Author Vicki (Melin) Schoen of Amarillo was the guest speaker of Dimmitt Book Club when they convened recently in the meeting room here at Rhoads Memorial Library. She recounted her experiences as a writer, detailing her writing process.
Schoen was born and raised in the Texas Panhandle. She grew up listening to her grandmother's stories about life in Dalhart, which reinforced her love of the area. Additionally, Schoen's experience as an American history and English teacher led her to become a self-published author. Her works range from adult fiction to children's books. She is currently working on a novel set in World War II.
The book club's meeting was led by President Genell Craig, who welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the club year. Social distancing was observed, and masks were worn; tentative plans for the Oct. 13, 2021, meeting were announced.
Young Scientists' Take and Make kits are being distributed for September 2021. "Color Chromatography" is the subject of the project, as instructions and supplies are in the bags. The kits are provided by Felice Acker, local agent with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Newly released books that have arrived and are ready for checkout include:
-"Down Range" (a thriller) by Taylor Moore. Undercover DEA special agent, Garrett Kohl, has traveled the world and fought in most of it. While on a special assignment in Afghanistan, his commander orders Kohl back to his hometown in the High Plains of northwest Texas on what is supposed to be a short mission.
Kohl is alarmed to find that criminals have infiltrated law enforcement, corrupted local businesses, and are now terrorizing Kohl's own family. Kohl's hope to resolve matters peacefully are nixed when the terrorist group attacks first. A Green Beret, Kohl may be outmanned and outgunned, but he knows the wild and forsaken Llano Estacado region better than anyone. The criminals learn the hard way that the only thing tougher than the land are the people who call it home.
-"The Reading List" (a novel) by Sara Nisha Adams. Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in Wembley, West London. He worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he watches nature documentaries on TV. He goes to the public library and is given a book list that the bored part-time library clerk had discovered in the back of a book. Mukesh and Priya both read the novels and find the shared books create a connection between them. Both lonely souls discover that the fiction allows them to escape their troubles and find joy again.
Until next week, Happy Reading!