During the summer, I can't go out too much. And to forget about the heat, I tend to read books that deal in cold places.
For the past few summers, I've reading books set in Antarctica and anything about Ernest Shackleton. But this year, I've been heading toward the Arctic region and it's all been by chance.
Simon blogged about getting a Hesperus Press book from his library, so I decided to find some. I want to borrow The Frozen Deep by Wilke Collins but I received Under the Management of Mr. Charles Dickens - His Production of The Frozen Deep, edited by Robert Louis Brannan. Both of these work deals with Captain Franklin and his doomed trip in his search for the Northwest Passage.
I am now on a search for 4 Arctic books about Captain Franklin. Kevin recommended Lady Franklin's Revenge by Ken McGoogan. Whispering Gums told me about Richard Flanagan's Wanting and Andrea Barrett's The Voyage of the Narwhal. I want to read The Man Who Ate His Boots by Anthony Brandt.
And, I've been going to other parts of the Arctic. Trevor wrote about Archipelago last year, and I wanted to get a few. When I received a bookstore gift card, I ordered A Dream of Polar Fog by Yuri Rytkheu. It's set in Siberian. A Canadian, John MacLennan, lives with the Chukcki.
I've been reading stories about other cold places. Recently I was in Leningrad during WWII, thanks to Helen Dunmore. I will be soon "travel" to Fort Amity: A Story of Canadian Life in the Time of Wolfe and Montcalm by A.T. Quiller-Couch, the last of my Wigtown, Scotland book buys.
Summers are always hot and humid in New Orleans. Real temperatures can reach up to 100F (38C) but with the humidity and lack of rain makes it feel like 110F (43C). I park my car in a covered garage at work, so it's in a shaded area. But walking to my car drains me. I turn on the air conditioning, but the interior is still hot. My lungs have been hurting lately due to particulate release during burning of oily glob in the Gulf of Mexico; I don't know when that will be over.
So reading keeps my mind off the weather and the glob and hurricanes.
Don't feel sorry for me. I enjoy my mild winters.
8 comments:
I have another one you can add to your list--The Solitude of Thomas Cave is set in the Arctic Circle in 1616. I will warn you though, it's about whaling and there are a few graphic scenes. I've been thinking about reading Gil Adamson's Outlander set in Canada and Montana--it looks cold and snowy (at least on the cover!).
Thanks for the link. I feel quite chuffed that you have listed my suggestions among your possible summer reads! I hope they live up to your expectations!
You are right at least we get mild winters for the most part being down south. I still think you need to read some Scandinavian crime thrillers :)
Danielle -Thanks for your suggestions. I've almost finished the gross parts of Moby Dick so it's probably the same thing.
Whispering Gums - I am looking forward to your recommendations. I wanted to look for them today, but work got too busy.
Iliana - I am going to look at your blog to see what you like!
Thanks
This heat has been horrible...that's a good idea to read books with cooler temps...I think I'll have to try that out.
Serena, it helps a bit. Mind over matter. But, if the AC goes, then I am in trouble!
Terror is a novel by Dan Simmons about the Franklin Expedition. I also read Frozen in Time and Resolute (both nonfiction)after reading the novel. I reviewed all of them and planned to keep reading on the subject, but got side-tracked.
JenClair - I had planned to keep reading about the South Pole, but I also got sidetracked in the spring with the North Pole.
Thanks for your suggestions!
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