Yay! I'm getting Monkey with a Tool Belt for all my nieces and nephews! And what's more, since I got the books at Marshall's Hardware, the author signed them herself!

Also, don't forget Chris' show this Saturday at Starfire's.

Tony! Not to disagree with any of your suggestions, or the tenor of the post, BUT
John Beargrease is out now! DNT didn't jump the gun on this one!

In fact, we have him coming in to Northern Lights Books this weekend!

Well if that's the case, I must have misread the article. My apologies.

See, now there's another great regional book you can pick up this season--and get a signed copy.

Thanks for the correction!

Brian Barber! My Favorite Places and My Favorite Sounds. I got these for my niece's birthday last year.

http://www.marengreen.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=31

Well, I know I read about Heffernan's book and the Lift Bridge book in the DNT in the past month or so.

And I saw an item in the paper about the new railroad history book, which I remember because I wanted to get to a bookstore and take a look.

And I remember reading an article on Anthony Bukoski in the DNT back in like August, or maybe September. (and by the way, it's Bukoski, NOT Bukowski)

And I know I saw stuff about "Monkey With a Tool Belt" in the DNT when that came out.

And, as noted above, they did a story on the new Beargrease book that is in fact available now.

So tonyd.... can you clarify what your gripe is about the DNT? That they're not devoting even more time and space to giving you and others free publicity for your private businesses?

I would think this is a given based on previous posts, but try to get them at a local bookstore as well. During the busy Christmas(if I am allowed to use that word)season, it is all too easy to run into one of the generic bookstores. Try your best to support the local folks!!

I have read both Bukoski's and Brown's offerings and they are both worth every penny!!

I agree, Nbayuk! Northern Lights Bookstore is my local bookstore of choice, it seems like such a small store, but they ALWAYS have a copy of whatever book I am looking for! Once I was looking for an obscure backlist title, Time was Soft There, and thought I'd have to special order it. I couldn't believe they had a copy in stock. Who needs to go over the hill?

I really think this post is about sharing great books by great authors from around this area. This is a great list, representing multiple authors and presses - and opens the door to even more conversation. Thanks Tony for bringing this up!

Calk & NBayuk- Thanks! We do our best!

We have a lot of great authors this weekend

dlhmn:

You did read nice article on the Hef book, but probably only saw a "readers & writers" blurb on the railroad book, the bridge book, and others. Those are submitted by the publisher, just like calendar listings.

The "gripe" I HAD (note my remark above, where I admit to and apologize for misreading about the release date) was that I thought the Beargrease book wasn't out yet. See, the article you saw on the Bukoski re-issue (thanks for the spelling correction!) was a nice piece by Ann K, but it appeared months before the book would be available to readers, which didn't really help the author, publisher, or local retailers/booksellers. I thought the same thing was happening to Holy Cow! once again--good press, but poor timing. Full articles about books are almost always timed with a release or author event, just as articles on bands are usually timed with a CD release or a big show, as articles on visual artists are usually timed for gallery openings, and of course reviews of plays run when the play is running, etc. Sure, the publisher/promoter, etc., gets some nice publicity, but the news source is also running something of local interest to its readers while also being "business friendly," two goals of the DNT.

In actuality, I have a great deal of sympathy, not contempt, for the DNT newsroom. It's not an easy time to be in the daily print news game (witness the Chicago Tribune!) and I doubt few of them are pleased about Forum Comm. dictating some content (e.g., the McCain and Coleman endorsements). They are trying many different approaches to stay afloat, and not all of them will please everyone in their audience. I think the DNT could benefit from everyone's patience while they figure out how to survive today's ever-changing newspaper game.

But I did not intend this post to be a debate on the DNT or anything else, just wanted folks to be aware of some great local books for, yes I admit, potential Holiday gifts. Please let's not let this deteriorate into another critique of the DNT. Anyone know of any more new local books?

"Finnigin and the Star Jar" by Christine and April Berg (another illustrator in Lakeside!). Superduper kids book.

Louis Jenkins- "European Shoes" and "North of the Cities"
Bea Ojakangas- "Greatest Casseroles"? I may have the title wrong...
Also, don't forget about the Bookstore At Fitger's. Locally owned, great selection,excellent store!! Shop there too.

Best I read this summer, (and best local history book for that matter), was 'Minnesota's Iron Country - Rich Ore, Rich Lives' by Marvin G. Lamppa who is a legend historian from the Tower area. Life long educator and now retired, he wrote the book like a text book starting form when the earth's core was forming to today. Awardsand Where to buy online. I was lucky enough to get a copy from the man himself.

Cecilia Lieder publishes some GORGEOUS poetry books by local poets that are in themselves works of art. They are beautifully produced in limited editions. I think the name of her company is Calyx? Her latest is a book of poems by local poets whose work is inspired by living here. This book was just released, I'm sure Northern Lights must carry it -- and if not, they should! Wish I could remember the title, I wrote one of the blurbs on the back cover.

Calk- Trail Guide:to the Northland Experience in Prints & Poetry just came out this fall (it is gorgeous, and we are glad to say we have some in our poetry section).

It's a collaboration between Lake Superior Writers and the Northern Printmakers Alliance. Cecilia Lieder has put out some really nice collections through Calyx Press!

"The Recklessness of Love" by Al Hunter. It is a new book of poetry by Hunter published by Kegedonce Press, Cape Croker Reserve, R.R. 5 Wiarton, Ontario
NoH 2To (Canadian zip code) - & I'm sure the book is available at Nor' Lights : )

Al's poem-story "Ghosts at Big Sur" is one of the great reads from this book - in it, the speaker picks up Bob Dylan hitchhiking & from there, they both journey to honor Richared Brautigan : )

Thanks for the mention of my book "Overburden" Tony. And nice to meet you up north yesterday. I would like to follow up to kitty brand in recommending "Iron Country" by Marvin Lamppa. I leaned very heavily on it for source content for my book, which is more of a contemporary look at Range culture. What a one two combo for anyone interested in the Iron Range! :-)

And as a former daily newspaper editor on the Iron Range I would just like to say that the fault in local newspapers is far more often at the corporate level, not locally. Many times reporters are reacting the way they do because of their work load, orders and expectations from on high that they must balance with their desire to do their jobs well.

A message from the president of the author's guild