A few nights ago, a local book club hosted me at an Italian restaurant so obsessed with garlic you smell it a few blocks before it comes into view. Nice.

Ramon, the man who sold me this computer, picked Walking my dog Jane as his book club selection a little while ago. He and his book clubbers read one book a month, and mine was the latest. He asked me if I'd have dinner with his group, and I said sure, I don't mind singing for my dinner.

Every time I do this, I love the experience. It's a privilege to discuss your work with people who have read it, and the night had even more meaning as it happened to be the 10-year anniversary of the day I completed the hike. Made me think of my friend Jane and the friends who hiked with me along the pipeline, so it was a fitting celebration. And a nice dinner, too, heavy on the garlic.

Ramon and his six friends (all women), asked me a few questions ("Are you and Smits still together?" No. "Do you stay in touch with the people in the book?" Some.) and also told me what they liked about the book, mostly how I shifted from first-person experiences on the hike to Alaska history to the incredible lives of wood frogs.

Ramon's was the second book club I've talked to. The other was another Fairbanks book club that includes my friends Larry and Terry. I showed slides at that one. The nights of reflection of a great trip are great fun for me, and maybe for the book club members, too.

I'm open for more of these appearances. If your book club might be interested, maybe we could make it happen. My email is ned@alaskatracks.com