Reader's Fave

I recently interviewed Heidi Heywood for our 27th installment of Reader's Fave, a casual interview with someone who shares their favorite book. I met up with Heidi for our conversation at her home in Skamokawa.

As we began, Heidi shared her reading interests and authors who appeal to her. "Fiction is what I enjoy the most," she said. "I look for an author who captures your attention and sucks you in [and] takes you to another place. An author who introduces you to fabulous, evocative people."

Heidi's personal favorite author who offers such writing is Barbara Kingsolver and her book "Prodigal Summer," a novel of human love, struggling small farms, and living amongst the Appalachian mountains.

"I really liked the character development," Heidi said. "There were these constant conflicts, this struggle, and it was set in this one particular amazing summer. There was all this bounty. It really resonated with me in regards to our own struggles here with dairy living, regulation on fishing, and people having to adapt or leave."

This book captured Heidi. "It describes the human experience, and sucked me in and wouldn't let me go," she said. "It was one of those 'do not put it down' books. It transported me to another place. It describes conflict that can be resolved and what to do to resolve it. [It] shows how conflict changes the way humans interact with each other, all while set in this super-abundance of a summer. It was the most beautiful summer; a sense of wonder [and] utter beauty. We have so much. [We're] so grateful [for] what we can receive."

There were other Kingsolver books Heidi enjoyed. One was "The Bean Trees." In the past, Heidi lived in Tucson, Ariz. for a while. "She does a great job in describing Tucson, the biology, the place, flora, fauna," said Heidi. "It was a quirky small city back then. It had character with mom and pop type stores. Very vivid. The story is of two young women raising their children, showing a fascinating mixture of choosing a community. Your family, mixed along with the happen-chance of life."

Another Kingsolver book Heidi enjoyed was "Demon Copperhead." Noting Kingsolver herself was a student of human biology and behavior, Heidi said of the book, "The protagonist, a young man who has an addiction, is in foster care, and had watched his mom face the same condition. I was hoping for the young man in the biggest way. He didn't have ideal choices, opportunities, or models, but a coach at school takes him in to help. You see the same here in our community with families helping others."

After sharing the Kingsolver books, Heidi discussed growing up in rural upstate New York. "Libraries were such a blessing, and book mobiles would come," Heidi said. "We would check-out the limit on books. We were readers, and I'd read books multiple times." As a mom, Heidi would take her kids to the library every Tuesday. "It was so much fun," she said. "It's a blessing [and] really, really fun." Today, Heidi enjoys reading hard copy books. "I like the feel of a book," she said. "I like the old-fashioned book...and Santa only brings books."

So, wonderful Wahkiakum readers, may you find a book which captures you, sucks you in, and won't let you go as it takes you to another place.