Book Recommendation: 96 Miles

Sometimes, I want a story that is just suspenseful. Something that will keep me turning the pages because I don't know what will happen next. A story that makes you bite your fingernails and power read through the wee hours of the night to the last chapter. That's what 96 Miles will do for you, reader!

image courtesy of goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45043854-96-miles

I have read my share of survival stories, and I have mostly loved them all, but this one is at the top of my list. Look at one of the opening lines and tell me this doesn't peak your interest: Dad always said if things get desperate, it's okay to drink the water in the toilet. I never thought it would come to that.

It's not post apocalyptic, but it gives that same vibe. It's a story about two brothers, John and Stew Lockwood, who find themselves in a frightening situation. Their hometown in Nevada suffers a massive blackout: no phones, no electricity, no outside communication, and no help on the horizon. Their dad is gone for a short trip, and John and Stew have to fend for themselves. It appears everything will be fine at first; their dad had already stockpiled their home with food and water and a generator too. It seems he has always anticipated something like this happening. The boys will be fine until he gets back. But they have some unexpected visitors.

Men show up and rob them one day, taking everything they have. John decides they must walk, 96 miles, to a ranch where they have friends who they know can help. It will be a long, hot walk across the desert. They don't have enough supplies, but they meet two other kids along the way who join them on the journey. They stick together, battling more adults for supplies, and finding themselves in perilous situations. Will they make it the 96 miles? Will anyone come for them? Or will they be lost to the desert?

This book was so good! But, be warned, you better have a bottle of water nearby because you will be thirsty reading this book. There is something about reading how no one has enough water to drink that will make you grateful for what you have. It is also very eye opening as an adult, to realize how something we take for granted could be so easily taken away, and the trouble that would result.

Part of what makes this story so suspenseful is a physical ailment in the group of kids. I don't want to give too much away or spoil it for you, because I want you to go read it, but think about this: what would happen if you got sick during a blackout, and you're not a doctor, have no medicine, and no way to get any? That is a very real problem outside of not just having water. So not only do you have to be worried about dying of thirst, but if you don't at least try to find medicine, you won't make it anyway. Bad situation!

What also made it so tense was the fact that the adults were not willing to help the children. It is shocking as a reader to see grown men stealing from children, and leaving them to essentially die instead of having a natural instinct to protect them. What makes it really sad, is that would be true for some people. The adults in this book do not want to help the kids, but are actively stealing their resources and leaving them helpless. That just shouldn't be in our nature, but this book explores the idea of our real nature coming out when put in dire situations. If you've watched any disaster/survival movies, one common theme you see is that surviving the initial attack or natural disaster isn't where the trouble ends: surviving the remaining people with limited resources and no law enforcement is the real problem. It brings us to question, how would we react? What would we be willing to do to survive?

I highly recommend this fast paced read! If you have any reluctant readers, or guys looking for a a good story with a strong male protagonist, find this book and give it to them! Happy reading!