High, Wide and Lonesome by Hal Borland - in 1910, Hal's parents decided to try their hand at homesteading in a part of Colorado that had been passed over in the rush to get west. This is his memoir of the three years spent proving their claim. Hal worked right alongside his father building the house and farm buildings, plowing sod, planting, and caring for the animals even though he was only about 10 at the time. There are many deprivations and near-death moments.
4 stars
*RHC - a book about nature. I didn't read it for this reason but decided it fit the requirement close enough
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The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin - a doctor and journalist are stranded in the mountain wilderness when their small plane crashes. Fortunately, the doctor just happens to be an experienced mountain climber and has much of his equipment with him. Plus he's a doctor. Besides trudging endlessly back and forth through the snow, he also spends lots of time talking to his wife on his recorder. The journalist doesn't do much but have witty repartee' and come on to him. Also, they're very concerned about her hairy legs. The big reveal at the end is no surprise. I liked the dog the best.
2 stars
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Hank & Jim: The Fifty-Year Friendship of Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart by Scott Eyman - a biography of both men and how they came to be fast friends even though they were opposites in many ways. Just about the right amount of detail.
3.5 stars
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Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch - Probationary constable Peter Grant finds himself in the middle of a magical mystery when he's accosted by a ghost at the scene of a murder. Suddenly he's the apprentice of the only member of the magic side of the police force. This all takes place in modern London, which the author knows very well and did a very good job making me feel like I was right there. Some sex talk and of course magic. The first in a series that I'll continue.
4 stars
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Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman - Britt-Marie leads a very ordinary life where everything must be just so until she abruptly leaves her husband at age 63. She somehow ends up with a job as a caretaker at a recreation center in a town that is dying. And here she slowly begins to change. Britt-Marie is very reminiscent of Eleanor Oliphant, one of my favorite characters. Humor and sadness woven together in a wonderful book.
4.5 stars
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