Byrd will read from ‘Calamity’ on Tuesday
The drama of the story alone should be sufficient to draw crowds to the Tuesday reading of “Calamity: The Heppner Flood of 1903” (University of Washington Press, $22.50).
This book is about the flood which nearly wiped out the Eastern Oregon town and killed hundreds. It was one of the biggest natural disasters in Northwest history.
What makes the story even more poignant is this simple fact: It could have been prevented.
A cloudburst washed out a debris dam just upstream from the town. The story is not just one of calamity, it’s also a cautionary environmental tale.
Just as noteworthy locally is the name of the author: Joann Green Byrd.
She was a longtime Spokane resident who worked as a reporter and assistant city editor of the Spokane Daily Chronicle during 1964-68 and 1972-78. You may remember her as Joann Gibbs.
Byrd went on to become the ombudsman for the Washington Post.
She grew up in Eastern Oregon and worked for the East Oregonian newspaper in Pendleton early in her career.
She’ll read from “Calamity” on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave.
The Salvatore reading
Top sci-fi/fantasy author R.A. Salvatore will no doubt draw lots of fans when he comes to Auntie’s Bookstore on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The prolific Salvatore is known for creating a number of popular series, including the “Forgotten Realms” series and the “Crimson Shadow” series.
He’ll be reading his latest work, “Ghost King,” the conclusion to his “Transitions” series.
Early warning
Here are some just-announced readings by noteworthy local authors at Auntie’s:
• Sherry Jones, reading from her new novel, “The Sword of Medina,” a follow-up to her controversial, “The Jewel of Medina.” Oct. 27, 7 p.m.
• Patrick F. McManus, the nationally best-selling humorist from Spokane, reading from his latest Sheriff Bo Tully mystery, “The Double-Jack Murders.” Nov. 22, 12:30 p.m.
Plant a ‘Mighty Oak’
Chewelah author K.S. Brooks has a teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation in a creative way to encourage both reading and reforestation.
For each purchase of Brooks’ children’s book “The Mighty Oak” (Cambridge Books), a donation will be made to the Arbor Day Foundation to support the planting of a tree in our nation’s forests.
“The Mighty Oak,” about a 300-year-old oak tree in the author’s backyard, introduces children to the ecology of trees through words and color photos.
Majer ‘Power’
Chris Majer, the well-known Spokane motivational expert and founder of the Human Potential Project, has just issued his new book, “The Power to Transform: 90 Days to a New You” (Rodale Press, $25.95).
The book promises to help you “quiet your inner cynic” and open yourself up to “new possibilities.”
Majer is scheduled for a reading at Auntie’s on Oct. 23, 7 p.m., and at the South Hill Hastings Store on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m.