Haines author Heather Lende will hold a launch party for her new book, “Find the Good: Unexpected Life Lessons from a Small-Town Obituary Writer,” later this month that will double as a fundraiser for the Haines Borough Public Library’s expansion project.
The event is from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 28 at the library.
A $10 entry fee for the party will go toward the library’s expansion project, which will add a reading room on the south end of the building and an employee work station on the north end.
Lende gained renown in 2005 with the publication of the New York Times bestseller “If You Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name: News from Small-Town Alaska” and followed it with “Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs: A True Story of Bad Breaks and Small Miracles” in 2010. She has also written columns for the Anchorage Daily News and Woman’s Day magazine, and writes obituaries for the Chilkat Valley News.
The small “gift book,” as Lende called it, contains 18 short essays. “I wouldn’t say it’s an advice book but every piece is sort of a lesson I gained from writing an obituary or living in Haines,” she said.
Tom Heywood, owner of the Babbling Book, said the book “articulates little nuggets of wisdom” Lende has learned from her life experiences. “It’s easily digestible, but thought-provoking and inspiring. It makes you want to take closer note of the things that happen in your life, and try to practice interpreting them in more meaningful, appreciative ways,” Heywood said.
The April 28 release of “Find the Good” will coincide with the release of the audiobook as well, which Lende recorded herself. “It’s the first one I was able to do. I am really hoping it can be successful so I can do the other two books,” Lende said.
Heywood said he’s already been getting calls from people across the country wanting to reserve signed copies of the book.
The book launch party will include hors d’oeuvres and music.
Copies of Lende’s new book will be available for purchase at the event, and then will be available at the Babbling Book.