It was a tough year for newlyweds Brad Bird and Karen Stewart. Karen's mother died, and then Brad's father. Raccoons invaded their home through the cat door, carpenter ants feasted on their deck and the rain in Parksville, B. C., Canada, never seemed to end. In an effort to inject some good cheer, Brad suggests they fly to England and spend some time walking and camping. It turned into a wonderful journey of discovery, not only of each other, but also of Brad's family in Driffield, whom he met for the first time. Footloose lets the reader journey with the couple through rain, mud, and glorious sunshine. Later they visit Karen's people in Bavaria and do some walking there as well. Brad sets the stage with background about his upbringing and days at the Winnipeg Free Press, and finishes the book with the story of a fundraising walk through parts of Manitoba and North Dakota to in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. This is a humourous and heart-warming book in which free spirits will discover like-minded friends. | Footloose by Brad Bird, Paperback | Indigo Chapters