Spokane Is Reading selects Alexie’s ‘Diary’

When October rolls around, and the region again takes up the group reading project known as Spokane Is Reading, there will be a number of events worth noting on your literary calendar.

This year the book selection is Sherman Alexie’s novel “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” (Little, Brown, 288 pages, $8.99 paper), which won the young-adult version of the 2007 National Book Award.

Alexie, a native of Wellpinit, Wash., who now lives in Seattle, will make a couple of personal appearances on Oct. 16.

He will speak at 1 p.m. at The Service Station, 9315 N. Nevada St., and at 7 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, 1108 W. Riverside Ave. Both appearances are free and open to the public.

For further information about Spokane Is Reading, go online at www.spokaneisreading.org.

For love of a dog

For most newspaper readers, the name Grover Krantz evokes images of Bigfoot.

Krantz, who died in 2002 at age 70, was known for his belief in the existence of Sasquatch. Author of the book “Bigfoot Sasquatch: Evidence,” he was a professor of anthropology at Washington State University until his retirement in 1998.

But Krantz may soon be known for something else. William Meacham, a book publisher in Hong Kong, has reprinted copies of Krantz’s nonfiction book, “Only a Dog,” about the late anthropologist’s relationship with his pet Irish Wolfhound, Clyde.

Here’s the problem, though: The book, which Krantz had self-published originally in 1998, isn’t yet available in the new edition – not through Amazon.com, through Auntie’s Bookstore or even the rare-books site, www.abebooks.com.

I’ve sent Meacham an e-mail inquiry, and I’ll report back on whatever order information he provides.

To read about Krantz, and specifically about his relationship with Clyde, go online at www.bigfootencounters.com/articles/grovers_bones.htm.

From Whitefish

The Whitefish Review, the literary journal published out of Whitefish, Mont., has put its third edition on the stands.

According to an announcement by editor-in-chief Brian Schott, some 300 artists and writers submitted work to the journal, but only 26 were selected.

Chief among the inclusions are an interview of Yaak, Mont., author Rick Bass (conducted by Schott and co-managing editor Ryan Friel), and stories by Bass and by Missoula author/filmmaker Annick Smith.

“We continue to be thrilled by the response to our journal,” Schott said in an e-mail. “We received submissions from all over the world and are proud to bring this new literary voice to Montana and the interior American West.”

Copies of The Whitefish Review cost $12. For order information, go online at www.whitefishreview.com.

Narnia bound

Lydia Newell, a 2004 graduate of Eastern Washington University, is getting the opportunity of a scholar’s lifetime: She’s been appointed to serve as a one-year term as academic administrator of author C.S. Lewis’ home in Oxford, England.

According to an announcement from Oxford University, Newell will oversee the Lewis Foundation Study Centre’s Scholars-in-Residence program, act as curator and librarian for the center’s collection and give historical tours.

Lewis is perhaps best known as author of the “Chronicles of Narnia” series. For more information on the study center, go online at http://www.cslewis.org/programs/kilns.

Library closing

Those library users who live in Whitman County will be out of luck beginning tomorrow through next Sunday. All 14 of the county’s library branches will be close for “maintenance projects, carpet cleaning and more.”

However, patrons will still be able to use some library facilities: The Ask Us 24/7 line will be working online at www.whitco.lib.wa.us.

The reader board

•Jim Kershner (“Carl Maxey: A Fighting Life”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. Call (509) 838-0206.

•Christine Marie Johnson (“The Tree with No Limbs”), signing, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Coeur d’Alene Hastings, 101 Best Ave. Call (208) 664-0464.