Category Archives: Uncategorized

When my friend Ron loaned me this book a few years back, knowing I’m a huge fan of Garrison Keillor’s stellar radio work, he said, “I loved these stories.” Despite that endorsement, the book sat on my “to read” pile … Continue reading →

It started with a text. Patrick “Poncho” Scott texted me sometime after out annual Whiteface Fishing Opener, an event the Munger and Scott families have shared for more than fifty years. The gist of the message was “We should do … Continue reading →

The title of this essay references my infatuation with the David Gutterson novel, East of the Mountains, and actor Tom Skeritt’s portrayal of Gutterson’s protagonist in the film version of the story. In essence, Ben Givens (Skeritt’s character) finds out … Continue reading →

Kirkus provided me with a fine review of the new book. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mark-munger/duck-and-cover-4/ Peace Mark

  Last week we debuted our new Newsletter Feature – 5 QUESTIONS! This week we’re profiling local author Mark Munger, whose new book Duck and Cover: Things I Learned Waiting for the Bomb (A Memoir) is on sale now.   1) How do you … Continue reading →

Mark Munger is a non-Finn with an interest in Finnish Americans. MM: What’s your ethnic and personal connection to the Finnish American story? JR: I’m Finnish on both sides. My Mom’s line is from the Kuortane area. My Dad’s line … Continue reading →

Someone handed me this book, signed by the author, at my retirement party back in January of 2019. Not particularly interested in reading what looked to be a self-published or vanity published religious novel, I placed it on my “to … Continue reading →

Here is the thing. One can be an accomplished writer of nonfiction prose, possess a Masters in Nonfiction Writing from a prestigious American University (Sarah Lawrence), have engaging historical events and characters to build upon, and still not be a … Continue reading →

She was a plain looking girl with an extraordinary mind living an ordinary life. Lucinda Clark sat on a hay bale, the fibers dry and prickly against the bare skin of her ankles. Her hazel eyes scanned the valley of … Continue reading →

Sitting on a deck in northeastern Minnesota along the shores of beautiful Whiteface Lake, a serene and quiet environ, sipping a cold beer at height of waning summer, what could be better than to bathe oneself in pure, unadulterated literary … Continue reading →