Lunch with Gloria Linkey & Sally Steidel

Beach Books continues its Lunch with the Author series on July 11 at 12 noon with Gloria Stiger Linkey and Sally Steidel.  Gloria will read from her

new book Native American Women: Three Who Changed Historyand Sally will discuss the drawings she created for it.  This is the history of three

Native American women in the 1800, Sacagawea, Watkuese and Marie Dorian, whose lives intertwined.  Gloria has been telling their tales for the

past four years, speaking to groups as varied as the American Association of University Women, elementary schools and tourists on a cruise ship.

And now she has written about them in her book, beautifully illustrated by Cannon Beach artist, Sally Steidel. 

Cost is $20 and includes a catered lunch and a copy of  

Native American Women. 

What We're Reading Now

Karen:

Turn of Mind: Alice LaPlante

What if your best friend was murdered? And what if you were accused of murdering her?  But what if, because of your advancing dementia, you didn't know if you had killed her or not.  Such is the case for 64-year old retired orthopedic surgeon Jennifer White in Alice LaPlante's stellar debut novel.  Told through White's increasingly confused state of mind, she is alternatingly eloquent and completely detached from reality.  Turn of Mind is both a murder mystery and a literary family drama and it will haunt you long after you turn the last page.

Alexa:

Thirteen Reasons Why:  Jay Asher

I read this a while ago, but it's finally out in paperback.  Thirteen Reasons Why will keep you guessing until the end, trying to figure out why the main character, Clay Jensen, is involved in all of these crazy things that have happened to Hannah Baker.  By the end of the novel we find out the bizarre life she had, why she created the tapes prior to her suicide and what Clay has to do with it.

Maria:

The Art of Saying Goodbye:  Ellyn Bache   

In spite of the title, this is not a depressing book. It is too full of very real characters, each reacting in individual ways to the events of the story. It includes a whole neighborhood and is told from multiple viewpoints all tied together by their relationship to Paisley who is dying, or seems like she must be dying, given her diagnosis. I expected a book about a close-knit group of friends banding together to be there for a dying friend and for each other. Instead, we are given a group of acquaintances bound together by the fact that they are neighbors and have shared experiences of gatherings, illnesses, and children. They learn the art of saying goodbye on the fly betwixt jobs, housework, and family issues.

The story feels completely uncontrived and like it could happen on my block. This is how real people cope.

Ann:

Silver Sparrow: Tayari Jones

The novel's first sentence "My father, James Witherspoon is a bigamist." grabs you and doesn't let go until the end.  Living in an Atlanta middle class neighborhood during the 1980's, James has two families - one public and one private. It's a powerful read.  Relationships explode when secrets are revealed and illusions shattered.  The characters are all vulnerable as well as likeable in their own way - even the bigamist.  It's suspenseful.  It's brilliant.