Title: Into Thin Air
Author: Jon Krakauer
What I think so far: I tend to find I’m like Marmite with books – I either love them or hate them and there is no in between. Luckily, ‘Into Thin Air’ is a book I love and the personal account of the 1996 Everest Disaster through the eyes of journalist turned mountaineer, Jon Krakauer. I’ll admit I’m slightly bias and have been a doting fan of Krakauer’s ever since reading ‘Into The Wild’, falling in love with the adventure and free spirited lust that shines through every sentence his mind concocts. Wherever Krakauer’s words take you, you know it’s going to be somewhere you’ve never been before. Granted, my dodgy central heating and dad’s stingy eye on the meter may have had an impact on things, but when reading this book I genuinely felt I too was stranded in the Nepal blizzards, miles above humanity and civilisation.
Would I recommend: For anyone who loves adventure and a good old true story, it’s a must. That said, some people may find the detail of climbs boring at parts if their heart isn’t in it.
Rating: 9/10
Words by Jess Readett