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BOOK NOTES

NM authors Philip Connors, Caroline Starr Rose to discuss books in Silver City

‘Sister Act’s’ Darlene Koldenhoven to discuss ‘Put Your Dress Down and Sing’ at two NM events

Published

IN SILVER CITY

New Mexico authors Philip Connors and Caroline Starr Rose will give presentations about their books set in the Gila Wilderness at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at Western New Mexico University’s Miller Library in Silver City.

Connors’ book, “The Mountain Knows the Mountain,” is a work of creative nonfiction. It describes his return to the Gila as a fire watcher after missing a year.

He was determined to see the mountain with fresh eyes and record in a notebook his observations and personal reflections, while rolling in contributions from his partner Monica Ortiz Uribe and his friend and editor Bobby Byrd.

Rose’s book, “The Burning Season,” is a coming-of-age novel about Opal, a 12-year-old fire lookout-in-training in the Gila.

Opal must find the courage to fight a wildfire on her own. Her mom is in town, and her grandmother has lost her way.

The presentations will be followed by Connors and Rose participating in a moderated panel discussion, a Q&A, an informal meet-and-greet — concluding with sales of books and a book signing.

The Miller Library is located at 1000 West College Ave., on the campus of WNMU.

The event, which is sponsored by the New Mexico Center for the Book, is free and open to the public.

Connors and Rose and their two books were selected to represent New Mexico’s literary heritage at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 22.

IN ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE

Darlene Koldenhoven will discuss her new book “Put Your Dress Down and Sing” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Books on the Bosque, and at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, at Garcia Street Books in Santa Fe.

Koldenhoven is a Grammy-winning vocalist who forged a career through talent and  determination. Her memoir is billed as an inspiring and sometimes funny story of her journey from sheltered childhood on Chicago’s South Side to the world stage.

She is best known as the tambourine-waving nun in the “Sister Act” films and the featured soloist in “Yanni: Live at the Acropolis.”

Books on the Bosque is located at 6261 Riverside Plaza Lane NW. Garcia Street Books is located at 376 Garcia St. in Santa Fe.

AT BOOKS ON THE BOSQUE

The Albuquerque bookstore will host these additional literary events this week.

Sonja Dewing of Albuquerque will chat about her new book “Daughter of the Black Flag” at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28.

In the story, Chen, now captain of her own ship, sets her sights on the greatest treasure of her career. But she’ll have to go undercover as a cook to claim it. Aboard a rival ship she finds she is not the only one hiding in plain sight.

Piper Sheldon will talk about her new book “Fall Shook Up: A Novel” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.

It is described as a small-town rom-com about a reclusive artist and a nosey journalist. The recluse rents the journalist his guest house if she promises to leave him alone. But she’s not good at doing what she’s told.

The book is the fourth in the six-book “Cozy Creek Collection.”

Flint Del Sol will talk about his new book “The Teach Like an Ally Workbook: Allyship in Action for Educators and School Communities” at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.

The book attempts to transform allyship theory into daily practice with real strategies for supporting LGBTQ+ students.

Del Sol will be in conversation with Janelle Garcia.

Books on the Bosque is located at 6261 Riverside Plaza Drive NW.

AT BOOKWORKS

Carla Chung Mattix will talk about her new book “National Parks and the Supreme Court: Groundbreaking Legal Battles” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The book examines five landmark high court cases involving Gettysburg, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley and the National Mall.

The cases reveal how the court has shaped park policy, land use, Native American rights, water law and free speech.

Mattix served for more than 25 years as an NPS attorney. She will be in conversation with Dave Simon, director of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation.

Mattix’s book is part of the bookstore’s Writing the Wild series.

Bookworks is located at 4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW.