A sample of his work

Last update: March 20, 2008 - 9:31 PM

Jon Hassler wrote more than 20 books, including "Four Miles to Pinecone" (1977), "Staggerford (1977), "The Love Hunter" (1981), "A Green Journey" (1985), "Grand Opening" (1987), "North of Hope" (1990), "Dear James" (1993), "Rookery Blues" (1995), "The Staggerford Flood" (2002), "The New Woman" (2005).

In this excerpt from "The New Woman," Agatha McGee, one of Hassler's most beloved characters, is adjusting to her new surroundings at the Sunset Senior Apartments on Main Street:

"Crossing the lobby, she picked up an old issue of Newsweek from the lamp table between the two chairs that stood facing the outside doorway. She carried it up on the elevator to her apartment, where she discovered that the lead article had to do with national defense and was dated July 5, 1977. A twenty-year-old newsmagazine is ancient history, she thought as she sat down in her rocker and noticed a few flakes of snow blowing past her window. Paging absently through the spread on national defense -- bombs, rockets, aircraft carriers -- she was amazed at how her interests had changed in the last couple of years. Time was when she'd have been fascinated by this subject, perhaps even written her congressman and senators about it. Dear Mr. Wellstone, Just a note to make sure you understand the folly of spending millions of our hard-got money on another aircraft carrier. Now she couldn't seem to spare any attention for affairs outside her immediate surroundings. She was ashamed to think that she'd had nothing on her mind all day but her lost brooch."

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Holiday books: Regional books

Here are some of Books Editor Laurie Hertzel's favorite sites and blogs. Got a literary link to share? E-mail Laurie.

Twin Cities Literary Scavenger Hunt Home page for the scavenger hunt, which runs now through Dec. 26.
Reading Minnesota A blog that features Minnesota writers, illustrators, publishers, bookstores, and reviewers.
Talk of the Stacks An author series from the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
Poets & Writers The website for Poets and Writers Magazine--podcasts, author interviews, and writing resources.
Creative Writing A place to keep apprised of writing competitions in the United States.
Gather Minnesota Readers The Website for Minnesota Public Radio's books blog.
The Loft Literary Center The Website for the Loft, a local place for writers and readers.
Good Reads A way to track what you're reading, and what your friends are reading.
Lost Manuscripts Just what it sounds like - a blog (sporadically updated) devoted to missing and destroyed manuscripts.
Maud Newton Very hip, reviews, links, a little attitude.
bookreporter.com A plethora of online book reviews and reading guides.
Rain Taxi Rain Taxi Review of Books.