Book Notes: GU’s Armstrong wins fiction prize

David Armstrong, a lecturer in Gonzaga University’s English department, has won the 2014 New American Fiction Prize for his story collection “Reiterations.”

His first story collection, “Going Anywhere,” was published in November after winning the 2013 Leapfrog Fiction Contest. He’ll read some of his work on Wednesday evening as part of the Beacon Hill Reading Series. Also on the bill are poet John Whalen and nonfiction writer Nicole Sheets. The reading will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hagan Foundation Center for the Humanities in the library at Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene St.

Reedy strikes again

Trent Reedy, who works at the Eastern Washington University Writers’ Center, will celebrate the release of his fifth novel on Friday at Auntie’s Bookstore.

“Burning Nation” is the second novel in a trilogy he began last year with “Divided We Fall.” This young adult trilogy is set in an American on the verge of chaos. A teenage boy has joined the Idaho National Guard and is called to defend his state when federal forces invade.

Reedy’s other books include “Stealing Air” and “Words in the Dust.”

His reading will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Auntie’s, 402 W. Main Ave. Call (509) 838-0206 for more information.

Robinson, part II

Pulitzer-prize winning author Marilynne Robinson will visit both Gonzaga University and Auntie’s Bookstore this month. The Sandpoint native has written four novels and numerous essays over the years, when she’s not teaching at the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

Three of her novels – “Housekeeping,” “Home” and 2014’s “Lila” – were finalists for the National Book Award. “Gilead” won the Pulitzer.

She’ll be at Gonzaga’s Globe Room, in Cataldo Hall, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18. She’ll be at Auntie’s at 7 p.m. Feb. 19.

And speaking of Robinson, her debut novel, “Housekeeping,” will be read on Spokane Public Radio’s “Bookshelf” program beginning Monday at 6:30 p.m. Hear it on 91.1 FM.