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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (April 9, 2020)
Thursday, April 9, 2020 GO! magazine — A&E in Northeast Oregon 3 GO READ Need some book ideas? Ask a local bookstore! Local bookstore owners supply recommendations and books By Lisa Britton For the EO Media Group Although local bookstores have adjusted their business due to the coronavirus situation, owners are still available to talk books and offer recommendations for those extra hours spent at home. Bookstores from Baker, Union, and Wallowa counties shared some of their favorite selections. Be sure to call ahead to fi nd out when they are open. In addition to the following suggestions, each bookstore owner mentioned that April is National Poetry Month. ■ Betty’s Books ■ 1813 Main St., Baker City ■ 541-523-7551 Jeana Phillips said she is cur- rently reading “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” by Reni Eddo-Lodge, in addition to the Advance Reader’s Edition for “Simon the Fiddler” by Paulette Jiles. Phillips just fi nished “The Sober Diaries” by Clare Pooley, which she said is “hysterically funny and honest.” She also recommends any book by Neil Gaiman as well as Photo by Lisa Britton the “All Souls Trilogy” by Deborah Harkness. Carolyn Kulog said “A Gentle- man in Moscow” by Amor Towles “is highly recommended for this time as the protagonist is sen- tenced to spend his life in an elegant hotel.” Kulog’s book group is reading “Hope in the Dark: Untold Histo- ries, Wild Possibilities” by Rebecca Solnit. “I’m looking forward to delving into this one,” she said. Bestselling mystery authors Craig Johnson and C.J. Box are still in high demand. “This strange time has not FREE eBooks and audiobooks Thousands of Ɵtles changed that,” Kulog said. ■ The Bookloft ■ 107 E. Main St., Enterprise ■ 541-426-3351 “While staying at home — be- tween cooking, homeschooling, and doing your job from your desk — this is a good time to take an escape. And books are a great way to do that, of course,” Mary Swanson said. When looking for a book, she encourages people to shop local. “We all know of one way to get books but I would like to suggest another that helps support local businesses like mine that have had AVAILABLE DAILY Noon to midnight Unlimited # of sessions at NO CHARGE! It’s PRE-PAID with your taxes. Access with your Baker County Library Card from www.bakerlib.org/kids-teens Explore the ONLINE LIBRARY at www.bakerlib.org 541.523.6419 info@bakerlib.org to close temporarily,” she said. “I too can order books and have them shipped directly to you. And where- as at that other option books have been made a low priority, keeping you in books is my top priority.” Lately she’s been selling a lot of workbooks, coloring books and activity books as well as the next book in a beloved series and a num- ber of books she’s recommended on The Bookloft Facebook page. To inquire about books and ship- ping, email Swanson at bookloft@ eoni.com. “I am also available for book rec- ommendations or book chat,” she said. “Stay well and stay well-read.” ■ JaxDog Cafe and Books ■ 1305 Adams Ave., La Grande ■ 541-624-5888 JaxDog Cafe is still open for food (takeout only) and book sales. “With Earth Day coming up, here are a few suggestions to inspire people to get outside and connect with nature,” said Laura Hancock. For all ages: National Geographic’s “The Photo Ark — Vanishing: The World’s Most Vulnerable Animals” by Joel Sartore “Wilderness Essays” and “Our National Parks” by John Muir “What We See in the Stars: An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky” by Kelsey Oseid “The Lost Art of Reading Na- ture’s Signs: Use Outdoor Clues to Find Your Way, Predict the Weather, Locate Water, Track Ani- mals – And Other Forgotten Skills” by Tristan Gooley For adults: “The Sea Around Us” by Rachel Carson “How to Catch a Mole: Wisdom from a Life Lived in Nature” by Marc Hamer “The Collector: David Douglas and the Natural History of the Northwest” by Jack Nisbet “Reclaiming the Wild Soul: How Earth’s Landscapes Restore Us to Wholeness” by Mary Thompson “The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communi- cate – Discoveries from a Secret World” by Peter Wohlleben “What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World” by Jon Young For young readers: “We Are All Greta: Be Inspired by Greta Thunberg to Save the World” by Valentina Giannela “Can You Hear the Trees Talk- ing?: Discovering the Hidden Life of the Forest” (young readers’ edition of the “The Hidden Life of Trees”) by Peter Wohlleben “Little Naturalists: John Muir” by Kate Coombs “Little Naturalists: John James Audubon” by Kate Coombs SEE ART 2020 Auburn Avenue Baker City, OR 97814 541.523.5369 info@crossroads-arts.org www.crossroads-arts.org