Jones serves up sequel to ‘Jewel of Medina’
Spokane author Sherry Jones, who made international headlines in 2008 with her controversial novel “The Jewel of Medina,” has published a sequel, “The Sword of Medina” (Beaufort Books, $24.95).
The first book was dropped by Random House following accusations that it was “soft-core pornography” – about Muhammad, the founder of Islam, no less.
It was immediately picked up by Beaufort Books and sold briskly.
Jones maintained all along that the novel was not remotely pornographic and was simply misunderstood. She later said the “furor and controversy went away” once people actually read the book.
“The Sword of Medina” is a fictional account of Muhammad’s favorite wife, A’isha, and the jeweled sword that that he left her.
Jones will read from the new book – and discuss her unusual publishing journey – at Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave., on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Schallau’s world-class art
Daniel Schallau, a former Spokane resident who works in Tokyo, will be at Auntie’s Bookstore on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. demonstrating his brilliant, whimsical and beautifully detailed illustrations.
He is the author-illustrator of the gorgeous children’s picture book “Come Back Soon” (Houghton Mifflin, $17), about an elephant who leaves his island – and his comfort zone – to visit the penguins in Icetown.
Schallau says that it mirrors his own journey from America to Japan, where he works as an English teacher and illustrator.
He’ll sign books and also do some sketches.
A raft of new titles
Here are some newly released titles with local ties:
• “Nature Exploring in Eastern Washington and North Idaho,” a slim guidebook offering ideas and information about local hiking and exploring spots, by writer-photographer Rich Leon.
• “The Zhombie Connection” (Gray Dog Press, $15.95) by Rosalia author Jean Flanigen, book two in the Zhombie series about a family thrown into “parallel timelines.”
• “The Treehouse” (Gray Dog Press, $15.95) by Spokane author Bob Manion, a contemporary romance about a Marine and a young woman lawyer.
Sartre and Camus
If you’re feeling philosophical, you should head over to Gonzaga University on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a public discussion titled, “What Can We Learn from Sartre and Camus?”
This is part of the ongoing “What Can We Learn?” series, this one featuring Ted Di Maria of the university’s philosophy department and John Downey of the religious studies department.
The event is free and open to the public in the Wolff Auditorium in GU’s Jepson Center.