BOOKS

Book Report: Finally, my chance to critique a bestseller

After a quarter century of book reviewing, I guess it’s time for me to admit that until recently, I never read a novel by bestselling author John Grisham.

By Dave Wood, columnist , January 03, 2013

Book Report: Minnesota writers shine bright

“Thirty Rooms to Hide In,” by Luke Longstreet Sullivan (University of Minnesota Press, $24.95) has a subtitle that sort of grabs you: “Insanity, Addiction, and Rock ‘n’ Roll in the Shadow of the Mayo Clinic.”

By Dave Wood, columnist , December 28, 2012

Book Report: Not one, but many for the history books

Have a history buff on your holiday guest list? You won’t be disappointed to find all manner of biography and serious history new to bookshelves this winter.

By Dave Wood, columnist , December 21, 2012

Book Report: Take your pick, there's something for everyone

Someone on your holiday gift list who likes to read books by and about characters in the upper Midwest? There’s a plethora in that category this year. If your target is politics, try “Minnesota’s Miracle,” by Tom Berg (University of Minnesota Press, $22.95, paper). Berg served in the Minnesota State Legislature in the seventies when politicos got things done.

By Dave Wood, columnist , December 13, 2012

Book Report: Give the gift of a local author

The holiday season is upon us and the search for appropriate gifts has begun.

By Dave Wood, columnist , December 06, 2012

Book Report: Sights and sounds under the big top

When I was a kid one of the biggest deals of the year was when the Al G. Kelly and Miller Brothers Circus came to town.

By Dave Wood, columnist , November 29, 2012

Packer book author in Hudson Sunday

Bill Povletich, author of “Green Bay Packers: Trials, Triumphs, and Tradition”  will be at Chapter 2 Books, 422 2nd St, Sunday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.

November 28, 2012

Book Report: Reprints make up for what you missed

The University of Minnesota Press’s Fesler-Lampert Heritage Book Series is a rare and wonderful bird indeed.

By Dave Wood, columnist , November 23, 2012

North Hudsonite building libraries in Ghana

North Hudson resident Deb McNally is a teacher who has taken her effort well beyond the classroom and is now building libraries in Ghana. She is the inspiration for, founder of, and now executive director of Hand in Hand for Literacy.

By Doug Stohlberg , November 23, 2012

Read about railroading

Arthur “Bud” Hoekstra, husband of Jerrilyn (Romanowicz), has written a book about his experiences as a train engineer from 1959 to 2001 on railroads between St. Paul, Chicago, and Superior. He writes about characters he knew, changes in the industry, locomotives and train handling, terminals and train wrecks. “The Life and Times of a Railroad Engineer” can be bought at Freeman Drug in River Falls and Chapter Two bookstore in Hudson. Jerrilyn is a former long-time resident of River Falls. The couple now lives in Shell Lake. Her children include Melinda Johnson, Melissa Platson and Eric Romanowicz.

November 20, 2012

Book Report: These tales are close to home

Today let us begin with two very productive upper Midwestern writers who continue to write about our neighborhoods with relish and sometimes very dramatic substance.

By Dave Wood, columnist , November 16, 2012

"The Dirty Days" author to sign books Nov. 20

Norma (Wubbels) Welty, former Hudson English teacher, will be signing copies of her award-winning book, “The Dirty Days,” a novel based on her life growing up in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, at Chapter2Books, 422 Second St. on Nov. 20 from 2-4 p.m.

November 15, 2012

Joan Steffend will sign book Nov. 17 in Hudson

TV/radio host Joan Steffend has released her first book, “…and she sparkled.” Steffend will be selling and signing her book at La Rue Marche, 513 2nd St. in Hudson Saturday, Nov. 17 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The date ties in with the Hudson Christmas Tour of Homes.

November 12, 2012

Support Hudson's library at book sale this week

Friends of the Library is holding a book sale this week, Nov. 7-10, in the lobby at the Hudson Area Library. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

November 08, 2012

Book Report: Post-election wrap-up

Now that the election is over I thought I might stir the pot a bit with mention of a new book that’s been receiving attention. It’s “The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court,” by Jeffrey Toobin (Doubleday, $28.95). A writer for the New Yorker magazine, Toobin has written a red hot book about the conflicts between two young movers and shakers, Barack Obama and Supreme Court Justice John Roberts.

By Dave Wood, columnist , November 08, 2012