Book Review - Atlas Obscura Wild Life by Cara Giaimo and Joshua Foer

If you've read the other Atlas Obscura books (Atlas Obscura, Gastro Obscura, etc) you will enjoy this book as well. It is packed full of interesting animals, insects, flowers, trees and other natural features and organisms. The photographs throughout this book are amazing. You will also find tons of well-researched information, tidbits, history and more. Even for creatures I'd normally skip over (like snakes), I actually found the information presented really interesting.

The book is divided into environments - Forests and Rainforests, Grasslands and Tundras, Mountains, Deserts, Shallows and Deeps, Cities, and Islands.

Not only is each natural creature or feature revealed in depth but the book highlights people who work in those fields. For example, under the Snow Leopards in the Mountains chapter is the highlight of A Snow Leopard Conservationist.

As a traveler, I zoomed in on the useful "how to see..." section listed for each topic (almost hidden in the lengthy text but in bold font). Many of them we'd probably never get to see especially those in war-torn places or really remote sites. But it's still nice to have the info.

This is a massive book full of really interesting information. Definitely a keeper.

Title: Atlas Obscura: Wild Life: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Living Wonders
Author: Cara Giaimo and Joshua Foer
ISBN: 978-1523514410
Pages: 464

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Book Review - You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes by Chris Hadfield

If you are a fan of satellite what-is-this type photographs, you will love this book. Astronaut Chris Hadfield put together this book based on photographs he had taken from space. Chris has a good sense of humor and the book is well written. I really enjoyed the introduction he wrote.

The book is divided out by location - Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America, and South America. The end of the book has a handy photo location map.

Many of the photos are thought-provoking such as the border between Mexico and the US or different times of day in Manhattan (9:23am vs 3:45am). Some photos feature interesting landscapes or natural damage (such as the San Andres Fault). You will see punctuation marks. Photos that look like constellations in the sky. Different views of ice or snow in cold climates.

Overall this is a great book to leave on the coffee table for all to enjoy.

Title: You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes: Photographs from the International Space Station
Author: Chris Hadfield
ISBN: 978-0316379649
Pages: 208

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Book Review - DK Eyewitness - Nashville Like a Local

I enjoy getting tips from locals on where to go, what to eat, and what to avoid. This book provides that but, let's be honest, I could have gotten the same information from a quick search on the internet. What makes this book valuable are the wonderfully illustrated maps. Of course, if you're handy with Google Maps you could easily drop pins on places you want to try. If you like paper maps, you could easily print Google Map views off with a little bit of work. Otherwise, I enjoyed the authors' sense of humor throughout and learning about some new spots to try.

The book is divided into the following chapters - Eat, Drink, Shop, Arts and Culture, Nightlife, and Outdoors. There is a handy directory at the end.

Try to find this book in your local library and make a list of places you want to try to visit in Nashville.

Title: Nashville Like a Local (Local Travel Guide)
Author: DK Eyewitness authors including locals Bailey Freeman and Kristen Shoates
ISBN: 978-0241686829
Pages: 192

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