Books – Page 12 – Finding My Wings

So many choices for so many reasons

Who knew? May is short story month. Even the most casual reader likely has noticed the appearance of short story collections on various bestseller lists and individual stories offered up as e-book exclusives. Alice Munro, a specialist in the genre, won the 2013 Nobel Prize for Literature for the body of her work. Publishers are bringing out new compilations from classic short story writers, for example, Let Me Tell You, a new collection of short stories, essays and other writings by Shirley Jackson, was published last year on the 50th anniversary of her death.

If you aren’t already reading or listening to short stories, you really should give them a try. A small collection, by a single author or many, easily fits into whatever tote, briefcase or bag you may carry. And while War and Peace is ill-suited for reading on your phone, short stories are the perfect small bite when you just want to read NOW or while waiting at the MVA, or the doctor’s office, or the train station, or…. you get the idea. Some are even available as audiobooks.

Many find reading short stories different from reading a novel. The author must set the stage, flesh out the characters and reveal the plot in a few short pages. The ending must be clear, even if intended as a cliffhanger. Some authors have characters reappear throughout a collection, or link the stories through locale or theme. While it is a different experience, it is a fine way to get a feel for an unfamiliar author.

Podcasts are a fine way to listen to a variety of authors and readers. One of the best known is Selected Shorts from PRI. Each week, some of the finest actors in American theater read two or more stories during the hour-long podcast. The stories may be by the same author or connected thematically. For those unfamiliar with podcasts, click above to test it out. You may hear an old favorite or discover a new author to add to your reading list.

Neil Gaiman, a writing juggernaut for all ages and genres, has a variety of his stories available in audio and electronic versions at no charge at OpenCulture.com. Another favorite source of unexpected short stories is One Story, a nonprofit organization that publishes and promotes the short story and authors who write them. Subscriptions are available in print (pocket-sized) or for the Kindle or iOS device. A perfect small bite delivered every few weeks, in your preferred format.

Independent bookstores are great resources for all things book. Powell’s in Portland, OR, has put together a list of short story titles from some of the greatest authors, from James Joyce to Jhumpa Lahiri to Etgar Keret and David Foster Wallace. There is something for almost every taste.

Having taken the opportunity to highlight the genre, watch for reviews of several short story collections in the next few months.

Authors on the importance of writing and the worlds they create – Book Expo Part 2

After a day of travel and 5 miles on the conference floor, it took some energy to arrive back at McCormick Place in time for the 8 am Adult Book & Author Breakfast. I am so glad I did.

One lesson learned – humor that may fly at 8 pm with a glass of wine can fall flat at 8 am when the caffeine has yet to do its job. Faith Salie, a TV and radio journalist, and panelist on “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!”, hosted the event and spoke first about her humorous memoir Approval Junkie. Her opening monolog was a mix of intentionally bad publishing jokes and one-liners about her pursuit of a baby-daddy as she reached forty. When she finally segued to the importance of reading and writing throughout her life, Salie set the tone for the serious content to follow.

Colson Whitehead spoke next about The Underground Railroad, his upcoming novel that imagines this path to freedom as a physical railway traversing the country. It’s a book he’s been imagining for years and finally put to paper. He described his journey, from a lowly staffer at The Village Voice more than two decades ago. And he told of how he “giggle-tested” the story line to see if the project was worth pursuing. In The Underground Railroad Whitehead confronts the issues and danger of that time in a story that may remind readers of Swift’s writings. I can’t wait to read my copy.

I’ve been a huge Louise Penny fan for years. Her books are one of my go-to choices when I need to refresh my reading palate. A Great Reckoning is Penny’s latest mystery about the small village of Three Pines and Armand Gamache. She spoke about her childhood and the magic of books, showing her that anything was possible and that bravery, strength, and love could be found within. She shared that Gamache has been modeled on her husband, the former head of hematology at Montreal’s Children’s Hospital, a very caring man who had to see patients and their parents under the worst of circumstances. And then she told that over the last three years the husband she has known for decades has suffered from severe dementia, unable to walk, speak or recognize her. Each day begins with her reminding him he is strong, brave, handsome and loved. Louise Penny is clearly all those things as well.

Were this not enough, the final author on the panel was Sebastian Junger. He came to fame most almost twenty years ago after writing A Perfect Storm. In 2010, his war documentary, Restrepo, about a platoon of soldiers in Afghanistan came to the screen with widespread acclaim and awards. Out of this began a further study into PTSD, the importance of connections and belonging, the result of which is Tribe. The subject and his conclusions should bring about many conversations in the coming months.

It was a very good morning – informative and thought-provoking. From the four, I have literary fiction, mystery, nonfiction, and humor choices for any particular mood. And as I read them, I’ll keep you posted!

It’s a marathon, not a sprint – Book Expo Part 1

Book Expo may have started last Wednesday but my preparation began long before. Every day I read several newsletters about upcoming book releases, literary awards and what’s hot in the world of books. I have my eye out for titles I’ve been hearing about or favorite authors with new or upcoming releases. A month in advance, Book Expo releases online listings of more than 500 authors who will be autographing their books at the event. There are hundreds of exhibitors with thousands of new titles they are looking to bring to the attention of the attendees, so developing a plan is really key.

Before leaving home, I built an agenda with the authors/titles I wanted to bring home, knowing that many were at the same time or required tickets. Of course, all these plans play a distant second once it’s time to navigate the show floor. This is a view from above of a section of the exhibition area. As many of the big publishers have consolidated (think Penguin and Random House), their booths have become larger. Some small/independent presses are finding it too costly to attend or share booth space with others. There are also consortiums, smaller presses who band together for purposes of marketing and distribution. And the best information really comes from the seasoned professionals who really know their titles and will take the time t o share their knowledge.

The big guys have a lot going for them – high traffic locations on both sides of the aisle creating a showroom rather than a booth. And they have carpeting with padding. That may not sound important but each day attendees walk miles from booth to booth AND spend as much as an hour at a time waiting for a signing. Comfort underfoot is a real draw. And of course, there are the books. The larger publishers give away more titles and have big authors signing in their booths. They often have ridiculously long lines as well.

It takes great restraint to turn down free books when they are offered, but it is vital for survival. I know I won’t be reading dystopic fiction or most graphic novels, and the “all romance, all the time” booths hold little attraction. While my tastes run more to literary fiction, memoirs and narrative history, I do love a good mystery and an occasional thriller. I only pick up young adult (YA) titles and children’s books if I plan to gift them. I try to be critical as I place the books in a (branded) tote, knowing that I have to either carry them or ship them home. I flew Southwest to Chicago in anticipation of filling a small duffle with my Friday afternoon gatherings and dropping them at curbside check-in. The books I sent by UPS will arrive tomorrow.

Next up is the post on the Adult Book and Author Breakfast.

By Friday, look for “What the heck is Book Group Speed Dating?”

Please let me know if there are books you are just waiting to see published. You never know, I may have a copy!

Chicago through different eyes

I love Chicago. My first visit was on a college exploratory tour and I was hooked. My undergraduate years were spent at Northwestern and I seized every opportunity to explore the city and use it as my classroom. And my spare time was taken up with explorations of ethnic neighborhoods, unfamiliar foods and head-spinning music and culture. Even today, a chance to revisit this long-time friend is filled with anticipation.

When you attend a big convention in Chicago it takes real effort to see anything of the city at all. McCormick Place is an enormous complex sitting as an island on the South Side. It’s really not far from the science museums but you can’t get there from here, even if you were to have the time. To get here you need to take a taxi or a conference bus – like I said, it’s on an island among highways.

I arrived Wednesday just after the fog lifted enough for air traffic to move. My flight, and countless others, was delayed living up to the reputation of airport chaos. A fairly quick ride from Midway dropped me into familiar turf in a new locale: Book Expo America 2016, Chicago style.

Book Expo America is the largest annual conference of publishers, authors, booksellers, librarians, bloggers and all the ancillary industries that work to bring books to the attention of readers. Huge banners hang from the ceiling and cover large surfaces in the massive corridors, hawking upcoming titles.

Snake-like lines of attendees wait to enter the convention floor to find unreleased treasures. Booth after booth of different genres and audiences, primarily in English but with international pockets here and there. Everyone is carrying (or picking up) large tote bags to bring books home. While e-books may be huge, here paper is king.

Hour-long lines form to get 15 seconds and a signed galley/ book from a top author. Debut authors are introduced, ” if you enjoy xxxx, s/he will appeal to a similar audience with this twist.” Faces of other attendees become familiar as you stand in the same lines and periodically compare notes on what portion of the book world you inhabit.

For many, a periodic stop is the shipping room where you can fill boxes and ship them home for an exorbitant service fee. A carefully filled box may contain 30+ titles and enough cloth totes for a week’s supply of groceries. So if you would buy 3 or 4 of the books anyway, it seems a fair deal.

I was prepped before my first BEA 7 years ago so I know the right shoes are key. Think Keens or Merrills if sneakers are too casual. Even with hours in endless lines, 5 miles on concrete crisscrossing the aisles is normal. So between that and carrying heavy bags of books, ibuprofen is my friend.

It’s Friday morning and I’m in line for my final day on the floor. Having set the stage, I’ll tell the stories over the weekend. Thanks for listening.

In ‘Epitaph’ a century-old story has very modern overtones

IN A NUTSHELL Unknown - Version 2

Epitaph by Mary Doria Russell (Ecco, 2015) audiobook narrated by Hillary Huber (HarperAudio)
In 40 words or less: Masterful research brings the history and people of the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral to life. Vivid descriptions and dialog fill out the political and social history. It will change any assumptions you may have of the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday.
Genre: Historical fiction
Locale: Arizona Territory
Time: Primarily 1880-1882
Read this for a well-written story and a better understanding of the human stories and political dynamics of the Arizona Territory. Today’s Republicans and Democrats have nothing on them.

Only a fool would try to pigeon-hole Mary Doria Russell’s writing style. Her first novel, The Sparrow, captured numerous science fiction awards. A Thread of Grace, a historical novel of the Italian Resistance and the Holocaust was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Epitaph is her second novel about two of the West’s most celebrated figures – Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. I’ve been a fan for more than a decade and was not disappointed with Epitaph.

Tombstone, Arizona Territory in the early 1880’s was a bustling town with more than 10,000 people, two newspapers and all the standard businesses of the period. All sides in Post-Civil War politics were well-represented in the Territory, vying for the power to determine the future of its evolving government.

Local politics were very fractious in the counties in the Territory. Winning the position of Sheriff was financially very lucrative, receiving often 10% of taxes collected. And since there often were alliances with assessors, mudslinging and shady deals were not uncommon. Cowboys were a synonym for rustlers and stagecoaches were often targets for robberies. Lawmen often had more than one boss, truly a gun for hire. As Russell lays out the complicated circumstances that led up to the shootout, the politics and shifting business loyalties often put lawmen directly in the line of fire.

Medical science was brought out through Doc Holliday’s ongoing battle with tuberculosis and the slow and painful death of President Garfield, due to infection, after he was shot by Charles Giteau. In the aftermath of the shootout, Holliday, a dentist by training, insisted over their objections that the doctors use hygienic practices to treat the Earps’ wounds. Alcoholism and laudanum dependence mirror today’s substance abuse issues. At every step, Russell enriches the understanding of life at that time.

Many stories about the West give women minor roles. Josie (Sadie) Marcus’ left a privileged life in San Francisco’s Jewish community to seek fame and fortune with a theater company, like her idol Sarah Bernhardt. Achieving minor success, she hitches her star to a political aspirant and moves with him to Tombstone. There she develops a friendship with Doc Holliday and he keeps an eye out for her, recognizing she is in an unhealthy relationship. Josie leaves the unscrupulous philanderer, prostituting herself to make ends meet. Only after many missteps does Wyatt’s and Josie’s decades-long love story begin. Each of the Earp brothers brought a woman with him when they left Kansas for Arizona. Russell deftly brings out their different interests and temperaments, as she does with each of the brothers.

At every turn, another aspect of the complexity of life at this time is revealed in Epitaph. Interested in the role of gambling or immigrant issues? It’s there. Border and political issues with the Mexican government are there, too. The local papers are controlled by competing political groups. Epitaph provides a striking reminder that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

A very able narrator, Hillary Huber, read the audiobook as I traveled from Florida back home to the DC area. While her skill and careful differentiation of characters through tone and accent added an extra dimension to the novel, it is Mary Doria Russell’s words and storytelling that carry the day however the book is “read.” In this political crazy season, Epitaph is a perfect book to carry you away while reminding you that change will happen again and again and again.

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