Summer 2014 at the UAA Campus Bookstore: Crime thrillers, memoirs, augmented reality and more

See the list of events below to find out what's happening at the UAA Campus Bookstore this June. All UAA Campus Bookstore events are informal, free and open to the public. There is free parking for bookstore events in the South Lot, the West Campus Central Lot (behind Rasmuson Hall), the Sports Lot and the Sports NW Lot. (Click here for a map of where to park for bookstore events this summer.)

For more information, contact Rachel Epstein at (907) 786-4782 or repstein2@uaa.alaska.edu.

Note: UAA Campus Bookstore podcasts are posted in iTunes and iTunes U-just search UAA or UAA Campus Bookstore. The podcasts are also archived on the bookstore website.

Astronaut Bill Oefelein and Adventure Write Monday, June 2, 1-2 p.m. UAA Campus Bookstore

This event welcomes NASA Astronaut Bill Oefeliein, who will answer questions and discuss Adventure Write. In 1998, Oefelein was selected to join NASA's Astronaut Corps. He served as a pilot for the STS-116 mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery from Dec. 9-22, 2006. The mission for the seven-member crew involved the further construction of the International Space Station and four spacewalks, as well as the delivery of a new crewmember and two tons of equipment and supplies. After retiring in 2008, Bill returned to Alaska and started Adventure Write with his wife Colleen Shipmen.

Attorney Lee Goodman presents his just-released crime thriller 'Indefensible' Friday, June 6, 4-6 p.m. UAA Campus Bookstore 

Looking for a summer read? The newly released Indefensible by Lee Goodman features mystery and suspense aplenty, making it a great addition to any daypack.

The story begins when birdwatcher Cassandra Randall stumbles upon two men digging what appears to be a grave in a state park-and she immediately reports it to the authorities. Federal prosecutor Nick Davis is initially incredulous about her claims, but agrees to investigate. To his surprise, the far-fetched account turns up a body, and Nick is drawn into a case that will shake both his morals and his personal life to their very core. "Complex and intelligent, fantastically well-plotted. Indefensible is as good as it gets," said John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author of 24 novels.

Lee Goodman's work has appeared in the Iowa Review, where it received a nomination for the Pushcart Prize in fiction, and Orion Magazine, among other publications. During the summers, Goodman works as a commercial fisherman in Prince William Sound, where he operates his own salmon fishing boat. He is also a screenwriter and an attorney with a small practice in workers' compensation law. Goodman has taught fiction writing at the University of Alaska and the Interlochen Academy for the Arts. He lives in Alaska with his two children.

J. Mike Holloway presents his extraordinary memoir 'Dreaming Bears' Wednesday, June 11, 4-6 p.m. UAA Campus Bookstore

Dreaming Bears: A Gwich'in Indian Storyteller, a Southern Doctor, a Wild Corner of Alaska is the extraordinary story of Mike Holloway's life with Gwich'in elders Johnny and Sarah Frank outside of Venetie, Alaska.

Descriptions from the book:

• "His rich encounters in Gwich'in country deepen Mike's love of wild land and his respect for those who depend upon it for their survival. The experience alters his life. Mike becomes the adopted grandson of Johnny and Sarah, returning to Alaska as a doctor and an advocate for the land and its people."

• "Born in Greenwood, S.C., Mike Holloway studied medicine in South Carolina and Virginia. He became a Peace Corps doctor and worked for the regional Native hospital in Southwest Alaska, before moving to the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage in 1973... After retiring, Mike taught orthopedics in Uganda, Cameroon, Bhutan and Nicaragua. He is married to Margie Gibson and lives near Indian, Alaska."

• "We won't be seeing stories like his anymore." Tom Kizzia

Poet Kwame Dawes presents 'Duppy Conqueror: New and Selected Poems' Wednesday, June 18, 4-6 p.m. UAA Campus Bookstore

Born in Ghana, raised in Jamaica and now based in Nebraska, Kwame Dawes will read from his newest collection of poetry, Duppy Conqueror, and discuss poetry, fiction, music, life and memory. His literary work has been described as "political, historical, conscious, spiritual, lyric and sensual all at the same time."

This event is co-sponsored by Kachemak Bay Campus' Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference.

Three Artists Facing the World: Katherine Coons, Justin Herrmann and Nathan Shafer Thursday, June 19, 4-6 p.m. UAA Campus Bookstore

At this event, three different artists will come together to discuss their work.

• Artist and UAA Adjunct Professor Katherine Coons will discus her recent exhibit in France, global travels and living in Alaska.

• Author and UAA M.F.A. graduate Justin Herrmann will read from his highly acclaimed story collection, Highway One, Antarctica, and share his experiences doing janitorial work at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

• Augmented Reality Creator Nathan Shafer explains The Institute for Speculative Media and "making what has melted away visible again."

'Slavery' Revisited Monday, June 23, 1-3 p.m. UAA Campus Bookstore

UAA Faculty William Jamison (Department of Philosophy), Ryan Harrod (Department of Anthropology), Nancy Nix (Department of Health Sciences) and April Wilson (Department of Political Science; College of Arts and Sciences academic advisor) will come together to discuss the meaning and use of the term "slavery." Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Melinda Moustakis presents 'Bear Down Bear North: Alaska Stories' Monday, July 14, 4-6 p.m. UAA Campus Bookstore

At this event, Melinda Moustakis will read from her story collection and discuss writing. Born in Fairbanks, Melinda captures the sense of Alaska in her acclaimed book Bear Down Bear North: Alaska Stories, which won the Flannery O' Connor Award and the Maurice Prize. Such lines about humpies  as "they die because they have the wrong memories" leave one awake and wanting more.

Jennifer Schell presents 'A Bold and Hardy Race of Men: The Lives and Literature of American Whalemen' Thursday, July 17, 4-6 p.m. UAA Campus Bookstore

Jennifer Schell, faculty in the UAF Department of English, will discuss how mythic Alaska is portrayed in American literature highlighting Arctic whaling. Her book A Bold and Hardy Race of Men: The Lives and Literature of American Whalemen was recently published by the University of Massachusetts Press.

May Archive