Finish your holiday shopping: ‘Overburden’ signing this Saturday

The first two months of release for my new book “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” have gone very well. We’ve gone into a second printing and are now mapping efforts to reach into the Twin Cities market in 2009. But for those who live up north, my last book signing for 2008 will take place this Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Village Bookstore in Grand Rapids. This is your last chance to get a signed, first edition copy of “Overburden” as a personalized, one-of-a-kind Christmas gift. Oh yes, I’m going there. Like a shark I must swim to survive.

But who would want “Overburden” for Christmas? That title sounds sad and Iron Rangish. It’s so hard to find books people will like.

Nonsense. The book is a lively jaunt through the Iron Range’s past, present and future. (Just like “A Christmas Carol” but without the ghosts). And who would want it? Let me tell you who. This list is based on the kinds of folks who have been writing and talking to me after reading the book (excluding relatives):

• Young adults on the Iron Range, especially college students, up-and-coming career folks and relatively new parents.
• Professionals (ie: people who read books) living on the Iron Range who are from someplace else. Bonus points if the Iron Range confuses and sometimes frightens them.
• People interested in Minnesota history and politics.
• People who love the Range.
• People who hate the Range.
• People who like amusing, insightful books with a lasting message and a sense of place that can be read quickly in segments, as though crafted for bathroom reading, bedtime and coffee breaks. Also, the book can be hollowed out to hold a flask or pistol.
• People who breathe oxygen.

As you can see, it’s a comprehensive list. I could summarize this group of people as “hard to buy for” — except that I can’t. Because on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. at the Village Bookstore in Grand Rapids (at the Village Mall along Highway 2) I will be signing copies of “Overburden” on demand. Did I mention this book falls conveniently in the $10-$20 price range? It totally does.

I have several lectures and/or readings in the works for 2009, including our push into the Twin Cities, but this is the last hurrah of 2008. I hope to see you in Grand Rapids on Saturday!