Six events this week: Jeannée Sacken at Shorewood Public Library, Alexandra Rowland (virtual), Jasmine Warga at Greenfield Public Library, Silas House, Mary Wimmer, and Linda Stephens (all at Boswell!)

Monday, October 3, 6:30 pm 
Jeannée Sacken, author of Double Exposure
in-person at Shorewood Public Library, 3920 N Murray Ave - click here for more info. 

Shorewood Public Library presents an evening with Jeannée Sacken for Double Exposure, the sequel to her American Writing Awards Book of the Year, Behind the Lens.

Seasoned war photojournalist Annie Hawkins is under investigation for an incident that happened six months earlier in Afghanistan. Her best friend's daughter is still missing, apparently with her Taliban boyfriend. Her own daughter is fundraising to rebuild the Wad Qol Secondary School for Girls and expects Annie to deliver the money. To make matters worse, she and the love of her life are no longer speaking. When Annie returns to Afghanistan to cover peace talks between the government and the Taliban, she takes a side trip to Wad Qol, where she discovers that not everyone wants the new school. Sabotage delays construction, and when a worker ends up dead, it's clear the militants are to blame. It's also obvious that they know exactly where Annie is.

Love in Provence author Patricia Sands says: "Fast-moving, unpredictable, and at times heart-stopping. Sacken’s prose is brilliant." And Maggie Smith, author of Truth and Other Lies, says Double Exposure is full of: "smart narration, nuanced characters, and thought-provoking situations reminiscent of Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns."

Jeannée Sacken is an author and photojournalist who travels the world documenting the lives of women and children. A former English professor, she lives in Shorewood and is currently President of the Friends of the Shorewood Public Library.

Tuesday, October 4, 7 pm

Alexandra Rowland, author of A Taste of Gold and Iron
in conversation with Rachel Copeland for a virtual event - click here to register! 

Author and Hugo Award-nominated podcaster Alexandra Rowland visits us virtually for a conversation about their new book, A Taste of Gold and Iron, a Boswellian favorite in which a queer central romance unfolds in a fantasy world reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire. In conversation with Rachel Copeland of Boswell.

In this Indie Next selection novel, the shy prince of Arasht finds himself at odds with one of the most powerful ambassadors at court. Rowland’s novel earned a quartet of starred reviews, including from Library Journal, which calls the book: "A beautifully detailed world, the power to touch-taste metal, political schemes, and a slow-burn romance wrap together in a lush fantasy."

Here’s Rachel Copeland’s take: "Following an altercation with the body-father of his sister's newborn child, Prince Kadou must prove his loyalty to his sister, the sultan, and figure out who is behind the counterfeit currency plot that could ruin their country of Arasht. Crippled with anxiety, Kadou finds himself stuck with a terse new bodyguard, Evemer, who doesn't seem to like Kadou all that much. After a series of incidents in which Kadou improbably proves himself more canny, dutiful, and capable than Evemer thought possible, an undying loyalty and trust grows between them - and evolves into something more. In every way, this is the romance I've been waiting for. The slow build between Kadou and Evemer was so well done that I often flipped back to reread passages just for fun. Also, every (non-evil) character in this book is iconic, and Rowland had me cackling, blushing, and screaming at multiple points. Rowland's worldbuilding encompasses not only the touch-taste of precious metals that drives the plot, but also a fully realized system of genders, pronouns, orientations, even degrees of paternity. I finished this work wanting - maybe needing - to revisit it immediately to recapture the feeling of pure joy that infuses every page."

Alexandra Rowland is author of A Conspiracy Of Truths, A Choir Of Lies, and Finding Faeries, as well as a cohost of the podcast Be the Serpent. They hold a degree in world literature, mythology, and folklore from Truman State University.

Wednesday, October 5, 6:30 pm
Jasmine Warga, author of A Rover’s Story 
in conversation with Amanda Zieba, in-person at Greenfield Public Library, 5310 W Layton Ave - click here to register.

Boswell Book Company hosts an evening with Newbery Honoree Jasmine Warga, author of books such as Other Words for Home, for a conversation about her new middle grade book, A Rover’s Story, a book that’s perfect for fans of The Wild Robot and Wall-E. In conversation with Amanda Zieba, this event takes place at Greenfield Public Library and is cohosted by the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition.

Warga’s latest middle grade novel is a deeply moving and unique story about the journey of Resilience, a Mars rover determined to live up to his name. Res was built to explore Mars. He was not built to have human emotions. But as he learns new things from the NASA scientists who assemble him, he begins to develop human-like feelings. Maybe there’s a problem with his programming. Human emotions or not, launch day comes, and Res blasts off to Mars, accompanied by a friendly drone helicopter named Fly. But Res quickly discovers that Mars is a dangerous place filled with dust storms and giant cliffs. As he navigates Mars’s difficult landscape, Res is tested in ways that go beyond space exploration. As millions of people back on Earth follow his progress, will Res have the determination, courage and resilience to succeed - and to survive?

From Christina Soontornvat, two-time Newbery Honor recipient: "As a mechanical engineer and STEM-lover, this beautiful book filled my heart right to the top. Res may be a rover, but he taught me what it means to be fully alive." And from the starred Kirkus review: "Warga follows her cybernetic narrator from first awareness to final resting place - and stony indeed will be any readers who remain unmoved by the journey. The intelligences here may be (mostly) artificial, but the feelings are genuine and deep."

Jasmine Warga is author of Other Words for Home, a Newbery Honor Book and a Walter Honor Book for Younger Readers, and The Shape of Thunder. Her teen books, Here We Are Now and My Heart and Other Black Holes, have been translated into over twenty-five languages.

Thursday, October 6, 6:30 pm
Silas House, author of Lark Ascending
In-Person at Boswell - click here to register! 

Boswell hosts an evening featuring Silas House, author of novels such as Southernmost, for a conversation about his latest, Lark Ascending, a riveting story of survival and hope, set in the not-too-distant future, about a young man forced to flee the United States and seek refuge across the Atlantic. This one is earning lots of early praise from the Boswellians, too! Perfect for fans of Emily St John Mandel.

As fires devastate most of the United States, Lark and his family secure a place on a refugee boat headed to Ireland, the last country not yet overrun by extremists and rumored to be accepting American refugees. But Lark is the only one to survive the trip, and once ashore, he doesn’t find the safe haven he’d hoped for. As he runs for his life, Lark finds an abandoned dog who becomes his closest companion, and then a woman in search of her lost son. Together they form a makeshift family and attempt to reach Glendalough, a place they believe will offer protection. But can any community provide the safety that they seek? An unforgettable story of friendship, family, and healing.

Early praise from Daniel Goldin: "I’m not generally a dystopian reader, but Lark Ascending’s beautiful language and imagery, combined with the emotional heft of the story, drew me in from the first paragraph."

Silas House is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, one book of creative nonfiction, and three plays. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Garden & Gun. A former commentator for NPR’s All Things Considered, House is the winner of the Nautilus Award, the Storylines Prize from the NAV/New York Public Library, and an E. B. White Honor.

Friday, October 7, 6:30 pm

Mary Wimmer, author of The Art of the Break
in conversation with Kim Suhr, in-person at Boswell - click here to register. 

Wisconsin author and educator Mary Wimmer appears at Boswell for a conversation about her new novel, The Art of the Break, a Wisconsin-set novel about friendship, family, love, and cheesemaking. In conversation with Kim Suhr, Director of Red Oak Writing, our cosponsor for this event.

Charlotte 'Charlie' Sobczak finds the most comfort in making cheese - a craft she
learned at the side of her father. In the wake of his untimely death, she and her daughter return home to Falls River, Wisconsin. With her marriage floundering and the childhood losses of her sister and mother still casting a shadow over her life, Charlie pours all her efforts into reopening the family’s Morgan Cheese Factory. Her degree in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin gives her a leg up, and the quiet joys of working at the cheese vat provide a deep, healing peace that points the way toward happiness. But Charlie is ill-prepared for the pettiness and conventions of small-town life, and facing a lien against her family’s land, she must quickly figure out who is on her side and how to keep her dreams alive.

Conversation partner Kim Suhr says: "With authentic characters and vivid settings, The Art of the Break weaves the art and science of cheesemaking into a rich story of love, friendship, and starting over. It reminds us that, while past grief may follow us into the present, it doesn’t have to swallow us whole. This book sings!" And from Ann Garvin: "The Art of the Break is a lyrical love letter to rural Wisconsin, cheesemaking, and family. This story will stay with you, I promise."

Mary Wimmer is author of Reaching Shore, first-place winner of the Midwest Independent Publishers Association-Young Adult Fiction Award, as well as two nonfiction books. Kim Suhr is author of Nothing to Lose.

Monday, October 10, 6:30 pm

Linda Stephens, author of There Is No Backstage: An Actor’s Life
in conversation with Mike Fischer, in-person at Boswell - click here to register. 

Boswell hosts an evening with actor Linda Stephens for a conversation about her memoir, There Is No Backstage, a chronicle of a life lived in the theatre. In conversation with Mike Fischer, former drama and book critic for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Linda Stephens recounts her remarkable five decades in the theatre with her new memoir. Stephen’s book offers a journey of openness, humility and depth through her award-winning career until the book's poignant finale. Stephens weaves a narrative of family, love, aging, hard work and hard-earned life lessons to offer an open-hearted, honest look at what it means to dedicate a life to a profession that demands so much and can give back so little. Yet when it does give back, it can change lives forever.

Stephens offers the an unflinching look at her personal journey on the professional stage, from dinner theatre to regional theatre to Broadway, revealing the struggles, triumphs, losses, and above all, the ultimate grace found in a life in the theatre.

Linda Stephens has been acting on stages for fifty years and has been awarded for her work in NewYork, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami and DC. She's appeared on Broadway and Off, in dozens of regional theatres across the country, and has worked with Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and Stephen Sondheim. Stephens lives in Milwaukee.

Laid out by Rachel Copeland. Photo credit of  Silas House by C Williams