5 comments about Return by Water: Surf Stories and Adventures.

1. I really enjoyed "Return by Water." Each story places you in beautiful, isolated beaches and towns around the world with clever, humorous tales that allows the reader to drift off and place themselves in Kimball's flip-flops.



2. 
   Kimball Taylor writes with succinct clarity, beguiling empathy and a crazed, matter of fact humor that will delight most anyone who loves a story. He travels the world, knows it's oceans and understands that getting to the water and meeting the people along the way is essential to the joy of surfing.
   
   Driving desperately through the South African outback to legendary waves - somewhere, he writes, "In a daze of passing kilometers, I begin to suspect the positioning of the potholes is not senseless, does not exist in chaos, but that each communicates in a kind of morse code. And I believe I know what they were saying. They read, dot, dot, "Get off the f*@#ing road before you die here."
   
   Any adventurous surfer has been there, the rest of us wish that we had. Return By Water is a terrific book and will have to suffice until Kimball's next one.



3. The cover is much more engaging than the stories. They are not bad, some interesting images, but nothing to write home about. The writing skill and the introspective is what you might expect from a surfer journalist dude. All of it very little to do with surfing actually, but more of a mediocre journalists' travel diary. As a surfer and a reader, I preferred Daniel Duanes' "A Surfer's Year on the California Coast". Sorry, guys, I could be just PMS-ing but...not really.



4. This is an expertly crafted memoir by surfer/author kim taylor. It's the kind of insider memoir that leaves you wishing you'd been doing something else for the last ten years of your life, though you may have never touched a surfboard. A great read for those looking for inspiration for their next adventure or those interested in comparing tales of bygone adventure.



5. The adventures found within this book contain every element of a great story. Just as easily read, and just as engrossing, as stories shared around a baja campfire with your friends, Return By Water is a remarkable offering from what seems to be a first time author. Like all true travellers, taylor knows that it is the jouney, and not the destination, that make a great trip, and these trips do not disappoint! It doesn't hurt that the destinations are places most of us only dream about though! I couldn't put the book down in between stories, and now I can't stop thinking about my next adventure. Great stories, can't wait for more from Taylor.

5 comments about Surfings Greatest Misadventures: Dropping in on the Unexpected.

1. This book is very well written and worth the money. Many of the characters and stories are news worthy and the presentation is compelling. There are some photos and the chapters are well constructed and easy to get through for old surfers (like me). My only suggestion to make this book better is that some of the stories were not that big of a deal. I felt that the author could have waited a bit longer and filled it with 100% exciting stuff. But it is 95% there now so don't hesitate to buy it.



2. Surf stories are always the best things surfers write about. Maybe because they are such interesting people who usually sail along in the tradewinds of life but still find themselves in the most extraordinary circumstances. This group of stories nailed the genre just right, the way Steve Pezman explained the mystery of the trestles situation in the Nixon years, Matt George's very strange experience in Northern California, and on and on. I would lend it to one of my other surfer friends, but I will want to read it again and again year after year. This is a book you would never want out of your possession, but keep it in the car, take it to the beach and pass it around but be sure to get it back. What a treasure. Have any more stars?



3. heads and shoulders above most surfing books. Really great writing, short stories, great topic of course.



4. A whole bunch of short stories from surfers around the world. Some sad. Some funny. Some very in-ya-face. But all a good read. Keep it in the glovebox of your car to read when you're sitting on the sand waiting for the swell to arrive.



5. This book expertly delves into the surfing subculture with stories that every surfer can relate to. I have never surfed Trestles, but the stories of what went on between the surfers and the military base were hysterical. Even non-surfers I read it to found it extremely entertaining.

1 comments about Surfer Magazine's Guide to Northern and Central California Surf Spots.

1. Awesome book, printed on plastic-y waterproof paper, follows the coast north to south, does a great job with most major breaks and the promising coastlines in between. Talks a lot about sharks, I guess it's part of surfing up here, but really...we know that already, no need to mention everytime some dude's gotten chomped on in the last 25 years. Bought this and the Bank Wright surfing California...I only surf in central/northern Cali and this book is wayyyy better. Wright's is out of date, insuficient and inaccurate for most of northern California's spots...great investment for the newer norcal surfer looking to travel. Highly recommended...just don't let the locals see it on your dashboard...

No comments about Ski School Sneak (Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew #11).

5 comments about Surfer's Code: 12 Simple Lessons for Riding Through Life.

1. "This zone where waves give up their energy and where systematic water motions give way to violent turbulence is the surf. It is the most exciting part of the ocean." ~ Williard Bascom, Waves and Beaches
   
   Surfer's Code is a beautifully designed book with a sturdy cover and high-quality pages with stunning photographs of surfing. World-Champion Surfer Shaun Tomson presents his wisdom from the surfing community and translates what he has learned into lessons you can apply to life on land.
   
   The book begins with stories of his father and the beginning of his surfing career. Shaun Tomson reveals the challenges and rewards of surfing all while he focuses on the wisdom gained from his experience: "I learned to trust in all the steps that have gotten me where I am. The result is that I feel better about myself, and I have a lot of fun pushing myself into more challenging situations." He also explains his ideas about why:
   
   I Will Catch a Wave Every Day
   I Will Watch Out for Other Surfers
   There Will Always Be Another Wave
   All Surfers are Joined by One Ocean
   
   If you love surfing than this is an essential read showing the behind-the-scenes reality of a famous surfer. The creative writing, quotes, exciting experiences and lessons learned make this a fascinating mosaic of experience. Throughout his life, Shaun Tomson has faced many challenges and he shares his thoughts on life on land and in the ocean and creates lessons you can take with you while facing your own challenges in life.
   
   "I was flying along in almost complete darkness with the wave breaking around me in slow motion. Suddenly the board dropped back down onto the surface of the water, and I came flying out of the barrel into daylight." ~ pg. 154
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



2. I certainly enjoyed the philosophy and thought provoking points Shaun made throughout his book, Surfer's Code. I only wish all surfers were able read it, especially the young ones that just don't know anything of the history of surfing, its etiquette, and the principles of right of way on the wave. Having surfed since 1956 @ the age of 14, I have litterly grown in the sport and am still very actively surfing today, and I was still able to enjoy and learn from the many of the excellent points Shaun made.



3. This was one of those books that are impossible to put down until you have reached the unexpected emotional end. I found Shaun's elite level surf descriptions immensely enjoyable. I don't surf, but my beloved husband lives the surfer's code, (both in and out of the water), and now I share an inner understanding.
   
   You don't need to be a surfer to enjoy "Surfer's Code". Shaun's 12 lessons don't only apply in the ocean, they can and should be used in all our lives. The world would be a much nicer place! Thanks Shaun. x Cinnamon Stephens



4. I don't often read through surfing related books, although I buy them if written by guys like this whom I watched as a kid from a great distance. They typically sit on my coffee table and serve as boredom busters during commercial breaks. But this book was different, fun, and easy to read. Some good life lesson insights from a guy who admits he is nobody's guru. He admits most of his mistakes and passes on some sage advice for young Groms who are just trying to figure it all out. My favorite rant he gave was in the chapter "I will paddle back out". Very good and inspiring. Good job Shaun.



5. I love this book, I havnt been able to put it down, It brings me back to the days when I surfed, and is filled with the way surfers use to be.

5 comments about The Encyclopedia of Surfing.

1. Or so I presume.
   
   This book has the best history I've seen on Pacific Ready Cut Homes and that's why I purchased it. I'm the author of "California's Kit Homes" and had a devil of a time finding information on this Los Angeles-based company.
   
   I bought "The Encyclopedia of Surfing" and was pleasantly surprised to find information about the company that brought us the Swastika Surfboard. Yes, they made wonderful (and heavy!)surfboards, but did you know they also made and sold 40,000 kit homes before they got into surfboards? (BTW, one Pacific Ready-Cut house had 30,000 pieces of house and a 75-page instruction book - and you thought putting together a VCR stand was tough.)
   
   I also browsed other parts of the book and found it to be an informative and well-researched book.
   
   Rose
   author, California's Kit Homes



2. If you are a surfer or interested in learning anything about the history and names in the sport past and present then you should immediately buy this book. Two copies. Matt Warshaw does an excellent job of detailing almost every major and minor aspect in the history of the sport from onshore wind to "nat young" to "new jersey". There are small black and white photos throughout the book as well. I guarantee you will learn alot from reading just one letter of the alphabet. After reading this book, you can start to talk like Sam George. Highly informative and hard to put down.



3. I bought this for my eight-year-old son. He has gotten into surfing recently and can't stop talking about it. He is just getting better at reading, and although this book has a lot to read (which is a plus for those wanting to look up anything about surfing), he is more willing to practice reading when it comes to a subject of interest, so he'll open it up and look up whatever questions pops up in his mind about surfing. Great book!



4. I bought this for my boyfriend last year and he is still reading it. It is a great book for the coffee table and it keeps you going back for more. It has everything related to surfing in a great layout.



5. This was the book I was looking for when it came to all things surfing. Everything from history, boards, type of surf, how to surf, surf lingo, and great pictures: it's all there.

3 comments about Buford the Little Bighorn.

1. I remeber my dad reading these stories to me. They are all great! i recommend them for your kids. I enjoy them so much I ma buying them for myself, grown ups like them too! Sweet entertaining stories, great writing, great pictures. an A+



2. These are my absolute favorite pictures from Bill Peet. Buford has trouble with his tribe due to being smaller than the other bighorns, but manages to find a way to be proud in spite of the opinions of others.



3. This book was my husband's favorite book in the 60s when he was in elementary school. Now we read it to our children, along with many other Bill Peet books. We love the illustrations, plots and rhymes in Bill Peet's books. Buford is a sweet and innocent mountain goat dealing with a handicapping condition (oversized curling horns) that threatens his safety. Then when he's cornered he discovers a way to use his horns not only to escape the hunters, but to ski. And everyone at the ski resort loves him and makes him welcome. If you like this one, try Eli, Cowardly Clyde, and The Wump World.

5 comments about Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering (Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series).

1. A welcome entrant, Martin Volken has written the best how to book for modern steep skiing and ski touring. He logically progresses through the process of a ski tour giving advice and insight for every level of skier. Well worth the acquisition.



2. The collaborative effort of Martine Volken (IFMGA certified Swiss Mountain Guide, founder and owner of Pro Guiding Services and Pro Ski Service of North Bend, Washington); Scott Schell, and certified AMGA Ski Mountaineering Guides Scott Shell and Margaret Wheeler, "Backcountry Skiing: Skills For Ski Touring And Ski Mountaineering" is an informed and informative instructional guide and manual for skiing safely in winter mountain terrains and trails. Aspiring skiers are provided with intermediate to advanced level techniques for ski touring and mountaineering; skills for mastering uphill travel; primers on mountain weather and avalanche safety; practical advice on selecting gear, troubleshooting, and adapting to varying conditions; vital information on constructing emergency shelters and sleds; as well as a wealth of useful tips for wilderness trip planning and navigation. Comprehensive, up-to-date, and thoroughly 'user friendly', "Backcountry Skiing" is strongly recommended for anyone contemplating skiing mountain terrain in winter conditions anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.



3. This is a great book. Not too basic and not too advanced for someone wanting to get into the best way to ski-the earn your turns way.
   
   I used to teach alpine touring and ski mountaineering in the army and this would have been a great book to have around as the textbook. We taught all of this and then went in depth on the important items like avalanche safety (avoidance) and rescue. This book gives a beginning or intermediate ski mountaineer a taste and encourages AIARE level one certification (I recommend level two personally...)
   
   I still have my copy of the past standard, Peter Cliff's out of print classic "Ski Mountaineering" (no, I won't be selling it on EBay) and this is an improvement on it.
   
   It is great for learning and a great review for those that think they remember everything. I got some good tips on gear that, damn, I SHOULD have known!!!



4. This is a great book. It allows beginners to develop a good base of knowledge and provides a great reference for those with years of experience. It is exactly what we have come to expect from the Mountaineers.



5. This new "Backcountry Skiing" guidebook is destined to become a classic in The Mountaineers Books collection ... one that will be considered an indispensible reference in the libraries of mountaineers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. Authors Martin Volken, Scott Schell, and Margaret Wheeler have each guided ski tours in the Alps throughout Europe, where Ski Mountaineering has been popular for quite some time ... and have introduced their clients to the famous summits of the Alps, as well as the local peaks of the Cascade Range. We have a large number of Alpine Climbers in the Pacific Northwest, many of whom may find that their "next step" is Ski Mountaineering ... thanks to the information in this new and comprehensive guidebook. The large number of excellent pictures makes the text all-the-more understandable. Those Reviewers preceding me have already given a good account of some of the specifics that they've found valuable ... so I won't elaborate here, except to say that the information on avalanche safety is invaluable for ANY one who ventures into the backcountry. We have lost nine lives to avalanches in Washington State already in this season! The authors of this guidebook are Instructors of the AIARE courses, and are passionate about personal safety above all else. I've already sent copies of this "new classic" to some of my best friends! Armed with the knowledge from this book, the readers can venture into the backcountry with newfound confidence and enjoyment of a sport that is bound for increasing popularity worldwide.

3 comments about Surfer Magazine's Guide to Southern California Surf Spots.

1. This is a relatively comprehensive guide to Southern California surf spots. The book includes maps and descriptions of the ideal swell direction for each of the breaks it lists. Unlike other guides, however, it often omits crucial information about how tide levels affect many of the breaks it lists.
   
   Although some will be upset by the editors' inclusion of "secret" spots like Hazard Canyon and the Indicator at Lunada Bay, the rest of us are smart enough to realize that these spots haven't been secret since about the time surfboards were carved out of balsa wood.
   
   One of the best features of this book (and its companion guide to NorCal) is the waterproof paper it's printed on. All in all, this is a fine edition, and a slight but significant improvement over its predecessors.



2. If you saw a book on hiking trails or campsites that included the following directions, "Public access exists, but out of respect to the locals, you'll have to do some exploring your own damn self," would you purchase it? Probably not. But in the secretive and hostile world of surfing we don't have much choice. You'll have to put up with sardonic commentary, and contend with poor directions, but this is still the only up-to-date guide to surf spot still in print.



3. Awesome book for any first time surfer to S.Cali or anyone interestd in the beaches along the California Coast.

5 comments about Frostbite (Vampire Academy, Book 2).

1. This was another amazing book by a very talented author. I loved Frostbite every bit, if not more than Vampire Academy. The characters are rich and flawed with hints of things to come. We got an introduction to a new character who bodes to be promising as well as more Christian who I happen to have a soft spot for ;) I adore Rose, she is a fun, strong female character with a great deal of depth and heart. The dark twist to this novel was page turning and Mead did a seamless job unraveling the story and at a fantastic pace. I have not been this engrossed in a vampire novel since LJ Smith. It may not be as great a series as Twilight, but it definitely is high up on the list. With all the flat, cliche series out there these days (such as "Chosen" stay for away from that one..), this is a breath of fresh air. I am eagerly anticipating the third book....



2. Of all the Young Adult series about vampires, the Vampire Academy series is probably my favorite. This sequel was very enjoyable. I couldn't put it down after I started reading.
   
   I love the relationships between all the characters, Rose especially. When she deeply cares for someone, you can feel it in your soul how much she loves them. Her and Lissa's connection is a really unique way to show inside Lissa's head, without actually having her point of view. Rose and Dimitri's relationship is strained, and Rose is almost positive that there will be nothing between them ever again; especially when a new woman comes into the picture. The friendship between Rose and Mason is growing. He obviously would do anything, and I mean anything for Rose. We find out though, that moving on isn't so easy when you care so deeply for someone. There is also the introduction of Rose's mother, and this definitely throws Rose's world for a loop.
   
   Some of the decisions Rose made were questionable, and the outcome was obvious, but it was nice to see her use what she has learned at St. Vladimir's Academy, and put that to use out in the real world.
   
   Rose is growing and maturing into a woman in this book. She's working on her attitude and her control. She's not perfect by any means, but she's getting better. She now understands her flaws, even though it hurts her when people point them out.
   
   All in all, this was a great sequel. If you read the first, there is no reason to not pick this up. I'm excited and worried to see where the third book takes us. It seems like Rose will have some tough decisions to make in the future.



3. The woman has done it again! Another great novel. I have yet to meet a book by this author that I haven't fallen in love with. Mead, in her second Vampire Academy book, has made this book even better than the first, which I thought was impossible. Now I know nothing is impossible for this author.
   
   The character development is really good. Rose has to deal with Lissa's attention being else where. Including Dimitri? Rose shows real character getting past some of that adolescent angst.
   
   Humor even better than last time.
   
   The reality of what Rose does, is training to be finally really starts to sink in. The prices that she has to pay to gain the ability to kill monsters. And the price they all must pay in the end.
   
   Other characters are introduced in this book. And all of them are just too good not to meet in this book. And that's all I'll say so that the story won't be ruined. (At least not by me!)
   
   **** If you've read the first book, trust me you don't want to miss then. If you haven't read any of these books, start. If you love vampires, great action, and good mysteries. This is better then it gets!!! (Here's the first book, Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, Book 1).)



4. This is the second book in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. It was just as engrossing and griping as the first book. This is another one of those series that I just can't put down, yet I am not sure why.
   
   In this book a violent Strigoi attack on a noble Moroi family leaves St. Valdimar's academy in a state of panic as the Christmas holidays approach. An elegant solution is presented that will allow the students of the academy to mingle with their parents for the holidays. The whole school is put up in a ski resort for the holiday season; with the highest security measures taken. Lissa is forced to mingle with her noble kindred and much of her time is spent in the company of Christian. Rose finds herself in a lonely situation. Dimitry is doing his best to ignore her and Lissa is otherwise occupied. Rose's life is even further complicated when her famous guardian mother shows up to help with security. As Strigoi attacks continue to get more violent and more frequent, many questions are brought up; among them are whether the Moroi should learn to protect themselves and use their magic to harm others.
   
   This book was well-written, the characters have a lot of depth, and the world is creative and interesting. The action scenes are well-written. The love scenes are sweet without being overly explicit. The binding between Rose and Lissa is interesting. The inclusion of both Adrian and a new love interest for Dimitri made for wonderful new character additions. Throughout the whole book is a overlying sense of urgency and doom as if the Moroi are being marched toward their extinction. The next book promises to have even more dire situations and more interesting character development.
   
   I could not put this book down. I had to blink back tears at the ending for a number of reasons, it was sad and yet hopeful. It takes a good author to drag a reader into a story that thoroughly. The only thing that has bothered me about this series is that I think the book titles are a bit corny and the book covers could also use some help. That is a small quip though based on how much I have loved this series!
   
   I was sad to finish this book and can't wait for the next one to come out. I would put this series right up there with the Twilight series given how much I love it.
   karissabooks.blogspot.com



5. This is not your typical Vampire novel. In my opinion, it's much more orignal and fun than most! It has a range of great characters that you can both adore and hate - that's something that really makes this book come alive! The sequal to the excellent book: Vampire Academy excedes the first and makes me even more impatient for the third novel to come out!
   
   Rose Hathaway is a Guardian-In-Training. She's a student at St. Vladmir's High where teenagers train to either be Guardians or to be protected by Guardians (the Moroi). Her dementor is Dimitri whom Rose completely adores but my stay away from because of their difference in age and the fact that they can't be distracted when they are going to be protecting the same girl: Lissa.
   
   Dimitri might be having his eye on someone else and Rose's friend, Mason would do anything to be with her. But aside from Rose's constant guy trouble the Moroi royalty are constantly being attacked by Strigoi (Moroi gone bad.) and ruthlessly killed in the process. They are killing royalty and common blood alike as well as the Guardians that live to protect them. They must do whatever they can to stop this group of Strigoi from killing any more of their species!
   
   Another thing is going on as well. Rose's own mother, the great fighter and killer of Strigoi is coming to her school and Rose could not be more displeased...
   
   Things are crazy at St. Vladimir and all could possibly end fatally...
   
   Enjoy this novel!