Bookstores--an Escape in Taxing Times

You know it’s time to get serious about the tax season when you begin the avoidance routine. Most writers are experts at avoidance. This takes the form of working crossword puzzles, organizing closets and shopping--especially in bookstores.

If you’re looking for books on faith and the life of the spirit, check out these to inspire you.

Anne Lamott, author of “Bird by Bird” and “Operating Instructions,” shares the chronicle of her spiritual path in “Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith” (Pantheon, $23). She describes coming to faith as a series of staggers from one seemingly safe place to another--like hopping between lily pads. Her unconventional life and spiritual journey make for a wild trip through addiction and other excesses. She lives in Northern California with her son and lectures at writers conferences.

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If you don’t like irreverence, opt for John O’Donohue’s more serious “Eternal Echoes: Exploring Our Yearning to Belong” (Harper-Collins, $25). O’Donohue lives in Ireland, lectures worldwide and wrote “Anam Cara,” a bestseller in Ireland for more than a year. He writes that a family is a nest of belongings, and the artist is a permanent pilgrim.

Contributors in “Work and the Life of the Spirit,” edited by Douglas Thorpe (Mercury House, $16.95), run the gamut, including Henry David Thoreau, Louise Erdrich, Studs Terkel, Thomas Merton and Lao-Tzu.

Most pieces relate to spirituality in work. In a chapter on the sacredness of chores, Brenda Peterson writes, “Cleaning can be an art. I’ve often spent a Saturday morning dancing on the freeway of love right in the middle of my living room with Aretha and a vacuum.”

Kathleen Norris is married and has a family and a fascination with monastic life. Her latest book, “Amazing Grace--A Vocabulary of Faith” (Riverhead Books, $24.95), defines familiar words in the vocabulary of the spirit. Of silence, she writes, “When my life becomes too noisy and distractions overwhelm me, silence reminds me to take my soul with me wherever I go.”

For a voyeur’s glimpse of what famous people say to God or their higher power, journalist and broadcaster Larry King has written “Powerful Prayers” with Rabbi Irwin Katsof (St. Martin’s Press, $22.95).

Featured celebrities include Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, Muhammad Ali, Dr. Jack Kevorkian and Willie Nelson. King, a curious skeptic, remains on the fringe in divulging his own beliefs. But he does reveal that upon recovering from a serious illness, he offered thanks, and writes, “I know I wasn’t talking to myself.”

HAPPENINGS

* Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Jennifer Carter, Emmy winner and producer of National Geographic specials, will discuss her book “Titanic Adventure” and her dive to the Titanic, while coauthor and Academy Award winner Joel Hirschhorn offers musical entertainment. Calabasas Barnes & Noble, 4736 Commons Way, (818) 222-0542.

* Sunday at 4 p.m. Bookbusters discussion group on young adult literature, led by Wildwood Elementary librarian Mary Lock. The book is “Streams to the River, River to the Sea,” by Scott O’Dell. Thousand Oaks Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., 497-8159.

* Monday at 8 p.m. (sign-ups at 7:30). Open mike night for writers’ works appropriate for a family bookstore. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., 446-2820.

* Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Kelli’s Crafts will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by making something from the book “Elegant Ribbon Craft.” Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., 446-2820.

* Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Kids can wear green as they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by reading about things that are green. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Wednesday at noon. Mystery writer J.A. Jance will discuss and sign “Breach of Duty” at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 374-0084.

* Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Writing Group offers feedback on poetry, short stories, novels and other works in progress. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Celebrate the Emerald Isle with readings of plays and poems by some of Ireland’s literary giants. Thousand Oaks Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., 497-8159.

* Friday at 7 p.m. Storytime will feature “Where’s My Teddy?” by Jez Alborough. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Friday at 7:30 p.m. Author Joan Kenley will discuss and sign “Whose Body Is It, Anyway?” coauthored by Dr. John C. Arpels. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., 446-2820.

* Saturday at 10 a.m. Nevada Barr will discuss and sign “Liberty Falling” at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 374-0084.

* Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adventures for Kids celebrates its 20th birthday. Cake will be served at 11 a.m. Ventura caricaturist Chris Martinez will be on hand, along with authors and other illustrators. Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura, 650-9688.

* Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Cookbook author Marlene Sorosky will demonstrate recipes from her “Fast & Festive Meals for the Jewish Holidays.” Calabasas Barnes & Noble, 4736 Commons Way, (818) 222-0542.

Catch you next week.

Information about book-signings, writers groups or publishing events can be faxed to Ann Shields at 647-5649 or e-mailed to anns40@aol.com.