The Oregon Book Report - Book News from Oregon

A fast & funny read on the Middle Ages

A book review of “The Middle Ages” By author Morris Bishop

I’m a fan of history and have generally been interested in most time periods—with the exception of the Middle Ages. The era’s very title implies a period of time between more important periods of time. Ancient history of Greece and Rome fascinates me. Religious and political history of the last few hundred years is critical to understanding where we are today. But the Middle Ages, also referred to as the Dark Ages, has always seemed a bit of a historical no-man’s land, and I’ve never been sure where to begin. Fortunately, I was recently given a copy of Morris Bishop’s book, “The Middle Ages”.

Bishop, now deceased, was a professor at Cornell University and one of the world’s preeminent medieval historians and authors during his lifetime.

Three Spring books to love

By Erika Weisensee, booklover
Milwaukie writing mom,

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” -Cicero

This quote combines two of my favorite things, reading and being outside in my garden. In fact, I love to read outside. I have written before in this column about my love of good books and the fulfillment I get from being part of two book clubs. Good books have the power to transport one to another time and place, to inspire, to challenge and change minds. While I read plenty of book reviews, the best book recommendations always come by word of mouth. Here are some books people are buzzing about:

“The Help” by Kathryn Stockett
A debut novel, “The Help” is set in Mississippi in 1962. Stockett, who grew up in Jackson, Miss., creates a work of historical fiction that reveals the lives of black women—”The Help”—who were hired to care for and nurture white children. Though tackling serious themes, this book is winning praise for its storytelling, and for the inspiring, even humorous, tone of this new author.

Behind Astoria is some dramatic history

Astoria; John Jacob Astor and Thomas Jefferson’s Lost Pacific Empire: A Story of Wealth, Ambition, and Survival by Peter Stark
Reviewed by by Michelle Barnhart

When I was little, my grandparents occasionally took me to visit the Astor Column in Astoria. I didn’t pay much attention to the faded murals ringing the tower; I was too busy climbing up and down the circular iron staircase inside. I’ve been there occasionally as an adult, but not since my family was kicked out of the park a few years ago following an unfortunate incident involving a young child, a shoe, and a park attendant with a very small sense of humor.

In his book Astoria, Peter Stark tells the story behind the founding of the Astoria settlement. The key to John Jacob Astor’s vision of a global trading empire was an outpost on the Pacific coast, and he poured men and a substantial fortune into the venture. Although Astor was a detailed planner and spared no expense, he failed to take human frailty, an unexpected war, and sheer bad luck into account.

A science try at Life after Death

Review of “Life After Death: The Evidence” by author Dinesh D’Souza

Modern science not only makes life after death plausible, the idea that we may survive beyond physical death is consistent with the most cutting-edge scientific discoveries.

This bold idea is just one of the thought-provoking topics that Dinesh D’Souza explores in his book, Life After Death: The Evidence. There are many others as D’Souza builds a case that belief in life beyond death is entirely reasonable. Though D’Souza is a Christian, he offers a thoughtful, fascinating read that will engage believer and non-believer alike. This probably explains why figures as different as Rick Warren and the late Christopher Hitchens endorsed the book when it was published in 2009.

Salem teacher’s book list for kids

By “Miss Nelson”,
Salem Elementary Teacher,

As a teacher, I try not to spend too much of my own money on my classroom, but when it comes to new books that the kids are dying to read, I find it hard to resist. One particularly challenging demographic is the reluctant, below-grade-level, male reader. Lots of thought and study has gone into finding solutions to motivate them to dive into a good book, because research tells us that kids need to be reading about two hours a day in order to make one-year’s growth per year.

With that in mind, here are some the books I splurged on because it is so rewarding seeing a string of little boys more excited about books than soccer:

Peek at J.K. Rowlings first crime novel

Book review by Michelle Barnhart of “The Cuckoo’s Calling” by author Robert Galbraith

J. K. Rowling = Harry Potter. Everybody knows that. And that’s why I was so surprised when, part way through Robert Galbraith’s “The Cuckoo’s Calling”, I glanced at the author bio inside the back cover and read the book was actually written by J. K. Rowling, under the pseudonym of Galbraith.

“The Cuckoo’s Calling” is Rowling’s first crime novel. Her plot revolves around the death of supermodel Lula Landry. The police have ruled it suicide; however, her brother can’t believe it and hires Strike to look into the case. Strike’s investigation takes him behind the scenes of the rich and famous…he interviews Landry’s driver, her rock star boyfriend, her cleaning lady, and her makeup artist, among others. When Strike briefly becomes the target of the paparazzi, I felt that Rowling was writing from her own personal experience as a public figure.

Book lover turned eReader

By Erika Weisensee, Oregon Writer

A few years ago, I remember saying I would never read e-books. Well, things change. Yes, I will soon be buying myself an e-reading device. I’ve written many times on this site about my love for books. It’s not just that I Iike reading. . . I mean, I REALLY love books. I love turning the pages. I find comfort in the smell and the look of old books. I love book jackets. I love browsing in bookstores and libraries. How could an e-reader compare with all of that?

People assume romance writers, like me, are up to something

Tawna Fenske
Oregon romance writer
Believe it or Not
Blog “Don’t pet me, I’m writing”

Being the lone romance writer on a book tour of 28 Oregon authors is an odd experience. If anyone sees you smiling, they assume you’ve been doing something torrid.

They may have a point.

I’ve had a great time being part of the Crazy 8s Author Tour, and I’m stoked to head to Cannon Beach this Saturday for our next tour stop. I couldn’t help noticing a common theme in the speeches given by my fellow authors at our first event last weekend. Many poked fun at themselves for using Facebook to procrastinate book deadlines. Some made reference to Twitter, and during the Q&A portion of the presentation we fielded several audience questions about writers’ groups.

Oregon moms pen Eco-nomical Baby Guide

By Erika Weisensee

Welcoming a new baby into one’s home can cost a pretty penny. Baby gear can quickly take over one’s home. Stores market a whole lot of cute, color- coordinated things that we become convinced baby needs. We want our children to get off to a great start, but do we really need all of this stuff? The answer is no. And, two Oregon moms, Joy Hatch and Rebecca Kelley, have written a new book to help parents save money by parenting the green way. The book is called “The Eco-nomical Baby Guide: Down to Earth Ways for Parents to Save Money and the Planet.”The authors focus on reduce, reuse, and recycle in a writing style that is humorous and straightforward. The safety and happiness of one’s baby top Hatch and Kelley’s agenda as they offer tips on shopping for new and used green goods, blending homemade organic food, and limiting the piles of baby gear that threaten to overtake the living room.