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The Disaster Diaries –One Man’s Quest to Learn Everything Necessary to Survive the Apocalypse

23 Mar

Knowing that the physical Hoboken Public Library would be inaccessible to me for the at least next two weeks, I took a quick peek at my home bookshelves to look for something I haven’t gotten around to cracking open yet. Aha! That’s when I spotted The Disaster Diaries –One Man’s Quest to Learn Everything Necessary to Survive the Apocalypse by Sam Sheridan.  You can listen to it as a digital audio book on Hoopla.  Our digital resources are always available, even when the building is closed.

I’m not sure when or where I acquired this, but how fortuitous! The book is blurbed as the story of a guy who has a background in mixed martial arts, emergency medical and firefighting skills. He claims that after becoming a father, thoughts of disaster spurred him on to learn further survival skill sets.

To clear up any misconceptions before you get your hopes up too high, the specific pandemic we now find ourselves in, that of being forced to adapt our behaviors to inhibit the spread of a virus was not a situation Sam Sheridan considered when writing his book.

So far, things have been inconvenient, economically unpleasant, psychically frightening, and uncertain. They have not, as of yet, required wilderness survival or combat skills.  Sheridan uses ridiculous scenarios (think zombie apocalypse) to provide a launching point for his real life strategies that are based on scientific studies or the advice of real-life experts. This is not without entertainment value in the world we find ourselves in, with access restricted to sports, art and community.

Physical preparedness, stockpiling food and water, learning to use weapons, wilderness medicine, and even some urban “survival” skills (stealing a vehicle / stunt car driving) are covered. As are the mental attitudes necessary to weather the storm.

TEOTWAWKI – The End of the World as We Know It. Are you ready? Do you need to be? I recommend this book as infotainment and hope we’ll all be able to meet up soon in the Hoboken Public Library.

Written by:
Victoria Turk
Reference Librarian

Have any timely reads about getting through tough situations?  Share them in the comments!

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Friday Writing Prompt: My Most Memorable Trip

20 Mar

We realize that a lot of our readers may be looking for things to fill their days right now.  We love sharing our favorite books and media with you and will continue to do so, but now we are starting a new feature on Fridays, Writing Prompts to get you creating your own great work!

March 20, 2020 Writing Prompt: Favorite or Most Memorable Trip
Right now a lot of us are working or schooling from home and some of you may be under quarantine, but lets instead focus on the best (or most memorable) trip you ever had.  It could have been a fun camping trip as a teen or it could have been your first time traveling overseas to Paris on your honeymoon.  Think about what made the trip specifically memorable.

Think what you experienced with all of your senses.  What were the unique sights and sounds?  Did you taste anything especially good, you tried for the first time, or something so awful you’d never eat it again?  What did it feel like being there; what was the weather like?  Smell is one of the most evocative senses so if you remember the scent of pine, fresh baking bread, or the ocean waves include it in the piece.

You can also talk about the people you interreacted with.  Did you meet someone new; are you still in touch with them?  If you went on the trip with a friend or family member, how did the trip change your relationship?

You might want to see if you have any pictures from your trip and reach out to talk to others who might have been on the trip with you for their impressions.

Prefer fiction, do some research on a travel destination of your dreams to use as a setting. Did you know eBCCLS has some always available travel guides; check them out now for some ideas.

For speculative fiction fans create a new world or land that exists in your imagination.

For you poets out there this topic would make a terrific poem!

You can share in the comments what destination you are planning to write about!  Also let us know if you would be interested in connecting with other writer’s in an online writing group.  You can also reach me at hplwriters@gmail.com.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Head of Reference

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