These 3 Books Gift Possibilities
Coming up with a list of the year’s best reads is a questionable exercise. There are so many works published every year that it’s impossible to read them all.
But I have enjoyed some pretty good books recently. So if you’re looking for three last-minute literary stocking-stuffers, you might consider the following:
“She’s Come Undone” (Washington Square Press, $14 paper) by Wally Lamb: If all the books recommended by Oprah Winfrey’s book club are as good as this one, then she truly is doing readers, as well as writers, a service. Lamb tells the story of Dolores Price, a young woman who struggles against odds that would bring most of us to our knees only to emerge better and wiser, if not triumphant. Lamb, a first-time novelist, is particularly adept at writing from a woman’s point of view.
“Citizen Soldiers” (Touchstone Books, 512 pages, $16 paper) by Stephen E. Ambrose: This World War II history is subtitled “The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany, June 7, 1944, to May 7, 1945.” That pretty much covers it as Ambrose, the noted historian and author of “Undaunted Courage” and a biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower, picks up from D-Day and takes us through the end of the war in Europe. The book is particularly good at putting the reader directly in foxholes where freezing temperatures, rotting socks and missing rations are almost as much a problem as German guns.
“Gates of Fire” (Doubleday, 352 pages, $23.95) by Steven Pressfield: Stories of self-sacrifice have a universal appeal. When you add war to the mix, the blend becomes nearly irresistible. This well-researched look at the battle of Thermopylae, the legendary battle in which a small group of Spartans and their Greek allies battled a gigantic force of Persians, is equal parts history, cultural study and riveting fiction. Even though the ending is foretold (history tells us that the Spartans died to a man), Pressfield manages to keep us interested as he portrays both sides of war. As William Tecumseh Sherman once said, war is hell, and this was particularly true in 480 B.C. At the same time, it has been the source of some of the finest acts of honor and courage ever achieved.
Just for kids
The mother of my colleague, Susan English, passed on a reading tip for anyone interested in children’s literature. Camie English is a big fan of the “Teresa” novels of Florence Boutwell.
Boutwell, author of a three-part history of the Spokane Valley, has published “Teresa and the Coeur d’Alene Indians” and “Teresa of Northwood Prairie.” Both books cost $17.95 and can be ordered by calling 927-1721.
About “Teresa and the Coeur d’Alene Indians,” Camie English says, “This is a good children’s story for ages 8 to 14. The author writes with a mysterylike quality that captivates young readers.”
Slouching toward January
Michelle Galey, community resources coordinator for the new Barnes & Noble outlet in the Spokane Valley, says that the store will begin three different monthly book clubs in January for the general public.
A mystery club will meet on Jan. 7 to discuss “Instruments of Night” by Thomas H. Cook. A classics club will meet on Jan. 13 to discuss a new translation (by Breon Mitchell) of Franz Kafka’s “The Trial.” A science fiction/fantasy club will meet on Jan. 19 to discuss “Wizard’s First Rule” by Terry Goodkind.
All meetings will start at 7 p.m. All books will be on sale at a 30 percent discount. For further information, call 922-1684.
Signing books
Tulia Barbante, author of the Italian cookbook “Al Dente,” will sign copies of the book beginning at 11 a.m. today at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. For further information, call 838-0206.
Rosalie Willis, author of “A Walk With Jesus,” will sign copies of her book from noon to 2 p.m. today at the Book & Game Co. in Coeur d’Alene’s Silver Lake Mall, 200 W. Hanley. For further information, call (208) 762-2304.
Tony and Suzanne Schaeffer Bamonte, co-authors of “Manito Park: A Reflection of Spokane’s Past,” will sign copies of their book beginning at 1 p.m. at the Shadle Hastings, 1704 W. Wellesley. For further information, call 327-6008.
Carolyn Hage-Nunemaker, author of “Downtown Spokane Images,” will sign copies of her book at 1 p.m. at the North Division Hastings, 7706 N. Division. For further information, call 483-2865.
Paul Quinnett, author of “Fishing Lessons,” will read and sign copies of his book beginning at 3 p.m. at the North Division Hastings.
The reader board
Debbie Mumm, author of the home-decorating book “Welcome Home,” will present the book at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Auntie’s Bookstore.