Recently by Lisa Bedford: Food Storage Basics and Answers to Your Questions
I used to read one book after another and even won an award in 1st grade as an official, “Prescott, Arizona, Bookworm!” If I ever find the photo of myself wearing a bookworm costume standing in front of the city library, I’ll post it.
These days I’m more likely to be found reading non-fiction survival manuals and rarely have time to read simply for pleasure. However, last month I set a goal to begin reading survival, or apocalyptic, fiction and have 3 books under my belt.
Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
This book came highly recommended by a number of friends who are avid readers, and they were right on the money with their positive reviews. I thoroughly enjoyed the book once the action got started, about 25% into the book. Here is my review on video.
The Jakarta Pandemic by Steven Konkoly
Again, a winner in the category of survival fiction. This time around it’s a worldwide pandemic that threatens humanity. No family is untouched by the ravages of this virus, but fortunately, our hero, Alex Fletcher is a prepper and his family is well prepared for this and just about any other crisis.
It’s apparent from the first pages that everything Alex does, in terms of being prepared, is for the sake of his family. His wife, Kate, is completely on board but occasionally challenges Alex’s decisions and judgement. Together, they make a strong team, determined to protect their family from, first, the flu and then multiple dangers that come from neighbors and strangers alike.
Alex has three advantages: he’s a former Marine, is a pharmaceutical sales rep with access to a lot of medical information, and has an extremely well stocked basement with every sort of provision his family will need.
This book really kept my interest throughout and made me think about how prepared our family isn’t for a large scale pandemic. Unlike many other disaster scenarios, this one would require an individual or family to remain completely isolated for months. I had never thought that something as simple as my mail could transmit a virus or that a deadly pandemic would shut down power plants, water/sewage plants, and virtually eliminate most first responders.
There are a few odd notes here and there, such as Alex’s ridicule of Fox News and his obsession with watching The Today Show. Often these details didn’t dovetail with the picture I was getting in my mind of this character, his motivations, and state of mind.
Survivalists and preppers will enjoy reading about Alex’s stash of food, weapons, and other supplies, as well as some of his tactical and strategic decisions.
The Jakarta Pandemic has been recorded for readers who enjoy listening to their books, and that recording can be found here. It’s available at Amazon.
Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars and as a mom, give it a PG rating for language and a bit of graphic violence.
