Books: Leisure reading

'Buffalo for the Broken Heart'

By Dan O'Brien

Random House. $22.95.

The winters are cold in South Dakota. The summers are often too dry. Ranching is a rough proposition in there, as Dan O'Brien describes it. For those who raise buffalo, however, life is good.

O'Brien's memoir, subtitled "Restoring Life to a Black Hills Ranch," begins in January 1998, when he went to a buffalo roundup on a neighbor's ranch and came away knowing that these were the animals that were supposed to be living on the Plains. The book tells the story of how O'Brien built a herd (including his buying trip to Antelope Island State Park in Utah). The story ends a year ago, when he hired his neighbor to slaughter some of the young bulls.

No one writes more lovingly of the land than does O'Brien. He draws a joyous portrait of grass and sky and animals. To him, the buffalo are "enduring as bedrock, powerful as the prairie wind." — Susan Whitney

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'No Doubt About It'

By Sheri Dew

Deseret Book, $17.95.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints grow up hearing this reminder from parents: "Remember who you are!" In this LDS book of religious advice, Sheri Dew, second counselor in the church's Relief Society Presidency, strengthens that admonition — as well as "who you have always been."

Dew was conspicuous when she was called in 1997 because she has never married. Although she has not referred to her marital status in satellite broadcasts, she mentions it many times here, making it clear that she considers it a burden, even though she is a happy, successful person. Thus, her book should be of great comfort to other single members of the church who look to someone of similar experience for advice.

Dew writes well and includes many lively personal experiences that make this an interesting and important book. — Dennis Lythgoe

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'J. K. Rowling: A Biography'

By Sean Smith

Michael O'Mara Books Ltd., $22.95.