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Category: Essays
Dearly Befuddled
Katherine Finstuen
Details
Title Dearly Befuddled Author Katherine Finstuen Illustrator Jessica Lyman Finstuen Genre Essays; Humorous Size 6.5 ” X 6.5 “ Pages 102 Format and Price Paperback $16.50, E-Book $6.00 Available Purchase here or through booksellers worldwide Important If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Buy Paperback
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Blurb
For those who find life mysterious and lovely, filled with both gut-wrenching despair and gut-shaking humor, Dearly Befuddled offers a collection of essays delving into the vastness of human experience and imagination. Written by Katherine Finstuen and illustrated by Jessica Lyman Finstuen, this follow-up to their first collaborative effort, Those Who Can’t Do, will once again elicit laughter, poignancy, thought, and a sense of wonder.
Author
Katherine Finstuen grew up in Washington state before relocating to California in 2002 where she earned her M.A. in English Literature and Composition at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Though two short stories were published there during her time as a student, she has since devoted her life to reading copiously, walking vigorously, and creating offbeat cross-stitch slowly — all while teaching high school English. Recently, however, she devoted more time to writing, producing “Those Who Can’t Do” along with her beloved sister-in-law. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559017991020
Illustrator
Jessica Lyman Finstuen grew up in rural Montana until moving to less rural Montana and then onto Wales, Oregon, California and finally settling in Washington State. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Montana State University in 1999 and has enjoyed creating her whole life. Teaching special education has been her focus for the last 14 years while raising two kids with the author’s brother, hiking, gardening, and enjoying the Pacific Northwest. The opportunity to collaborate with her creative and wonderful sister-in-law sparked her artistic side and this book has been a fulfilling collaboration.
Preview
Media
Radio
Dearly Befuddled on KCBX Reviews
Richard Stacy David In her first book “Those Who Can’t Do”, Katherine Finstuen shared with us her reflections on a wide swath of Life and Living, skillfully utilizing a wry sense of humor and wit while remaining focused on everyday aspects of Life that we can all pretty much relate to in one way or another.So how could she possibly surpass that?
Easy- with another book.
And she does just exactly that in her second tome- “Dearly Befuddled.” In this follow-up volume Katherine takes us another step forward while sparing no part of her experiences from examination. Once again, it’s an opportunity for us to enjoy her perspectives on the things in Life that are so often simply taken for granted. In the process, Katherine provides another way to look at, and appreciate, those things.
And once again, Katherine demonstrates a knack for helping us to better understand what we thought we already understood.
Unabashed. At times provocative. Always entertaining.
Highly recommended.Robert Dearly Befuddled–the sequel to Katherine Finstuen’s first book Those Who Can’t Do–proves her first book was no fluke and that we have an original talent on our hands. Wise and funny, there is a seamless unity of intelligence with humor in this sequel that demonstrates a new confidence, a stronger voice and even more unfettered attitude. But this time Finstuen takes on more challenging topics —body part artists—Covid—rejection letters—each one challenging her ethos to rise to the occasion—which it does again and again. There is hardly a single line in this book that does not land with a surprising insight, revelation, pun or joke. It’s sometimes like listening to a very brave and very literate stand-up comedian who, nevertheless, is always looking for the truth. A wonderful book by a writer’s writer and a reader’s best friend. I am a big fan. Diane Dearly Befuddled moved me to tears and laughter–sometimes at the same time. Katherine’s wit and humanity shine through the pages. She understands loss, anxiety, and the annoyance caused by well-meaning people. And her sense of humor crackles! These essays provide insight into life itself, and I happily recommend it. It’s a great companion to her first collection, Those Who Can’t Do. Larry Katherine Finstuen has once again proven her mastery and agility with the written word. Dearly Befuddled is a deeper book than her first, tapping into a different set of emotions yet with the same brand of humility, wit, and charm as the first. When the two books are paired together it almost feels like going on a series of dates with the author, but strangely enough the conversation doesn’t feel one-sided. The date conversations begin light and funny, with occasional hints at what lies beneath her surface, progressing to stories that bare her soul in profound, yet still laugh out loud funny ways, all of which are so elegantly worded that you love the dance as much as the dancer. Her stories are told in such an honest way, most will find some degree of simpatico with many of them, leaving the reader feeling very connected to the material. Goodreads April 5, 2023 Katherine Finstuen’s second book manages to feel comforting and fresh at the same time, like having coffee with a friend you haven’t seen for a long time. The trademark humor is there, sometimes brazen, sometimes subtle, as is Katherine’s ability to be somehow poignant, sad and silly simultaneously. These essays beautifully express the delight, sadness and bewilderment found in the quotidian, while also illuminating how our inner worlds can bring a sense of possibility to seemingly mundane circumstances. The prose is masterful, bringing a certain intimacy to this delightful and at times disconsolate book. 
Those Who Can’t Do
Katherine Finstuen
Details
Title Those Who Can’t Do Author Katherine Finstuen Illustrator Jessica Lyman Finstuen Genre Essays; Humorous Size 6.5 ” X 6.5 “ Pages 84 Format Paperback $15.00, E-Book $6.00 Available Purchase here or through booksellers worldwide Important If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Buy Paperback
Buy e-Book
Blurb
Celebrating a love of the quirk and despair we all experience in this odd thing called life, Those Who Can’t Do is a collection of essays combining humor with more serious reflections on the nature of existence. Many of the essays explore the often bizarre world of teaching while maintaining one’s sanity and creativity. The simple pen and ink drawings provided by the author’s sister-in-law (another teacher) prove a wonderful accompaniment to the pieces. Readers who can enjoy both the absurdity and beauty of life will delight in both the words and pictures comprising this unique collection.
Author
Katherine Finstuen grew up in Washington state before relocating to California in 2002 where she earned her M.A. in English Literature and Composition at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Though two short stories were published there during her time as a student, she has since devoted her life to reading copiously, walking vigorously, and creating offbeat cross-stitch slowly — all while teaching high school English. Recently, however, she devoted more time to writing, producing “Those Who Can’t Do” along with her beloved sister-in-law. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559017991020
Illustrator
Jessica Lyman Finstuen grew up in rural Montana until moving to less rural Montana and then onto Wales, Oregon, California and finally settling in Washington State. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Montana State University in 1999 and has enjoyed creating her whole life. Teaching special education has been her focus for the last 14 years while raising two kids with the author’s brother, hiking, gardening, and enjoying the Pacific Northwest. The opportunity to collaborate with her creative and wonderful sister-in-law sparked her artistic side and this book has been a fulfilling collaboration.
Preview
Media
Katherine Finstuen on KCBX public radio
The Woodinville Weekly
Article no longer available online.
Goodreads Reviews
Those Who Can’t Do by Katherine Finstuen (goodreads.com)
Sample Reviews
From Allison
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! If you are a lingiphile, you will appreciate observations about our language, funny life stories/lessons, and so many shared experiences as humans. Uplifting in a way that will make you nod your head and chuckle out loud.
Jun 03, 2022 Jamie rated it it was amazing
Somehow this book made me laugh and cry without feeling sentimental at all (that’s a good thing!). Beyond the erudite and exquisite prose, the author’s ability to imbue the quotidian with meaning, quirk, delight and a look askance is unparalleled. The effect is like watching a ribald stand-up comedy routine, reading a wise haiku, and attending a deeply felt outdoor sermon all at the same time.
May 15, 2022 Robert Inchausti rated it it was amazing
Very Smart and Very Funny
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book by a self-confessed English teacher that is as original in its ideas or more beautifully composed. The short essays collected here are a blend of stand-up comedy, commentary, and confession— articulated by a keen observer of people and language in all their various uses and mis-uses. Think of Sara Silverman’s outrageous honesty combined with the tempered wit and wisdom of Montaigne. (Too much?)
Get this book for its astonishing perceptions, but read it again and again for the sheer pleasure of its eloquence. The Thurber-like illustrations drawn by the author’s sister-in-law are as understated and poignant as the prose—providing a bird by bird reinforcement of two of the book’s central themes—
1) that life is too serious to take seriously and 2) that cartoon chickens deserve a lot more respect than we have been giving them.
London Talent: Contribute to Waterton London Magazine
To be distributed for free
Waterton London Magazine is accepting local artistic and literary content submissions – including short stories, poetry, essays, fashion and other photography, articles about art, fashion, music, theatre, and film, and articles about writers, musicians, artists, actors, producers, directors, designers, models, venues, and the like.
Stems from the Edge of Silence
Hanna Abi Akl
Details
Title Stems from the Edge of Silence, Writings from the Springs of the Mind Author Hanna Abi Akl Genre Poetry, Essays, Short Stories Pages 286 Format Paperback $17.00, E-Book $6.00 Important Basic shipping through the US Postal Service – without tracking – is $6.00. Ground ($25) and 2-day ($40) shipping is via UPS with tracking. All delivery windows are estimates only. No UPS delivery to PO boxes. If you order an e-book, the PDF and EPUB files will be sent to your email address (advise if you need a MOBI file for Kindle). Return policy: we only accept return of items damaged in shipment – if this is the case please contact us at [email protected]. Blurb
Stems from the Edge of Silence is a combination of written works including poems, short stories, essays and letters. The book addresses controversial themes such as religion, family ties, society and immigration. The collection is written as a multi-layered memoir in which Abi Akl questions foundational concepts ranging from artistic creation to immortality, pitting the essence of human belief against all forms of doubt.
Author Bio
Hanna Abi Akl is the author of poetry books, novels, essays and short stories. He discovered his fascination for language through books and was deeply captivated by the words of others which he at times found to be mystic. This set him on a lifelong exploratory journey of the wonders of language and everything it represents which led to the publication of some poetry collections and novels. Intrigued by human life, cognition, emotion and behavior, Hanna writes extensively about every aspect of being “human”, from snapshots of mundane daily lives to open-ended philosophical musings. The main inspirations to his work remain however music, paintings and of course, words. His work is featured in literary journals and magazines.
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