Books Posts

Duluth Chapbooks: Poetry, Fiction, Comics, etc.

Apr 27, 2020 1 Comment

From laureates to total hacks, writers and other artists have compiled their works into inexpensive little booklets for hundreds of years. The history of street literature in Duluth has perhaps not yet been explored in depth.

Gathered in this post is by no means a comprehensive collection of chapbooks produced in Duluth, but rather just a smattering of publications that happened to be gathering dust in the Perfect Duluth Day library.

Got one to add? Mention it in the comments and/or email the cover art if you have it to: paul @ perfectduluthday.com.

Read More


Art , , ,

A Few Northern Minnesota Books for Your Pandemic Pleasure

Apr 23, 2020 No Comments

Spring in Duluth is a perfect time for reading. It’s that awkward period between ice fishing and regular fishing when outdoor options are limited because trails are too muddy. Add into the mix the lack of events during the COVID-19 pandemic and it seems like books should have a real moment right now.

Read More


Art

New York Times: Preus’ new novel for youth “charming”

Apr 17, 2020 No Comments

Duluth author Margi Preus gets positive ink in the New York Times Book Review for her new novel for young people, The Littlest Voyageur.


News and Current Affairs ,

Duluth You & Me: A Souvenir Activity/Coloring Book

Apr 16, 2020 2 Comments

Right in the middle of a shelter-in-place order, when a Duluth coloring and activity book is most needed, Perfect Duluth Day pulls this 1993 relic out of the basement library.

Read More


Art ,

Duluth’s story told by one of its greatest chroniclers

Apr 10, 2020 No Comments

Tony Dierckins is among Duluth’s greatest resources. Few have given so much of their time and energy to telling the story of the city. As a small publisher, perhaps few have taken as many personal risks hoping the stories of Duluth will find their audiences.

Read More


Events, History

OMC Smokehouse Cookbook raising funds for Lincoln Park

Apr 02, 2020 No Comments

Tom Hanson of Duluth Grill / OMC Smokehouse / Corktown Deli and Brews / Noble Pour had to lay off 200 people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a big blow to the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

So Hanson is teaming up again with Robert Lillegard of Duluth’s Best Bread to publish the OMC Smokehouse Cookbook.

Read More


Restaurants, Videos , ,

The Richardson brothers in the book “Haunted Minnesota”

Mar 22, 2020 5 Comments

This post could also be called “Bigfoot and Us.”

Starting in 1998, my brother Allen and I wrote a “weird science” column called “Gonzo Science” for the alternative Duluth newsweekly Ripsaw.

Read More


History, Music, Outdoors , , , ,

Another rare find at the CSS Book Sale

Dec 23, 2019 No Comments

I have invited Michael Fedo to talk to my classes several times. He is in some ways an old-fashioned freelancer, following the story where the market will take him. He is, in some ways, an old fashioned humorist.

Read More


Random

St. Lutgarde of Aywières at the CSS Book Sale

Dec 19, 2019 No Comments

Annually, the College of St. Scholastica sells books, records, and other media — in part, it looks like, to clear shelves of material that does not circulate, and in part, I think, to offload donations.

I managed to snag a few items worth thinking about. The first was a biography of St. Lutgarde by Thomas Merton.

Read More


Random ,

Sorry Alworth Building, you’re not special

Oct 25, 2019 No Comments

The website of Rotary International published a story in August about reading, with “suggestions for making each book count.” Around the middle of the story is this nugget:

Recognize that not all reading pleasures can be shared. I have friends who will swear up and down that Frederick Exley’s A Fan’s Notes is the greatest sports book ever written. This, for the record, is like being the tallest office building in Duluth. Which in and of itself doesn’t make the building special.

Well, don’t worry, Alworth Building, Perfect Duluth Day thinks you’re special. All 247 feet of you.


Random ,

What Goes ‘Round in Bayfield sold; now Honest Dog Books

Oct 02, 2019 No Comments

The former What Goes ‘Round bookstore at 38 S. Second St. in Bayfield recently changed ownership and is now called Honest Dog Books.


News and Current Affairs ,

Book Cover: Entrance to East High School, Spring 1963

Aug 24, 2019 No Comments

The setting for this fictional book is Duluth. The main characters attended East High School. The author grew up on Arrowhead Road.

A thoroughly Duluth-centric book. Read a sample at Amazon. The download version is 99 cents.

Be forewarned; this isn’t another high school reunion puff-piece.


History ,

The Richardson Brothers Podcast

Jun 10, 2019 No Comments

Announcing the launch of our podcast.

Read More


Art , ,

Duluth Book Releases in 2019

Jun 10, 2019 No Comments

Grasshopper Girl
Written by Teresa Peterson
llustrated by Jordan Rodgers
Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing

Rez Dog
Story by Heather Brink
Illustrations by Jordan Rodgers
Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing
(March)

Movin’ On: Using Moments of Challenge as a Springboard to Becoming More
Rod Raymond
Ramjet Events
(March 6)
Available at rodraymond.com

Read More


Art , ,

Saturday Essays in Book Form

Mar 20, 2019 No Comments

I have self-published a small book containing 15 essays. They comprise the lion’s share of the 17 essays which Perfect Duluth Day so kindly ran as part of the Saturday Essay series. It is available at Zenith Bookstore on Central Avenue in West Duluth next to Beaner’s Central.


Art ,