If you've ever thought being a park ranger is an easy job, filled with lots of hikes, canoeing, camping, that sort of thing ... think again! It can be frustrating (people are, well, stupid), and dangerous (and not so much from the animals), and tragic. Ranger Confidential: Living, Working, and Dying in the National Parks, by Andrea Lankford pulls no punches, either with what has happened, or in the language she uses to describe it. It's a compelling read, but maybe not for the faint of heart!

There is a wonderful mystery series set in our National Parks. It's by Nevada Barr, who worked in several of them and used her experiences in her books. My favorite is Superior Death, which opened with a tourist dive to a shipwreck (with the warning there were bodies), only to discover more than what was expected. The race in front of a fire in Firestorm left me breathless and just reading about being underground in Blind Descent sparked my claustrophobia! Start with Track of the Cat.

Two books now that combine hiking and history! Both are trail guides to Washington State, both offer the requisite directions for getting to trail heads, etc. but I would rate them just a bit differently. For more of the history of the area you'll hike in read Hiking Washington's History, by Judy Bentley. This was a great armchair read! There are descriptions of the trails and 'what happened when' that gave a wonderful sense of times past. For less history, but more on the actual trails ... when is the best time to hike them, a difficulty rating, who can use the trails (hikers, bikers, horsemen), and a nice breakdown of 'waterfall' or 'scenic view' trails, those best for families, etc. then go with Hiking Through History, Washington: Exploring the Evergreen State's Past By Trail, by Nathan and Jeremy Barnes. Both are worthwhile reads.

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Before I 'officially' requested childhood favorites from Seattle Reader, she'd read my blog and reminded me of this book ... a favorite for both of us, although I was a recent college grad when it first came out and she was younger. Stephen Cosgrove has many children's books out, but I like this one for both the story and the location! ;-) The Wheedle liked to sleep but when the white man arrived and started building things and whistling while they did so, that became difficult. The Wheedle on the Needle tells how it all worked out for everyone. And if you think the light on the top of the Space Needle is just an ordinary light, think again! It was wonderful to read this delightful tale again after so many years. Seattle Reader then followed up with a wonderful list of family favorites!

There were so many, actually, that she divided them up, starting with ones that weren't so popular in the larger world, but "became iconic" to Seattle Reader and her parents and siblings,so much so that they still quote favorite bits to each other! The Brave Little Toaster, by Thomas Disch, How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen, by Russel Hoban, The Stupid Family (and sequels), by Harry Allard, Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse, by Leo Lionni, and The Monster at the End of This Book, by Jon Stone.

Next came those books popular with Seattle Reader, hubby and kids: Bunnicula, by Deborah and James Howe, The Dumb Bunnies (and sequels), by Dave Pilkey, Oscar's Book, by Jeffrey Moss, and Hippos Go Berserk, by Sandra Boynton. One sounded especially interesting ... The Ferry Story, by Terry Lawhead. It is out of print, but Seattle Reader has a copy and has promised to bring it when next she visits.

And finally (drum roll) the all time favorites are the Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems (who also wrote Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus). The kidlets are heading into teenagehood and still want to check for more in this series! (Now that is a recommendation)!

Every so often an unexpected email pops up and it's usually Seattle Reader, who, having read my blog, tells me "I read (title) and loved it!" Or, once, was considering a book for her brother, saw it on my post for that day, and went and got it for him! She sends recommendations, too. Connections! :-)

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December 7, 1941. November 22, 1963. September 11, 2001. Days we remember, or our parents remember ... where we were, who we were with ....

What was it like to live in Hawai'i after December 7, 1941? Hawai'i Homefront: Life in the Islands During World War II, by MacKinnon Simpson explains it beautifully with photos (some confiscated from Japanese pilots), memoirs, and archival records. Martial law was established, blackouts were frequent, all mail was censored, but life went on, soldiers and sailors had to be fed ... and entertained ... ;-) The section near the end "wartime faces of the islands" I found to be especially moving.

Did you watch the news about Kennedy's assassination on TV (they were still fairly new at the time). Do you remember seeing a secret service agent crawl up on the back of the car after the shots were fired? That was Clint Hill and he, along with Lisa McCubbin wrote Five Days in November. This is an insider's look at what started as a joyful, happy trip with the energetic first couple and ended in a tragedy that changed, well, everything. Assigned to protect Jackie, this is Hill's account of how she dealt with the events of the next few days from the ride to the hospital where she refused to leave John's side, to planning the funeral, to the final salute of the not yet three-year-old John, Jr.

A Place of Remembrance: Official Book of the National September 11 Memorial, by Allison Blais and Lynn Rasic. I can only imagine (and perhaps not even that) how hard it must be to come up with a memorial to something like September 11, 2001 and yet, Michael Arad did just that. There were thousands of entries, reduced finally to 10 and then one. The name is perfect ... Reflecting Absence ... it says so much in just two words ... This book, from National Geographic, is a great way to learn about this moving and inspiring site.

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Admit it, you have a few guilty pleasures, right? Here is an entire book about just that subject: The Encyclopedia of Guilty Pleasures: 1001 Things You Hate to Love, by Sam Stall, Lou Harry, and Julia Spalding. One of those fun reads I enjoy because the short entries fit well during commericals, or when dinner is in the oven. From TV shows, to food, furniture, and people no one admits to enjoying, but somebody must because, well, they made it into this book! I'll admit to one just to get things started: sugar coated packing peanuts, AKA Peeps! ;-)

Here's something that appeared in the book listed above. Star Trek! I got hooked during summer reruns of the very first season and remembered it was NOT something you mentioned watching. (Boy, how that has changed)! A few years later, in college, it was the reason I met someone who is a friend to this day! The Star Trek Book: Strange New Worlds Boldly Explained, by Paul Ruditis, Sandford Galden-Stone, and Simon Hugo is one of those rather encyclopedic books from DK. There are entries on the characters (earth and alien), the various ships, and a time line of what happened when. Fun!

Do you remember, or, as a parent, have you used the phrase "Because I said so!" ? I know my mom did! Was what was said actually true? You know things like 'don't cross your eyes, they'll get stuck like that', or 'don't run with scissors.' Ken Jennings gathered together many such sayings in Because I Said So: the Truth Behind the Myths, Tales & Warnings Every Generation Passes Down to Its Kids and explains which are true and which are false.

I sort of stumbled onto this book while looking for something else: Vincent van Gogh The Starry Night, from the Museum of Modern Art. It's something you'd find in the Museum if you were to visit ... I'm sure there are lots them available about many famous paintings! This is a short biography of the artist as well as where he may have found inspiration for this painting, and how he got the results he did.

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Wandering Reader loves pop up books. She has an amazing collection (which is always expanding). When I asked about favorites from her childhood, it seems this interest was sparked by a special Hallmark book: A Visit to a Haunted House, by Dean Walley. (Wandering Reader also loves Halloween ... perhaps that started here, too?). From a google search I learned that the pictures were by Arlene Noel with the pops up engineered by Dick Dudley. This same review also said there was a good story line (seems this is not always the case) and that it was bold enough for 5 - 11 year olds, but not too scary to read to younger kids.

Another favorite was Abdul-Abul-bul Amir and Ivan Skavinsky Skavar by Deborah Ray, especially when read by her dad, who, I'm told, did wonderful accents. Fishes and Birds, both by Brian Wildsmith, were ones her mom read to her. As she moved on to chapter books she enjoyed the Encyclopedia Brown books and the Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators Series. She listed the Hardy Boys, too, but not Nancy Drew ... I may have to ask her about this!

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Alphabet books are such fun! Easy to read, wonderful illustrations, just the thing to read as you're about to nod off for an afternoon nap ... ;-)

Mazeways A to Z, by Roxie Munro is a wonderful combination of mazes and a 'find the object(s)' book. It's an alphabet book, so each letter is a maze with a theme and then there are things to find relating to the theme. Wonderful detail, lots of fun.

It seems John Skewes and Robert Schwartz (will illustrations by Skewes) have created several 'Larry Gets Lost' books. This time it's in Seattle so each letter features something that is found there. Look for Larry (he's the dog) and Pete on every page or so. The title of this fun book is Seattle ABC.

Here's a fun way to learn a bit about American History ... or rather, a specific time in our past: Yankee Doodle America: the Spirit of 1776 from A to Z, by Wendell Minor. I thought the short entries (A - Z, of course) were just enough to create interest in learning more.

Did you ever cut out snowflakes as a craft project in school, Camp Fire, and so on? I did, and my results were really pathetic. Take a look at the ones in Zoo Flakes ABC, by Will C. Howell, they are amazing! There's a detailed snowflake animal for each letter that will give you pause. Absolutely wonderful.

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Summertime! (And if you believe Gershwin, the 'livin' is easy'. ) :-)

Here it is! Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast Pillow Book, by Bill Richardson is the second of a trilogy. Sadly, the third is out of print and pretty much unavailable. Full of the charm and fun of the first book, this one also includes some interesting twists and new information on the characters that have become so familiar. A good read, in the shade, with an iced beverage. :-)

Is your vacation still far in the future? Or did you recently return but are feeling the stress again? This book, 20-Minute Vacations: Quick, Affordable, and Fun "Getaways" from the Stress of Everyday Life, by Judith Sachs offers all sorts of solutions (or at least ways to cope). From something simple, such as a nap, to creating your own beach (a shallow tub and store bought sand) for toe wiggling (I think I'd add a cd of ocean sounds), or coloring, whether it's abstract or a book, there are some wonderful ideas here! Walk in the rain, find a park with a swing, greet the dawn or go stargazing. There are ideas for the office and home, or even on the drive to and from work. There are suggestions for couples,too. Just a nice book!

I've enjoyed every Sarah Addison Allen book I've read, and thought I'd read all of them so it was a happy discovery to find Lost Lake and realize I had not read it! There's always a touch of magic in Allen's books, along with a bit of mystery. I love her characters, too, there's always something unique about them. This time, a trip to a vacation location from long ago 'stirs the pot' and changes lives.

Remember Carl, from Good Dog, Carl? (See post of December 30, 2014). Well! He's back! Carl's Summer Vacation, by Alexandra Day is another fun entry in this series. See what Carl and the little girl do when they are supposed to be napping!

Even the President needs a vacation. Or maybe that should be the President especially needs a vacation. Lawrence L. Knutson has put together a rather large (as in heavy, coffee table) book about just what activities and locations the Presidents enjoyed in Away From the White House: Presidential Escapes, Retreats, and Vacations. To begin with, being President was not a full time job ... they would go home in summer. Usually that meant to do chores, work their farms, and so forth. That didn't last, however, and soon the office became a full time job, and soon after that some sort of R&R was needed. Every President (or the family) had their favorite destinations and activities. Mary Todd Lincoln loved the Jersey Shore. Hayes was the first to visit the Pacific Coast. Many liked golf. Sailing was popular, and so was fishing! LBJ and Reagan liked to ride. Several liked to ski.

There are those crazy events that 'seemed like a good idea at the time' and those where most (sane) folks might think 'that is totally crazy!' and I think this falls under the latter catagory! Mud, Sweat, and Gears: a Rowdy Family Bike Adventure Across Canada On Seven Wheels, by Joe "Metal Cowboy" Kurmaskie, with footnotes by Beth Biagini Kurmaskie follows this family of five as they bicycle across Canada. Two of the children are under 10 and the third is still nursing. Dad and the two boys rode a tandem sort of bike and towed the baby and some of the gear in a trailer behind them. Mom's bike had panniers for the rest of the gear. They camped out at night (most of the time) and had no support vehicle with them. Don't skip the footnotes!

What do you like to do on your vacation?

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