Camino Books

Updated 8 July, 2025

A library book which discusses walking the Camino as a transformative experience is ‘Into the Thin, A Pilgrimage Walk Across Northern Spain,’ Stephen Drew, 946 DRE, 2020, Christchurch City Libraries, (3 copies.) Review previously published in November, 2021.
This memoir is very well written and will bring back memories as Stephen describes his Camino journey. As promised in the title he does deliver regarding his inner journey. [Down to 2 copies currently. Both on shelf.]
Stephen discusses his book in the following podcasts.
Episode 47 – Into the Thin, The Camino Podcast, [54.14]

Marie-Therese brought to our attention a book with a different angle on the Camino Frances. This volume, ‘The Way of the Gardener, Lost in the Weeds Along the Camino Frances,’ 946 PEN, Christchurch City Libraries, [3 copies], was written by Lyndon Penner. Lyndon was a recent guest on My Camino – the Podcast, 10 August, 2021, Part 1, [42 min], 17 August, 2021, Pt 2, [46 min].

A second book discussed was, ’Grief on the Run, How Active Grieving Helped Me Cope With Devastating Loss,’ Julie Zarifeh,’ Christchurch City Libraries 155.937 ZAR. There is a chapter devoted to her involvement and experience walking while being filmed. Julie spoke about her part in the ‘Camino Skies’ documentary at our meeting in February, 2020.

Philip reminded attendees about the library’s recent acquisition, ‘Pilgrim Stories On and Off the Road to Santiago,’ by Nancy Louise Frey, Christchurch City Libraries 960 FRE. This is an academic work and would be of interest to those who wished to explore pilgrim motivations, and experiences both on, and after their Caminos. It also has a section on changes Nancy has noticed in pilgrims over time. Articles regarding her recent research may be found at: walkingtopresence.com

Walk in a Relaxed Manner, Life Lessons from the Camino, Joyce Rupp, 2005, Christchurch City Libraries, 263 RUP, [4 copies]

The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago The Complete Cultural Handbook, David Gitlitz, Christchurch City Libraries, 946.1, [2 copies],

Estrellas Moments of Illumination Along El Camino de Santiago: a memoir, Suzanne Maggio, 2021, Christchurch City Libraries, 946 MAG [4 copies]