Book Notes: Books great Christmas presents for anyone
It’s never too early think about giving books as Christmas presents. And even once-stodgy university presses are getting into the act.
At Eastern Washington University Press, director Ivar Nelson is particularly high on a memoir titled “I Little Slave” (EWU Press, 440 pages, $21.95) by Bounsang Khamkeo.
Khamkeo, formerly a member of the Laotian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tells of how he spent seven years in prison after being seized by Laos’ Pathet Lao government in 1975.
“This memoir of the Laotian death camps is the first full account of the Pathet Lao’s secret jungle prisons,” wrote Keith Quincy, an EWU professor and author of “Hmong: Story of a People.”
“As gripping as ‘A Cambodian Odyssey,’ it is a jolting reminder of the atrocities that states rush to commit once fanaticism – political or religious – rips off the precious shackles of human decency. What a miracle that Khamkeo survived to write the story.”
To order, call (800) 508-9095. Or go online to http://ewupress.ewu.edu.
Down at Washington State University, one potential gift suggestion that crossed my desk recently was “Picture WSU: Images from Washington State University” (WSU Press, 160 pages, $19.95 paper), which is appropriate for most Cougar grads or just fans.
With text provided by WSU Press staffers, the book boasts 160 photos taken mostly by university photographers Shelly Hanks and Robert Hubner. The images focus on “the WSU student experience,” from classroom to extracurricular activities to campus architecture.
To order, call (800) 354-7360. Or go online to http://wsupress.wsu.edu.
And let’s not leave out the University of Washington Press. One interesting 2006 coffee-table book that came in was “River of Memory: The Everlasting Columbia” (UW Press, 150 pages, $24.95 paper) by William D. Layman.
Published in partnership with the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, “River of Memory” grew out of an exhibition whose intention, wrote Layman, was “to bring the images of the natural river into collective awareness.” Filled with maps, photos, illustrations and text, the book is a virtual love letter to the great Columbia.
“In the not-too-distant future the last person holding living memory of Celilo and Kettle Falls will have died,” Layman wrote. “May these views, illustrations, narratives and poems foster a new intimacy and connection that brings people into an ever-deepening relationship to this special Northwest place – the Great River of the West.”
To order, call (800) 441-4115. Or go online to www.washington.edu/uwpress/index.html.
Reprint city
Gregory Spatz’s story “Bluegrass Boy,” which comes from the collection “Fiddler’s Dream,” was included in the fall 2006 issue of Shenandoah: The Washington and Lee University Review. Spatz teaches in the creative writing program at Eastern Washington University.
Other media
“Auntie’s is offering two slide-show programs in the coming week. First up, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, is Ed Muzatko’s “As Time Goes By,” which tells the story of “the Little Goose Gang, steelheaders at their finest.” At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Kelly Lerner, a Spokane architect, will present a 45-minute slide show titled “Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House” (co-authored with Carol Venolia).
“Julie Anne Young will present a video titled “How to Be a Singing Star” from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Valley Hastings, 15312 E. Sprague.
Book talk
“Literary Freedom Book Group (“In Sunlight, in a Beautiful Garden,” by Kathleen Cambor), 1 p.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. Call (509) 838-0206.
The reader board
“Kenn Nesbitt (“Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney”), reading, 12:30 p.m. today, Valley Hastings. Call (509) 924-0667.
“Ed Muzatko (“As Time Goes By”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
“Beth Cooley (“Shelter”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
“Luella Dow (“Jubal’s Cup”), signing, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Valley Hastings.