Chuckanut Reader Summer 2013

A Village Books Publication Vol. 20 Issue 2

The

Chuckanut Reader Summer 2013

A Magazine for the Northwest’s Most Avid Readers

Chuckanut Writers Conference The

June 21-22

members only

STOREWIDE SALE June 29-30

Loads of Author

Events & Other Activities, Summer Reading Recommendations, A Farewell to Jim, and much more!

Reader Rewards & Devoted Dreamers Exclusive

MEMBERS ONLY

Anniversary

SALE

20% OFF STOREW

*

IDE

at both Village Books AND Paper Dreams!

June 29th & 30th Saturday & Sunday 10am*-8:30pm

* Saturday *

Paper Dreams will have a special 9am EARLY OPENING for Devoted Dreamers 5th Saturday Bag Holders 1-Hour Early Shopping for non-book items.

Enjoy Free Coffee and Donut Holes!

11am-7pm

Are you a member and can't make it in?

Call in your book order and receive the sale price when you pre-pay!

Not a Member? No Problem!

You can join this weekend and receive all of our great member benefits, plus the 20% discount. It's FREE & EASY!

* Sale does not include on eBooks, magazines, tic line purchases, eReaders, kets and a few other items.

2

Summer 2013

Building Community One Book at a Time

Dear Reader,

It seems there was once a time when things slowed down in the summer but, as you page through this edition of the Reader, I think you'll see that those days have passed. This summer is packed with activities of a wide variety. There's news here of a retirement, a wedding, the 33rd store anniversary, the return of Mark Twain to Fairhaven, the third iteration of the Chuckanut Writers Conference and the launch of a Teen Writers Conference, the debut of Bellingham novelist Julie Trimingham, a steampunk festival, the broader integration of Village Books and Paper Dreams, and much, much more.

And that doesn't cover all of our ongoing author events, including three episodes of the Chuckanut Radio Hour—a show with the author band, the Rejections, one with national bestselling author Chris Bohjalian, and another with Bellingham-raised thriller writer (also a national bestseller) Chelsea Cain.

Of course there are dozens of book previews and reviews by staff members, and a special article by Cathy Belben about books for guys. You can learn a bit more about Cathy in this issue's One Book Pledger article as well.

So there's lots to do this summer. Or, you could just pile up a bunch of the suggested books and head for the beach, the woods, or even your own backyard. Whatever kind of summer you have planned—busy or laid-back—we hope you have a great one and that books will be a part of it.

–Chuck, Dee,

In This Issue...

You don't want to miss our STOREWIDE SALE! Dear Reader Staff News: A Fond Farewell and a Wedding Fun Summer Activities in Fairhaven & Beyond Fiction, Mystery, and Sci Fi (highlights & reviews) The 2013 Chuckanut Writers Conference Book Getaways at The Willows Inn Food (book reviews & much more) In the Kitchen with Charles - cookbook reviews Books By and About Men Take the One Book Pledge Whatcom Reads! 2013 - David Guterson Bios, Memoirs and History (highlights & reviews) Business and Hedrick Smith Returns!

World Book Night 2013 2013 Indie Book Awards Seismic Section Shifts & a New Logo!

The Summer Chuckanut Radio Hour Line-up Science, and Nature (books) Psychology, Exercise, and Creativity (books) Great Reads & Activities for Kids AND Adults VB Reads—Join a VB Book Group Literature Live! Author Events at VB

2 3 4 5-10 11-25 27 29 31-32 35 37-38 39 41 42-44 45 47 48 49 51 52-53 55-56 57-65 66 67-70

and Everyone at Village Books & Paper Dreams

VILLAGE BOOKS

The Chuckanut Reader Summer 2013

Publishers: Chuck and Dee Robinson Production Design: Kelly Carbert

Contributors: Cathy Belben, Jenny Blenk, Kelly Carbert, Charles Claassen, Christina Claassen, Brendan Clark, Robert Gruen, Rachel Hanley, Paul Hanson, Alex Hatch, Sarah Hutton, Sam Kaas, Linda Lambert, Rachel McCausland, Claire McElroy-Chesson, Lindsey McGuirk, Laura Picco, Tiffany Riesenberg, Chuck Robinson, Dee Robinson, Rem Ryals, Jim Speidel, JoanTerselich, Jonica Todd, Terri Weiner, Cindi Williamson, and Anna Wolff Cover: Village Books celebrates writers through writing conferences, writing groups, and now a writing corner. Model: Jim Speidel.

Photo by Kelly Carbert Content except art & book covers ©Village Books 2013 Printed by the Lynden Tribune on paper made from 50% post-consumer waste

360.671.2626 800.392.BOOK (US & Canada) fax: 360.734.2573

browse & shop anytime!

We Sell Kobo eBooks, eReaders and Tablets!

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

VillageBooks.com

Village Books in Historic Fairhaven 1200 11th St., Bellingham, WA 98225

Summer 2013 3

How to

CELEBRATE a Birthday

25

JIM SAYS GOODBYE After 25 Years at VB

by Chuck Robinson Jim Speidel chose what some folks might think an odd way to celebrate his forty-third birthday—he came to work at Village Books. On July 21st, twenty-five years later, Jim will celebrate his birthday by retiring. He recently edged out Krista Hunter, who retired from the store after twenty-four and a half years, as the longest term employee on the book side of the business (JoAnn Hanesworth managed the Paper Dreams side for twenty-eight and a half years).

For years, Jim has been the bargain book buyer for the store. He also launched the used book program in the midnineties and has been its lead buyer ever since. Proof that he's a hard-working guy is that it's taking two people to replace him. Laura Picco, who has been with the store for nine years, will add the buying of bargain books to her duties, and Rem Ryals, a seventeen-year veteran, will become the lead used book buyer.

It's fairly certain that Jim will find plenty to do in his post-VB years. He has wide interests, from playing the guitar and doing art work to kayaking, bicycling and hiking. As his twenty-year travel gift from the store Jim chose a walking tour in the Cotswolds. But his most recent interest, and the one that makes him smile the most, is his new granddaughter, Josephine.

Everyone at Village Books and Paper Dreams will miss Jim's good humor and easy-going manner. Jim has made many friends among the readers who have met him here over the years. We hope you'll all come by in the next few weeks to bid him adieu and wish him well.

What Books Hath Brought Together…

Later this summer two members of our Leadership Team, Community Outreach Director Paul Hanson and Buyer and Floor Manager Kelly Evert, will be "bound" together in a first-ever wedding at the store.

Kelly and Paul joined the VB/PD team two years ago when they moved to Bellingham, after meeting and working together at Eagle Harbor Books on Bainbridge Island.

In Paul's words, "books & bookstores brought us together, so we thought it fitting to exchange our vows & celebrate amongst our friends, both real & paginated."

Congratulations!

4 Summer 2013

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

th n n e u r s R 1 n 4 e v a Annual Anniversary h r i a F & s k o Village Bo

5k Walk/Run for Literacy

Saturday, June 29th, 9am

All Proceeds Benefit the Whatcom Literacy Council

Day-of Registration behind Village Books 8:00–8:45am $15/individual $25/family

Registration forms available at Village Books & Fairhaven Runners!

REGISTER ONLINE at GetMeRegistered.com Thanks to all sponsors, donors, and volunteers for their contributions to this event.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

FREE Kids 1/2 Mile Run before the 5K start! s at 8:45am s race begin

Ages 10 & Under - thi

VOLUNTEER!

If you’re not up for walking or running and still want to help the cause, simply donate without participating or join us as a volunteer! Contact Katherine at WLC to find out how. (director@whatcomliteracy.org)

THRESHOLD DOCUMENTS

l

threshold

$10/Individual • $20/Family

threshold

Pre-register NOW—June 27!

We hope all runners, walkers, readers, and literacy advocates will come and participate in the 14th Annual Anniversary Walk/Run for Literacy. Enjoy good company, good food, live music, awards, and a drawing for random prizes after the race at the Fairhaven Village Green!

scanning archiving & project

printing

THRESHOLD DOCUMENTS

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scanning archiving & project

printing

Summer 2013

5

“So inspirational, so supportive. I will definitely be back.”

Edie Dietzen, Vancouver, WA

2012 Conference Attendee

Chuckanut Writers Conference

Inspiration into Action Friday and Saturday June 21 and 22, 2013 Whatcom Community College Bellingham, Washington There’s Still Time to Register!

Conference fee: $259

FACULTY

Alice Acheson Bruce Beasley Jeff Bender Wendy Call Karen Finneyfrock Waverly Fitzgerald Kathleen Flenniken Mary Hammerbeck Thor Hanson Gary Luke Frances McCue Suzanne Paola Brenda Peterson Naseem Rakha Natalie Serber Jennie Shortridge Garth Stein

www.chuckanutwritersconference.com presented by

Left: Original serigraph titled “Along Chuckanut Drive” by Nancy McDonnell Spaulding, commissioned by Chuckanut Bay Gallery, www.chuckanutbaygallery.com

Bellingham Theatre Guild 2013—2014 Season Prisoner of Second Avenue September 27 – October 13, 2013

Inspecting Carol

November 29 – December 15, 2013

A Guild Musical Review Late January 2014

Bellingham One-Act Theatre (B.O.A.T.) Festival February 21 – March 2, 2014

Women of Lockerbie April 11 – 27, 2014

A Chorus Line June 13 – 29, 2014

Season Tickets on sale now

Tickets 733 733--1811 1600 H St., Bellingham bellinghamtheatreguild.com

6

Summer 2013

Shop 24 hours a day at www.villagebooks.com

So Much to Do!

Don't Miss the Annual

Summer Solstice

Bellingham FARMERS MARKET

ART WALK in Fairhaven

in Fairhaven

Friday, June 21st, 5–8pm

Wednesdays, noon-5pm June through September

W hat a fantastic night for a stroll through Fairhaven ! You’ll find dozen s of shops and galleries displaying unique loc al art for the home and garden. Ma ny art ists will be in attendance. Get out and enjoy yourself!

Fairhaven is thrilled to welcome back the Bellingham Farmers Market to the Fairhaven Village Green each Wednesday from June through September. And Village Books is thrilled to sponsor the Musical Markets program again this year at the Wednesday markets. We hope you'll stop by and enjoy the market and the music each Wednesday afternoon from noon until 5pm.

Paper Dreams will feature a jewelry demonstration by Sonia Crowley of MyStrandJewe lry.

Village Books will exhibit the aer ial mountain photography of Skagit photographer John Scurlo ck in the Readings Gallery.

Stop by to check them out!

Saturday & Sunday June 22nd–23rd 11th Annual Imagine This!

Home & Landscape Tour

This year’s 11th annual Imagine this! Home and Landscape Tour, June 22nd and 23rd, will include 13 stops featuring the best in green building and smart growth practices. ,

Prices are $15 for individuals.

Kids 12 and under are FREE! Includes access to all tour stops and Sunday reception/auction, detailed tour map and resource guide all about the products and services featured by local design enthusiasts.

Tickets on sale at Village Books, and other locations. Tickets will also be sold online ––see sustainableconnections.org.

New this year—Green Playhouse Design/Build Competition & Auction. Local builders including Bellingham Bay Builders and Moceri Construction and local architects are coming together to design and build 9 playhouses showcasing green building principles and a lot of creative ideas around reuse. One playhouse will be raffled and the rest will be auctioned to benefit the Sustainable Connections Green Building & Smart Growth program.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

7

Enjoy the wonders of movie-watching under the stars on the Village Green.

Each evening starts with live entertainment which is followed by a full-length feature film. Admission is $5 per person.

Bring a blanket for the grass or a lawn chair for the brick side areas. Popcorn, pizza, and soda are available for purchase at the events or you're welcome to bring your own picnic. Sit back and enjoy!

Village Books & Paper Dreams are proud to sponsor Rise of the Guardians, Moonrise Kingdom, Brave, The Hunger Games, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and The Princess Bride.

8

Summer 2013

Building Community One Book at a Time

Girls Night Out in Fairhaven

Friday, June 28th, Shop 4-8pm Party 8-11pm

Backyard Bash Join Fairhaven’s Red Carpet Gala for ladies! 2013 brings the 8th annual Fairhaven Girls Night Out event to the district!

With the theme of "Backyard Bash," it's time to flaunt your frilly, airy attire, your floppy hats and your pink flamingos! So much fun—and all proceeds will go to St. Joseph's Cancer Center in Bellingham.

There will be...

Passport Event (4-8pm) that includes specials on shopping and dining from scores of Fairhaven businesses—food, games, specials, raffles and giveaways.

Backyard Bash (8-11pm) that includes drinks, music, photo booth, games, live AND silent auctions, a fashion show and fun!

Reserved Table Seating is available for you and up to 8 friends with treats and swag bags for each of you.

These tables are filling up quickly so don't wait! Contact girls@fairhaven.com to reserve your table now.

Wednesday, July 31 Family Ride:

WHERE'S WALDO?

Wear a red and white striped shirt and socks like Waldo and bike as a group to Village Books' Where's Waldo party for treats and prizes. 5:15 pm at Depot Market Square

Keep an eye on VillageBooks.com and Fairhaven.com for loads of fun, local events!

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

9

Mark Twain RETURNS TO

Fairhaven

by Chuck Robinson It took a long time for Mark Twain to get back to Fairhaven. He first visited on his speaking tour in 1895 and didn't get back until last summer when Mark Twain in Fairhaven was performed at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center.

It took that long in spite of the fact that the play was performed at the Theatre Guild and in Lynden before settling into its rightful place in Fairhaven.

Claire McElroy-Chesson

The play will make its second run in Fairhaven in August. Judith OwensLancaster will direct and Leon Charbonneau will reprise the Twain role that he so aptly played in Lynden in 2009. Others in the cast include Bonnie Hollingsworth, Karissa Elliott, Jenny Woods, Paul Henderson II, and Dana Crediford.

PERFORMANCES Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. & Sundays at 2:00 p.m. on August 1st–4th, August 8th–11th & August 15th–18th.

John Evans French returns this year as Music Director (and Elf!), Genevieve Dunn will choreograph, Susan Duncan is the costumer, Brittany Sterling will manage props, lighting design will be by Ryan Goelzenleuchter, sets by Marc Cutler, the Assistant Director is Angela Mills Watson and the House Manager will be Brittany Sterling.

TICKETS are $12 for adults and $8 for students & seniors (62 and older) and will be available July 1st at Village Books and online at BrownPaperTickets.com.

This musical tall tale, set at the time of The Firehouse Performing Arts Center Twain's real visit to Fairhaven, was penned is located at 1314 Harris Avenue. by local playwright Joseph Lenz. Though locals, during an economic downturn, have schemed to impress Twain and gain his support in bolstering the town, they fail to recognize him when he arrives in the local watering hole, sans white suit, and hilarity ensues. It's a play about dreams and reality and how to reconcile the two.

If you missed Mark's visit to Fairhaven in 1895, come see him this summer. Presented by the Old Fairhaven Association

E I N V I TE D R A U O Y to VB’s Summer Open Book Talk

Open Book Talk with VB Owners, Chuck & Dee

Wednesday, June 19th, 11am & 5:15pm in the VB Readings Gallery

You're invited to Village Books' Summer Open Book Talk on Wednesday, June 19th at either 11am or 5:15pm. VB co-owners Chuck and Dee Robinson will talk about a variety of books for you to consider adopting for your book groups or adding to your summer reading list. If you're in a book group, bring the whole gang. If you're not and want to be, maybe you'll meet someone to join you in starting a new group!

Don't miss this celebration of books and reading!

10

Summer 2013

Building Community One Book at a Time

FICTION brand new

FICTION

The Illusion of Separateness: A Novel

available in July, hardcover, Simon & Schuster,

available in June, hardcover, HarperCollins

This gripping, emotional story intertwines the stories of several compelling characters.

One by one, they discover the vital parts they have played in each other's lives, a realization that shatters the illusion of their separateness. The Illusion of Separateness displays the breathtaking skill of, "a truly special writer who does things with abstract language that is so evocative and original your breath literally catches in your chest." –Andre Dubus III

The Other Typist

by Suzanne Rindell

available now, hardcover, Penguin

"This eerie and compelling debut is a riveting page-turner, narrated by a strangely hypnotic yet dubious young woman who works as a typist for the NYPD in the 1920s. Don't start this novel at night if you need your beauty sleep— you'll stay up to all hours devouring its pages." –Alice LaPlante

by Toby Barlow

The Humans: A Novel

by Matt Haig

by Simon Van Booy

Babayaga: A Novel

hardcover FICTION

Two Staff Recommendations!

available in August, hardcover, Macmillan

It's Paris 1959, early in the Cold War, so we have admen, CIA, Russian witches, and a detective who's been transformed into a flea but remains on the case. Then add a couple strung-out jazzmen and a weaponized LSD plot.

Sound silly? Au contraire! This is a darkly atmospheric, beautifully crafted, and highly entertaining thriller. –Joan

Babayaga If you read my recommendation of Deathless by Valente (if not, it currently resides on our staff picks shelves), you'll know that I'm a sucker for a well-told modern rendition of the Russian folktales. To my delight, Barlow's novel delivers in this vein yet again. A panoply of characters (including spies, witches and a policeman turned into a flea) play against the backdrop of 1959 Cold War Paris.

Positively splendid Chekhovian storytelling. —Paul

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

When Professor Andrew Martin solves a mathematical puzzle which will catapult humanity into more rapid technological advancement than ever before, an advanced alien race steps in to erase the knowledge and those who know it exists. One alien in particular is given the unsavory assignment of impersonating the professor himself. Dropped on earth with nearly zero knowledge of human culture, our protagonist is at first repulsed, then fascinated by humans. Surprisingly witty, tender, and enlightening, The Humans could be a life-changing book for many in an age where it seems more and more difficult to find meaning in our existence.

I think I will have to keep a copy within easy reach from now on! –Rachel M.

The Panopticon

by Jenni Fagan

available in July, hardcover, Hogarth

A few months shy of her sixteenth birthday, Anais Hendricks sits in the back of a police car in Midlothian, Scotland, headed for the Panopticon, a home for chronic young offenders. She can't remember the events that led her here, but across town a policewoman lies in a coma and there is blood on Anais's school uniform.

In language dazzling, energetic and pure, The Panopticon introduces us to a heartbreaking young heroine and an incredibly assured and outstanding new voice in fiction.

Lookaway, Lookaway: A Novel

by Wilton Barnhardt

available in August, hardcover, Macmillan

Jerene Jarvis Johnston and her husband Duke are exemplars of Charlotte's high society. As the four Johnston children flounder in their adult lives, Jerene must take action to preserve the family's legacy and what's left of the dwindling family fortune. "The big Southern novel I've been wanting to read all my life. . . .

His characters are rich and genuinely hilarious, expressed with a dangerous level of humor and pain." -Mark Childress

Summer 2013 11

FICTION Ballistics: A Novel

by D.W. Wilson

available in August, hardcover, Macmillan

As the forests of the Canadian Rockies blaze, Alan West returns from university to his grandfather's home in the remote Kootenay Valley, where the man who raised him has suffered a heart attack.

Confronting his own mortality, the tough and taciturn Cecil West has a dying request for his grandson: track down the father Alan has never known so that the old man can make peace with him.

Fin & Lady: A Novel

by Cathleen Schine

The Sweet Girl

by Annabel Lyon

available in June, hardcover, Knopf

This book has that rare distinction of being a very enjoyable read as well as deeply disturbing. A fictional account of the historically murky details of Pythias, Aristotle's daughter, the author has infused this story with the warmth of a complicated family living within a complicated society. What's disturbing are the realities of being a second-class citizen (female) in a culture that values 'free' men above all others.

It's discouraging to have come so far into the future from Aristotle's world, yet find this story of hardship and outcast so familiar. What is most rewarding is the enduring affection within the families, and the obstinate persistence of Pythias, who refuses to give up her desire to be a fully invested thinking person. —Jonica

available in July, hardcover, Macmillan

Eleven-year-old Fin and his glamorous, worldly, older half-sister, Lady, have just been orphaned, and Lady is now his legal guardian. That means Fin is uprooted from a small dairy farm in rural Connecticut to Greenwich Village, smack in the middle of the swinging 60's. He soon learns that Lady is as much his responsibility as he is hers.

The Good Lord Bird: A Novel

by James McBride

available in August, hardcover, Penguin

By page eleven this became one of my all-time favorite novels. McBride tells the story of abolitionist John Brown through the voice of The Onion, a young slave freed/kidnapped by Brown. The Onion speaks in the vernacular of the time and place, making the narrative both entertaining and "spot on." McBride's artistry is jaw-dropping, exposing rather than developing his characters. Don't miss this gorgeous page-turner. –Joan

The Son

by Philipp Meyer available now, hardcover, HarperCollins

Part epic of Texas, part classic comingof-age story, part unflinching portrait of the bloody price of power, The Son is an utterly transporting novel that maps the legacy of violence in the American West through the lives of the McCulloughs, an ambitious family as resilient and dangerous as the land they claim.

Children of the Jacaranda Tree: A Novel

by Sahar Delijani

available in June, hardcover, Simon & Schuster

Based on the harrowing experiences of Delijani, her family, and friends, Children of the Jacaranda Tree is a moving, timely drama about three generations of Iranian men and women. It is a stunningly evocative look at the intimate side of revolution and a brilliant tribute to anyone who has answered the call of history.

On Sal Mal Lane: A Novel

Save Yourself

available now, hardcover, Macmillan

available in August, hardcover, Crown

In a heart-rending novel about the years leading up to the Sri Lankan civil war, the innocence of the children contrasts sharply with the petty prejudices of the adults charged with their care. In Freeman's masterful hands, On Sal Mal Lane, a story of what was lost to a country and her people, becomes a resounding cry for reconciliation.

Patrick Cusimano is in a bad way. His father is in jail, he works the midnight shift at a grubby convenience store, and his brother's girlfriend has taken their friendship to an uncomfortable new level. On top of all that, he can't quite shake the attentions of Layla Elshere, a goth teenager who befriends Patrick for reasons he doesn't understand and doesn't fully trust.

by Ru Freeman

12 Summer 2013

by Kelly Braffet

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

FICTION

brand new

FICTION

The Sound of Things Falling: A Novel

by Juan Gabriel Vásquez available in August, hardcover, Penguin

Juan Gabriel Vasquez, hailed as one of the most acclaimed writers of his generation, confronts the history of Colombia when the war between Escobar's Medellín cartel and government forces played out violently in Colombia's streets and in the skies above. "The story is compelling but, through Vasquez's vivid prose, it also becomes haunting."

–Financial Times

In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods

by Matt Bell

available in June, hardcover, Soho

A gritty, cerebral folktale, with ominous forces at play and an intriguingly long title. Enthusiasts of magical realism and surrealist fiction, prepare to lose yourselves in Bell's nightmarish, elemental world. Through the violently shared sorrow of a couple unable to conceive a child, Bell explores our terrifying yet limited powers to both create and destroy.

Still not interested? Don't forget about the sentient bear who rules the forest, or the second moon that slowly sinks towards the Earth. —Brendan

hardcover

FICTION

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic

by Emily Croy Barker

available in August, hardcover, Penguin

"To read The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic is to enter a lush, fantastical dream filled with beauty and strangeness, love and cruelty, playfulness and gravitas.

Emily Barker has crafted a wholly imaginative and witty debut novel that is unlike any I've read. Mind candy for those of us raised on Harry Potter!" –Sara Gruen

The Glass Ocean

by Lori Baker

available in August, hardcover, Penguin

Whoa! A rare quote from Thomas Pynchon: "An adventure of dreamlike momentum and romantic intensity, brought alive by a storyteller with uncanny access to the Victorians, not only to the closelywoven texture of their days but also to the dangerous nocturnal fires being attended to in their hearts." –Thomas Pynchon

Claire of the Sea Light

by Edwidge Danticat

available in August, hardcover, Knopf

On each of her birthdays Claire is taken by her father, Nozias, to visit her mother's grave. Nozias wonders if he should give away his young daughter to a local shopkeeper who lost a child of her own, so he can give her a better life. But on the night of Claire's seventh birthday, when he makes the wrenching decision to do so, she disappears.

The Age of Ice: A Novel

Snow Hunters: A Novel

available in August, hardcover, Simon & Schuster

available in August, hardcover, Simon & Schuster

This boldly original and genre-bending novel takes readers from the grisly fields of the Napoleonic Wars to the blazing heat of Afghanistan, from the outer reaches of Siberia to the cacophonous streets of 19th century Paris. The adventures of its protagonist bring him into contact with an incredible range of real historical figures, from Mary Shelley to the licentious Russian Empress Elizaveta.

"Snow Hunters reads like a dream. In this quiet, evocative rendering, we espy lives muted by war, altered by loss and displacement, and ultimately mended by the salvaged threads of memories and love. Paul Yoon's writing intimates the emergence of a master stylist, each sentence a jewel to be admired."

–Vaddey Ratner

by J. M. Sidorova

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

by Paul Yoon

Summer 2013

13

FICTION The House of Impossible Loves: A Novel

Sisterland

available in June, hardcover, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Kate and Jeremy are caught unawares after being woken by a series of tremors just hours south of the strongest earthquake in U.S. history. The quake has taken a toll on Kate's nerves, but it's nothing compared with her identical twin sister, Vi—a self-proclaimed psychic medium—having broadcast a prediction that a more powerful earthquake would strike.

by Cristina López Barrio

A funny, quirky novel about failed love affairs and a family curse. Introducing a cast of memorable, eccentric characters, from a bearded, mute female cook, to the local do-gooding priest, and the indelible Laguna women themselves, who suffer from an odd affliction: each generation is condemned to tragic love affairs and to give birth only to girls.

by Curtis Sittenfeld available in June, hardcover, Random House

TransAtlantic

by Colum McCann available in June, hardcover, Random House

The Ghost Bride

By Yangsze Choo

available in August, hardcover, William Morrow

Set in 19th century Malaya, the story of Li Lan, a young woman whose family has fallen on hard times, is packed with Chinese and Malaysian folklore. Her father informs Li Lan that she has been asked to marry into a prominent wealthy family, but the young man is already deceased. Her attempt to extricate herself from this obligation takes her to an afterlife of burned paper offerings and corrupt bureaucracy. It’s a wildly original fantasy and just a fun read. Then recently I was reading the New York Times, an article about a festival called Qingming, to honor ancestors, practiced in China. And the customs described all fit into place and were clear to me. I love how good fiction adds to my overall understanding of time and place. —Terri

9

RISK FREE READS

GU

ck

y Money B Da a 0-

A R A N TEE

In 1845, an American slave arrives in Ireland to champion ideas of democracy and freedom, only to find a famine unfurling at his feet. In 1919, two young airmen emerge from the carnage of World War One to pilot the very first transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to the west of Ireland. And, in 1998, an American senator criss-crosses the ocean in search of a lasting Irish peace.

Going Home Again

by Dennis Bock

available in August, hardcover, Knopf

Charlie Bellerose leads a semi-nomadic existence, traveling widely to manage the language academies he has established in different countries. After separating somewhat amicably from his wife, he moves from Madrid back to his native Canada to set up a new school, and for the first time in his life he forges a meaningful relationship with his brother.

The Madonna on the Moon

by Rolf Bauerdick, translated by David Dollenmayer

The Truth

available in July, hardcover, Knopf

available in August, hardcover, Macmillan

November, 1957: Pavel Botev attends the village school with all the other children.

Their teacher, Angela Barbulescu, a redfaced drunk who usually arrives at school late and hung over, has a mysterious past.

When she asks Pavel to hang a photo of the new Party Secretary, she whispers a startling directive into his ear: "Send this man straight to hell.

Exterminate him." By the next morning, she has disappeared.

14

Summer 2013

by Michael Palin Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life when he is offered the opportunity to write the biography of an elusive, but highly influential, activist and humanitarian. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India where he discovers the truth can be whatever we make it.

Shop 24 hours a day at www.villagebooks.com

FICTION

brand new

FICTION

hardcover

FICTION

NOS4A2: A Novel

A Marker to Measure Drift

available now, hardcover, HarperCollins

available in July, hardcover, Knopf

Vic is the only kid to ever escape the unmitigated evil of Charles Manx. But the end of one nightmare is just the beginning of another . . . because Charlie is on the road again and he's picked up Vic's own son. In a life-and-death battle of wills—her magic pitted against his—Vic McQueen is determined to get her son back and destroy Manx once and for all.

On an island somewhere in the Aegean, Jacqueline, a young Liberian woman, veers between starvation and satiety, between the brutality of her past and the precarious uncertainty of her present in the aftermath of experiences so unspeakable that she prefers homeless numbness to the psychological confrontation she knows is inevitable.

Cinnamon and Gunpowder:

The Engagements

by Joe Hill

A Novel

by Eli Brown available in June, hardcover, Macmillan

The year is 1819, and the renowned chef Owen Wedgwood has been kidnapped by the ruthless pirate Mad Hannah Mabbot. He will be spared as long as he puts exquisite food in front of her every Sunday without fail. Cinnamon and Gunpowder is a swashbuckling epicure's adventure simmered over a surprisingly touching love story—with a dash of the strangest, most delightful cookbook never written.

Crime of Privilege

by Walter Walker

available in June, hardcover, Ballantine Books

George Becket, assistant to the Cape & Islands District Attorney, makes a fateful decision when he agrees to re-open a scandalous case: the unsolved murder of a young woman. The investigation puts him up against not only one of America's most powerful and adored families, but also the most haunting mistake of his own past.

A Treacherous Paradise

by Henning Mankell

by Alexander Maksik

by J. Courtney Sullivan

available in June, hardcover, Knopf

From the New York Times bestselling author of Maine and Commencement comes a big, sprawling novel about marriage—about those who marry in a white heat of passion, those who marry for partnership and comfort, and those who live together, love each other, and have absolutely no intention of ruining it all with a wedding.

One Thousand and One Nights: A Retelling

by Hanan al-Shaykh

available in June, hardcover, Pantheon

The original tales of the One Thousand and One Nights were framed as stories told

by Queen Shahrazad to her murderous husband each night in order to save her life. Lebanese writer Hanan al-Shaykh has selected nineteen of the stories that focus primarily on the female characters at each story's heart. She has translated them into modern English and knitted them together into one cohesive and evocative narrative.

The People in the Trees

available in July, hardcover, Knopf

by Hanya Yanagihara

Cold and poverty define Hanna Renström's childhood in remote northern Sweden, and in 1905, she boards a ship for Australia in hope of a better life. But nothing can prepare her for the life she will lead. After two brief marriages, she finds herself a widow twice over, and the owner of a bordello in Portuguese East Africa, a world where colonialism and white supremacy rule.

available in August, hardcover, Doubleday

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Dr. Perina is intrigued by a tribe called "The Dreamers" who are fantastically long-lived but progressively more senile.

He suspects the source of their longevity is the meat of a hard-to-find turtle. He kills one and brings it back to the US, but soon discovers that its miraculous property comes at a terrible price.

Summer 2013

15

FICTION

Sons of Zeus

by Noble Smith

available in June, hardcover, St. Martin's Press

Stuck between warring giants Sparta and Athens, the independent city-state of Plataea falls victim to a treacherous attack by their archenemies the Thebans. Nikias, a young warrior who dreams of Olympic glory in handto-hand combat, now must instead fight for his life as well as the lives of his family, his woman, and his people. Written by local author Noble Smith, this novel is nonstop action in print, but it should be noted that it contains graphic violence and sexuality, sometimes in tandem, and may be inappropriate for younger readers. —Jenny

Flat Water Tuesday: A Novel

by Ron Irwin

available in June, hardcover, Macmillan

As much about the sport of rowing as it is a novel of finding oneself, not once, but again in mid-life, Flat Water Tuesday is a testament to the pride and passion of youth, and an ode to the journey of forgiveness. "A propulsive, heart-stopping story in the tradition of such sporting classics as Bernard Malamud's The Natural. A world-class champion of a novel." –Amber Dermont

Queen's Gambit: A Novel

by Elizabeth Fremantle

available in August, hardcover, Simon & Schuster

No one is in a position to refuse a royal proposal so, haunted by the fates of his previous wives, Katherine Parr is obliged to wed Henry Tudor and become his sixth queen. She draws upon all her instincts, drawing a tight circle of women around her as she treads the razor's edge of court intrigue.

The Daughters of Mars

by Thomas Keneally

available in August, hardcover, Simon & Schuster

At once vast in scope and extraordinarily intimate, The Daughters of Mars brings World War I to vivid, concrete life from an unusual perspective. A searing and profoundly moving tale, it pays tribute to men and women of extraordinary moral resilience, even in the face of the incomprehensible horrors of modern war.

By the celebrated author of Schindler's List.

Book & Writing Coach Individual Help

Trains and Lovers

by Alexander McCall Smith available now, hardcover, Knopf

I have to admit, I'd never read an Alexander McCall Smith series or book, but I have a fascination with trains, and also am a sucker for love stories, so the title alone grabbed my attention. This book is based on four characters, strangers to each other, who take the train from Edinburgh to London and end up sharing stories of love. Each character's story is different, but compelling, almost like reading short stories within the arc of a novel. This is a perfect summer read, and I recommend reading it while taking the train. I did! —Christina

16

Summer 2013

• Editing manuscripts • Reaching writing goals • Navigating among publishing options • Transforming words into books

Experienced • Smart • Affordable • Friendly

Contact

www.bookandwritingcoach.com.

Building Community One Book at a Time

FICTION paperback

FICTION

The Boleyn King

by Laura Andersen

available now, paperback, Ballantine Books

The first in an exciting alternate history trilogy: Henry IX, known as William, is a 17-year-old king struggling at the restraints of the regency and anxious to prove himself. Against an undercurrent of secret documents, conflicting intelligence operations, and private murder, William fights a foreign war and domestic rebellion with equal resolve.

Love Dishonor Marry Die Cherish Perish by the late David Rakoff

available in July, paperback, Doubleday

The late David Rakoff (who was a frequent contributor to "This American Life" and the CBC’s "Wiretap") was an unbelievable talent, and he leaves us here with proof: a brilliant little novel about hardship, kindness, love and human nature across time and space, told entirely in rhymed verse with Rakoff’s signature wry, mordant humor and understated voice. It’s also illustrated, and the legendary Chip Kidd lent his hand to the layout. Beautiful in every way. –Sam

They Eat Puppies, Don't They? A Novel

by Christopher Buckley

available now, paperback, Hachette

"Writing comic fiction about world events demands wit and inside knowledge about Washington...and an ability to see the light side of serious issues like China's treatment of Tibet, the death of beloved spiritual leaders and America's financial dependency on China. These are not funny topics, but Christopher Buckley's new novel about them is hilarious." –USA Today

Sutton

paperback

FICTION

Dark Diversions: A Traveler's Tale

by John Ralston Saul available in June, paperback, Penguin

Dark Diversions is black comedy of international proportions that takes the reader from New York to Paris to Morocco to Haiti in the 1980s and 1990s.

Through the main characters' exploits we experience the fascinating world of secret lovers, exiled princesses, death by veganism and religious heresies.

"A delightful novel, invigoratingly wicked." –Le Monde

The Deep Whatsis

by Peter Mattei

available in July, paperback, Other Press

Meet Eric Nye: player, philosopher, drunk, sociopath. A ruthless young Chief Idea Officer at a New York City ad agency, Eric downsizes his department, guzzles only the finest Sancerre, pops pills, and chases women. Then one day he meets an intern, whose name he can't remember.

Will she be the cause of his downfall, or his unlikely awakening?

Love and Lament

by John Milliken Thompson available in August, paperback, Other Press

Mary Bet, the youngest of nine children, was born the same year that the first railroad arrived in their county. As she matures, against the backdrop of Reconstruction and rapid industrialization, she must learn to deal with the deaths of her mother and siblings, a deaf and damaged older brother, and her father's growing insanity and rejection of God.

Some Kind of Fairy Tale

by Graham Joyce

by J. R. Moehringer

available in July, paperback, Anchor

available now, paperback, Hyperion

For years after Tara Martin mysteriously disappeared, her parents and brother have hoped that one day their beloved daughter and sister would return. And then suddenly, the doorbell rings and there Tara stands. It's a miracle, yet they are skeptical; Tara claims that she was abducted by fairies. Is she insane? Or is there a bridge to another world out on the English moors?

Willie Sutton came of age at a time when banks were out of control. Over three decades, Sutton became so good at breaking into banks, the FBI put him on its first-ever Most Wanted List. But the public rooted for the criminal who never fired a shot, and when Sutton was finally caught, crowds at the jail chanted his name.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

17

Make an impression with custom invitations and announcements!

• Wedding • Graduation • New Baby • Special Events

You’re Invited!

Quality Printing • Personal Service • Competitive Pricing “We’re proud to be a locally owned and operated business in Whatcom County Since 1914.”

Call today for a free quote

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Since 1993, stimulating presentations about topics of importance to our community.

Real people.

Real issues.

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Meetings are from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Northwood Hall 3240 Northwest Avenue, Bellingham

For more information, information, visit visit

www.bellinghamcityclub.org

We Look Forward to Seeing You 18 Summer 2013

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

FICTION paperback

FICTION

paperback

FICTION

Three Women in a Mirror

Archipelago: A Novel

available in July, paperback, Penguin

available in June, paperback, Penguin

Anna, in sixteenth-century Flanders; Hanna, a Viennese contemporary of Freud; and Anny, a twenty-first-century Hollywood star—three young women, free spirits all, each one at odds with the age in which they live. Despite the centuries that divide them, their stories intersect—a surprising narrative technique that lends increasing tension and richness to this novel.

When a flood destroys Gavin Weald's home in Trinidad, life as he knows it will never be the same. A year later he, his daughter, and their dog embark upon a voyage to make peace with the waters.

Their journey takes them far from their Caribbean island home as they sail through archipelagos, encounter the grandeur of the sea, and meet with the challenges and surprises of the natural world.

by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Malavita: A Novel

by Tonino Benacquista

available in June, paperback, Penguin

by Monique Roffey

The Silent Wife: A Novel

by A. S. A. Harrison

A savagely funny Mafia farce—soon to be a major motion picture starring Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Tommy Lee Jones. Fred is really Giovanni Manzoni, an ex-goodfella turned stool pigeon who's been relocated from New Jersey to France by the FBI's witness protection program.

He's got a two-million-dollar bounty on his head, but he and his family can't help attracting attention (imagine The Sopranos in Normandy).

available in July, paperback, Penguin

Me, Who Dove into the Heart of the World

The Hypnotist's Love Story:

by Sabina Berman, translated by Lisa Dillman

available in August, paperback, Macmillan

Karen, the autistic heir to the family tuna business, finds freedom not only in the love and patient instruction of her aunt, but eventually at the bottom of the ocean swimming among the creatures of the sea. Karen is swept on a global journey that explores how we live, what we eat, and how our lives can defy even our own wildest expectations.

"A.S.A. Harrison knocks it out of the park with her first novel The Silent Wife.

With a spare, elegant, and deft hand, she paints two dueling psychological portraits of longtime live-in lovers who become putative killer and hapless victim in a tale that no one is likely to forget any time soon. I couldn't put this book down." –Elizabeth George

A Novel

by Liane Moriarty available in June, paperback, Penguin

Ellen O'Farrell is a professional hypnotherapist who's finally optimistic about the man in her life. Patrick is altogether perfect. There's just one little thing—his obsessed ex-girlfriend is stalking him. Ellen finds this fascinating.

In fact, she'd love to meet her. But what Ellen doesn't know is that she already has.

Taipei

by Tao Lin

available in June, paperback, Vintage

A detached young man fluctuates between the numbing grips of isolation and the glorious heights of personal connection. Along the way, lovers are tested, parties are crashed, and hard drugs are ingested in nearly every scene. With his lucid sensitivity to narrative detail, this debut author articulates thoughts I've experienced, but have never seen put into words before. Artfully told and desperately felt, Lin's stream-of-consciousness adventure laments our addictions to the substances and people we can't function without. —Brendan

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

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FICTION paperback How Should a Person Be?

by Sheila Heti

available in July, paperback, Macmillan

How Should a Person Be? is an unabashedly honest and hilarious tour through the unknowable pieces of one woman's heart and mind. Part literary novel, part self-help manual, and part bawdy exploration of the artistic impulse, it shocked and excited critics and readers with its raw, urgent depiction of female friendships.

Mo Said She Was Quirky

by James Kelman

available now, paperback Other Press

Helen’s in a cab on her way home from her job at a late-night casino when two homeless men walk into the street…one of whom may or may not be her longestranged brother. Kelman (who won the Booker Prize for How Late It Was, How Late) delivers a powerful meditation on race, class, poverty, gender and love, familiar and otherwise, with this striking novel. –Sam

Little Century: A Novel

by Anna Keesey

available in July, paperback, Picador

"Here is a fine novel, written with grace, about the settling of Oregon and the evening redness in the West. The desert town of Century is about to consume itself with greed and vengeance when a young orphan from Chicago shows up with a moral clarity that outstrips her age, to remind us that character matters, and that justice is pursuant to conscience." –Joshua Ferris

FICTION

paperback

FICTION

Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea: A Novel

by Morgan Callan Rogers

available in June, paperback, Penguin

In 1963, twelve-year-old Florine Gilham enjoys an idyllic childhood in smalltown Maine—until her beloved mother vanishes.

Florine's quest for the truth of her mother's disappearance leads her down new paths and to secrets and desires that force her to lay down roots of her own. This bittersweet page-turner is a Penguin rep pick, ideal for bookclubs and older teens as well.

City of Women: A Novel

by David R. Gillham

available now, paperback, Penguin

On the surface, Sigrid Schroeder is the model German soldier's wife, but behind this facade is an entirely different Sigrid.

"In this moving and masterful debut, David Gillham brings war-torn Berlin to life and reveals the extraordinary mettle of women tested to their limits and beyond. Powerful and piercingly real. You won't soon forget these characters." –Paula McLain

The Life List

by Lori Nelson Spielman available in July, paperback, Bantam

After her mother's death, Brett knows she will step into her mother's role as the CEO of Bohlinger Cosmetics. But when her mother's will is read, Brett gets a huge shock: not only will she NOT be the CEO, but she also will only get her inheritance if she fulfills a set of life goals she wrote, and then threw out, twenty years ago.

Lillian and Dash The Glass Wives: A Novel

by Amy Sue Nathan

available now, paperback, Macmillan

Ex-wife and widow, Evie and Nicole, both emotionally and financially spent

by Richard's death, agree to share living expenses—and Evie's house. The arrangement has its benefits, but when Evie suspects that Nicole is determined to rearrange more than her kitchen, she has to decide who she can trust. More than that, she has to decide what makes a family.

20 Summer 2013

by Sam Toperoff

available in July, paperback, Other Press

Toperoff reimagines the highs and lows of a fast-living, hard-drinking literary couple, and their individual passions, projects, and literary creations. Hammett and Hellman's relationship evolves during major artistic and political epochs— Hollywood's heyday, the New York literary scene, the Spanish Civil War, McCarthyism, and both world wars—and each movement is captured with subjectivity and credible insight.

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

FICTION paperback

FICTION

We Sinners: A Novel

by Hanna Pylväinen

available in August, paperback, Macmillan

We Sinners examines the effect that the Rovaniemi family's fierce dedication to their conservative church has on its eleven members. "In some ways, the Rovaniemi family is like ordinary American families.

But the questions about faith—how it binds the family together but also mutates and divides it—elevate it beyond the confines of the traditional domestic novel and into a resonant and magical work of imagination." –Chicago Tribune

The Blue Fox : A Novel

by Victoria Cribb Sjön

available now, paperback, Macmillan

Set against the stark backdrop of the Icelandic winter landscape, the fates of a nineteenth-century priest who has profound influence over his rural community and a naturalist who lives on the outskirts of the priest's territory with his charge who suffers from Down syndrome, are intertwined in unexpected, marvelous ways that reveal themselves in spellbinding fashion in a fable that is part mystery, part fairy tale.

FICTION

book fare café in village books

seasonal local organic allergy-friendly come see what’s new on the mezzanine level upstairs in village books www.bookfarecafe.com 360.734.3434

The Wonder Bread Summer: A Novel

by Jessica Anya Blau

available now, paperback, HarperCollins

When the dress shop she works at turns out to be a front for a dangerous drug dealing business, and Allie ends up with a Wonder Bread bag full of cocaine, her studious life takes a turn. With a hit man named ViceVersa in hot pursuit, Allie goes on the lam. Think '80s Alice in Wonderland.

Turbulence

by Samit Basu

available in July, paperback, Titan Books

Aman Sen is smart, young, ambitious and going nowhere. He thinks this is because he doesn't have the right connections—but then he gets off a plane from London to Delhi and discovers that he has turned into a communications demigod. Indeed, everyone on Aman's flight now has extraordinary abilities corresponding to their innermost desires.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

paperback

The Keeper of Secrets: A Novel

by Julie Thomas

available now, paperback, William Morrow

Teenage violin prodigy Daniel Horowitz is having difficult y c h o osin g b e t we e n following his musical career and having a more "normal" life. Rafael Gomez, a worldclass conductor and friend of Daniel, thinks he may have found the answer to reigniting the young man's passion for music when he discovers what he believes to be the long-lost 1742 Guarneri del Gesu violin that was taken from the Horowitz family during WWII. A powerful combination of weighty family history and teenage innocence, this book will open your eyes to a whole new idea of how things come full circle. —Jenny

Summer 2013

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Mockingbird

by Julie Trimingham available in July, paperback, MP Publishing

I've never been to Cuba, but I could see it, hear it, smell it, taste it and feel it in this lyrical novel. It's a book that is quite literally and literarily sensual. But as much as this is a story of place, it's also a story of longing and identity, of relationship and of the conflict of one's own desires and values. Like the very best of novelists, Trimingham takes us outside of ourselves to explore life's most persistent questions. –Chuck

Mockingbird

Join us in welcoming local filmmaker, community activist,& author

JULIE

TRIMINGHAM Thursday, July 25th

5:30pm: Reception at Chuck & Dee Robinson’s

When a wandering tourist in Cuba comes upon a baby abandoned in a car in the blistering sun, her life of ennui is upended. Beautifully written, Trimingham's poetic soul shines in this impressionistic novel that reveals those metaphoric meanings that reside at the edges of our lives. I loved this book. —Paul

You’re invited to an author reception at VB store owners Chuck & Dee Robinson’s home above the store to celebrate local author Julie Trimingham’s new novel, Mockingbird. The reception will feature appetizers and drinks.

Tickets $10 - Proceeds will be donated to the Whatcom Literacy Council.

Limited space is available to the reception. Available at Village Books.

7pm: Reading in the Readings Gallery After the reception, Julie will do a free author presentation in the VB Readings Gallery. Free and open to everyone.

We’vE mAdE iT eAsIeR tHaN eVeR tO sAvE aT HaGgEn

SaViNgS

sAlE gReAt pRiCe, LiMiTeD TiMe

www.haggen.com

CaRd

sToReWiDe vAlUe eVeRy dAy

lOwEr pRiCe, hAgGeN qUaLiTy

uNlOcK sAvInGs, rAcK uP rEwArDs

From here…for you. ©2013 Haggen, Inc. • 130520-04

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Summer 2013

Building Community One Book at a Time

MYSTERY The Neruda Case: A Novel

by Roberto Ampuero

available in June, paperback, Penguin

In The Neruda Case, readers are introduced to Cayetano Brulé as he takes on his first case as a private eye.

Set against the fraught political world of pre-Pinochet Chile, Castro's Cuba, and perilous behind-the-wall East Berlin, this mystery spans countries, cultures, and political ideals, and features one of literature's most beloved figures–Pablo Neruda.

The Devil's Cave: A Bruno, Chief of Police Novel

by Martin Walker

available in July, hardcover, Knopf

It's spring in St. Denis. The village choir is preparing for its Easter concert, the wildflowers are blooming, and among the lazy whorls of the river, a dead woman is found floating in a boat. It's another case for Bruno, the town's beloved chief of police. With the discovery of sinister markings and black candles near the body, it seems to him that the occult might be involved.

Bad Monkey

by Carl Hiaasen

available in June, hardcover, Knopf

Andrew Yancy, soon-to-be-late of the Key West Police, has a human arm in his freezer. There's a logical (Hiaasenian) explanation for that, but not for how and why it parted from its owner. Yancy thinks the boating-accident/shark-luncheon explanation is full of holes, and if he can prove murder, his commander might relieve him of Health Inspector duties, aka Roach Patrol.

The Black Country

by Alex Grecian

available now, hardcover, Penguin

When members of a prominent family disappear from a coal-mining village— and a human eyeball is discovered in a bird's nest—Scotland Yard's new Murder Squad, fresh off the grisly 1889 murders of The Yard, respond. They have no idea what they're about to get into. It's called the "Black Country" for a reason.

The Ghost Riders of Ordebec: A Commissaire

Adamsberg Mystery

by Fred Vargas, translated by Sian Reynolds available in July, paperback, Penguin

Commissaire Adamsberg has no jurisdiction in Ordebec, yet he cannot ignore a widow's plea. Her daughter Lina has seen a vision of the Ghost Riders with four nefarious men. According to legend, the vision means that the men will soon die a grisly death. When one of them disappears, Adamsberg races to Ordebec, where he becomes entranced by the gorgeous Lina—and embroiled in the town's ancient feud.

The Cambodian Book of the Dead: A Detective Maier Mystery

by Tom Vater

available in June, paperback, Exhibit A

360-735-0371

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Detective Maier travels to Phnom Penh to find the missing heir to a Hamburg coffee empire. As soon as he arrives, his search for the young magnate leads him into the darkest corners of the country's history and to a Nazi war criminal who hides amongst the detritus of another nation's collapse and reigns over an ancient Khmer temple deep in the jungle.

Summer 2013

23

SCIENCE FICTION

The Abomination: Book One of the Carnivia Trilogy

by Jonathan Holt

available in June, hardcover, HarperCollins

Sea Change

by S.M. Wheeler available in June, hardcover, Macmillan

The unhappy child of two powerful parents, young Lilly turns to the ocean to find solace which she finds in the form of the eloquent and intelligent sea monster Octavius, a kraken. When Octavius is captured by seafaring traders and sold to a circus, Lilly, desperate to find him, strikes a bargain with a witch that carries a shocking price.

The Golem and the Jinni: A Novel

by Helene Wecker available now, hardcover, HarperCollins

Marvelous and compulsively readable, The Golem and the Jinni weaves strands of Yiddish and Middle Eastern literature, historical fiction and magical fable into a wondrously inventive and unforgettable tale of two supernatural creatures who arrive separately in New York in 1899.

Like their immigrant neighbors, the Golem and the Jinni struggle to make their way in this strange new place while masking their supernatural origins.

Lexicon

by Max Barry available in June, hardcover, Penguin

At an exclusive school, students are taught to harness the hidden power of language to manipulate the mind and take control of individual's thoughts. The very best will graduate as "poets": adept wielders of language who belong to a nameless organization that is as influential as it is secretive. "About as close as you can get to the perfect cerebral thriller: searingly smart, ridiculously funny, and fast as hell. Lexicon reads like Elmore Leonard high out of his mind on Snow Crash." –Lev Grossman

The Holy Road

by Ginn Hale

Working her first murder case, Captain Kat Tapo embarks on a labyrinthine trail that soon proves as elusive and confusing as the city's twisting backstreets. Her investigation leads from a crumbling asylum on a deserted island to the impenetrable complex of American military bases ringing the medieval city—and deeper, into an eerie virtual Venice that is both alien and familiar.

The Shining Girls

by Lauren Beukes

available in June, hardcover, Mulholland Books

This is one of the most chilling, scary, and intense serial-murder mysteries I have ever read. You'll see by Chapter 3 what makes this a science fiction—I can't tell you ahead of time. Lauren Beukes, who won an Arthur C. Clarke Award for her book Zoo City, has stepped up from a top-notch writer to a brilliant one. The story unfolds in a direct line from victim to victim, but the why and how is complicated, tense, and engrossing. I found the little details of time and place (Chicago) almost as fascinating as the way the plot unfolds.

This book should come with a warning label: do not read this while alone; do not read this at night; best read while on a sunny beach with a few martinis in hand. —Jonica

The Best of Connie Willis: Award-Winning Stories

by Connie Willis

available in July, hardcover, Del Rey

Connie Willis has won more Hugo and Nebula Awards than almost any other author in the business: with eleven Hugos and seven Nebulas across both her novels and short fiction between 1983 and the present. Collected in this landmark anthology are all ten of her Hugo and Nebula award-winning short stories into one impressive volume.

Gay Fantasy

available now, paperback, Blind Eye Book

The next installment in Hale’s epic fantasy series is here! John has been trapped in this strange world for years now and sometimes worries he’s losing his motivation to find a way home. Yet another engrossing, absorbing story from Hale, who’s rapidly working her way up my favorite authors list. –Rachel H.

24 Summer 2013

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

Village Books is excited to participate in the second

STEAMPUNK FESTIVAL

Saturday, July 13th

in Fairhaven!

Join the Bellingham Steampunk Society and Village Books for a day of music, vendors, author readings, food and fun!

Don't know what Steampunk is? The people who showed up for the First Annual Steampunk Festival last July sure do. Think Jules Verne, think brass goggles, embroidered corsets and vests, leather jack-boots and other accoutrements of the Victorian era, think science fiction at the time the 19th century became the 20th—during the age of steam.

On July 13th, from 12-5pm, you can come on by to sample all the finest Bellingham’s Steampunk community has to offer—the Bellingham Circus Guild and various buskers will be performing around Fairhaven. Check out the steampunk attire and accessories from such vendors as Merchbot, Spookshop, Lastwear, Steambaby.net and Twiddlybits Studio.

In conjunction with the events on the Village Green, Village Books will host numerous authors including Bellingham's own KARINA COOPER. She will present Gilded, the latest of the St. Croix Chronicles.

photo by Christina Claassen

End the evening with the Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema feature, Back to the Future.

Make a day of it. Come for the family-friendly festival… stay for the book signings and film. Time-travel, if you have to. What could possibly go wrong?

Keep an eye on VillageBooks.com for details and updates!

Undead Fiend

by Peter Stenson available in July, hardcover, Crown

When Chase sees the little girl in umbrellaprint socks disemboweling the Rottweiler, he's not too concerned. As someone who's been smoking meth every day for as long as he can remember, he's no stranger to such horrifying drug-fueled hallucinations.

But as he and his fellow junkies soon discover, the little girl is no illusion. The end of the world really has arrived.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Biting Bad: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel

by Chloe Neill

available in August, paperback, Penguin

At the tender age of twenty-eight, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she's become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, seen her Master fall and rise, and saved her best friend from self destruction. "If you loved Nancy Drew but always wished she was an undead sword-wielding badass, Merit is your kind of girl." –Geek Monthly

Summer 2013

25

Shhhhh... writers writing Welcome to the

WRITERS’ CORNER

Whatcom Reads, now entering its sixth year, has announced that

CHERYL STRAYED will be the 2013/2014 author for the program.

Critically acclaimed and bestselling author Cheryl Strayed will come to Bellingham February 24-25, 2014 as the Whatcom Reads guest author.

Without writers, there would be no Village Books.

That's why we strive to be a supportive and encouraging place for everyone who puts blood, sweat and tears to the page.

In an effort to support the writer in all of us, we have amped up our writing program by adding five VB Writes Writing Groups, each geared toward a different genre (see schedule below).

Village Books will donate 10% of revenue from all sales of Strayed's book, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail to Whatcom Reads!

Pick up your copy today.

We've also set up a cozy corner on the mezzanine dedicated to writers. Here you'll find books on writing, a nice selection of journals, a comfortable table, desk, and other writing resources. Grab a drink from Book Fare Cafe and settle in.

Check WhatcomReads.org for updated information.

VB Writes...

Village Books hosts multiple writing groups. Choose which group most reflects your writing genre then come and share your work in a supportive environment. Groups are free and open to everyone. They meet on the mezzanine level of Village Books in our new Writers' Corner.

SpecFic/SciFi Writing Group

This group meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 6-8pm.

Poetry Writing Group

This group meets the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month from 5:30 to 7pm.

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Summer 2013

Whatcom Young Writers

Friday Night Writes for Teens

We're taking the summer off but will see you in the Fall. Meanwhile, see page 62 for information about the Teen Writing Conference!

Fiction Writing Group

This group meets 2nd & 4th Thursdays from 6-8pm.

NonFiction Writing Group

This group meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 6:15-8:15pm.

Building Community One Book at a Time

The CHUCKANUT

WRITERS CONFERENCE

Friday & Saturday, June 21st-22nd

by Anna Wolff

Register Now!

Solstice weekend. First day of summer. What a perfect time to kick-start a season of inspiration and writing! And there is no place more perfect for this season to start than in beautiful Bellingham, WA, at the Chuckanut Writers Conference. Join fellow writers, published authors, agents and publishers on Friday and SatTeaching Faculty Alice Acheson urday, June 21 and 22 at Whatcom Community College for a weekend of craft-focused workshops, Bruce Beasley talks, and faculty readings.

“Whatcom County has such a rich literary tradition that it makes it the perfect place to have a writers conference. Those of us at Village Books are very pleased and proud to partner with Whatcom Community College in bringing the Chuckanut Writers Conference to life,” says Chuck Robinson of Village Books.

Now in its third year, the conference emerged out of Whatcom’s strong tradition of excellent Community Education writing classes. Co-presenters Village Books and Whatcom’s Community and Continuing Education Department have been thrilled with the tremendous positive response from past attendees and faculty alike. Building on past success, the conference promises to again offer a weekend committed to its motto: "Inspiration into Action." Attendees can expect high quality workshops and inspiring plenary talks as well as significant amounts of interaction with faculty authors and agents. Sessions will cover a range of topics, from inspiration to the minutia of craft to the business of writing. There are also opportunities for pitching to agents, marketing consultations, and for Washington State K-12 teachers to earn 16 clock hours. For a full conference program, visit www.chuckanutwritersconference.com.

Jeff Bender Wendy Call Karen Finneyfrock Waverly Fitzgerald Kathleen Flenniken Mary Hammerbeck Thor Hanson Gary Luke Frances McCue Suzanne Paola Brenda Peterson Naseem Rakha Natalie Serber Jennie Shortridge Garth Stein Agents Felicia Eth Elizabeth Kracht

There are also several opportunities for members of the community to join in the fun, even if they do not attend the entire weekend. A special pre-conference edition of the Chuckanut Radio Hour will take place on Thursday June 20 at Bellingham High School at 6:30 pm. This Radio Hour will feature its signature blend of corny variety show fun with the addition of musical guests: The Rejections. The Rejections are a band made up of Seattle authors and authors’ spouses—so they all know a little bit about the pain of rejection! Their roster includes conference faculty Jennie Shortridge and Garth Stein.

Poet and conference faculty member Frances McCue will also be in attendance to interview the authors in the band about the writing life. McCue hints at all the fun to be had by saying she can’t wait to be Stephen Colbert to these folks! Admission is $5 for the public and included in registration for conference attendees. Tickets are available through Village Books and at the door.

The public is also invited to attend the conference concurrent open-mic events, which will be happening in various locations throughout Fairhaven on Saturday evening. Past faculty and attendees often cite these readings as a conference highlight, and word on the street is that they can get pretty rowdy. Don’t miss your chance to hear some of the freshest new work in the region!

For more information about the Chuckanut Writers Conference, including registration, conference schedule, teaching authors, literary agents, and sponsorship opportunities, visit the conference website at chuckanutwritersconference.com, contact Whatcom’s Community and Continuing Education program at (360) 383-3200, “friend“ the conference on Facebook/CWCNW, or send an e-mail to comed@whatcom.ctc.edu.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

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GET OUTSIDE WITH NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE Join us for a day, a weekend or an extended stay!

Natural History Excursions Backcountry Adventures Family Getaways Group Rentals Graduate M.Ed. Degree Art and Writing Retreats Base Camp Skagit Tours and more!

(360) 854-2599 • ncascades.org

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the premier guide to arts and entertainment happenings in the region

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Visit us at AdventuresNW.com 28 Summer 2013

visit ennw.info for reviews, updates and advertising info Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

BOOK GETAWAYS

at the

Willows Inn

Earlier this year, Village Book partnered with the Willows Inn on Lummi Island to create a unique series of book-oriented overnight getaways.

So far, Village Books has co-hosted three of these very special author events: Nancy Pearl, Jim Lynch, and Dylan Tomine. While each event is distinctly different from the others, all have these things in common: breathtaking views, splendid conversation, camaraderie, real connection, and, of course, fresh, local, beautiful, intensely delightful meals.

The alchemy of Lummi Island's picturesque settings, Willows Inn's transcendent dining experiences, and the warm and talented authors make this the magical beginning of a beautiful friendship.

What they're saying...

"Pearl is an excellent facilitator, knowing how to ask questions, how to draw people out, when to give her opinion, when to listen. She was certainly aided by the group's level of involvement and engagement—we came to be immersed in books, and were. Village Books' mission is to create community one book at a time, and that happened. After the sublime dinner that night, we agreed, as one person put it, that we came together strangers and left as friends. We have each other's e-mail addresses and lists of favorite books. The combination of people, place, food and books was perfect." –Marilyn Dahl, editor of Shelf Awareness for Readers from her review of the Nancy Pearl event.

Look Who's Next!

Tuesday, June 18 Wednesday, June 19

Steven Raichlen at the

Willows Inn REGISTER NOW! See Willows-Inn.com

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

"Wow. Just home from a fantastic two-day book event at the Willows Inn on Lummi Island. Stacy, Skyla, Weston and I all had a wonderful time, and I can’t imagine a better place for food, books and sheer beauty... We were all a little sad to leave beautiful Lummi and all the wonderful people we met there, but inspired as well. Many thanks to Julie and everyone at the Willows Inn and Village Books for their generous, thoughtful hosting, and to the guests who came to share the experience. Our family definitely felt the love. –Guest author Dylan Tomine, Closer to the Ground (from dylantomine.com/Blog) "Although Jim had appeared two other times in Bellingham just prior to his visit to Willows, our warm, familiar conversation, camaraderie, and depth of discussion distinguished this gathering from all the others—and that's not even mentioning the transcendent food!" –Paul Hanson, VB Community Outreach Director Enjoy the opportunity to learn BBQ tips, techniques and recipes from five-time James Beard award-winner, Steven Raichlen. His bestselling books and his Public Television shows—Primal Grill and Barbecue University— have redefined American barbecue. Raichlen’s 29 books include the international blockbusters The Barbecue Bible and How to Grill and the New York Times bestselling Planet Barbecue.

Guests will help grill, and share dinner together the first night with Steven at the Beach Store Café on Lummi Island. Breakfast on Wednesday morning will be followed by another gathering with the author.

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BE A

LOCAL LOVER! Are you a local lover? Do you love Thinking Local First and supporting the local, independently owned businesses that make our community one-of-a-kind?

Check out these upcoming events and publications to enjoy the BEST of what our unique community has to offer!

JUNE 22nd & 23rd

Imagine This!

Home & Landscape Tour Featuring THE BEST in Natural, Eco-Friendly Homes and Landscapes & Businesses that help create them! NEW TO THE TOUR THIS YEAR:

MONTH OF JULY

Support our Independents Exercise your freedom to choose and make an extra effort to shop at local, independently owned businesses and to keep even more money local by moving your money to a locally owned bank or credit union. Details at www.banklocalfirst.org.

Design/Build Competition & Auction

YEAR ROUND...

Where the Locals Go! Coupon Book SAVE MONEY NOW! Save on the items you need and want from Locals. The 2012/13 book is the biggest one yet and includes over 280 coupons for food, services, home improvement, entertainment and retail items. Sales from the book support the Think Local First!campaign.

MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

Eat Local Month & Whatcom Co. Farm Tour September is officially Eat Local Month in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Look for local food themed events, dining specials at your favorite local restaurants and the amazing harvest of local food available directly from farmers. And don’t forget about the Farm Tour always the Second Saturday in September.

YEAR ROUND...

Whatcom Food & Farm Finder TREAT Your Tastebuds - Go where the locals go, pick up your free Food & Farm Finder and plan your next foodie getaway right here in Whatcom County!

Tour Tickets, Coupon Books and Food & Farm Finders all available at Village Books.

For more details visit www.sustainableconnections.org

Choose local businesses taking action for a healthy community.

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Summer 2013

Building Community One Book at a Time

The Mac + Cheese Cookbook:

FOOD k

50 Simple Recipes from Homeroom, America's Favorite Mac and Cheese Restaurant

by Allison Arevalo, Erin Wade

available in August, hardcover, Ten Speed Press

Oakland's Homeroom restaurant, a perennially popular eatery with a menu devoted to mac-and-cheese, shares its secrets for the best ever mac recipes, alongside recipes for easy sides like Brussels sprouts with bacon and old-school desserts like frozen peanut butter pie. The 50 recipes range from Vegan Mac to Triple Cream Mac, with plenty of permutations in between.

Eating on the Wild Side: The Missing Link to Optimum Health

A History of Food in 100 Recipes

by William Sitwell

available in June, hardcover, Little, Brown & Company

Culinary expert William Sitwell explores the fascinating history of cuisine from the first cookbook to the first cupcake, from the invention of the sandwich to the rise of food television. It's perfect for any food lover who has ever wondered about the origins of the methods and recipes we now take for granted.

by Jo Robinson

available in June, hardcover, Little, Brown & Company

Wild apples have from three to 100 times more antioxidants than Galas and Honeycrisps, and are five times more effective in killing cancer cells.

Robinson explains that many such jewels of nutrition are hiding in plain sight in our supermarkets, farmers markets, and U-pick orchards and introduces proven methods of storage and preparation that will preserve and even enhance their health benefits.

GARDENING

k

GREEN LIVING At Village Books

Wendy Jehanara Tremayne A Free Event!

Saturday, June 15th, 7pm

The Good Life Lab: Radical Experiments in Hands-On Living

by Wendy Jehanara Tremayne

From the Ground Up:

available now, paperback, Storey Publishing

A Food Grower's Education in Life, Love, and the Movement That's Changing the Nation

by Jeanne Nolan

available in July, hardcover, Spiegel & Grau

Nolan manages The Edible Gardens at Chicago's Green City Market, a vegetable garden for children at the world-famous Lincoln Park Zoo. With the message that we can create our own utopias in our very own backyards (or rooftops), From the Ground Up is an important book that will galvanize readers to reassess their relationship to the food they eat.

So many of us are eager to make our lives more reflective of the values we have, from environmental preservation, to simplicity, to enjoying the good things (food) of life. Wendy Tremayne's new book, The Good Life Lab, is not only an inspirational firsthand tale, but it is also a hands-on guide to becoming more self-sustaining. Full of anecdotal stories, recipes for things like kimchi or biofuel, and web resources, this book is extremely useful. Top it off with gorgeous artwork and a unique stitched binding, and you won't be able to resist Wendy's book. —Christina

You can now find our COOKING SECTION, paired with fun and practical items for your kitchen, along the south wall of the PAPER DREAMS section of the store.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Check out our

New Cookbook Section at Paper Dreams!

Summer 2013

31

360.392.5510

Ready, set, grill!

Downtown Store

FOOD CO OP Bellingham’s Natural Grocer www.communityfood.coop

1220 N Forest Street Open Daily 7 am – 10 pm

Cordata Store 315 Westerly Road Open Daily 7 am – 9 pm

The Chrysalis Inn & Spa is extremely proud to announce a redesign of our in-house restaurant, newly named Keenan's at the Pier. Casual yet elegant, Keenan's has a new face and taste. With a revamped look, new menu and full bar, we are excited to feature even more of the beauty and style of the Pacific Northwest.

www.TheChrysalisInn.com Keenan’s at The Chrysalis Inn & Spa 804 10th St. Bellingham

EVERYDAY 8 AM – 2 PM 1101 HARRIS AVENUE IN FAIRHAVEN

CLASSIC FAVORITES

Breakfast and Lunch Served Daily Homemade Soups and Pastries Wheat Free Pastries Available BEST MIMOSAS IN TOWN PLAN, HOST, AND CATER YOUR PRIVATE PARTIES OR COMPANY GATHERINGS AT HARRIS AVENUE CAFÉ!

E-MAIL KELLY FOR MORE INFORMATION KB.PALADINRESTINC@GMAIL.COM

WWW.HARRISAVECAFE.COM 32 Summer 2013

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

The Whole Fromage

Adventures in the Delectable World of French Cheese A Review by Beth Bagne Co-owner of Quel Fromage, Artisan Cheese and Accoutrements, in Fairhaven Join author Kathe Lison as she adventures into the world of French cheeses in her book, The Whole Fromage. Traveling from city to country, she visits with all the protagonists in the cheese industry–the individual farmer still milking by hand to the large industrial producers as well as that player unique to the cheese, the affineur or cheese ager–to tell her story. While the sensuality of Ms. Lison’s essayist background protrudes at times, she is an excellent storyteller and successfully pulls the details out of most of her interviews for us to share. No small task given the breadth of characters, from the garrulous to taciturn, who she visits in her travels, from mountain tops to deep cave bottoms, seeking out what makes French cheese so unique. And not just the cheesemakers who play their magic to turn “spoiled” milk into something not just edible but enjoyable; she also seeks out the cows, goats and sheep that give rise to it all for what they have to “say” through their milk production.

This is not a guide to French cheese, but an exploration of all things that make France the “Mother Ship” of cheesemaking, though it does have a very useful glossary and list of her favorite Paris cheese shops. Ms. Lison chooses but a few of the possible hundreds of French cheeses to explore and seek out their roots, to find the true “terroir” that makes them unique. While she speculates occasionally about historical events or characters long gone to give the book a novella feel at times, most of the storytelling is entertaining and well documented. It is not a history book or dry documentary, but rather a fun read. It is a cheese quest that is like her navigating in France, which she describes as “art requiring instinct” and no small amount of blind faith.

It’s a delightfully written story that takes the reader into the ‘raw” underpinning of cheese production to begin to understand the challenges French cheesemakers have faced and are facing with modern sanitary regulations, urban development, factory farms, and a fickle marketplace. She will bring you to appreciate the significance of raw milk in the making of cheese and the controversy that gives rise to it in so many ways, including the importance of the American market for French cheeses and its fear of raw milk. But above all, it is a journey that we can all take through her pages to begin to understand and appreciate the variety and diversity of French cheese available to us. The author winds together the geologic, historical, technological and personal stories of France and French cheesemakers in her travels in an entertaining and informative manner.

The best way to read this book is with cheese in hand. You can pick a cheese you already know or browse through the book to pick a new prospect–such as an Epoisse or Roquefort—and join in her adventure!

• The Whole Fromage will be available in paperback late June. Published by Random House.

CHEESE BOOKS CHEESE CHEESE YUM CHEESE CHEESE YUM CHEESE CHEESE BOOKS

The Telling Room: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, Revenge, and the World's Greatest Piece of Cheese

Fun Fiction!

by Michael Paterniti

available in July, hardcover, The Dial Press

While working at a gourmet deli in Ann Arbor, Michael Paterniti encountered a piece of Paramo de Guzman, a rare Spanish cheese reputed to be the finest in the world. It even comes with its own legend: if you eat it, you might recover long-lost memories. Too broke to actually buy the cheese, Paterniti made a vow: he would meet this cheese again someday.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

33

Say Hello to Alex,

our new registered dietitian.

Alexandra Borsuk, MS, RD, received her Bachelor of Science degree in applied nutrition from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She completed her dietetic internship and Master of Science degree in clinical nutrition. She is a registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition. Alex has celiac disease and eats a gluten free diet.

Alex can provide practical solutions to help you and your family eat healthier with simple, healthy ideas. She is available to assist you with finding a healthy lifestyle that is right for you.

As you can see, Alex enjoys spending time outdoors rock climbing, hiking and trail running. This, of course, makes Bellingham a perfect home for her!

Your partner in healthy living.

34 Summer 2013

“Food is the best type of medicine”.

Lakeway

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

n e h c t i K E H T IN

k

Book recommendations from one of our favorite chefs. Bon Appétit!

Gluten is My Bitch

Rants, Recipes, and Ridiculousness for the Gluten-Free

by April Peveteaux

available now, hardcover, Stewart, Tabori and Chang

This hilarious book is more than a collection of recipes. It's a brilliant look at the lifestyle of the celiac-cursed, with tips for both the gluten intolerant and those who have to deal with them and all their...difficulties. Required reading for us here in the epicenter of the GF world.

Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream

Sweet Seasonal Recipes for Ice Creams, Sorbets, and Toppings Made with Local Ingredients

by Molly Moon Neitzel & Christina Spittler

available now, hardcover, Sasquatch Books

There is no food more quintessential in my mind to summer than ice cream. Well, maybe watermelon, but that's because I grew up in Missouri. But ice cream, that's the universal language of summer. And Molly Moon presents us with a whole year's worth of inspiring flavor combinations based on local ingredients, along with great advice and tips on perfect ice cream. Break out the rock salt!

Home Made Summer

by Yvette Van Boven available now, hardcover, Stewart, Tabori and Chang

Can you tell that I love Yvette's books? If you look back at previous issues of the Chuckanut Reader, you will see that I have heartily recommended each of her stylish, seasonal, Euro-fare cookbooks. Here comes summer! Tasteful twists on classics, this is the book you should look at before you head to the farmers market.

Washington Food Artisans

Farm Stories and Chef Recipes by Leora Bloom available now, hardcover, Sasquatch Books One of the things I love most about the cuisine of the Pacific Northwest is how ingredient driven it is. Integral to those ingredients are the personalities of the farmer, the rancher, and the beekeeper. Add the informed conscience of our neighborhood chefs and you have a delightful book of recipes that are the essence of our region. Familiar, comforting, and yet somehow magically exotic, this is a great book to add to the shelves of the locavore.

Charles Claassen is the chef/owner of the Book Fare Café on the mezzanine of Village Books. Through the seasonal menus at the café, teaching cooking and food classes in the community, and continuing to develop relationships with farmers and food artisans, he provides thoughtful, conscientious food that's quite tasty, too.

book fare café

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

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36

Summer 2013

Building Community One Book at a Time

Move Over Chicks...

Recommended Books By and About MEN

by Cathy Belben

T

here’s a whole genre of literature devoted to women and their assorted friendship and relationship issues. Nicknamed “chick lit,” this branch of contemporary fiction features titles such as Bridget Joneses’ Diary and Confessions of a Shopaholic. While plenty of guys are interested in women, and some of them actually read these books, there is also a growing number of books about men and their issues with relationships that I call (forgive me) “dick lit.” Here are some of my favorites.

In Jonathan Evison’s novel The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving, Ben Benjamin becomes a caregiver after losing his wife, his children, and his home. His client is Trevor, a teenager with advanced DuChenne muscular dystrophy, a stubborn, defiant attitude, and a fierce desire to have sex. The two of them form a tight and unlikely bond, and eventually embark on a roadtrip so Trevor can reconnect with his absent father. Hilarious, sad, and revealing, this is a remarkable story about love, healing, friendship, and the true meaning of giving care to another.

Jonathan Tropper’s books always hit the spot with me. He has a knack for witty, crisp dialogue, and creating characters so real that you want to go out for a beer with them just to chat about what happened in the book. His latest novel, One Last Thing Before I Go, relays the story of middle-aged musician Drew Silver, whose life is riddled with dilemmas, including his ex-wife’s impending marriage, his teenaged daughter’s unplanned pregnancy, and his own troubling health diagnosis. Instead of agreeing to life-saving surgery, Silver decides instead to spend his remaining time repairing his relationships—with humorous and poignant results. The perfect read for anyone who thinks bad news makes for sad stories.

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach is ostensibly about baseball, but like David James Duncan’s novel The Brothers K, the sport serves as the backdrop for the complicated relationships between characters. Among them, the main character, Henry Skirmshander, whose prodigious fielding talent has made him the star of his college team; his gay roommate, whose secret affair threatens several people; his teammate and best friend whose sacrifices for Henry may be more costly than he anticipated; and the complicated relationship between the college president and his daughter. Likeable characters, emotional suspense, and enough baseball to satisfy sports fans, this intelligent novel is a terrific examination of men and relationships.

The Visible Man by Chuck Klosterman is a terrifically creepy, funny, and smart read. Klosterman, who has written numerous essay collections, the novel Downtown Owl, and many magazine pieces (most of them about music), has crafted an absorbing story in The Visible Man. The story-withina-story involves therapist Victoria Vick, who narrates the story of her unusual client, Y___, who has approached her about dealing with the repercussions of his strange activities. Y___, it turns out, has invented an invisibility suit, and has been using it to sneak into other people’s homes and observe their most private moments. Unable to resist, Y____has broken his own vow not to interfere in the lives of continued on next page...

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

37

...continued from previous page those he watches, and the impact on his psyche drives him into therapy, where he confesses his actions to Victoria Vick—and burdens her with the results of his bizarre activities.

Point Your Face at This by Demetri Martin. Ok, so technically Martin’s latest book isn’t a traditional read, since it’s a collection of drawings, but so much of the comedian’s humor relies on a solid background in pop culture and academic understanding that deciphering many of the comics in the book offers a new spin on the definition of reading. The payoff for this mental work is tremendous, as Martin continually pokes fun at daily ridiculousness and invents some of his own.

Many readers are already familiar with The Silver Linings because of the extraordinary movie based on the novel

by Matthew Quick, but reading the book is a must. As always, movies condense, combine, and occasionally alter the original story, and the written versions offer gems that get left out on the big screen. This novel is about Pat Peoples and his struggle to regain his sanity, remember a forgotten portion of his recent past, and ultimately—he hopes—win back the love of his estranged wife. The story is funny, touching, and unforgettable—and includes a healthy dose of football, too.

Playbook

My Heart is an Idiot by Davy Rothbart (founder of Found magazine) is a collection of essays about Rothbart’s misadventures in love and life. Like David Sedaris, Rothbart mines his past for examples of his own absurdity, and isn’t afraid to use his family occasionally (“Bigger and Deafer” is about pranks he played on his deaf mother) for a laugh. Less humorous but among the more intriguing essays in the collection is one in which Rothbart explores the strange court case of an acquaintance convicted (wrongly, Rothbart believes) of murder.

David Sedaris’s new collection of humor pieces, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls: Essays, Etc. is another must-read for his fans, male or female. As always, Sedaris plunders his life experiences and finds the quirkiest observations to report on. His adventures in London and Paris might not be the usual for most of us (a trip to a taxidermist to buy a stuffed owl for his boyfriend, for example, or his unlikely ninth-grade “girlfriend”), but his unique encounters reveal universal, hilarious truths about life and love.

Cathy Belben is a high school teacher, a powerlifter, and the housemate of three men, all of whom she regularly and subversively encourages to read by leaving awesome books strategically placed around their house, the NapCastle.

Introducing...

99¢ Shipping Yes, you read that right!

USPS Media Mail

–books & dvds– available online AND in-store domestic shipping only

Independent Stores for Independent Minds. Be Indie, Buy Indie.

38 Summer 2013

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

One Book Pledger By most folks' standards, Cathy Belben doesn't live an ordinary life. In 2005 she took a year's leave of absence from her position as a Burlington H.S. librarian to write for the TV show Veronica Mars. Two years ago she road-tripped all over the Southwest to participate in seven sprint-distance triathlons, supporting Copan's Place, a foundation leading the fight against cancer in dogs. And recently, Cathy has become fully engaged in power lifting. That's right. Bench pressing weights that most of us would find unmovable. In fact, she'll go to Orlando for the Women's Nationals later this year.

And yet, Cathy considers herself a "calculated risk-taker." She said that to an interviewer in 2005 when she was questioned about her move to L.A. to write for TV, and she repeated it just recently as we talked about her being a dedicated locabookavore (in other words, a One Book Pledger). But by anyone's standards Cathy can not be considered risk-averse.

Even in her reading, which over the years has morphed from mostly fiction to a 3 to 1 nonfiction ratio, she doesn't avoid risk. She describes herself as an "eclectic, contemporary reader" and says that she reads very few older books. Recent titles include Alain de Botton's How to Think More About Sex (when it was suggested that it must not have been written for men, Cathy opined that the emphasis was on "think" rather than "more"). Other recent reads include 100 Things Designers Need to Know About People, Let's Pretend This Never Happened and Point Your Face at This.

"It's important for communities to have things that are unique, that help build an identity."

Ultimately, Cathy is a reader, a writer (she's working on a book tentatively titled Nine White Lights about personal growth through power lifting), and an adventurer, though she's much more comfortable at home than traveling—she viewed both her venture in L.A. and her triathlon-roadtrip as outside of her comfort zone.

Her reasons for being a One Book Pledger and supporting her local independent bookstore? "It's important for communities to have things that are unique, that help build an identity." She believes that local businesses know the community and meet its needs better than large, corporate behemoths. And, just like at "Cheers," she likes going where everybody knows her name.

You can learn more about the One Book Pledge at VillageBooks.com.

The Pledge Recognizing the importance of independent bookstores like Village Books to the health and culture of the community, and understaning the challenges faced by independent stores, I, _______________________________________________, hereby pledge to buy one more book from Village Books and one less from other online sellers, chain stores, and other retailers.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

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Enjoy Great Meals at These FAIRHAVEN Restaurants!

SLACK TIpDmE! Mon-Fri 2-6

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AW Asian Bistro Enjoy the Fine Art of

Asian Dining!

A.W. Asian Bistro

Fairhaven Garden 1138 Finnegan Way Bellingham, WA 360.715.3028 Fax 360.715.1803

HAPPY HOUR

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Sun-Thurs 3pm-5:30pm

Chinese • Vietnamese • Thai • Japanese open daily for Lunch & Dinner 12th & Mill in Historic Fairhaven • 715-3028

Please Support all of our Wonderful Advertisers!

40 Summer 2013

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

When DAVID GUTERSON Came to Town Whatcom READS! 2013

D

avid Guterson grew up in Washington, the third of five children born to Shirley (Zak) and Murray Guterson, a criminal defense attorney and the model for Nels Gudmundsson, the defense attorney in Snow Falling on Cedars.

Guterson majored in English at the University of Washington, and began writing short stories as an undergraduate. After graduating, he married Robin Ann Radwick whom he'd known since high school. After completing an MA in creative writing at UW, he and his wife and their newborn son Taylor toured Europe in a Volkswagen van for four months. They moved to Bainbridge Island in 1984 when he was hired as an English teacher at Bainbridge Island High School.

He worked on Snow Falling on Cedars on and off for ten years, and continued teaching until 1994. Snow was published in 1995, garnering him awards, a film tie-in, and widespread recognition.

Choosing an "old" book like Snow Falling On Cedars was an unusual move for Whatcom READS! The steering committee that selects the Whatcom READS! book every year has several criteria: the book should appeal to a wide range of readers as well as having cultural, historical or local interest; the author should be an engaging speaker, and most importantly, must be available to visit Whatcom County. David Guterson himself would have preferred to focus on his newer work, but honored the committee's belief that Snow would be a provocative platform for discussion and program planning.

by Linda Lambert

And it was. Programs included cultural sessions on origami, writing in katakana, "chado" (tea ceremony), and "Tule Lake: A Story of a Japanese American Concentration Camp." The meeting room at Bellingham Public Library was standing room only as panelists contributed their stories about "The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community Experience."

Guterson spoke at the Jansen Art Center in Lynden and at Whatcom Community College, providing thoughtful reflections of Snow.

In preparation for his presentations, he dug out boxes of notes from his basement that he hadn't looked at in years, introspectively identifying areas of improvement, demonstrating his philosophy that "you have to get good at your craft in order to be of value to other human beings."

Out loud to his audience in Lynden, he mused over the question, "Why do we [writers] sit in a little room and make up stories?" He surmised: "It has to do with a driving source from somewhere inside....I am a conduit for something beyond myself. I honor that. There is a sense of 'the holy.'" He feels it important to have a moral or social purpose—"stories can effect social change"—and acknowledges that he, as a writer, also "belongs to a tribe that entertains."

In ways similar to Tobias Wolff, the Whatcom READS author in 2010, Guterson was literary. He discussed the craft and artistry of writing, and he referenced a range of authors: Charles Dickens, Fyodor, Dostoyevsky, David Foster Wallace, Rainer Rilke, Mary Gordon, David Shields, Frederick Buechner, and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

To see and hear David Guterson, check out the video at whatcomreads.org, and while you're there, consider the suggestion in the next paragraph.

CHERYL STRAYED will be the 2013/2014 author for the program.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

There's a reason Whatcom READS! has an exclamation point and capital letters as part of its name. Those of us who help Whatcom READS! happen are excited about the promotion of reading, an activity which deserves enthusiastic punctuation, capital letters, bold fonts, and virtual billboards...if we could afford them. That word "afford" is a reminder that Whatcom READS! is solely funded through grants and donations. If you have discretionary money, go to the website right now and click "Donate." I did and it feels good.

Linda Lambert is Library Director at Whatcom Community College and has been a member of the Whatcom Reads Steering Committee since its inception.

Summer 2013

41

Thieves of Book Row:

Real Lives

New York’s Most Notorious Book Ring and the Man Who Stopped It

The World's Strongest Librarian:

A Memoir of Tourette's, Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family

by Josh Hanagarne

available now, hardcover, Penguin

The World's Strongest Librarian illuminates the mysteries of the little-understood disorder or Tourette's, as well as the very different worlds of strongman training and modern libraries. With humor and candor, this unlikely hero traces his journey to overcome his disability and navigate his wavering Mormon faith to find love and create a life worth living.

by Travis McDade

available now, hardcover, Oxford

Travis McDade tells the gripping tale of the worst book-theft ring in American history, and the intrepid detective who brought it down. With wit and erudition, McDade recreates the steamy side of the antiquarian book business in Depressionera New York and Boston. This immensely engaging story will appeal to cultural historians, literary scholars, bibliophiles, and true-crime lovers alike.

Bootstrapper: From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm

by Mardi Jo Link

Just Send Me Word:

available in June, hardcover, Knopf

A True Story of Love and Survival in the Gulag

by Orlando Figes

available in July, paperback, Macmillan

Why read a memoir about a single mother with 3 boys, alone on a farm, who is broke and brokenhearted? Because life is a divine comedy! Those of us with a sense of humor, like Mardi Jo Link, will survive any adversity. In fact, by the end of her woeful tale, the author is telling a love story. Anyone who has ever been a single parent will appreciate her struggle, and her humor.

As Mardi says, "This is how it was—and we survived it."

Bravo to the resilience of single mothers everywhere! —Cindi

In 1946, after five years as a prisoner— first in Nazi concentration camps, then in the Arctic Gulag—29-year-old Lev Mishchenko received a letter from Sveta, the sweetheart he had hardly dared hope was still alive. Over the next eight years the lovers managed to exchange more than 1,500 messages.

Their recently discovered correspondence is the only known real-time record of life in Stalin's Gulag.

Carver Country:

The Astronaut Wives Club:

text by Raymond Carver, photography by Bob Adelman

The World of Raymond Carver

available in June, hardcover, Norton

A True Story

by Lily Koppel

available in June, hardcover, Hachette

Annie Glenn, with her picture-perfect marriage, was the envy of the other wives; platinum-blonde Rene Carpenter was proclaimed JFK's favorite; and licensed pilot Trudy Cooper arrived on base with a secret. Together with the other wives they formed the Astronaut Wives Club, meeting regularly to provide support and friendship—friendship they would maintain for more than fifty years.

Adelman’s duotone photographs are evocative of the landscape and people of Carver’s life. This “visual biography” reveals the melancholy Carver manifested in his characters’ lives, which was often directly born out of the surrounding world and his inner demons. What results becomes a profound meditation on the intersection of the fictionalized world and the physical world. Includes an afterword by Carter's wife, poet Tess Gallagher.

Buried in the Sky: The Extraordinary Story of the Sherpa Climbers on K2’s Deadliest Day

by Peter Zuckerman and Amanda Padoan

ADVENTURE

available in June, paperback, Norton

Exploring the intersecting lives of Chhiring Dorje Sherpa and Pasang Lama, Zuckerman follows them from their villages high in the Himalaya to the slums of Kathmandu, across the glaciers of Pakistan to K2 Base Camp. Chhiring finds Pasang stranded on an ice wall, without an axe, waiting to die. The rescue that follows has become the stuff of mountaineering legend.

42

Summer 2013

Building Community One Book at a Time

Here I Am: The Story of Tim

True Tales

Hetherington, War Photographer

by Alan Huffman

available now, hardcover, Grove/Atlantic

Here I Am is the definitive telling of the life and times of journalist, photographer, and documentary film maker Tim Hetherington. Hetherington told his stories through photography, his most famous pictures are those of the Sleeping Soldiers, which were taken in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. In 2003, he traveled to Liberia and stayed with rebel forces to photograph the civil war that was taking place. In 2011, while documenting the Arab Spring in Misrata, he was killed by a mortar blast. This book tells Tim's story in such a way that it will make the reader look at journalism in a completely different light. —Alex

Zen Under Fire:

How I Found Peace in the Midst of War

by Marianne Elliott

available in June, paperback, Sourcebooks

Zen Under Fire lays bare the struggles of a war-torn region from a uniquely female perspective. Marianne Elliott must defuse situations—redefining the question of what it really means to do good in a country that is under siege from within. Zen Under Fire is a moving, and at times terrifying true story of a woman's experience of war in Afghanistan.

9

y Money B a

RISK FREE READS

GU

Agent Garbo (Juan Pujol):

by Stephan Talty

available now, paperback, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

As incredible as it sounds, everything in Agent Garbo is true, based on years of archival research and interviews with Pujol's family. This pulse-pounding thriller set in the shadow world of espionage and deception reveals the shocking reality of spycraft that occurs just below the surface of history. This is a must-read for those who think they know all the WWII stories.

Daniel James Brown

A Free Event!

Wednesday, June 26th, 7pm

90-day Guarantee on the books previewed in this issue of the Chuckanut Reader!

A R A N TEE

The Brilliant, Eccentric Secret Agent Who Tricked Hitler and Saved D-Day

At Village Books

ck

Da 0-

Saving Italy:

The Race to Save a Nation’s Treasures from the Nazis

by Robert M. Edsel

available now, hardcover, Norton

A blockbuster story about the Monuments M e n—a gro u p of ar tists, curators, museum staf f, academics, etc. who succeeded in saving Italy’s art during Allied bombings. Brilliantly researched and vividly written, Saving Italy is an unforgettable story of epic thievery and political intrigue. It is a testament to heroism on behalf of art, culture, and history.

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

by Daniel James Brown

available in June, hardcover, Penguin

Brown's robust book tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

43

Village Books, in partnership with the Pickford Film Center, presents

WRITERS IN THE

LIMELIGHT

HISTORY SERIES

On-screen Author Talks & Interviews Our popular "Writers in the Limelight" HISTORY SERIES continues through the summer and into Fall.

Village Books will host a discussion after each film for those interested in staying. Tickets for each show are available at Village Books and through the Pickford Film Center. Check out Pickfordcinema.org for more information!

Please note: authors do NOT attend.

SATURDAYS, June 15, noon David Eisenhower –Going Home To Glory:

July 20, noon Tim O'Brien –The Things They Carried

A Memoir of Life with Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961-1969

August 17, noon: Edmund Morris –Colonel Roosevelt

September 21, noon Harold Holzer & James McPherson –Hearts Touched

by Fire: The Best of Battles and Leaders of the Civil War

Waterfront Patio Seating Bar/Patio HoPPY Hour Sun-Thurs 4-6pm Monday $3 Pints (bar/patio) 6-close Father’s Day Celebration & Other Events!

Servicing Most European & Japanese Models

Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen www.chuckanutbrewerykitchen.com

601 West Holly St. Bellingham, WA

44 Summer 2013

360.752.3377

360 671.2420

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

HEDRICK SMITH

Who Stole the American Dream?

Wednesday, July 24th

Ticketed presentation with Bellingham City Club

Last fall, Village Books hosted author/journalist Hedrick Smith for his book, Who Stole the American Dream? to a standing-room only crowd. He will return to Bellingham to continue this discussion with the Bellingham City Club and you are invited to attend.

Hedrick Smith, Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times reporter and editor and Emmy award-winning producer/correspondent, has established himself over the past 50 years of his career as one of America’s most distinguished journalists. In this, his latest book, he gives an eye-opening account of how the American Dream has been dismantled and we became two Americas.

This event is open to the public. Tickets for the program include lunch and cost $13 for members and $18 for non-members when purchased in advance at BrownPaperTickets.com.

Books will be available for purchase at the event and a signing will follow.

City Club of Bellingham meets at Northwood Hall, 3240 Northwest Avenue.

11:15am: doors open, 11:50am: a buffet lunch is served, 12:20pm-1:30pm: program.

Learn more about his event at bellinghamcityclub.org.

Business

Saved: How I Quit Worrying

The Rise of the Naked Economy:

About Money and Became the Richest Guy in the World

How to Benefit From the Changing Workplace

by Ben Hewitt

available in June, hardcover, Macmillan

available in July, hardcover, Palgrave Macmillan

A Cabinet of Greek Curiosities:

y Money B Da a 0-

Fun Facts!

RISK FREE READS

GU

ck

What happens when the trappings that have defined the economy are stripped away and we reexamine what it means to make a living? This book shows readers how to achieve both personal and professional success in an economy that no longer guarantees lifetime employment. It calls for a new infrastructure, strategy, and attitude for workers, companies, and communities alike.

And, it provides an optimistic, humorous, and inspirational vision for readers who want to reclaim their lives and livelihoods.

Erik is a real-life rebel living happily and comfortably in small-town Vermont on less than $10,000 per year. He has a job, a girlfriend, good friends, and strong ties to the community. But how he lives his life—and why—launches Hewitt on a quest to understand the true role of money and mindless consumerism in our lives.

9

by Ryan Coonerty and Jeremy Neuner

A R A N TEE

Strange Tales and Surprising Facts from the Cradle of Western Civilization

by J. C. McKeown

available now, hardcover, Oxford

This is an uproarious miscellany of odd stories and facts. To ward off evil, there were scapegoats thrown down from cliffs, though fitted out with feathers and live birds to give them a sporting chance of survival. Did a werewolf really win the boxing event at the Olympic Games? A delightfully entertaining omnium gatherum.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

45

Loud, scary fun for the whole family. ows h s er Loud, scary fun azapp eg pm for the whole m family.

2:30 ay d r u sat ows very h s ay! er e d zapp m n a g u e p m y 2:30 &s urda y sat ever unday! &s

1312 BAY STREET BELLINGHAM WA 98225 www.sparkmuseum.org 360-738-3886

www 1312 Bay Street • Bellingham, WA www.sparkmuseum.org 360-738-3886 46 Summer 2013

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

Spreading the Love of Reading, Person to Person

WORLD BOOK NIGHT

by Sam Kaas, VB Bookseller

S

ometime in mid-April, boxes of specially-marked books began to flow into the back room here at Village Books. They were great titles—Fahrenheit 451, The Alchemist, The Phantom Tollbooth and John Green’s Looking for Alaska, to name just a few—and on April 23rd, nearly fifty intrepid bibliophiles around Bellingham picked those books up and gave them away. Why? Because it was World Book Night, and that is what World Book Night is all about.

World Book Night is an annual event, which began in England and now happens all over the world every April 23rd (an especially literary date—Shakespeare was born and died on April 23rd, and Miguel De Cervantes died on that day in 1616). In celebration of great books, volunteer ‘Givers’ spend the day handing out specially-selected titles to whomever they happen to run into, making connections and spreading the sheer joy of reading. For the second year in a row, Village Books was an official pick-up point for World Book Night. This year, volunteers in Bellingham went to bus stations, parks, the harbor and at least two or three grocery stores. They handed out books, no strings attached, to people from all walks of life, with only the simplest of instructions: Read this. If you love it, pass it on.

Every time I stopped somebody that day to offer them a book, they would slow down and double back. “What’s it about?” they’d ask.

That’s not a question you ask when someone offers you a free lint brush, or a flyer advertising a cereal outlet. Even in our fast-paced world, books matter. Stories matter.

And so, on World Book Night, right here in Bellingham, good stories went home with people—with overstressed college kids, with commercial fishermen, with harried parents and with people who had been meaning to find a book to read, but hadn’t gotten around to it. Because, as it turns out, World Book Night isn’t just about free books—it’s about starting conversations and finding readers, and reminding folks of the power of well-crafted words. There are not many things left in the world that we can come to without pretense, without commitment, no strings attached—but a good read is still one of them.

Consider being a Giver next year! Information about WBN can be found at www.us.worldbooknight.org. There you can sign up for the World Book Night Newsletter so you'll hear when it's time to sign up... and even vote for next year's titles!

When you’re offered something for free, in the street, by a stranger, your natural impulse tends to be to say no.

So often there is a catch—we all know the one about the purported existence of complimentary noonday meals. But here’s something—there were over a thousand books in those boxes, and every one of them found a home. Blame it on the sunshine, if you want. Chalk it up to the dogged persistence of the volunteers. But I think there’s simply something about a good story that makes us all stop and think twice.

You can follow Village Books on Twitter. Each day we “tweet” about book events, new books, and book-related topics. We are @VillageBksBham.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Visit us on Facebook! You’ll find our events listed there, and there are discussions of books and other book-related topics as well. Go to Facebook.com/VillageBooks.

Summer 2013

47

Indies Choice BOOK AWARDS 2013

Reflecting the spirit of independent bookstores nationwide, the 2013 Indies Choice Book Award winners, chosen by the owners and staff at American Booksellers Association member stores are: • Adult Fiction The Round Houseby Jef

• Adult Debut The Snow Child

by Louise Erdrich

by Eowyn Ivey

(Harper)

(Little, Brown & Co.)

• Adult Nonfiction Wild From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

• Young Adult The Fault in Our Starsby

by John Green (Dutton Juvenile)

by Cheryl Strayed (Knopf )

E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards

Reflecting the playful, well-paced language, the engaging themes, and the universal appeal to a wide range of ages embodied by E.B. White’s collection of beloved books.

• Middle Reader Wonder

by R.J. Palacio (Knopf Books for Young Readers)

• New Picture Book Extra Yarn

by Mac Barnett illustrated by Jon Klassen (Balzer + Bray)

2013 Indie Champion Award John Green Presented to the author or illustrator that has both the best sense of the importance of independent bookstores to their communities at large and the strongest personal commitment to foster and support the mission and passion of independent booksellers.

48

Summer 2013

Building Community One Book at a Time

Seismic Section Shifts

by Chuck Robinson

F

iirst we should say that we're often surprised that many don't already know of the connection between Village Books and Paper Dreams—not the literal doorway, the fact that we're the same company.

"When did you buy Paper Dreams," Dee and I are often asked. Jaws drop when we tell them that we founded Paper Dreams in 1982, with the help of long-time manager JoAnn Hanesworth. Recently we've begun to integrate the two stores a bit more, though we intend that each will retain some of its separate identity. One symbolic move was the creation of a new logo that combines elements from the logos of both stores. We'll continue to use each of the individual logos, but will also use this one when appropriate.

So, now to the "seismic section shifts." We didn't have an earthquake, but it may feel that way to you with many sections of the store shifted around. The biggest changes have been: 1) a move of the cooking section to the south wall of the Paper Dreams part of the store. We did that to make the section more accessible to more folks who are interested in the culinary arts—after all, that area opens up into Drizzle, our favorite place to buy olive oil. We also have a lot of gifts and gadgets for the cooks in your life, now integrated with those cookbooks.

Check out our

New Cookbook Section at Paper Dreams!

2) travel books traveled (so to speak) to the area vacated by cooking.

We've enlarged our offerings of travel accessories and will continue to add to that section.

3) We've expanded the humor section and relocated it where travel accessories used to be.

4) books of and about games have also moved to that area and have been joined by games from Paper Dreams.

5) the area toward the back of the Readings Gallery has become a special SALE area for marked-down books as well as gift items.

6) we've created a special section for autographed books at the edge of the Readings Gallery (take a look, there are some treasures here).

7) Journals and blank books have (mostly) moved to the Writers' Corner on the bookstore's mezzanine level.

We're still in the midst of tweaking and rearranging, so please bear with us.

We promise a map, once we get some more sections settled.

Thanks for your patience and enjoy your new discoveries.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Summer 2013

49

2nd Annual Rhythm & Rays Summer Concert

ic Dramat you’ll ies comed ve! lo MBT Summer Repertory Theatre July 16 - Aug 11

Almost, Maine Steel Magnolias ‘Art’ Tickets start at $30*

WED 7/17

$25 adult $12.50 student*

360.734.6080 | MountBakerTheatre.com *Plus applicable fees

Season Show Sponsor: Galbraith & Kimberley Pediatric dentistry Sponsor

/

hoMEtown cUltURE to the world

woRld cUltURE to the hometown

SUMMER 2013

Treasures From the Trunk: The Story of J.J. Dovovan Opens July 27 Step aside, Dirty Dan. It’s time to celebrate the life and career of J.J. Donovan.

Nature in the Balance: Artists Interpreting Climate Change July 6 - September 22 In anticipation of our upcoming fall exhibition, Vanishing Ice, the Museum hosts an open hanging — is your favorite local artist on our walls?

KMRE 102.3 FM A non-commercial, community-based radio station licensed to and operated by the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention since 2005. KMRE is a powerful and entertaining extension of the Spark Museum’s world-class media collection.

Underwriting a show here at KMRE supports independent local radio and connects your business, group or event to one of Bellingham’s best independent media outlets.

thousands of local listeners.

Listen and learn more online at:

KMRE.ORG

www.whatcommuseum.org

50

Summer 2013

Building Community One Book at a Time

Chuckanut Radio Hour

The

The Chuckanut Radio Hour, a recipient of Bellingham’s prestigious Mayor’s Arts Award, is a radio variety show taped live and played on KMRE 102.3FM. Each Radio Hour features guest authors and musicians, performance poet Kevin Murphy, Cascadia Weekly columnist Alan Rhodes, an episode of "The Bellingham Bean" serial radio comedy, and some groaner jokes by hosts Chuck & Dee Robinson and announcer Rich Donnelly. It's a lot of fun so check out our summer line-up and join us!

Tickets $5.00 (and Trailing Spouses)

Thursday, June 20th, 6:30pm

The Rejections

at Bellingham High School Join us for a special Chuckanut Radio Hour to kick-off the Chuckanut Writers Conference (CWC), at the Bellingham High School Theater. This month we are hosting special guests The Rejections (and Trailing Spouses), a band composed of authors and authors’ spouses (which means they know a lot about rejection!), including 2013 CWC faculty members Garth Stein and Jennie Shortridge. This special edition of the Radio Hour will also feature a conversation with the authors in the band, moderated by poet Frances McCue, on ‘The Writing Life.”

Tickets for all shows are available at Village Books & BrownPaperTickets.com

Tuesday, July 16th, 6:30pm

Tickets $5.00 Receive one FREE ticket with each pre-event purchase of Light in the Ruins.

Chris Bohjalian in the Heiner Theater at Whatcom Community College

–Light in the Ruins New York Times bestselling author of Midwives, and The Sandcastle Girls, Chris Bohjalian, joins us with his new book, The Light in the Ruins. This is a spine-tingling novel of love, desperation, and revenge, set in the World War II ravaged countryside of Italy.

Music will be by The Lady Crooners.

Tuesday, August 27th, 6:30pm

Chelsea Cain at the Sudden Valley Dance Barn

Tickets $5.00

–Let Me Go: An Archie Sheridan/Gretchen Lowell Novel Join us for this fun episode of the Chuckanut Radio Hour, hosted at the Sudden Valley Dance Barn. Our special guest for our August show is Bellingham’s favorite home-grown author, Chelsea Cain, for her new mystery novel, Let Me Go, from her Detective Archie Sheridan series. Back with her most thrilling novel yet, Cain delivers the pinnacle of what fans of this series have come to expect: sex, murder, twists, dark wit, and some of the best characters in the genre. Musical guests will be the Prozac Mountain Boys!

A HUGE thanks to our amazing sponsors!

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

FAIRHAVEN PIZZA

Proceeds from ticket sales for this event will benefit the Sudden Valley Public Library building fund.

KMRE FM 102.3 Summer 2013 51

Science Full-Rip 9.0: The Next Big Earthquake in the Pacific Northwest

The Cancer Chronicles:

by Sandi Doughton

Unlocking Medicine's Deepest Mystery

available in June, hardcover, Sasquatch

by George Johnson

available in August, hardcover, Knopf

When Johnson's wife was diagnosed with a metastatic cancer, he plunged himself into a study of the disease and of the people who dedicate their lives to understanding and combating it. The product of his work is this vibrant, eloquently written look at recent advances in the war on cancer that will challenge everything you thought you knew about the disease.

Washington, Oregon, and southern British Columbia define the zone that will be affected by perhaps the most devastating earthquake that all scientific research says is now overdue to happen. This is the book that explains what we know, what we don't know, and just how unprepared we are for the inevitable.

The Space Book:

From the Beginning to the End of Time, 250 Milestones in the History of Space & Astronomy

Free Radicals: The Secret Anarchy of Science

by Michael Brooks

by Jim Bell

available in July, paperback, Penguin

available now, hardcover, Sterling

Scientists present themselves as cool, logical, and levelheaded, relying exclusively on facts and passionless interpretations of painstakingly researched results. But the truth is scientists will do anything—take drugs, follow mystical visions, lie, and even cheat—to make a discovery. Brooks argues that it is high time for science to come clean about just how bold and daring scientists really are.

This book discusses 250 milestones in the history of space. The reader will be drawn into a deep understanding of the effects that space has had on our every day lives. You will be taken from the start of the universe, to the discovery of planetary motion, and even to the destruction of the sun in the distant future.

This is an amazing book for anyone interested in history as well as science. —Alex

The Universe in the Rearview Mirror: How Hidden Symmetries Shape Reality

by Dave Goldberg

available in July, hardcover, Penguin

Re a

Dave Goldberg, the coolest nerd physicist on the planet, gives a hyper drive tour of the universe. Not only does he answer the questions your stoner friends came up with in college, but he also reveals the most profound discoveries of physics with infectious, Carl Sagan-like enthusiasm and accessibility.

de

r

& Devoted Dream ards ers w e R

Members Only

SALE

52 Summer 2013

Sat. & Sun. June 29th & 30th at Village Books AND Paper Dreams!

20% OFF

Free & Easy to Join!

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

Nature Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants

by Jane Goodall with Gail Hudson

Green Equilibrium: The Vital

available in August, hardcover, Grand Central Publishing

Balance of Humans and Nature

Looking at the world as an adventurer, scientist, and devotee of sustainable foods and gardening—Jane Goodall delivers an enlightening story of the wonders we can find in our own backyards. She shows us the secret world of plants with all their mysteries and potential for healing our bodies as well as Planet Earth.

What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World

by Christopher Wills

available now, hardcover, Oxford

Award-winning field biologist Christopher Wills explains the rules by which ecosystems thrive, shining light on a set of ecological balancing acts that he calls "green equilibria," rules which keep our world vibrant, verdant, and ecologically intact. Perhaps, more importantly, he introduces us to people in many countries around the world who are now using this new knowledge to help heal the planet.

The Soul of All Living Creatures: What Animals Can

by Jon Young

available now, paperback, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Deep bird language is an ancient discipline, perfected by Native peoples the world over, and science is finally catching up. This groundbreaking book unites the indigenous knowledge, the latest research, and the author's own experience of four decades in the field to lead us toward a deeper connection to the animals and, in the end, a deeper connection to ourselves.

Teach Us About Being Human

by Vint Virga, D.V.M.

available in July, hardcover, Crown

Dr. Virga had a life-changing experience when he witnessed the power of simple human contact and compassion to affect the recovery of a dog struggling to survive after being hit by a car. No longer able to overlook the human-animal connection or its importance to our well-being, he dedicated his career to caring for all creatures.

Travel The Wet and the Dry: A Drinker's Journey

Italian Ways: On and Off the Rails from Milan to Palermo

by Tim Parks

available in June, hardcover, Norton

Ah Italy! Is it part of the modern world or not? Parks captures what makes Italian life distinctive: an obsession with speed but an acceptance of slower, older ways; a blind eye toward brutal architecture amid grand monuments; and an undying love of a good argument and the perfect cappuccino.

by Lawrence Osborne

available in July, hardcover, Crown

Is drinking alcohol "a sickness of the soul" as a group of young Muslim men in Bali inform Osborne, or the opposite, a sign of civilization and sanity, as he has long believed? Where do different societies and their treatment of alcohol fall on the spectrum between indulgence and restraint? These questions launch the author on a journey to the far corners of the planet.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Village Books is a Dog-Friendly Store!

Summer 2013

53

Walk on over for great service!

We’re right across the street from Village Books.

• Get the Right Fit • Get the Best Stuff (over 255 shoe choices) • Get Connected (over 300 community events annually)

1209 11th Street | Bellingham | 360.676.4955 www.FairhavenRunners.com STORE HOURS: Mon - Sat: 10 - 7 | Sun: 11 - 5

360.733.5050 | www.bellinghamtennis.com

We s t r ive t o e n h a n c e the beauty of our clients both inside and out.

Now in Fairhaven!

1050 Larrabee Ave, Suite 102 360-752-2956

Dr. Jason Lichtenberger

Board Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Facial care of the highest standards.

(360) 738-FACE (3223) WWW.HECHT AESTHETIC CENTER.COM 2940 Squalicum Pkwy, Suite 206, Bellingham 54

Summer 2013

Weekdays by appointment: 8am - 5pm Weekend walk in clinic: 9:30am - 4:30pm

Mitchell Kahn, MD

Julie Kahnamou, ARNP

Comprehensive Primary Care - Adolescents to Seniors

Shop 24 hours a day at www.villagebooks.com

OUR BODIES OUR MINDS

Psychology The Book of Woe:

The DSM and the Unmaking of Psychiatry

by Gary Greenberg

available now, hardcover, Penguin

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is the American Psychiatric Association's compendium of mental illnesses. The new revision has shaken psychiatry to its foundations with the APA taking fire for extending the reach of psychiatry into daily life by encouraging doctors to diagnose more mental illness and prescribe more therapies—often medications whose action in the brain is poorly understood, whose efficacy is unknown, and whose side effects are severe.

The Book of Woe tells how the DSM turns suffering into a commodity and the APA into its own biggest beneficiary.

Women Homeward Bound:

Why Women Are Embracing the New Domesticity

by Emily Matchar

You Are Now Less Dumb:

How to Conquer Mob Mentality, How to Buy Happiness, and All the Other Ways to Outsmart Yourself

by David McRaney

available in August, hardcover, Penguin

You Are Now Less Dumb is grounded in the idea that we all believe ourselves to be objective observers of reality—except we're not. But that's okay, because our delusions keep us sane. McRaney also reveals the true price of happiness, why Benjamin Franklin was such a badass, and how to avoid falling for our own lies.

Exercise The First 20 Minutes:

Surprising Science Reveals How We Can Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer

by Gretchen Reynolds

available now, paperback, Penguin

In her popular New York Times column, Reynolds debunks myths, spurs conversation, and stirs controversy by questioning widely held beliefs about exercise. Here, she consults experts in a range of fields to share paradigm-shifting findings that were previously available in only obscure academic and medical journals, including–chocolate milk is better than Gatorade for recovery!

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

available now, hardcover, Simon & Schuster

In the past few years, feminist domesticity has become extremely en vogue. A movement primarily supported by women, it is no longer uncommon to find crafty, home-maker bloggers writing about their latest canning recipe, or hip mamas sharing pictures of their idyllic home lives. But, how much of this movement is truly a female/feminist reclaiming of the domestic arts, and how much may just be a misguided trend? Emily Matchar takes a journalistic approach to this topic and sheds some light on interesting facts, figures and females. —Christina

Family Expecting Better:

Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong—and What You Really Need to Know

by Emily Oster

available in August, hardcover, Penguin

Pregnant women are often given long lists of rules without any real explanation from their doctors about why. Expecting Better overturns standard recommendations for alcohol, caffeine, sushi, bed rest, and induction while putting in context some of the typical blanket guidelines for pregnancy. Knowing that the health of your baby is paramount, readers can know more and worry less. Having the facts is a tremendous relief—and so is the occasional glass of wine.

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Making Your Creative Mark: Nine Keys to Achieving

Creativity

Your Artistic Goals

by Eric Maisel

available now, paperback, New World Library

How does an artist maintain focus and productivity long enough to achieve one's artistic goals? Maisel approaches art as a creative goal, with a time line and specific steps; whether it is painting, writing, or weaving, you can sustain your own inspiration with good habits. It is possible to overcome the blockades of procrastination, fear, and stress with a plan; you will become your own coach. Maisel also gives 97 wonderful 'creativity tips' at the conclusion of this book, a good reference for the professional and not-so-professional artist. –Cindi

Fashion How to Read Fashion: A Crash Course in Styles, Designers, and Couture

Raising Creative Children

by Julia Cameron

available in August, hardcover, Penguin

This is more than a parenting book; it is a family orientation to cultivate self-expression within the home.

It suggests rituals of creativity to reawaken both the parent and child's curiosity and sense of wonderment. Artists are familiar with the author's daily ritual of Morning Pages (meditation), and the weekly dates for creative expeditions, and now she describes various ways to share awakening projects with your child. Night sharing, storytelling and returning to games are just a few of the reasons I recommend this book for every creative parent! –Cindi

Humor

by Fiona Ffoulkes

available now, paperback, Rizzoli

This small, thumbnail field guide to all the elements of fashion is an eyeboggling treat, as it includes photos of iconic clothing from museum and photograph collections dating from the last 300 years. Beautifully laid out in an easy-to-understand manner, this is a thorough examination of fashion, but brief enough to not be boring. I loved the way the elements were organized, and the specific details so beautifully photographed. Since this isn't a thorough explanation of all the elements in fashion, it isn't necessarily a must-have reference.

But it's just so darn pretty that you'll want it in your library or for a quick reference field guide. —Jonica

Purchase a

The Artist's Way for Parents:

My Dog: The Paradox: A Lovable Discourse about Man's Best Friend

by the Oatmeal, Matthew Inman available now, hardcover, Andrews McMeel Publishers

Matthew Inman, author of the very popular and comical book How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You has released another equally as hilarious (and slightly crude) gem. My Dog: The Paradox makes fun of all of the weird qualities that make our dogs so quirky yet loveable at the same time. If you've ever spent time with a pooch, Inman's satirical illustrations and captions are sure to make you chuckle. —Tiffany

Kobo Mini eReader for just $39.99

For three weeks only, June 21 to July 18, the Kobo Mini will be offered at just $39.99!

save

Kobo Mini is the pocket-sized eReader designed for reading on the go. Feature packed, this eReader comes standard with a no-glare touchscreen and convenient Wi Fi access to over 3 million eBooks including bestsellers, hidden gems, and 1 million free titles!

Enjoy a variety of font sizes and styles to create a comfortable and personalized eReading experience. Regularly priced at $79.99, this is deal too good to pass up!

$40

June 21- July 18

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Summer 2013

Powerful and pocket-sized!

Cannnot be combined with other discounts/sale offers.

Small is a big deal

Building Community One Book at a Time

Ferndale Student Poet Wins Big Prize Teacher Gail Smedley says that eighth grader Jessica Jimenez-Arroyo "is a student who takes her education seriously; she loves reading as much as some people love football.

She is a very creative, unique spirit, and it’s wonderful to see that still valued in today’s society.” She recently told folks how much she loved to read in a poem she submitted to Scholastic's "I Love to Read Student Creativity Contest." And, her poem paid off big time. She won $10,000 for herself and the same amount for her school—Vista Middle School in Ferndale. Congratulations Jessica!

Bellingham Children's Theatre "A Stage Kids Grow Through"

Four Unique Outdoor

Summer Theatre CAMPS 12-5pm, July 8 - August 2, 2013 Random Acts & Sneaky Set-Ups July 8-12 Wutcraker Boot-Camp July 15-19 "Sprinkle Park—the Musical" July 22-26 Wozard of Iz July 29-August 2 Each Camp only $150 For more information about the camps and how to register go to BellinghamChildrensTheatre.com or call (360) 734-9999.

She Sails Through the Morning Sky She sails through the morning sky.

Euphoric giggles fill the air.

So close to heaven, her hands reach out to the clouds.

The sun envelopes her in its hug.

She swings her legs, hair flying in the windthe world, one infinite moment of joy.

I close the book.

Her mother’s yelling.

I cringe.

Insults fly.

She tolerates it.

Frustration screams through me.

Anger.

The first slap.

My eyes feel the pain.

I close the book.

The dog’s alone, starved, roaming cold streets.

Tears form in my eyes, won’t last another day.

A girl notices.

And my heart fills with hope.

She smiles sadly and walks away.

The dog whines and leaves, his legs barely sustaining themselves, wounds deeper than skin.

Despair tinges my thoughts.

Footsteps echo.

She runs back with a blanket; picks him up, whispering “I’ll give you a new home.”

I close the book.

My sister asks me, “Why do you love books?”

Memories, emotions, thoughts, rush into my head, a neverending tornado.

I say, “I love reading books. because they unfold the world to me, give me emotions and lessons, that I’ll never experience otherwise.

They let me live in a dream of my own creations.”

Jessica Jimenez-Arroya, 8th Grade, Vista Middle School, Ferndale, WA

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

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Summer Reading Challenge TAKE THE

Our annual Summer Reading Challenge is back!

This year, we’re asking you to select and read a variety of books from different genres including poetry, history and non-fiction. Once you've completed reading ten books, select your favorite and, on the card we provide you, tell us what you liked about it. We'll hang your review up in the store! Pick up your form and review card at the main counter and return them to us by August 31st to receive a $5 gift certificate to Village Books AND a cookie from our friends next door at the Colophon Cafe!

Don’t forget the new YRCA & Sasquatch lists! Find them here at VB.

Stumped about what to read? Check out the great reviews and previews in this Reader or ask any of us at the store for help!

He's BACK! FIND WALDO LOCAL!

FAIRHAVEN In July 2013

will start in Fairhaven on July 1st.

Kids, parents and Waldo-lovers of all ages are invited to join us again this year for the month-long scavenger hunt to find the elusive Waldo hidden in 25 local businesses around Fairhaven.

Look for the Waldo decal on the windows of 25 participating businesses around Fairhaven. You can pick up a “Find Waldo in Fairhaven” passport at any of those locations to start your search. Once you’ve found the six-inch cardboard Waldo hidden within each shop, ask a shop employee to stamp your passport. Bring your stamped passport to Village Books. Passports with at least 10 store stamps will receive an “I Found Waldo” sticker, while supplies last. Passports with at least 20 store stamps are eligible to be entered in a drawing for various Waldo books and products. The first 100 passports with 10 stamps or more will receive a $1 off coupon for Waldo merchandise.

All Ages!

Grand Celebration at Village Books July 31st at 6pm We’ll play games, give out prizes to those who participated in the 25-store search, eat treats, and find a real live Waldo hiding in our store. Come in your red stripes and glasses.

Bike your way over to the celebration if you’d like, with everybodyBIKE’s Where’s Waldo family bike ride from the Depot Market Square, leaving at 5:15pm.

58 Summer 2013

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

YOUNG READERS Their Families & Educators

PICTURE BOOKS Bogart and Vinnie: A Completely Made-Up Story of True Friendship

by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Henry Cole

available in June, hardcover, Walker & Co.

When Vinnie, a crazy-happy dog, gets lost while visiting a nature preserve with his family, he finds comfort in the company of Bogart, a big, lazy rhinoceros. Vinnie "loves" his new friend, but Bogart would rather just take a nap. A friendship soon blossoms—even if Vinnie's definition of "friendship" is very different from Bogart's—and when word of their unique situation spreads, Bogart and Vinnie are a worldwide sensation! But as soon as their fifteen seconds of fame ends, what's left is a bond even Bogart can't ignore.

Katie’s Cupcakes and Papa Loses His Magic

by Katie & Neal Swanson, illustrated by Karisa Marley

available now, hardcover, Wear Cupcakes, LLC

From Fairhaven’s favorite cupcake shop owners, Katie & Neal Swanson, comes a new series of cheerful and fun children’s picture books full of a cast of little cupcake characters that are cute as can be. Learn about what happens to the store when a bottle of colored sprinkles falls to the floor, transforming into a cupcake village, or what happens when Papa Peanut Butter has no magic.

These are fun books for local kids, and would make a perfect gift for visiting friends and family. —Christina

Little Owl’s Orange Scarf

Ball

by Mary Sullivan

by Tatyana Feeney

available now, hardcover, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

available in June, hardcover, Knopf

A very eager dog is the star of this nearly-wordless picture book. His only thought? Ball. He plays with his young owner until she has to go to school but then…he has no one to throw the ball for him. The mother’s too busy, the baby’s too little, and the cat is not interested. The use of the single word “ball” is cleverly inserted at different points in his journeysometimes a question, sometimes a whimper, sometimes an exclamation. Very creative! —Sarah

Little Owl is usually a pretty happy owl. However, his new scarf is not making him happy at all. It is itchy, and long, and very, very orange. He tries to lose his scarf but somehow it always makes it back to him. When his mom figures out a solution, everyone is finally happy.

The Day the Crayons Quit

by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

available in July, hardcover, Philomel

STORY TIME for Preschoolers

First Saturdays of the month from 10:30-11am in the Kids’ Section 360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Crayons on strike! Red crayon resents his workload while yellow and orange crayons are arguing who is the true color of the sun. I found myself laughing with every turn of the page and commiserating with each crayon’s plight. The amazing illustrations are provided by staff-favorite Oliver Jeffers—a sure crowd-pleaser! —Sarah

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Village Books is hosting a week-long half-day summer camp, Monday, August 5th through Friday, August 9th, from 1-5pm each day. Join VB staff member Claire as she leads each day of themed activities with hands-on projects, book-related topics, and field trips around Fairhaven. Snack included.

Check out our Themes!

Monday - Science Fun Tuesday - Marine Life Day with a visit to the Marine Life Center Wednesday - Food & Farm Day with a visit to Common Threads Farm Thursday - Art Day with a visit to Ben Mann's studio Friday - Fun in the Sun Day with a walk to Fairhaven Park's splash area

Camp VB is $129 per child. Registration is for the entire week and is limited to 10 campers. A downloadable registration form is available at VillageBooks.com or you can pick one up at our main counter. Completed forms must be brought in to our main counter by Wed., July 31.

Sorry, no mailed or phoned registrations accepted.

Village Books is proud to be a partner and supporter of Common Threads Farm and School Garden Collective, a Bellingham-based nonprofit on a mission to connect young people with healthy food through hands-on, seed-to-table educational experiences.

son

photos by Claire McElroy-Ches

60 Summer 2013

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

Middle Readers

Twerp

by Mark Goldblatt available now, hardcover, Random House

Julian Twerski of course has the nickname Twerp just like all his other friends have stupid nicknames. After an incident with a neighborhood kid, Julian is given the option to write about the incident rather than writing a report on Julius Caesar. He jumps at the chance but what comes out is a glimpse into the escalating power of peer pressure and how a small thing can become a very big thing very quickly. —Sarah

After Iris

by Natasha Farrant available in July, hardcover, Dial

Blue’s twin sister, Iris, died three years ago. The whole Gadsby family is trying to deal with the loss but has different ways to go about it. Mom and Dad are gone for weeks and Blue’s other siblings are busy with their pets and their friends. Then, Zoran the au pair is hired for the school year and the boy next door starts getting involved. Told in letters, film scripts, and narrative, this family’s journey will ultimately warm your heart.

Pi in the Sky

by Wendy Mass

available in June, hardcover, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Joss is the seventh son of the Supreme Overlord of the Universe, and all he gets to do is deliver pies. Of course, these pies actually hold the secrets of the universe between their buttery crusts, but they're still pies. But when Earth suddenly disappears, Joss is tasked with the not-sosimple job of bringing it back. With the help of an outspoken girl from Earth named Annika, Joss embarks on the adventure of a lifetime and learns that the universe is an even stranger place than he'd imagined.

NOW (or soon) IN PAPERBACK! Three Times Lucky

by Sheila Turnage A Newbery honor book!

One for the Murphys

by Lynda Hunt A Sarah fave!

The Creature from the Seventh Grade: Boy or Beast

by Bob Balaban

Look for Book #2 Sink or Swim in hardcover in July!

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

Land of Stories

by Chris Colfer

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For Students ages 13-18

Sunday, June 23rd A new opportunity for teens who want to explore writing is available this summer at the inaugural “Write On 2013: Teen Writing Conference,” presented by Whatcom Young Writers and Village Books.

This day-long event will take place on Sun., June 23, on the heels of the Chuckanut Writers Conference. Whatcom Young Writers and Village Books are offering teens the chance to learn more about the craft of writing, use their newlylearned skills in a hands-on environment, and will connect attendees with professional writers from the region.

"Our goal is to provide an event comparable to a conference for adult writers, but with content focused on the developmental level and interests of teens," says Stephanie Dethlefs, Director of Whatcom Young Writers. "We are working hard to create a successful and inspiring event for our community's teen writers. We want them to leave the conference inspired to keep working at their craft, knowing that others are interested in their words and stories," adds Dethlefs.

The sessions offer a variety of writing-related hands-on experiences—including improv exercises to inspire your writing, produced by the Upfront Theatre Players; transforming your story into a graphic novel; and more—as well as keynote addresses by novelist Royce Buckingham and slam poet Ryler Dustin. The conference will launch with a welcome and keynote address in the Village Books Readings Gallery. This will be followed by a series of breakout sessions, and a discussion with a panel of professionals in writing-related careers. The day will culminate in the late-afternoon with an open mic event for all participants and presenters in the Village Books Readings Gallery. Families and the general public are invited to share in these final festivities.

The teen conference will take place at Village Books and the Fairhaven Village Inn on Sunday, June 23, 9:30am-4:30pm. Registration is $45. A reduced fee of $37 is available to all current Whatcom Young Writers participants until June 22. Registration forms are available at Village Books.

Check out WriteOnConference.com for more information.

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Summer 2013

Building Community One Book at a Time

Young Adult The Testing

by Joelle Charbonneau available now, hardcover, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The United Commonwealth has survived the Seven Stage War and the remaining colonies are beginning to heal. Cia is graduating and eager to find out if she is chosen for The Testing, the program where the Commonwealth selects the best and brightest to go to University to be new leaders. However, the Testing is a program with horrors and secrets that Cia is only beginning to realize.

Tarnish

by Katherine Longshore available in June, hardcover, Viking

I like historical fiction and Tudor novels in particular, but I always approach them hesitantly. After all, I already know the story. What I love, though, is how different authors can paint entirely contrasting portraits of the same historical figure. Next to other Anne Boleyn novels I’ve read, Tarnish does the best job of emphasizing her youth. All Anne wants is a little control over her own life. –Rachel H.

The Rithmatist

by Brandon Sanderson available now, hardcover, Tor

More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings who now threaten all of the American Isles. As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students learn the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing.

Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery—one that will change their world forever.

The Fifth Wave

by Rick Yancey

available now, hardcover, Penguin

Wow... talk about one of those Stay-Up-AllNight, Can't-Wait-to-See-How-This-TurnsOut,They-Should-SO-Make-This-Into-aMovie kind of novel. This breakneck-paced novel of an alien-invasion brings a whole new level of insidiousness to the genre while, at the same time, showing us what it means to be truly human. —Paul

Invisibility

by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan

Reboot

available now, hardcover, Philomel

Stephen is used to invisibility. He was born that way. Elizabeth sometimes wishes for invisibility. When you're invisible, no one can hurt you. So when her mother decides to move the family to New York City, Elizabeth is thrilled. It's easy to blend in there. Then Stephen and Elizabeth meet.

To Stephen's amazement, she can see him.

And to Elizabeth's amazement, she wants him to be able to see her. But as the two become closer, an invisible world gets in their way—a world of grudges, misfortunes, spells, and curses.

Once they're thrust into this world, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how deep they're going to go.

by Amy Tintera available now, hardcover, Harper Teen

Wren One-seven-eight is the highest number Reboot she knows. One hundred and seventy-eight minutes between her death and Rebooting makes her the least human and most dangerous of all her Reboot peers. Wren is the government's favorite weapon for keeping the chaotic citizenry in line, but when a death sentence is passed on her trainee, Callum Twenty-two, Wren must find a way to save his life. With quickmoving narrative and action galore, this dystopian tale plays with concepts of life, death, humanity, and love. —Rachel M.

A Trick of the Light

by Lois Metzger

available in June, hardcover, Balzer & Bray

This book made me forget where I was within three pages. Told from the perspective of a voice inside the protagonist's head, this is the story of how Mike, a fifteen-year-old boy, follows the voice's advice on how to take control of his life. Subtle and excellently paced, I did not realize what the voice represented or what was happening in Mike's life until the people around him began to see the warning signs. Metzger has found a very immediate and real way to allow the reader to experience Mike's isolation and selfdeception exactly as it unfolds, without giving too much away (or too little). This book sounds dark, but it wasn't heavy—more than anything it simply felt real. —Rachel M.

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

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Faerie After

SciFi & Fantasy

by Janni Lee Simner available now, hardcover, Random House

The final book in Simner’s haunting post-apocalyptic faerie story does justice to the trilogy. While she keeps the focus close to Liza, the themes unfold into larger world issues both literal and metaphorical. I also admire Simner’s knack for concision. While a much shorter book than most of what's on the shelves these days, not a word is wasted. –Rachel H.

Icons

by Margaret Stohl available now, hardcover, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Doloria survived The Day, when alien invaders took over Earth using an electrical pulse that killed everyone in the world's 13 largest cities. She shouldn't have lived, and now with the help of her lifelong best friend, the son of an ambassador, and a taciturn girl with a dog, she'll find out why she did. Maybe the reasons, along with a rebellion leader and a computer who can't seem to grasp the meaning of humor, will help Doloria and her friends to face Earth's alien oppressors and make a stand for humanity. —Jenny

Falcon in the Glass

by Susan Fletcher

available in July, hardcover, Margaret K. McElderry Books

Fletcher adds to her repertoire of YA novels with this tale of a young would-be glass blower in Venice. The year is 1497, and Lorenzo is determined to overcome the dishonor of his assassinated father to become a glassblower in his own right.

But nobody is willing to help him learn. One night, in exchange for shelter, he buys the assistance of one of the Bird Children, social outcasts who have a strange connection with the birds that accompany them. This arrangement launches Lorenzo into a series of triumphs, revelations, and seemingly impossible situations to try and save both his family and the Bird Children who have come to rely on him. —Jenny

Young Adult

Now (or soon) in PAPERBACK! Waking Storms

Monument 14

by Sarah Porter

by Emmy Laybourne

A Rachel H. fave!

A Sarah fave!

Shadow and Bone

False Memory

by Leigh Bardugo

by Dan Krokos

A Sarah & Rachel H. fave!

Code Name Verity

by Elizabeth Wein

A Jonica, Claire, and Sarah fave!

Also a Printz honor book!

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Summer 2013

Building Community One Book at a Time

nt , areToday!

P l s Coo Kid heYour T e B Up Sign

Bellingham

KIDS Traverse

Chinook (solo)

1 mi

June 29th, 2013 Coho (tandem)

.5 mi

1.5 mi

Chum (relay teams)

.25 mi

Mallard Ice Cream Finish Line

To Benefit Whatcom YMCA Register at BellinghamKIDSTraverse.com Thank You To Our Spawnsors, Media, Partners

klicks

RUNNING & WALKING

Bellingham Traverse 5.5 mi

6 mi

18 mi

3.4 mi

3.6 mi

.5 mi

Se

21 spttembe ,2 r Bo Finundary013 is B h L ay ine

northwesttraverse.com 360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

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VB Reads...

Join a VB Book Group!

Groups meet in the VB Readings Gallery (unless otherwise noted)

Afternoon Book Chat Come discuss contemporary literature with Sittrea the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 1pm. Open to all!

Motherhood by the Book Meet with Claire the 2nd Sunday of every month at 2pm for an hour of spirited discussion of books that celebrate the trials, tribulations, and rewards of motherhood. Meetings are next to the BOOK FARE CAFÉ on the mezzanine level of Village Books.

Engaged Citizens Book Group 3rd Wednesdays of the month at noon. Join Mary Dumas for a thought-provoking lunch hour discussing books that ask us to consider how we, as community members, can more skillfully contribute to the creation of a civilly engaged community.

General Lit Discuss books from a variety of genres with Cindi at 7pm the 1st Monday of each month. This group is open to anyone and everyone who enjoys reading and discussing books.

environmental conservation book group We discuss contemporary and classic texts on conservation, agriculture, and environmental issues in the Pacific Northwest. We are taking the summer off so will not have meetings in July, August, or September. See you in October!

Go to VillageBooks.com to see the monthly book selections for these groups!

Have you heard about our book group newsletter?

This monthly newsletter is packed with author and staff interviews, book reviews, genre focuses, and discussion questions.

Sign up by updating your email profile at VillageBooks.com or by emailing Rachel@villagebooks.com.

66 Summer 2013

Store Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm • Sun 11am–7pm

Literature LIVE!

EVENTS

VB’s Literary Events Program

Additions & changes to this schedule will occur so check out

www.VillageBooks.com

to stay updated–or even better, let us come to you!

Register online for the Village Books eNewsletter!

JUNE Fri., June 14, 7pm REBECCA HELM BEARDSALL & CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS –Western Washington Reflections: Stories from the Puget Sound to Vancouver Join editor Rebecca Helm Beardsall and a few contributing authors for a reading from the collection of essays, Western Washington Reflections. This collection of vignettes follows the I-5 corridor to reveal the unforgettable histories, colorful traditions and pioneering spirit of Western Washington.

History Sat., June 15, noon-1pm Series Movie showing & discussion at the Pickford Film Center’s Limelight Cinema

Sat., June 15, 7pm WENDY JEHANARA TREMAYNE –The Good Life Lab: Radical Experiments in Hands-On Living The Good Life Lab is the inspirational story of how one couple ditched their high-powered careers and high-pressure life in New York City to move to rural New Mexico, where they made, built, invented, foraged, and grew all they needed to live self-sufficiently, discovering a new sense of abundance in the process. Alongside their personal story are tips and tutorials to guide readers in the discovery of a fulfilling new lifestyle that relies less on money. Read more on page 31.

Sun., June 16, 4pm PAM WILLIAMS –Raising the Bar: The Future of Fine Chocolate Chocolate Samples from Mt. Vernon’s Forte Chocolates!

Come celebrate Father's Day, or just join us for some chocolate fun & flavors at an event with Pam Williams for her book, Raising the Bar: The Future of Fine Chocolate. Williams' book tells the story of what that next movement in the fine-flavor chocolate symphony might hold.

Mon., June 17, 7pm STEVEN RAICHLEN –The Barbecue Bible, How to Grill & new fiction novel, –Island Apart Join us in the Readings Gallery of Village Books for a free event featuring multi-award-winning author, journalist, cooking teacher, and TV host Steven Raichlen as he shares tips, techniques and stories about his well-known barbecue books. He will also read from his new novel, Island Apart.

Tues., June 18-Wed., June 19 BOOK GETAWAY with STEVEN RAICHLEN, –The Barbecue Bible and How to Grill, At The Willows Inn on Lummi Island

David Eisenhower: Going Home to Glory on-screen author talk & interview The Pickford Film Center & Village Books present Writers in the Limelight. David Eisenhower discusses his book, Going Home to Glory, in this special movie showing. (Author is not attending this event). Tickets are $5 and are available at Village Books and at the door.

Village Books and the Willows Inn on Lummi Island present a one day/one night getaway at the Inn with BBQ author Steven Raichlen. Guests will help grill, and share dinner together the first night with Steven, at the Beach Store Café on Lummi Island. Breakfast on Wednesday morning will be followed by another gathering with the author. This all-inclusive package will include copies of two of Steven’s books. For more information about this getaway, visit willows-inn. com, or call 360.758.2620. Read more about this series on page 29.

Sat., June 15, 4pm BERNADETTE PAJER –Capacity for Murder: A Professor Bradshaw Mystery

Wed., June 19, 11am & 5:15pm SUMMER OPEN BOOK TALKS with CHUCK & DEE ROBINSON

This fast-paced whodunit series by Seattle author Bernadette Pajer features Benjamin Bradshaw, Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington. Bradshaw’s electrical forensic and investigative skills, combined with a keen understanding of human nature, bring the Seattle Police, and murder, often to his doorstep during the social and scientific turmoil of the early twentieth century.

Join VB co-owners Chuck & Dee Robinson as they talk about a variety of books for you to consider adopting for your book groups or adding to your summer reading list.

Take our Survey!

VB's Literature Live program is supported by participants like you, and through event book purchases. We want your feedback about how we're doing. Attend (as many) Lit Live events in the months of June & July, and take a moment to complete a survey about the program. Completed surveys will go into a weekly drawing to win a $10 VB gift card, plus the chance to win the $50 grand prize gift card on July 31st (presence not required). Help us make our program better!

If you can’t make it to an event, just call us to arrange for autographed copies!

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Wed., June 19, 7pm LORI EANES –Backyard Roots: Lessons on Living Local from 35 Urban Farmers Backyard Roots intimately explores the lives of 35 urban farmers in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Through these stories and photos, you'll meet a variety of inspiring people including Bellingham’s own Alex Winstead of Cascadia Mushrooms. Photographer Lori Eanes' work has been published in Sierra, Sunset, Organic Style, the Wall Street Journal, Via, and San Francisco magazine, as well as in a variety of cookbooks.

Thurs., June 20, doors at 6:30pm, show starts at 7pm at Bellingham High School CHUCKANUT RADIO HOUR with Special Guests THE REJECTIONS (AND TRAILING SPOUSES) Join us for a special Chuckanut Radio Hour that will kick-off the Chuckanut Writers Conference at the Bellingham High School Theater. This month we are hosting special guests The Rejections (and Trailing Spouses), a band composed of authors and authors’ spouses including Garth Stein, Stephanie Kallos, and Jennie Shortridge. Details on page 51.

Fri., June 21, 5-8pm FAIRHAVEN SUMMER SOLSTICE ART WALK Village Books will exhibit the aerial mountain photography of Skagit photographer John Scurlock in the Readings Gallery, and Paper Dreams will feature a jewelry demonstration by Sonia Crowley of MyStrandJewelry.

Fri., June 21 & Sat., June 22 CHUCKANUT WRITERS CONFERENCE The Chuckanut Writers Conference is a craft-centered, cross-genre celebration inspiring writers of all experience levels to bring forth their unique voices. Located on the campus of Whatcom Community College, you can register at ChuckanutWritersConference.com. Read more on page 27.

Sat., June 22, 7pm CONCURRENT OPEN MICS For the Chuckanut Writers Conference Fiction in the Readings Gallery of VB, poetry at Book Fare Café, fiction at Magdalena’s, non-fiction in the Village Inn library, and mixed-genre in the Village Inn conference room.

Sun., June 23, 9:30am-4:30pm WRITE ON 2013!: TEEN WRITING CONFERENCE A new opportunity for teens, ages 13-18, who want to explore writing is available this summer at the inaugural “Write On 2013!: Teen Writing Conference,” co-hosted by Whatcom Young Writers and Village Books. See page 62 for more information!

Mon., June 24, 7pm Open mic with Laurel Leigh Village Books invites everyone to enjoy local talents as they share their own stories, poems and essays. Sign up at our main counter on the first floor or call (360) 671-2626.

Read more about these and other LitLive events at VillageBooks.com!

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Wed., June 26, 7pm DANIEL JAMES BROWN –The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and the Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics Daniel James Brown’s robust book tells the story of the University of Washington’s 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. Read more about this book on page 43.

Thurs., June 27, 7pm MICHAEL GURIAN –The Wonder of Aging Bestselling author and therapist Michael Gurian offers a comprehensive look at the emotional, spiritual, and cognitive dimensions of life after fifty in The Wonder of Aging.

Gurian is a renowned marriage and family counselor and the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-six books.

Fri., June 28, 4-11pm FAIRHAVEN GIRLS NIGHT OUT: “Backyard Bash” Open until 8:30pm, Village Books & Paper Dreams will have special activities, displays and a raffle for this year’s Fairhaven Girls Night Out. For more info visit girlsnightoutfairhaven.com. Read more on page 9.

Sat., June 29, 9am 14th Annual 5K Run/Walk for Literacy Leaving from the Village Green, this fundraiser for the Whatcom Literacy Council is a great way to get out and support your community. Register or donate today. See page 5 for details.

Sat., June 29, 10am-8:30pm & Sun., June 30, 11am-7pm Paper Dreams and Village Books’ Anniversary

Members Only Storewide Sale

Join us for an exclusive members’ only anniversary sale in celebration of 33 years of bookselling. Reader Reward and Devoted Dreamer members will receive 20% off almost everything storewide at both Village Books and Paper Dreams. Not a member?

Sign up on-the-spot—it's free and easy!

Are YOU Receiving VB's E-Newsletter?

Once a week, Village Books sends out an email newsletter packed full of store and book information including our latest LitLive events, sale dates, and on occasion, store coupons! Twice each week, we provide Shelf Awareness for Readers book reviews. If you’re not currently receiving these updates and would like to, you may sign up in the store or, even easier, do it at VillageBooks.com today!

Sat., July 13, 1-4pm Multi-Author Readings for the 2nd Annual STEAMPUNK FESTIVAL IN FAIRHAVEN

Literature LIVE!

Join us in the Readings Gallery as we host a variety of sci-fi and Steampunk-inspired authors in conjunction with this year’s Fairhaven Steampunk Festival. Joining us again will be Karina Cooper for her St. Croix Chronicles. Check VillageBooks.com for updates on additional author line-up and see page 25 for more on the festival.

EVENTS so far in

Sun., July 14, 4pm JEANNE MATTHEWS –Her Boyfriend’s Bones: A Dinah Pelerin Mystery #4

JULY

Come hear Jeanne Matthews read from her latest mystery novel featuring female sleuth Dinah Pelerin. This book takes place on a remote beach on the Greek island of Samos and involves a movie star, a military junta, and lots of adventure.

Mon., July 1, 10am Find Waldo Local Begins Kids, parents and Waldo-lovers of all ages are invited to join us again this year for the month-long scavenger hunt to find the elusive Waldo hidden in 25 local businesses around Fairhaven.

See page 58 for details!

Sat., July 6, 10:30-11am Preschool Storytime with Claire

KIDS!

Join Village Books bookseller Claire for our preschool storytime for ages 3-5 years old. Our preschool storytime takes place the first Saturday of each month from 10:30-11am on the bean bags in the Kids’ Section.

Sat., July 6, 4pm JOHANNES F. LISIECKI –The Johmalites: An Autobiography of Unusual Immigrants Following the air sirens, bombs, and rubble of World War II, many European citizens made the bold decision to immigrate to North America in order to build a better life from the ground up. After receiving his education and training in the volatile post-war economy, Johannes F. Lisiecki was one of the dreamers who made the journey across the Atlantic.

Wed., July 10, 7pm JENNIFER BULLIS –Impossible Lessons

Poetry

Come listen to Bellingham author Jennifer Bullis read from her upcoming chapbook, Impossible Lessons.

Thurs., July 11, 7pm DOUG FINE –Too High to Fail: Cannabis and the New Green Economic Revolution Doug Fine’s new book Too High to Fail is a mustread book about the emerging “Green Economy” that is the coming legal cannabis industry. Living for a year in the first US county to legalize the ancient hemp plant, bestselling author Fine follows one individual plant (named Andrea, after its grower’s initially antagonistic neighbor) from seed to patient.

Events take place in the Readings Gallery of Village Books and are FREE unless otherwise noted.

Tues., July 16, doors 6:30pm, show at 7pm Heiner Theater Whatcom Community College THE CHUCKANUT RADIO HOUR with CHRIS BOHJALIAN –The Light in the Ruins Join us for a live taping of a fun variety radio show! This month’s special guest is novelist Chris Bohjalian for his new book, The Light in the Ruins. See page 51 for details.

Wed., July 17, 7pm JOHN EDWARD HUTH –The Lost Art of Finding Our Way Long before GPS, Google Earth, and global transit, humans traveled vast distances using only environmental clues and simple instruments. John Huth asks what is lost when modern technology substitutes for our innate capacity to find our way.

Thurs., July 18, 6-8:30pm Free event at Mount Baker Theater JAY PAPASAN –The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results Keller Williams Realty and Village Books present #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jay Papasan at the Mount Baker Theater, as he inspires and motivates using his book The ONE Thing. Papasan demonstrates that the results you get are directly influenced by the way you work and the choices you make. Jay is the executive editor and vice president of publishing at Keller Williams Realty International. You must register for this event at theonething.eventbrite.com. Co-sponsored by Keller Williams Realty

Fri., July 19, 7pm Poetry SHANNON P. LAWS –Madrona Grove: Poems Written Under the Canopy Shannon takes us on a stroll through the mind, heart and the mystery of dreams in her debut collection of poetry. A local author, she can be found hanging out with the Chuckanut Sandstone Writers, Village Books Open Mic, Poetry Night, Western Washington University’s Erotic Poetry Night and Poets Across Borders in Canada. Shannon is the hostess of VB Writes…Poetry Writing Group, which meets monthly.

If you can’t make it to an event, just call us to arrange for autographed copies!

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Sat., July 20, noon-1pm—Movie showing & discussion at the Pickford Film Center’s Limelight Cinema History

Series Tim O’Brien: The Things They Carried on-screen author talk & interview The Pickford Film Center & Village Books present Writers in the Limelight. Tim O’Brien discusses his book, The Things They Carried, as part of our History Series in this special movie showing.

(Author is not attending this event). Tickets are $5 and are available at Village Books and at the door.

Sat., July 20, 4pm Live Music & Reading!

MICHAEL KOPPY –Ashmore’s Store (CD/Book) Come listen to author/guitarist Michael Koppy, on his stop in Bellingham during his West Coast Tour. His self-proclaimed style includes old cowboy songs he’s changed to his liking, blues he’s learned from friends and street musicians way back when, ballads he’s modified, his own interpretations of traditional tunes, and bastardized pop ditties he’d heard so long ago he’d forgotten where, along with idiosyncratic originals that are hard to classify.

Wed., July 24, Doors 11:15am Lunch & Author Event at Bellingham City Club Northwood Hall–3240 Northwest Avenue, Bellingham

HEDRICK SMITH –Who Stole the American Dream?

Pulitzer-prize winning journalist/author Hedrick Smith is returning to Bellingham as a special guest of the Bellingham City Club. Cost includes lunch: $13 for members and $18 for non-members when purchased in advance on Brown Paper Tickets. See page 45 for more information!

Thurs., July 25, 5:30pm: Ticketed Reception 7pm: Reading in the Readings Gallery JULIE TRIMINGHAM –Mockingbird You’re invited to an author reception at VB store owners Chuck & Dee Robinson’s condo to celebrate local author Julie Trimingham’s new novel, Mockingbird. The reception will feature appetizers and drinks and will be $10. Tickets will be available at Village Books and proceeds will go to the Whatcom Literacy Council. Limited space is available for the reception. After the reception, Julie will give a free author presentation in the VB Readings Gallery. See page 22 to read two reviews of the book!

Mon., July 29, 7pm OPEN MIC with Laurel Leigh Village Books invites everyone to enjoy local talents as they share their own stories, poems and essays. Sign up at our main counter on the first floor or call (360) 671-2626.

Wed., July 31, 6pm FIND WALDO IN FAIRHAVEN CELEBRATION Join us this evening at Village Books for a celebration to wrap up our Fairhaven “Find Waldo Local” program. We’ll play games, give out prizes to those who participated in the 25-store search, eat treats, and find a real live Waldo hiding in our store. Come in your red stripes and glasses. Bike your way over if you’d like, with everybodyBIKE’s Where’s Waldo family bike ride from the Depot Market Square, leaving at 5:15pm.

Events take place in the Readings Gallery of Village Books and are FREE unless otherwise noted.

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AUGUST

Sat., Aug. 3, 10:30-11am PRESCHOOL STORYTIME with Claire

KIDS!

Join Village Books bookseller Claire for our preschool storytime for ages 3-5 years old. Our preschool storytime takes place the first Saturday of each month from 10:30-11am on the bean bags in the Kids’ Section.

Wed., Aug. 7, 7pm FRANK BURNABY –Island Born In this memoir, Burnaby challenges what is possible in love and nature, as he retells the story of how he and his partner, from vastly different backgrounds in Los Angeles, resolve to follow their intuition and sail “the wrong way around the world,” eastward across the Arabian Sea. History Sat., Aug. 17, noon-1pm Movie showing & discussion at the Series Pickford Film Center’s Limelight Cinema

Edmund Morris: Colonel Roosevelt on-screen author talk & interview The Pickford Film Center & Village Books present Writers in the Limelight. Edmund Morris discusses his book, Colonel Roosevelt, in this special movie showing. (Author is not attending this event). Tickets are $5 and are available at Village Books and at the door.

Mon., Aug. 26, 7pm Open mic with Laurel Leigh Village Books invites everyone to enjoy local talents as they share their own stories, poems and essays. Sign up at our main counter on the first floor or call (360) 671-2626.

Tues., Aug. 27, doors 6:30pm, show 7pm Sudden Valley Dance Barn THE CHUCKANUT RADIO HOUR with special guest CHELSEA CAIN –Let Me Go Mystery Join us for a live taping of a fun variety radio show! This month’s special guest is Bellingham’s favorite, Chelsea Cain with her new book, Let Me Go. Tickets cost $5 and are available at Village Books and at brownpapertickets.com.

Proceeds from ticket sales for this event will benefit the Sudden Valley Public Library building fund. Read more on page 51.

TUNE IN to hear selected

Literature Live! events

on your RADIO or computer!

KAVZ 102.5 FM , the Voice of the South Fork Valley, proudly broadcasts Lit Live programs four times a week Monday - Thursday at noon!

Hear more at KMRE 102.3 FM Mondays at noon!

Building Community One Book at a Time

LOVE MOVIES? JOIN THE CLUB! BECOME A PFC MEMBER TODAY

Join other dedicated film-lovers in keeping independent cinema alive in Whatcom County.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP? • Reduced admission – pay just $6.75 for all movies • The Pickford Calendar, delivered to your door • Discounted popcorn Tuesday – Sunday. Free popcorn on Mondays and your birthday!

• Invitations and discounted admission to special PFC events • Discounts of 15% on Pickford merchandise

And when you become a new or renewing member of Pickford Film Center this summer, you’ll automatically be entered to win the coveted Bride of Goldfinger Card—a pass good for one year of free movies at the Pickford! Sign up online or at our box offices.

sAVe tHe DATe

pickfordfilmcenter.org/page/Membership.aspx

pFC Bike-in

Friday aug 16

bike show X prizes X food beer garden X outdoor movie

ROLL UP ON TWO WHEELS and join us for the 5th annual Bellingham Bike-In Movie

Head down to Pickford Film Center on Bay Street for the Bike Show and Shine, live music, food, beer garden, and prizes. At dusk we’ll screen the ever-popular Young Frankenstein!

and more outdoor movies:

Join The Traveling Pickford Show as it continues on for the next two Saturdays with movies in neighborhood parks!

Saturday, Aug. 24 at Broadway Park: Shrek Saturday, Aug. 31 at Roosevelt Park: The Amazing Spiderman Co-sponsored by

Bellingham Parks & Recreation

Roosevelt & Cornwall Neighborhood Associations

Mount Bakery

360-671-2626 • 800-392-BOOK • www.villagebooks.com

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1200 11th St. Bellingham, WA 98225 360.671.2626 www.VillageBooks.com Whatcom County’s Favorite Bookstore since 1980 Building Community One Book at a Time

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