Bookwyrm’s Hoard: Local Authors to Check Out


Posted on March 30, 2023

The past two months I have been working my way through the lovely new books we have from local authors. These have been donated to the library by the writers themselves and range from a thoughtful memoir to the phantasmagorical first book in a new young adult series.

            I was delighted to read Charles “Mac” McAlister’s memoir: Pinhook Hollow Schoolhouse Spring. The first part of the book details McAlister’s desire to move to the wilderness and the training and struggle he underwent to construct his home. But that isn’t the bulk of the book, he takes time to delve into his youth, his career in social services, the philosophical outlook he’s cultivated over the years, the history of America, and the direction he sees this country headed. He writes in a genial and gently humorous voice reminiscent of Twain and Thoreau that is comforting and bracing at the same time. This book is a lovely opportunity to get to know about a fascinating man.

            What Follows is True: The Crescent Hotel is an imaginative look into the history of the Crescent Hotel, particularly during the years it was run by Norman Baker. This beautifully illustrated graphic novel features a chilling biography of Norman Baker and the impact he had on America and Eureka Springs. The author interviewed quite a few members of the community and I was delighted to see some patrons depicted in its pages sharing their family stories about the famous haunted hotel. The artwork of the town and the hotel are powerful and haunting.

            Local author Ruth Mitchell used our haunted hotel’s history as inspiration for the first of two novels she donated to us. Beyond: A Tale of Discovery on the Other Side of Life has a unique premise based on the old belief that animals can see ghosts. In the book, a scientist and ghost hunter wants to test out a new device that, when fitted on certain dogs, allows projections of what they see, including ghosts, to be visible on screen. He wants to use a purportedly haunted hotel in San Francisco named The Crescent, to test the device. The owner of the hotel, a famous author struggling with addictions and writer’s block, has lost her way. When the ghost hunter enters her life he and his device may help her uncover long held family secrets and in the process help them both find love. In an interesting meta-twist, the novel the main character is struggling with in Beyond: A Tale of Discovery on the Other Side of Life is called The Two Moons of Merth, which is the title of the second book by Mitchell. It is a science fiction and fantasy adventure that follows the royal family of the planet Merth, starting with the commoner Aadya, a woman who wants to reshape her culture, who falls in love with Prince Poma Karda. The Karda family guards an ancient secret: a powerful entity that grants them abilities and predicts the future. The story explores family bonds, the struggles between generations to understand each other, feminist themes, and the tumultuous transformation of a society. It ends with a bit of a cliff hanger, so it is possible Ruth Mitchell intends continue the adventures of the Karda family in a future book.

            The young adult fantasy novel Ghosts of the Abbey, is also the first in a new series written by Ashley Wellman and Patrick Kinkade. This is a book with dense and intricate world building about two orphan boys descended from the Templars who have the ability to see ghosts. They are in search of a key to stop Hell from being unleashed on the world. It takes place in modern day London and the boys are joined in their quest by famous ghosts and the spirits of cherished fictional characters in order to stop the demonic menace bent on destroying the world. Be prepared, this book ends with a shocking twist that promises more to come.

            I am happy to be able to share the works of patrons and friends and get to know their visions and viewpoints. We are so lucky to live in a town filled with creative and talented people pursuing their dreams, let’s all support them by reading their stories.