Early Summer 2005 - BOOKLOFT NEWSLETTER
Coming Events:
June 9, 7:30 pm ~ Noted Western History writer reading at The Bookloft ~ Candy Moulton is the author of twelve Western history books, including Everyday Life Among the American Indians from 1800 to 1900, The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the Wild West from 1840 to 1900, and (with Ben Kern) Wagon Wheels: A Contemporary Journey on the Oregon Trail. She also edits Roundup Magazine for the Western Writers of America and writes for such magazines as True West, Wild West Persimmon Hill and American Cowboy. Ms. Moulton will read from her new book, Chief Joseph: Guardian of the People.
June 23, 7:30 pm ~ Award-Winning Mystery Author Julie Spencer-Fleming appearing at The Bookloft ~ Julia Spencer-Fleming's first book In the Bleak Midwinter, reached unprecedented heights in the mystery world, receiving the Agatha for Best First Mystery as well as the Malice Domestic, the Anthony , the Dilys, the Barry and the Macavity Awards, making Spencer-Fleming the first author to win all six awards for a first novel. She will read from her fourth novel, To Darkness and to Death. Copies of all of her books will be available for autographing.
July 16, 6:00 am ~ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the newest adventures of Harry and friends go on sale Saturday morning, July 16. Join us for treats and activities from the wizarding world. Costumes are encouraged! Send us an email and reserve your copy today.
Summer Mystery Reviews ~ What's Mary Been Reading?
MARY REVIEWS TWO SUMMER MYSTERIES
It's always fun to start at the beginning of a mystery series even if the authors have gone on to write many more. I recently had the chance to try a couple of author new to me.
THYME OF DEATH by Susan Wittig Albert
This is the first novel in a now successful mystery series featuring China Bayles, a former lawyer turned small business owner. In an attempt to get out of "the big city" and move to a smaller and quieter place, Bayles purchases an herb shop in a small town in Texas. She soon discovers that small towns have their own set of problems, politics and passions. In this novel, a friend dies of what seems to be a suicide. But Bayles is not convinced and pursues the matter as a murder. Filled with tidbits about growing herbs and herbal recipes, this was an enjoyable read and an introduction to a good sleuth. Berkley Paperback $6.99
XIBALBA MURDERS by Lyn Hamilton
I had been hearing about these archaeological mysteries for some time. They each take place in a different location around the world following the adventures of Lara McClintoch, owner of a Toronto antique store. Her travels in search of things for her store lead her into some interesting and unusual circumstances. In this first one, she has traveled to the Yucatan in response to a letter from a friend who is an expert in Mayan history. He has requested that she come down to help him with a project, but when she arrives, she discovers that he is missing under suspicious circumstances. This novel was both interesting and exciting. The author manages to include information about the history, culture and current political situation of the Mayan people in an action packed plot. Berkley Paperback $6.50
THE BOOK OF ILLUSIONS by Paul Auster
As the title of this novel suggests, it contains various plots and subplots all on the theme of what is real. A Vermont college professor, David Zimmer, has sunk into depths of depression and alcohol following the deaths of his wife and two young children. As an attempt at distraction, he watches some film clips of silent movies and discovers a silent-comedian Hector Mann, who vanished in 1920. Zimmer becomes intrigued with the actor and goes on a journey to view all remaining films by Mann of which there are now only single copies located at museums scattered across the world. Following his journey he returns to Vermont and writes a book about Mann's films which causes him to be contacted by a woman claiming to know the story of what happened to Mann. Zimmer's search for the answer to Mann's mysterious disappearance leads him to many more unusual situations but ultimately leads him back to reclaim a life of his own. Picador Trade Paper, $14.00
THE STORY OF LUCY GAULT by William Trevor
This is one of those books that took me by surprise. I would even call it a small gem. The Gaults are living on the family estate in Ireland when the turmoil that occurred in that country in the 1920s overtakes them. Through a couple of unfortunate happenstances, their family is torn apart and their lives forever altered. Lucy Gault is a small child at the start of the novel and the rest of the book follows her through her quiet solitary life. By examining this one small life spent in one small place, the author powerfully and beautifully demonstrates the lasting effects of chance events. Penguin Trade Paper $14.00
THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB by Karen Joy Fowler
In this fun , contemporary novel, five women and one man form a book club with the intent of reading and discussing all of Jane Austen's novels. We follow them as they move from one member's house to another for their meetings. At each house we also learn a little about the life of that particular member. As the book progresses, so do the relationships between the club members. The novel is a good look at both Austen's novels and about book clubs. It is also, in the manner of Jane Austen's novels, an enjoyable look at human behavior and social interactions. Her characters are appealing and I eagerly followed the course of this social comedy. Plume Trade Paper, $14.00
DID YOU KNOW?
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Bookmarks Archive
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