #litsolace #midsummersolace
I didn‘t remember from my first listen to this book just how much climbing Everest is a business and that there are/were several different expedition groups at one time. Also, didn‘t know at the time there was a controversy surrounding Krakauer‘s account. In his defense, he does make it clear he has not relied on his memory alone given climbers‘ perceptions are impacted by hypoxia. Anyway, I don‘t think he‘s claiming his account is definitive.
Rereading for IRL bookclub and it‘s just as thrilling! The first time I listened to the audio edition, but I appreciate the photos and maps in the print version.
pickDay 3 of #12Booksof2023 is for this audiobook, which was a hit for both me and my husband during a road-trip. It also sparked continued interest in Everest throughout the year, always a good sign!
pickAt first I found this a little hard to get into but around the 40% mark it picked up and I became invested. As a kid I use to watch the documentaries of Everest and be awed by those that made it to the summit. This account allowed for a more personal look into the climb and also the tragedy that can and does happen.
#botm
pickAs someone who loves to read anything related to mountain climbing, I just devoured this book. Krakhauer is a phenomenal writer. One of the biggest things this book made me consider is how much we focus on getting to the summit of Everest without considering the dangers faced in coming down the mountain. Also, I was fascinated by his admission that exhaustion and oxygen deprivation played a huge role in his actions during the storm in May 1996.
pickAs someone who loves to read anything related to mountain climbing, I just devoured this book. Krakhauer is a phenomenal writer. One of the biggest things this book made me consider is how much we focus on getting to the summit of Everest without considering the dangers faced in coming down the mountain. Also, I was fascinated by his admission that exhaustion and oxygen deprivation played a huge role in his actions during the storm in May 1996.
Been on my list for a while. Not that I ever thought about or had any interest in climbing Everest. But this definitely solidifies that notion. What an insane story. And what an odd thing that climbing Everest has morphed into.
pickOMG have you ever had a book you yell at in hopes you can turn the narrative to something else? Yes, pointless but I still did it. This was so nerve wracking to read but still I couldn't put it down. This is was the authors own experience climbing Everest. @thearomaofbooks I highly recommend this one for the hubby 🤣
pickMy bf recommended me this so many times and I never read it because I didn‘t care about mountaineering, but I‘m so glad I finally read it. This was so atmospheric and there was such a sense of dread. The horror and true crime part of my brain loved this so much and the writing was so beautiful. Maybe the only book about Everest I‘ll ever like but I loved this
I love mountains, but I will happily enjoy/admire some of them from lower altitudes tyvm.
In the course of finding this picture, I learned that 2023 has also been a deadly year for Mt. Everest climbers, while the incident discussed in the book still represents the greatest loss of life on the mountain on a single day (10 May 1996).
#Iwillsurvive #volumesandvocals
I‘m doing a second reading of this book to get more insight into my recent “survivor of Everest book.” Both authors were on the same team of climbers so it‘s interesting getting the two views. However, between my two sports teams being in the midst of some tough playoffs (especially the Bruins) and my imagined Everest climb, my nerves are shot! Seriously.
Into Thin Air is a personal breakdown of the 1996 disaster on Mt Everest where Jon Krakaurer retells his experience leading up to, during and after the disaster, through the death of his teammates and surviving the storm. If you aren't the biggest fan of fictional stories and want to connect with real world characters, this book is for you. The book is written from a first person POV and goes through Jon's actions and thoughts on the mountain.
#savvysettings #mountain #day6
Award winning journalist & adventurer, Jon Krakauer, chronicles a climb to the summit of Mt.Everest. 5 people died. Those that survived,including Jon had to deal with survivor‘s guilt. This is his confession and attempt to exercise his guilt ridden demons. Great book!
pickIt‘s very good, but I think my enthusiasm for the book is tempered by the fact that I fortunately lack the gene that makes this specific kind of adventure appealing. I don‘t have THIS specific drive.
pickI was familiar with the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, but Krakauer‘s personal account is harrowing and will leave a lasting impact. So many little things went wrong on Summit Day, each leading to the catastrophic loss of 8 climbers. Krakauer‘s pain and survivor‘s guilt is clear, and his descriptions of the physical and mental toll high altitude climbers experience are palpable. I literally could not put this book down. 5⭐️ #wintergames2021
I am remiss on posting my #bookspin bingo board. I‘ve got some spaces filled in already, and hoping for a bingo this month! #wintergames2021 #mistletoemaniacs
pickI remember seeing the movie Everest years ago so I was familiar with the tragedy covered in this story but it was very interesting to read an account of the actual experience. How anyone can desire to put themselves through what it takes to reach the summit of Everest is beyond me. This story had some slow parts but once the ascent to the top starts the story really picks up with every heart breaking detail of what happened on that fateful day.
I checked this out of the library for a November read, but I picked it up and got hooked. So good! #nonfiction #adventure
pickEasy read but it had me hanging on the edge of my seat. I wasn‘t able to put it down. Based on true events it had so many tragic details but it was a good read.
pickThis is such a good book. The pursuit of reaching the highest peak, at what cost. Do we know the harrowing consequences before we take the leap and if we do, do we do it anyway. At what cost are we as humans willing to go to reach that goal. In times of confusion and hallucinations can you be held accountable for saving yourself while letting others die?
This was so good, sad, horriffic and makes you think. If you haven't already, read this!
#CuriousCover Day 28 #Mountain
I bought this book for my husband years ago. He reads sporadically and only non-fiction. I will probably read it before he does.
#CuriousCovers Day 28: Mountains
Quintessential book about mountain climbing, and Everest in particular. One of my all time favorite non-fiction books. Sitting on my shelf of hardcover non-fiction.
pickAbsolutely stunning. I loved everything about this book. I‘ve read so many other Krakauerss and have been putting this one off, afraid it would not live up to the hype, but it did not disappoint. This is not just an adventure story. It is a psychological study, a political commentary, a push for environmental awareness and respect, and a completely engrossing read that I don‘t think I‘ll ever forget.
pickI‘ve read this several times, but this was my first time on audio. Other than scandalizing myself during morning car pool after an unfortunate timing of the f word it was just as great as in print. Even though I know what happens I‘m on the edge of my seat every time.
#BookReport 10/21
Three books I enjoyed less than I had hoped for. So I had a bit of a disappointing week. However I am in the midst of two great ones so my next BookReport will definitely be a better one!
pickI read parts of this book but mostly listened to it. Krakauer himself reads his account of the infamous 1996 Everest expedition that resulted in a tragedy. Through most of the story he remains the journalist and although that‘s admirable at times it felt more like reading a report instead of a NF novel. Too many facts and figures to my taste but other than that a sad and fascinating story.
#ReadingAsia2021 #Nepal 🇳🇵 #pop21 #SetMostlyOutdoors
pickEverest fascinates me b/c I have a hard time wrapping my head around it. I hate how it became about Boukreev‘s fragile ego. I never even felt Krakauer insulted him. I found out about the controversy in the epilogue. To me, a lot of simple mistakes were made by good people. Everest is a soul-sucking monster and simple mistakes can/will become fatal up there. Then you add a storm on top of that!? Krakauer, as usual, delivers a raw, emotional book.
so-soThis is definitely a case of “it is the audio narrator, not the book”. I listened to a Danish translation of this, and the narrator was quite boring. Even the most tense moments felt flat and like he was reading a recipe.
With that being said, it is a crazy story, and I can only imagine the impact it must have had on the survivors‘ lives.
#Pop21 - Bestseller from the 1990‘s
#Booked2021 #TranslatedIntoFirstLanguage
pickI have a feeling 25 years ago, when this book was originally published, it must have been considered groundbreaking. A new blend of history, investigative reporting and personal experiences all told in the first person narrative. The agonizing recounting of a mountain climb gone terribly wrong. I was completely captivated by the events before, during & after the ordeal. I never considered how much money and ego is at stake amongst the guides👇🏼
pickThis is the harrowing true story of the 1996 Everest expedition that resulted in tragedy. I've always been fascinated by Everest and the people who feel compelled to climb it. The book is very well written. Having seen the film based around the events, there are a few discrepancies, which makes me wonder which, if either, story is accurate.
I've been #audiostitching the past few days and finished and framed this piece today.
It‘s clear why this book is so well loved. Jon Krakauer is able to seamlessly blend history, facts, investigative reporting and first hand accounts with vivid, clear writing. At the same time he highlights the pitfalls of extreme sports as a hobby/ money grab for several organizations, countries,individuals & businesses. This story is heart racing. You know it doesn‘t end well but it‘s the **what** went wrong that keeps you transfixed.
