Travel, Adventure & Sports
28: A Photographic Tribute to
Buster Posey
By Brad Mangin
I had a huge smile on my face (and sometimes tears in my eyes) turning the pages of this fantastic book that celebrates the future Hall of Famer, catcher Buster Posey. Full-page photos span his entire career with the San Francisco Giants, from his rookie season to his retirement at the end of last season, and celebrate moments, big and small, at the ballpark. Essays by Hunter Pence, Sergio Romo, and Matt Cain, among others, give insight into what it’s like being Buster’s friend and teammate and confirm that Posey is as humble as he is competitive. 28 is sure to thrill any Giants fan. —S.B.
Africa Is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent
By Dipo Faloyin
I don’t normally read nonfiction, but I devoured this insightful book on the diverse countries that make up the continent of Africa, along the way looking at why most Americans don’t know that Africa is not a country, let alone tell the countries apart from one other, how we got to this moment, and what the future might hold. Faloyin is warm, wry, and masterfully engaging. If you or someone you know might possibly be interested in the history and context of this amazing continent, pick this up! —Jax
Four Wheels and a Board: The Smithsonian History of Skateboarding
By Betsy Gordon
It’s hard to think of a more Santa Cruz tome. Created with the first-ever Smithsonian exhibit on the history of skateboarding, Four Wheels and a Board uses photographs, artifacts, timelines, and essays to chronicle everything from the roots of skateboarding in indigenous Polynesian surf culture to the first appearances of skating in garages and on sidewalks, to female and queer skaters and skaters of color, to skating’s inclusion in today’s Olympics. Featuring pioneers who shaped the culture, this is a one-of-a-kind gift for anyone who has ever loved a skate deck.
—Jocelyn
Why We Travel: 100 Reasons to
See the World
By Patricia Schultz
Let Patricia Schultz rekindle your wanderlust and remind you that this big, beautiful world is just waiting for exploration. Filled with amazing photographs, inspiring anecdotes, and travel tips, Why We Travel may provide just the push you need to get out of your pandemic funk, whether you jump on a plane or just let your imagination run wild. Easily digestible in one sitting, this quick read is a great way to expand your horizons.
—Glenn
The Keeper
By Kelcey Ervick
The Keeper is one of a kind, a graphic memoir reminiscent of Nora Krug, Lauren Redniss, and Maira Kalman, a coming-of-age story, a soccer anthem, a look at Title IX’s place in history, and an expansive piece of literature. That a work can be so particular to a young woman’s experience as a goalkeeper in the 1980s and simultaneously speak so beautifully of the arts, the sport, and the human condition—Ervick wields magic beyond the goalposts. Poetic, honest, heartfelt—I love everything about this book. —Melinda
Path Lit by Lightning
By David Maraniss
Pulitzer Prize winner Maraniss has written a captivating biography about Jim Thorpe, regarded by many as America’s greatest all-around athlete. A member of the Sac and Fox Nation, Thorpe contended with racism, white saviorism, forced assimilation, and mythologizing while his athletic accomplishments (including football, decathlon, baseball, and even ice skating) brought him fame. Maraniss is a great storyteller who presents Thorpe’s life in the context of history and cultural heritage, while capturing his many struggles and triumphs. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. —S.B.
A Window to Heaven
By Patrick Dean
A Window to Heaven is a well-written and detailed account of the first group of climbers to successfully summit the southern peak of Denali (known for a time as Mount McKinley) in Alaska. Led by a British Episcopalian named Hudson Stuck, the expedition included four other men of varying backgrounds. Dean uses a number of sources, including the journal entries of the climbers, to tell the story. Packed with historical facts, this is an informative read for anyone interested in mountaineering.
—Jade
Men in Blazers Presents: Gods of Soccer
By Roger Bennett, Michael Davies & Miranda Davies
It matters not whether you’re already a fan of Men in Blazers (you should be!), this is a perfect introduction to world soccer as we know it and an excellent addition to any aficionado’s collection. With their trademark personality and fun, the merry crew highlights their 100 greatest players and in so doing provide a comprehensive history of the women’s and men’s sport. While they may not have included some of my favorites (Tobinho!), I cannot argue with their passion and their own contribution to this beautiful game.
—Melinda