Beneath Cold Seas

By David Hall (University of Washington Press, $45)

The blurb: This collection of underwater photography contains images of marine life, including behaviors that are seldom seen. Contains a foreword by Christopher Newbert and introduction by Sarika Cullis-Suzuki

Excerpt: "Nearly all of my early diving was done in tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific waters, on some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Corals and coral reef fish are sublimely colorful and, combined with clear tropical water, can make for wonderful underwater photography. Cold-water fish are often drab, the corals are unimpressive, and cold seawater is typically green and murky from an abundance of phytoplankton. Given these facts, you might logically ask: why this book?

"Part of the answer lies in the amazing variety of invertebrate life -- much of it endemic -- inhabiting the Pacific coastal waters of North America. Particularly notable is the diversity of sea stars, lithode crabs, nudibranchs, chitons, anemones, and jellyfish. Add to this a surprising number of unique fish, an impressive array of marine plants, and some very photogenic marine mammals, and you will better understand my enthusiasm."

North by 2020: Perspectives on Alaska's Changing Social-Ecological Systems

Edited by Amy Lauren Lovecraft and Hajo Eicken (University of Alaska Press Fairbanks, $70)

The blurb: Originating from workshops and other research activities as part of a forum, this volume addresses a host of current concerns regarding the ecology and rapid transformation of the Arctic.

Excerpt: "Indigenous societies, as a matter of survival, have long sought to understand the irregularities in the world around them, recognizing many underlying patterns of order in nature. For example, Alaska Native people have long been able to predict weather based on observations of subtle signs that presage what conditions are likely to be. With the vagaries introduced into the environment by accelerated climate change in recent years, there is a growing interest in exploring the potential for a complementary relationship between what were previously considered to be two disparate and irreconcilable systems of thought: western science and indigenous knowledge."

Chopping Ice: Finding Love and Adventure in Alaska

By Paul Flentge (AuthorHouse)

The blurb: After moving to Anchorage from the Midwest, Lonnie befriends and joins a trio of friends and falls in love with Zoe. After discovering a secret, Lonnie has to escape to the Alaska wilderness to avoid the vengeance of his former friends.

Excerpt: "My arms belong to Zoe but I keep my hands to myself. It is much easier during the week. The night shift stakes its claim on me until Friday mornings and Zoe works days. Her shift starts an hour before I get off.

"During my workweek I sleep at my furniture-less hovel. At Zoe's trailer, my side of her bed remains empty five nights in a row. My head is another matter. Dreams of her fill my morning slumber while she works just a short two blocks away. And sometimes those dreams literally spill over into reality."

-- Compiled by Matt Sullivan, Anchorage Daily News