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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘Falling Boy’ Author Reading At Auntie’s

When doing publicity for his first book, a collection of short stories titled “Blue Spruce,” Kalispell author David Long had definite opinions on the sometimes vague line between autobiography and pure fiction.

“The question of autobiography is real interesting,” said Long, who will appear at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. “I could go through all the stories and the novel that I am writing, and I could point to line after line - this came from this place and this came from that place. It’s not like you totally invent stuff.”

But, he added, the end result is make-believe.

It’s just the details, the ones that “slip into your head from your own reading, from the newspaper, from things you remember,” that are real.

The novel that Long referred to is now finished. And it is that book, “The Falling Boy,” that Long will read from at Auntie’s.

What are the familiar details? For one, the book is set in Montana. The rest… well, you’ll just have to read the novel and see.

“The Falling Boy” (Scribner, 287 pages, $22) is set in the 1950s-‘60s. Long’s protagonist marries into a family of women, a scenario that allows the author to explore the themes of family pressures, broken promises, sibling rivalry and ultimate betrayal.

For further information about upcoming Auntie’s readings, call 838-0206.

Looking ahead

Singer/storyteller Ted Hutchison will perform a program titled “Songs and Stories to Reconcile By” at 7 p.m., Feb. 3, at the East Side Branch of the Spokane Public Library, 524 S. Stone.

The event, co-sponsored by the Washington Commission for the Humanities and the Friends of the Spokane Public Library, is free and open to the public. For further information about Spokane Public Library programs, call 626-5300.

Book picks

Looking for something to read? The online bookseller Amazon.com has amassed a top 10 list of 1997 books, juried according to the literary tastes of its editors. The list is as follows:

1. “Underworld” by Don Delillo.

2. “Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster” by Jon Krakauer.

3. “Straight Man” by Richard Russo.

4. “Perfect Agreement” by Michael Downing.

5. “The Bookshop: A Novel” Penelope Fitzgerald.

6. “Naked” by David Sedaris.

7. “The God of Small Things” by Arundhati Roy.

8. “Jane Austen: A Life” by Claire Tomalin.

9. “The Club Dumas” by Arturo Perez-Reverte.

10. “The Springs of Affection: Stories of Dublin” by Maeve Brennan.

You can access Amazon’s entire list of 1997 best-sellers at www.amazon.com/bestsellers-of-1997.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: THE READER BOARD Playwright Rita Nachtman, author of “Return to the Mayflower” and “Pee Wee and the Wheelman,” will read from her plays at 7 p.m. Monday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. David Long, author of “The Falling Boy,” will read from his debut novel at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Auntie’s Bookstore. Craig Lesley, author of “The Sky Fisherman,” will read from his novel at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Spokane City Council Chambers, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

This sidebar appeared with the story: THE READER BOARD Playwright Rita Nachtman, author of “Return to the Mayflower” and “Pee Wee and the Wheelman,” will read from her plays at 7 p.m. Monday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. David Long, author of “The Falling Boy,” will read from his debut novel at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Auntie’s Bookstore. Craig Lesley, author of “The Sky Fisherman,” will read from his novel at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Spokane City Council Chambers, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.