Dagny's Staff Picks

February 2013: It’s rare to find a mountaineering tale told by a woman, but Tanis did an amazing job of capturing the harsh environment of George Mallory’s famed attempt of Everest paired with the mundane life of his wife, waiting back home for him. Told with the sensuality of sensitivity of a woman while still able to perfectly capture the physical and emotional demands of a climb for the men of the expedition, this is a book that should be read by anyone with an interest in high altitude climbing.

February 2013: My heart broke when I read this real life account of a girl’s descent into drugs and desperation. The story is told through excerpts of the author’s diary. The life of this girl shows how easy it is to become lost to the world and to one’s self, the cruelty of others and the tragic consequences that can come from seemingly innocent experimentation.

This is a beautifully done book that explores relationships between different species, such as the polar bear and sled dog that famously played together. An orangutang adopts a kitten as a friend and a lion, tiger and bear break down barriers to bond. This book doesn’t just celebrate the animals, but also brings an awareness of the environment of each species, their habitat and their sometimes precarious place on earth as endangered species. This is a heartwarming read for the holidays that reminds us we are each more alike than we are different.