I don't know about you, but I've always considered plumbers to be essential workers! I love indoor plumbing, hot and cold running water, and having someone to come fix them when necessary is, well, downright wonderful. Author Abby Ross needed a plumber at one point, and they got to talking, and that plumber had some wonderful stories, so she decided to interview more plumbers and The Poop Diaries is the result. Yes, is is a bit gross, given the kind of emergencies/jobs they are called out to do, but some are quite funny and there is a common thread of loving what they do, and enjoying (for the most part) the people they meet that ties the stories together. The plumbers are male and female, on is of a darker skin tone, a couple are from Canada. An unexpected find, and a good read.

There is a route one can take that goes from the southern tip of England to the northern tip of Scotland (or the other way, of course). It is popular with hikers, joggers, and bicyclists. The author, George Mahood, was discouraged by the idea that the nation had 'lost sight of the basic values of humanity and kinship' (pg 9), that people were suspicious of strangers, were reluctant to help them, and so forth. He gave him self the challenge (and snagged a friend to come along) of biking the route penniless, without, well, anything ... bikes, clothes, shoes, food ... and that they would ask for handouts (often offering to work for the goods). They started out in just their boxer shorts (featuring the British flag). Free Country: a Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain is their story, and what a hoot it was! They make do with whatever they are given: to start with just one pair of shoes, so they each wore just one shoe; pants that were much too big, and not what one would wear when riding a bicycle (they were held up with twine); and the bikes! Early on they just had bikes for children. The people they met were many and varied but almost every one of them was willing to help, but just how, well, that's what makes this such a fun read.

Reading Hermit With Dog