5/1/07

Clear DayWinter appears to have passed--although it's hard to believe the tulips will make it without a solid snowfall--but the farmers' market days have yet to come. Although it's okay to put down the Tolstoy that you've been reading, or staring at while it holds a stack of teacups, the hedonistic days of page-turners have rapidly approaching. Thanks to generous input from the local bibliognosts, BookPeople has authoritative authorial recommendations for negotiating the inter-literary doldrums: We would like to introduce you to Sarah Vowell, author of ASSASSINATION VACATION, THE PARTLY CLOUDY PATRIOT, and TAKE THE CANNOLI. Vowell has dry, witty prose that borders on snarky but is grounded by her fantastic intelligence. Her work exhibits extensive research and cutting insight, and although a Vowell book is a fast read, the content is fantastic. Another outstanding author, we would like to acquaint you with is Walter Moers, author of THE 13 1/2 LIVES OF CAPTAIN BLUEBEAR and RUMO AND HIS MIRACULOUS ADVENTURES. Moers writes about Zamonia, a land not unlike our own, were the continents shift and the cultural stereotypes actualize themselves into incongruous characters. Moers is reminiscent of the early Hitchhiker books, in that it is fast, funny, and as scathing as you'd like, but it has a warmer overtone and set of implicit messages that make his writing appropriate for a younger audience. While each book pushes 700 pages, each is a fast, fun, funny and engaging read, perfect to welcome summertime. Isabel Allende, author of INES OF MY SOUL, ZORRO, APHRODITE, THE EVA LUNA STORIES and more yet-to-be-translated works, is a fantastic writer. Her prose is sensual and her stories are evocative. They will keep you up, despite soporific goals. And while her books address different audiences and readers, none are less than great. Step into poetry with Adrienne Rich and THE SCHOOL AMONG THE RUINS. Rich has been publishing poetry steadily since her 1951 debut, which was selected by Auden for the Yale Young Poet's Award. She has been a vocal activist and supporter of women's liberation, but her recent work--notably FOX and SCHOOL AMONG THE RUINS--centers on the state of the artist in American society. And in honor of the incoming spring, check out Robin Wall Kimmerer's GATHERING MOSS: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses. This book has the reflection of Thoreau, the science of Gould, the approachability of Bryson and the linguistic awareness of a lyric poet. Who thinks about moss? Who cares? Why should we? Kimmerer flips those preconceptions and will have you walking with your nose to the ground, to the bark, to the moss to see the spectrum and scope of life.

Moscow Community Theater presents the Velveteen Rabbit. Dona strongly suggests you attend. The show is this weekend Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm and a matinee on Saturday at 2pm. Tickets are at Bookpeople. $3. Easy.

May 9th, MaryJane Butters will be here in BookPeople from 5:30-7:30 for a reading and signing of her new stitchery book, MARYJANE'S STITCHING ROOM. This is the latest work in the local legend's library, and works equally well as a companion to MARYJANE'S IDEABOOK, COOKBOOK, LIFEBOOK and a stand-alone reference for crafts of days gone by. Brush up your tatting, shine up the crochet hooks, and show up for a craftily creative evening!

Saturday, May 12th, come to a reading and signing with Kenneth Zontek, author of BUFFALO NATION: American Indian Efforts to Restore the Buffalo. Zontek describes himself as an "academic vagabond," who has moved, learned, and taught throughout the west. He now teaches history at Yakima Valley Community College, although he has a long history of teaching English, Spanish and social studies in high school. He received a Ph.D. in history from UI in 2003. BUFFALO NATION overlaps the history of buffalo destruction and Native American efforts for political and cultural recognition, and ultimately reflects on how Native American efforts to restore bison herds have opened new veins of cultural discourse. Copies are available for your prereading. May 19th, the Palouse League of the Washington Idaho Symphony will present a Spring Luncheon and Fashion Event. The event will begin at 11:00 AM with a no-host beverage social at the Best Western University Inn and the luncheon and fashion show will run from 11:45-1:15. Reservation deadline is May 14, and $15 tickets are available here at BookPeople.

-Book People of Moscow

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