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Local Author Book Review It’s Greek to Me
Elizabeth Gilbert gets a hefty advance, men throw themselves at her and she whines across several continents. Sometimes memories become self-indulgent. So that is why I approached It’s Greek to Me, which was written by Andrea Granahan who resides in the forested hills near Bodega, with apprehension. What if I found the book boring, a dull travelogue through the Peloponnesus? How could I say anything negative about a Sonoma County artist? Would it ever be appropriate to discredit Charlie Brown, Luther Burbank or The Shadow of a Doubt, The Birds? Fortunately my worries were unfounded. I loved this book. I was sorry when I turned the last page because I found the characters
so endearing they were like old friends. Breezy but informative, both light-hearted and profound the reading experience was honestly positive for me.
The narrative begins in the
late 60’s when a young family
boards a freighter for Greece
where the paterfamilias will
sculpt while the little unit
soaks up culture and customs.
Because they would exist on
a shoestring budget it would
be necessary to live like the
other folks where they chose
to reside. They entered into a
society that no longer exists, it is
a shard in a time capsule. Their
first home is in a small village
after which they chose island
location to complete their two
year sojourn. Most of the people
have no electricity or running
water. We would consider them
living in the depths of poverty
but they have a richness of spirit.
The family is humbled by the
graciousness and hospitality
of the Greeks but occasionally
is bothered by habits that seem primitively cruel. No five-star hotels here, the mother, father and the two children live like everyone else either growing food or hunting for it.
libraries classes readings LITERARY
By Diane McCurdy
I am not a fan of memoirs. I did not like the best selling Eat, Pray Love.
All Sonoma County Libraries will close at 2p Dec 24, reopen on Dece 26 at 10a. All Sonoma County Libraries will close at 2p on Dec 31, and reopen on Jan 2 at 10a.
Book of Art Available ~ The Artists of Becoming Independent: A Photographic Portrait Series by Christian Peacock. This 53 page catalog, highlighting the 29 artists in our Santa Rosa Professional Arts program, is available to purchase. www.biarts.org
Sonoma County Reads ‘Into the Beautiful North’ ~ The Sonoma County Library urges all residents to join in this year’s selection.Multiple copies of the book available for checkout at your local library branch. Available in both Spanish and English.
Writers Forum ~ features a variety of presenters exploring the craft and business of writing on the third Thursday of each month. Petaluma Community Center at Lucchesi Park, 320 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. 6:30-8:30p, $15 at the door. www.TheWriteSpot.us
Snoopy’s Writers ~ every Monday 1-4p. at the Warm Puppy Cafe. Some of us write and some of us talk about writing while we write. We do not hold to traditional rules of order about “meeting”. Warm Puppy Cafe, Snoopy’s Home Ice, 1667 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. Info: Georgette G. deBlois ggdeb@sonic.net.
READERS
Early Literacy ~ Events for children at Sonoma County libraries. READ- TALK-PLAY-SING programs at all library branches. Schedule: www.sonomalibrary.org
The author paints pictures with words and the pictures resonate. She describes a “time out of mind” experience in which the past, present and future are linked and a person feels at one with the universe. I have had these flashes before but could never put them into words. Another resonant image was that of a bear belonging to a tribe of gypsies tied to a pole in the rain, dancing away all by itself with no audience. I felt so much pity I was moved to tears. The way Greeks treated animals was ambiguous. One character opines that “we are like gods to animals”, I don’t know how torturing rats, stoning kittens or neglecting work animals fits into this equation. However a cow and a donkey tethered to
a plow in an unlikely liaison is more humorous than abusive and a speckled hen that had been destined for dinner but was befriended by the children and turned into a semi-pet and brood hen shows a kind of quirky compassion.
Kawana Springs Rd 11a - 12:30p
12/19: Cotati / Oliver’s Market 1 - 2:30p 12/19: Roseland / Dollar Tree, Sebastopol
The fact that everyone seems to get along and that children, adults, ex-pats, and common folk find something to love about one another is amazing and an absolute delight to read about. I was both charmed and amused.
We would love to know where you think we should distribute books. We especially appreciate advance notice of fairs, festivals, and other rural and low- income area events that don’t charge an entrance fee. Don’t be shy, drop us a line... Glen@freebookmobile.org
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LITERARY cont’d on page 61
Nov 28 ~ Redwood Writers Open Mic ~
at Gaia’s Garden, Santa Rosa, 2-4p. All interested writers are invited to sign up. www.redwoodwriters.org. 1899 Mendocino Avenue.
Free Bookmobile Info ~
Dec 9 - 12 ~ River Friends of the Library Book Sale ~ Wed 4-7p, Thu 10a-5p, Sat 10a-5p (Sat $ per bag day. Guerneville regional Library, 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville 707-869-9004
WRITERS
Memoirs Class & Group ~ Don’t just have a past - share it! Learn to write and tell tales of personal & family history a new, easy way. Free to all ages at Sebastopol Senior Center, 167 N High St, Sebastopol Tuesdays 1:30-4p. 707-829-1549
The Wild Book Show 2015 ~ Exhibition dates: Dec 11-Jan 17, 2016. Opening reception: Sunday, Dec. 13, 3 to 5 pm; closing Salon, Sunday, Jan. 17, 4 pm Artists are invited to make a book celebrating our “wild” environment, from the microscopic to the cosmic. Wild Books will be sold through a silent auction to benefit GRO’s Artists in the Schools program. The Wild Book Show is not a juried exhibition; books for the auction are accepted on a first-come basis but GRO reserves the right not to accept or exhibit books that do not meet exhibition guidelines. www.galleryrouteone.org. Gallery Route One, 11101 Highway One, Ste. 101, Point Reyes Station.
Redwood Writers ~ 2015 contest for non-fiction writing. ~ Dec 15th Deadline. Winners will be announced at the February 14th, 2016 general membership meeting. For details, go to www.redwoodwriters.org/contests
~ The Literary Update is creating a directory of Sonoma County Writers. If you are interested in being listed, send the material you would like included: e.g., photo (jpg), 100-word bio, web and/ or blog links, and contact information. E-mail to sonomacountyliteraryupdate@ gmail.com. www.socolitupdate.com/ directory-of-writers/
freebookmobile.org 707.520.4536 Check us out on Facebook: www.facebook. com/freebookmobile
Directory of Sonoma County Writers
Bookmobile Donation Locations Your books aren’t having much fun getting dusty on the shelf! Please take a moment to box up the best of your collection and drop them off at any of the locations below:
Volunteer Opportunities! Looking for motivated persons and families to help with book drives, book pickup/ delivery, event promotion, sorting, and on-site assistance at our big events. Glen@freebookmobile.org
Bookmobile Schedule:
11/29: Forestville / Tree Lighting Ceremony 4 - 6p
12/5: Boyes Hot Springs / Fiesta Center 9:30 - 11a
12/5: Glen Ellen / Post Office 11:30a - 12:30p
12/5: Kenwood / Kenwood Market 1 - 2p 12/15: Geyserville 5 - 6:30p
12/19: Larkfield / Wells Fargo Center
Farmers Market 8:30 - 10:30a
12/19: Santa Rosa / SR Marketplace,
Rd 3 - 4:30p
12/20: Freestone 9 - 10a
12/20: Valley Ford 10:30 - 11:30a
12/20: Bodega Bay / Vet Hospital 12 - 1p 12/20: Jenner 1:30 - 3p
12/20: Monte Rio 3:30 - 5p
Paul’s Empire Head Shop & Engine Supply ~ 112 Roberts Ave, Santa Rosa (546-4324)
Exchange Bank ~ 136 Calistoga Rd, Santa Rosa (539-1505)