Book Reviews
by Andrea Garvey • Huntington

Hiking Long Island
A Comprehensive Guide to Parks and Trails
By Lee McAllister
Published by New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, 156 Ramapo Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430

One does not have to travel far to experience the solitude and beauty of gentle rolling hills, dynamic coastlines, primal forests, clear bubbling streams and placid lakes and ponds. There is a remarkable diversity of scenery, plant species and wildlife right here on Long Island. This guidebook contains trails through preserves, state parks and estates, which include challenging hikes for the experienced hiker, as well as shorter walks for children and those simply seeking an easy stroll through nature.

Most locations contain a map for trail access points along with directions by car, bus and train. Highlights include detailed descriptions of wildlife and plants as well as great resting and viewing locations. Clearly evident is McAllister’s love and enthusiasm for the outdoors and Long Island’s natural beauty in particular.

For years, we have enjoyed hiking many of these trails. Yet surprisingly, this guide provided us fresh information and a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation. Hopefully this book will generate a greater appreciation for the Island’s remaining treasures, and its 2.7 million inhabitants will recognize the urgency to protect their fragile home. Hiking Long Island is a wonderful guide for anyone interested in spending time outdoors.

Miriam the Medium
By Rochelle Shapiro
Simon & Schuster Press
www.simonsays.com
If you foresaw an accident involving a stranger, would you tell them? If you saw someone experiencing sadness, but foresaw great happiness in their future would you let them know? Most likely a stranger would think you were some kind of nut and friends and relatives might begin to resent you for being privy to their innermost thoughts and secret deeds. Miriam had to face these challenges on a daily basis as she struggled with accepting her gift and herself.

In this novel, we take a journey into the everyday life of Miriam, the psychic. If you’ve ever had thoughts of, “wouldn’t it be cool to be a psychic” this book may cause you to reconsider.

Ms. Shapiro honestly depicts the trials and errors of navigating through relationships with one’s spouse and children. Poignant and tender, we hear of the “gift” that Miriam was born with. A gift that, against her mother’s strong wishes, is nurtured and developed through her psychically gifted grandmother. We are reminded of the struggle we all experience in being human, but through perseverance, we are able to gain acceptance and understanding of ourselves and others.

Andrea Garvey is Creations’ co-pubisher as well as a yoga instructor and singer/songwriter. You can contact her at 631-424-3594 or by email at: Andrea@creationsmagazine.com.