Staff Picks: Jon Hassler

I’ve been a fan of Jon Hassler since I first picked up Staggerford well over twenty years ago. If forced to pick a favorite title of his, I’d probably stick with it but then there’s the “mini-series” of Rookery Blues and Dean’s List. And how could I leave out North of Hope?

Which is why I chose an author, rather than a title for my inaugural Staff Pick. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong by picking up any of his books, though I will admit that some of Hassler’s later books don’t live up to my expectations for his novels. But don’t let that stop you from giving him a try.

Hassler is one of several Minnesota writers I enjoy reading and the cold, barren landscape of the far north shapes many of his characters. Miles Pruitt, Agatha McGee, Frank Healy, Leland Edwards—all bear burdens that shape their lives but their very ordinariness is what resonates with the reader.

If you’re looking for happy, “grey skies are going to clear up” titles, pass on these. But if you are up for books that touch your heart and psyche, head right over to the Fiction shelves and pick up one—or more—of Hassler’s books.