Come in out of the sun for readings at Auntie’s
Summer isn’t necessarily the best time for literary events. So much sun, so little time. But Auntie’s Bookstore is doing its best to bring in some worthy talent. Among the highlights ahead in the next few weeks, expect to see novelist Andrew Vachss and former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic. Here’s an abbreviated list:
• Claire Davis, June 1: The Lewiston author will read from her second novel, “Season of the Snake.”
• Chris Crutcher, June 8: Spokane’s nationally known young-adult author will read from his new novel, “The Sledding Hill.”
• Craig Gabriel, June 9: Prison is the theme as the author presents his book “Prison Conversations: Prisoners at the Washington State Reformatory Discuss Life, Freedom, Crime and Punishment.”
• Debbie Macomber, June 10: The Seattle romance author will bring along her newest novel, “A Good Yarn.”
• Jane Kirkpatrick, June 15: The Oregon historical novelist will read from her new book, “A Land of Sheltered Promise.”
• Phil Condon, June 17: Missoula novelist Condon will read from his new book of essays, “Montana Surround.”
• Andrew Vachss, June 22: A champion against child abuse, best-selling author and attorney Vachss will read from his new novel “Two Trains Running.”
• Krist Novoselic, June 27: The former Nirvana member will present his book “Of Grunge and Government: Let’s Fix This Broken Democracy!” which he describes as “one part memoir, one part political platform.”
For further information about Auntie’s readings, call Mitch Finley at 838-0206.
Back in the past
One of the authors who will be reading at Auntie’s Bookstore this week, Jon Turk (see Reader Board below), is someone who likes to research his topic.
In 1999, he says, he sailed a small trimaran from Japan to Alaska. A year later he paddled the same route in a kayak.
And now he offers up “In the Wake of Jomon” (McGraw-Hill, 312 pages, $24.95), a book that, Turk says, “tells the story of the modern expedition and looks backward in awe at Stone Age mariners who paddled these waters over 10,000 years ago.
“The book asks, ‘Why did people with primitive stone tools leave their homes in the lush temperate bamboo forests, with salmon in the rivers, seals in the bays and deer and berries in the forests – to paddle into the frozen Arctic?’ “
Good question. I’m betting Turk has an answer.
Authors wanted
One of the things that authors know best is that marketing is everything. And one big part of marketing is simply getting out there in front of the public.
So all you area authors listen up: St. Vincent de Paul is, says operations manager Matthew Meeusen, “seeking authors to consign and sign their books at our stores.” To get more information, call Meeusen at 535-2491.
Poets, too
Nadine Chapman, an assistant professor of English at Whitworth College, got some good news recently: Her poetry chapbook “On Solitude” was published by Finishing Line Press.
Chapman, who holds an M.F.A. in creative writing from Eastern Washington University, has had poetry published in literary journals and magazines such as Plainswoman, Yankee and The Lyric, and short stories in Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies and Weber Studies.
Book talk
• Poetry Reading Group, 3 p.m. today, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington (838-0206).
• Friends of Cheney Community Library Book Discussion Group (“Atonement: A Novel,” Ian McEwan), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Cheney Community Library, 610 N. First St., Cheney (235-7333). Discussion leader: Joan Tracy.
• Who Reads What? Book Club (“The Secret Life of Bees,” Sue Monk Kidd), 7 p.m. Thursday, Whitman County Library, Colfax Branch (397-4366, toll-free 877-733-3375).
•Valley Hastings “Harry Potter” Countdown (“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”), 7 p.m. Friday, Valley Hastings, 15312 E. Sprague Ave. (924-0667).
The reader board
• Lisa Stout (“Aardvark Memories”), Karen Buck (“The Saltwater Cat”), readings, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
• Fred Brown (“Hot Sand & Cold Blast,” “Zombeast”), signing, noon-5 p.m. Tuesday, Valley Hastings.
• MaryJane Butters (“MaryJane’s Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook: For the Farmgirl in All of Us”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Auntie’s Bookstore; signing, noon-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Whitman County Library, Colfax Branch.
• Steven Trent Smith (“The Rescue”), Jon Turk (“In the Wake of Jomon”), readings, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
• Jill Christman (“Darkroom: a Family Exposure”), reading, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Kettle Falls (Wash.) Public Library (738-6817).
• Jonathan Johnson (“Hannah and the Mountain”), reading, 7 p.m. Friday, Oden Hall, 143 Sunnyside Road, Sandpoint (208-255-4410).
• Kenn Nesbitt (“When the Teacher Isn’t Looking”), children’s program, 2 p.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
• Ron Tarpenning (“League of Shadows”), signing, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Bookstore.