Recommendations

MINNESOTA AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

 

Howard Mohr (1939-2022)

Howard Mohr was a professor at Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota.  He was a writer for Prairie Home Companion in the 1980’s.  His main claim to fame is his book, How to Talk Minnesotan: A Vistor’s Guide (1987).  This book is full of humor about the communication and culture in Minnesota.  The book became a musical, a PBS special, and was updated in 2013.  To watch the 30-minute PBS special, go to https:www.tptoriginals.org/how-to-talk-minnesotan/.  (Source: MPR News: How to Talk Minnesotan author Howard Mohr dies at 83)

 

Ann Zemke

Ann is the author of the biography, They Named Me Marjorie.  This book is based on documents Ann found in her grandmother’s house.  The documents were entitled, “My Autobiography, My Life – Marjorie Peterson.”  The book is about Marjorie’s life on the orphan train in 1906 in Minnesota.  It includes the time Marjorie lived for a while at the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children in Owatonna, Minnesota.  If you like local history, try this book!

 

Shawn Otto (1961-  )

     Shawn wrote Sins of Our Fathers (2014), a novel about a crime against the Native Americans, which is set in the Iron Range.  He also writes for TV and magazines.  He was the screenwriter and co-producer of he movie House of Sand and Fog, which is based on the novel by Andre Dubus III.  Our store has both books: Sins of Our Fathers and House of Sand and Fog (1999). 

     Shawn lives in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota with his wife Rebecca Otto, the former Minnesota State Auditor.  They live in an eco-friendly house that they designed. 

     For more information about Shawn, go to www.shawnotto.com. 

 

Erin Hart (1958-  )

     Erin Hart was born in Indiana, but raised in Rochester, Minnesota.  She went to school at St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota.  She was trained as a theater director.  She lives in St. Paul and is married to Paddy O’Brien, an Irish musician. 

     Erin is a former communications director of the Minnesota State Arts Board and a founder of Minnesota’s Irish Music and Dance Association.  As a novelist, she writes crime fiction based in Ireland. 

Erin Hart’s books in our store:

  • Haunted  Ground (2003) — An Irish archeologist, Cormac Maguire, and American pathologist, Nora Gavin, solve the mysteries of a dead woman found in an Irish bog and the missing wife of a local landowner. 
  • Lake of the Sorrows (2004) — American pathologist, Nora Gavin, and Irish archeologist, Cormac Maguire, solve the mystery of a body found in Lake of Sorrows in Ireland.  

For more information about Erin Hart, go to www.erinhart.com.

 

Steve Thayer (1953-  )

Steve was born in St. Paul, Minnesota.  In 1976, he graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California and became a screenwriter.  He moved to Edina, Minnesota in the 1980’s and began writing suspense novels.  He currently lives in St. Paul. 

Check out Steve Thayer’s books in our store:

  • Moon Over Lake Elmo (2001) — This is a story about the relationship between a father and daughter.  The father lives in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.  The daughter lives in L.A.
  • The Weatherman (1995) — This book is about a serial killer and a TV newscaster.
  • The Wheat Field (2002) — Pliny Pennington, a retired Wisconsin lawman, tries to solve a murder from 1960 when the husband of Maggie Butler was found dead in a crop circle in the middle of a wheat field.

Source: Wikipedia

 

Julie Klassen

Julie graduated from the University of Illinois.  She worked in publishing for 16 years before becoming a full-time writer.  She writes historical romance, with a Christian flair, published by Bethany House.  Her books are set in England.  She is influenced by Jane Austin and takes research trips to England to help with her writing.  Julie lives in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.  Our store has her books:  The Maid of Fairbourne Hall (2011) and Lady of Milkweed Manor (2007) (Julie’s first book), as supplies last.  For more information about Julie, go to julieklassen.com

 

 Tim O’Brien (1946-  )

     Tim was born in Austin, Minnesota and raised in Worthington, Minnesota.  He graduated from Macalaster College in 1968.  Then he served as a soldier in the Vietnam War from 1969-1970.  After Vietnam, he went to graduate school at Harvard University where he studied government.   He got a job as a reporter for the Washington Post from 1973-1974.  He currently lives in Texas and teaches creative writing at Texas State University-San Marcos.

     Tim’s books explore the lives of veterans.  His first book, If I Die in a Combat Zone (1973), is a memoir of his war experiences.  His book, The Things They Carried (1990), is a collection of wartime stories and includes references to Lake Okabena near Worthington, Minnesota.  In the Lake of the Woods (1994), is a mystery about a veteran whose wife disappears in northern Minnesota.  Please come see these books in our store. 

(Sources:  Wikipedia and www.chipublib.org/tim-obrien-biography)

 

Vince Flynn (1966-2013)

Vince Flynn was born in St. Paul, Minnesota.  He attended the University of St. Thomas and graduated with a degree in economics.  To overcome his struggle with dyslexia, he read and wrote daily.  This routine inspired him to become a writer.  He wrote political thrillers, especially about terrorism and the character, Mitch Rapp, a CIA agent.  After Vince died of prostrate cancer in 2013, Kyle Mills continued his series of Mitch Rapp.  We have many of Vince Flynn’s books in our store.  For more information about Vince Flynn, go to www.vinceflynn.com.

 

Leif Enger (1961-  )

     Leif Enger was raised in Osakis, Minnesota and worked as a reporter and producer of Minnesota Public Radio for almost 20 years.  When he was younger, he wrote mysteries about a retired baseball player with his brother, Lin.  Leif and Lin wrote under the name L.L. Enger.

     Leif’s first solo book was Peace Like a River (2001).   It is a story about a boy who struggles with asthma and the boy’s older brother who is an outlaw.  The story was inspired by Leif’s son’s challenges with asthma. 

     Leif also wrote So Brave, Young and Handsome (2008) and Virgil Wander (2018).  Virgil Wander focuses on family and community in a small Midwestern town.   Our store has copies of Peace Like a River and Virgil Wander, as supplies last.  For more information about Leif Enger, go to groveatlantic.com/author/leif-enger/.

 

Louise Erdrich (1954-  )

Louise Erdrich was born in Little Falls, Minnesota, but grew up in North Dakota where her mother and father taught at a school operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  Her mother is half-Ojibwa and her father is German-American.  Louise writes novels, poetry, short stories, and children’s books and incorporates her Native American culture into her writing.  She won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for her book, The Night Watchman (2021).  Please come see our selection of Louise’s books at our store, while supplies last.

The Bingo Palace

The Blue Jay’s Dance

The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse

Love Medicine

The Painted Drum

Shadow Tag

Tracks

Louise Erdrich currently lives in Minnesota and operates the small independent bookstore, Birchbark Books, in Minneapolis.  Her store sells books, plus Native American art.  For more information about Louise and her bookstore, go to poetryfoundation.org/poets/louise-erdrich  AND birchbarkbooks.com.

 

Tami Hoag (1959-  )

Tami Hoag was born in Cresco, Iowa and grew up in Harmony, Minnesota.  As an adult, she lived in Racine, Minnesota for a while.  She has written 30 books, and our store as many of them.  Tami’s main focus is crime fiction and suspense-thrillers.  She has learned about forensic psychology, police procedures, and other details related to crime so that her stories sound realistic.  Her books Night Sins (1995) and Guilty as Sin (1996) were based on the Jacob Wetterling kidnapping in St. Joseph, Minnesota in 1989.  Tami currently lives in California.  For more information, go to tamihoag.com.

 

Lorna Landvik (1954-  )

Lorna Landvik is an actress, playwright, and novelist in Minnesota.  If you like a fun, humorous read, try one of her books.  We have a couple of her books in our store:

     Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons (2003) is about a women’s book group called the Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons (AHEB).  The Denver Post comments, “It is impossible not to get caught up in the lives of the book group members. . . Landvik’s gift lies in bringing these familiar women to life with insight and humor.”

     Welcome to the Great Mysterious (2000) is about the relationship between Geneva Jordan, an actress, and her sister.  Geneva takes care of her nephew who has Downs syndrome while his parents are on vacation.  “FUNNY, HEARTWARMING…Admirably captures the ups and downs of a small town from the humorous perspective of a big-city star.”-Publishers Weekly

     For more information about Lorna Landvik, go to lornalandvik.com.

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OUR RECOMMENDATIONS (while they last!)

Nicholas Sparks (1965-  ) 

     Nicholas Sparks has written 23 novels and 2 non-fiction books.  His books are heartfelt stories about love, hope , joy, secrets, and forgiveness.  He has written some suspense ones, too.  Many of his books have been made into movies.  The Notebook was made into a movie, plus a musical.  His book, A Walk to Remember, was inspired by the death of his sister who suffered a brain tumor.  Due to the success of his books, Nicholas Sparks started a foundation called the Nicholas Sparks Foundation.  It provides scholarships and educational funds to underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. 

     Nicholas is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.  His degree was not English or creative writing, but rather business finance.  During his college years, he was a star on the track and field team. 

     Currently, Nicholas lives in North Carolina, but as a child, he lived in a variety of places.  One of those places was Watertown, Minnesota.  Watertown is a small town in Carver County, west of the Twin Cities. 

(Sources: Wikipedia and nicholassparks.com)

 

Janet Evanovich (1943-  )

Janet Evanovich grew up in South River, New Jersey.  She attended Douglass College and graduated with a degree in art.  She was a housewife and then began writing while in her 30’s.  She started writing romance and then switched to romantic adventure novels.  Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter, became her main character in the Plum series.  This series is full of mystery, adventure, romance, and humor.  There are 31 books in the series.  Hot Six was her first novel to reach the New York Times Bestsellers list.  Now and Never, which is #31 of this series, is due to come out in November 2024.  If you like a little humor in your mystery stories, try Janet’s books. 

(Sources: www.bookseriesinorder.com/janet-evanovich/  and evanovich.com)

 

Maya Angelou (1928-2014)

     Maya was a writer, poet, and civil rights activist.  She wrote seven autobiographies focusing on her childhood and young adult life.  At the age of 16, she became the first black female streetcar conductor in San Francisco.  She held many jobs, including dancer, actress, and director.  She had a supportive role in the movie, Roots.  She worked with Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X to promote civil rights.  In the 1990’s, she lectured around the country. 

      Come take a look at her books and learn more about this interesting woman!  These are her books currently in our store:

Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas (1976)

The Heart of a Woman (1981)

Gather Together in My Name (1974)

(Source: Wikipedia)

 

Anne Rivers Siddons (1936-2019)

Anne Rivers Siddons studied illustration in college, but eventually wrote for the Atlanta magazine and then later wrote novels.  Her books are about a women’s challenges living in the South, especially during the civil rights movement.  They cover topics such as love, acceptance, tradition, greed, obsession, power, loss, forgiveness, family, friendship, defiance, and courage.  Her book, Heartbreak Hotel (1976), was made into a movie called Heart of Dixie (1989).  Anne died of lung cancer in 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina.  (Source:  www.bookseriesinorder.com/anne-rivers-siddons/)

 

Debbie Macomber (1948-   )

Debbie Macomber has written over 150 novels, including many books with a Christmas theme.  The following books were made into Hallmark Christmas movies:  Call Me Mrs. Miracle, Mrs. Miracle, and Mr. Miracle.  We have these books and many of her other Christmas books in stock.  Treat yourself to one of these books during the holiday season!

 

David McCullough (1933-2022)

David McCullough was born and raised in Pittsburgh.  He earned an English Literature degree from Yale University.  He is known for writing comprehensive history books and biographies.  Our store has his books:

Path Between the Seas — National Book Award winner; about the construction of the Panama Canal.  John Adams — Pulitzer Prize winner and basis for the HBO series about the second president.  Morning on Horseback — National Book Award winner; biography of Teddy Roosevelt. 

For more information about David McCullough and his books, go to www.davidmccullough.com.  His website gives videos about how he researched and wrote his books.   Look for these videos under the tab “Multimedia Assets” on his website. 

 

Anita Shreve (1946-2018)

     Anita was the daughter of a pilot and homemaker.  She graduated from Tufts University in 1968.  She was a high school teacher for many years before she quit her job to become a writer.  At first, she wrote short stories, but found that she could not make a living doing this.  She became a journalist and traveled to Kenya for three years.  When she returned to the United States, she became an editor and writer for magazines in New York.  After starting a family, she did freelance work and started writing novels.  Her first novel, Eden Close, was published in 1989.  She wrote approximately one book each year after that. 

     Anita’s books include a variety of themes and topics, e.g. love, secrets, domestic abuse, marriage, family, and wealth.  Some characters in her books also try to solve mysteries and crimes.  A couple of her books, The Last Time They Met (2001) and A Change in Altitude (2009), include some of Anita’s experiences in Kenya. 

     Our store has many of Anita’s books.  Please come by to take a look! 

     For more information about Anita, go to www.bookseriesinorder.com/anita-shreve/

 

Ann M. Martin (1955-  )

Ann M. Martin is a children’s fiction writer.  She grew up in Princeton, New Jersey and loved to write stories as a child.  She became a teacher for children with disabilities before focusing on writing.  She is best known for the Babysitter’s Club series.  She bases her books on personal experiences and feelings of children.  She also incorporates contemporary issues into her books.  Please check out her books at our store. 

  • Babysitters Club books
  • A Corner of the Universe
  • Main Street: Best Friends
  • Main Street: September Surprises
  • Main Street: The Secret Book Club
  • Stage Fright
  • Ten Kids, No Pets

For more information about Ann, go to https://www.scholastic.com/annmartin/index.html

 

Kellerman Family

Jonathan Kellerman (1949-  )

Faye Kellerman (1952-  )

Jesse Kellerman (1978-  )

     Jonathan Kellerman is a writer of crime fiction.  In his younger years, he was a psychotherapist and researcher and wrote documents about psychology.  After 20 years of working in psychology, Jonathan became a writer.  He is famous for his Alex Delaware series.  Alex Delaware is a psychologist who helps solve crimes. 

     Jonathan is married to Faye Kellerman who writes mysteries.  Faye acquired a doctorate in dentistry from UCLA, but never practiced dentistry.  She decided to write mysteries instead.  She chose this genre because she likes to see justice done.  Her characters include the mystery solving couple–Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus.

     Jonathan and Faye’s oldest son, Jesse, is also a writer.  He studied psychology and playwriting in college.  He writes with his father, but he also writes solo.  

     Please come to our store to see our selection of books by Jonathan, Faye, and Jesse Kellerman.  To learn more about these authors, go to their websites:

www.jonathankellerman.com

www.Fayekellerman.net

www.jessekellerman.com

 

Luanne Rice (1955-  )

     Luanne Rice is a fiction writer.  She was born in New Britain, Connecticut.  She writes about crimes or mysteries/secrets in small towns, loss, love, family, relationships, and nature, including the sea, the coast of Nova Scotia, Hubbard’s Point, and sites in Ireland.  She includes beautiful descriptions of nature in her stories.  A few of her books were made into TV movies.  Silver Bells is a Christmas movie on the Hallmark Channel. 

     Luanne has written a total of 36 novels thus far.  They have been translated into many languages and read all over the world.  We have 26 of her books in our store, as supplies last.  For more information, go to luannerice.com.

 

Janette Oke (1935-  )

Janette Oke is a Canadian, inspirational fiction writer who has written 75 books.  Many of her books focus on pioneer days, family values, and life on the prairie.  The Hallmark Channel currently features the show, When Calls the Heart, based on Janette’s book of the same name.  We have this book in our store, plus many of Janette’s other books.  Most of Janette’s books were published by Bethany House Publishers in Bloomington, Minnesota.  For a full article on Janette Oke, go to www.canadianchristianleaders.org/leader/janette-oke/.

 

Terry McMillan (1951-  )

Terry started writing in 1987.  She is well-known for her book Waiting to Exhale which was made into a movie.  Her books are described as funny, entertaining, and written with a lot of heart and soul.  They focus on the lives of independent African-American women.  You will find copies of Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and The Interruption of Everything at our store, while they last.  To learn more about Terry, go to her website at www.terrymcmillan.com.

 

Clive Cussler (1931-2020)

Do you like adventure stories about ships and the sea?  Try one of Clive Cussler’s books!  We have a large selection in our store.  Clive Cussler was an adventure writer and underwater explorer.  He wrote over 90 books.  The characters in many of his novels search for lost ships or lost treasure.  In addition to writing, Cussler founded the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), a non-profit organization that searches for lost ships of historical significance.  NUMA has discovered about 60 shipwrecks and has given the artifacts to government agencies, museums, and universities.  For more information, go to numa.net and cusslerbooks.com.