Lone Star ReviewsMichelle Newby, NBCC,
Contributing Editor
Texas ReadsGlenn Dromgoole
>> archive
Granddaughter tells George and Barbara’s love story
Ellie LeBlond Sosa (teaming up with writer/editor Kelly Anne Chase) focuses on her grandparents’ great love for each other and their extended family in George and Barbara Bush: A Great American Love Story (Down East Books, $24.95 hardcover).
“My grandmother passed away just a week after conducting a final interview for the book,” Sosa writes, “and she was still bright and candid — and in love with my grandfather.”
When asked for marital advice, Barbara Bush said, “You have to go 75 percent of the way. Be thoughtful and make things nice for your husband or wife. It’s a two-way street.”
Asked if she would change anything, Mrs. Bush replied, “No, I wouldn’t have changed anything. You’re not going to talk to anyone any happier.”
In the foreword, George W. Bush recalls that on his father’s ninetieth birthday, he was asked what the happiest moment in his life had been. “Dad said that it was the day that he married my mother.”
The book has received glowing online reviews from readers who admire George and Barbara, and it is a delightful, inspiring read with dozens of photographs.
I did notice one small flaw on page 95: the authors mention that George, in a neck brace and accompanied by Barbara, threw out the first pitch in the third game of the World Series in 2015 in Houston. Actually, it was the third game of the American League Division Series. The Astros didn’t make it to the World Series that year, but of course won it in 2017.
Mysterious Western character: Texas author Chuck Parsons has teamed up again with Jack DeMattos to produce a well-researched account of the life of a western gunfighter.
They co-authored The Notorious Luke Short in 2015, published by the University of North Texas Press, and now they are back with They Called Him Buckskin Frank: The Life and Adventures of Nashville Frank Leslie (UNT Press, $29.95 hardcover).
Frank Leslie was born in Texas in 1842 and lived briefly in Fort Worth in 1897–98, but he made his reputation as a gunfighter and Indian scout in Arizona in the 1880s.
“While he never achieved the national fame as did Wyatt Earp,” the authors write, both
“were equals as far as notoriety was concerned.”
Leslie served six years of a life sentence in territorial prison for murdering a lady friend on his ranch in 1889. He was pardoned in 1896 by the territorial governor and released.
* * * * *
Glenn Dromgoole writes about Texas books and authors. Contact him at g.dromgoole@suddenlink.net.
>> Check out his previous Texas Reads columns in Lone Star Literary Life
Twig’s Top Ten Bestsellers
June 2018
What are Texans reading these days, you ask? Lone Star Lit’s newest regular feature is a monthly list of trending titles at the Twig Book Shop, a leading independent bookseller in San Antonio. Click on any title for the Buy link. And we’ll also include a hotlink to related content in Lone Star Literary Life.
Lawrence Wright, God Save Texas, 978-0-525520108
Shari Lapena,The Couple Next Door, 978-0-735221109
Neil GaimanNorse Mythology 978-0-393356182
Andrew Sean Greer,Less, 978-0316316132
HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Mental Toughness, 978-1633694361
Margaret Atwood,The Handmaid’s Tale , 978-0385490818
Jen SinceroYou Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life 978-0762490547
George Saunders,Lincoln in the Bardo, 978-0-812985405
Rupi Kaur,The Sun and Her Flowers, 978-1449486792
HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Emotional Intelligence (Hbr’s 10 Must Reads) 9781633690196
LONE STAR CLASSIFIED LISTINGS
FEATURED: PRIZE COMPETITIONS
6.3.18 The 2018 Julia Darling Memorial Poetry Prize
A prize of $750.00 and publication in The Ocotillo Review Winter 2019 will be awarded for a poem of up to 65 lines. Carrie Fountain will judge. Revenue generated will be donated to cancer research. Details: www.kallistogaiapress.org
6.3.18 The 2018 Chester B. Himes Memorial Short Fiction Prize
A prize of $750.00 and publication in The Ocotillo Review Winter 2019 will be awarded for a short story up to 4,200 words. Antonio Ruiz-Camacho will judge. Revenue generated will be donated to Parkinson’s research. Details: www.kallistogaiapress.org
>>READ MORE CLASSIFIED LISTINGS
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CONTINUING ON TOUR: FICTION
The Edge of Over There by Shawn Smucker Visit with Shawn through July 26, 2018
7/22/18 Notable Quotable The Librarian Talks
7/23/18 Author Interview Max Knight
7/24/18 Review Books and Broomsticks
7/25/18 Guest Post Rebecca R. Cahill, Author
7/26/18 Review Forgotten Winds
COMING IN AUGUST
The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham, August 4–5
That One Moment by Patty Wiseman, August 14–23
Justice Betrayed by Patricia Bradley, August 15–22
The Grand Duke from Boys Ranch by Bill Sarpalius, August 21–30
The Theory of Happily Ever After by Kristin Billerbeck, August 22–31
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2018 Kids’ Summer Reading NEW BOOKS ADDED!
sponsored by Blue Wilow Bookshop
From read-to-me books to early readers, chapter books to middle readers to YA, you’ll find these terrific new titles at your neighborhood bookshop or online. >>READ MORE
WHAT TEXANS ARE READING
LONE STAR LISTENS interviews >> archive
Author interviews by Kay Ellington
7.29.2018 Poet — and now novelist — Carrie Fountain on missing New Mexico but loving her Texas writing life
Carrie Fountain
I’m Not Missing: A Novel
Flatiron Books
Hardcover, 978-1-2501-3251-2, (also available as an e-book, an audio-book, and on Audible), 336 pgs., $18.99
July 10, 2018
SYNPOSIS: It’s senior year, and Miranda Black’s best friend, Syd, has run away ― suddenly and inexplicably, leaving behind nothing but a pink leopard-print cell phone with a text message from the mysterious HIM. Everyone wants to know why Syd left, but the truth is, Miranda has no idea. When Miranda’s mother abandoned her as a child, Miranda had found shelter in her friendship with Syd, who wore her own motherlessness like a badge of honor. Now Miranda’s been left behind again, left to untangle the questions of why Syd left, where she is ― and if she’s even a friend worth saving — all while stumbling into first love with the most unlikely boy in school. How do you take on the future when it feels like so much of your past wasn’t even real?
LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE: Carrie, how did growing up in the Land of Enchantment shape you? How does New Mexico impact your writing?
CARRIE FOUNTAIN: I realized how much my New Mexican roots and childhood shaped me only after I moved away. My family has been in southern New Mexico forever, and I feel that connection most strongly when I’m there. It’s my home, no matter where I live. Someone recently asked me why I set my YA novel in New Mexico rather than Austin, where I’ve lived for seventeen years. It was a totally valid question: I know Austin very well, and it’s been a long time since I’ve lived full-time in New Mexico. But it completely confounded me. I’d never even considered setting my novel elsewhere. It was a given to me.
New Mexico is in my bones and blood. Austin—the entire rest of the world, in fact—is still working its way through my muscles. >>READ MORE
Texas’s only statewide, weekly calendar of book events
Bookish Texas event highlights 7.29.2018>> GO this weekMichelle Newby, Contributing Editor
SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
- Macondo Writers Workshop, San Antonio, July 25-28
- The Texas Playwright’s Festival, Houston, July 26-29
- AME: Authors Marketing Event, Dallas, July 27-29
- El Tallercito’s Writers Conference, Dallas, July 28
- Texas Latino Comic Con 2018, Dallas, July 28
- Texas Writers’ League Summer Writing Retreat, Nacogdoches July 29-August 3
Ongoing Exhibits
- Routine Fables, Houston, May 25-July 29
- Oliver Jeffers: 15 Years of Picturing Books, Abilene, June 7-September 30
HOUSTON Mon., July 30 Half Price Books – Clear Lake, PAPERBACK BOOK DAY: On July 30, 1935, Penguin published the first quality paperback book and inspired the modern paperback industry. Choose a FREE pre-selected paperback book with any in-store purchase, while supplies last
AUSTIN Tues., July 31 BookPeople, BookPeople Decree #731: By request of the Ministry of Magic, all witches, wizards, and magical allies should report to BookPeople on July 31st at 6 PM for the 20th anniversary celebration of one of the most extraordinary wizards of all time, Harry Potter. Festivities will include wizard-style portraiture, a Marauder’s Map Scavenger Hunt, a fantastical costume contest, trivia, and so much more!, 6PM [ticketed event]
HOUSTON Tues., July 31 Half Price Books – Clear Lake, IT’S A HARRY POTTER BIRTHDAY PARTY! Grab your wand, put on your robe, hop on your Nimbus 2000. Dress in your best wizarding attire and enjoy treats, coloring, puzzles and games with prizes, plus readings from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, 2PM
HOUSTON Tues., July 31 Katy Budget Books, celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday we a 20th Anniversary Trivia Night, 6PM
AUSTIN Wed.., August 1 Bullock Museum, High Noon Talks: Michael Hurd discussing Thursday Night Lights, 12PM
SAN ANTONIO Wed., August 1 The Twig Book Shop, Clay Bonnyman Evans discussing and signing Bones of My Grandfather: Reclaiming a Lost Hero of World War II, 5PM
DALLAS Sat., August 4 Mockingbird Station, Rail Writers: Deep Ellum Blues with Lisa Huffaker of the Writers Garret, 3:30PM
DENTON Sat., August 4 Dan’s Silver Leaf, Spiderweb Salon’s 6 Year Birthday Party!, 7PM
PORT ARANSAS Sat., August 4 Port Aransas Community Center, Seasons at Selah, the Legacy of Bamberger Ranch Preserve with discussion & book signing by David K Langford, 11AM
SAN ANTONIO Sat., August 4 The Twig Book Shop, Sara Mitchell signing Love Love Bakery: A Wild Home For All, 11AM
HOUSTON Sun., August 5 River Oaks Bookstore, Mike Damante discussing and signing Punk Rock and UFOs: Cryptozoology Meets Anarchy, 3PM
News Briefs 7.29.18
Inprint Houston announces 2018–19 authors for its Margarett Root Brown Reading Series
On Monday, July 23, Houston’s creative writing organization Inprint announced authors for its Margarett Root Brown Reading Series’ 2018–19 season during a special happy hour at Night Heron.
The new season kicks off September 24 with Esi Edugyan, author of Half-Blood Blues, which was short-listed for the Man Booker Prize, and Meg Wolitzer, whose newest New York Times best-selling novel is The Female Persuasion.
Inprint will also present two events in its Cool Brains! Series for younger readers. Sylvia Acevedo, Girl Scouts of the USA CEO and a rocket scientist, will read from her memoir, Path to the Stars, on September 16 at the Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School. Newbery Honor winner Jason Reynolds will read from Lu, (Track Book 4) on November 4. >>READ MORE
4th Annual Permian Basin Writers’ Workshop set for Oct. 13-14
Now in its fourth year, the Permian Basin Writers’ Workshop annual event will feature writing coaches, agents, and publishers from around the country, October 13-14, 2018.
The two-day workshop event will be held in Midland, at the Marie Hall Academic Building at Midland College.
The workshop will feature ten speakers, including Margie Lawson, Christie Craig, Manning Wolfe, David Farland, Reavis Z. Wortham, Kristen Marten, Stephen Graham Jones, Donna M. Johnson, B. Alan Bourgeois and Arlene Gale. >>READ MORE
Texas Sports Hall of Fame to hold second annual Book Festival August 11
WACO — The Texas Sports Hall of Fame has announced its second annual book festival for August 11, 2018, starting at 10 a.m.
Presented by Waco City Cable Channel, the festival will feature authors and athletes from across the state. A limited number of VIP tickets are available (email jay.black@tshof.org to reserve). VIP ticket holders are entitled to preferred seating and signed book drawings.
Featured authors include:
• John A. Wood, Beyond the Ballpark: The Honorable, Immoral, and Eccentric Lives of Baseball Legends (Rowman & Littlefield)
• Michael Hurd, Thursday Night Lights: The Story of Black High School Football in Texas (University of Texas Press)
• T.G. Webb, Battle of the Brazos: A Texas Football Rivalry, A Riot and a Murder (Texas A&M University Press)
• Chad Conine, Texas Sports: Unforgettable Stories for Every Day of the Year (University of Texas Press)
• Jon Peters, When Life Grabs You by the Baseballs: Finding Happiness in Life’s Changeups (Author Academy Elite)
• Dr. Jorge Iber, More Than Just Peloteros: Sport and U.S. Latino Communities (Texas Tech University Press)
————— A D V E R T I S E M E N T —————
Lone Star Listens compilation available summer 2018, for readers, fans, and writers everywhere
The present generation of Texas authors is the most diverse ever in gender, age, and ethnicity, and in subject matter as well.
Week in, week out, Lone Star Literary has interviewed a range of Texas-related authors with a cross-section of genre and geography. To capture this era in Texas letters, we’re pleased to bring you
Lone Star Listens:
Texas Authors on Writing and Publishing
edited by Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon; introduction by Clay Reynolds
Available in trade paper, library hardcover, and ebook Summer 2018
360 pages, with b/w illustrations and index
Featuring novelists, poets, memoirists, editors, and publishers, including:
Rachel Caine • Chris Cander • Katherine Center • Chad S. Conine • Sarah Cortez • Elizabeth Crook • Nan Cuba • Carol Dawson • Patrick Dearen • Jim Donovan • Mac Engel • Sanderia Faye • Carlos Nicolás Flores • Ben Fountain • Jeff Guinn • Stephen Harrigan • Cliff Hudder • Stephen Graham Jones • Kathleen Kent • Joe R. Lansdale • Melissa Lenhardt • Attica Locke • Nikki Loftin • Thomas McNeely • Leila Meacham • John Pipkin • Joyce Gibson Roach • Antonio Ruiz-Camacho • Lisa Sandlin • Donna Snyder • Mary Helen Specht • Jodi Thomas • Amanda Eyre Ward • Ann Weisgarber • Donald Mace Williams
As a collection of insights into the writing and publishing life, the book will be useful in creative writing classes (not just in Texas alone) and other teaching settings, as well as for solo reading and study—and a great Texas reference volume.
- Examination and review copies will be available fall 2017 in watermarked pdf format.
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