#2 RENDEZVOUS WITH A WRITER OUTWEST

DONNER DINNER PARTY: An entry in the popular series for middle graders, Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales. “This informative graphic novel capitalizes on enticingly gross history to great effect, balancing raw facts with strong storytelling.” - - Booklist

THE SNOW FELL THREE GRAVES DEEP: “In this ambitious novel in verse. . . [Allan] Wolf accomplishes the seemingly impossible: an evocative and sympathetic rendering of a horrific historical event.”

---Publishers Weekly Annex

OLD BONES: “From the thriller world’s dynamic duo comes a new work of archaeology, murder, and the Donner Party.”

----CrimeReads

THE INDIFFERENT STARS ABOVE: “A skillful,

suspenseful study of the Donner Party. ...Brown creates a thorough and unique narrative. A moving man-against-nature tragedy that still resonates today.” ----Kirkus Review

What's in your "must read stack" for your next snow day?

----Post by Book Guide Wendy

Babies love to look at other little ones. In THE ANIMALS OF CHINESE NEW YEAR they will be captivated by photographs of adorable toddlers acting like the twelve zodiac creatures. The text of this board book is written in English and simplified Chinese. As a paper crafter, I love that the animals are also represented by traditional Chinese paper cuts.

The family in BRINGING IN THE NEW YEAR cleans and decorates the house, makes dumplings, gets haircuts, and shares the holiday with friends, from feasting and fireworks to a spectacular dragon parade. Award-winning author and illustrator Grace Lin has created a vibrant and lively picture book to read again and again.

MYERS+CHANG AT HOME will provide you with delicious options for preparing a special meal. Joanne Chang grew up in Texas eating her mother’s Taiwanese cooking. She and her husband Christopher Myers opened a Boston restaurant showcasing their favorite flavors. “We take various Asian styles as our starting-off point, and we apply our own whatchamacallit to it,” writes Christopher. You’ll be tempted by dim sum, stir-frys, salads, noodles, Mama Chang’s Pork and Chive Dumplings, and much more.

How will you celebrate? Have a favorite family tradition or memory? May you have a happy and prosperous New Year!

----Post by Book Guide Wendy

                        
FEBRUARY 4 ... “ESSENTIAL”, “MONUMENTAL”, “A PROFOUND and affirming pleasure to read.” Are you intrigued by these comments from book reviewers? They refer to AFRICAN AMERICAN POETRY: 250 YEARS OF STRUGGLE & SONG, “. . . a defining, glorious, and invaluable anthology of African American poetry that reaches back to 1770 and concludes with today’s artistic flourishing in sync with Black Lives Matter. Vitality, beauty, anger, sorrow, humor, and hope all find original, resonant, and consummate expression throughout this expert gathering of works by both celebrated poets and many who will be new to readers. . .”
- - Booklist

I have been reading from this collection daily and chose the quotation above because it expresses my feelings about the book. The introduction by editor Kevin Young, poet himself and newly appointed director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, is illuminating. Brief biographies, notes, and an index by poet, title, and first lines are very useful.

Celebrate Black History Month year 'round by choosing books from our African American History Book List.
----Post by Book Guide Wendy 

  
FEBRUARY 4, 2021 THE WRITER'S BLOCK RADIO SHOW
SHOW #292 A CONVERSATION WITH MARK LESLIE

MARK LESLIE,  publisher of PETER C. MITCHELL'S book, RUDE AWAKENINGS FROM SLEEPING ROUGH joins hosts Jim Christina and Bobbi Jean to chat about this story charities don't want you to read. This is the fate that can befall any of us you don't want to acknowledge. For years you have passed them on the streets, as much a part of your routine as your morning shower, your half-hearted scan of the world's news — fake or otherwise — and the barista who artistically crafts the your morning brew just right or it throws your day off in ways that nobody else understands. awry. "Thank god I'm not like
them," you think, sipping your cup of liquid gold. "I could never let that happen to me." 

Until suddenly – inexplicably – it does. And you discover the life you have built was nothing more than a house of cards that crashed down around you with frightening ease. A spate of bad luck, a poor decision or two, and the ubiquitous 'circumstances beyond your control' conspire to create a perfect storm of events that leaves you cast away on the streets feeling dazed, disjointed, and damned.

This is Peter C. Mitchell's story. But it could be your story. Not to mention the thousands of others, past and present, that have found themselves broken behind closed charity doors. Theirs are the stories that need to be heard. To be read.  ---From the Publisher   Listen to the Podcast. 
The Writer's Block Radio Show airs on LA Talk Radio. Airs live every Thursday on LA Talk Radio: 6pm (PST), 7pm (MT), 8pm (CST), 9pm (EST).

                           
FEBRUARY 5 ... WOULD THERE BE A TORNADO? We stood in the doorway of our house, watching the sky. My dad would know the signs. He had been a meteorologist in the Navy during WWII. With Dad around, I felt secure, but I was terrified of thunderstorms and tornadoes. So I studied them and  wrote reports about them. My favorite weather books were written by ERIC SLOANE, who also lavishly illustrated them with bold pen-and-ink diagrams and drawings. How surprised I was to discover that many of his books are still in print!

Sloane was recognized as a master of painting clouds. With homes in New England and New Mexico, he had plenty of inspiration! FOR SPACIOUS SKIES is his tribute to American weather, which he considered unique. “You can almost tell where you are in America by looking up.”

Today is INTERNATIONAL WEATHERPERSON'S DAY. Let’s celebrate the dedicated forecasters who strive to keep us safe in every season.

                        
 There are more weather books by Eric Sloane on our OUTDOOR, NATURE & TRAVEL LIST. Find his book, SKIES AND THE ARTIST, about drawing clouds and sunsets on our coloring and activity booklist LET'S COLOR!

FEBRUARY 6 ... WHERE ARE YOUR COOKIE CUTTERS? You must have a few - in a tin or a drawer, tucked away in a cupboard. Maybe you have a heart, a gingerbread boy, a star? How about colored sugars, sprinkles, cinnamon red hots? Get them out! Valentine’s Day is coming!

What could be more fun than baking and decorating a batch of cut-out cookies as gifts. You don’t know how? These beautiful books will get you started. No cutters in your kitchen? No excuses! Order up some Ann Clark Cookie Cutters (made in Vermont) from OutWest. Everyone will want to be YOUR Valentine!
         
CREATIVE COOKIE DECORATING: BUTTERCREAM FROSTING DESIGNS AND TIPS FOR EVERY OCCASION by Emily Hutchinson is guaranteed to build your skills and confidence. “She is a cookie goddess!” commented Rachael Ray
                          
THE COMPLETE PHOTO GUIDE TO COOKIE DECORATING introduces a variety of icings and techniques. A profusion of full-color photos will guide you from baking to packaging your cookies.
                     
Among the recipes in THE EASY HOMEMADE COOKIE COOKBOOK are six for cut-out cookies, perfect for decorating. Try your hand at Peanut Butter, Red Velvet, or S’mores. The chapter on holiday cookies will inspire you throughout the year.

                                 Click the video for details!
OutWest Shop partners with author and wildlife artist, Nancy Quinn, founder of www.quinnwildlifeart.com and the YouTube Channel High Mountain Homesteading and launched an event- BAKING WITH LOVE COOKIE CONTEST! Easy to enter and So Fun! 
---Post by Book Guide Wendy
                                   
                                   
Who are we to be your guides? We are two sisters who grew up in a family that valued reading and encouraged an interest in history and the arts. Wendy spent her career with books. She worked as a children's librarian and as the buyer and manager of the children's department of an independent bookstore. A college major in literature introduced her to the classics of the American West.

Bobbi Jean and her husband, Jim, own OutWest Shop. She was the manager and buyer for a museum store before they started their own business. Bobbi Jean co-hosts The Writer's Block on LA Talk Radio, where she interviews authors of all types. The three other radio shows she hosts involve Western music and horses. Find podcasts of all her shows at OutWest Live!

We love sharing our book knowledge. You are not limited to the titles you find on our lists, though. Use the search box to rustle up any books that you want, and put them in your OutWest Book Shop cart!

Disclosure: OutWest Shop is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Happy Reading! Remember, it's always a Great Day OutWest!