Meet the Author: William Gould, MD

Dr. Gould discussed his novel At Harmony Church: The Chronicle of an Unlikely United States Army Ranger which is the first in a trilogy. The story begins in the winter of 1968, when J.W. Weathersby, a green United States Army second lieutenant, is on orders to depart for a combat tour in Vietnam. At a West Point wedding, he commits a very public faux pas and is thrust into a class of 160 select young officers who sweat and freeze through two months of brutal training at the United States Army Ranger School. J.W. joins up with two buddies, who push together to trudge the outback as Rangers. As half of the class is weeded out, they share their disparate lives and dreams of the future. The demands of the training force J.W. to struggle daily to be thrown out. At the same time, he is driven to remain. Nearly forty years later, he still wonders if he made the right decision.

A decorated combat officer in Vietnam, Dr. Gould has served as a volunteer physician in post-war Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Sudan. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Vietnamese, having earned advanced degrees in Asian Studies from Harvard and Cambridge. He is the author of five novels and numerous professional journal articles, a pilot with advanced certificates in both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. He is also in the process of patenting the River Wolf, a hovercraft that flies in ground-effect, and the LAIR-CAT, an infrared radar device that enhances automobile safety.

Event Night: The Palmistry Lady!

Leean Lester (aka 'The Palmistry Lady') shared her expertise in palm reading, spiritual consultation and psychic work. Leann gave a palm reading demonstration and spoke to the audience regarding her techniques. (should have heard what she had to say about Les!)

Leean has over 15 years of experience in various fields, including Chinese Palmistry, Tarot, past lives, Chinese Astrology, Numerology, auras, dream interpretation and runes. She has appeared at many festivals and events around Puget Sound, and has recently moved to the Gold Bar area.

Check out her website - www.thepalmistrylady.com

Meet the Author: Ed Tirado

Ed discussed his book Breaking the Link Between Kids and Crime, and gave some great example situations from his own life and from other parents on how to promote good behavior with children. Ed's book is a practical guide for improving your parenting skills. It is in workbook format, with pages for making an inventory of your skills, prevention tactics, evaluation of daily activities, and being proactive. The book stresses the importance of consistency in discipline, respect, sense of purposes, and provides an insight into what influences your children may have.

Ed Tirado began working with parents and teens in 1990 and over the course of the next ten years, helped develop parenting courses and a multifaceted youth program for teens consisting of leadership development and community involvement. Since 2000, his professional efforts have been focused on working with adult populations in the criminal justice system here in Snohomish County. Ed lives in Monroe and is a dedicated father to Rebecca, Joey, and Judah.

Meet the Author: David Berner II

David discussed his inspirations as a science-fiction/fantasy author, and read from one of his books. David wrote his first book, The Mercury Universe while still in college. When it was complete, he created his company, Ursa Minor Press, to not only publish his own work but to inspire others to do the same. David has also published the first in a fantasy series entitled The Nequia and will be releasing a trilogy, The Arterian Redemption in the fall of this year. David graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Washington as an English Major with emphasis on classical literature. He now lives in Seattle with his wife, Rachel.

You can learn more about David and his company at www.ursapress.com

Meet the Author: Nancy Truitt Pierce

Whether or you are planning to start a company, invest in one, or work for one, The Founder Factor offers incredible insights into the dynamic between founders and their stakeholders. The ideas in the book are presented concisely, with real-life examples you can use and relate to. The principles outlined within are applicable to for-profit and non-profit companies alike. Since founding Woods Creek Consulting here in Monroe in 1997, Nancy and her team have become leaders in providing Organizational Effectiveness, focusing on high-impact, high-growth, knowledge driven companies. Clients have included Amazon.com, Adobe, Boeing, Corixa, Microsoft, BSquare, Trend West, HomeGrocer.com, Shurgard Storage, and dozens of others.

Meet the Author: Jack 'Kewaunee' Lapseritis, B.A, M.S., M.H.

Local author Kewaunee Lapseritis discussed his book The Psychic Sasquatch and their UFO Connection and told an enthralled audience of his many field investigations. Mr. Lapseritis has been a guest on over 270 radio and television talk shows, including the Discovery Channel and Coast to Coast AM, and has a background in anthropology, psychology, conservation, and holistic health. He has meticulously researched the subject of the Bigfoot people for the last 50 years. He is also a social scientist, a Master Dowser, and both a Bigfoot people and ET 'contactee'. Copies of his book The Psychic Sasquatch and their UFO Connection are available for purchase also look for his latest book in the near future.

Meet the Author : Janyce Jaymes

Janyce shared her experience in writing her book Red Flags and Bottom Lines, which is her personal story of growing up in a domestic violence situation, and then marrying an abusive man. Janyce's husband read a passage from the book. Copies of this NEW book are available for purchase at Main St. Books.

Meet the Author : Paul Hodge

The first 'Meet the Author' event took place on August 10, 2006. Paul W. Hodge, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy at the University of Washington, author of over 20 books and resident of Arlington, Washington, graced us with slides and discussion of his recent down to earth publications: Mt. Baker Trails, Mt. Rainier Trails, and Lowland Trails of Greater Seattle. These three NEW books on local suburban and alpine trails are available for purchase at Main St. Books.

Summer Reading Program 2006

Main St. Books' first ever Summer Reading Program took place from June 24 through August 26, 2006 and was a great success. Over 35 children participated and read a total of 120 hours. We're looking forward to presenting the program again next summer.

Main St. Books Opens on April 1st 2006 (No Foolin!)

Amanda Kleinert takes over ownership of Cottage Book Exchange and renames the business Main Street Books. The interior has been repainted, redecorated and many new bookshelves have been added to accomodate more inventory. Kama approves!