One way or the other, check out ‘Hour of Lead’

If you live in Spokane, you're not likely to drive the 70-some miles to the Whitman County town of Endicott, even if the purpose was to listen to an award-winning writer read from his book.

So you might not take advantage of Bruce Holbert's reading at 6 tonight at the Endicott Library.

But you know what? You could do the next best thing. You could pick up a copy of Holbert's novel "The Hour of Lead," which won the 2015 Washington Book Award for fiction. Here are some comments about the book from various reviewers:

Adam Woog, Seattle Times: "a portrait of a disappearing way of life, lovingly told in gorgeous and moving prose."

Kirkus Reviews: "Holbert’s work rings out with the hard, clean truths of love and loyalty, family and friendship, all flowering from thickets of poetic language, some simple ('work was praying the same prayer everyday'), some gut-wrenching ('When he finally took the baby from her and held her bloody stillness in his hands, he wept')… a masterpiece."

Carolyn Lamberson, The Spokesman-Review: "Holbert’s writing brings a lyrical sense to even the most gruesome scenes as he traces the history of the Grand Coulee country through the first half of the 20th century. It’s a severe and gorgeous place to visit, and Holbert makes for a fine tour guide."

And if you're feeling ambitious, pick up Holbert's other novel, "Lonesome Animals." You can see a list of all Holbert's writing by clicking here.