Who doesn't love adventure? I do believe that everyone has their own personal definition of what constitutes as an 'adventure' to them, for me, it was video games and books. 

So that is what our theme is going to be this week. From today through to Friday, each day I will write a list of adventures you can go on, virtual, imaginary, real, it does not matter. What matters is how much fun you're having and nothing else. We start this week with books on our agenda. 

Now let's be real, there are way too many adventure novels out there, many of them exceptional, but what would make this list? 

1. The Odyssey by Homer

Composed - scholars believe - nearly 2,800 years ago, the Odyssey is the second oldest extant work known to mankind, the first one being The Iliad, also by Homer. Funny how that works, eh?

The Odyssey is so old and so popular that it is impossible to live life without being exposed to something that was influenced by, referenced to or pays homage to it. It is the earliest known adventure story known to man and it features Odysseus, a Greek hero, returning home after the war in Troy (come on, even if you've never heard of The Odyssey, you must know of the Trojan Horse). Homer is a poet - I didn't say this list will be filled with just novels - and his work continues to be read as he intended, in the original Greek form. It's a miracle it even survived this long. 

As the legend goes, Odysseus is cursed by the Gods and takes 10 years to make it back home, and over these 10 years he faces tremendous amount of challenges that he overcomes one by one. It is a fantastic read to see the prototype of all adventure stories ever written.  

2. In The Heart Of The Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick  

Truth inspires fiction, such was the case for Moby Dick, another excellent adventure novel about a man's drive for revenge against a whale that takes his leg and eludes him for years. That novel was based on a true story, as shock as it sounds. If you've read Moby Dick, you know what I'm talking about. 

This is a story about a whale ship being attacked by a Sperm Whale, being sunk and leaving the crew, 21 of them, stranded on three small whaling ships, rapidly depleting supplies and a 3200 kilometre journey ahead of them to the coast of Chile. It is a tale of survival against extraordinary odds, violent deaths, men being reduced to animals and the iron will to survive. Then you have to deal with the fact that all of this actually happened. 

There's also a movie, if you want to watch it. Came out in 2015, featuring Chris Hemsworth, also known as Thor, Tom Holland, also known as Spiderman, and Cillian Murphy, famous for his incredible roles in Nolan movies as well as Peaky Blinders (highly recommend watching this show). 

3. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson:  

Kind of difficult to make a list of adventure novels and not include this absolute gem of a classic. Treasure Island was written in the hey-days of piracy in the waters east and south east of Florida. All the cliches you see and know about pirates today, including the X marks the spot, parrot as pets, the hook and claw routine for pirate captains, it started here. Treasure Island made the trope so famous, today it has been overdone to the point that it is used to comedic effect. An incredible book. 

4. Into The Heart of Borneo by Redmond O'Hanlon 

One overweight, frustrated and depressed writer, one lost and inexperienced poet, one gigantic and untouched jungle filled with snakes, disease and fates even worse than death. What could possibly go wrong? 

This is an exceptionally funny book and I highly recommend reading it. 

5. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien  

I actually had an internal debate on which one of Tolkien's works to include. Sure, we could always go with the classics and include The Lord of the Rings, perhaps the greatest high fantasy adventure story ever told, but then, I reasoned that The Lord of the Rings got excellent movies that one can watch, but The Hobbit was butchered. 

So here it is, my final recommendation. The Hobbit is one of the best adventure novels ever written. Tolkien's signature style, combined with fantastic characters, a lore so deep you'll never come out once you sink and plot progression like none other, The Hobbit is a must read for any adventure buff. If you've made the mistake of watching the movies, just remember that one scene of Martin Freeman, playing Bilbo Baggins, run off into the distance shouting, 'I'm going on an adventure.'