Summer is the time to unschedule yourself, kick your feet up and dig into a good book.
For me, July always meant the season of a good road trip matched with the allure of adventure. It is the time to explore the local neighbourhood, or even venture a little further down the road to visit some small towns and big cities.
These good reads share the possibility of adventure that comes with an open road, or path, in front of you.
Once Upon a River might not qualify as a “road trip” but, rather, a trip down the river. After the sudden death of her father, Margo is alone. But growing up in the rural Michigan countryside, Margo has been taught to fend for herself and live off the land, and views Annie Oakley as her role model when it comes to shooting.
With her canoe and rifle, Margo sets out on the only mode of transportation available: the river. Margo utilizes her knowledge and skills of the natural world to survive in the Michigan wilderness. The author, Bonnie Jo Campbell, uses language that paints an exquisite scene of that state, using it as a character in the plot.
For the young adult in the family — or even if you think you are one — Skink: No Surrender by the hilarious Carl Hiaasen transports the reader to a Florida that abounds with humour, mischief and an array of head-scratching characters, all in the name of finding a missing youth. From plot twists involving turtle poachers and identify theft, to saving skunks, this breezy read will give readers a good laugh while going on a wild ride throughout the Sunshine State.
Boar Island is the latest release from mystery author Nevada Barr. With Anna Pigeon as the law enforcement heroine, murders and incidents are solved within America’s national parks. I enjoy the literary tour of the parks, from Acadia in Maine to Last Bend in Texas, from Natchez Trace in Mississippi to Isle Royale in Michigan. It’s a great way to see our southern neighbours while experiencing some chills and thrills in the comfort of your own home.
Most adventures involve a time of reflection and this title promises wit and insight: And Then There Were Nuns: Adventures in A Cloistered Life. When faced with a marriage proposal, author Jane Christmas contemplates becoming a nun, so she embarks on a trip to visit convents in Canada and the United Kingdom. Along the way, Christmas begins to understand the dedication of nuns and the role of religion in the grand scheme of life. This book allows readers to take a peek inside everyday convent life and what it really takes to become a nun while simultaneously asking what’s important in life.
All of these adventures are available at Terry Fox Library and ready to transport you this summer.
--A Good Read is a column by Tri-City librarians that is published on Wednesdays. Janeen Parent works at Terry Fox Library in Port Coquitlam.
