Gurian Book Serves As Guide For Boys
Following up his role as a mentor for boys, Spokane author Michael Gurian has co-authored a book with another Spokane writer, Terry Trueman, that seeks to serve as a reader’s guide.
“What Stories Does My Son Need?” (Tarcher/Putnam, 160 pages, $9.95 paper) lists 100 movies and 100 books aimed at boys. The lists are age-appropriate, from kindergarten (“Babe” as a movie, “Where the Wild Things Are” as a book) to high school (“Schindler’s List,” “The Catcher in the Rye”).
Creating such a book filled a special need in Gurian, one fueled by watching parents take their young boys to movies — “Saving Private Ryan” in particular — that he didn’t think they were mature enough to handle.
“Myths and legends are primal stories, as are biblical parables, spiritual epics, many fairy tales and some modern books and movies,” Gurian wrote in the book’s introduction. “They are not mere entertainment — they are parental and communal aids for teaching the lessons of life.”
Those italics, by the way, are Gurian’s.
“What Stories Does My Son Need?” should be available sometime this month.
Book groups
* “Ginger Tree” by Oswald Wynd is the June selection of the Auntie’s Book Club, which meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the store, Main and Washington (838-0206).
What’s your signing?
* Bill Elston, author of “Teach Your Children How to Play Golf” and “Golf History of Spokane,” will sign copies of his books beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Barnes & Noble, which is located just east of the Spokane Valley Mall (922-4104).
* Marilyn Jordan George, author of “Following the Alaskan Dream: My Salmon Trolling Adventure in the Last Frontier,” will sign copies of her book Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Southside Hastings, 2805 E. 29th, and beginning at 7 p.m. at the Valley Hastings, 15312 E. Sprague (535-4029/924-0667).
The reader board
* Eastern Washington University students will read short stories and poetry from their collection “Inroads Anthology” at 7 p.m. Monday at the North Spokane Hastings, 7706 N. Division (483-2154).
* Loren Robinson, author of “Hold Until Spring,” will read from his book at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Auntie’s Bookstore.
* John R. Downes, author of “A Few Deadly Friends,” will read from his novel at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Auntie’s Bookstore.