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A story that ties Shakespearean actors and their play to the aftermath of pandemic flu that has decimated the world population. Fifteen years later one of the child actors takes up the novel’s narration. She is now traveling by horse and cart in a vagabond traveling Shakespeare and music show. As she travels others affected by the original production take their places in the now real life stage.

Flight of Passage is Rinker Buck's first book, published in 1998.  It is his account of flying across the United States in a rebuilt piper club with his older teenage brother.  He reflects on the adventure, beautifully describes the era (1966) and analyzes his difficult relationship with his father and family. A great coming of age story.  I read it after reading his current bestseller, The Oregon Trail: An American Journey.  Both are top notch. 

What is it about Scandinavia that produces such dark, gripping mystery writers? Jo Nesbø’s The Bat is reminiscent of the dark style of the Swedish mystery, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and is as well written. In the Bat, author Jo Nesbø introduces us to Inspector Harry Hole, showing all his flaws and all his talents for mystery solving. Fans of Harry Hole (the first book translated and published in America was The Redbreast) will be pleased that the first two books in the series are now available. Future fans will be able to enjoy the books in order. Either group will not be disappointed.

81 Days Below Zero is an account of the World War II pilot Leon Crane’s survival in the Alaska wilderness after the B24 he was riding in crashed. Crane bailed out and spent 81 days in the Alaska winter. Given the supplies that Crane carried (a book of watches and a pocket knife); it was hard for me to believe that he could survive, let alone hike out. This account of his survival is gripping. Highly recommended.

This is a great recipe book for anyone interested in eating salads at work or when traveling. The process of assembling the salads for the week not only is convenient for the working person; but also for families who want to have dinner ready. By making the meals all at once, you can also cook and assemble several meals when the house is cooler. All of the salads travel well. Some of the salads, like the Cobb salad contain protein as well as vegetables or fruits. In the last chapter, the author gives recipes for healthy salad dressings. I especially appreciate the use of the glass mason jar thereby avoiding the use of a plastic BPA container. Highly recommended.

Although the title indicates that this book will be primarily about the newer theory of Earthquakes coming in groups after a larger quake: most of the book deals with the history of seismology in relation to the San Andreas fault located across California. The author does a fine job of researching the history of the fault and various individuals who contributed to the knowledge about the fault and the surrounding area. He does an especially nice job describing Charles Richter, his life, and how he developed the Richter magnitude scale. However, the book seems to lose focus and the end seems rushed. Either better editing was needed or a longer book. I found Seattle Times Science reporter, Sandi Doughton’s book, Full Rip 9.0: the Next Big Earthquake in the Pacific Northwest better written and edited. Even better than Ms. Doughton’s book, is Cascadia’s Fault: the Coming Earthquake and Tsunami that Could Devastate North America by CBC reporter, Jerry Thompson.

The Cost of Courage by Charles Kaiser What is the cost of courage and would the cost be worth it? Charles Kaiser’s account of a family who hosted his uncle after the war touches on this dilemma. During World War II, some members of the Boulloche family choose to support the French Resistance effort; other family members do not. Is the “right” action in a difficult situation that you have chosen worth risking your family and friends who did not chose this action? And, almost as important; If you survive how do you live with the consequences of your actions after the war?

The American Trail: A New American Journey by Rinker Buck There are several reasons why The American Trail is on the New York Times best seller’s list and a top Powell’s Book Store best seller. This book is one part travelogue, one part adventure, and one part history. The author runs seamlessly from past accounts of the pioneers and events of their times to what happens on his trip. People who enjoy Bill Bryson and Paul Theroux would enjoy this book; as well as those interested in the Oregon Trail.