Thanks for joining us. We’re talking about The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel:

Is it possible to live a totally solitary life, without relying on others or modern society at all? Christopher Knight lived alone in the woods of Maine for 27 years. Though in that time he had no contact or conversation with another person, he survived off food, books and provisions stolen from nearby cottages, greatly affecting the people who owned them. Why did this shy young man depart on such a life? How else could he have lived the life he craved, not at the expense of others? Based on extensive interviews with Knight himself, this is a vividly detailed account of his secluded life.

In this episode we also discuss:

Editor’s Note (New York Times)

True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa

True Story (movie)

The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing

The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan.

Can you tell me a book I would also like?

Erica: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Kirsten: Intimations: Six Essays by Zadie Smith (and Adam Buxton podcast with Zadie Smith)

Trevor: When the Trees Say Nothing: Writings on Nature by Thomas Merton

Dennis: Paddle to the Arctic by Don Starkell, plus Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak by Victoria Jason

Nerd words for word nerds:

Erica: Proactive

Trevor: Nonology, (“Like a trilogy, but with 9 books. Questionable whether this is even a thing” – Trevor)

Dennis: Edge Case

Kirsten: Prestigious (current definition and archaic definition)

Many thanks to everyone who got in touch with us this month.

Next month we’re talking about The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See.

We’re looking forward to hearing what you think! Join our Facebook group, or follow Winnipeg Public Library on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Email us at [email protected] with suggestions, comments, and questions. Visit us at wpl-podcast.winnipeg.ca.

Time to Read is a production of the Winnipeg Public Library. Our panel today included Kirsten Wurmann, Dennis Penner, Trevor Lockhart, and Erica Ball.