Maiden Voyage by Tania Aebi, Bernadette Brennan

Tania Aebi's  father gave her a choice, go to college or sail around the world. She had been doing odd jobs, hanging with not the best of people, and not having any sense of direction. She chose to sail around the world.  Her dad bought her the boat and they worked on it together to prepare for her trip. She really knew nothing about sailing so it was really birth by fire. As she sailed around the world she met amazing people, saw places she could never have imagined, and learned that she could do this. People helped her along the way and it was a struggle from time to time, but she did it. She was pushed to do something outside her comfort zone and conquered it. If you want a sailing adventure this is a great place to start.

Birdology by Sy Montgomery

Subtitle: Adventures with a Pack of Hens, a Peck of Pigeons, Canterous Crows, Fierce Flacons, Hip Hop Parrots, Baby Hummingbirds, and One Merderously Big Living Dinosaur -- Montgomery loves animals. In this book she explores, in depth, many different birds and their environments. Healing hummingbirds, training falcons, dancing parrots. She really has a feel for animals and writes wonderfully about them. If you are curious, this is a fun way to start.

Summer Hours at the Robbers Library by Sue Halpern

The library is a wonderful place to go and people spend time there for many different reasons. Kit, the librarian, was seeking peace and escape from another life. Things were quiet and running smoothly until Sunny was put in her charge for the summer. Sunny stole a dictionary and the judge sentenced her to volunteer at the library for the summer. Lots of people come in and out through the summer searching for information and answers, many stories are uncovered. Wonderful people, great stories, and a great adventure at the library.

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella

When you feel you have the perfect marriage, perfect jobs, wonderful children, what more could you want. When Sylvie and Dan find out that they could be together for another 68 years they start to question things. They want to bring spontaneity into the relationship and make sure they enjoy everything and don't get bored with each other. This leads to some sketchy situations and some huge misunderstandings. A very fun read full of angst and laughter. Don't worry about the future, enjoy what you have now.

The Island House by Nancy Thayer

Nantucket , what a place to spend the summer. Courtney had been going there with her college roommate for years and continued to make the trek every year even after she had settled into her career as an English professor.  This summer was a big one because the matriarch was turning 60. Lots of people, many different dynamics, high feelings, and memories from the past. All of these meld together for a wonderful read to take you into summer.

Once Around by Ward M. and Judy N. LeHardy

These folks had a 39 foot boat and sailed around the world. They took five years and experienced everything that they could. The places they saw and the people they met give us a very colorful book full of amazing stories. A great taste of adventure.

The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretel Ehrlich

After her partner dies she found herself in Wyoming and unable to leave. All of the space, the rawness, and the freshness of the area made her want to explore not only the physical beauty but the inner beauty of everything around her. Her descriptions and feelings made you a part of the environment.  A beautiful collection of thoughts and feelings of being out in the open.

The Someday Jar by Allison Morgan

So Lanie thinks everything is just great with her life. She has a great man, a great job, what more could she want. As she is going through some of her things she finds her 'someday jar'. This is something she and her dad started and she had forgotten all about it. After Lanie almost chokes to death she realizes that life is short and she embraces her 'someday jar much to the disappointment of those around her. She is on a journey that has a wonderful end. Do you have a 'someday jar'?  What would you do if you found it now?

Along the Edge of America by Peter Jenkins

Jenkins decides to get a small power boat and go along the coast of America along the Florida Keys to the border of Mexico.  He learns a lot about boating and of the many small rural towns along the coast.  He spends extended periods of time living with people and getting to know the area and the ways of the people. He embraces immersing himself in those around him to broaden his outlook. It was an enjoyable read, a bit slow for me.