Book of the Week #12
Date: July 30th, 2010 @ 17:07
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Author to sign mystery novel set in Montana
September 18th from 9am-11am,
former Montana resident and debut author,
Robert D. Miller
will be here to sign his mystery novel,
Deep Stepping Stones.
About the Book:
Deep Stepping Stones by Robert D. Miller
(published March 2010; paperback $16.95; in stock)
Two FBI agents handling unrelated cases in Montana find bits and pieces that seem to pull them together. Are they related? What could connect them? And, most important, where do they lead? Senior agent Steve Madden combines the perfect mix of tenacity, intuition, and professionalism to solve most investigations, but when two fellow agents disappear without a trace, he and partner Jim Addis find the waters deep, turbulent and the path across unclear.
Robert D. Miller presents a tight tale of intrigue and quick-clipped action with an undercurrent of little-known historical facts of Montana. Against the backdrop of the state’s mining towns, where abandoned mines, filled with toxic wastes, destroy anything thrown in them, the deepest secrets can remain hidden forever and put an abrupt end to any agent’s investigation.
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About the Author:
Robert Miller was born in Butte, Montana and raised in Bozeman. After graduating from Bozeman Sr. High he earned a Bachelor of Science and then a Master of Science degree from Montana State University. Miller taught in the Great Falls Public School system from 1969 through 1980 and then worked as a school administrator until 1998.
After living in Texas for several years, the Millers moved to Arlington, Washington in 2006 where they both are active in the community events, church and where Miller completed writing and publishing his first novel, “Deep Stepping Stones.”
Date: July 29th, 2010 @ 14:01
Science writer Fred Pearce Reading August 16th
The Yellowstone River Conservation District Council and their 2010 Yellowstone River Symposium are bringing acclaimed British science writer Fred Pearce to Montana this August, and they’re sharing him with us on Monday, August 16th at 7pm when Pearce will read from his work, speak, answer questions, and sign books at the Country Bookshelf.
His latest book is The Coming Population Crash and Our Planet’s Surprising Future (hardcover $26.95).
Pearce chronicles nearly 200 years of demographic issues, beginning with efforts to contain the demographic explosion, from the early environmental movement’s racism and involvement in eugenics to coercive family-planning policies in China and India.
“Demography is destiny. But not always in the way we imagine, begins Pearce (“When the Rivers Run Dry”) in his fascinating analysis of how global population trends have shaped, and been shaped by, political and cultural shifts… Highly readable and marked by first-class reportage.” — Publisher’s Weekly
“Consistently interesting, informative and inspiring reporting.” — Kirkus Reviews
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Confessions of an Eco-Sinner: Tracking Down the Sources of My Stuff (paper $16)
Pearce exposes the hidden worlds that sustain a Western lifestyle, and does it by examining the sources of everything in his own life. This work offers a fascinating portrait of the effects the world’s 6 billion inhabitants have on the planet, as well as their various working and living conditions.
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When the Rivers Run Dry: Water — The Defining Crisis of the Twenty-First Century (paper $16)
In this groundbreaking book, veteran science correspondent Fred Pearce travels to more than thirty countries to examine the current state of crucial water sources. Deftly weaving together the complicated scientific, economic, and historic dimensions of the world water crisis, he provides our most complete portrait yet of this growing danger and its ramifications for us all.
“A strong–and scary–case that a worldwide water shortage is the most fearful looming environmental crisis. With a drumbeat of facts both horrific (thousands of wells in India and Bangladesh are poisoned by fluoride and arsenic) and fascinating (it takes 20 tons of water to make one pound of coffee), the former New Scientist news editor documents a ‘kind of cataclysm’ already affecting many of the world’s great rivers.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Oil we can replace. Water we can’t–which is why this book is both so ominous and so important.” –Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature and Eaarth
“An enriching and farsighted work.” –Jai Singh, San Francisco Chronicle
“Pearce cogently presents the alarming ways in which this ecological emergency is affecting population centers, human health, food production, wildlife habitats, and species viability. Having crisscrossed the globe to research the economic, scientific, cultural, and political causes and ramifications of this under publicized tragedy, Pearce’s powerful imagery, penetrating analyses, and passionate advocacy make this required reading for environmental proponents and civic leaders everywhere.” –Booklist
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With Speed and Violence: Why Scientists Fear Tipping Points in Climate Change (paper $15)
Fred Pearce has been writing about climate change for twenty years, and the more he learns, the worse things look. As Pearce began researching this book, numerous scientists sought him out to recount their findings and fears: where once they were concerned about gradual climate change, many now worry that we will soon be experiencing abrupt change resulting from triggering tipping points. With Speed and Violence is the most up-to-date and readable book yet about the constantly accumulating evidence for global warming and the dramatic effects it may unleash.
“[Pearce's] grasp of [scientists'] work is exceptional. What’s more, he has a talent for explaining science in terms understandable to the nonscientist . . . This enjoyable read was difficult to put down.” –Library Journal, starred review
“If you want to quickly get up to date on climate change and its consequences, I recommend With Speed and Violence. If you can read only one book on climate change, this is it.” –Lester Brown, president, Earth Policy Institute
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About the Author:
Fred Pearce is a freelance author and journalist based in London, England. He has reported on environment, science and development issues from 64 countries over the past 20 years. Trained as a geographer, he has been environment consultant of New Scientist magazine since 1992. He writes regularly for the Guardian newspaper, and recently publish a 12-part investigation of the “climategate” emails affair at the University of East Anglia. He is a frequent lecturer, having spoken on all six continents in the past four years, and is a frequent contributor to US newspapers and magazines. Fred’s books have been translated into at least 14 languages. They include When the Rivers Run Dry, Confessions of an Eco Sinner, Earth: Then and Now, With Speed and Violence (on climate change), Deep Jungle and The Coming Population Crash, published in April this year.
Date: July 23rd, 2010 @ 16:42
Poetry Night August 26th 7pm
By popular request, we are hosting another POETRY NIGHT.
On Thursday, August 26th at 7pm, we’ll begin with several local poets who have been included in the new anthology from Flathead Valley Community College’s Many Voices Press: Carolyn Pinet, June Safford and Joanne Troxel. Then we’ll open the floor for you to share your own poetry (sign-up sheet available that night).
Copies of New American Poets of the American West are in stock now ($24).
Date: July 22nd, 2010 @ 13:05
Michele Corriel Kid’s Book Launch NEW DATE
Attention youthful sleuths!
Your introduction to Thomas Weston and the Fairview Felines has been rescheduled. Please adjust your calendars accordingly.
Michele Corriel, author of Fairview Felines: A Newspaper Mystery will now be at the Country Bookshelf on
Saturday, September 11th from 1-3pm.
There will be reading, book-signing, lots of opportunities for questions, and cupcakes! Kids, start the school year off right with new books, adventure, and a party.
About the Book:
Thomas Weston has newspaper ink in his veins. He also has funny headlines running through his head 24/7. If he can convince the principal at Fairview Middle School he has what it takes, maybe, just maybe, he’ll be able to make his dream of school newspaper come true. But first he has to figure out why all the cats in Fairview are disappearing!
About the Author:
Michele Corriel is a childrens’ book author and freelance writer living and working in the Gallatin Valley. Her work is as varied as the life she’s led, from the rock/art venues of New York City to the rural backroads of Montana. Published regionally and nationally, Michele has received a number of awards for her non-fiction as well as her poetry. Her first book, FAIRVIEW FELINES: A NEWSPAPER MYSTERY, published by Blooming Tree Press, will be out in September. Her second book WEIRD ROCKS, published by Mountain Press, will be out later this fall. Michele is also Montana’s Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, an international non-profit organization dedicated to the creation of books for young readers.
Date: July 22nd, 2010 @ 10:43
Brokaw/Mockingbird Event SOLD OUT
The August 6th event with Tom Brokaw in celebration of To Kill a Mockingbird is now sold out.
If you purchased tickets that you find you can no longer use, please contact us as we have a waiting list of people who would like them.
If you have not yet purchased tickets and would like to be added to our wait list, please call 406-587-0166. We cannot guarantee that those on the waiting list will receive tickets, but we will promptly pass on any returned tickets to those on the list.
Thanks for your understanding and support. We’re just as excited as you are for this event and we look forward to continuing to provide great literary events to the Bozeman area. Watch our events calendar for upcoming author readings & signings.
Date: July 20th, 2010 @ 14:09
Tom Brokaw/Mockingbird Event Update
SOLD OUT
Wait List Available
New event details for the Tom Brokaw/To Kill a Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Event:
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Location change!
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The main event will now be at the Ellen Theatre, just across Main Street from the Country Bookshelf.
Same date — Friday, August 6th – and same time — 7pm; doors open at 6pm.
Date: July 16th, 2010 @ 14:53
Author of SOUNDS LIKE CRAZY Introduces Her Book
Dear Country Bookshelf Book Clubs,
Please let me introduce myself: I am Shana Mahaffey author of the debut novel, Sounds Like Crazy. I write this note to the sound of a rushing stream, chirping birds, and peace one is hard pressed to find in San Francisco, CA—my home town. And now I’d like to invite you to consider spending some time in New York City with Holly Miller, the narrator of Sounds Like Crazy.
Holly is an Emmy Award winning voiceover artist with co-conscious multiple personality disorder. Some call the book a darkly comic, ultimately healing journey of self discovery. For me, it is a tale about the world one woman created to cope with a world she couldn’t face. All of this is told with as much humor a lapsed Irish Catholic can muster.
I’ve included a longer book description and my author bio below. And it goes without saying that I’d be honored and thrilled if your book club chose Sounds Like Crazy for one of your reads. It also goes without saying that there is nothing I enjoy more than talking to readers. Since logistics may make a personal appearance at your book club meeting, I am also available via telephone or Skype. And, now that I’ve fallen in love with Montana, I am sure another trip here will happen sooner or later… should you want to wait. Either way, to arrange an appearance—personal, phone, whatever—please drop me an email.
In the meantime, you can find the book club discussion guide on my website or in the back of the book.
I hope you enjoy Sounds Like Crazy and I look forward to hearing from you.
Cheers,
Shana Mahaffey
Who am I?
Shana Mahaffey lives in San Francisco, California, in part of an Edwardian compound that she shares with an informal cooperative of family, friends, and five cats. She’s a survivor of catechism and cat scratch fever, and is a member of the Sanchez Grotto Annex, a writers’ co-op. Her novel, Sounds Like Crazy was named a notable book for Fall 2009 by the San Francisco Chronicle; and her work has appeared in publications such as Sunset Magazine, SoMa Literary Review, Spectrum Literary Journal, Reflections Literary Journal, and assorted literary blogs. In addition to writing fiction, Shana has contributed articles, white papers, and product reviews to various technology publications. She welcomes all visitors to her website and is happy to meet with book groups in-person or in cyberspace (phone/webcam/the works). Her cat blogs for her at www.shanamahaffey.com.
Sounds Like Crazy—what’s it all about?
Sounds Like Crazy is as a darkly comic and ultimately healing story about Holly Miller, an Emmy Award winning cartoon voiceover performer who has actual voices in her head, multiple personalities who make her career a huge success, and shield her from a terrible secret in her past.
“I couldn’t tell her that even when you decide you’ve paid-in-full, if what you’ve paid for has become part of the framework of your life, you can’t let it go that easily. But if Sarah had forgiven herself, maybe it was time for me to try.”
It’s Holly Miller’s thirtieth birthday. Her older sister Sarah has flown across the country to encourage her to forgive herself and try to have more than a barely there boyfriend and two cats. The question is, can she? Holly has a secret she’s kept most of her life. She has a Committee of five people living inside her head. One of them called Ruffles is so large her bulk makes Holly’s head tilt permanently to the left. Another one, Betty Jane, is a mean modern day Scarlett O’Hara who makes her carry Charmin toilet paper everywhere because she refuses to use anything else. To keep the Committee under wraps, Holly moved from California to New York City when she turned eighteen. Her mother didn’t ask why, she just started sending Holly’s Christmas gifts in October to make sure she stayed put. Holly’s estranged father covers her expenses, but she hasn’t seen or spoken to him since she left home. Then Holly is offered the chance to become a voiceover artist for an animated television show. Sarah tells her this is like asking Sybil to play the part of Lisa Simpson because the job requires ceding control to Betty Jane. But Holly wants a better life so she takes the job anyway and in doing so, she discovers that the Committee is not her deepest secret after all.
Book Trailer
Here is a book trailer German filmmaker, Ma Raab, created for Sounds Like Crazy. It has gotten a lot of attention:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXg9ruqzNAM&feature=player_embedded
Date: July 15th, 2010 @ 17:28