Yesterday, both Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, and Anthony Marra, author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, received California Book Awards. Karen Joy Fowler won Gold in Fiction while Anthony Marra won Gold in First Fiction.
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Here at Books in Common, we strive to keep current on new books and authors that will be popular in Common and All Campus Reads programs. Finding a book that whole communities can relate to, as well as has themes that can create dynamic discussions, can be difficult for event coordinators.
Read More »Like the variety of the books on the shelves, authors find their stories in their own unique way. It takes an idea from any part of their life to spark the creative wheels, and for the story to take shape. Whether it is taken purely from a random thought, the use of a family story molded into a narrative, or bits of history spun together into a work of fiction, each story has a moment when the author decides to take it to the next level.
Read More »Karen Joy Fowler recently finished a presentation at the Books in Bloom literary event, May 17th, hosted by the Eagle Valley Library District in Avon, Co. Karen Joy Fowler did a 30 min presentation on her book, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, as well as took part in a Q&A session and a book signing.
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Lisa Genova author of, Still Alice, recently blogged about how the human brain expresses/suppresses emotions. From an early age we’re socialized to hold back what we feel and act according to societal standards. When the brain is attacked, by a disease such as Alzheimer’s, those pathways that prevent emotional expression are destroyed; therefore, the people with Alzheimer’s seem to develop atypical characteristics.
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Christina Baker Kline’s novel, Orphan Train, is popular with classrooms and communities because of the multiple themes for discussion. Orphan Train, is about the unlikely connection between a 17-year-old Penobscot Indian, Molly, and the 91-year-old widow, Vivian, she helps with a community service project. While they get to know each other, their parallel stories are revealed.
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Mardi Jo Link recently wrote an essay on her experiences and life lessons. She describes the need for both people and nature to find their own level. Life doesn’t always work the way you expect it to, but yet it always seems to find a balance. Mardi Jo Link’s essay explains, the parallels she found in her own life with love, and the efforts of man to tame the waterways near her home.
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Ivan Doig recently visited Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA. He read from his book and answered questions to an audience of 350 people. “It was great to have the Doigs here. They are lovely. Ivan gave a strong talk about craft, and was generous with questions after. … The discussion about process was also very interesting and powerful, and many people have commented to me since that they enjoyed this presentation.” – Katrina Roberts, Whitman College Visiting Writers Series
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On Saturday, Karen Joy Fowler accepted the 2014 PEN/Faulkner Prize for, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. The award recognizes the best fiction published by an American author in the previous year.
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