Book Talks 2025 -- Tom Nelson

 I happened to see that Kaukauna was having an author talk on the Edmund Fitzgerald. The hubby is big fan of the Edmund Fitzgerald and I asked him if he wanted to go. He said he did so we had date night at the library.

Tom Nelson, the current Outagamie County Executive, partnered with Jerald Podair, a professor at Lawrence University, to write Wrecked: The Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy.

Many books have been written about the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. This book focused more of the impact of the economy and other theories on why the ship sank. Bottom line was the Edmund Fitzgerald was junk and couldn't handle another winter storm on Lake Superior. Because it wasn't owned by a parent company, they were more worried about the bottom line then the condition of the ship. 

To hear Tom Nelson and Jerald Podair talk about the book was fascinating. Both contributed to the conversation and had different perspectives (and theories) about why she sank that cold and stormy November night 50 years ago. 

There weren't many people there which was too bad. Apparently his other talks had many more people. I don't know if this one wasn't advertised very well or what. Both men gave a great talk and if you get a chance to go hear him speak about his book, definitely check it out.  

Book Talks 2025 -- Ron Rindo

 As usual I was browsing Facebook and saw an event for a book signing for a book I just finished the Advanced Reader Copy of. I really enjoyed the book and I wanted a copy of it. It was the same day as the opening day at the Trout so I dragged Danielle along with me to Barnes and Nobles.

Barnes and Nobles advertised it as an Author Signed. The post literally said come meet Oshkosh Author Ron Rindo and get your book signed. I figured I'd get a copy of Life, & Death & Giants signed and we'd be on our way in a few minutes. 

Danielle stops by the cafe for a snack and I wander over to where he was going to be signing and stopped. There were chairs set up. I walk sheepishly back to Danielle and informed her it was a book talk and not just a signed. I claimed some seats and waited for it to begin.

 Life, & Death & Giants is a debut novel about an Amish Giant from Central Wisconsin that excels at sports and eventually plays football at Madison. He has to struggle with the balance of his old life and new life along with how it affects the people around him. Without out giving too much away, it is really good book. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it based on the title but I couldn't put it down. It was a quick read that touched on many different issues and how people deal with it.

Ron talked about his book and why he chose to write this book including the Amish and Giant piece. Like many authors a sentence read in an article sparked the idea and it took off. 

Even though I was just there to get my book signed, it was fascinating to learn the whys behind the story. 

I also learned he is a fellow Carroll Alum. 

It was a good afternoon and I need to keep tabs on Barnes and Nobles Facebook page for more author events. Definitely check out his book and always support new authors. 

Book Talks 2025: Lynda Drews

 Even though my reading time has been drastically cut along with time to do fun library events, I still try to make time for them as I can. When I saw Kimberly Library was having an author talk and it was a scandalous subject, I decided I better rearrange my schedule. 

Lynda Drews was talking about her latest book, The Maid and the Socialite. It is set in Green Bay in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Being a local author and set in the area really made me want to check it out. 

The Maid and the Socialite: The Brave Women Behind Green Bay's Scandalous Manahan Trials is about two women who have been abused in various ways by Dr. Manahan. One is his maid and the other is second wife. In a time where women didn't even have the right to vote, let alone a voice against powerful men, these two went against the man who had lawyers and doctors in his pocket. 

Lynda Drews talked more about her research and how she decided to write the book versus the book itself. She lives in an old house in the Astor District of Green Bay where many of the wealthy elite used to live. She discovered that a Manahan lived in her house and decided to write about them as they were a prominent Green Bay family.  However through her research she discovered a very dark and sinister past that she had to uncover. 

I immediately put the book on my audio book TBR. I can't wait to hear the story. If I didn't have to get back to work, I would have bought a copy. 

Lynda also leads walking tours of the Astor District neighborhood talking about the book and the places featured in the book. They cost $18 and usually sell out fast. I am trying to find one that fits my schedule and I might go check it out.

If you like true crime books, I would check out The Maid and the Socialite.