Skamania County Reads

Skamania County Reads Book Cover Itch Fir tree in front of mountain

What's happening? 

Join us for the 11th annual Skamania County Reads! Come to Stevenson Community Library or North Bonneville Community Library and pick up a copy of Itch: a Pacific Northwest Trail story: 1248 miles in 4 weeks by Nick Fowler. Read it and bring it back so others can read it, too.

We'll have a book discussion and author visit on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 6:00-7:00 pm accessible both in person and online, as well as other speakers and programs during the month, including an art exhibit. 

Underwritten and books provided by Friends of Stevenson and North Bonneville Community Libraries.

About the book

Itch is a story about a novice hiker falling in love with the outdoors and chasing after a dream: to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail faster than anyone's ever done before. When it catches fire, he makes a last-minute decision to switch to the 1,248-mile Pacific Northwest Trail, not knowing what he's getting into. Imagine crossing seven different mountain ranges—from the Pacific Ocean to the Continental Divide—through rising tides, bushwhacks, and even grizzly country. Now imagine doing it in only 28 days. Nick Fowler did just that and his book will make you feel like you were hiking right along beside him--through the best and the worst of it. 

If you are considering the hike yourself, this book may give you some insights. From weather to widowmakers and stench to stinging nettles--all in the Pacific Northwest wilderness—Nick uses humor and wit to bring readers along on the trail. Just wait till you find out how he combated the chafing problems.