Great Races, Incredible Places: 100+ Fantastic Runs Around the World
by Kimi Puntillo
From Antarctica to Switzerland, Kimi Puntillo’s March book debut offers a sampling of training tips and cultural cues for 57 destination races across the United States and around the world. “New, remarkable racecourses transformed my soles,” says Kimi, who started running at age 30 and now holds the Guinness women’s record for running marathons on all seven continents. With the aim to inspire runners of all levels—race distances range from 1 to 197 miles—she offers hard-won advice about avoiding the danger inherent in Washington’s Bare Buns Fun Run (bring sunscreen and powder) and about making the most of the mile-23 oyster bar at France’s Marathon du Médoc. Ready. Set. Go. Bantam, 2009; $16.
Girl on the Rocks: A Woman’s Guide to Climbing with Strength, Grace, and Courage
by Katie Brown
We think this book is a great choice for young girls who want to learn to rock-climb. In the introduction Katie Brown thinks back to her initial tiptoe into the sport that’s made her famous: “I started climbing when I was 13 in a climbing gym full of boys…Eventually, I got used to the guys and began participating…In turn, the guys got used to the tiny girl who was always hanging around watching.” Katie takes readers step by step into the sport and spends as much time addressing the mental aspects of climbing as the physical ones. The text is peppered with interviews and photos (by Ben Moon), which further illustrate the power, grace, and agelessness of women on the rock. Falcon, 2008; $20.
