Book corner: Three island-related books hit the shelves

Within the artists’ community of the island is a good number of writers, and this month there are three new books for you to look over. Let’s take a look & see what’s new:

John's new book

You Can’t Fix Everything:  A Husband’s Perspective On Dealing With Breast Cancer, by John Boyd

I know John as the irrepressible naturalist from the Western Prince whose regular reports to the Orca Network and his Facebook postings provide well-thought out & good-hearted views of this place we call home. In his book, he tackles another issue. Here’s more from John:

That fateful day at the alter, you are looking at your wife with a loving heart and the future is full of promise and hope.  And then comes the day when you are faced with a terrible diagnosis of breast cancer in your spouse.  What does this mean and how do you “fix” it?  This book is a chronicle of our journey, a journey with lows and highs, laughter and tears, and help from many unexpected places and people.

Description:  While there are many guide books for women who have to face a diagnosis of cancer, there are few that are written for the husbands.  This book was written with husbands in mind, to let them know what the process is, and that they can indeed be a large part of the treatment and recovery process!

We have pledged 50% of all profits will be given to cancer-related charities.  Ian, this book originally started out as a journal for me to keep track of what happened so when Sharon became cancer-free, we could look back on it and reflect on our journey.  Well, 10 pages became 20 became 135 and I realized I had something I could share with everyone just starting out their treatments too.  At first, I was so confused as to what my role in all this would be.  Cancer is a private thing, and that I would just be tagging along.  But as Sharon and I quickly discovered, a husband’s role is more than just the guy who takes out the trash.  And we also found that our faith and our friends were more important to us than we realized.

The book is available online at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com, or can be purchased at Griffin Bay Bookstore (autographed copies available there), and Ernie’s Cafe.  An e-book version will be available soon.

I got someone to hold up a copy of the book at Griffin Bay Bookstore, so you could see it. Thanks, Vanna!

Flora’s Wreath, by Jane Dill

You’ve seen Jane around town becasue she’s pretty involved, whether it’s volunteering around the island or reading kids’ books for story hour – you get a chance to see & hear her this week:

You are invited to the launching of  Flora’s Wreath, a new novel written by San Juan Island resident Jane Dill.

The author will read from, and sign her books at Griffin Bay Book Store on Friday, February 18th at 7 pm.

Flora’s Wreath involves the daring mission of four remarkable Victorian era women, all dedicated gardeners, and the stories of the people they assisted.

Although their work took place over one hundred years ago, their message is even timelier today. It is a book of our era as well.

Juno's Daughters is set on the island....

Juno’s Daughters, by Lise Saffran

Lise grew up in the Pacific Northwest and currently lives in Missouri, but her novel is placed on San Juan Island. This is her first novel, and it centers on stories she heard from a friend who participated in a staging of The Tempest by Island Stage Left here.

She just had a reading at Powell’s Books in Portland last week, and was interviewed by Reading Local there…this is a good chance to read what she has to say about the book, and growing up in the Pacific Northwest, and letting that grow into a book. Read the interview here.

Kathleen Kaska

On Saturday this coming weekend, Keith at Harbor Bookstore welcomes Kathleen Kaska to a book signing from 2-4pm. Here’s more about her work.

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