‘Plainsong’ A Recommended Gift Idea Also Suggested Are Books By Area Authors

Just in time for your Christmas shopping, let me make one recommendation and then mention a number of new offerings by regional authors.

My recommendation: “Plainsong” by Kent Haruf (Vintage, 301 pages, $13 paper).

This is one of those books that sat on my nightstand (or near it; my nightstand is stacked too high with other “necessary” reading) for months before I opened it. And just as I was told, I loved it. The author, a 50-something creative writing teacher from the Midwest, has written a small masterpiece - a book centered in a small town that tackles most of life’s big issues.

Anyway, on to the area authors, most of whom are new to me:

“Eagle Boy” by Richard Lee Vaughan, illustrated by Lee Christiansen (Sasquatch, 30 pages, $16.95).

Children’s author Vaughan, who lives on Vashon Island, has retold what he generically calls a “Pacific Northwest Native” tale about a boy who loves eagles. When the boy and his village need help, the eagles return his affection. Illustrator Christiansen lives in Red Lodge, Mont.

“Your One-Stop Guide to Mary” (Charis Books, 154 pages, $9.99 paper), “The Seeker’s Guide to Saints” (Loyola Press, 182 pages, $11.95 paper) and “The 10 Commandments: Timeless Challenges for Today” (Liguori Publications, 130 pages, $12.95 paper), all by Mitch Finley.

The prolific Finley, the author of some 30 books, has these three out in time for a Christian Christmas. I still think he should have titled the one “There’s Something About Mary,” but Mitch - who coordinates the reading series at Auntie’s Bookstore - never listens to me.

“Idaho Anthem” by Les Montgomery (self-published, 339 pages, $20 paper).

Montgomery, a retired surgeon and third-generation Idahoan, has written a history of his native state that, he says, is filled with “interesting characters and, around here, there is no shortage of these.” He adds, “All will be fictitious lest I do them some factual injustice.” An entertaining read, available through Amazon.com (ISBN 0-9662621-2-3).

“Deadfall: Generations of Logging in the Pacific Northwest” by James LeMonds (Mountain Press, 201 pages, $14 paper).

The author, a teacher at R.A. Long High School in Longview, Wash., uses his family history of logging to give a glimpse of Washington’s best-known industry.

“Peaceful Valley, The Story of Kamiah’s Early Years” by Virginia Woods Meyer (self-published, 291 pages, $16.95 paper).

Meyer, a former professor at Montana State University and weekly columnist for the Lewiston Morning Tribune, has written an exhaustive history of the Idaho town located on the Nez Perce reservation. It is available through the author for $20.95, which includes shipping (send your check to: Virginia Meyer, 2024 E. 36th, Spokane, WA 99203), and Amazon.com for the list price.

That’s all I have space for. Have fun shopping.

Scrooge is coming

Auntie’s Bookstore is calling Michael Weaver’s Christmas reading of “A Christmas Carol,” which will occur at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, as “nearly a tradition.” Whatever, Weaver’s reading of the Dickens classic is free and open to the public, just as all good holiday treats should be.

Auntie’s is located at the corner of Main and Washington (838-0206).

McFarland is a winner

Idaho writer and poet Ron McFarland has won the Dr. O. Marvin Lewis Prize for a pair of stories he had published in Weber Studies, a literary journal published four times a year by Weber State University. The stories, “Different Words for Snow” and “Catching First Light,” were deemed the best fiction included in the journal’s 1999-2000 issues. McFarland, 58, teaches English at the University of Idaho.

What’s your signing?

John Downes (“A Few Deadly Friends”), 3 p.m. today, Valley Hastings, 15312 E. Sprague (924-0667).

Steve Hughes (“Wolf of Albion”), signings, 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Lincoln Heights Hastings (535-4342); 7 p.m. Thursday, Valley Hastings; 6-9 p.m. Friday, Shadle Hastings, 1704 W. Wellesley (327-6008); 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Coeur d’Alene Hastings, 101 Best Ave. (208-664-0464).

Bill Elston (“120 Years of Northwest Sports”), signing, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Valley Barnes & Noble, east of Spokane Valley Mall (482-4235); 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Bookstore.

David Winchester (“The Identical Corpse”), signing, 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Auntie’s Bookstore; 3 p.m. Saturday, Valley Hastings.

The reader board

Kenn Nesbitt (“Sailing Off to Singapore”), reading, 2 p.m. today, Children’s Corner Bookshop, 714 W. Main on skywalk level (624-4820).

Scott Thompson (“I Will Tell of My War Story”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Auntie’s Bookstore.