Wild at Heart by K.A. Tucker

Wild at Heart by K.A. Tucker -- 456 pages 

Calla Fletcher returns to Toronto a different person, struggling to find direction and still very much in love with the rugged bush pilot she left behind. When Jonah arrives on her doorstep with a proposition she can’t dismiss, she takes the leap and rushes back to Alaska to begin their exciting future together.

But Calla soon learns that even the best intentions can lead to broken promises, and that compromise comes with a hefty price—a log cabin in interior rural Alaska that feels as isolating as the western tundra.

With Jonah gone more than he’s home, one neighbor who insists on transforming her into a true Alaskan, and another who seems more likely to shoot her than come to her aid, Calla grapples with forging her own path. In a world with roaming wildlife that has her constantly watching over her shoulder and harsh conditions that stretch far beyond the cold, dark, winter months, just stepping outside her front door can be daunting.

This is not the future Calla had in mind, leaving her to fear that perhaps she is doomed to follow in her mother’s fleeing footsteps after all.

The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker

 The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker -- 390 pages 

Calla Fletcher wasn't even two when her mother took her and fled the Alaskan wild, unable to handle the isolation of the extreme, rural lifestyle, leaving behind Calla’s father, Wren Fletcher, in the process. Calla never looked back, and at twenty-six, a busy life in Toronto is all she knows. But when Calla learns that Wren’s days may be numbered, she knows that it’s time to make the long trip back to the remote frontier town where she was born.

She braves the roaming wildlife, the odd daylight hours, the exorbitant prices, and even the occasional—dear God—outhouse, all for the chance to connect with her father: a man who, despite his many faults, she can’t help but care for. While she struggles to adjust to this rugged environment, Jonah—the unkempt, obnoxious, and proud Alaskan pilot who helps keep her father’s charter plane company operational—can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. And he’s clearly waiting with one hand on the throttle to fly this city girl back to where she belongs, convinced that she’s too pampered to handle the wild.

Jonah is probably right, but Calla is determined to prove him wrong. Soon, she finds herself forming an unexpected bond with the burly pilot. As his undercurrent of disapproval dwindles, it’s replaced by friendship—or perhaps something deeper? But Calla is not in Alaska to stay and Jonah will never leave. It would be foolish of her to kindle a romance, to take the same path her parents tried—and failed at—years ago. It’s a simple truth that turns out to be not so simple after all.

Aces High by Bill Yenne

Aces High by Bill Yenne --348 pages

This book relates the stories of the two top-scoring United States fighter pilots in World War II. Richard Bong (40 victories), and Thomas McGuire (38 victories) who flew Lockheed P-38s in the Pacific Theater. Both pilots also had several unconfirmed "probables" that could be added to their total victories. The media sensationalized their heroism to create a rivalry for "Ace of Aces" that did not exist. Bong and McGuire even flew together in the Philippines before Bong was pulled from combat to avoid a propaganda disaster if he were killed. Both pilots were awarded the Medal of Honor, but sadly, neither neither lived to see the end of the war. The book relies exclusively on secondary sources, and there are some minor errors, and it is written in a simple stye that is accessible to younger readers.

Viper Pilot by Dan Hampton

Viper Pilot: A Memoir of Air Combat by Dan Hampton --337 pages

Hampton is a retired F-16 "Viper" pilot who served from 1986 to 2006, including both wars in Iraq. He describes the jarring experiences of flying in combat against sophisticated surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and massive sand storms. He reinforces the stereotype of fighter pilots being a swaggering elite, but also gives the reader an understanding of the skill and dedication required to meet the standards of the continual qualifications training for flying high performance jets. The author throws cold water on the naive concept of UAV drones replacing pilots since UAVs are incapable of defending themselves from the multitude of threats in a war zone. Hampton's irreverent and informative account of combat shows the quick decision making ability of pilots will be needed well into the future. 

Even Firefighters go to the Potty! by Wendy Wax

Even Firefighters go to the Potty! by Wendy A Wax, 24 pages

We all do it...it's a normal bodily function. But this story lets kids know that even the people they may see as heroes - firefighters, police officers and pilots, to name a few - use the potty!

One Last Look by Phillip Kaplan and Rex Alan Smith

One Last Look: Sentimental Journey to the Eighth Air Force Heavy Bomber Bases of World War II in England by Phillip Kaplan and Rex Alan Smith - 216 pages

Packed with then and "now" (now being 1983, not 2014) photos, reminiscences, and basics about World War II's bomber pilot crews' lives, this made for an informative read.  This book filled the gap in literature on how pilots spent their time on the ground, but I still wished it had more detail.  I also liked how packed with the "then" photos of life on base.  I was less thrilled with the "now" photos as it showed the same locations in disrepair (and the photographs were noticeable grainy compared to the 1940s era ones).