Is there a book on your nightstand?  Are there books on your coffee table, kitchen counter, or in your bathroom?  Which books live in your desk, your backpack, your car?  Which books live in your memory?  

The Montana Book Festival is interested in your Book Tales, so we're asking readers around the state to share stories about what they're reading, why they read, and what books matter most to them.  Stay tuned as we post Book Tales of Montana readers from Hingham to Hamilton, Whitefish to Wibaux, and all points in-between.  

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Brad Jaide and Bella

Brad lives in Missoula, though he is originally from Murdo, South Dakota.  

What's a book you've read more than once, and why?   

"The Lochsa Story, by Bud Moore. It was neat to learn all the rich history of that area, and to read about how they figured out they weren't managing the forest correctly, the changes they made to improve things, and the lessons learned about forest management."

Bella says her favorite book is: "Whatever he's reading."

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Alex Babat

Alex was spotted enjoying the first best spring day here in Missoula with a good book and a cold beverage...

What are you reading, Alex?

"I'm reading The Wright Brothers by David Mccullough- it's a biography.  

Do you mostly read biographies?

No, I read a lot of mass market fiction- trashy paperbacks-but I also read some nonfiction and history.

What made you pick this book up?

I think I saw the author on the Daily Show and decided to check it out.

Alex mentioned that he works in the technology industry but won't get a Kindle. "All my hobbies are analog," he said.  "I like it that way."

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Cindy Jimmerson

Cindy lives in Victor, MT. 

Tell me about a book you’ve read more than once…

Dancing at the Rascal Fair by Ivan Doig

Cindy loves Dancing at the Rascal Fair so much that before she retired, she had a tradition of staying home from work once a year and she’d read the entire book in a day.  When her kids got older she said it became a fun tradition for them, too, and they would bring her breakfast in bed as she read. 

 

 

 

Vonnie Sterry

 

Vonnie grew up in Great Falls, MT, and now lives in Hingham.

What are you reading at the moment?

Right now I am reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. I just finished The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander.

Tell me about a book that had a significant impact on a particular time in your life.

When my husband Jim died, the therapist I saw gave me Mourning & Mitzvah by Anne Brener. It truly helped me navigate through that period of my life.

 

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Tina Halvorson

Tina is a Missoula resident, born and raised in Cutbank, MT

Tell me about a book you remember from childhood…

"The Thingumajig Book of Manners by Irene Keller. This book has great illustrations of characters that remind me of Norwegian troll dolls, humorously showing you how not to conduct yourself in public, followed by little teachings about how you should act in public and have good manners.  I just loved it so much as a kid- I still own it and the back is duct taped together.  It was a great book…it’s still a great book.  My favorite book! ”

“The last page of the book says something like if you do things right, you should never see your picture in a Thingumajig book, and when I was a little kid and I would be upset with one of my friends at school, I would tape their picture on that last page of the book as kind of a punishment!”

Captain Jack

Captain Jack currently lives in Missoula, but he was born somewhere near Ft. Belknap, MT.

Whatcha reading, Captain Jack?

I’m reading If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson.  It’s got very nice pictures, and I like the rabbit on the cover.

What is the message in the book that you want to share with fans of the Montana Book Festival?

The message in the book is sometimes you have to start with something very tiny and be patient and kind and wait until it grows into something strong and beautiful.  My message to fans of the Montana Book Festival is that if we all give even a little bit to the cause during Missoula Gives, something wonderful will grow from it!   

What’s next for you? 

Well, I’m going to re-read the Clifford the Big Red Dog series, then I’m embarking on a graphic novel adaptation of Finnegan’s Wake.

Craig Sterry

Craig was born and raised, and still lives, in Hingham, MT

"My mother read to us when we were kids. She had a wonderful dramatic flair and played all the characters to perfection.

"She read pretty much all the classic kid books---Treasure Island, Huckleberry Finn, Swiss Family Robinson, etc., but my most vivid memory is of her reading the Ralph Moody series Little Britches.

"I rarely read a book twice but one I relished as much (or more) the second time was Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude. Magical.

"At present, I'm reading Wicked River.  It's a history of the Mississippi in the wild days before it was tamed. Fascinating stories about this great artery of early American transportation.

"Whose fictional life would I most like to live?  Dr. Maturin, multi-faceted physician from the great Master and Commander series by Patrick O'Brian... or maybe (from my younger days) Travis McGee from the terrific mystery series by John D. McDonald.

"As a Montana history buff, I want to spread the word about a two-volume, 1400-page set on the homesteading days of Blaine County, titled Unyielding Prairie. It's the work of two Chinook historians, Karen Vellum and Vernelia Tilleman. It took them seven years to complete this colossal project. It's a hidden jewel of Montana history and deserves much wider recognition."

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Patti Knudson

Patti lives in Billings, MT.

A book I've read more than once and why:

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

“Even though The Chronicles of Narnia are classified as Children's literature, I thoroughly enjoy the book series as an adult.  The symbolism, adventures, magic, and talking beasts bring vivid pictures to my mind.  I can easily read this series any time.”

A book that had a marked influence on my life:

He Still Moves Stones by Max Lucado

“I have read this book many times, especially when I needed hope, reassurance, comfort, and a spiritual lift. My favorite quote in the book:  'I do know there used to be a stone in front of a tomb.  And I do know it was moved.  And I also know that there are stones in your path.  Stones that trip and stones that trap. Stones too big for you....Stones are no match for God.  Not then and not now.  He still moves stones.'"

"I will always choose a physical book that I can hold over an electronic gadget.  Life is hectic, stressful and busy.  A book helps me unwind and de-stress.”

Chad Householder

Chad lives in Missoula, MT. 

What is a book you’ve read more than once, and why?

The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon (1965)

Chad first read the book or a college course on technology in 1991 and has read it several times since. 

“As you read it over and over it’s like peeling the layers of an onion, as you read it you pick up more and more of the layers on which he’s written.”
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