Events listed here are contingent on whether each jurisdiction is approved to enter the corresponding phase of the governor’s four-phase reopening plan. Check with each venue for the latest information.
Michael Shurgot: 2 p.m. Aug. 8, Neverending Bookshop, 7530 Olympic View Drive, Suite 105, Edmonds. With his book “Green River Saga,” co-written by Rick O’Shea, the novel takes place in 1866 and tells the story of a band of Southern Cheyenne and Green River ranchers working to settle a land dispute before actions turn violent. Shurgot is a retired humanities professor from South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia. He also is the author of “Shakespeare’s Sense of Character,” “Stages of Play” and “Could You Be Startin’ from Somewhere Else?” More at www.theneverendingbookshop.com.
Wendy Kendall: 2 p.m. Aug. 22, Neverending Bookshop, 7530 Olympic View Drive, Suite 105, Edmonds. Kendall’s “Kat out of the Bag” introduces Katherine Watson, international purse designer and unintentional sleuth. While at a gala to showcase her bags, a body is discovered. This is the first book in Kendall’s “In Purse-Suit Mystery Series.” Kendall is a freelancer writer and editor from Edmonds. More at www.theneverendingbookshop.com.
Maria Kliavkoff: 6 p.m. Aug. 30, Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park. Most of us were never taught how to grieve properly. We were told “just keep busy” and “time heals all wounds.” As a result, we find ourselves alone, trapped in our grief. In “Healthy Mourning, Happy Loving,” Kliavkoff offers practical ways to use our daily experience as a pathway to authentic mourning. While serving as the executive director of the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley, Kliavkoff earned her death and grief studies certificate from the Center for Loss and Life Transition. More at www.thirdplacebooks.com.
Sara Grimes: 2 p.m. Sept. 5, Neverending Bookshop, 7530 Olympic View Drive, Suite 105, Edmonds. With her book “Catch Your Dreams,” Grimes’ poetry is about finding her voice after childhood trauma through words and lyrical poetry. Influences for her book span the “Book of Proverbs” in the Bible to Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Grimes holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative history of ideas from the University of Washington and is pursuing her master’s degree in creative writing at the University of California — Riverside. More at www.theneverendingbookshop.com.
Naomi Wark: 2 p.m. Sept. 12, Neverending Bookshop, 7530 Olympic View Drive, Suite 105, Edmonds. In “Wildflowers in Winter,” we meet Edna Pearson, 92. As she falls farther into Alzheimer’s that plagues her mind, she relives memories both joyful and distressing from her life. This is the Camano Island author’s debut novel. She is a member of the Skagit Valley Writer’s League and Sno-Isle Writers. Wark is now writing her second book, titled “Songs of Spring.” More at www.theneverendingbookshop.com.
Oliver Amatist: 2 p.m. Oct. 24, The Neverending Bookshop, 7530 Olympic View Drive, Edmonds. “Dead Flowers” is a poetic narrative written in the style of free-verse, spoken-word poetry. Amatist’s book tells the story of a disabled teenager’s life on the streets and the story of a long lost childhood friend. Topics include suicide, gay rights and the prison industrial complex. Amatist is a poet, painter and piano player from Seattle. He also is the author of “Time Within a Leaf.” More at www.theneverendingbookshop.com.
NEW BOOKS
William McClain: The Lynnwood author’s first book,“The Risk in Crossing Borders,” will be published in July. The book follows 54-year-old Yana Pickering as she crosses new borders — at home in Seattle and nearly 7,000 miles away in Syria. McClain taught math and physics in high school for 10 years and worked as a consultant on company retirement plans for 30 years.
Robert Graef: The Lake Stevens writer ventures into fiction with “Teachable Moments.” Now finding favor with local book clubs, the novel is set in school districts in the Stillaguamish estuary in the 1990s — though plot elements were drawn from actual happenings through the 1980s and ’90s. Graef wrote the book to generate a more sympathetic view of challenges inherent in properly managing public schools.
Bill Witthuhn: A former teacher and coach in Snohomish, Witthuhn has written a book. “The Contest” is the tale of a business with fading sales that sponsors a contest to get back into the black. Surprises and challenges are expected with any competition, but no one could ever predict it would lead to a school shooting. You can find Witthuhn’s self-published novel on Amazon.
Steve K. Bertrand: The Mukilteo author has released another book of poetry: “Primitive Places: Collected Haiku” is a collection of 1,000 haiku about life in the Pacific Northwest. The award-winning poet, historian and photographer has published 29 books. Find them on Amazon.
POETRY READINGS
Cafe Zippy: 7 p.m. Thursdays. Everett Poetry Night at the cafe is on most Thursday evenings at 1502 Rucker Ave., Everett. Call 425-303-0474.
Hibulb Cultural Center: 6 p.m. first Thursdays. The museum’s Open Mic Poetry series continues. In the Longhouse Room at 6410 23rd Ave. NE, Tulalip. Visit www.hibulbculturalcenter.org for more.
Email event information for this calendar with the subject “Books” to features@heraldnet.com.
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