Nancy's Bookshelf

On the 100th anniversary of the Armistice ending World War I, Chico author Dan Irving recounts the history of this war in his book Heart of the Poppy: From War to Amor.

Today's books showcase the work of talented illustrators Dora Mitchell, the author herself, and popular children's illustrator Steve Ferchaud. Children's librarian Dora Mitchell wrote and illustrated The Haunted Serpent , a children's book set in dark woods like those that surround her hometown of Quincy, California.

Author Carson Medley became a Division II basketball tourist for year and got to know Chico State University's inspirational basketball coach Greg Clink. "Through the Red Door: The Eternal Season of Coach Clink and the Division II Chico State Wildcats" is Carson Medley's account of that year. Both the author and coach are Nancy's guests.

Journalist Joel Stratte-McClure is based in Redding, but travels regularly to the Mediterranean lived over 30 years in France. He has been writing about his global trekking and hiking adventures since the 1970s. His articles on a variety of subjects have appeared in Time magazine, The London Times, People Magazine, and others. At age 50 he decided to walk around the Mediterranean Sea and explore the coast, countryside and regional cultures, as well as his own mind, with a copy of Homer's Iliad

Frescoes by the Bay is a two-volume visual tour of fresco murals in the San Francisco Bay Area. Karen Sinell provides detailed research and commentary about the frescoes’ history, composition, iconography, and identity of their many figures.

Author Kimball Medders grew up on military bases in Europe and Ethiopia with parents who were overseas teachers. His memoir, The Italian Lesson, recounts his adventures as a military brat and sailor. After serving in the Navy, he returned to college in Sacramento, then later taught inmates in Susanville for 23 years, retiring from that job in 2009.

Award-winning poet Heather Altfield calls her collection of poetry The Disappearing Theatre. Philosophy professor Troy Jollimore received a National Book Critics Circle Award for a previous collection of his poetry. His newest book is Syllabus of Errors — Poems . This week join Nancy for a conversation with two local poets.

Local researcher Maris Thompson collected stories of immigration in the German American Midwest during World War I. Award-winning NPR journalist Tom Gjelten talked to immigrant families in Virginia for his book A Nation of Nations . This week join Nancy for immigration stories past and present.

Local researcher Maris Thompson collected stories of immigration in the German American Midwest during World War I. Award-winning NPR journalist Tom Gjelten talked to immigrant families in Virginia for his book A Nation of Nations . This week join Nancy for immigration stories past and present.

Award-winning cameraman and producer Tim Ortman has written a memoir about his years working overseas for NBC when TV news reporting was at its zenith. This week join Nancy for a conversation with the author of Newsreal: A View Through The Lens When...