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Albuquerque Journal, N.M., David Steinberg column [Albuquerque Journal, N.M.](Albuquerque Journal (NM) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) June 05--Wendy McClure read nearly all of Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" books when she was young and watched the TV series "Little House on the Prairie." As an adult, McClure has reread the books. To satisfy an obsession with Wilder's life and the popularity of her writings, she traveled from her home in Chicago to visit many of the off-thebeaten-path places where Wilder had lived. That took McClure to sites in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri. Wilder was born in 1867 and died in 1957. McClure's travels -- and her thoughts about the book's influence on our perceptions of Midwestern pioneer life -- are the basis of her new book "The Wilder Life, My Adventures in the Lost World of 'Little House on the Prairie.' " McClure will discuss the book at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande NW. She said the book is for the adults who read the "Little House" series in the 1970s and '80s and saw the TV show. "I hope it inspires people to visit the home sites," McClure said. "And I hope there's still a new generation reading the books." Coming to Albuquerque also will give the author a chance to see her father, Jim McClure, and an aunt, who live here. AT ALAMOSA BOOKS: The bookstore is hosting authors over four days in what it calls "Science Week." At 4 p.m. Monday, June 6, Eva Thaddeus will discuss her book "Powering the Future: New Energy Technologies." It looks at the safe methods for harnessing clean, alternative fuel sources for the 21st century. Thaddeus also will talk about the work on the subject being done in New Mexico. ... At 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, Dan Shaw will talk about his book "Eco-Tracking: On the Trail of Habitat Change." Shaw, who teaches at the Bosque School, will show how young people can become citizen-scientists and track ecological changes in their neighborhood. ... At 4 p.m. Thursday, June 9, Robert Julyan , a co-author of "Field Guide to the Sandia Mountains," will chat about the Sandias in terms of their geology, flora, fauna and weather. On the same program will be Mike Coltrin , the author of "Sandia Mountain Hiking Guide." Coltrin and Julyan will give advice on how to prepare for hiking in the Sandias. ... At 4 p.m. Friday, June 10, Michele Sequeira and Michael Westphal , the co-authors of "Cell Phone Science: What Happens When You Call and Why," will explain the science and the history of this important and pervasive technology. The University of New Mexico Press published "Powering the Future," "Eco-Tracking" and "Cell Phone Science" as part of its Barbara Guth Worlds of Wonder Science Series for Young Readers. Alamosa Books is at 8810 Holly NE. IN OLD TOWN: Local author David Corwell y Chavez signs his short story "Susto" from the collection "Dia de los Muertos" from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Treasure House Books & Gifts, 2012 South Plaza NW. IN SANTA FE: Santa Fe author Robert Mayer discusses and reads from his new novel, "Danse Macabre," at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, at Collected Works Bookstore. It's an occult mystery set in New Orleans and centering on a young ballet dancer, her newsman boyfriend, a psychiatrist with his own neuroses and Marie Laveau, the legendary 19th-century voodoo queen. Laveau returns from the dead to save her city from Hurricane Katrina and assorted characters. Collected Works is at 202 Galisteo. ___ To see more of the Albuquerque Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.abqjournal.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Albuquerque Journal, N.M. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544) |