Vashon Writers’ Office Island Book Reviews

Writers are like chameleons. They tend to disappear into the multi-colored canvas of life unintentionally and generally without regret. As such, most islanders are unaware that the Vashon they know and love is considered to be, by the Seattle Writing Scene, “an island of writers.” Our goal, as members of the VWO, is to open your eyes to the literary menagerie that surrounds you. As members of the thriving and growing writers’ community on Vashon Island, we can often be found at the Localvore Lit Booth at the Vashon Farmer’s Market. Drop by and take home a fabulous piece of local literature!

Birds of Vashon 2nd Edition  
By Ed Swan
Reviewed by Delinda McCann

If you own the first edition of Ed’s Birds of Vashon, you need the second edition.  In addition to the color photos, Ed has added to and corrected some of the information about our avian neighbors.  The second edition emphasizes how changing environment can change bird populations over a very short period of time. Birds of Vashon is not really a field guide.  It goes deeper into the lives and loves of the birds next door.  Just like the people on Vashon, they form friendships and squabble and raise their young.  Swann gives us all the scoop on these neighbors we see on the beach and in the trees.
 Birds of Vashon 2nd Edition is available wherever books are sold and at the Saturday Market Localvore Lit booth.

Coffee & Orange Blossoms
By Nathan Scholz
Memoir/Inspirational
Reviewed by Melissa McCann

Nate Scholz graduated from Vashon High School in 1984. In 2000, he fulfilled a lifelong fascination with the middle-east by moving to Tyre, Lebanon where he lived for seven years, working with the Christian church there while embracing the culture of his Muslim neighbors. This is the memoir of his life among the Muslim people, his love for their culture, and the warmth with which they welcomed him, entirely apart from race or religion. The most moving chapter depicts the concern and compassion of his Lebanese neighbors in response to the tragedy of 9-11. Many Americans responded by characterizing every Muslim in the world as a terrorist without exception. This is a different look at who the Muslim people really are.
Available in paperback or ebook from Amazon, or get a good deal on the Paperback at the Saturday Market Localvore Lit booth.