Alpenglow Sports operates through a rich and connected community-centric business model. For 42 years, we have put on events that bring our community together and facilitate fun, education and inspiration. One has to look no further than our Winter Speaker Series or Mountain Festival, both of which are large-scale events that seek to give back to the community that has supported the shop since our inception in 1979. In many ways, the global pandemic has jettisoned any opportunity for this community-centric model, as we have been unable to gather in our traditional ways over the last 12 months. To make matters worse, there is still no concrete path back to these gatherings. However, it is said that new ideas come from obvious and glaring needs, and in the fall of 2020, we discovered one of our own. Since we have only allowed five customers into the shop during Covid, there is oftentimes a line outside. Most days, this line gathers directly in front of our main display window. When we put a selection of books in this window, we saw customer engagement increase, conversations begin and book sales surge. Whether it was an adventure narrative, illustrated kid's title, a natural history title, or an environmental-related topic, there was a marked increase in dialogue. At this same time, our own staff was struggling with the many polarizing and divisive issues gripping the country. We were all trying to cope, understand, learn from and become better community members and humans. It was at this moment that our book buyer and lead boot fitter Jason Layh came up with the idea for the new Community Book Initiative. The format is simple. Each spring, Alpenglow will reach out to 10 community members who are respected and admired for their mountain pursuits, community involvement and inclination to make Tahoe a great place to live. Each community member is asked for two to three thought provoking and enlightening titles, for a total of 20 books. These titles are designed to spark dialogue and illicit personal reflection and engagement, with topics including environmental, social, or adventure-related issues. After all, we’re all beautiful works in progress. We have chosen the non-profit Little Free Library as the beneficiary of our Community Book Initiative. From April 26th through end of May, Little Free Library will receive 100% of book sale proceeds from our 20 community recommended titles. Books can be bought online HERE and shipped to your address or in the shop to see these titles for yourself. Little Free Library builds community, inspires readers and expands book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led little libraries. Through Little Free Library book exchanges, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. Little Free Library facilitates the sharing of 42 million books annually, in 100+ countries through 100,000+ Little Free Libraries. There will be another installation in front of Alpenglow Sports in the very near future. Please click HERE for more information about this amazing group. How Much of these Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang This exploration of what it meant to be Chinese-American during the gold rush is hauntingly beautiful and resonates deeply with issues we face as a country almost 200 years later. Zhang's profound magical realism, her unwillingness to look away from the extreme violence of the times, and her moving descriptions of the Sierra Nevada foothills landscape make for a novel that moves effortlessly between hope and despair. American Zion: Cliven Bundy, God & Public Lands in the West by Betsy Gaines Quammen Those of us who want to uphold democracy in the West ignore the activities, philosophy and burgeoning following of the Bundy family at our peril. This book will give the reader a better understanding of one of the most powerful strains of anti-government rhetoric alive in America today--one whose roots are right next door in Nevada, and one which is a very real threat to the preservation of our wilderness as well as our democracy as a whole. The Last Stand: Custer, Sitting Bull and the Battle of Bighorn by Nathaniel Philbrick I was drawn to this book because I really loved Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea, and Mayflower. I was not disappointed, as in this case he gave me a gripping and well-researched account of the events surrounding the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the greater tragedy of this chapter in our indigenous peoples' history. For those who want to continue to revise and broaden our societal perspectives on systemic racism and American colonialism, The Last Stand may not be the final word on its subject matter, but it's a great stepping stone and provides a lot of talking points. Notes on a Silencing by Lacy Crawford This memoir is on multiple lists for best book of 2020. It gets you to think about survivors’ stories and how privilege and power are forces that help keep rape culture and toxic masculinity alive and well in our institutions. It may help you explore that nagging question people ask victims who are brave enough to share their story; why now? How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi This book is a best seller for a reason, the time is now to read it. Instead of working with the racist structures we have built in America, Kendi asks us to reimagine ourselves and our country…what would an anti-racist society look like, and how can we contribute to making that happen? Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie This a powerful love story that also examines identity and American culture from the unique perspective of an outsider trying to fit in. It seems like you either love this book or hate it. Which will it be for you and why? Your own answer is worth the trip. The Science of Trust by John M. Gottman When dishonesty seems to prevail, we can protect ourselves from its corrosive force by nurturing trust in our closest relationships. This book highlights the very fundamentals of building trust in our relationships with our partners. But the ideas also reveal why honesty and truth are so critical for the well-being of our community. The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer Evolution has designed our minds to charge ahead and fill us with daily chatter. But that steals us from experiencing the value hiding inside our every moment. Michael Singer does an excellent job exploring the phenomenon in a relatable way and how we can work to gain some reprieve from this constant stream of thoughts. I struggled with his interpretation of "God", but the book resonated with me and I hope it does with you. Arctic Voices: Resistance at the Tipping Point by Subhankar Banerjee Underscores the critical importance of permanently protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from the perspectives of those who know it best. Much has been written about this special place, but no piece of literature spotlights its uniqueness alongside why winning this intersectional struggle is so crucial to other local/global pursuits of sustainability quite like this gem. How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi It should be required reading for all humans. If folks are to unlearn the systemic racism white and BIPOC are entrenched in and re-educate themselves, the tools and knowledge to do so are critical. This text is an initial first step towards the deconstruction/unlearning process. In the words of the great Angela Davis, “In a racist society it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” A Beautiful Question: Finding Nature’s Deep Design by Frank Wilczek Frank Wilczek stems from her personal interests at the intersection of science, philosophy and art. This exquisite book by an extraordinary Nobel Laureate, theoretical physicist and mathematician examines the curious quality of Beauty as one of the foundational aspects and organizing the principles of the universe. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson Its well-deserved position as being named one of the most essential non-fiction reads of the 21st century. In a year of deep self-reflection on an individual and societal level, this book provides a historical context, and comprehensive explanation for why we are where we are in American society and how we might move forward towards creating a kinder, more just world. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmer This is simply one of the most beautiful reads of the last decade. Combining indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants Ms. Kimmer weaves the three together seamlessly creating a narrative that is at once a lesson in how to be human and how to be a part of nature as much as it is a love letter to the world around us. Oak Flat by Lauren Redniss A first hand narrative of how corporate greed keeps being given the green light to extract the world's natural resources, regardless of the significance of the land and how this affects every aspect of the lives of those that live there. Alive with personal storytelling and lush illustrations, this novel will personalize the fight for Oak Flat that is happening right now. A Beautiful Work in Progress by Mirna Valerio Mirna's story of getting into ultra running, overcoming prejudice, and not looking like other runners at the starting line of her ultramarathons is inspiring for anyone, but especially for runners. I read this while training to run my first 50K last summer and it kept me motivated on the harder days." 50 Adventures in 50 States by Kate Siber This children's book is beautifully illustrated and makes me excited to plan travels and adventures with my family in the years to come. I love this book as much as my kids do - the sign of a good kids' book, right? Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates In May of 2020, I picked up quite a few books to gain a different perspective on living in the United States. Ta-Nehisi Coates vividly paints a picture of living in America as a black man by writing a letter to his teenage son which makes up the pages of Between The World and Me. He explains to his son the "racist violence that has been woven into American culture" which gives the reader the opportunity to understand and learn about the realities of being Black in America. This first hand account is beautifully written and certainly helped me to gain a new perspective on my path to educating myself on what we can do, individually and as a community, to become a better society in the fight for equality and justice. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie After reading Between the World and Me, I read Americanah, another page turning book from the perspective of a black immigrant. Both books are highly recommended and helped me to gain a new perspective on my path to educating myself on what we can do, individually and as a community, to become a better society in the fight for equality and justice. Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall This book highlights and teaches about the necessary intersections of feminism from not just the mainstream privileged "convenient" feminism, but one that explains how basic rights, access, and survival for all are true feminist issues. How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi It should be required reading for all humans. If folks are to unlearn the systemic racism white and BIPOC are entrenched in and re-educate themselves, the tools and knowledge to do so are critical. This text is an initial first step towards the deconstruction/unlearning process. In the words of the great Angela Davis, “In a racist society it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” There There by Tommy Orange A powerfully and beautifully written novel that turns societies mythology of Native American identity on its head. Set in Oakland, California, its broad themes of poverty, identity, addiction and community are told through the individual yet meshing stories of complex, nuanced and sincere characters. It’s bold, humorous, tragic and most of all important. The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz Wild, daring and big writing define this incredibly readable novel. It drips of culture, life, and survival among a Dominican immigrant community and family in New York City. The book dances with magical realism, historical facts, the colliding cultures of survival born machismo and escapism nerd fantasy along with a writing style that makes you think of Junot Diaz as a Caribbean Twain. Dispossesing the Wilderness by Mark David Spence This book shares a candid history of the United States and its National Parks Service. I hope this read provides a fresh perspective for all of us the next time we enter one of our National Parks. 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