Beartown

Beartown is the first of a trilogy about a small hockey town in northern Sweden. The story revolves around the lives of a male junior hockey team. The boys have to decide between loyalty and standing up for their principals. They are not only faced with deciding what is right and what is wrong, but what is good verses evil, weakness verses strength, the "Heights" verses the "Hollows", Beartown verses Hed, and the "three C's" (character, community, and culture) verses just "Win". 

The story follows the Andersson family and the dark and disturbing rape of their 15 year old daughter by the star player. The characters are complex, particularly Benji and his secret. Several of the players show their evil gang side and divide the town by blindly supporting the star player Kevin. On the other side, the strong Andersson women, Ramona, a few supportive fathers, and even the black jackets quietly stand up for the good side of Beartown. 

The story feels a little like both "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and "Missoula" in addressing dysfunctional male athletes and a strong young woman overcoming a physical attack and injustice. Don't mess with Maya. 

American Ramble

Stanley's selection is an appropriately titled detailed recounting of a month-long walk from Washington D.C. to New York City. The author had recently completed a second round of cancer treatments and is clearly grateful to be alive. His hyper-awareness, interest in strangers, ability to join in, and listening skills provide ample material for a book about a walk. He throws in some American history from the settlers and Indians, the American Revolution, the Civil War, to the World Trade Center. He travels through various "countries", both urban and rural. I learned things about Washington, Jefferson and Madison, the Conestoga wagon, Mason and Dixon, Lincoln, Buchanan, and the influential Senator Stevens. He speaks of a time when people and horses were the way to get around, until the train came around in the 1800's, and that there are still areas where things move much slower. Neil once again points out that humans may be the only creature that gets to experience awe or wow.