I love books that teach me something in an enjoyable way, and this book is such a favorite to recommend for that reason. Lynch included so much detail and scientific information about the critters of the Puget Sound, carefully interlaced throughout this delightful, fast-paced, thoughtful, and hysterical coming-of-age story. I couldn’t put it down. –Cassie Clemans, Roundabout Books, …
I tend to avoid books with the word vampire in the title. I also avoid titles with exclamation points. Karen Russell, acclaimed author of Swamplandia!, merrily bulldozed over both prejudices, first with the aforementioned and wonderful novel, and then with Vampires in the Lemon Grove, a tight, bright carnival of short stories that cannot be missed. Russell’s voice is …
For 60+ years I have been fascinated by the legendary Robin Hood. I have believed that he was a composite of more than one individual highwayman in 12th and 13th Century England. Consequently, I was thrilled to find this series by Angus Donald entitled “The Outlaw Chronicles.” There are nine books by Mr. Donald according to …
This is Rachel Carson at her most personal. Beyond being a book about nature and its glories, it explores Carson’s deep relationship with the natural world. It’s also a fine training manual on how to find and nurture that same devotion, not only for yourself, but more importantly, for the youngsters in your life. It …
While bedridden by an illness, a friend brought Bailey a gift of wild violets and a tiny forest snail. Bailey gave her new companion a bedside terrarium, then observed its daily behaviors and educated herself on the life of gastropods. Her memoir is a gift to the scientifically curious, to nature lovers, to anyone who …
The holiday parties are starting, and so are the holiday cookie swaps. Sure, you could always pick up something from the bakery at the grocery store on the way, but maybe you enjoy taking the time to find a great new recipe and make it. I am a big fan of the chocolate advent calendar; …
It’s usually the case in books that the story takes place when people are not working: that’s when life, apparently, begins. Gill’s memoir flips that on its head: there is almost nothing in the book outside the work she did, along with troops of others, for almost twenty years: planting trees to replace logged clearcuts …
How did I not know about this until the last week of the month? August is Washington Wine Month, so there are tastings and promotions and sales all around Washington state. Even though it came out in 2010, Essential Wines and Wineries of the Pacific Northwest is still a wonderful resource. Discover wineries and tasting rooms throughout …
“The ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ of Mediterranean yachting, told from the chef’s point of view.” –Carol Spurling, BookPeople of Moscow, Moscow, ID Upper crust Italian locavores, gorgeous ports-of-call, elegance, and deliciousness all in one true story? Plus a forward by Mario Batali? How had we not read this before? Let’s all get our copies at BookPeople or another independent …
Catherine Coulter will be a featured speaker at the PNWA Summer Writer’s Conference in SeaTac. The conference runs Thursday, July 28 through Sunday, July 31. I am a “Johnny-come-lately” to the writings of one the Grande Dames of American police procedurals. Boy am I glad I found Catherine Coulter and her second book in The FBI. Series, …
