Time for a new book

It’s time to start a book.

Each night before I call it a night, I take a little time to do some reading. I’m finishing up West Like Lightning: The Brief, Legendary Ride of the Pony Express by Jim DeFelice. I work in Old Sacramento, where the last station for the Pony Express was located in the B.F. Hastings building on 2^nd Street. A statue of a rider on his pony stands across the street to memorialize the historic site.

The Pony Express operated for only 19 months in 1860-1861, but the interest of this mail service still lives on. Maybe it’s the romance of the West. Young men faced the dangers of the weather (rain, snow,  heat), dangerous routes, threats from robbers and Indians, and long stretches of riding horseback. Riders would check in at a station, every 10-15 miles to change horses, and could go 75 – 100 miles before he would hand the mail to the next rider.

The book traces the trail from the route’s start at St. Joseph, Missouri to the final station in Sacramento. Along the way, the reader is introduced to a number of historical characters and touches on many events of the time. It’s an interesting read on the short-lived but notable role the Pony Express played in America’s history.

I have only a few more pages to get through tonight, but what will be the next book. I have so many books just waiting to be read, but which to choose is tough. Should I re-read of one of my John Steinbeck’s books (I have his complete collection), or the suspense/thriller of a book by Dean Koontz.

I guess I’ll find out soon.