Feast: Recipes and Stories from a Canadian Road Trip by Lindsay Anderson and Dana VanVeller. This is a charming book filled to the brim with wonderful stories of Canada; its diverse cultures, delicious food and interesting characters. I did try a few of the recipes and loved Beaton’s Mac &Cheese inspired by the wonderful cheeses from Janice Beaton Fine Cheese in Calgary. I accepted the challenge of making the Yukon Sourdough Cinnamon Buns and very much enjoyed the Moroccan Chick Pea Soup from the Two Whales Coffee Shop in Newfoundland. This is two books for the price of one: travel guide and cookbook. If you are looking for more Canada in your life, this is the book for you.

One of my favourite things to listen to while training for a race are books about running and overcoming challenges. There is something about hearing the stories of someone who has taken on a challenge that makes the miles go a little easier and bonus points if it makes you laugh out loud. The Pants of Perspective by Anna McNuff ticks all the boxes. Anna tackled the epic adventure of running the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand; a 3000 km trek across mountains, rivers and around the spectacular beauty that make up that country in 148 days. The book is read by the author and throughout she is entertaining, making me laugh out loud a number of times as she meets the locals, faces her personal demons and gets up close and personal with the challenging trail. I highly recommend this wonderful book, it is available through Hoopla.

In Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road we meet author Kate Harris, a modern day explorer. In this engrossing memoir, she tucks us into the panniers of her bike and takes us along with her and long time friend Mel Yule on this epic journey along the modern day Silk Road. As a scientist, she brings to this tale insights into the environmental, social and economic challenges of the lands through which she travels. Unlike earlier explorers who impose themselves on the cultures they encountered, Kate is an observer and highlights connections between people, culture, science and literature; she has a keen insight into the human heart. Kate Harris seeks the wild places of the world and will make you fall in love with these ancient lands.

In Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road we meet author Kate Harris, a modern day explorer. In this engrossing memoir, she tucks us into the panniers of her bike and takes us along with her and long time friend Mel Yule on this epic journey along the modern day Silk Road. As a scientist, she brings to this tale insights into the environmental, social and economic challenges of the lands through which she travels. Unlike earlier explorers who impose themselves on the cultures they encountered, Kate is an observer and highlights connections between people, culture, science and literature; she has a keen insight into the human heart. Kate Harris seeks the wild places of the world and will make you fall in love with these ancient lands.

Having grown up on Vancouver Island, I love reading books set in that beautiful place and written by people who live there. When I came across this book in advance of a family hiking trip I was delighted. Wild Fierce Life is a memoir written in a series of short episodes. Each gives us a glimpse into a different time in the author’s life and at the same time shows us the profound effect the landscape and life on and around the water have on her every experience. The author, Joanna Streetly, has lived in the wild environments of the west coast of Vancouver Island her whole adult life making a living working as a sea kayak and whale-watching guide while exploring the west coast. Whether you want to be inspired to experience this landscape or just read about it from the comfort of your home, this book will help you escape to the wilds of Vancouver Island.