Melissa Anne Peterson: Noon March 21, Edmonds Bookshop, 111 Fifth Ave. S., Edmonds. Set against the backdrop of a decaying Pacific Northwest lumber town, “Vera Violet” is a debut novel that explores themes of poverty, violence and environmental degradation as played out in the young lives of a group of close-knit friends. Peterson grew up in a Washington logging town. She received bachelor’s degrees in writing and biology from Evergreen State College. She has worked on endangered species recovery in Washington and Montana for 12 years. More at www.edmondsbookshop.com.
Courtney Carver: 7 p.m. March 24, Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park. This is a ticketed event. Wear just 33 items for three months and get back all the joy you were missing while you were worrying what to wear. A minimalist expert, Carver takes a new approach to living simply, starting with your wardrobe in “Project 333.” She guides readers through their closets item-by-item, sifting through all the emotional baggage associated with their clothes. Carver also is the author of “Soulful Simplicity” and launched the blog “Be More with Less.” More at www.thirdplacebooks.com.
Cory Claus: Noon March 28, Edmonds Bookshop, 111 Fifth Ave. S., Edmonds. A tragic tale based on a true story from ancient China, “Surrounded by Chu Songs” tells the tale of Miaoyi Yu, who starts out as a poor servant girl in the house of a local warlord. She rises to become a warrior, philosopher and champion of the people — and a hope for China. Claus’ short story “The Bay-Facing Window” won a Writer’s Digest Competition award in 2019. This is his debut novel. More at www.edmondsbookshop.com.
Carmen Germain and Catherine Kyle: Noon April 14, Edmonds Bookshop, 111 Fifth Ave. S., Edmonds. In honor of National Poetry Month, Germain and Kyle will read from their latest poetry collections. Germain’s “The Old Refusals” gives a voice to the voiceless. Kyle’s “Shelter in Place” examines nature, technology, apathy and empathy. More at www.edmondsbookshop.com.
Ginna Luck: 6 p.m. April 4, Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park. “Everything Has Been Asking for Mercy” is a collection of poems written when the author was dealing with a health crisis. At 32, after the birth of her second child, Luck is diagnosed with chronic fatigue and spends the next eight years untangling a history of events that led to her depletion and illness. Luck’s poems have appeared in have appeared in Radar Poetry, Gone Lawn, Hermeneutic Chaos Journal and more. She has been nominated for two Pushcart Prizes. More at www.thirdplacebooks.com.
Elizabeth George: 7 p.m. April 8, Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park. In “Mastering the Process,” the bestselling author of 24 novels offers readers a master class in the art and science of crafting a novel. This is a subject she knows well, having taught creative writing both nationally and internationally for more than 30 years. The Seattle author has written 20 psychological suspense novels, four young adult novels, one book of nonfiction and two short-story collections. Her popular Thomas Lynley series was adapted for television by the BBC. More at www.thirdplacebooks.com.
Holly J. Hughes: Noon April 11, Edmonds Bookshop, 111 Fifth Ave. S., Edmonds. A favorite local writer and poet is back with a second poetry collection. In “Hold Fast,” Hughes turns her attention to challenging times, both personally and politically, asking in an epigraph: “What will we cling to in the confusion of the tides? What structures of connection will hold us in place?” She also is the author of “Passings” and “Sailing by Ravens.” More at www.edmondsbookshop.com.
Anna Holmes: 2 p.m. April 11, The Neverending Bookshop, 7530 Olympic View Drive, Edmonds. The local author will discuss her books “Ember” and “Spark.” Princess Caelin of Elyssia has defeated a conquering army and finds herself with not much to do but regular day-to-day work. However, when a kidnapping attempt turns into an opportunity to help others, Caelin jumps at the chance to get out of the palace. These books are part of the “Ember of Elyssia Quartet” series. More at www.theneverendingbookshop.com.
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.
NEW BOOKS
Robert Graef: The Lake Stevens 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.
Email event information for this calendar with the subject “Books” to features@heraldnet.com.
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