Baldacci goes presidential again with ‘First Family’
It’s always nice to see a Virginia boy made good, and we Northern Virginians have one of our own favorite literary sons in David Baldacci. The Richmond native and current Vienna resident has a new book out this week, and he’s crossing the bridge to D.C. for a special book signing at the downtown Borders at K Street at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The popular author of such thrillers as “Divine Justice,” “Stone Cold” and “Absolute Power” (his breakthrough hit that also become a Clint Eastwood flick) is back with “First Family.” His newest again stars Secret Service agents-turned-P.I.’s Sean King and Michelle Maxwell as a child is kidnapped and Sean’s history with the first lady makes him the first person she calls in for help. Enter political intrigue and maybe even some betrayal. Also, if you’re feeling particularly charitable, you might want to inquire on how to give to Baldacci’s pet philanthropic project geared toward helping end illiteracy, the Wish You Well Foundation.
While you’re pondering book trips downtown, Politics & Prose has a few interesting options this week as well. Donna Leon will be there at 7 p.m. Wednesday to chat about her newest Venetian mystery, “About Face”; Quinn Bradlee, the son of Washington Post veterans Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn, stops by at 7 p.m. Thursday for “A Different Life,” which chronicles his own struggles with learning disabilities; and “Secret Identity” author Craig Yoe is in town at 7 p.m. Friday for his new tome, a look at Superman co-creator and artist Joe Shuster’s racier, non-superheroic drawings. Good luck seeing the Man of Steel and Lois Lane the same ever again.
Nothing overly erotic in the mainstream comics world this Wednesday. DC Comics’ “Battle for the Cowl” crossover continues with a special “Arkham Asylum” one-shot following the institution’s administrator and how he’s dealing with the costumed crazies going wild with Batman going M.I.A. But there is that little “Wolverine” movie coming out next week, so Marvel is all Wolvie, all the time these days. There are quite a few “Wolverine Art Appreciation” variant covers this week — I kinda dig the cover for Hulk No. 11 — in addition to “Wolverine: The Anniversary,” featuring the feisty clawed one doing what he does best on the eve of the anniversary of his love Mariko’s death, and “Wolverine: Weapon X Files,” a handbook to Wolvie’s many allies and foes. And if that’s just too much Wolverine for you, there’s also the debut of “Skrull Kill Krew,” about some dudes making sure they wipe out all the pesky shape-shifting aliens left over from “Secret Invasion.”
Wanna chime in to the bookish discussion? Send some email to novapoppin@gmail.com.
Tags: book signing, books, comics