Wednesday, January 28, 2009 – Book of the Month: (listen)
Running Alone in Photographs, a novel written by Grammy Award winner Robert Mirabal (Taos Pueblo) is a contemporary tale juxtaposed with historical, first-hand accounts of Indian life found only in memory – and snapshots. Running Alone in Photographs is Mirabal’s debut as a novelist and is the coming of age story of Reyes Wind, a young Native musician who travels the world before returning to her ancestral home for the funeral of her grandmother. In Mirabal’s words, the book was written to “bring insight to a world of travel, enlightenment, adventure, and that ceremony starts with the rising sun.”

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 – Book of the Month: Eternal: (listen)
Before we end the month of romance we will suck the last few drops out of that four letter word – love – with a vampire tale. When author Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek) started to write her latest novel, Eternal, she used her own advice and wrote the kind of book she loves to read. As a result, she has opened up the world of Gothic fantasy for young adults and readers from all bites of life. In Eternal, the vampire royalty, shape shifters, ghosts and angels meet again in a universe where the high price of magic and love are at stake and where there are no guarantees of a happy ending.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 – Book of the Month: The Life, Work & Times of an Artist: (listen)
Sam English (Turtle Mountain/Red Lake Chippewa) is an internationally known artist whose artwork is recognized by its elongated Native figures. He recently received the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. His new book titled “The Life, Work & Times of an Artist” is hot off the press. It includes numerous examples of his work, along with his explanations and his philosophy of life. How is his depiction of Native people on the canvas helping real-life Natives stand tall and encouraging them to return to the circle?

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 – Book of the Month: Everything You Know About Indians Is Wrong: (listen)
Paul Chaat Smith, Associate Curator at the National Museum of the American Indian is at it again. This Comanche author uses his sharp wit and words to pierce the veil of misinformation and misinterpretation that enshrouds Indian Country. Smith highlights the gaps between non-Native perceptions and Native realities and uses humor to salve the wounds born for generations of Native peoples. Join us as we visit with Smith about his new book and about going places and doing things.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 – Book of the Month: Dark Thirty: (listen)
Santee Frazier (Cherokee) crafts poems that represent the outskirts of American culture, where the marginalized and the ostracized struggle to find community and purpose. The poems in his new book “Dark Thirty” address subjects that are not often thought of as poetic, like poverty, alcoholism, cruelty, and homelessness. In Frazier’s world, there is no romanticizing of Native American life. Does the way some of our Native relations live repel us or compel us to help them find their way back to dignity? Have you ever found yourself living on the edge?

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 – Book of the Month: Poneasequa Goddess of the Waters : (listen)
In her debut novel Wampanoag author Stephanie Duckworth-Elliott creates a place of acceptance through her young character McKenzie Jones. The challenged character faces the world on a diverse path amongst her peers where being tall and brown with dark hair and eyes makes her somewhat of an outsider. And that’s when the “Place of Peace” is discovered, which just may not be total fantasy. What other adventures of self discovery and cultural pride lie within the waters of this tale?

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 – Book of the Month: The Alaska Native Reader: (listen)
The Alaska Native Reader provides a deeper look into the world of the Indigenous peoples of Alaska. The book aims to bring together essays, poems, songs, stories, maps and visual art to tell the true story of the Alaska Native. By accessing multiple voices, myths about the rich culture are dispelled and the history of the strong peoples, often hidden, is brought into plain sight. How can setting the record straight today help the Alaska Natives of tomorrow? Guests are Maria Williams (Tlingit/ Haida) Professor of Music at the University of New Mexico and Aaron Leggett (Dena’ina Athabascan) Dena’ina Cultural Historian for the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 – Book of the Month: Rabbit and the Fingerbone Necklace: (listen)
Inspired by the symbolic importance of ravens in Cherokee history and presented in the style of an old Cherokee tale, “Rabbit and the Fingerbone Necklace” is the latest installment of the adventures of Ji-Stu the Rabbit and his friends. Why has Ji-Stu been invited to dance for a flock of shiny ravens? Why are they so interested in his necklace? What is the mystery, the meaning and the power of the bones? Join us as we visit with writer Deborah Duvall (Cherokee) and artist Murv Jacob (Cherokee).

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 – September Book of the Month: For a Girl Becoming:
Joy Harjo, the Mvskokoe Creek poet and musician, is reaching for a new instrument to tell the Native story. She dives into the power of words once again in her new children’s book “For a Girl Becoming.” The story takes on the path of a young girl’s journey from birth to adulthood. The liner notes state that the book is not just for children, but for all. As the book aims to connect the reader with the natural world, what life’s lessons are unlocked through poetic story? Join us for September Book of the Month as we highlight our Native children’s literature.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 – October Book of the Month: War Dances (listen)
Sherman Alexie's October release of War Dances comes after his recent National Book Award. As irreverent as ever, Alexie will surprise readers with a much unexpected persona in his newest work. Tune in for the unveiling of the surprise with guest, Sherman Alexie (Spokane/ Coeur d'Alene).

Monday, November 16, 2009– Book of the Month: Velroy and the Madischie Mafia: (listen)
Comanche Poet Sy Hoahwah connects to the past and present through his words. Beyond the typical Native picture that often gets painted through the words of a Native poet about myths and the beauty of the land, Hoahwah opens up his view of contemporary Native America that continually spars with change and where the old ways wrangle with drugs and pop culture for control.

Friday, December 18, 2009– Book of the Month: Searching for My Destiny: (listen)
George Blue Spruce Jr. (Laguna/Ohkay Owingeh) is recognized as the first American Indian dentist. His life story reaches back to his ancient Pueblo culture and extends to state-of-the-art dentistry. Throughout his journey Dr. Blue Spruce has traveled between two cultures, succeeding in mainstream society while keeping Pueblo tradition in his heart. Facing prejudice and conquering adversity, he reached the zenith of his career as director of the Phoenix Regional Indian Health Service and achieving the rank of assistant surgeon general of the United States.

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