Susan Orlean speaking at dinner Friday
Susan Orlean, the acclaimed New Yorker magazine writer and author, will speak at the third annual North Idaho Distinguished Humanities Lecture and Dinner, Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.
Orlean can claim a rare distinction among authors: She has been portrayed on the big screen by Meryl Streep.
Her book “The Orchid Thief” was the inspiration for the 2002 movie “Adaptation,” starring Streep.
Her most recent books are “My Kind of Place: Travel Stories from a Woman Who’s Been Everywhere” and “The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup: My Encounters With Extraordinary People.”
Tickets to the event are $40 general admission or $100 for the “benefactor” category. Reservations are available by calling (888) 345-5346 or online at www.idahohumanities.org.
New Lindholdt title
Well-known Spokane author Paul Lindholdt has just published a new book, “The Canoe and The Saddle: The Critical Edition,” with the University of Nebraska Press.
This is Theodore Winthrop’s 1853 travel account of a trip through the Puget Sound region and over Naches Pass. The town of Winthrop is named after him.
Lindholdt edited this new edition and wrote the introduction. The book was a sensation when first published in 1863. Anyone interested in the state’s history should check it out.
‘Skate’ across the state
Local author Michael Harmon has just published “Skate,” (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $15.95), a novel that follows Spokane runaways Ian and Sammy McDermott on an intense and dangerous journey across Washington.
Award-winning Spokane young adult author Chris Crutcher, Harmon’s writing mentor, calls the novel “both funny and tragic.” It captures both the anger and the fear of being a runaway, written in what Crutcher calls a “dead-on true voice.”
Prayers for the married
Spokane author Kathleen Finley has a new book on the market: “Prayers for the Newly Married” (ACTA Publications, $14.95).
It contains a number of prayers for new couples as they embark on their journey together. Call (800) 397-2282 to order a copy.
An award for Arana
Post Falls author Nikki Arana’s “The Winds of Sonoma” (Baker Books-Revell, $12.99) has been named the Women’s Fiction Book of the Year by American Christian Fiction Writers. The novel is an inspirational romance about faith, love and selfless commitment.
Book talk
“The Hastings Inspirational Readers Group will discuss “Arms of Deliverance” by Tricia Goyer, Monday at 7 p.m. at the Valley Hastings, 15312 E. Sprague Ave. (509-924-0667)
“The Dark City Mystery Book Group will discuss “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” by Laurie R. King on Monday, 7 p.m. at Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. (509-838-0206)
“The Spokane Valley Barnes & Noble Modern Fiction Book Club will discuss T.C. Boyle’s “The Inner Circle” on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the coffee shop area of the bookstore, 15310 E. Indiana Ave. (509-922-4014)
“The Auntie’s Youth Book Group will discuss “Peter and the Shadow Thieves” by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Auntie’s Bookstore.
The reader board
“Lola Schaefer will discuss her children’s book “Arrowhawk” at Children’s Corner Books & Toys (second level of River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave.) today at 2 p.m. (509-624-4820)
“Local author Ernest Schaak will present his memoir, “No-Name Montana Boy,” Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Auntie’s Bookstore.
“Spokane’s Kelly Milner Halls will present her nonfiction book, “Tales of the Cryptids: Mysterious Creatures That May or May Not Exist,” Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Auntie’s Bookstore.
“Landscape architecture scholar Kenneth Helphand will present his new book, “Defiant Gardens: Making Gardens in Wartime,” on Friday at 4:30 p.m. at the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education, Room 203, Washington State University in Pullman. (210-999-8882)
“Andrew Contreras will autograph copies of “Voice of the Seventh Angel” at area Hastings stores: Friday, 4 p.m. at 2512 E. 29th Ave.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7706 N. Division St.; Saturday, 5:30 to 8 p.m., 15312 E. Sprague Ave.; and Oct. 22, 1 p.m. at 1704 W. Wellesley Ave.
“Members of the Junior League of Spokane will sign and present samples from their new cookbook, “Still Gold’n: Celebrating Spokane One Meal at a Time,” Saturday, 2 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave.