delta – a day in the (reading) life

Caroline Van Hemert, a biologist, and her husband Pat Farrell (artist, outdoorsman, builder) dream a simple dream, yet one so daunting in scope that few could dream it – a trek of 4,000 miles from Bellingham, Washington to a far, far speck in the Alaskan Arctic, Kotsube. Ever been there? Me, either. Without snowmobiles, ATVs, sponsors. No planes, no trains, no hitched rides. After four months intense planning, they leave Bellingham in two rowboats built by Pat, traveling up the Inside Passage then across mountains, glaciers, rivers, delta, and tundra on foot, on skis, by canoes and pack rafts.

This challenge was undertaken, I felt, in the spirit of a quest, though perhaps not consciously so; and it is recounted here in all its harshness, dreamy beauty and overriding love of the wilderness. In a stunning episode, we’re practically part of a migrating caribou herd, and the astounding migratory flights of birds weave in and out of the narrative as a counterpoint to the journey. The lovely title is, in fact, a reference to migratory bird navigation. So, readers, travel and grow with this intrepid young couple. Well-worth anyone’s time.

Take the trip now at Amazon.com or shop your local indie bookstore.

Full Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided to me by Little, Brown and Company / Little, Brown Spark via NetGalley. I would like to thank the publisher and the author for providing me this opportunity. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

Been hanging out in the Delta with my friend Dave Robichaux. I don’t know how old Dave actually is now (two hundred three or so?), but he’s still kicking butt, breaking hearts and doing his own yardwork at his peaceful Cajun cottage on the bayou. No matter. For the creator of this all-time great detective series, I’ll willingly suspend any disbelief. The man is a writer. He can tell a story and write up a storm.

You do know James Lee Burke, don’t you? If you don’t or you think he’s mass market dross ‘cause he’s on every drugstore rack, get over it and get on with it. If you’re a returning devotee like me, New Iberia Blues is a good place to jump back in. If you’re a devotee-to-be, start here or anywhere, or, if you want, go back to where it all began with The Neon Rain. You will, anyway. Feel the soft bayou breezes through the window screen, fluttering the curtains just before the storm.

Full Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided to me by Simon & Schuster via NetGalley. I would like to thank the publisher and the author for providing me this opportunity. All opinions expressed herein are my own.