Oregon Books

In Russell County, Oregon, forty-two years old grandma Jane Serrano lived a fairy tale life until her beloved spouse of over twenty years died. Her three daughters worry about Jane, but the older two reside out of state and the nineteen year old youngest Bianca has frustrated Jane who studies the book Making Peace with Your Adult Child. Jane works at Thornton Books and hosts the Murder of the Month Book Club.

Bianca, a club member, insists that Russell County DA Gil Fortune killed his wife Vanessa though the police insist it was an unfortunate accident when she fell into the Crooked River Gorge. Bianca bases her belief on her Wendell, a club member who is a dog more interested in the food than the books. He barked at Gil just like that classic mystery novel Prove It, Puppy!. The teen sells the idea to the other members (Minnie the senior citizen, Ty the teen and Alex the female cynic) that they need to investigate the crime while Jane ponders how to escape from these lunatics. As the amateur sleuths make inquiries the culprit plans to kill anyone who learns the truth.

MURDER OF THE MONTH is a terrific amateur sleuth that lightly satirizes the sub-genre and animal detective tales. The story line blends the right amount of serious family conflict with an engaging investigation by a group who follow the book (albeit a puppy detective fiction). Jane is the wonderful center that keeps the main plot together as she considers murdering her youngest offspring and trying to stop the club members from behaving stupidly. Hopefully the audience will have more inquiries by this snoop of the month club.

Harriet Klausner

Murder of the Month is the kind of book you think about at work and then can't wait to get home so that you can read just a little bit more. (Or maybe you've tucked it into your purse hoping for heavy traffic on the way home..prime reading time).

The book's protagonist, Jane, unravels the clues of a crime while at the same time sharing her everyday life frustrations regarding the colorful characters in her mystery book group. Each character in the book group is well-developed enough for us as readers to get exasperated with them, as Jane does. But our preconceived notions about each character are challenged right along with Jane's as the plot unfolds piece by piece.

Elizabeth Main writes in a warm and inviting style. Her undeniable wit and excellent writing ability clearly come through the pages of this book; she somehow manages to write in a way and combines humor, suspense, and a sense of irony (dogs that solve crimes in their spare time???) while allowing the reader to completely sympathize with her main character. The premise is so clever (a book group that solves a mystery, each with their own favorite type of mystery novel) is so clever that it begs for more...a series perhaps??? Yes please!!!

This is a must-read, but be forewarned. If you are the kind of reader who reads the last few minutes of your day before going to sleep, this one will keep you up....maybe just a few more pages....

This is a well-written book. Izzy shares deep personal experiences of her life, that tell of very deep lows as well as exhilarating highs. It is very easy to relate her experiences to similarities in your own life. Some of the depths she reached were different circumstances than mine, but the feelings were similar and they led to destructive results. The intriguing story has you feeling that you personally know her family and friends, and they become your family.

Izzy has always been a loving, caring, warm, helpful, overly busy person. When these qualities are not reciprocated they can, and often do, lead to a depression of one form or another. Hers came out in alcoholism. One does not have to be an alcoholic to appreciate and receive help from this book. It does help to be open and seeking whatever it takes to better one's own life. She made it through all these hard experiences; so why can't I do the same?

The author, Isabel Covalt, grew up on a hardscrabble farm during the great depression. She entered nursing school, but was booted out for the sin of getting married.

She and her husband established a successful chain of restaurants. When he died suddenly, she became captain of the ship.

She then successfully fought the billionaire Hunt brothers, when they tried to put her out of business with a groundless lawsuit.

Meanwhile, she was struggling with alcoholism, a disease which nearly brought her down.

The story of her life is an inspiration for us all. And before you're done, you'll be calling her Izzy.

Unlike any other food and wine book, NORTHWEST Food and Wine, is the most current book on the foods and wines of Washington State and Oregon. It is an easy-to-read interesting compilation of the latest in food and wine trends from the great Pacific Northwest.

I've been looking for a cookbook that has wine pairings with food that won't break my budget and yet complement my choice of wines. The recipes are simple and tasty. Many cookbooks in the market today tend to be needlessly complicated or just plain out of reach to the average consumer. The Taggerts did a wonderful job of making this subject accessible but not condescending. It is just right for the budding wine enthusiast who love to cook. I've liked it so much that I'm giving a copy to a friend.

I was deeply inspired and moved by Ana Maria Spagna's essays set in or around Stehekin and the North Cascades National Park in Washington State. I've had a cabin in this area for over 30 years, but even if that weren't so, I'd still love this book! It is honest, witty, succint, insightful and of course, well written. Think Pam Houston (Cowboys are My Weakness, or, in this case, cowgirls) meets Anne Lamott (Travelling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith) with a little Whitman, Thoreau, and Emerson thrown in. Each essay kept me moving on to the next one, there are 17 in all. Some are really personal, others lighthearted. It is also great reading for anyone who loves the outdoors and nature. The references to Walden are to many to mention.

I was assigned this book as part of a nature literature course. I did not care for the other books we had already read, so I thought I would dislike this one as well. But the opposite is true. The book is poignant, honest, evocative, funny. Unlike so many other nature novels out there, it is entirely unpretentious. Spagna does not pretend to be "better" than people with different viewpoints (as she holds a few herself), she is not afraid to laugh at herself and reveal her innermost thoughts. Really, this is not a nature novel per se. It is a book about finding oneself, about belonging, and about how wilderness was a catalyst for her own soul-searching quests. It can be taken at face value, but there are also many opportunities to explore deeper themes and symbolism. Highly recommended.

I am very impressed with this new release of Mary Walker's Diary. I am a direct decendant of Mary and Elkanah Walker and am very proud that there is such a wonderful book with her's and Myra Eells' diary entries. It gives us a view of how women's lives were, how people's views about the Native Americans were at that time, and shows us the hardships of pioneer life. I want to thank the authors for keeping this piece of history alive.

Carrie Walker

These diaries of Mary Walker and Myra Eells bring to life the early day pioneer struggles to maintain survival and sanity during the years 1838-1848. Being recently married wives of missionaries, both Walker and Eells maintained excellent daily diaries of their arduous overland journey from Missouri to Washington. In company with two other missionary wives (Gray and Smith), they were the second group of women to cross the continent. These overland diaries are an entrancement to read, depicting day to day life along the Oregon Trail while riding side-saddle for 1900 miles. Mrs. Walker was oftentimes dismayed over both the long journey and the uncertain and questionable love of her husband (she was also pregnant during this journey).
Once in Washington, they all spent the winter of 1838-39 at the Whitman mission. Conditions were somewhat crowded that first winter, therefore human feelings and emotions ran rampant (even amongst missionaries).
Mary Walker then continues her diaries for the next ten years. They had their own mission to build and manage at Tshimakain whilst bringing salvation (attempting to) to the Spokane Indians. Mary had six children while living at their mission. With so many children to look after, along with cooking, cleaning, making clothes, tending livestock and the garden, etc., it was a full life. So full in fact, she oftentimes was despondent of her purpose in life regarding the mission and raising her children. The book ends shortly after the tragic Whitman massacre of 1847 when they then moved to the Williamette valley of Oregon.
At times the book can become somewhat overbearing due to the multitude of footnotes, but still a truthful look at pioneering so long ago.

For a book published over 40 years ago, this read is still relevant and engaging. With snippets of history, humor, science and just plain common sense, it is a good introduction to life in the high desert from a native's perspective. This book was the one that got me hooked on Central Oregon over 25 years ago, enough to live here. People tend to think of the desert as dry and drab, but it is brightly colored by its people and history. A must read for anyone traveling through or moving to the Oregon Outback.

This is an amazing book for anyone who knows, or wants to know anything about Oregon's high desert and the high desert way of life back in the mid 1900's. Many pictures add to the mental pictures your mind conjures up as you read the most amusing stories of old. After reading this book, I even bought the DVD entitled "Indian Fighter" (Kurt Douglas and his then wife both star!), because the author provided the stock for the movie and talks about it a bit in the book. The DVD is a great way to see the high country the book talks about!

Mr. Friedman's book is fun. Using it is like going on a treasure hunt. Browse through the different regions in Oregon and discover things you didn't know were there, but because of his book you " . . . just have to see."

Oregon is my chosen state to live in and I really want to get to know it intimately. "Oregon For The Curious" is the perfect guide for me to take along on my travels.

Places are easy to find with directions to each listed down to the tenth of a mile. Enough detail on the highlighted places to visit is given to get you curious, but not to give the surprise away.

I'm curious and this book has made me "curiouser and curiouser."

This book has been a part of our family since childhood. I remember my Mother taking it along on family vacations, and we'd stop at all of these cool spots that were recomended by Ralph Freidman. Now that all six of us are grown, we all have our own editions of this book. Whenever I take an Oregon getaway, this book always comes along. Whether it's geology, history, architecture, or anything in between that you're interested in, this book will be a great companion to your explorations.

Oregon III is a gorgeous display of the Oregon coast, waterfalls, fast flowing creeks, brooks,rain and mist. The photographer has sumputuously captured the essence of Oregon: her unending supply of known and hidden bodies of water are a wondrous thing that can be found throughout this stunning state, vividly presented in this outstanding volume. The Pacific Ocean is detailed in all its grandeur of cliffs, jutting rocks, and chilling waters. The undulating coastal beaches offer thousands of rich greens, cool, damp browns, ocean blues and whitecap whites in unending discoveries that take the travelor's breath away at every bend in the road, every view to be found. When a travelor heads inland from the coast, there is the Oregon coastal range to meander through. Off the beaten path are "lost" creeks and water falls that tumble along as they have for thousands of years, all but forgotten unless the travelor stops and walks through the trees, sometimes only a few feet from the highway. Here one may find rich mosses embracing the rocks and boulders, pebbles, and fallen trees that border on a creek hurrying somewhere, laughing with the breezes. So enchanting, one might expect to see fairies or other mystical creatures presiding over a lost kingdom. The photography and text invites the reader to imagine these enticing treasures with deserved pride. The creators of this book take you to the Cascade Range. Don't be surprised to find deep crevices with water trickling from above. If you decide to to traverse such a crevice be wary of the freezing waters that occupy these fissures. The rocks and boulders will be slippery with wet algae or the thousands of years of being splashed on from the falling waters. The coolness will invigorate you as you find yourself succumbing to the pleasure these photographs provide for you. The photography and beautifully written text will take you away momentarily, but you won't find any real satisfaction until you've experienced the reality which is Oregon. When you view this book, you'll know you've had an overwhelming experience, and everytime you open its cover you'll feel Oregon calling, calling. calling..............

Atkeson & Ross capture the beauty of this state in their photography and words. I lived in Oregon 20 years ago and every time I look through the pictures in this book, I'm reminded of its beauty. I never get tired of looking at these photos. The book is split up into several sections: The Oregon Coast (which in itself is a rare treasure), the Columbia River, the Western Valleys (including Salem & Portland), the Cascades (including a couple shots of Crater Lake), and Central Oregon.

While the only true way to view Oregon's beauty is to visit, this book gives an excellent idea of what it's like to live there. Atkeson has some truly marvelous and at times breathtaking pictures contained in this book.

This book sets the standard for reference works on regional artists. Anyone interested in art of the period will enjoy it immensely. There are articles that help define the art movements of the day and wonderful information on over 500 artists - many of them can only be found here. I use this book as a tool in collecting, and any serious collector should not be without it. Have one in your home, your office, and your car (for those finds at estate sales). With this book Oregon artists have come into their own. In addition it is a beautiful book just to browse.

Oregon Painters: The First Hundred Years is the definitive book on the history of art in Oregon. Ginny Allen and Josie Klevit have written a resource book that goes beyond the genre. It sets a new standard to which all future books on this subject will be held to. As useful as any dictionary for looking up general information it also entertains the reader with biographies of the painters that run from brief and factual to lengthy and colorful. A generous selection of color plates makes this book a feast for the eyes as well. This book belongs in the librarey of gallery owners, art collectors, historians and anybody with the slightest interest in the Pacific Northwest or art in general.

This book is fantastic! It replaces having to hire a professional guide for white-water trips. The information is clear, concise and well thought out. Maps and charts provide great detail, and the time mapping to evaluate float time is essential for all those that "do it" and not just "read it." When you float a river, the landmarks can change, flows differ, but this book helps you plan a white-water trip as if you had been down the river a hundred times already. A must have book for any first time trip. His Idaho book is just as good. I tested this book on five different rivers and it has been a life-saver!!

Although few paddlers from outside the region seem to be in on the secret, Oregon offers an excellent diversity of multi-day whitewater trips. Even more amazing is the fact that you can find something to do just about any time of the year and with easy logistics there are several overnight trips that regional paddlers do over long weekends. John Garren gives you the information you need to plan your trip.

If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to whitewater or are exclusively a class 5 steep creeker this is not the guide for you--instead check out Soggy Sneakers which includes over 200 runs in Oregon--but if you want excellent river maps (with access points, landmarks, and rapids), information on river campsites (including estimated group size each can handle), and overall advice on trip logistics for Oregon's classics then this is the guide for you. The guide also includes seasonal hydrographs and several black and white photos that give you an idea of the character of each run. The shuttle maps are another great feature of this guide. For those not familiar with local roads they provide you with an estimate of travel times from key towns and factor in the quality of local roads. Thankfully, you can easily find local shuttle service for many of the runs.

This guide includes 23 runs spread out across the state including the Clackamas (two sections), Lower Deschutes (two sections), Grande Ronde, Hood, Illinois, John Day (two sections), North John Day, Klamath, McKenzie, Metolius, Minam, Molalla, Owyhee (two sections), Rogue, Sandy, North Santiam, South Santiam, Snake through Hell's Canyon, and North Umpqua. Not all of these runs are multi-day trips, but several are and all of them are great runs for river cruisers and popular with rafters. Many of the runs are class III/IV, but a few are primarily class II and a couple even include a class V rapid.