books

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Tessa Hulls, an author who moved to Juneau during the winter, at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday after her graphic novel “Feeding Ghosts” won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in the Memoir or Autobiography category.

Juneau author Tessa Hulls wins Pulitzer Prize for graphic memoir ‘Feeding Ghosts’

Book entwines grandmother, mother and author on journey of politics and identity from China to points worldwide.

 

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‘What gives it teeth’

Indigenous author Lily H. Tuzroyluke spoke on her novel and writing process last week at the Homer Public Library.

 

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Off the shelf: Time and space and the human heart

Contemporary novel combines historical and science fiction for a gripping, emotional journey.

 

The cover of Gary Titus and Clark Fair’s new book, “A Vanishing Past: Historic Cabins of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.” (Photo courtesy of Clark Fair)

History of Kenai refuge cabins tackled in new book

The authors will discuss “A Vanishing Past: Historic Cabins of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge” at Kenai Community Library this Friday.

The cover of Gary Titus and Clark Fair’s new book, “A Vanishing Past: Historic Cabins of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.” (Photo courtesy of Clark Fair)
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Off the shelf: Paradise versus privilege

“The Garden Against Time” is part of the Homer Public Library’s 2025 Lit Lineup.

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The Middle School Battle of the Books Team from Homer Connections, who won the district competition in February, stand for a photo. (Provided by Districtwide Librarian Julie Gottfried)

District Battle of the Books teams ready for state competition

Battle of the Books is an annual celebration of reading and teamwork.

The Middle School Battle of the Books Team from Homer Connections, who won the district competition in February, stand for a photo. (Provided by Districtwide Librarian Julie Gottfried)
A copy of “The Ghost of the Kenai” stands on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: A haunting close to home

New novel tells human story brought to life by ghosts and Russian colonizers.

A copy of “The Ghost of the Kenai” stands on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo by Christina Whiting Selections from the 2025 Lit Lineup are lined up on a shelf at the Homer Public Library on Friday, Jan. 3.

A new Lit Lineup

Homer Public Library’s annual Lit Lineup encourages year-round reading.

Photo by Christina Whiting Selections from the 2025 Lit Lineup are lined up on a shelf at the Homer Public Library on Friday, Jan. 3.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Off the Shelf: ‘Anxious Generation’ underserves conversations about cellphones

The book has been cited in recent school board discussions over cellphone policies.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
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Off the Shelf: Nutcracker novel sets a darker stage

“The Kingdom of Sweets” is available at the Homer Public Library

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Off the shelf: Speculative novel holds promise of respite

“A Psalm for the Wild-Built” is part of the Homer Public Library’s 2024 Lit Lineup

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Off the shelf: Memoir ponders life’s un-expectations

‘The Crane Wife’ is part of the Homer Public Library’s 2024 Lit Lineup

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Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A copy of Howard Weaver’s “Write Hard, Die Free” rests on an ink-splotched guard rail in front of the Peninsula Clarion’s defunct Goss Suburban printing press on Thursday.

Off the Shelf: ‘Write Hard, Die Free’ an exciting and incisive window into history of Alaska, journalism

Immediately after the death of legendary Anchorage reporter and editor Howard Weaver, I picked up a copy of his memoir

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A copy of Howard Weaver’s “Write Hard, Die Free” rests on an ink-splotched guard rail in front of the Peninsula Clarion’s defunct Goss Suburban printing press on Thursday.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “People, Paths, and Places: The Frontier History of Moose Pass, Alaska” stands in sunlight in Soldotna on Friday.

Off the Shelf: Community history project a colorful portrait of hometown

The book features the work of students at Moose Pass School and integrates further stories pulled from a community newspaper

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “People, Paths, and Places: The Frontier History of Moose Pass, Alaska” stands in sunlight in Soldotna on Friday.
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “Drawn from Deep Waters: True Stories from the Kenai Peninsula,” is held on Thursday in Kenai.

Off the Shelf: Congregation calling

The collection is written by patrons of Kalifonsky Christian Center

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion A copy of “Drawn from Deep Waters: True Stories from the Kenai Peninsula,” is held on Thursday in Kenai.
John Messick’s “Compass Lines” is displayed at the Kenai Peninsula College Bookstore in Soldotna, Alaska on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The copy at the top of this stack is the same that reporter Jake Dye purchased and read for this review. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: ‘Compass Lines’ offers quiet contemplations on place and purpose

I’ve had a copy of “Compass Lines” sitting on my shelf for over a year. When I first picked it up, I wasn’t in the… Continue reading

John Messick’s “Compass Lines” is displayed at the Kenai Peninsula College Bookstore in Soldotna, Alaska on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The copy at the top of this stack is the same that reporter Jake Dye purchased and read for this review. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A copy of Slim Randles’ “The Long Dark: An Alaska Winter’s Tale” is held on Wednesday, April 27, 2024, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Turning new pages

Refined approach to book buying brings out unique Alaska stories

A copy of Slim Randles’ “The Long Dark: An Alaska Winter’s Tale” is held on Wednesday, April 27, 2024, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rivers and Ice by Susan Pope. (Promotional photo)

KPC Showcase to feature discussion with Alaska author Susan Pope

Pope will discuss her memoir “Rivers and Ice: A Woman’s Journey Toward Family and Forgiveness”

Rivers and Ice by Susan Pope. (Promotional photo)
A copy of Tom Kizzia’s “Cold Mountain Path” rests on a table on Thursday in Juneau. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Ghosts come alive in Kizzia’s ‘Cold Mountain Path’

From boomtown to abandoned, the town of McCarthy sets the stage for a compelling narrative

A copy of Tom Kizzia’s “Cold Mountain Path” rests on a table on Thursday in Juneau. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A copy of Jennifer Brice’s “Another North: Essays” rests on a desk inside the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 in Kenai, AK. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Meditations on middle age

“Another North” shares lifetime of experiences through personal narratives

A copy of Jennifer Brice’s “Another North: Essays” rests on a desk inside the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 in Kenai, AK. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)