New books with local ties

Local books |

"United States of Americana: Backyard Chickens, Burlesque Beauties, and Handmade Bitters: A Field Guide to the New American Roots Movement" by Kurt B. Reighley (Harper, paperback original, $14.99). A Seattle-based writer, DJ (KEXP) and entertainer looks at the everything-old-is-new-again movement that has people pickling, preserving, making their own cocktail bitters and knitting their own sweaters.

"Amazing Minds: The Science of Nurturing Your Child's Developing Mind with Games, Activities and More, from Newborns to Toddlers" by Jan Faull with Jennifer McLean Oliver (Berkley, $15). Faull, a former Seattle Times parenting columnist, and her co-author examine ways to expand your baby/toddler's mind, "working in synch with your little one's natural development." Faull will discuss her book at these area locations: at 11 a.m. Saturday at the University Book Store's Mill Creek location (425-385-3530 or www.ubookstore.com); at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Town Hall Seattle (800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com); and at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park (206-366-3333 or www.thirdplacebooks.com).

"The Mom & Pop Store: True Stories from the Heart of America" by Robert Spector (Walker & Co., $16). New in paperback: Seattle business writer Spector writes a history and analysis of the remarkable endurance of mom & pop stores in a changing economy. West Seattle residents in particular will appreciate Spector's tour of their neighborhood, with stops at Easy Street Records, Husky Deli, Alki Mail & Dispatch and other West Seattle business/based hangouts.

"The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America" by Timothy Egan (Mariner, $15.95). Also new in paperback: Seattle author Egan's dramatic rendering of the 1910 wildfire that destroyed millions of acres in Washington, Montana and Idaho, and how the catastrophe strengthened the case for preserving public lands through the U.S. Forest Service.

"There's No Place Like School: Classroom Poems," selected by Jack Prelutsky, illustrations by Jane Manning (Greenwillow, $16.99). New for the 5-to-10-year-old set; poems designed to ease reluctant scholars back into the school year, including two by Prelutsky, a Seattle-area author and former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate.

For possible listing in "Local Books," send a finished copy of the book, with price and publication date, to Local Books, Seattle Times, 1120 John St., Seattle, WA 98109. No self-published or vanity-published titles, please.