July Non-Fiction Review

Title and author of book? If You Lived Here, I Would Know Your Name by Heather Lende

What led you to pick up this book? The big awkward MOOSE on the cover of course! My aunt wanted to buy me something when I was in Duluth for Grandma's Marathon so I let her get me this book.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending!
The author is a local journalist in Haines, Alaska. The book chapters begin with excerpts from her column "Duly Noted". The chapters tell the story of life in this small Alaskan town. The topics of life, death, friends, the outdoors, children, pets...and how they are all related make this a down to earth story sat in a beautiful land.

What did you like most about the book?
Finding my friend Andrew Friske's name in one of the Duly Noted sections! We went to college together. But I also have always had a fascination with Alaska and Heather's story make you feel like you really "know" the locals. The stories she tells about the locals touched my heart and made them seem like friends too.

What did you think of the main character?
There wasn't really a "main" character to this story other than the author who is sharing the stories of the community. Heather's love for this community as an adopted Alaskan stirred the feelings I have as an adopted Montanan. She moved to this community and now is one with it and it's people. Heather embraces life and takes on the challenges of living in remote Alaska as an adventure not a burden.

Share a favorite scene from the book.
As staff of the local newspaper, Heather also writes the obituaries for the paper. She doesn't write just any obituary, she takes the time to tell the story of the individual. I think the most touching story she told was of a friend of her children's who was killed on his fishing boat at a very tender age. Just the way she honored him not only in her obituary but in the chapter in the book was very moving. It captured the spirit of the community.

What about the ending?
The ending made me smile a content smile while silent tears fell down my cheeks. I wanted to hear more stories of this little community and I'm ready to book a flight to go visit.