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Cory Mortensen

Goodreads Author

Born

New Prague, The United States

Website

http://www.TheBuddhaAndTheBee.com

Twitter

BuddhaAndTheBee

Genre

Memoir, Nonfiction, Travel

Member Since

August 2020

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/dtraincm

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Born in the small town of New Prague, Minnesota, and raised amidst the sun-soaked landscapes of Scottsdale, Arizona, Cory Mortensen embarked on a unique journey that shaped both his life and literary career.

Choosing an unconventional path, his journey began with dropping out of college to immerse himself with a job on Wake Island, gaining valuable experiences that would later infuse his writing with a distinctive perspective. Returning to the United States, he started a dynamic career as a project manager for several prestigious architecture firms, coupled with a venture into real estate by flipping houses.

The allure of exploration took center stage when Cory made the bold decision to sell everything and traverse the globe for two transfo Born in the small town of New Prague, Minnesota, and raised amidst the sun-soaked landscapes of Scottsdale, Arizona, Cory Mortensen embarked on a unique journey that shaped both his life and literary career.

Choosing an unconventional path, his journey began with dropping out of college to immerse himself with a job on Wake Island, gaining valuable experiences that would later infuse his writing with a distinctive perspective. Returning to the United States, he started a dynamic career as a project manager for several prestigious architecture firms, coupled with a venture into real estate by flipping houses.

The allure of exploration took center stage when Cory made the bold decision to sell everything and traverse the globe for two transformative years. This period of travel not only broadened his horizons but also laid the foundation for a successful entrepreneurial endeavor. Cory established and grew a business into a multimillion-dollar venture, eventually selling it to pursue a shared dream with his wife, Kate.

Marriage to Kate marked the beginning of another adventure as the couple once again divested themselves of possessions to embark on a two-year journey through South America. During this time, Cory and Kate not only explored the breathtaking landscapes but also dedicated themselves to volunteering and trekking, fostering a deep connection with the communities they encountered.

In 2020, Cory Mortensen penned "The Buddha and the Bee," a captivating work that became a bestseller and earned acclaim with numerous book awards. This success was followed by the publication of "UNLOST," a top 100 bestseller and recipient of multiple book awards, further establishing Cory as a notable voice in contemporary literature.

Cory's writing seamlessly weaves together the threads of personal experience, cultural exploration, and a profound sense of purpose. Their work continues to resonate with readers worldwide, offering a unique blend of storytelling that transcends boundaries and inspires a deeper understanding of the human experience. ...more

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Average rating: 4.16 · 1,137 ratings · 145 reviews · 4 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Buddha and the Bee: Biking through America's Forgotten Roadways on an Accidental Journey of Discovery 4.11 avg rating — 822 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Unlost: Roaming Through South America on a Spontaneous Journey 4.30 avg rating — 224 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Embracing Bewilderment: A Reluctant Entrepreneur’s Journey—An Unconventional European Summer Twisting into a Mind-Bending Excursion through Southeast Asia (The Buddha and the Bee, #3) 4.28 avg rating — 65 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Middle Miles: Cycling from Canada to Mexico Along the Pacific Coast Highway 4.35 avg rating — 26 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

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Cory Mortensen's Blog

2022 Best Indie Book Award

Super excited to announce my first book:

"The Buddha and the Bee" was selected as:

2022 Best Indie Book Award (BIBA) winner in Non-Fiction & Independent Author Network (IAN) finalist in Non-Fiction

My second book, UNLSOT, was selected as the 2022 Independent Author Network (IAN) finalist in Non-Fiction

Thank you everyone for your support!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...

https://www.amazon.com/ Read more of this blog post »

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Published on December 13, 2022 09:41

Series by Cory Mortensen

The Buddha and the Bee (2 books)
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Cory Mortensen (Goodreads Author)

4.15 avg rating — 1,046 ratings

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House of Leaves

by Mark Z. Danielewski (Goodreads Author)

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Feb 10, 2024 09:12PM

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Cory Mortensen liked Anne calvert's review of Middle Miles: Cycling from Canada to Mexico Along the Pacific Coast Highway: "Fun Read An enjoyable read. Thanks for letting this arm chair traveler come along on your ride. Just enough travelogue, and plenty of humor. Keep traveling, and keep writing of the experiences. A wonderful trip down the coast of CA.. " Read more of this review »
Nov 01, 2025 11:44PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Middle Miles by Cory Mortensen. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Middle Miles by Cory Mortensen <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Cory Mortensen answered Goodreads's question: What books are on your summer reading list this year? No Better Place by J.J. Heckenlaible and The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe
Aug 13, 2025 03:03PM · 1 like · like
Cory Mortensen liked tyRonE hArDing's review of Unlost: Roaming Through South America on a Spontaneous Journey: "One of my favorite travel writers. Super fun read, just like his first book "The Buddha and the Bee", which I am now going to read a second time. I am looking forward to reading his newest book "Embracing Bewilderment"."
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Cory Mortensen wants to read Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Feb 10, 2024 09:31PM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Cory Mortensen rated a book it was amazing The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Cory Mortensen rated a book it was amazing The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 10, 2024 09:30PM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
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Cory Mortensen has read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values (Phaedrus, #1) by Robert M. Pirsig	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 10, 2024 09:27PM · like

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Quotes by Cory Mortensen (?)

“Looking behind, I am filled with gratitude, Looking forward, I am filled with vision, Looking upwards I am filled with strength, Looking within, I discover peace.” —QUERO”
― Cory Mortensen, The Buddha and the Bee: Biking through America's Forgotten Roadways on an Accidental Journey of Discovery

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Cory Mortensen’s Followers (201)

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