It’s that time of year when the gear gets packed, the hiking boots come out, and the tents sit in sun speckled shade. We flock to forests and campgrounds embracing the wild that was closed off to us in winter – almost a desperation to say hello to an old friend. At least that’s how it’s always felt to me especially growing up in the Pacific Northwest.
In Tacoma, we have the added bonus of being so close to mountains, the ocean, rivers, and forests. It’s also a time when you might start craving a read that has nothing to do with school work…June is right around the corner. Here were some of my favorite reads to get lost in!
Small Game by Blair Braverman: Five strangers sign up for six weeks in the wilderness to win money that could change all their lives. Seems simple for Mara, who already has experience with teaching folks how to survive at Primal Instinct in Mukilteo, Washington, but when the game turns for the worst and life is literally on the line these strangers will need to work together to truly survive. Friendships are formed, challenged, and lost in this page turner of a novel, a debut written by adventurer and long-distance dogsledder, Blair Braverman. [Availability: Tacoma Public Library, Pierce County Library, King County Library, and Seattle Public Library]
The River at Night by Erica Ferencik: Every year four friends, Wini, Pia, Sandra, and Rachel plan a trip, to spend time together and get away from everyday life. This year it’s a five day white water rafting trip in the Maine wilderness. Wini is not too keen on the idea and everything is telling her not to go, but these are her best friends. Together they set off on this once in a lifetime adventure; all does not go as planned and it will take everything they have to try to survive. A fun read, quick and exciting. It had moments of predictability, but the language and writing was fantastic. The author really captured place and setting well. [Availability: Tacoma Public Library, Pierce County Library, King County Library, and Seattle Public Library]
The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore by Kim Fu: Five girls, Nita, Isabel, Andee, Siobhan, and Dina are selected by their camp leader, Jan, to go on a kayaking trip. These girls already had established friendships and revelries before they will have to fend for themselves after their camp leader meets a tragic fate. This book goes back and forth from girl to girl as well as back flashes of camp life before, during, and after the incident. It was thrilling, almost edge of your seat read at times, but also the story of these girls as adults; it was interesting to see how one moment can have an impact on the rest of your life. [Availability: UW Libraries ebook and print, Tacoma Public Library, Pierce County Library, King County Library, and Seattle Public Library]
Breaking Wild by Diane Les Becquets: I don’t even know where to begin because this book was absolutely amazing! First nature; yes! Two women in non-traditional roles; yesyes!! Amy Raye; hunter, mother, wife, with a secret that could implode her life gets lost in the Colorado wilderness. Forest ranger Pru and her dog Kona are on the case. The growth these characters achieve is really what makes this novel. This book had so much depth and knowledge, it was so much more than I thought it was going to be, never bored, always a page turner! [Availability: Summit Libraries, Tacoma Public Library, Pierce County Library, King County Library, and Seattle Public Library]