Summer Reads……Sort of

 1. The Beast in the Garden by David Baron.
This non-fiction book takes us to Boulder, Colorado.  If you love Colorado, this is a good book for you.  The story revolves around the unlikely but very real cougar encounters and attacks in the late 1980s.  David Baron worked for National Public Radio and is an award winning journalist.  I finished this book in 3 days.  
2. How Animals Grieve, by Barbara J. King.  I'm halfway through it but I can recommend it to animal lovers.  Scientific without being dull, she groups chapters by animal.  There is a vast difference between the reactions of some animals when they deal with the death of another in their species.   Rabbits grieve?  You'll think so after you read that chapter.  Monkeys carry their dead babies around for a week, or one for 46 days until it mummified.  
Not all animals seem to grieve…..
this is a fascinating look at an emotion we know too little about in the human race let alone the animal kingdom. 

3. Storm King by Lee Sandlin.  I'm halfway through and have to admit I skimmed the in-depth isobars chapter to get to the Peshtigo   account that is riveting.   There was a more devastating fire than the Chicago fire that took place in Wisconsin within 24 hours of Mrs .  O leary 's cows debacle.   Tornadoes of fire actually exist. 

One thing I was fascinated to read about was this:  the author tells a story of a man, who knowing the fires were going to break out, dug into the earth and buried valuable things and then covered them with ash and dirt.   

On my Hungarian side, there are two ornate clocks and a small dresser that were buried during the Chicago fire.  I have the dresser in my home.  I have never been able to validate that people really buried things during the Chicago Fire.   I was overjoyed to read this in the book.  Thanks Zach for a great read.

4. Finally, Gulp by Mary Roach is on my iPad   My first I book.
I had to put it down during the stomach flu.  Did it give me the stomach flu? nah.  It is another very interesting look at the history of the way we became  knowledgeable about the digestive tract. 
It is a good interesting read.  

So that's all I have for you.  All non -fiction.   If you read them, or have done so, I'd love to know what you thought. What are you reading? 

Comments

KSD said…
I have all of Mary Roach's books. They are absolutely fascinating.
elns said…
You are a non fiction junkie! Very cool facts for sharing with us, thank you. Quite honestly I read maybe one non fiction book a year and this year, I have Wired for War on my list. Burying things knowing the fire is coming is very cool. I want to know which animals definitely don't grieve? I bet it's something cute and cuddly, just to throw us all off. It's like finding out how mean koalas and otters can be.
kathy b said…
Okay ELLEN SPOILER ALERT
since you asked, the monkeys who carry their babies around are thought not to really be grieving. THe think they are too dumb to know the baby is dead for awhile..>Seriously.
Domesticated rabbits are lonely if solitary and grief dramatically when part of a pair dies.
ALso Elephants as most know, are truly social creatures and their grief behaviors are remarkable.
Anonymous said…
I haven't read any of those books. I have a huge bookcase full of things to be read, but only recently settled enough to read in the evenings or in the car while waiting.

The yarn bowl in the picture is adorable.
Nancy said…
I recently read a delightful ebook entitled Illegal Gardener. Currently, I am reading, Suncatchers. It's an "OK" book.
Alyssa said…
I love Mary Roach! Her books are great. Right now, I'm reading "The 100," recommended by my little cousin. I'm ready for a big kid book... teen novels are ok but sometimes I just want to shake the characters silly. I don't understand why writers put characters in elaborate settings and plots that could be interesting and then have them do the same "I love BOTH of those guys!" drama.
Caffeine Girl said…
That's some serious nonfiction! I'll have to recommend the animal books to my son (who is headed to vet school). I tend more toward history. The fire book sounds fascinating.
Katherine said…
I'm currently reading Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman, daughter of Tony Hillerman. I love their Navajo Nation mysteries! I try to switch between fiction and non-fiction. The book on animal grief sounds really interesting. I'll look it up.
Araignee said…
I'm reading an amazing book about food by Tamar somebody or other. My son sent it to me and I swear it's caused me to gain 10 pounds.
Leslie said…
I can't seem to get my e-mail to you any other way--still interested in seeing that video of Miss Pie. My e-mail is lesliestbutler at gmail dot com

Lynn said…
Wow I never knew ppl buried items during the fire to save them. What a fabulous idea!!!
SissySees said…
I thought I knew all about the Chicago fire. Curious... I might need to read that one. I love non-fiction.

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