CHECK IT OUT

However well you know your dad, chances are you can gain insight about

him and other fathers with new memoirs, stories and nonfiction from the

shelves of Newport Beach libraries.

Just added to the collection is “Touching My Father’s Soul: A Sherpa’s

Journey to the Top of Everest.” In this account about following his

father’s footsteps up the world’s highest mountain, Jamling Tenzing

Norgay offers a unique perspective on the ill-fated 1996 trekking season

in the Himalayas.

Interwoven with stories about Jamling’s own ascent as climbing leader

of David Brashear’s Imax expedition are revelations about his dad’s

historic 1953 achievement. Especially interesting are deftly described

differences in the approach Westerners and native Nepalese take to

scaling peaks.

A different sport cements the relationship between U.S. News & World

Report editor Dan McGraw and his father. McGraw illuminates a shared

passion for the Cleveland Browns in “First and Last Seasons: A Father, a

Son and Sunday Afternoon Football.” In an emotional memoir that begins

when he comes home to act as caregiver and confidant to his dying father,

McGraw shows how men can find a common language in sports.

Dads play a pivotal role in the lives of their daughters, as the tales

in “Fathers and Daughters” attest. New York Times best-selling authors

Diana Gabaldon, Faye Kellerman and Eileen Goudge join with nine other

nationally recognized writers to craft this touching collection of

original fiction and nonfiction.

Other tales about relationships young women forge with men who loom

large in their lives are in “My Father, Dancing.” While it’s a collection

of fiction, the title of this anthology by Bliss Broyard, daughter of

late literary critic Anatole Broyard, seems to invite speculation about

its autobiographical roots. The dad-daughter relationships in the tales

are not altogether happy, but they provide thoughtful commentary on ways

fathers shape how their daughters relate with men.

A fictitious father also is on center stage in “The Rich Part of

Life,” Jim Kokoris’ engaging first novel about the aftermath of winning

the lottery. When he plays his late wife’s favorite numbers on the

anniversary of her death, Theo Pappas never suspects he would send life

with his two sons into a tailspin. A quirky story about father-child

bonds results.

Real fathers in midlife and beyond are the voices within “Wisdom of

Our Fathers,” the harvest of Joe Kita’s interviews with dozens of dads

about what they wish they’d known 30 years ago. If you’re looking to

spark a conversation with your father about health, wealth, marriage,

family or just about anything else that really matters, this could be the

very best Father’s Day gift.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with

Sara Barnicle. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers

by accessing the catalog at https://www.newportbeachlibrary.org.