Kaleidoscope's Reading Room

Part 2 of 2. Charles Hugh Smith and I discuss his new book, I-State Lines. See the write up for the September 8 show for additional information on the book.

Smith will be at The Kaleidoscope tomorrow, September 16, from 9am to 4pm He will be reading from the book and talking about its themes at 11am and at 2pm. Books will be available for purchase, or if you already own a copy, bring it in and Charles will sign it for you.

Find the Kaleidoscope in downtown Hampton, Iowa, at 112 1st Avenue NW -- between Breadeaux Pisa and City Hall. Call the store at 641-456-2787 for directions or additional information. Shop The Kaleidoscope on-line at ourfocusisyou.com.

Part 1 of 2. Charles Hugh Smith and I discuss his new book, I-State Lines. Sometimes in this age of partisan politics, media-created events, and "shock jock" personalities who stretch the truth to get a reaction, it is easy to forget that with all our differences - racial, religious, generational, regional - we're all Americans, and as such have much more in common than we generally think. I-State Lines reminds us of this truth as it tells the story of two young California boys who take their neighbor's old Dodge Lancer on a cross-country trip, and in the process, discover friends, places, themselves, and a sense of purpose they previously lacked.

To call this book a "road novel" does it a disservice - although it certainly works quite well as a road novel. To call it a coming of age story also misses the point, although the boys do grow up on their journey and return to their old neighborhood new men. If I tell you it's about the Vietnam-era veterans they encounter in several places along the way, I'm afraid you'll roll your eyes and say, "Not ANOTHER book about post-traumatic stress", even though the boys DO meet some veterans and come to understand them and the war they served-in with the fresh eyes only those too young to remember that war can have. If I tell you it's a love story, I'll ruin the "driving away into the sunset" happy ending. If I tell you its funny, you'll be expecting Garrison Keillor. I-State Line is all these things - please read it, and if you enjoy it encourage your friends and family to read it.

Mr. Smith will be visiting Hampton during our Fall Open House Saturday September 16! This is an INCREDIBLE opportunity for a town of our size. Stop by to meet Charles, to hear his thoughts about the book, and to ask him whatever questions you may have.

I have I-State Lines in stock now at The Kaleidoscope, and available on-line at ourfocusisyou.com. I-State Lines retails for $20, and shipping is free in the USA. Or stop by the store and get a 10% discount for books purchased between now and September 11.

Keri chats with Charles Davis about his new novel, Angel's Rest. It is the story of a boy named Charlie, who is growing up in a small Virginia town in 1960. When his mom is arrested for the murder of his father, Charlie is left in the care of a quiet black man named Lacey. Lacey, war veteran Hollis Thrasher, and flamboyant attorney Malcolm become the unlikely heroes in this wonderful story about love, loss, memory and dreams. Available on-line now at ourfocusisyou.com -- where shipping is always free within the USA.

Keri interviews Lise Haines, author of Small Acts of Sex and Electricity. Keri says that if you trust the members of your reading group, this story is well worth discussing. If you don't trust them, read it on your own.

Available at The Kaleidoscope: Our Focus is You in Hampton, Iowa. Or on-line at ourfocusisyou.com. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Michael Stadther's A Treasure's Trove, published in 2004, started a nationwide treasure hunt for $1,000,000 worth of jeweled pins. Evan and Randy Pischel of Mason City found a bejeweled snail at Lake Anita State Park, right here in Iowa. This fall A Treasure's Trove presents Secrets of the Alchemist Dar -- a world wide treasure hunt for $2,000,000 in rings designed by Aaron Basha. The new book and hunt begins officially on Tuesday, September 26. We're having a party with Evan and Randy Pischel at 7pm that day. Be here when we open the box of books, and get ready to start solving the puzzles.

We've ordered some other Treasure related books for this fall, just for kids. How to be a Pirate in Seven Days or Less guides kids in finding the right clothes and picking their pirate names. And from the folks who brought us Every Kid needs a Marshmellow Shooter comes Every Kid Needs a Treasure Hunt!

All items are available at The Kaleidoscope: Our Focus is You in Hampton, Iowa. Books may be ordered on-line at ourfocusisyou.com. Contact [email protected] for more information.

In this week's episode of The Reading Room, Keri reads from two books for children, and announces an upcoming author visit and book give-away.

A Frog Thing by Eric Drachman, illustrated by James Muscarello tells the story of a frog named Frank, who wants to fly. Frank's parents have told him he can do anything he sets his mind to, but when they find out that he wants to fly, they tell him that flying isn't "a frog thing." Parents, teachers and children will love this book about accepting ourselves as we really are, but still holding on to our dreams.

A Chance to Shine by Steve Seskin & Allen Shamblin, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie tells the story of a boy whose dad owns a shop, and gives a job to Joe who sits outside the store everyday. The boy asks his dad why they're helping this man, and his dad replies, "Because every heart needs a chance to shine." Joe is transformed by this act of kindness, and the boy learns to see people in a new way. The book comes with a CD that has the story set to music. Kids will love the book and the song, and will want to sing it over and over again.

Charles Hugh Smith, author of i-state lines, will be visiting the Kaleidoscope on September 16. Keri will be talking with Smith on a future episode of The Reading Room.

The Dressmaker by Elizabeth Oberbeck was featured on the July 14th episode. The publisher has offered a free copy of the book to two Reading Room listeners. Details on the program.

All books featured on The Reading Room are available for purchase on-line at OurFocusIsYou.com. Shipping is always free within the USA. Books are also available at The Kaleidoscope, 112 1st Avenue NW, Hampton, IA 50441. E-mail comments and questions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening to The Reading Room.

"My Half of the Sky" by Jana McBurney-Lin is the best book I've read in years - and I read constantly. This novel, an August BookSense pick, tells the story of a young woman in modern China who finds herself caught trying to hold up "her half of the sky" while still being a loving and respectful daughter. Most of those who offer her advice have their own agendas, and she eventually finds herself trapped in an arranged marriage and doesn't know where to turn.

Continuation of interview with the author.

Call 641-456-2787 to order "My Half of the Sky" from The Kaleidoscope, or shop on-line at OurFocusIsYou.com. Shipping is free within the USA.

-- Keri Holmes

Today's show features Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, chosen by the Iowa Librarian's Association for All Iowa Reads, 2006. Beginning in 1956, Gilead is a letter written by the aging Rev. John Ames, to his grandson. In conjunction with the Hampton Public Library, The Kaleidoscope is sponsoring All Hampton Reads featuring Gilead for the month of August.

Gilead won the Nation Book Critics Circle Award for fiction, and more recently, the Pulitzer. Author Marilynne Robinson teaches at The University of Iowa's Writers Workshop in Iowa City, Iowa.

On-line listeners of The Reading Room are invited to send their comments of the book to [email protected]. Comments received before August 20 may be shared in the local discussions scheduled for later in the month.

Purchase Gilead on-line at ourfocusisyou.com. E-mail Keri for additional information, discussion schedule, or bulk ordering information.

-- Keri Holmes, The Kaleidoscope: Our Focus is You.

"My Half of the Sky" by Jana McBurney-Lin is the best book I've read in years - and I read constantly. This novel, an August BookSense pick, tells the story of a young woman in modern China who finds herself caught trying to hold up "her half of the sky" while still being a loving and respectful daughter. Most of those who offer her advice have their own agendas, and she eventually finds herself trapped in an arranged marriage and dosen't know where to turn.

Author discussion continues on August 4, 2006.

Call 641-456-2787 to order "My Half of the Sky" from The Kaleidoscope, or shop on-line at OurFocusIsYou.com. Shipping is free within the USA.

-- Keri Holmes

This episode features The Dressmaker, a novel released July 1 by Henry Holt. I read the first section of this charming debut novel about a solitary tailor who unexpectedly falls in love with a woman who has hired him to create her wedding dress.

The story sweeps the reader along: it is charming but not naive, funny but not manic, poignant but not predictable. If this is a first novel, I'm putting Elizabeth Birkeland Oberbeck on my pull list -- I can't wait for more. I opened this book one evening at nine, intending to read a chapter or two before going to sleep. I finished it at 2:30 the following morning. It was a beautiful, intimate read.

You may order The Dressmaker by telephoning The Kaleidoscope at 641-456-2787, or on-line at OurFocusIsYou.com. Shipping is free within the USA.

-- Keri Holmes