Seven days in the book world with Rachel Haisley

Rachel is one of the kids book experts at TKE, although she reads across a wide range of genres. A graduate of the U she is now studying Library Science. She loves puppies, hip hop, funky shoes and bad knock knock jokes. She has also played roller hockey and has one of the most infectious laughs at TKE. Here is Rachel's week in her own words

"This week I finally finished reading the children’s submissions for Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association’s place-based literary award for “Reading the West.” The three gems I wrapped up this week:

In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse, Joeseph Marshall (2015), which was a lovely, slightly fictionalized retelling of the story of the Lakota warrior.

Fig, Sarah Elizabeth Schantz (2015), a heart-wrenching tale of mental illness about a young girl with OCD and her schizophrenic mother. Not for the faint of heart.

Down from the Mountain, Elizabeth Fixmer (2015), which was also fairly gut-wrenching, the story of a young girl growing up in a secluded cult in Colorado.

While reading the for Reading the West was a great experience that brought me into contact with a handful of books I never would have encountered otherwise, it will be very nice to take a little break from this kind of “assigned reading” and get back to what I really enjoy. Out of all of the literary genres, I tend to gravitate to nonfiction when I am reading for my own pleasure.

Evicted, Matthew Desmond (2016): I read an abbreviated version of this work in the New Yorker recently, and couldn’t resist delving deeper into the subject of rental properties, poverty, and Milwaukee.

Lust and Wonder, Augusten Burroughs (2016): I have always been devoted fan of (this) Burroughs’ dark and eccentric retelling of his life, and of course, his newest installment does not disappoint.

The Badass Librarians of Timbuktu, Joshua Hammer (2016): I am absolutely in awe of this group of archivists working in Mali to save a huge collection of manuscripts from the hands of Al Qaeda. Hammer weaves together centuries of Islamic history into a thrilling heist story of dedicated book lovers, working tirelessly to preserve North African intellectual traditions. I can’t wait to talk about this book with everyone!

H is for Hawk, Helen MacDonald (2015): Goodness, I love this book. Full of spot-on musings about humans, animals and literature, this is exactly the kind of literary nonfiction I live for. Helen will be visiting us at TKE next month, and I cannot wait to fangirl all over her.

Though I find nonfiction to be my preferred genre, that doesn’t mean I don’t really enjoy a good novel.

The Thing About Jellyfish, Ali Benjamin (2015): This National Book Award finalist discusses life and grief in a fresh, vibrant voice. Aimed at middle-grade readers (ages 8-12) this is a novel that will touch readers of all ages.

All Things Cease to Appear, Elizabeth Brundage (2016): I’ve only just begun this lovely literary thriller, the story of a woman murdered by her psychopath husband, so all I can say at this point is that I am completely captivated.

Happy Reading!"

Rachel's week in a nutshell

In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse (2015)
Fig (2015)
Down from the Mountain (2015)
Evicted (2016)
Lust and Wonder (2016)
The Badass Librarians of Timbuktu (Out April 19 2016)
H is for Hawk (2015)
The Thing About Jellyfish (2015)
All Things Cease to Appear (2016)

Seven days in the book world with Lynn Kilpatrick

Lynn is a wife, mother, writer, she teaches at Salt Lake Community College, she crossfitts, she blogs, she also officiates at weddings. Her first book 'In The House', a collection of short stories is available now. Lynn used to work at TKE and she live tweets the Oscars every year.

Here is Lynn's week in her own words

"This week was Spring Break, so I got to read more than usual. Last weekend, I read The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson. I'm embarrassed that I haven't read it sooner. It was life-changing in all the best ways!

Once I finished that, I started the 4th book in the Neapolitan series: The Story of the Lost Child (Elena Ferrante). I am making my way through this slowly! I don't want it to end.

On a much needed break from real life, I hung out at the Blue Copper Coffee Room and read Don DeLillo's story "sine, cosine, tangent" from the Feb 22 New Yorker. It was so good, and I was excited to find out it was excerpted from his forthcoming novel, Zero K. And today I started a book, Redirect (Timothy D Wilson), which is about how we can improve our happiness and success simply by changing the stories we tell ourselves. It promises to be an engaging read and, I'm sure, will have a huge impact on my teaching."

Lynn's week in a nutshell

The Argonauts (2015)
The Story of the Lost Child (2014)
Zero K (short story 'sine cosine, tangent) (May 2016)
Redirect (2015)

In the House 9781573661546  is available now
Lynn's blog is Dr Write

An unexpected gem

I finished two books over the weekend, Strings of Murder a Scottish gothic romp by Oscar de Muriel and Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson. 'Strings' delivered as expected, 'Frank' was charming, funny, and a joy to read. If you loved The Rosie Project then Be Frank With Me is right up your ally, although I would say 'Frank' is in a league of his own.

Seven days in the book world with Barbara Hoagland

Barbara was co-owner of TKE for many years, now retired she can be found in Utah or California depending on the season. A Westminster alum Barbara is a voracious reader and her reviews regularly grace the pages of The Inkslinger. Here is Barbara's week in her own words.

"I'm reading all over the map - finished a very long slog of the Romanovs  1613-1918 (by Simon Sebag Montifiore) which was actually fascinating and put our current American politics in perspective.

Nothing cleanses the palate like Bill Bryson and he does it again in The Road to Little Dribbling. It's just a wonderful read.

My not so guilty pleasures are mysteries and there are so many to like. The new Donna Leon is as good as any of her past mysteries. I also recently read Peter Robinson's latest, No Cure For Love. And, yes, I did read all of these last week. Retirement has its advantages!"

Barbara's week in a nutshell

The Romanovs 1613-1918 (2016)
The Road to Little Dribbling  (2016)
The Waters of Eternal Youth (2016)
No Cure For Love (2016)

The right song at the right time

Those who know me well know how much I love to have music in the background when I write and my allegiances shift. First it was Itunes (which I still have but only use when travelling) then it was Pandora and for the last couple of years Spotify has been my go to. I'm writing a scene about a character going into a club, a karaoke club. What would they sing? Would they sing? or does this character have a voice like a cracked bell and only go full welly on Adele songs in the shower.

Spotify has this thing called 'Discovery' where every week they try and generate a play list based on what you've been listening to and they always get it wrong because my musical tastes are so eclectic. Until yesterday, when it popped up with Alison Moyet's Ole Devil Called Love as I was working on that scene. My character could totally sing that!

Funny thing is, now I want to do karaoke...

Seven days in the book world with Anne Flett-Giordano

I make no secret of this, Marry Kiss Kill is one of my favourite books, I recommend it to a customer at least twice a shift, it has the perfect blend of comedy, pop culture, one liners and a deliciously twisty mystery to boot.

MKK's author Anne Flett-Giordano has scripted comedies like Frasier, Hot in Cleveland and now Mom, so far in her career she has won five Emmys. Anne has a two cat, one husband household and calls California home. She is also working on a follow-up to MKK and here is her book week in her own words.

'I'm reading Americanah by Chimananda Ngozi Adichie and loving it.'

Anne's week in a nutshell

Americanah (2013)

N.B Marry Kiss Kill 9781938849497 is out now.

Travelers, Chris Pavone

Travelers, revolves around travel journalist Will Rhodes. Rhodes works for Travelers magazine. He hops around the globe, writing aspirational pieces for Americans who want that ‘trip of a lifetime’ every year. He has a beautiful wife, a money pit of inherited property and since 3.00 a.m. this morning he’s become an asset for a large spy organization.

Will is walking a tightrope, at any moment his marriage, his job, even his life could be forfeit for serving his country, and that’s the question keeping him awake at night. Who is he working for? Good guys, bad guys, shadow government, or something much worse. 

Fasten your seat belt and enjoy this tale of double cross, double bluff, espionage which  moves at breakneck speed to a thrilling conclusion, fingers crossed for a sequel.  

The Taxidermist’s Daughter, Kate Mosse

April 1912. Who is the woman in the beautiful blue coat, keeping an eye on Constantia Gifford’s father and four other men meeting in a west Sussex churchyard at midnight? Is she the same woman found dead in the river close to the Giffords’ isolated home days later? Connie is determined to find out as her father has vanished and the incident has stirred some long buried memories of a past wiped out by an accident when Connie was twelve years old, a face, a voice and, a crow?

In the vein of Rebecca and Turn of the Screw, Mosse has created a classic gothic Poe-like tale.

As a side note this book is based around the Chichester area close to where I grew up so that was an additional hook. Prior knowledge of Chichester and its environs isn't necessary though.