"Burning Fence" by Craig Lesley

How does a kid grow up without his father? And if that father disappears, how hard will the boy try to find him, once he has grown up?

Award-winning author Craig Lesley traces the breakup of his parent’s marriage to the post-war trauma which changed his father’s personality to the point that he simply left, saying, “I’m going to  get a flashlight.” Lesley grows up, becomes a professor, adopts a Native American son who suffers from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, marries, fathers two daughters, and launches a writing career. 

But the curiosity about his father impels him to find Rudell, a hilariously plain-spoken man who builds the sturdiest fences ever seen in his part of the country.  They develop a relationship that is respectful of the distance Ruddell needs to have from his son and ex-wife, but allowing the joys of grandfatherhood, especially to Lesley’s oldest girl, born on her grandfather’s birthday and with a remarkable resemblance to him.

Lesley’s calm, gentle style lends itself to this tale of a son mending fence with his father.  Great reading!

- Lois

Two great foodie tomes

"Heat" by Bill Buford

Buford quit his New Yorker magazine editting job to become a kitchen slave at celebrity chef Mario Batali's Babbo restaurant to write this book. The appeal here is in the I-did-it-so-you-don't-need-to aspect: You're a fly on the wall behind the scenes of one of New York's destination eateries, but also privy to the best kind of passionate food writing as Buford transforms from a mediocre dinner party cook to a culinary technician capable of smelling when food is done. Mario fans be warned - Buford's take on Batali's celeb-status is somewhat withering at times, painting him as a talented heavy drinker who essentially makes peasant food that is lapped up at exorbitant prices by star-struck Food Network fans.

"Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain

Viewers of Bourdain's travel show on cable television know that Tony has a certain way of finding the miserable in every glorious moment he spends abroad and that immutable crankiness of tone sings throughout this expose/memoir. Following his culinary history from childhood scamp sucking oysters in France to top chef with rock-star-level drug use, the book is quick to paint an image of the professional kitchen as a tough workplace fraught with abuse (both self-inflicted and institutionally imposed) but also incredible passion. Bourdain is also quick to sing the praises of his immigrant kitchen help, an area of the kitchen often overlooked.

"The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman

This is the first book in Pullman's brilliant "His Dark Materials" trilogy. Wildly popular since its release in Britain, the acclaimed saga is finally catching on with American readers (particularly now on the cusp of its theatrical release). His sweeping vision of story, soul and heroism will mezmerize you as Pullman crafts a gorgeous tale of striving, surprising characters and employs one of the most effective conceits in modern literature: the daemon. The series is also available in an omnibus! After you tear through this first volume, check out the next book in the series, "The Subtle Knife."

-Jill

Four great books for kids

"Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey" by Jill O’Conner
If you love chocolate raise your hand! Yup, that would be just about everyone. So, if you like chocolate and other sweets as much as I do, you’ll love this cookbook. It is full of amazing, delicious recipes for everyone. Try the Heart of Darkness Brownies on page 17. They are to die for – just ask my fellow staffers.

"Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
This series is fantastic! Stephenie Meyer has an engaging writing style that just sucks you in and the romance, suspense, and supernatural twist will keep you up all night. You WILL be thirsty for more!

"Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt
This is the best children’s book I’ve read in the last two years – just read it!!! This story, which is based on historic circumstances, delves into the meaning of race, religion, social pressure and the sometimes foggy world of right and wrong. Powerful and moving, this book will keep you thinking for at least a week.

"In the Heart of the Sea" by Nathaniel Philbrick
This book is the amazing and heartbreaking true story that inspired Moby Dick by Herman Melville. It is historical, haunting, at times harrowing, and ultimately hopeful – definitely a wonderful read.

-Lindsey

Auntie's Angel Tree

There is no better way to give back to our community than by partnering with customers to give books to less fortunate children in our area, which Auntie’s has been doing for over a decade. Each Christmas season we collect children’s names from six area non-profits who serve underprivileged families in the Spokane area. The children range in age from newborn to 18 and each one has a special request. Customers fill those requests and then we wrap the gifts and deliver them to the appropriate organization.
Come down and head to the gorgeous tree in the middle of our store. There you will find angels with the names, ages, and interests of over 300 children. Our wonderful staff would love to help you select the perfect gift to help make their Christmas a happy one!

Our angels need their gifts by December 18th, so hurry down. If you’re in a rush, don’t worry, we take cash donations or can sell you a gift certificate made out to the Angel Tree Fund. If you don’t have time to make it down to the store (which we highly suggest, just because it’s so beautiful at Christmas time :0), we do accept donations.
You can mail your donations to:

Auntie’s Angel Tree
Attn: Lindsey
402 W. Main Ave
Spokane, WA 99201

Thanks from all of us here at Auntie’s! We wish you and yours a happy holiday season!

-Lindsey

Dan Webster at INWG Meeting

Hello fellow writers! We’re getting all worked up here in the writers’ corner of Auntie’s Bookstore. We’ve got a very special speaker coming to the next meeting of the Inland Northwest Writers Group: None other than Dan Webster, erstwhile literary crusader at the Spokesman Review, who will bring us the latest from the front lines of print media.

His talk (which we’re calling “The Changing Face of 21st Century Journalism: Why Your Local Newspaper Can’t Help You As Much As You Might Like” – wow! what a mouthful) will let us in on a few of his nightmares, happy experiences, tips and nods as the guy who gets absolutely swamped by requests for book reviews. Writers are welcome to come to this meeting with no fear of being pounced on, asked to join anything, or otherwise being hassled. (That’s what I like about this group – it’s civilized!). Oh, sure, maybe next year we’ll start asking for dues to cover costs, but meantime, just come and have a good time. Bring your questions, your ideas and your smiling face. Be sure to drop in downstairs at the Liberty Café if you want to pick up a coffee, tea or something colder to bring up to the meet.

For those of you who don’t know who Dan Webster is (where have you been, anyway?), he’s probably best known for his column in the Today section of the Sunday edition of the paper. He’s also in the driver’s seat of the Spokesman-Review Book Club which is just entering its 6th year. The club focuses on books written by writers living in the Pacific Northwest or books which take place somewhere in the area. As Dan mentioned in his 11/4/07 column, it’s pretty amazing but the club hasn’t even “begun to exhaust the possibilities...” even though it’s pretty much limited to books released in softcover.

In his position as a staff writer with the Review, Dan is a supporter of all things literary in the area. Over the years, he has made it a point to ferret out and post announcements of upcoming author readings, special events and reading groups at Auntie’s and other local stores or college campuses. He is particularly supportive of writers programs at the local universities, Get Lit!, and the annual Spokane Is Reading events. Sometimes he even takes part in activities when asked. And that brings us back to our upcoming meeting:

Wednesday, November 28th, 6:30 p.m.
Auntie’s Bookstore – 2nd floor auditorium

You won’t want to miss this meeting. It promises to be a real eye-opener!

-Linda

Staff: Linda

Jack of all trades and master of none," Linda's life motto reflects her work, varied hobbies and interests, and even varied lifestyles. Born in 1947, she's an Aquarian on the cusp of Capricorn (gotta keep those feet on the ground) and absolutely loves working at Auntie's Bookstore. She's married to Martin (together for 34 years) who is a musician and songwriter. They have only one "child" - their cat Kohlie, who takes a lotta lovin' himself. "I've worked for state government, as a booking agent in the music industry, and had my own typing/bookkeeping business for 13 years, as well as working in retail, etc., etc., etc. But I've long looked forward to being at Auntie's where I could help folks find that special book they're seeking. That, and coordinating books groups, advertising, consignments and other tasks makes my life a busy one."

Staff: Lindsey

Yes, that is my real hair and yes, you can ask me about it :0). A lover of old things, you can often find me working on my 1955 Dodge pickup truck or my craftsman bungalow that was built in 1905. They both need restoring :0). When I’m not busy working on projects I spend my free time reading or in the outdoors with my husband and three dogs. We all love a good hike!!! For a good book, I’ll pick up just about any hiking book I can get my hands on, but Best Hikes with Dogs: Inland Northwest is a much used favorite at our house. I also love History, Current Affairs, and I can’t turn down a good Children’s book.

Staff: Jill

Jill is obsessed with honu and pirates. She thinks Murray Bail's "Eucalyptus" is genius, that Joan Didion is unmatched, and that a copy of Jack Gilbert's "The Great Fires" should be in everyone's backpack. Jill has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and her first novel is scheduled for publication in April, 2008. Her three-year-old son knows Sandra Boynton's hippos are wicked cool and that David Shannon's "No David" is giggle-worthy.