Book tells ‘remarkable story’ of Canadian explorer
Timing is everything, even when it comes to books and museum exhibits. An exhibit titled “The Mapmaker’s Eye: David Thompson on the Columbia Plateau,” which offers a look at the journals, maps and other artifacts left from the Canadian explorer, opened Saturday at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave.
In conjunction with the exhibit, Washington State University Press has published a book bearing the same title. Written by Jack Nisbet, author of “Sources of the River: Tracking David Thompson Across Western North America” and “Purple Flat Top: In Pursuit of a Place,” the book, according to a press release, “uses new research and many previously unpublished sketches, maps and photographs to tell the remarkable story” of Thompson.
Nisbet’s book (180 pages, $29.95 paper) is available in bookstores or through WSU Press by calling (800) 354-7360.
Book clubbers
Area book groups gearing up for a new year of reading might consider attending Auntie’s Bookstore’s Annual Book Club Seminar, Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the store, Main and Washington.
Preregistration is preferred but not necessary. Auntie’s book-group coordinator Linda Bond will have resource material for all attendees, and Linda Lawrence Hunt, author of “Bold Spirit: Helga Estby’s Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America,” will speak.
For further information, call 838-0206.
‘Mic’ is pronounced ‘mike’
I seldom run press releases as I receive them. But I’m going to make an exception today with the following, which I present with a minimum of changes:
“Lost Horse Press is pleased to present Straight from the Horse’s Mouth, an Open Mic at the Hope Market Cafe, located next to the post office in historic Hope, Idaho (620 Wellington Place). Express yourself every first and third Thursday of the month beginning at 6 pm. The next Open Mic takes place on Thursday. Poets, musicians, comedians, writers, jugglers, singers, performance artists: Expect the unexpected! For additional information, please contact Lost Horse Press at (208) 255-4410 or email losthorsepress@mindspring.com.”
Enjoy.
•In other Lost Horse Press news, the Sandpoint-based publisher has just released a couple of books:
“Composing Voices: A Cycle of Dramatic Monologues” (144 pages, $20) by Robert Pack. Pack’s 18th collection of poetry is, the press says, an “expanded version of his 1984 book, ‘Faces in a Single Tree.’ “
“Finding the Top of the Sky” (116 pages, $16.95) by Portland writer James Grabill. This collection of essays insists that “compassion triumphs over cruelty, meditative clarity over bombast and spin.”
Book talk
•Poetry reading group (747-3454), 3 p.m. today, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington (838-0206).
•Auntie’s Book Group (“The Kite Runner,” by Khaled Hosseini), 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
•Book group seminar, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Auntie’s Bookstore. Speaker: Linda Lawrence Hunt (“Bold Spirit: Helga Estby’s Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America”).
•Valley Battai Readers Group (“Wayfarer’s Guide to Bringing the Sacred Home,” by Joseph Sheppherd), 7 p.m. Wednesday, Valley Hastings, 15312 E. Sprague Ave. (924-0667)
•Auntie’s Youth Book Group (“Capt. Hook: The Adventures of a Notorious Youth,” by J.V. Hart), 2 p.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
The reader board
•John Soennichsen (“Life From Death Valley”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
•Milt Ghivizzani (“Employee of the Year”), Joyce Yarrow (“Ask the Dead”), readings, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Auntie’s Bookstore.