SpinSheet’s Summer Reading List
Yes, the summer is nearing its end. But some of the best cruising weekends are always in August, when the Bay has a bit more breeze and a little less rain. And since we were peewee sailors, summertime sailing has always involved bringing a good novel onboard for those long afternoons at anchor, those cozy evenings in the v-berth. So we’ve compiled a list of our favorite reads from this summer, perfect for your gear bag or to keep in a locker on the boat.
Think we’ve missed something? Let us know by emailing [email protected].
American Catch: The Fight for Our Local Seafood by Paul Greenberg
Did you know that although America has 94,000 miles of coastline and 3.5 million miles of rivers, 91 percent of our seafood is imported? For those of us interested in where our food comes from, Greenberg’s book is both a historical education and call to action for seafood lovers. By profiling sockeye salmon, Louisiana brown shrimp, and the Bay’s beloved Eastern oyster, Greenberg gets us thinking about seafood in a new and fascinating way.
Muskrat: A Surprise Bid for the America’s Cup by Douglas Hanks
What happens when some Eastern Shore local sailors decide to throw in a bid for the America’s Cup? Hilarity ensues. Muskrat is a treasured sailing yarn for young and old, locals and tourists because it restores your faith in the power and passion of competitive sailing.
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vage Harvest: A Tale of Cannibals, Colonialism, and Michael Rockefeller’s Tragic Quest for Primitive Art by Carl Hoffman
Michael Rockefeller only 23 years old when he traveled to New Guinea to research and collect primitive art. When he disappeared, rumors were widely circulated that he had been killed and ceremonially eaten by the Asmat, the cannibalistic people he had been studying. Reading this biography of one of the Rockefeller family’s most famous members is a step into the world of headhunters, secret spirits, and local customs. Bluewater cruisers and armchair adventurers alike will be amazed, although be warned: it's a little gory (did we mention the cannibals?).
Sextant: A Young Man’s Daring Sea Voyage and the Men who Mapped the World’s Oceans by David Barrie
We thought this book would only apply to those old-timers among us, who are adamant that the electronics-free way is the only way to go. But boy, were we wrong. Barrie’s story is not only about the history of the sextant, but also about what role it’s played in some of the bigger naval voyages of all time (think names like Bligh, Slocum, La Perouse, and Darwin). Grab a copy and plan on a late night in the vee-berth: this book is really good.
