From the Midwest Booksellers Association: four recent Midwest Connections picks. Under this marketing program, the association and member stores promote booksellers' handselling favorites that have a strong Midwest regional appeal:
Old Farm: A History by Jerry Apps featuring photographs by Steve Apps (Wisconsin Historical Society Press, $29.95, 9780870204067/0870204068). Lisa Baudoin of Books & Company in Oconomowoc, Wis., commented: "Jerry Apps captures the history, stories and cycles of the farm he and his family live on. A perfect gift for anyone living on a farm, carrying memories from a farm, or just dreaming of moving their life to a farm."
A Cook's Journey: Slow Food in the Heartland by Kurt Michael Friese (Ice Cube Press, $26.95, 9781888160369/1888160365). Joyce Frohn of Apple Blossom Books in Oshkosh, Wis., said, "When you hear 'farm-fresh' what do you think of? If your mental images include cows, rolling hills, you're thinking of the Midwest. If I say 'organic,' and 'slow food,' do you think of the Midwest? You should, as chef Kurt Michael Friese proves in his new book. Inside this book you find great restaurants, people who want to make the world a better place, great ideas, places to shop and Al Capone's favorite whiskey. This book will teach you how to slow down and enjoy good food with great people."
Driftless by David Rhodes (Milkweed Editions, $24, 9781571310590/1571310592). Keri Holmes of the Kaleidoscope in Hampton, Iowa, said, "The residents of Words are so fully realized, you'll recognize them; the dialogue so authentic, you'll be looking for the tape-recorder; the hurts so real you'll ache; and the hopes so fragile you'll pray. If Jesus came to show our forebears how to live, July Montgomery shows us how he might have lived today. There's nothing religious or preachy about July. His is a ministry of presence--he notices, he listens carefully, he affirms, he acts--and somehow in as humble and invisible a way as possible, we're better for having known him. Yes, I meant to write 'we' just there. Because if you allow yourself to connect with the citizens of Words you too will come to know July Montgomery, and you too will be better for it. I know I am."
Downtown Owl: A Novel by Chuck Klosterman (Scribner, $24, 9781416544180/1416544186). Carl Wichman of NDSU Bookstore in Fargo, N.D., said, "If you've ever had any experience in small town living, you will enjoy reading Downtown Owl. Everyone I know who has read my WELL WORN advance copy can recite the names of every character in the book, from the new teacher in town to the football coach. It's the typical small town with more bars than churches and the new young teacher being hit on by every single guy in Owl. The book ends with an actual weather happening that I experienced in North Dakota, too! It's a fun read, and I highly recommend it!"