Fiction Book of the Day: Bunnicula

Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe

I read this book dozens of times when I was growing up. My school library might have well as let me buy it how often it was checked out to me. It is technically a children's book, but I bet young adults would like it, too as the story is very interesting.

"Before it's too late, Harold the dog and Chester the cat must find out the truth about the newest pet in the Monroe household -- a suspicious-looking bunny with unusual habits...and fangs!"   Description by Goodreads

 

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Fiction Book of the Day: Congo

Fiction Book of the Day: Congo by Michael Crichton

" Deep in the African rain forest, near the legendary ruins of the Lost City of Zinj, an expedition of eight American geologists is mysteriously and brutally killed in a matter of minutes.

Ten thousand miles away, Karen Ross, the Congo Project Supervisor, watches a gruesome video transmission of the aftermath: a camp destroyed, tents crushed and torn, equipment scattered in the mud alongside dead bodies -- all motionless except for one moving image -- a grainy, dark, man-shaped blur.

In San Francisco, primatologist Peter Elliot works with Amy, a gorilla with an extraordinary vocabulary of 620 "signs," the most ever learned by a primate, and she likes to fingerpaint. But recently, her behavior has been erratic and her drawings match, with stunning accuracy, the brittle pages of a Portuguese print dating back to 1642 . . . a drawing of an ancient lost city. A new expedition -- along with Amy -- is sent into the Congo where they enter a secret world, and the only way out may be through a horrifying death . ."   Description by Goodreads.

This is one of my favorite works by Crichton, although I love every book I've read by him. Congo and The Jurassic Park series, including Lost World, are my favorites. Most people consider them horror, I personally label them adventure, horror mix. A good read for someone who's not into Indiana Jones Adventure but still likes some, and also who's not into horror as extreme as Stephen King. This is a good medium and very well written. I don't like to give spoilers so all I'll give on the plot is the description with the addition of the ending is very shocking. That is all.

                                


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Hiking Backpacking Books 3 titles

Advanced Backpacking by Karen Berger  (A Trailside Series Guide)

I've read a handful of books about backpacking. This is one of the better ones. Advanced Backpacking has colorful photos throughout the book, and explains in detail about every topic you could think of about backpacking. The edition I have has a waterproof cover, but I'm not sure all editions are waterproof, so check if you get one.

"This book is for hikers who find themselves looking to see what's over the next ridge. It's for people who have wondered what it would be like to hike the Grand Canyon, backpack across cirques of alpine scree, live outdoors when the temperature plummets below zero, hike across foreign countries, or embark on the trip of a lifetime-a thru-hike of a 2,000 mile trail. Three sections make the information accessible and manageable. Part 1 covers the basics of expedition planning, including scheduling, route selection, and food and gear resupply. Part 2 examines the special gear and skills you need for a variety of situations, including rain, winter, high mountains, deserts, and foreign travel. Part 3 offers a wish-list of destinations with descriptions of hikes in every conceivable type of terrain and ecosystem, from saguaros to sequoias, from cactus to Krummholtz." Description comes from Goodreads.

                                           

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Anyone who has read Bill Bryson knows he has a way of bringing his happenings to life. He has his funny moments, but then his serious ones, too. What I liked most about this book was that it brought the attention to the reader of both the good and the bad about hiking the Appalachian Trail. 

" The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America–majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaining guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way–and a couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in)" Description comes from Goodreads.

                                           

The Backpacker's Bible Your Essential Guide to Round-The-World Travel by Suzanne King, Elaine Robertson

Another very good book on backpacking. This edition is not waterproof and I don't know of any that are, however this seems to go into more detail than Advanced Backpacking. So, it is a good addition to the reader's entourage at home. For the most part it uses terms the lay man can understand, only a couple times did I wonder what a word was. 

"Every year, thousands of people hit the backpacker trails for the adventure of a lifetime. Planning a trip is exciting—but it can be daunting, especially the first time. The Backpacker’s Bible will help you make your travels as hassle-free as possible. It’s packed with advice on everything you need to sort out before you set off, from planning your itinerary to packing your bags, organizing money to keeping in touch with home. There’s also useful information on working abroad, tips on how to be a good traveler, and valuable advice on staying safe and healthy. All this, plus an A-Z guide of contacts and climates for each country, hints on how to cope with coming home, and much, much more."

                                  

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Fantasy: 3 titles

The Golden Compass by Phillip Pulman

       This is the first book in his series called His Dark Materials. The books take place in a parallel universe, where your soul walks beside you as a daemon. The main character Lyra is a young girl who wants to save her friends, and understand the olythieometer (I think I spelled that wrong).  All the books in the series are amazing but this starts it all out. 

A good book for young adults, or even adults.

  

 

Talon of the Silver Hawk by Raymond E. Feist

       This is the first book in the series Conclave of Shadows. I have not read the other books but I flat love this one. 

"Evil has come to a distant land high among the snow-capped mountains of Midkemia, as an exterminating army wearing the colors of the Duke of Olasko razes village after village, slaughtering men, women, and children without mercy. And when the carnage is done, only one survivor remains: a young boy named Kieli. A youth no longer, there is now but one road for him to travel: the path of vengeance. And he will not be alone. Under the tutelage of the rescuers who discovered him, Kieli will be molded into a sure and pitiless weapon. And he will accept the destiny that has been chosen for him ... as Talon of the Silver Hawk.

But the prey he so earnestly stalks is hunting him as well. And Talon must swear allegiance to a shadowy cause that already binds his mysterious benefactors -- or his mission, his honor,and his life will be lost forever."    The description is from Amazon.

 

The last book is Fire Bringer by David Clement-Davies. I've read his other series called The Sight and loved it, before I read this. I figured I wouldn't like it cause it is about elk, and I am more of a wolf person but I still gave it a shot.    To say I like this book is an understatement. I know I've read it four times since the first. 

"Young buck Rannoch was born on the night his father was murdered and into a herd of deer where hunger for power has gradually whittled away at all that is true and good. He knows he must escape to survive. Chased by stags, with their fearsome antlers sharpened for the kill, he begins a treacherous journey into the unknown, and ahead of him lies a shocking and formidable search for truth and goodwill in the shadow of the Great Mountain. One day he will have to return to his home and face his destiny among the deer to fulfill the prophecy that has persistently given them hope: that one day a fawn will be born with the mark of an oak leaf on his forehead and that fawn's courage will lead all the deer to freedom. Filled with passion and a darkness that gradually, through Rannoch's courage in the face of adversity, lifts to reveal an overwhelming feeling of light, Fire Bringer is a tremendous, spirited story that takes the reader deep into the hearts and minds of its characters as they fight for their right to live in peace."  The description comes from Goodreads.
If you like the Warriors series, Guardians of Gahoole, even the Incredible Journey this should be a book you like.

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