All About Books discussion

The beginning of March is when the Iditarod Race is held in Alaska. For those of you unfamiliar with it, this is one of the longest and most gruelling races anywhere in the world - man and dog-sled teams compete over a 1000 mile course.

The 'Iditarod Race' Theme challenge is to read an adventure book (either fact or fiction) or a book that involves the Artic or dogs in some way. Bonus if it has all three elements!

Nonfiction, but I'd recommend books by Barry Lopez. Arctic Dreams: Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape definitely fits with this theme.

I read The Call of the Wild by Jack London,this month. A great little book. It was one of my Dad's favorites.

Diana S wrote: "I read The Call of the Wild by Jack London,this month. A great little book. It was one of my Dad's favorites."

Definitely worth a bonus, Diane! Adventure, Arctic, and dogs all present :)

I also finished it this month. I had been afraid to read it as animal books tend to be sad, but I got into the story and didn't mind the sad parts. I used to live on a farm where many of the animals became friends with their own quirks and personalities.

Bonita wrote: "I also finished it this month. I had been afraid to read it as animal books tend to be sad, but I got into the story and didn't mind the sad parts. I used to live on a farm where many of the anim..."

You know, I never noticed that before but you are right - animal books do tend to be sad! Personally I am thinking of reading an adventure book for this category -- maybe The Prisoner of Zenda :)

Leslie wrote: "You know, I never noticed that before but you are right - animal books do tend to be sad! Personally I am thinking of reading an adventure book for this category -- maybe The Prisoner of Zenda :)"

Read it - or better listened it! - last year and liked it qu

Leslie - Thanks for the suggestion. I just downloaded it onto my Kindle :)

1. Robinson Crusoe – Daniel Defoe
2. Foe – J.M. Coetzee

No dogs, nothing Arctic, but there is Adventure! ;)

3. Die Entdeckung der Langsamkeit – Sten Nadolny (the artic, adventure and one dog...where's my bonus?!)

Interesting, for some reason I was thinking Iditarod meant science fiction.

Jenny wrote: "3. Die Entdeckung der Langsamkeit – Sten Nadolny (the artic, adventure and one dog...where's my bonus?!)"

Here you go m'lady! ♛

*bows majestically* ;)

You're delicious! Both of you!!!!

1. Young Miles by Lois McMaster Bujold - no dogs or Artic but plenty of adventure!

More adventure stories:

2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (audiobook) {reread}
3. Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole by Jerri Nielsen
4. Kim by Rudyard Kipling (audiobook)

5. Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne

The Messiah Secret was an around the world adventure to solve an ancient mystery and The Art of Racing in the Rain was narrated by a dog.

1) Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (Alaska)

Bonita wrote: "I also finished it this month. I had been afraid to read it as animal books tend to be sad, but I got into the story and didn't mind the sad parts. I used to live on a farm where many of the anim..."

I know what you mean about sad books. I remember at about 8 years old reading Lassie Come Home which was the first book that made me cry. For a total change, a laugh-out-loud book narrated by a dog is the mystery Dog on It and sequels, especially on audio where Jim Frangione is exceptional in narrating. I never was a dog person but this series changed my mind.

6. Torn from Troy by Patrick Bowman (adventure)
7. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (adventure)
8. The Peculiar (adventure)

and the short story "At the Gate" by Myla Jo Closser in Famous Modern Ghost Stories was told from the perspective of a dog...

My fav kids book is kiana's iditarod by shelley gill\shannon cartwright. Adult reading, its jeff kings' "cold hands,warm heart". Martin buser just came out with " dog man" also.

Good evening!

Old thread but Anchorage, AK native Dana Stabenow has written a series of mysteries set in Alaska. Her first mystery featuring detective Kate Shugak, A Cold Day For Murder, is set during the Iditarod sled dog race.

Jim

Jim wrote: "Good evening!

Old thread but Anchorage, AK native Dana Stabenow has written a series of mysteries set in Alaska. Her first mystery featuring detective Kate Shugak, A Cold Day For Murder.

Looks interesting, Jim. You might enjoy Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod as well.

Other adventure books I really loved are Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster and Kon-Tiki.

Also Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail but this one has a very strong emotional aspect as well as adventure aspect.