107 Days by Kamala Harris

 I don't usually read books by politicians. They are generally written to either cast blame or build themselves up. Either way, they are typically written to say "it wasn't my fault." In this case, I hoped to find answers about what went so wrong in the last election. I did get some answers, but there was plenty of "it wasn't my fault" to go around.

While I didn't find more precise explanations of what happened with Joe Biden and his decision to withdraw from the election, finally, I did get a clearer picture of Harris's role as Vice President and the lack of support she received from Biden and his administration. Harris faced an uphill battle against a candidate who had been running for president for over 10 years, and this book showed how close Harris came to pulling off an upset. 

Harris did occasionally state the mistakes she made, but mostly this is a justification for how she and her team ran the campaign. It is a restatement of the platform she ran on and support for her positions. What I came away with was the realization of just how little governing experience she has. When she defended herself, she relied on her experience as a district attorney and as California's attorney general, emphasizing how little she had been used as vice president and how little she had accomplished in the Senate. I liked her behind-the-scenes look at what happens in a political campaign at the highest level. Overall, it's a book worth reading if, like me, you're still looking for answers. 

3/5 stars.

For more information: 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Welcome to Sperry Chalet by Beth Dunagan

I read this book in anticipation of my stay at this historic chalet in Glacier National Park. Not only did it give me the history of the chalet, it also gave me background on the chalet system and an interesting story about the family that has run the chalet since the 1950s. 

Beth was nine years old when she and her extended family, the Ludings, became the concessioners running Sperry Chalet, high in Glacier National Park's back country. This is her story of growing up at Sperry Chalet and her experiences there later in life. It offers an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the operation of Sperry Chalet, as well as a glimpse into what the children did with the freedom they were given. 

I enjoyed this book and its unique perspective on Sperry Chalet and how things have changed over the years. I just spent three nights there, and it was good to have the background knowledge this book provided. 

4/5 stars.

For more information: 

Amazon