Reading the North

By David R. Bliss (Big Hill Publishers, $19.95)

The blurb: A middle-aged lawyer meets his greatest challenge when an old friend disappears into the Alaska wilderness, leaving a not-so-grieving wife and a cold trail behind.

Excerpt: "Just the plane ride alone had convinced George Campbell that Alaska was all that he expected it to be and more. From SeaTac Airport to Anchorage international there was nothing but breathtaking scenery of snow-capped mountains and ocean for the entire eighteen-hundred-mile flight. This cold mid-November day was blessed with brilliant blue skies so that you could see specks of villages down below if you looked close.

"Once outside the Anchorage airport he was struck by the drone and noise of airplanes, large and small, that seemed to fill the sky -- wheel planes, jumbo jets, ski planes, military transports, you name it, everybody seemed to be competing for airspace. Two large military bases also occupy part of the Anchorage landscape. He could see why Merrill Filed was known as the busiest small plane airport in the world. George always wanted to learn how to fly but never got around to it. "

Santa Christina and Her Sled Dogs

By George William Kelly, illustrated by Amy Cameron (McRoy and Blackburn, $14.95)

The blurb: This children's book depicts the adventures of Santa Claus' wife, who just so happens to be a star sled dog musher.

Excerpt: "Each year Santa Christina and her dog team visit the famous Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska. The Iditarod race follows the trail that Balto the sled dog took long ago. Balto was a hero. He guided his team through a blizzard. He delivered medicine in time to save the people of Nome, Alaska. A book was written about Balto.

"A statue of Balto was given to New York City. Mushers keep on running the Iditarod race in memory of Balto. They tell each other stories about mushing through winter blizzards with their sled dogs -- just like Balto."

Alaska's Gas: What Every American Needs to Know

By Anna von Reitz (Publish America)

The blurb: An analysis of the behind-the-scene realities and little-known facts that define the effort to bring Alaska's North Slope natural gas to market.

Excerpt: "For one group of players, the North Slope lease-holders, the object of the game is to delay construction of a gas pipeline as long as possible.

"For the other players, the people of Alaska, the object is to move construction forward immediately.

"The longer we delay construction of a gas pipeline, the closer we come to the day when the oil stops flowing and the money dries up. Faced with an economy in free-fall. Alaskan politicians will beg for the oil companies to take our gas at any price and they will tell us that whatever deal they strike is the best they can do."

-- Compiled by Matt Sullivan, Anchorage Daily News