HeatherEMS Hiking around the World in Books Puzzle Tracker

[Heather]

Set up

[Heather]

Frodo and Sam’s Route Through Middle Earth

1. Start: Bag End Hobbiton

*Start Task 1: Read a book with home, homeward or home bound in the title. Home Fire Longlisted for the Booker Prize ✅

*Connect to start book: Longlisted for the Booker Prize
Task 2: All The Little Bird-Hearts ✅

* Connect to Task 2: Longlisted for the Booker Prize
Task 3: Old God's Time ✅

Checkpoint 1: Bree

*Start Task 1: Read a book that is the first book of a series of 4.
Little Beach Street Bakery (chick lit, romance)✅

*Connect to start book:
Task 2: The Love Hypothesis Goodreads Choice Award Nominee (2021), chick-lit, romance ✅

*Connect to Task 2:
Task 3: Love, Theoretically Same author as
Task 2 ✅

Checkpoint 2- Rivendell

Start Task 1: Read a book with the word “Sanctuary” or “Valley” in the title or subtitle or series name. Death Valley
(Main Page tags of fiction/magical realism)✅

*Connect to Task 1
Task 2: The Summer that Melted Everything (main page tags of fiction/magical realism, author Tiffany McDaniel)✅

*Connect to Task 2.
Task 3: This Summer Will Be Different "summer" in the title ✅

Checkpoint 3- Moria

Start Task 1: Read a book with a cover that is 75% black.
We Are All the Same in the Dark (76% black)✅

*Connect to start book.
Task 2: A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons
(mystery)✅ (Mystery/Thriller both books tagged under this category)

*Connect to Task 2.
Task 3: A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality (same author as task 2) ✅

Checkpoint 4: Black Gate
*Start Task 1: Read a book with “Iron” in the title.
Iron Hearted Violet✅

*Connect to Start Task.
Task 2: The Last Dragonslayer (dragons in Task 1 and in this book) ✅

*Connect to Task 2:
Task 3: Starter Villain Author's first names start with J (Jasper & John) ✅

Checkpoint 5: Mount Doom
Start Task: Read a book that is between 400-500 pp.
Demon Copperhead 560 pages ✅

[Heather]

Tour of Slovania, Croatia, and Bosnia

https://www.kompas-online.net/itinera...

Start - Zagreb

*Task 1: Read a book with a character or author has the name Mark.
The Sea Detective ✅
*Task 2: The Woman Who Walked into the Sea
*Task 3: The Malice of Waves (all same author)

Checkpoint 1 - Ptujska gora

Ptujska gora is a village in northeastern Slovenia. A popular activity here is for pilgrims to visit the gothic church in the village.

Task: Read a book that has a tag of "gothic" on the main book page. The Haunting of Hill Housej or The Shadow of the Wind

Checkpoint 2 - Postojna Caves

Task: Read a book with a train on the cover.

Checkpoint 3 - Opatija

Task: Read a book where the character goes on holiday to a beach resort.

Checkpoint 4 - Medjugorje

Task: Read a ghost story. "Ghost(s)" must be tagged on the main book page.

Finish - Dubrovnik

Task: Read a book that was made into a movie.

[Heather]

El Camino Trail

https://stingynomads.com/camino-franc...

There are 7 main routes to this pilgrimage. The most popular one is Camino Frances and we're going to take that one, however, we will pick it up at Sarria rather than doing the entire route.


Start - Sarria

King Alfonso IX of León died in Sarria in 1230 while making a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. That's kind of an auspicious start to the hike.

Task: Read a book that has "King" in the title, or the author is named King.
1. Deacon King Kong
2. A Long Petal of the Sea
3. The Evening and the Morning (All Historical Fiction, GR Choice Nominees, 2020)

Checkpoint 1 - Palas de Rei

There's little to do at Palas de Rei other that gawk in amazement at the architecture. Maybe it's time to stop at PalaShama Quiromasaje & Bienestar spa and treat ourselves to a massage. They offer Special Pilgrim, mud, antiaging, vitamin rituals. "Seek peace for your mind and you will find health for your body"

Task: Read a book with "Body" in the title.
1.The Bodyguard or The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Checkpoint 2 - Melide

In the 15th Century, Melide played a central role in the Irmandiña Revolts against the power of the local barons. It was during these revolts that the walls of the town and the fortress were destroyed. The stone however was later used in the construction of the Convent of Sancti Spiritus.

Task: Read a book where a nun is a significant character.

Checkpoint 3 - Arzua

It is one of the Galician municipalities with more cows per capita rate in Galicia and it is well known for its cheese.

Task: Read a book where the cover is 75% yellow,

Checkpoint 4 - O Pedrouzo

Its main attractions consist of the Roman bridge over the Rio Mera and the parish Church of Santa Eulalia de Arca.

Task: Read a book with a bridge prominently on the cover.
13,

Finish - Santiago de Compostela

It is the alleged burial site of the Biblical apostle St. James. His remains reputedly lie within the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela.

Task: Read a book with a significant character or author named "James" (Jim, or other derivatives are not allowed.)
16. James

[Heather]

The Jesus Trail

The Jesus Trail is a 65-kilometre hiking trail in the Galilee region of Israel which connects important sites from the life of Jesus as well as other historical and religious sites. The Jesus Trail offers pilgrims the experience walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

https://ignatiancamino.com/camino-aus...

The route begins in Nazareth and passes through Zippori National Park,Cana, Ilaniya, Kibbutz Lavi, the Horns of Hattin, Nebi Shu’eib, Arbel National Park, Migdal, the Jesus Boat at Kibbutz Ginosar, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes, and Capernaum
https://ignatiancamino.com/camino-aus...

Start - Nazareth
Nazareth is most well-known for being the childhood home of Jesus.
Task: Read a book with a house on the cover.

1. A Place for Us✅
2.Catalina (has gold on the cover)✅
3.Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones✅

Checkpoint 1 - Cana
Cana is the traditional site of the wedding feast where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine.
Task: Read a book where a wedding takes place.

1. The Lion Women of Tehran✅
2. The Au Pair Affair✅ (wedding in story)
3. Not in Love✅ (romance)

Checkpoint 2 - Kibbutz Lavi
Kibbutz Lavi is the biggest manufacturer of synagogue furniture in the world and is the perfect place to buy a Torah table or new pews.
Read a book with a pew, bench, or sofa on the cover.

1. Margo's Got Money Troubles(Goodreads Choice Award Nominee)✅
2. Listen for the Lie(Goodreads Choice Award Nominee)✅
3.The Wedding People (Goodreads Choice Award Nominee & winner!)

Checkpoint 3 - Migdal
The modern town of Migdal is the traditional site of Magdala, the town of Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus. The name Magdala comes from the word for “tower” and probably referred to towers used for drying fish caught in the Sea of Galilee.
Task: Read a book with a significant character or author named "Mary".

1.A Desperate Fortune
2.The Winter Sea
3. The Woman Who Walked into the Sea

Checkpoint 4 - Mount of Beatitudes

The Mount of the Beatitudes is the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount, which contains a passage known as the Beatitudes.
Task: Read a book with "Bless", "Blessed", "Blessing" in the title or subtitle.

1. Bless Your Heart
2. The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
3.The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty

Finish - Capernaum

There are numerous references to Capernaum in the New Testament including the healing of the Centurion’s servant, driving out of a demon, healing of a paralytic, as well as other healings.
Task: Read a book that has a medical doctor or nurse as the main character.

1. Just for the Summer (traveling nurse)

[Heather]

West Highland Way - Scotland

https://www.macsadventure.com/us/tour...

Come prepared for a blistering time, whether it's from walking or sampling the local whiskey.

Start: Glascow

Although Glascow looks to be smack in the middle of Scotland, looking at a map, it is actually the largest seaport in Scotland, and tenth largest by tonnage in Britain.

Read a book that is set in a seaport.

Checkpoint 1: Glengoyne Distillery

Before we begin our hike, we need to fortify our courage with taste testing some very fine Scotch whiskey. For a mere £1,050.00 you can buy a bottle of 30 year old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey.

Read a book where the main character is in his/her 30's.

Checkpoint 2: Bridge of Orchy

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/li...

Read a book with a bridge on the cover.

Checkpoint 3: Rannoch Moor

Even though we'll be hiking into this area, it's recommended to take the Jacobite steam train, also known as The Hogwart's Express.

Read a book with a steam train on the cover. You must see the steam,

Checkpoint 4: Devil's Staircase

Between the 18th and 20th century, many people in Glen Coe have been believed to have been ‘claimed by the Devil.’ This is because many workers at the Blackwater Reservoir, after failing to return home after a winter’s night at the local pub, would have struggled the steep path of the route. This is why the nickname ‘Devil’s Staircase’ came about.

One of the reportedly best pubs in Glencoe is the Clachaig Inn.

Read a book with "Inn" in the title.

Finish: Fort WIlliam

Around 726 people (7.33% of the population) can speak Gaelic.

Read a book that was originally written in a language other than English.

[Heather]

Chasing Dracula

Will Good overcome Evil? Will Dracula make it back to his castle and safety, or will Helsing reign victorious? Hike the trail and find out.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dr...

https://midliferoadtrip.tv/spending-t...

Start - London

When at the King's Cross Train Station, make sure you get the correct platform. Platform 9 and 3/4s will take you to Hogwarts and that's the wrong trek. Instead, you're going to take the train so that you can easily cross into France through the Chunnel.

Task: Read a book with a group of people on the cover.

Checkpoint 1 - Paris

It might be a good idea to plan your trip this fall because The Cinémathèque française is dedicating a cross-cultural exhibition to the influence of vampires in the arts and literature to coincide with Halloween.

Task: Read a book with Halloween as a theme.

Checkpoint 2: Munich

There, you'll tour Frauenkirche cathedral. It features 2 domed towers. Both towers contain ten bells cast in the 14th, 15th, 17th and 21st centuries. Their combination is unique and incomparable in Europe. The heaviest bell called Susanna or Salveglocke is one of the biggest bells in Bavaria.

Task: Read a book with a character or author named Susanna or Susan.

Checkpoint 3: Budapest

Visit Pest-Buda Bistro to sample chicken with paprika — Jonathon Harker enjoyed the dish so much, he planned to take down the recipe.

Task: Read a book with savory food on the cover. It may not be "on the hoof", so a cute goose or calf on the cover is not going to cut it.

Checkpoint 4: Bran Castle

Both, on Harker's first trip to Dracula's Castle and when returning, wolves were in pursuit. Dracula also appeared as a wolf in London.

Task: Read a book with a wolf on the cover, in the title, or about wolves. They may be shapeshifters.

Finish: Bucharest

Your hike ends at Bucharest after visiting the home of Count Dracula at Bran Castle. Enjoy your stay. Crime is lower here than in other European cities.

Task: Read a book tagged as "Crime" on the main book page.

[Heather]

Perhaps The Realm of the Elderlings calls you.

https://robinhobbelderlings.fandom.co...

The realm of the Elderlings is made of of 6 duchies, and we will visit them all instead of following a particular trail. Still you will need to read in the order listed:

Start - Bearns

It is the northernmost coastal duchy. Bearns's folk are notable for being the most warrior-like of the Six Duchies folk, and are physically unique for having wide cheekbones. The duchy's colour is yellow and its symbol a yellow flower.

Read a book with one or more yellow flowers on the cover.
1. A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets✅
2. The Dark Wives (mystery written in 2024)✅
3. We Solve Murders (mystery written in 2024)

Checkpoint 1: Buck

It is the duchy where the Royal family traditionally rules from. It is one of the four Coastal Duchies and the home of Buckkeep, the capital of the Six Duchies. Blue is the colour of this duchy, and a charging buck its symbol. Buck's wealth has two major sources: the rich fishing grounds that the coastal folk have always enjoyed, and the shipping trade created by supplying the Inland Duchies with all they lack via the Buck River.

Read a book from Nautical Tales List
1. Decked
2.Death by Dumpling
3.Dim Sum of All Fears

Checkpoint 2: Rippon

Rippon is located to the south of Buck. It is one of the four Coastal Duchies. It is ruled by Duke Kelvar whose wife's name is Grace.

Read a book with a significant character is Grace, or is the name of the author.
1. Portrait of a Thief
2. The Marriage Portrait Portrait in title, GR Choice Award nominee, Historical Fiction)
3.The Magnolia Palace (GR Choice award nominee, Historical Fiction)

Checkpoint 3: Shoaks

Shoaks is the southernmost of The Six Duchies. It is one of the four Coastal Duchies. It is ruled by Duke Shemshy. The duchy's colour is green.

Read a book with "green" in the title or subtitle, or the author is named Green.
1. Green Dot
2. Walk the Blue Fields
3. Half of a Yellow Sun

Checkpoint 4: Tilth
Tilth is located to the north, and inland. It is one of the two Inland Duchies. It is ruled by Duke Ram. It is notable for its rich vineyards. The duchy's colour is purple.
Read a book with wine in a glass or grapes are on the cover.

1. The Paris Novel or The French Ingredient: A Memoir
2. Kitchens of the Great Midwest
3.

Finish - Farrow

Farrow is located to the south and inland. It is one of the two Inland Duchies. The main city is Tradeford, where Regal rules the Six Duchies from in his short time as King. Many of the Farseer nobility have names that depict character - Shrewd, Chivalry, Graciousness, etc. (Regal was anything but regal.)
Read a book with a characteristic in the title and is also the name of one of the farseers. List of Farseers: https://robinhobbelderlings.fandom.co...

1. Late Bloomers: The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievement

[Heather]

I was enchanted with the story of Nala & Dean. I saw a film about them several years ago, and this book chronicles their travels together, Nala's World: One Man, His Rescue Cat, and a Bike Ride around the Globe. I hope you have fun retracing their journey.

Start - Bosnia

Dean was in Bosnia on his bike tour around the globe and hear some light meowing. There was a tiny kitten trying to catch up with him. He knew if he left her, she would die, so he picked her up, she cuddled into his neck and away they went.

Read a book with an orphan or orphans in it.

Checkpoint 1: Budva, Montenegro

Legend has it that Budva was founded by Cadmus, the founder of Thebes, Greece. When exiled out of Thebes, he found a shelter in Budva for him and his wife, goddess Harmonia.

Read a book that is tagged as Mythology.

Checkpoint 2: Shkoder, Albania

It has historically developed on a 130 m (430 ft) hill strategically located in the outflow of Lake Shkodër into the Buna River.

Read a book that has 430 - 438 pages based on the first print edition listed on the "editions" list on the main book page.

Checkpoint 3: Athens, Greece

It was at the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilization and empire. The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings like the colonnaded Parthenon temple.

Read a book about Ancient Greece, or Rome.

Checkpoint 4: Santorini, Greece

IMBD.com lists 94 movies filmed in Santorini. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and it's sequel is number 2 on the list and is about 4 friends who share a pair of jeans that fit each of them perfectly.

Read a book from Best Adult Female Friendship Books List

Finish: Bucharest

We're ended up in Bucharest before, but this was where Dean had to curtail their journeys for the time being because of Covid.

Read a book where a serious illness changes a person's ability to maintain normal activities.

[Heather]

Lares Trak Roya Inca Trail to Machu Pichu

https://www.mountainkingdoms.com/holi...

My real life book club created a bucket list, and Machi Pichu was on several of the members lists. I believe only one member actually made it there.

Start: Cuzco, Peru

The indigenous name of this city is Qusqu. Although the name was used in Southern Quechua, its origin is found in the Aymara language. The word is derived from the phrase qusqu wanka ('rock of the owl'), related to the city's foundation myth of the Ayar siblings. According to this legend, Ayar Awqa (Ayar Auca) acquired wings and flew to the site of the future city; there he was transformed into a rock to mark the possession of the land by his ayllu ("lineage"):

Read a book from one of these two lists:
Fantasy Novels Based in Native American Myth
Books Based on Mythology by Marginalised Authors

Checkpoint 1: Sacred Valley

Stretching from Pisac to Ollantaytambo, this fertile valley is irrigated by the Urubamba River.

Read a book that has river in the title, or a river on the cover.
1. The River We Remember (BOM award nominee, GR Choice Award, Mystery/Thriller)
2.Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
3.As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow or The Collected Regrets of Clover all BoM award nominees

Checkpoint 2: Moray
Inca archaeological site on a high plateau featuring a series of concentric terraces.

Read a book with the theme of archaeology.

Checkpoint 3: Tortora

The small village of Totora is a small village that begins the Lares Trek. It takes you along an ancient Inca Trail into a narrow canyon where Inca tombs perched high up in the cliffs.

Read a book with the word canyon or tomb is in the title. Subtitles will be allowed on this task.

Checkpoint 4: Huchayccasa & Ipsaycocha Passes

These two passes on the Lares Trek offer stunning views of the mountains.

Read a book that is set in the mountains.

Finish: Machu Picchu

It is often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is the most familiar icon of the Inca Empire.

Read a book with both words Lost AND City in the title or subtitle.

[Heather]

West Coast Pacific Rim (Canada)

This hike is truly a challenge with it's rugged terrain and level of difficulty.

https://happiestoutdoors.ca/guide-to-...

Start: Pachina Bay

You have a choice to take the beach route, or take the forest route. That makes me think of dual outlooks.

Read a book that is set in dual timelines.
1. Every Summer After✅
2. Anita de Monte Laughs Last
3.

Checkpoint 1: Tsusiat Falls

You will find Tsusiat Falls at the base of an extraordinary array of ladders extending hundreds of metres up into the trees. (Scroll down a few pictures to see what a challenge they would be.

https://hikewct.com/index.php/campsit...

Read a book with stairs on the cover.
1. The Magnolia Palace

Checkpoint 2: Walbran Creek

You can catch a ride across Walbran Creek on the longest cable car of the West Coast Trail. The beach route is mostly easy walking on the sandstone shelf. The crux is the ford of Walbran Creek. Low tide would be best.

Read a book with Tide in the title.

Checkpoint 3: Camper Bay

The West Coast Trail is the shipyard graveyard of the pacific. The John Marshall shipwreck is located under the waves just outside the mouth of Camper Bay. The John Marshall was a 3 massed ship out of San Francisco and sunk in 1860 with no loss of life.

Read a book set in San Francisco.

Checkpoint 4: Thrasher Cove

Three kilometers away are the Owen Point Caves. It is home to a stunningly colourful and well hidden area of sandstone caves carved out by the ocean. Centuries of crashing waves have gouged out huge, circular openings in the cliffs jutting out into the ocean.

Read a book from this list: 4 Colors on the Cover

Finish: Gordon River

The stretch from Thrasher Cove to Gordon River is the most difficult part of the hike but you're done! Use the rope next to the ladder to raise the buoy up to the top. This signals to the ferry operator that you want a pickup.

Read a book with a mode of transport on the cover. The item must be large and a prominent item on the cover.