Warm up while it’s cold outside with a local book

FARGO – Now that we’re flush with gift cards and past the holiday season, it might be the perfect time to curl up with a new book and beat the cold weather outside.
Here are some of the latest releases with ties to the region:
“The Downstairs Tenant and Other Stories,” by Jamie Parsley, is the Episcopal priest and associate poet laureate of North Dakota’s first book of short fiction. His 15 stories and one play in the “Prairie Gothic” genre deal with characters in the mid-20th century; visit www.ndsu.edu/ahss/ndirs for ordering information.
“The Catalain Book of Secrets,” by Jessica Lourey, takes place in the fictional town of Faith Falls, Minn., that’s loosely based on Fergus Falls. It’s the first magical-realism book by this creative writing and sociology professor at St. Cloud Technical and Community College, and touches on alchemy, hope, tragedy and true love; available at Barnes & Noble or on Amazon.com.
“Running With the Antelope: Life, Fitness, and Grit on the Northern Plains,” by Melanie Carvell, is a memoir that tells the story of Carvell’s route from growing up in Mott, N.D., to becoming an accomplished triathlete. Part self-help, part ode to North Dakota and the prairie surroundings, the book is full of anecdotes about the motivational speaker’s days as an athlete and her work as a physical therapist; available at Barnes & Noble or on Amazon.com.
“Is That All There Is?: The Strange Life of Peggy Lee,” by James Gavin, paints a portrait of the Jamestown, N.D., native’s life and legacy, including her time in Fargo when she dropped her given name, Norma Deloris Egstrom, and became the musical legend Peggy Lee. It’s the fourth book by Gavin, who also wrote Lena Horne biography “Stormy Weather”; available at Barnes & Noble or on Amazon.com.
“The Lovers Set Down Their Spoons,” by Heather A. Slomski, won the 2014 Iowa Short Fiction Award and earned the Moorhead resident and Concordia College writing instructor heaps of praise for her debut story collection. Fifteen stories about relationships, jealousy, desires, obsession, loneliness and hope make up the collection; available at Barnes & Noble or on Amazon.com.
“Camouflaged Encounters,” by David Englund, is the North Dakota State University professor’s third science-fiction book in what will eventually be a five-part series. This time around, protagonist Clark Jackson seeks to find the truth behind horrible disasters drawing humanity closer to extinction; e-book available on Amazon.com.
“Cattle Kate,” by Jana Bommersbach, is the debut novel by this acclaimed Arizona journalist and North Dakota native. Bommersbach’s historical novel takes a new look at the life and death of Ella Watson, who was dubbed Cattle Kate and accused of being a rustler after being hanged with her husband in 1889 in Wyoming Territory; available at Barnes & Noble or on Amazon.com.
“Kissing in the Chapel, Praying in the Frat House: Wrestling With Faith and College,” edited by Concordia College professor Adam Copeland, is a collection of essays from college students and recent graduates around the country reflecting on their own college experience; available at Zandbroz Variety, 420 Broadway in Fargo, at Barnes & Noble or on Amazon.com.
“Relaxed Anglers Guide to Catfishing on the Red River of the North,” by Jay A. Leitch and Tom DeSutter, gives practical tips for getting a good catch and also serves as a guide to the Red River itself. The book is a fundraiser for Riverkeepers; available at Zandbroz Variety, or order from Riverkeepers by visiting www.riverkeepers.org or calling (701) 235-2895.
“Votive: Poems and Oracle,” by Karen Kohoutek, is a book of poetry meant to be an interactive vehicle for readers and actually encourages cutting out couplets and single lines, mixing them up or pulling slips at random to create new poems. Kohoutek grew up in Wadena, Minn., and now lives in Fargo; available at Zandbroz Variety, at Barnes & Noble or on Amazon.com.
“Being Fargo: A Memoir,” by Don Homuth, tells the coming-of-age story in Fargo of the author. He now lives in Salem, Ore., but still fondly recalls living in Fargo with his family from 1953 at the age of 7 until he left in his mid-30s in 1980; available at Zandbroz Variety, at Barnes & Noble or on Amazon.com.
“Goodbye Mike, Hello Judge: My Journey for Justice,” by Myron Bright, is an autobiography detailing the 95-year-old’s journey from growing up in northern Minnesota and working as a trial lawyer in Fargo before his appointment as a federal judge in 1968; available at Zandbroz Variety, or visit www.ndsu.edu/ahss/ndirs for ordering information.
“A Fireproof Home for the Bride,” by Amy Scheibe, is a coming-of-age story set in the 1950s Midwest as main character Emmy Nelson moves from the farm to town, eventually getting a job as a switchboard operator at The Fargo Forum. Scheibe, who now lives in Manhattan, was born in Moorhead and grew up in LaMoure, N.D. The book will be released March 10; available at Barnes & Noble or on Amazon.com.