This month I gave a talk at our sailing club’s monthly meeting. Many of our speakers are from local businesses, and they join us to share tips, advice, stories about their experiences on and off the water.
I wanted to share my love of books about the water: stories of hardship and courage, of piracy and danger, and the beauty of the sea. I wanted to suggest something for everyone, so I gave ideas for reads in many categories: memoir, fiction for all ages, series about the Napoleonic era, and others. Of course there were picture books, too, because that’s how I roll, and because there are grandparents in the crowd.
Here are three of the favorites I shared.
Under Enemy Colors, by Sean Thomas Russell
A Napoleonic era series that starts off thrillingly well, in my opinion, with great descriptive language, wonderful setting and interesting characters. I felt as if I were on the ships in this book.
Turn of the Tide, by Rosanne Parry
I interviewed Rosanne about her book here. This novel glue middle grade readers sets us in Japan and at the mouth of the Columbia River so skillfully, and the characters felt so real. I loved the different points of view.
I was transported back to Astoria, Oregon, to familiar landmarks, with the descriptions of place. It’s a novel worth re-reading, for me.
Swap, by Steve Light, is a most delightful picture book, and I loved sharing it with this crowd.
I had a copy they could page through. That’s good, because it’s all right to describe it, but you really must experience all the things that are actually going on inside. It is worth many re-reads as well.
Interested in the whole list? I’m preparing a .PDF for the group and if you leave me a comment or email books@homeostasispress.com, I’ll be happy to share with you, too!
The Best of It 