North State author Jim Barrett retired after 30 years in law enforcement and wrote a book, Ma Duncan , about Ventura County's "Trial of the Century" from 1959. In this episode we explore the shocking true story of the last female executed in the state of California.

Janet Turner Print Museum board member Mike Halldorson has written a memoir recounting his experiences in the Navy during the Vietnam war. This week join Nancy Wiegman for a conversation with this author and artist about his book Navy Daze: Coming Of Age In The 1960s Aboard A Navy Destroyer .

Redding author Dan Greaney has a new novel, The Worst Generation . This week join host Nancy Wiegman for a fictional daughter's recounting of a childhood she is thankful for. But, as an adult, she also sees the economic and environmental plundering she couldn't see as a child.

Professors Bill Rich and Tony Waters were contracted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to evaluate vocational education in California prisons. They published their results in a frank, funny, disturbing, and personal account of attempts to educate state prisoners.

This year's community "book in common" is My Life On The Road by feminist icon Gloria Steinem, who will be in Chico's Laxson Auditorium on March 1st. On this week's show, joined by NSPR General Manager Beth Lamberson, Nancy talks with Gloria Steinem about traveling and listening.

Chico physician Kelley Otani sought to combine what he learned in his medical training with healing practices from other sources. The principles in his book, Paradox of Conscious Healing , have been clinically tested by his patients. Redding author Crystal Sage wrote Master Your Destiny after she discovered how to heal herself of chronic health problems.

On Valentine's Day our thoughts turn to love. Physician and author Dr. Kelley Otani explains the role of love in his book on conscious healing. This week Nancy explores Dr. Otani's journey to spiritual healing, plus a Valentine's Day story from humorist Eric Miller .

Paradise author Stephen Arrington was a codefendant in a cocaine conspiracy trial with car designer John DeLorean. For years, Steve was on a waiting list for a presidential pardon, which was finally granted just before President Obama left office. Stephen tells us the story of how he went from convict to crusader, which was even covered by NBC News .

The conflict over hydraulic mining forms the basis for a historical novel, The Road To Cherokee , written by Butte County's first woman attorney, the late Mary Ray King. This week, join host Nancy Wiegman for a conversation with two editors of this book, Nancy Leek and Ron Womack.

Novelist Marie Sutro was inspired to write Dark Associations by listening to stories of her dad's experience as an undercover cop in the San Francisco police department. Clinical psychologist Matthew McKay wrote Seeking Jordan after his son was murdered in San Francisco. Join Nancy as she explores very different stories of murder in San Francisco.