Jill Martinson

I’ve heard that adventure awaits in the out-of-doors and I believe it to be true. While hiking a mountain trail, I about scared myself half to death because I looked up to see a bear just yards away from me, with a look that said “Oh good, my lunch has arrived.” It thankfully turned out to be a charred old tree stump, but definitely made me feel like I had just slammed three energy drinks. Funny thing is that on the way back the same trail later that evening, I scared “the other half of me that was still alive” when I saw that “bear” again, this time ready for his dinner appetizer. I guess I don’t quite rank as fearless, but I sure enjoy reading about the true daredevils that venture into the wild.

The Amazon River, runs from its source in the Peruvian Andes to the Atlantic Ocean in Brazil, more than 4000 miles. Darcy Gaechter, at thirty-five, set out to kayak its entire length, the first woman ever, to accomplish that. “Amazon Woman: Facing Fears, Chasing Dreams, and a Quest to Kayak the World’s Largest River from Source to Sea” by Darcy Gaechter details her amazing story. With 16 years of kayaking experience to her credit, she was certainly prepared to be fatigued and hungry, getting trapped and pummeled by the water and jagged rocks, enduring all the inevitable hardships that would be constant companions during her journey. Awaiting her and her fellow kayakers, Don and Midge, was a month of traversing the most difficult whitewater in the world, followed by three to four months of flatwater paddling for over 3000 miles. What would come as a surprise, though, would be the unforeseen dangers of traveling through the Red Zone, an area of the river known for violence, danger, drug cartels and even murder. This is one exciting read, sure to be a wild ride.

Best-selling author and mountaineer, Jon Krakauer is well-known for his nonfiction works, “Into the Wild” and “Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster.” In “Classic Krakauer: Essays on Wilderness and Risk” a collection of ten previously published articles from magazines like Outsider and Smithsonian, are presented featuring an assortment of dangerous endeavors. Follow Krakauer on a roped descent into Lechugilla Cave, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. He accompanies scientists who are hoping to better understand Mars through inspecting a mud-like substance called corrosion residue. Witness the last ride of professional surfer, Mark Foo at Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, Northern California. Speculate on alpinist Fred Beckey’s legendary “Little Black Book” with its secret notes on unclimbed peaks. Enjoy this collection of short reads from an always impressive outdoor enthusiast and journalist.

Here’s a quick look at one more gripping story from our new books section. “The Impossible First: from Fire to Ice-Crossing Antarctica Alone” follows Colin O’Brady from an unfortunate accident to a solo crossing of Antarctica, all 932 miles of it, in subzero temperatures for 2 months, pulling a sled that initially weighed a whopping 375 lbs. An incredible adventure that will transport you to a frozen world.

All of these books may be checked out by library cardholders using our Books to Go service. This can be done online, by email, or by phone. We’ll then check out the books on your card, bag them and call to set up a pick-up time to meet outside of the library. You’ll find the details on our website at akspl.org on the Books to Go link or call us at (909) 798-7565. See you soon.

Since we’re all currently spending a lot more time inside, here’s a way to be able to still enjoy your favorite books, all from the comfort of your own home. A.K. Smiley Public Library’s eLibrary provides both eBooks and eAudio books, available to our registered borrowers for download to their devices through Overdrive. For more information, visit our website at www.akspl.org and click on eLibrary. You’ll find a lot of options available in both fiction and nonfiction. Here are a few digital titles on my favorite subject, animals.

I grew up around animals. Not only were my days filled with caring for and playing with my furry, feathered, and scaly family, they were my confidants and co-conspirators. Their personalities were as unique and varied as was their species. Ginger, the big red hound who loved to howl at fire engines, Mildred, our sweet long-haired grey and white cat, our Pekin duck and resident court jester who found great enjoyment in chasing us around the backyard, rabbits, lizards and lovebirds inevitably found a place in our home. I hold a very special place in my heart for all the animal family who have graced my presence over the years. Here are some titles celebrating these gentle and beautiful souls.

From debut novelist Mara Wells comes the light read, “Cold Nose, Warm Heart” the first book in the Fur Haven Dog Park series. This cute and funny romance is sure to put a smile on your face. Set in Miami Beach, Riley Carson is building manager of the run-down apartment building named “The Dorothy” where her grandmother currently resides and tells Riley that she owns. All the senior residents and their dogs, including Riley’s poodle LouLou, love gathering in the adjacent lot they use as a dog park. Change may be around the corner though, when Caleb Donovan shows up ordered by his grandfather, who claims he is the owner, to tear down this very same apartment and replace it with new condos. Caleb’s mission is to make sure the place gets turned into a money maker with a huge parking garage right where the “dog park” is now located. Who actually owns the building? It would make sense that Riley and Caleb would be outright enemies, so why does there seem to be a spark of mutual attraction? Available as an eBook, this entertaining book is full of quirky and fun characters, both human and furry.

Listening to titles is another great way to get your “book fix.” Available to download from the Overdrive Library in eAudio format, as well as eBook format is the popular nonfiction read “Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World” by Vicki Myron. When an abandoned kitten is left in the book slot of the Spencer Public Library, no one could have guessed how much this little ball of fur would end up touching their lives. Meet Dewey Readmore Books and learn the charming story of a little ginger cat who made a big impact on a small town.

There are even titles for your kids to enjoy. “A Wolf Called Wander” by Roseanne Perry, available in eAudio format, is about a young wolf cub named Swift that is separated from his wolf pack family after an attack by a rival pack. Based on a true story, this novel follows his thousand mile perilous journey across the Pacific Northwest to find a new home.

If you haven’t checked out our eLibrary yet, now’s the perfect time.