The following events will happen at Parkplace Books in Kirkland:
Sunday, March 10, 2 p.m.: Book launch for “My Only Choice 1942-1956 Hungary” by Helen Szablya.
Szablya, the honorary consul general of Hungary for Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, co-authored “Hungary Remembered,” an award-winning, oral history drama/lecture series for the 30th anniversary of the “Hungarian Uprising, and The Fall Of The Red Star,” an award-wining book about an illegal boyscout troop during the 1956 Hungarian Uprising, published in honor of the 40th anniversary.
She and her late husband escaped in 1956 with two toddlers and a newborn. Her new book, “My Only Choice 1942-1956 Hungary” is the story of their life and the story of their native land, as seen by a 7-year-old growing up and becoming a mother of three. Szablya’s story sheds light on a dramatic era in European history, one which Americans hardly know and will find fascinating to discover.
Szablya recently received the order of merit of the Republic of Hungary for her consular and cultural work and the Spirit of Liberty award from the Ethnic Heritage Council. Past president of the Washington Press Association, she is an award-winning author, columnist, translator, and lecturer. She holds two university degrees, speaks six languages, and many of her more than 700 publications have won awards.
Thursday, March 14, 7 p.m.: Join Parkplace Books for its twice yearly presentation for bookclubs as staff recommends 34 of the best in new paperback titles for great book club discussions. This is always a fun and informative evening. Come early as seating fills fast.
Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m.: Can this really be the last Alpine mystery? Join Parkplace and find out as one of the most engaging mystery writers discusses and signs copies of her newest book, “Alpine Xanadu.”
Featuring Emma Lord and other favorite characters alongside some sinister new ones, “Alpine Xanadu” may be one of Mary Daheim’s most surprising and wryly delicious mysteries yet. The town of Alpine is abuzz about Emma’s recent engagement to Sheriff Milo Dodge, the recent opening of RestHaven, a new rehab and mental health facility, along with the accidental death of Wayne Eriks from a climb on an electric pole in the middle of a storm. Or was it an accident?
A perennial favorite in the Pacific Northeast, the author has written more than 55 novels, is winner of the 2000 Literary Achievement Award from the Pacific Northwest Writers Association and in 2008 was inducted into the University of Washington’s Communications Hall of Fame.
