“Southwest Foraging: 117 Wild and Flavorful Edibles from Barrel Cactus to Wild Oregano”
- By John Slattery (Timber Press $24.95)
Many of us have tried our thumbs at gardening, but probably few can lay claim to foraging. In this informative field guide, Slattery states that if you haven’t foraged for food, “you haven’t fully lived” and provides an A (algerita – a tart berry found on evergreen shrubs in high-country terrain) to Z (actually W, wood sorrel – a lemony herb available throughout the region) to assist in living and eating local.
Slattery opens by exploring the different habitats, provides a basic glossary, lists harvesting tools, storage techniques and seasonal availability. Crisp photos, detailed descriptions, locale, gathering methods and cautionary notes (if needed) accompany each plant featured. An enlightening and nourishing walk through nature. — Vicki Ann Duraine
“The Winter in Anna”
- By Reed Karaim (W.W. Norton, $25.95)
An impulsive decision to drop out of college finds Eric reporting for the Shannon Sentinel in rural North Dakota. There he meets Anna, his fiercely secretive and protective coworker who is eking out a living to support her two kids. Eric eases into the cadence of the country, growing closer to Anna as they cover the routine and random events in the close-knit community and Anna slowly doles out scraps of her past.
Karaim spent time in North Dakota and captures the spare elegance of the region, blending the landscape and conditions with Anna’s relentless grief.
An atmospheric and beautifully written capsule of loss, regret and moments of salvation. —Vicki Ann Duraine
“Land of the Two Rivers: A Novel of Shinar”
By Scott R. Rezer (Scott R. Rezer, $14.99)
Self-published writer of historical fiction Scott R. Rezer (“Shadow of the Mountain,” “The Leper King,” “The Pawns of Sion,” “Love Abideth Still”) reprises the Noah story in this his second-of-three books in The Children of Ararat series. Having successfully repopulated the world after the flood, Noah’s offspring are now engaged in establishing trade routes and building cities. They are also following the human propensity for quick spiritual fixes and easy theological answers, and have fallen away from worshiping the One True God. “Land of the Two Rivers” narrates the struggles of Noah’s grandsons as they navigate treacherous cultural and religious waters as an apparently portentous bright star mysteriously appears in the sky.
For context (and helpful character- and place-name assistance), you can refer to the author’s notes at the book’s conclusion. Rezer appends supplemental archaeological and historic material to his literal interpretation of the Genesis story.—Christine Wald-Hopkins
“Notes from Lower Volta”
- By William J. Duffy (William J. Duffy, $14.99)
So what do you do when you yearn to be a writer but need a job to support yourself? If you’re William J. Duffy, you write about your job. “Notes from Lower Volta” is the journal Duffy kept from 1974 to 1986 when he worked for the U.S. Foreign Service in Korea, Ghana and Japan.
It covers his experience from the time he first joined government service to when he left Asia eight years later and took an assignment stateside. It’s decidedly the writings of a young man — but a smart, articulate and observing one. Even at 22, when he began the journal, Duffy had an audience in mind (he even refers throughout to the journals as “the book”), and he writes conversationally.
Enthusiastic about Korea, dismayed by Ghana and respectful of Japan, Duffy recounts the daily challenges of representing the United States abroad in light of international events. As the man who grants visas to the U.S., he hears stories in their most creative (and absurd); as a closeted gay man, he did lonely yeoman’s service abroad.
And those stories about diplomats and parties? Apparently true. Sounds as if Mr. Duffy threw some pretty successful ones himself. Plus, for someone in government service, he’s a pretty accomplished writer.— Christine Wald-Hopkins
“Taking Steps Toward Mental Wellness 2: What’s Next?”
- By Scott Shoemaker (Scott Shoemaker, $14.95)
In this second column in his Sharing Mental Health series, business developer Scott Shoemaker continues to offer advice based on his own experience. One of the steps he promotes is to embark on a “process of action” to focus attention and achieve goals. For Shoemaker, writing this series demonstrates that he practices what he preaches. — Christine Wald-Hopkins
“Whitewash”
- By Stan Gordon (Stan Gordon, $15.95)
Setting this Apache-themed police procedural in 1935 allowed Tucson writer Stan Gordon to present a broad historical sweep. One family can demonstrate a full arc of Anglo destruction of Native culture: a grandmother whose parents were slaughtered by Pony Soldiers and who knew Cochise and Geronimo; her daughter who was murdered by a frustrated, unemployed husband; and her granddaughter who is yanked away to be “assimilated” at Catholic boarding school.
In “Whitewash,” an Anglo FBI agent is called to the Southwest to investigate a series of crimes, including the kidnapping of two priests, a nun, and a bishop. He pairs up with the San Carlos tribal police chief, who has never met a white man he could trust. Despite personal enmity, the two are forced to cooperate to deal with bad guys, corrupt government agents, pedophile priests and the Vatican itself.
Gordon has effectively complicated a plot, maintained tight suspense and appreciatively embedded elements of Apache history and culture into this novel. And he reminds us once again of the shameful treatment of Native peoples in our recent past, and in our neighborhood.— Christine Wald-Hopkins
