I’m writing this monthly newsletter/blog while on an eastbound flight high over the Western US. July was packed with high-flying moments, beginning with sparkling Independence Day fireworks displays over my little town and all across the country. Then came the soaring record-setting temperatures of the four hottest days on record, not just the 100 degree-plus temperatures here, but all around the world (very bad news). On Sunday, July 21, politics shifted from the mundane to the aspirational. Since then, spirits and engagement sky-rocketed to the stratosphere on the thrilling news of the new, younger, multiracial, female, Democratic candidate for President from California, VP Kamala Harris.
Simultaneously, the Olympics kicked off with the most spectacular Opening Ceremony ever and the launch of the Olympic torch aloft on a golden balloon. The world’s best athletes are still competing in every sport from A to Z, with the champions receiving their gold medals as their country’s flag flies high. (Aside: To read a fun little Olympics story dating back to Dean’s and my trip to the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996, keep scrolling to the very bottom.)
Heart Full of Gratitude – The Wonderful World of Book Clubs
My author’s journey continues to surprise and delight me. I have had the honor of joining numerous Book Clubs—some in person, some via Zoom—to talk about Force of Nature, hiking, and so much more. Readers—friends and strangers alike—reach out to invite me to their Book Clubs!
The very first group I met was in Oregon, a collection of enthusiastic reading hikers (or hiking readers). Then came the fun gals from Pennsylvania, near Hershey. I drove up to Reno, Nevada, to meet and eat with a large group in the home of a dear friend. Then I Zoomed with a group in a Manhattan restaurant. Locally, I’ve met with groups all over the region.
I always bring artifacts—like those Teva sandals that carried me 100 miles—and pretty handmade bookmarks for everyone. I sign books, tell stories, and answer questions. Book Clubbers ask the best questions! Someone always asks one I’ve never been heard before!
Sending out a deep bow of gratitude to all those who choose Force of Nature for their Book Club selection and reach out to connect with me. Thanks to Rhonda, Nancy, Ann, Diane, Sharon, Sue, Marion, Gayle, another Nancy, and coming up real soon Jodi, Liz, and Patty.
To assist Book Clubs, I created a comprehensive Book Club Kit filled with information about the John Muir Trail (with links to maps and historic info), as well as a long list of sample discussion questions and more. You can click on “Access the Book Club Kit” on the Book page on my website or simply email me directly, and I’ll send you the kit and a Book Club set of bookmarks and other goodies.
I love Book Clubs. I love the idea of Book Clubs and actual real-live Book Clubs. I love my own Book Clubs. In fact, I wish I could join every Book Club I hear about! A friend of mine, a sister author, Janis Robinson Daly, has a really interesting History of Book Clubs section on her website. Women created the first one, of course. It’s such an awesome girly thing to do—isn’t it?—to get together and choose books to read, read them, then get together again to talk about them! Oh, and eat and drink while talking about them, too. If you love your Book Clubs, check out Janis’ website page (and her terrific historical fiction books, too)!
July Field Trip – The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento
In the spirit of Julia Cameron’s book Artist’s Way, I took a field trip to the Crocker to see the wonderous Denying Gravity exhibit by Woods Davy. Rounded river rocks stood piled up and balanced in cairn-like sculptures that did indeed deny gravity. They seemed to lean and pose like ballet dancers and even float in the air. There is something truly magical about the artist’s creations. (Naropa friends, these creations transported me back to campus to the giant sycamore trees and their hanging rocks.)
July’s Books
I read eight books in July. It was HOT outside, so I spent a lot of time listening (AKA reading with my ears) while working on inside projects: Two ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) of books not yet published, book 1 & 2 of a dystopian series, three historical novels, and one really special near-future magical realism novel that swept me away.
Scorched by Cam Torrens is the third in the Tyler Zahn series of high-adventure thriller/mysteries about a Search & Rescue fellow in the Rockies who just keeps solving problems in gorgeous mountain wilderness places. It’s going to be out real soon, and I highly recommend the whole series (starting with Stable). 5*
Grand Teton Triumph by Arnold Marsden is the latest in a fun “bucket-list” hiking adventure series that began with Muir Trail Magic. This is a lighthearted series that takes readers on gorgeous hikes in iconic wilderness locations. 4*
Octavia E. Butler’s dystopian series is scarily prescient in its look at the future (our present). Characters in Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents bring to life a dark chaotic world under the thumb of an authoritarian president. 4.5*
Local author Nanci Lee Woody’s Tears and Trombones was inspired by her musician husband’s life and is set right here in the Sacramento area. I love stories that take place among familiar landmarks. Woody will be my guest for my OLLI at Sierra College—Spotlight on Local Authors Interview in August. Join me. 4.5*
I picked up The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven by Nathaniel Ian Miller rather by accident and found it to be an interesting look at a long lost world, where men who don’t fit in, head off to distant harsh landscapes and learn to survive. 3.5*
Lisa See’s latest historical novel, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, is terrific! She creates the intricately choreographed pageantry and carefully hidden-away world of the women of the old Chinese Empire. A beautiful book filled with strong women. 5*
It was The Measure by Nikki Erlick that absolutely “knocked my socks off!” This amazing near-future novel is based on a remarkably clever premise and a creative bit of magical “what if” thinking. It’s a perfect Book Club book, because it generates a bushel of thoughtful questions! 5++*
The Olympics – My Lifelong Love Affair & An Olympic Handball Story
I’ve been obsessed by the Olympics, especially US Olympic swimmers, since that day in 1964 when I sat in the crowd with my swim coach Jack to cheer for Don Schollander and Donna de Varona as they swam in a pre-Olympic Trials meet at the Los Angeles Swim Stadium when I was ten. And I inherited the pin-collecting habit from my dad, whose 1932 Los Angeles Olympic souvenirs I have inherited.
The Olympic Handball Story
It was 1996 in Atlanta. Dean and I had driven cross-country to attend the Olympics with our friends the Adams. We had months earlier entered the purchasing lottery and obtained tickets to a wide variety of events—from soccer and dressage, to track and field and rowing. But we had no tickets for one of the days we were there, so I purchased tickets from a “man on the street” for handball.
Handball. I was visualizing that racketball-like sport played between two competitors on a small court. Nope! It’s a very popular team sport in Europe, but not in the US. We sat in the stands in what looked like a high school gym with basketball-like court. Instead of baskets, though, the goals were nets like soccer nets, only smaller. The ball they used looked like a volleyball, only just small enough to palm. By the time the French and Italian teams trotted out onto the court to the wild cheers of their fans, we were excited, too.
It was general seating, and we had inadvertantly sat in the heart of the French team’s fans. They were all decked out in the red, white, and blue of the French tri-color flag. Many had painted their faces and/or died their hair to match. They had flags to wave, bells to ring, and fight-songs to sing. Fans were screaming deafeningly all around us. The fellow next to Dean turned out to be a two-time French handball Olympian, in fact, he was the previous French Olympic Team Captain. He explained the game to us in his beautifully accented English and provided us with all the inside information we would never have figured out for ourselves.
The two handball matches we watched were some of the most exciting events we saw in our ten days at the Games! The matches were fast and wild! The players couldn’t run but a few steps carrying the ball, so they would leap into the air to throw the ball down the court. They seemed to hover, floating in the air, while seeking the best receiver for their pass! It was magical! The French-Italian handball rivalry is a very serious one.
We had accumulated lots of pins to trade, but the Frenchman insisted on gifting Dean with two of the official French Olympic Handball Team pins—the rooster or le coq.
I love following along with you Joan! I’m also an Olympics enthusiast. One of the most memorable experiences was to attend all 16 days of the LA Olympics. Mary Lou Retton, Carl Lewis, Greg Louganis with opening and closing ceremonies. But by far Paris was more spectacular!
Very exciting. Congratulations Joan