Let me just start by saying, I loved this book! I loved his previous book! What author am I referring to and what books you might wonder? Kevin Fedarko thrilled, educated, inspired, and left me hungry for more with his new book, “A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon.”
I finished reading Fedarko’s “The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History through the Heart of the Grand Canyon” last month, recommended to me by a patron, and I could not wait for his next non-fiction adventure book to arrive. I packed my armchair adventurer backpack and dove right in as soon as “A Walk in the Park” arrived on our bookshelves. The author has truly experienced the Grand Canyon in ways very few people have and takes you from the river to the rim. He has done extensive research on the history of the Colorado River, from early to current explorers and Native Americans, river guides, long-distance hikers, the geology and the dams, and preservation. He shares all of this and the perils and pleasures of being on the water (Emerald Mile) and on the land in his challenging 750-mile hiking odyssey (A Walk in the Park). His personal experience, lack of experience, and wit make both of these books very engrossing reads.
Author Fedarko’s books have also inspired my curiosity to learn more about the Grand Canyon. We just happen to have another book in our New Book area by photographer and author Dave Showalter, “Living River: The Promise of the Mighty Colorado.” Colorful photos and maps enhance the text that explores the watershed of the Colorado River’s 1,450-mile journey from the headwaters in Wyoming to the Gulf of Mexico. Topics explored include the tributaries, wildlife, human and agricultural demands, water rights, and conservation and preservation of this important and beautiful resource of the American West.
If you are planning on visiting the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend reading these books and checking out some of our other books on the Grand Canyon, John Wesley Powell’s exploration of the Canyon, and the Colorado River to truly appreciate your experience.
Teens, are you currently living out all your summer dreams? Are your hours filled with round-the-clock thrills and excitement? When school starts back up, will your classmates stare at you icily as you read aloud your autobiographical essay, “My Unbelievably Amazing Summer?” If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, put this article down immediately and get back to it! Congratulations! You’re excused to go on your unbelievably amazing way!
Teens! I’ve got it! This is your ticket to an unbelievably amazing summer. Bring your curiosity and we’ll take care of the rest. For more information on what’s happening this summer (and beyond), visit our webpage at 
Welcome back, adventurers, to the continuation of the series where we answer that age-old question, “What’s in the basement at A.K. Smiley?” Our latest exploration into the depths of the Library has unearthed some truly fascinating artifacts that not only tell us about the past, but offer opportunities to reflect on the present.
First up, we discovered a dazzling disco ball trophy with a plaque reading, “Dancing With The Stars Winner” from the Redlands Symphony Gala, 2012. This glittering prize from a night of glamor and excitement reminds us of the community spirit that pervades the City of Redlands. The 2012 Gala was a memorable affair which featured over 200 enticing options up for auction including gourmet dinners in private homes, luxury seats at a Lakers game, jewelry, wine, exotic trips to Hawaii or Italy, and one special trip to New York City which included tickets to the David Letterman show.
After investigating these artifacts, we grabbed a random book: Good Housekeeping from 1915 which had a section titled ‘Your Daughter’s Career’ that extolled the benefits of education for young women. One standout quote reads: “Any woman who is going into newspaper work should know how to write. General education, culture, the larger the background of that kind one has the better, I think, in newspaper work, as in all other work. Personally, I am much in favor of the college education. I am not a college woman myself, so my favoritism can’t be prejudice.” This echoes the timeless value of a well-rounded education and the importance of embracing diverse perspectives.
Our final find is from the Book Review Digest of 1924, featuring a review of H.G. Wells’ ‘The Dream.’ The review describes the story as a vehicle for Wells’ critique of modern civilization, with the barbarity and superstition of the World War era being likened to prehistoric times. It’s a poignant reminder that the critical examination of society and its conventions is as relevant today as it was a century ago.
My favorite time to read horror is in the summertime. There is something about the stillness and quiet of the summertime nights that makes me want to stay up late reading a scary book. If you are a fan of horror fiction, then I have some new titles to recommend to you (nightlight not included).
Andrew Larimer gets a phone call in the middle of the night from someone from his past telling him that he needs to come home to Kingsport, a place that he thought he would never have to visit again. Back in Kingsport, Andrew meets up with his childhood friends when they are confronted with a secret from the past. 
Anna and her family are vacationing at a villa in Italy when things start getting weird: strange noises, warnings from the townspeople, and a villa with a haunting past. Come check out 
“
