Reading this book in February is like deeply inhaling the smell of French fries while you’re on a strict diet. I am absolutely ravenous with my need to go camping now. In fact, between chapters, I was researching places near me that could maybe, just maybe, be warm enough this weekend for a good old-fashioned trip to the woods.

The Camping Life is just plain fun. It has a little bit of everything—beautiful photographs, fun illustrations, how-tos, some history, packing lists, tips for camping with kids (and dogs!) and inspiration galore. The photos are absolutely stunning. They really take you there and make you want to get outside—right now.

As someone who enjoys tent and car camping, but yearns to try new, more difficult forms of camping, this primer on the basics of snow camping, van camping, bikepacking, hut camping, camping without a tent, and more is just what I need to boost my confidence and plan my next trip. I’m learning a lot of new adventures I had no idea I absolutely must do—hello, whitewater raft camping trip!

A perfect gift for every adventurer, The Camping Life would be beautiful on a coffee table, ready to open up to any page and feel both relaxed and inspired.

[I received an advance copy of this book to review through NetGalley.]

As an avid camper, I was excited to read this book and enjoy the photographs. For a beginning or inexperienced camper, I suppose it would be informative, but I did not gain any real new knowledge. A newbie could perhaps find this book useful.

As someone who had done a bunch of different camping styles, I’m always interested in what others have to say about the topic. I felt that the writers did an excellent job of capturing the need to return to outdoors. It’s a connection that drives so many outdoor enthusiasts.

If someone picked up this book with no knowledge of camping, they would realize they probably have all the necessary gear needed to go out themselves. For those that are already a traditional Car Camper, they might be interested in trying something a bit more advanced, like backpacking. The authors have so much love for the topic, any reader is sure to start looking for the nearest park to go camping.