Armchair Travel June 2020 Recent Releases The Seine: the river that made Paris by Elaine Sciolino What it is: A vibrant tour of the Seine that traces its rich history and the stories of contributors from all walks of life. Who wrote it: Sciolino is a former New York Times Paris bureau chief and author of the best-selling The Only Street in Paris.  Sovietstan: travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan by Erika Fatland What it's about: Draws on the author’s undercover visits in a report on the five Central Asian regions that established independent statehoods in 1991 that discusses how ancient history, cultural traditions and Soviet influences have shaped their government experiments in democracy and dictatorship. Amazon Woman: Facing Fears, Chasing Dreams, and a Quest to Kayak the World's Largest River from Source to Sea by Darcy Gaechter What it is: The only woman who successfully kayaked the entire length of the Amazon River describes her 148-day journey tackling raging whitewater and a dynamite-filled canyon as well encountering illegal loggers, narco-traffickers, murderous Shining Path rebels and ruthless poachers of endangered species.   The world beneath their feet: mountaineering, madness, and the deadly race to summit the Himalayas by Scott Ellsworth What it's about: the international saga of the 1930s that had statesmen, millionaires, eccentrics, scientists and athletes from different countries all vying for the title of first, best, strongest or greatest mountain climbers in the world in the Himalayas. Why you should read it: Set in London, New York, Germany, and in India, China, and Tibet, The World Beneath Their Feet is a story not only of climbing and mountain climbers, but also of passion and ambition, courage and folly, tradition and innovation, tragedy and triumph. Road Trips with Relatives Driving Miss Norma: An Inspirational Story About What Really Matters at the End of Life by Tim Bauerschmidt and Ramie Liddle Starring: charming nonagenarian Norma; her retired son, Tim; his personable wife, Ramie; and their standard poodle, Ringo. What happened: After receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis the same week her husband died, Norma decided to forgo a nursing home and invasive chemotherapy to embark on a lively tour of the country with Tim, Ramie, and Ringo in their Airstream RV. Adventures include: hot air balloon rides, NBA courtside seats, a fêted appearance at the Boston St. Patrick's Day parade, and more. Love that Boy: What Two Presidents, Eight Road Trips, and My Son Taught Me about... by Ron Fournier What it is: a candid, thoughtful memoir recounting a former White House correspondent's father-son road trips with his history-obsessed 13-year-old, who'd recently been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Locations include: the White House; Teddy Roosevelt's former home of Sagamore Hill; Monticello; several presidential libraries. What sets it apart: research and interviews about parental expectations in general; Fournier's own hard-won parenting insights; long visits with former presidents (Bill Clinton, George W. Bush) and a White House party with Barack and Michelle Obama. Once More to the Rodeo: A Memoir by Calvin Hennick What it's about: White journalist Calvin Hennick and his five-year-old biracial son Nile left the rest of their small family and their suburban Boston home to spend ten days on the road. They drove to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Niagara Falls, Chicago, and more as they made their way to Hennick's Iowa hometown and its annual rodeo. What's inside: This honest, heartfelt, and funny memoir offers thoughtful looks at Hennick's fatherless childhood, his alcohol addiction, fatherhood, masculinity, identity, and racism. Award Buzz: This acclaimed debut won Pushcart's 2019 Editor's Book Award.  Contact your librarian for more great books!