Book Notes: Mix of Johnsons set to appear at Auntie’s
It’s a June of Johnsons at Auntie’s Bookstore.
Father and son Larry and Nathan Johnson will sign copies of their book, “Montana Waterfalls: A Guide for Sighters, Hikers and Waterfall Enthusiasts,” from 1-3 p.m. on June 9 on the store’s main floor. Meanwhile, upstairs in the mezzanine, mother and daughter Cinda Johnson and Linea Johnson will present their memoir, “Perfect Chaos: A Daughter’s Journey to Survive Bipolar, a Mother’s Struggle to Save Her,” at 2 p.m.
Five days later, on June 14, Wyoming mystery writer Craig Johnson will read from his latest, “As the Crow Flies,” in the mezzanine at 7 p.m.
Auntie’s Lois Hughes said it appears these three groups of Johnsons are not related to each other.
Walter, Barnes set to read
It’s all part of a busy month at Spokane’s independent bookseller. On June 12, Jess Walter will kick off his national book tour with a reading from “Beautiful Ruins.” Look for a review of the new novel by Jim Kershner in the Today section on June 10.
On June 13, University of Idaho professor and award-winning author Kim Barnes will read from her new novel, “In the Kingdom of Men.” I’ve just started reading it, and while I haven’t gotten far, I’m enjoying it. The opening chapter is breathtaking and breakneck, covering Gin Mitchell’s dirt-poor childhood in Oklahoma to the start of her new life as a young married woman living in an oil company compound in Saudi Arabia. All before the end of page 35.
Also on the agenda for June are readings from noted local and regional authors. Karen Spears Zacharias, a journalism professor at Central Washington University, will read from her book, “Silence of Mockingbirds,” about a child’s murder in Corvallis, Ore., at 7 p.m. June 7. Sherry Jones will read from her latest, “Four Sisters, All Queens,” at 7 p.m. June 8. As a bonus, audience members who dress in royal garb can win a seat at a dinner party at Jones’ home later this summer.
James C. Glass, winner of the Writers of the Future prize, will read from “Sedona Conspiracy,” among other works,” on June 6. Kelly Milner Halls will read from “Hatchlings: Life-Size Baby Dinosaurs” at 7 p.m. June 21. Sharma Shields will read from her collection of short stories, “Favorite Monsters,” on June 27.
Auntie’s is located at 402 W. Main Ave. in downtown Spokane. For details on these and other readings, visit www.auntiesbooks.com, or look for the weekly Literary Calendar in Sunday’s Today section.
One more reading of note
To wrap up May, Auntie’s is hosting an event with mountaineer-author-politician John Roskelley on at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Roskelley’s three books – “Stories Off the Wall,” “Nandi Devi” and “Last Days” have been reissued as “The Roskelley Collection.”
Roskelley, a Spokane native, has climbed the world’s highest peaks, including Mt. Everest and K2. He served as a Spokane County commissioner from 1995 to 2004 and currently is running to reclaim a seat on the commission.