Book Review: 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer

✰✰✰✰½ In 1992 a young college graduate hitchhiked his way to Alaska and trekked into the Alaskan wilderness alone for an epic journey of survival and self-discovery. Going by the name Alexander Supertramp, the young man had given away most of his possessions, donated $24,000 to charity, and abandoned his car two years before. Charming and affable, Alex left a lasting impression on many people. Nevertheless, he yearned for wanderlust, never staying in one place too long. Alaska had always held a lure for him, and Alex entered the wilderness with adventure in his heart. A mere four months later, hunters and hikers would find his severely emaciated body in the back of an abandoned bus leaving everyone to wonder what happened.

The Bottom Line: Highly recommended reading for fans of nonfiction, adventure, and survival. This book will resonate with adults of all ages, but especially with those in college and those who enjoy hiking in the wilderness. Krakauer has the ability to impart detailed information in a way that keeps the reader turning the pages. If you’ve ever longed for solitude and adventure, check out this book about one young man following his passion.

Book Club Notes: Our group was looking forward to this discussion because we enjoy the author’s writing style. This book is a quick read and the movie doesn’t deviate much from the book. McCandless’ passion for following his dreams, for stepping out of his comfortable life is a sad and yet inspiring tale.

Discussion questions are readily available online. I found this study guide and this one to be especially helpful in preparing for our meeting. Additionally, this article was a good read and included interesting photos, diagrams, and trivia. We also discussed why people were risking their lives and traveling to Alaska to visit the bus; you can read about the fascination here. The bus has since been moved and has found a new home at a museum. You can visit the virtual exhibit and read about the conservation project to preserve the bus here.

Overall, we enjoyed both the book and the movie. McCandless possessed an adventurous spirit and perhaps a certain naïveté. Had he taken a map with him or chosen to visit in a different season, perhaps tragedy could have been averted, and we would never have known about his travels. Highly recommended for book clubs.

Details: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. Paperback published by Anchor Books in 1997. 240 p. ISBN: 978-0-385-48680-4 

Book Review: 'The Orchid Thief' by Susan Orlean

✰✰✰✰ Orchids have been coveted for over a hundred years. Who can resist the beauty of something so complex and exquisite? With over 28,000 species of orchids, you can never have them all, and new ones are being discovered or bred as we speak. But how do these orchids get found? Who goes out and discovers them? Just like in the Victorian era, orchid hunters are still out there. Although orchids are protected, that doesn't stop some from poaching and selling them. Someone like John Laroche, a self-taught expert on orchids, who leads a group of Seminoles into their native land to collect specimens. But what possesses people to find these orchids, to collect them, to possess them? By delving into interviews and research, the author uncovers what it is that drives these people to keep on collecting even when the stakes are high.

The Bottom Line: What started out as an article, led to a fascinating book about an eccentric individual, orchids, history, and the author. There is a lot of technical information and botanical names that might not appeal to some, but read it in small chunks and enjoy the experience. Recommended for those interested in orchids, human nature, and social groups.

Book Club Notes: Our spring meeting was again in the hybrid format, and surprisingly we are still 50/50 (half attending in-person and half attending virtually via Zoom). While hybrid is not the optimal format for a book discussion, and we are still perfecting our set-up, we made do with the situation to accommodate everyone's comfort levels. Technology challenges aside (and there were several), we enjoyed a spirited discussion about both the book and the movie (Adaptation). In short, the book we liked; the movie we didn't. 

We were all in agreement that the book features fascinating stories about people, plants, science, and history. It delves into the evolutionary aspects of plants and insects as well as the social aspect of belonging to a group. Several in the group liked that the author touched on the human nature of orchid collecting. While some aspects of the book may have been a bit too technical for some, each of us came away from the discussion having learned something (which is actually the goal of our book club). And an interesting note: Those who listened to the audiobook seemed to enjoy the experience better than those of us who read a print copy. Overall, the book garnered an average rating of 4.1 on a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest. 

The movie, on the other hand, received an average rating of only 0.6. This is the lowest rating of a book or movie in our club ever. Except for the celebrity cast, our group sadly had nothing positive to say about the film experience. It was disappointing and not what we expected. That being said, I did have to wonder if we would have enjoyed the film more if we had watched it without reading the book.

The book is definitely recommended for book clubs interested in botany, science, history, and human nature. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend the movie at all. The paperback copy included A Reader's Guide with a conversation with the author and discussion questions. If your copy doesn't include this, check out Reading Group Guides for discussion questions.

Details: The Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession by Susan Orlean. Paperback published by Ballantine Books in 2014. 320 p. ISBN: 978-0-449-00371-8 

Book Review: 'The Reign of Wolf 21' by Rick McIntyre

✰✰✰✰½  For Wolf 21 and Wolf 42, it was love at first sight. Unfortunately, Wolf 42's dominant sister stood in the way. After alliances within the pack changed, Wolf 42 was able to oust her sister as alpha female and true love prevailed. Together Wolf 21 and Wolf 42 became the leaders of Yellowstone's most successful wolf pack, the Druids. This is the true story of their partnership and legacy, but it's not for the feint of heart. This page turner is filled with drama and carnage as well as tender moments and compassion.

The Bottom Line: Part science, part natural history, and part love story, this book includes detailed observations, maps of pack territories, and charts of pack members. The only thing missing were photographs. Highly recommended for fans of brilliant science writing and natural history.  

While this is the follow up to McIntyre's earlier book, The Rise of Wolf 8: Witnessing the Triumph of Yellowstone's Underdog, it is not necessary to read the books in order as there is ample information in this installment.

Details: The Reign of Wolf 21: The Saga of Yellowstone's Legendary Druid Pack by Rick McIntyre. Advance Reader's Copy published by Greystone Books in 2020. 272 p. ISBN: 978-1-77164-524-9 [Note: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.]

Book Review: 'Tracks in the Snow' by Wong Herbert Yee

 

✰✰✰✰½ A curious little girl sets off in the snow to follow a set of tracks. Who made these tracks? And where do they go? She follows the tracks through rocks and across a bridge, but there's many more to follow. Into the wintry woods she goes looking for a rabbit or maybe a bear or perhaps a woodchuck. Where will she end up? And who made the tracks? Read this sweet little story to solve the mystery.

The Bottom Line: Check out this easy read with rhyming verses and repetition. Tots who enjoy exploring nature will appreciate the engaging illustrations in colored pencil as they follow this little girl's adventure through the snowy woods. Highly recommended for beginning readers ages 2 - 5. 

Details: Tracks in the Snow written & illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee. Picture book published by Henry Holt & Company in 2003. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0805067712 

Book Review: 'Because of an Acorn' by Lola M. Schaefer & Adam Schaefer

✰✰✰✰ When an acorn falls to the ground, it’s the beginning of something special. Because of a tiny acorn, a tree may sprout, a bird might build a nest, a flower may grow, fruit might ripen, and an animal might find dinner. From that one acorn a whole forest may grow full of trees and animals.

Budding naturalists will enjoy learning about the life cycle and appreciate the additional information about oak trees and the ecosystem at the end of the book as well.

The Bottom Line: This engaging picture book is a great introduction to the concepts of the ecosystem and the food chain. Colorful two-page spreads in paint and ink work seamlessly with the spare words to establish cause and effect in nature. Highly recommended for nature-themed storytimes for grades K – 2.

Details: Because of an Acorn written by Lola M. Schaefer & Adam Schaefer and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. Hardcover picture book published by Chronicle Books LLC in 2016. 36 p. ISBN: 978-1-4521-1242-8 

Book Review: 'A Walk in the Woods' by Bill Bryson

✰✰✰✰½ When bestselling author, Bill Bryson, got the bright idea to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail for a new book, it sounded simple. However, thru-hiking is not for the faint of heart; thru-hiking means walking 2,200 miles of the AT from start to end. The only person remotely interested in tagging along on this challenge was Bryson’s old high school classmate, Stephen Katz. 

After having parted ways decades earlier, the two friends couldn’t be more different. Bryson was married with children and a successful career, while Katz had spent time in jail and battled alcohol addiction. Although they got off to a rocky start, as the pair hiked together, Bryson’s journey to rediscover America became one of self-discovery and friendship, as well. Did they actually hike the AT? Well, that depends on who you ask. Check out this book and decide for yourself.

The Bottom Line: Together, Bryson and Katz, rediscover not only the America Bryson left behind so many years before, but a renewed friendship too. This travel memoir of perseverance, loyalty, patience, honesty, and respect is told in the author’s signature writing style with humor and an infusion of science, pop culture, history, keen observations, and personal experiences. At times I felt as if I was walking along the AT with them. Enthusiastically recommended for anyone who enjoys travelogues and humor with a sprinkle of fascinating facts and trivia. Also, highly recommended for hikers and nature lovers. (NOTE: Both the book and the movie have some strong language and sexual references.)

Book Club Notes: After a seven month hiatus, our group is glad to be back! We met virtually for the first time this month, and what book could be more perfect than A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson? Whether we watched the movie, read the book, or both, we enjoyed the humor and camaraderie of author and his friend as they attempted to hike the AT.

As a group we appreciated the book much more than the movie. The book contained a blend of humor, experience, and observation that kept us turning the pages. It was engaging, and we enjoyed the author's musings. The movie on the other hand, didn't fair so well. Although the movie was funny, there were scenes that were added just for drama. Nevertheless, the theme of perseverance was still present and the friendship between Bryson and Katz shined through. Both the book and the movie illustrate that you can dream at any age. We rated the book an average of 4.5 on a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest. The movie received a 2.75. [Note: The movie is rated R for language and some sexual references.]

Although we are new to having discussing books via Zoom, technology issues were minimal. Hopefully, as we become more familiar with this format, our discussions will seem more fluid and natural. This book was the perfect pick at the current time because many of us have been taking walks in the park or enjoying our backyards more during the pandemic. We highly recommend the book for anyone interested in nature, hiking, travel, and friendship.

We supplemented our discussion with the following: An article about the real life Stephen Katz, an article about what the movie gets wrong, and information from LitCharts.  Discussion questions can be found at the following sites: Litlovers, the Hunterdon County Library, and Tsundoku.

Details: A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson. Paperback published by Broadway Books in 1998. 274 p. ISBN: 978-0-7679-0252-6 

Book Review: 'Best in Snow' by April Pulley Sayre

✰✰✰✰✰ Featuring amazing nature photography, Best in Snow is sure to be a favorite read. Author April Pulley Sayre gently takes the early reader through the winter water cycle of snow precipitation. With stunning landscapes, animal shots, and close-ups, the photography takes the reader to a winter wonderland. Along the way we learn how snow forms, melts, and starts all over again. Educational information is included on the last pages too.

The Bottom Line: This beautiful, engaging picture book is ideal for STEAM related activities. Filled with gorgeous photography and limited vocabulary, this book is perfect for Preschool – Grade 1 classrooms. Kids will have fun learning without even realizing it, and teachers can elaborate on the scientific information presented in the back of the book. Enthusiastically recommended!

Details: Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre. Picture book published by Beach Lane Books in 2016. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1-4814-5916-7  

Book Review: 'Into Thin Air' by Jon Krakauer

✰✰✰✰½ Tag along as best-selling author Jon Krakauer recounts his harrowing journey to the summit of Mt. Everest back in 1996. Fraught with mishaps, drama, and delays, the expedition was the perfect storm for disaster. Challenged by the confusion brought on from lack of oxygen, Krakauer struggled to make sense of the emerging situation he and others suddenly found themselves in.

Imagine climbing 29,028 feet with little sleep and pushing your body to the limit. Just when you think you should be celebrating, you suddenly realize that reaching the summit is actually just the halfway point. Somehow you have to get yourself back down the mountain, and do it quickly because clouds are forming. Although the clouds look innocent at first, things quickly take a turn for the worse. Before everything is said and done, tough decisions must be made and people will die. Who will be left behind and who will survive? Told in a journalistic style, this a classic tale of survival will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Bottom Line: Even though the events in this book took place over twenty years ago, this is a timely read. With the passage of time, the warnings in this book have faded. Highly recommended for people who enjoy mountain climbing, extreme sports, and physical challenges. Fans of survival stories will want to revisit the issues raised in this riveting read.

Book Club Notes: This book was very well received by members in our group; some recalled reading it many years ago. With the events that took place on Mt. Everest earlier this year, there was a lot to talk about. There are many sites with discussion questions online; however, we had so much to talk about that we didn't need formal questions. This was a very animated discussion, and we took a look at overcrowding, the business of mountain climbing, the individual fitness to climb, the effects of high altitude on the body, nature conservation, Sherpa culture, survivor's guilt, and much, much more. Many of us wondered why anyone would want to undertake such an endeavor. Really, why? 

We enjoyed the author's investigative journalistic writing style, and several of us expanded our vocabulary due to Krakauer's illustrative wording. In fact, a comment was made that Krakauer's writing is so vivid, it's like watching a movie. As we retraced the missteps to this disaster, it was almost like being on the mountain with him. Yet, we could relive the drama from the safety of our own living room couches. For some in our group, Jon Krakauer is their favorite author. The only negative comments were about the large number of names included, but since this was a true event, there was little the author could do about that.

In sum, we agreed that Into Thin Air is a real page-turner that keeps you coming back, and we highly recommend it to other book clubs interested in survival stories. On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, the group gave it an average of 4.5 (ratings ranged from 4 - 5).

Details: Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer. Paperback published by Anchor Books in 1999. 332 p. ISBN: 978-0-385-49478-6

Book Review: 'Papa Goose' by Michael Quetting

✰✰✰½ As a researcher for the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Germany, author Michael Quetting had the opportunity to be involved in an amazing experiment. His mission: to raise geese from hatchlings, teach them to fly, and gather flight data. For eleven months, Quetting took his charges for daily swims and made sure they were well taken care of. Along the way, he learned that each had its own personality from feisty to cuddly. Just like raising human children, the author discovered there were ups and downs to parenting seven little ones. Check out this book and join the adventure of a lifetime. 

The Bottom Line: The dedication the author had to see this experiment through was amazing. Filled with humor and packed with information, this is a very quick read that will interest nature lovers and students of biology.

Details: Papa Goose: One Year, Seven Goslings, and the Flight of My Life by Michael Quetting. ARC published by Greystone Books in 2018. 248 p. ISBN: 978-1-77164-361-0 NOTE:  I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing. 

Book Review: 'Hector the Collector' by Emily Beeny

✰✰✰✰✰  One day on the way to school, Hector found an acorn. Later that day at recess, he found two more. On the way home, he found even more. Every acorn was different. All the acorns were beautiful. He kept them in his desk at school.

Hector's collection grew until one day, his teacher found them. Everyone laughed, but the teacher explained that Hector is a collector. As the class learned about the different types of collections, it turns out that some of his classmates had collections too. Hector and his classmates learned that every collection is different, every collection is beautiful, and every collection tells a story. And it all began with just one acorn.

The Bottom Line: This gentle tale of collecting will get kids interested in starting a collection of their very own whether it be acorns, pennies, or sea glass. Charming illustrations in soft colors will keep kids focused. Highly recommended for classroom or library storytimes for kids ages 3 – 7. Includes an Author's Note about the different types of collections.

Details: Hector the Collector written by Emily Beeny & illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. Hardcover picture book published by Roaring Brook Press in 2017. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1-62672-296-5 

Book Review: 'The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies' by Ammi-Joan Paquette

✰✰✰✰✰ Join the children in the book as they go exploring for fairies. Do you know where the fairies hide? Fairies can be everywhere if you only know where to look. This book teaches you about the tell-tale signs of fairies. Once you learn the signs, you and your friends can have a magical adventure searching for these delicate creatures in your own backyard.

The Bottom Line: This enchanting picture book features a colorful blend of artwork and photography. The text is engaging and encourages both children and the young at heart to discover the beauty of nature and the magic of possibilities. This book reminds me of the long, lazy, summer days of my childhood. Highly recommended for summertime reading for kids ages 4 – 7.

Details: The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies written by Ammi-Joan Paquette & illustrated by Christa Unzner. Hardcover picture book published by Tanglewood in 2009. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-933718-20-0