Recent content from Laurie Hertzel
Bookmark: Daylight saving time means more time to read in bed
Last month we all lost an hour of sleep. If you’re like me, ever since daylight saving time started you’ve been heading to bed at…
Review: 'Redhead by the Side of the Road,' by Anne Tyler
FICTION: A self-described "tech hermit" finds his tightly controlled life starting to unravel.
Olympian Jessie Diggins opens the Wordplay virtual book festival — with a workout
Wordplay will host eight online events every week through May 9.
Bookmark: Authors, readings, launches move to online
From virtual book launches to e-mailed writing prompts to Skyped book clubs to videos of authors reading aloud, readers and writers are finding creative, fun…
The Puppy Chronicles: Home is where the dog is
Working from home in this time of pandemic is scary and strange, but Angus and Rosie get us outside and keep us grounded.
Bookmark: How Twin Cities bookstores will continue to sell you books during the shutdown
Beginning Saturday morning, under Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home mandate, Minnesota bookstores will no longer be open to customers. But they will remain open to online…
Bookmark: Show your indie bookstore a little online love
Small independent bookstores are fighting to stay alive in this age of pandemic and social distancing. You can help them survive. Many bookshops in the…
Bookmark: Readers write about the poems they love and have committed to memory
Last month I wrote about memorizing poetry, and ever since then poems have been popping into my head. The alarming thing is, often I…
Many local bookstores closing doors, moving online
Moon Palace, Wild Rumpus, Milkweed, SubText among the stores temporarily moving to online-only.
The Puppy Chronicles: Muzzle Man
We bought Angus a muzzle to help keep vet visits peaceful. But teaching him to wear it was no easy task.
Because of virus, Twin Cities big Wordplay book fest will be a 'virtual' event
Epidemic forces the Loft to rethink the spring event, which would have brought 100 authors to town.
Review: 'In Pursuit of Disobedient Women,' by Dionne Searcey
NONFICTION: A reporter moves her family to West Africa and uncovers stories about Boko Haram, kidnapped girls and reluctant suicide bombers.
In Louise Erdrich's 'Night Watchman,' tribal and personal history converge
Set in Turtle Mountain in the 1950s, "The Night Watchman" is in bookstores Tuesday.
Bookmark: Where do the Twin Cities fall on the list of best cities for book lovers?
The numbers have been crunched, the data analyzed, and the results are in. The bookiest (most bookish?) city in the United States is … not…
Review: 'Rust: A Memoir of Steel and Grit,' by Eliese Colette Goldbach
NONFICTION: On the brink of despair, a young Cleveland woman takes a job as a steelworker, which changes her life.
Bookmark: Taking a walk? Recite a poem to keep you company
I don’t have a lot of regrets, but I have a few. I regret not learning a second language to the point where I can…
Bookmark: Reading habits are as different as day and night
For the past few weeks, I have been reading a book about the nesting habits of tree swallows. I read it at night, in bed,…
Wordplay fest to bring Lily King, Emma Straub, Gene Luen Yang, 100 more to Minneapolis
The Minneapolis event is scaling back to a single day for its second year, but a no-less ambitious lineup.
Books editor: It's OK to be angry about a book. It is not OK to threaten its author
If you are angry about Jeanine Cummins’ novel “American Dirt,” that is perfectly fine. If you are one of the people threatening Cummins and…
Marlon James, Kao Kalia Yang among finalists for Minnesota Book Award
Veteran writers Marlon James, Kao Kalia Yang, Bao Phi and David Treuer are among those in the running for the annual awards.
Bookmark: Lamentation on the lost art of letter writing
The Christmas I was 9, I asked for a year’s supply of stamps. I had gotten into letter-writing in a big way, inflicting long, tediously…
The Puppy Chronicles: Two years with Angus
In his second year with us, our rescue dog stole his first bagel, killed his first squirrel and wormed his way deeper into our hearts.
Bookmark: New in paperback
Cold, snowy weather lends itself to bus or train commutes. Instead of white-knuckling your way along an icy freeway, you are in a warm place…
Library fireside chats feature Ed Bok Lee, William Kent Krueger and others
The lovely tradition of books, candles, hot cider, cookies (we haven’t had enough cookies yet, have we?) and new books continues this season with the…
Bookmark: Looking forward to the books of 2020
You don’t need me to remind you that this is the darkest, coldest time of year. Just scrape the frost off your window, look outside,…
Poetry master who took inspiration from Minnesota winter, Louis Jenkins dies at 77
Often associated with Duluth, Jenkins had worked as a librarian, truck driver and commercial fisherman while publishing.
Bookmark: Readers feel strongly about writing in books
Presumably, sometime in the near future — at Christmas, or on a birthday or some other occasion — you will be given a book. Will…
Bookmark: Readers find that good books make vacations better
Books and vacations bind in our memories.
7 books to help you shake up your home decor
Ideas for refreshing your space with found objects, live plants and a bit of glam.
Bookmark: Readers think books should not be judged by writer's actions
Do we judge a book by the actions of its author? This perennial question came up most recently when the Nobel committee awarded the 2019…
Review: 'Passing,' by Michael Korda
NONFICTION: Michael Korda's memoir of the vibrant life and cancer death of his wife is a touching and melancholy read.
Best books to read this winter, from fiction to nonfiction, kids' books to critics' picks
As we head into the coldest, darkest time of year, books will send you all over the world, deep into all kinds of stories. As winter begins, books will keep you warm.
Susan Choi, Sarah M. Broom, win National Book Awards
Two Minnesota writers were finalists for awards.
Bookmark: When it rains steadily during your hiking vacation, it's good to have a book or two on hand
It was raining in Ireland, and it was starting to get me down. Before you say, “It always rains in Ireland!” let me tell you:…
Bookmark: Should literary prizes be judged by the book, or by the author? Or by both?
What should we think when the art is beautiful but the artist is reprehensible? Can we judge books — or paintings, or movies, or music…
Minnesota novelist who thought he'd die in Vietnam wrestles with mortality once more
Tim O'Brien's memoir, "Dad's Maybe Book," is filled with advice and stories for his young sons to savor when he's gone.
The Puppy Chronicles: In the blink of an eye
One dog bite years ago taught me to be super-careful with skittish dogs.
Bookmark: Every fall, rain or shine, Rain Taxi hosts a big free book festival
Every fall, rain or shine, you can count on the annual Twin Cities Book Festival to entertain, illuminate and enthrall. Sponsored by Rain Taxi, the…
These 4 picture books from Minnesota writers aren't just for kids
Picture books continue to grow more diverse, more sophisticated and carry subtler, important messages.
Review: 'Beverly, Right Here,' by Kate DiCamillo
MIDDLE-GRADE FICTION: Kate DiCamillo's third novel about the Three Rancheros is a big-hearted coming-of-age tale.
The Puppy Chronicles: Angus loves Ellen
All it took was repeated visits, lots of treats and a T-shirt.
Review: 'Ruby & Roland,' by Faith Sullivan
FICTION: When a strong-minded hired girl falls in love with a married farmer from a small Minnesota town, she has some hard decisions to make.
Club Book announces fall season, with Thrity Umrigar, Nora McInerny and six others
Writers series brings high-powered authors to local libraries.
The Puppy Chronicles: It took a long time to accept that Angus is a 'reactive dog'
It took me a long time to accept that Angus is a "reactive dog." But once I did, I began to learn how to care for him better.
Bookmark: 8 books to help you hang onto summer
It’s hard to believe that it’s now September. Given that I still have to pause and think before writing “2019” instead of “2018,” this is…
Review: 'Apple, Tree: Writers on Their Parents,' edited by Lise Funderburg
NONFICTION: In "Apple, Tree," 25 writers explore the many ways their parents shaped them.
How long should you read a bad book before giving up?
Some of you follow rules about the number of pages you'll give a book before quitting. And some of you just give up. And some of you never give up.
The Puppy Chronicles: Learning to play nice with others in socialization class
Angus is back in school, this time learning to peacefully coexist with strange dogs.
Bookmark: Should we write in our beloved books?
Do you think books should be respected and treated carefully, or something to love and make your own?
Talking Volumes 2019 brings 6 celebrated writers, including Minnesota's own Tim O'Brien
The literary series includes four nonfiction books and a collection by former poet laureate Tracy K. Smith.
The Puppy Chronicles: Leash walking 2.0
Over the past year, Angus and I have slowly gotten to a good place on the daily walks. But oh, it took a long time.
Readers share their favorite spots for reading
We asked you to tell us about your favorite spots to read. Here's what you said.
The Puppy Chronicles: Angus in summer
After Angus is calm and attentive with the new dog sitter, I'm starting to think some of the problems lie with me.
Review: 'Last Witnesses: An Oral History of the Children of World War II," by Svetlana Alexievich
NONFICTION: In their own words, survivors of World War II — children when the war began — recall their harrowing experiences.
Bookmark: Four new (or newish) Minnesota books to read and love
An uncomfortable truth: There are far more excellent regional books than I have space to review, more than I can ever read. Local writers…
We asked for your stories about sharing books: Here's what you said
You are passionate about sharing — but also about getting back — beloved books.
The Puppy Chronicles: Yes, Angus misbehaves, but he also does a lot of things right
Sure, Angus misbehaves. But it's time to recognize his virtues, too.
Review: 'The Sentence is Death,' by Anthony Horowitz
FICTION: Anthony Horowitz's latest murder mystery mashes up fact and fiction.
45 books to keep you reading all summer long
Life slows down in summer. Pull up a lawn chair, pour yourself a cool drink and settle in with one of these 45 mysteries, novels, story collections and books for young adults.
10 new picture books by Minnesota writers to add to your child's shelf
A fresh crop of 10 picture books by Minnesota writers or illustrators is populated with creatures from the natural world.
With two big dogs and a shady yard, mud season lasts all summer
Twenty years of busy dogs and maturing trees have rendered our backyard grassless. Angus doesn't care — bare ground is easy to dig. And so he digs.
Review: 'Biloxi,' by Mary Miller
FICTION: "Biloxi" ponders the question whether it's possible to change in late middle age.
Bookmark: Looking back on the inaugural Wordplay writers festival
Well, in the end, it was all pretty great, wasn’t it? Starting with the weather, which had been iffy right up to the opening of…
The Puppy Chronicles: A dog door stymies Angus
When we replaced a torn screen with an actual dog door, Rosie was fine — but Angus was flummoxed.
What's your favorite spot to read, and why?
We all have our favorite spots, for all kinds of reasons, and they may change with the seasons or over time.
Navigating the Wordplay festival: Writers not to miss
Stephen King is just one of 100-plus writers at the inaugural book fest. Here's our guide to navigating the array of alternatives, geared to your interests.
The next seasons of Pen Pals will bring in Ann Patchett, Susan Orlean, Tommy Orange and more
The Pen Pals writers series will bring in five notable writers beginning this fall for its 23rd season, including a Man Booker finalist, a PEN/Faulkner…
Review: 'The Farmer's Son: Calving Season on a Family Farm,' by John Connell
NONFICTION: A young man returns to his family's farm in Ireland to face his past and his future.
We want your stories about lending (and borrowing) books
It's painful to give up beloved books, even briefly. And yet it's more painful not to share them.
Northfield, Minn., high school student wins national poetry competition
Northfield high school student wins national poetry competition.
The Puppy Chronicles: Angus' training has been two steps forward, one step back. Sometimes two steps back.
Just like this chilly spring, Angus' training can feel like we're lagging behind.
The Puppy Chronicles: Angus has started hiding some of his treats and Rosie is determined to find them
Angus has a habit of hiding, rather than eating, his nightly chewies. Rosie has made it her mission to find them.
Bookmark: New book, and U exhibit, celebrate history and importance of children's books
I had to laugh when this book crossed my desk a few weeks ago: “The ABC of It: Why Children’s Books Matter,” by Leonard S.…
Review: 'Tucker Lake Chronicle: Thirteen Months in the North Woods,' by Joan Crosby
NONFICTION: An entertaining memoir of 13 months spent in an unfinished plywood cabin in the woods of northern Minnesota.
As 3 Twin Cities indie bookstores have closed, 3 have opened
As we head toward Independent Bookstore Day next Saturday, let's assess.
