What We're Reading

The original publication of this article misspelled Shanika's name- it has been corrected. 

Glennallen, AK -- Books are great company during the long winter nights. Richard Dennis of Chistochina recently sent a note saying he enjoyed reading Bear Attacks The Deadly Truth by James Gary Shelton. “I highly recommend this book for all Alaskans,’ he said, “It could possibly save your life!” 

This prompted the question: What else are readers reading? 

Valdez librarian Molly Walker, also a CRR contributor and copy editor, shared she is “currently reading Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. It takes place on an island near Antarctica where a family is protecting a seed vault from impending climate disaster, while also trying to keep a violent past mystery secret from both the reader and a new arrival on the island. I think it would really hit the spot for a lot of Alaskans due to the remoteness of the location and the survivalism aspect.”

Kenny Lake resident Shanika Tierney (and CRR publisher John Tierney’s wife) shared Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot is “The other half of history that we weren’t told. It’s an excellent read.”

CRR follower Kelsie Carlson and Valdez resident Sherron Twardowski are both curling up with mysteries. Carlson is reading Death at the Paper Palace by Kristin Brellen and Ben Alexander. “It’s a cozy mystery where a homeschool mom is the main character. As a homeschool mom I was excited to read it.” 

Twardowski is reading The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman. She shared she enjoys the cadre of characters investigating the mystery: “old people with super active minds.”  

Valdez resident John Engles is reading Taking Religion Seriously by Charles Murray. He shared it is an “excellent read” with “interesting parallels to my own journey.” He continued, “This book explores a reconnection between science and religion. Particularly quantum physics.”

Valdez resident Leah Cason said she picked up Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi somewhat “randomly.” She describes it as “Fast paced and a fun, easy read if you’re simply looking for a break from more serious topics. I can definitely see it being made into a film. Reminds me of Jurassic Park, though not as detail-oriented as a Michael Crichton novel.”

Kennicott resident Elizabeth Schäfer is reading The Man Behind the Paintings: Ted Lambert. She shares it is a “first person account of arriving in Alaska (Cordova to Kennecott to Chitutu.” and praises its “fun, vibrant writing.”

The book Cold Snap by Marc Cameron got a lukewarm review from Valdez resident John Twardowski. He felt a little fatigued by repetitive stereotypical Alaska tropes. 

I’m warming up with Tropical Nature: Life and Death in the Rain Forests of Central and South America. It’s helping me learn about rainforest natural history in an engaging and action packed way. 

Maybe you’ll find a title here to inspire your winter reading! 

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