Lots and lots of books.
On the book circuit at Barnes and Noble last night, I saw the stoic Joe Seliga celebrated for his new book The Art of the Canoe with Joe Seliga. Joe’s words were brief as his 90 year career of building wooden canoes in Ely Minnesota were celebrated by the REI crowd and various Camp Widjiwagen Alumni. many people spoke very highly of Joe and his canoes at the event and many shared excited stories of their adventures aboard their very own Seliga Special. I was going to tell the story of the time a horrible storm came through our camp in the Canadian Quetico and knocked over a huge douglas fir that snapped one of Joe’s canoes in half like it was made of toothpicks, but it didn’t seem appropriate. Deborah Sussex took some amazing photos for the book. Somewhat Ironically, it was brought to my attention that the publisher of the book is Motorbooks International, who normally publish books about race cars and supra sleek Italian Roadsters. Checking out their site I found what must be a gem of a book and will have to be dialed in at the library immediately – “Everything I Learned About Women I learned from My Tractor”.

Also finished last night Carl Hiaasen’s “Basket Case”. Carl writes a terrific column for the MiamiHerald and is a master of Broward-Dade County Mystery novels that have more bumps and warts than all their crazy voting irregularities down there. My guess is it’s a great part of the country for gathering book material. Not a dull moment for the thinking investigator. Basket Case is a VH1 behind the music novel- dade county style. It involves the death of an aging fictional rock star and the youthful jealous rising star wife, who is looking for a hit song in the acoustical everglades of her husbands ‘b-sides’. The best part is Carl actually co-wrote a song with Warren Zevon called “basket case” for the book. I can’t wait for the next one.

More fun with books. maxprotetch, NYC gallery owner has released a thoughtful book of architectural ideas for rebuilding the World Trade Towers.