The poet Mary Barnard was an extremely private person, and single throughout her entire life. Her verse was spare and a bit cold, devoid of people. So how is that her 1958 book—Sappho: A New Translation—perfectly captured the Greek lyric poet, in all her sublime sensuality? Edited by Chris Lydgate.

Todd Palin competes in the Tesoro Iron Dog, a 2,000 mile snowmobile race across Alaska. Edited by Chris Hunt.

Ruled over by druggie tyrant Manuel Noriega for seven years, and occupied by the US military for nearly a century, Panama is still dotted with torture chambers and ominous military installations. Which is exactly what makes it a primo tourist destination. Edited by Amy Meeker.

The summer I turned 18, I lived with my grandmother in our family’s rambling summer home in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. It was an unusual housing scenario, but somehow the experience kind of launched my writing career. Edited by Jason Wilson.