Review: Track of the Cat (Anna Pigeon #1)

Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes? I love the desert, I've lived here for years, but Anna sure runs across a lot of snakes in this book. Thankfully, my life doesn't echo hers.

Anna Pigeon is a widowed park ranger. She's kinda awesome. She's independent, and sassy, and reminds of Kinsey Millhone, another favorite character. I like women who kick ass and have sharp edges and a small marshmallow center. Anyway, in this first book Anna is working at Guadalupe National Park. A mystery unfolds, a mysterious death by mountain lion (or was it), and Anna's the only one suspicious enough to stubbornly pursue justice. She puts herself in danger and, in the end, gets her man. As you would expect.

I love this series because I have been fortunate enough to live and work in the National Park System and look forward to hearing her insights about the politics of the NPS (yucky, but sadly true) as well as her character living in amazing places. Can't wait to get to book 3, where I used to live and work. On to the next!

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Review: A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America Along the Appalachian Trail

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America Along the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Follow Bryson and his friend down the A.T. Watch them hike, out of shape and unprepared. Listen to them bicker and moan about hunger. And learn a little bit about the history of the trail and environmental issues as you traverse the US.

Mostly interesting, I found some parts to be boring, a few exceedingly so, but still a good read. If Bryson's goal was to get my old butt to want to get back on the trail and connect with nature, then mission accomplished. Three stars.

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