Booklovers’ Cafe

(First airdate: May 25, 2021) “Carrasco’s first novel explores every nook and cranny of what it is to be two-natured. Male and female, cop and criminal, marginalized and sovereign, best and bad: no matter the duality, disgraced Pinkerton detective-turned-unabashed gangster Alma Rosales (aka Jack Camp, pronouns she/her) rides the pendulum from one extreme to another. She’s not alone: all of the colorful characters populating the seedy docks in 1880s Port Townsend, WA, have at least two sides to their stories and multiple angles from which to view them … Carrasco is an author to watch.” says Library Journal!

(First airdate: April 27, 2021) This month host Cris Wilson is pleased to speak with Jacqueline Winspear, author of the New York Times best-selling series, Maisie Dobbs. Originally from England, Jacqueline has been visiting our area. Part Two of these programs is all about the new Maisie Dobbs novel, The Consequences of Fear. As Europe buckles under Nazi occupation in October of 1941 we meet young Freddie Hackett, a message runner in the bombed streets of London, who witnesses an argument and then a murder. The theme of human fear echoes through the decades to today.

(First airdate: March 30, 2021) This month host Cris Wilson is pleased to speak with Jacqueline Winspear, author of the New York Times best-selling series, Maisie Dobbs. Originally from England, Jacqueline has been visiting our area. In Part One of the interview, Cris and Jackie talk about the memoir published in November of 2020, This Time Next Year We’ll Be Laughing. Fans of Maisie Dobbs will appreciate the warmth, humor and unflinching honesty of this account that embraces three generations of Winspear’s family history. The reader will certainly understand the importance of real place, time, and characters that Winspear brings to life in her novels.

(First airdate: January 19, 2021) Bill Harley, Storyteller, author and performer for all ages joins Cris to talk about his storytelling career, friendship with Pete Seeger. He also tells us a story for all ages about Finding Happiness. Personally Bill has brought Cris’s family much joy and laughter over the years.  His books and CDs can be found at billharley.com.

(Airdate: December 22, 2020) Looking for a fantasy escape with a message? The Power We Share is one for the list. Cris talks to Elyse Guttenberg, an Alaskan writer, known for works set in Alaskan prehistory. Her latest book takes us into the world of Molly Sinclair, a pirate and craft-born witch, where magic is bought, packaged and sold. The book is perfect for fans of Ursula K. LeGuin.

(First airdate: November 24, 2020) William L. Iggiagruk Hensley is the author of Fifty Miles From Tomorrow: A memoir of Alaska and the Real People. Willy was raised to live the semi-nomadic life that his Inupiaq ancestors had lived for thousands of years. In his stirring memoir, he offers us a rare first-hand account of growing up Native Alaskan and, later in the lower 48, as a fearless advocate for Native land rights. In 1971 after years of tirelessly lobbying the United States government, he played a key role in a landmark victory that enabled the Inupiaq to take charge of their economic and political destiny. It doesn’t end there. Willy is truly a model for the power of one.

(First airdate: September 29, 2020) Author and Illustrator Faith Pray joins Cris to introduce her first book, The Starkeeper. A beautifully illustrated children’s book that is a fable for our time that shows the effect caring, sharing, and connection can have on individuals and a community. It is altogether uplifting.

(First airdate: October 27, 2020) Port Townsend author, poet, speaker and coach Christine Hemp joins Cris to talk about her creative life and her first book Wild Ride Home: Love, Loss, and a Little White Horse, A Family Memoir. Reviews have called it a book of “kindness, compassion, love and resilience.” Despite stunning loss, optimism and a joy of life shine through.

(First airdate: September 2, 2020) The Mountain Poems of Stonehouse. Listen to Bill recite the poetry and talk about his travels in China over three decades.  Why are poets so revered in China and even an illiterate farmer can quote passages?

(First airdate: August 5, 2020) Cris and Jennifer AKA Nicole Person talk about her new novel Keep Me Afloat set right here in Port Townsend. While completely fictional, readers will recognize hangouts from Chimacum to Uptown, your favorite coffee shop and Art gallery, as well as all our happenings.  The characters span generations and their relationships will touch your heart.