Reading with Style discussion

10.6 - WILLA: In honor of July 27 - National Day of the Cowboy by reading a book that was nominated for or won a WILLA Literary Award.

Christine wrote: "So, just to be sure, any book on that linked list qualifies?"

Page restrictions are still in play, but I did not see anything which would not qualify for the task. I did not check every book of poetry, but a spot check showed them to be over the 100 page minimum.

Lexile scores will still be checked for style points. The book may qualify for the task, but not for styles.

While adding the GR Award to books here at GR, I couldn't help but read some of the book descriptions. Several of the non-fiction books looked really interesting to this westerner, and my husband is reading one of them now. But you do have to be mindful, as there are both poetry books and YA/Children's books on the list which won't meet the minimum page requirement.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "While adding the GR Award to books here at GR, I couldn't help but read some of the book descriptions. Several of the non-fiction books looked really interesting to this westerner, and my husband i..."

Do you have any recommendations? At a quick glance I don't think I've read anything by any of the authors who have won the prize!

My husband is reading Salt in Our Blood: The Memoir of a Fisherman's Wife, but he's a very avid boat person. One of the fiction writers that caught my eye is Sandra Dallas, but I haven't yet read anything by her. There were several other nonfiction titles that looked interesting, though - both in the Creative Nonfiction and Scholarly Nonfiction catergories. One of them was If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name: News from Small-Town Alaska, because it takes place in a very small town north of here, though I haven't read it either.

Thanks! I'll take a look at those :)

I'll jump in here (not that I was asked)!

I have really enjoyed books by Sandra Dallas, Louise Erdrich, and Nancy Turner. They all have books on the list.

Sarah's Quilt (Agnes Prine #1) by Nancy Turner
Four Souls by Louise Erdrich
The Chili Queen by Sandra Dallas

Unfortunately I will be constrained by what is in my local library, which so far is not much.

Coralie wrote: "Unfortunately I will be constrained by what is in my local library, which so far is not much."

Louise Erdrich is one of my favorite authors. I see that Four Souls is shelved in at least a couple of Parkdale, VIC libraries, so perhaps it is available to you.

While I haven't read The Hearts of Horses (which is on the list), I've read The Jump-Off Creek by the same author, Molly Gloss, and really enjoyed it.

I've had All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki on my TBR list for a while and I remember it was a pretty popular book when it came out, so I think I'm going to try and give that one a go.

Krista wrote: "I'll jump in here (not that I was asked)!

I have really enjoyed books by Sandra Dallas, Louise Erdrich, and Nancy Turner. They all have books on the list.

Sarah's Quilt (Agnes Prine #1) by Nan..."

I'm glad you guys have some recommendations! Admittedly this isn't a genre/type of book I think I've ever read, so I was feeling a little overwhelmed combing through the list! :)

Claire wrote: "While I haven't read The Hearts of Horses (which is on the list), I've read The Jump-Off Creek by the same author, Molly Gloss, and really enjoyed it.

..."

I've read All Over Creation and really liked it. (Just my 2 cents again.) :-)

If I recall, Sandra Dallas' Tallgrass was also on the list. I thought it was terrific.

I'm also planning on All Over Creation and I've had a copy of Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles on my shelf since it came out, so I may try to fit it in as well. I'm not completely sure if I've read it or not.

Coralie wrote: "Unfortunately I will be constrained by what is in my local library, which so far is not much."

Same here, Coralie. I went through the first few pages of the list, and only one book was in any of the libraries I can access. I went and got it yesterday to make sure!

For those of you that are mystery fans, I recognize a couple of the authors I've enjoyed:

Desert Wives by Betty Webb
The Jasmine Trade: A Novel of Suspense Introducing Eve Diamond by Denise Hamilton
Bad Faith by Aimée Thurlo (I'm disappointed that her Ella Clah series isn't here)
The Spirit Woman by Margaret Coel
Bleeding Hearts and Spanish Dagger by Susan Wittig Albert

Perma Red by Debra Magpie Earling also qualifies for 20.2

I went to my downstairs bookshelves to get Enemy Women and happily found All Over Creation in my books purchased but not read collection as well. I really liked My Year of Meats and I thought I might have it and I was right. I'm also planning A Tale for the Time Being for 10-20. The other suggestions all look good, too. I may also try to get a hold of some of the poetry or essays on the list. I'm kind of low on "not a novel" books on my list for summer.

I have just started an audio book of The Hearts of Horses that I was able to check out of my library. I think it will be a good companion for a drive I have to make to central Oregon!

itpdx wrote: "I have just started an audio book of The Hearts of Horses that I was able to check out of my library. I think it will be a good companion for a drive I have to make to central Oregon!"

I think Molly Gloss is a native Oregonian. I read The Jump-Off Creek when I lived in Portland because everyone kept recommending her to me as a great "local" author. Would love to hear your thoughts on this one.

Krista wrote: "I'll jump in here (not that I was asked)!

I have really enjoyed books by Sandra Dallas, Louise Erdrich, and Nancy Turner. They all have books on the list.

Sarah's Quilt (Agnes Prine #1) by Nan..."

These are three of my favorite authors too.
I met Sandra Dallas at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. A lovely lady.

Rebekah wrote: "Krista wrote: "I'll jump in here (not that I was asked)!

I have really enjoyed books by Sandra Dallas, Louise Erdrich, and Nancy Turner. They all have books on the list.

Sarah's Quilt (Agnes P..."

That is SO cool Rebekah!

I can't decide between Dallas' The Chili Queen or Erdrich's Four Souls. I'll probably go with Four Souls since it qualified for Combo points with the Diverse Genre task.

Claire wrote: "itpdx wrote: "I have just started an audio book of The Hearts of Horses that I was able to check out of my library. I think it will be a good companion for a drive I have to make to ..."

I very much enjoyed Gloss's tale. She is a good story teller. I also like the era she sets this tale in, just as the U.S. Is entering WWi. Sort of the end of the frontier era. How did you like Jump Off Creek?

itpdx wrote: "Claire wrote: "itpdx wrote: "I have just started an audio book of The Hearts of Horses that I was able to check out of my library. I think it will be a good companion for a drive I h..."

It's been 10 years or so since I read it, but I remember really enjoying it. I'd definitely say give it a try!