{"id":40004,"date":"2021-09-18T22:48:46","date_gmt":"2021-09-19T02:48:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=40004"},"modified":"2021-09-18T22:48:46","modified_gmt":"2021-09-19T02:48:46","slug":"review-of-subpar-parks-by-amber-share","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=40004","title":{"rendered":"Review of Subpar Parks, by Amber Share"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Subpar Parks<\/p>\n

America\u2019s Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors<\/em><\/p>\n

by Amber Share<\/p>\n

Plume (Penguin Random House), 2021. 206 pages.
\nReview written September 7, 2021, from a library book
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

I have several friends who have recently vacationed in National Parks, and I want all of them to read this book. I love it! It\u2019s a travel book, it\u2019s a book of beautiful artwork \u2013 and it\u2019s hilarious as well.<\/p>\n

Amber Share traveled to National Parks from every region of America and made an iconic painting of a scene from each one. Then she superimposed on each painting the words from a one-star review of that park she found on the internet, in the style of an old-fashioned travel poster. The result is wonderfully comical in the juxtaposition.<\/p>\n

Here are some examples, though it\u2019s not nearly as good without the artwork:<\/p>\n

At Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska: \u201cMountains not nearly tall enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho: \u201cNot really what I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Hawai\u2019I Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii: \u201cDidn\u2019t even get to touch lava.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Lassen Volcanic National Park in California: \u201cNo idea what people like about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Yosemite National Park in California: \u201cTrees block view and there are too many gray rocks.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Arches National Park in Utah: \u201cLooks nothing like the license plate.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah: \u201cToo orange; too spiky.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado: \u201cIt\u2019s just a big mountain of sand.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis: \u201cNo real point.\u201d <\/p>\n

At Assateague National Seashore in Maryland and Virginia: \u201cHorse poop on the beach.\u201d<\/p>\n

I should stop! The gorgeous paintings (always in poster style) of these parks make the comments all the funnier.<\/p>\n

Besides the silly commentary from disgruntled visitors, this book is packed with information about the various national parks and gives ideas of what to see and do when you visit, including insider tips from park rangers. I for one have revived a childhood desire to do a big road trip and visit national parks across America. If I ever do it, I will bring along a copy of this book.<\/p>\n

subparparks.com<\/a>
\npenguinrandomhouse.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Nonfiction\/subpar_parks.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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