Apply yourself

Tapioca Strangeways of Rising Gorge, Vt., really wants to get into prestigious Riddle University. The autobiographical admissions essay that Tapioca submits makes up the majority of Julian F. Thompson's new book, "Getting In."

Thompson, who splits his time between West Rupert and Bellows Falls, has had 18 young-adult novels published by major houses. But this self-published one, he explains, is shorter and aimed at both college-bound teens and their parents. In case you couldn't tell, it's a spoof, "making fun of the hugely irritating and often daunting process of applying to college(s)."

The subtitle is "How One Ingenious Applicant Induced a Letter of Acceptance From America's Most Selective University."

Tapioca's essay goes on for 10 autobiographical chapters, each of which charmingly and modestly presents one or more facets of Tapioca's depth, unique well-roundedness and overall worth to a university like Riddle.

Interspersed are the letters that fly back and forth between Rising Gorge and the college admissions office. In them, Tapioca's plan can be seen taking shape.

Thompson had a long career in education and was well into his 50s before his first novel was published. Many of them are set in Vermont, where he has lived since 1967.


Food fight

Go ahead, be a rebel: Tip back a cold glass of milk. Might not seem very revolutionary, but if it's raw, unpasteurized milk, you could be risking a visit from the authorities.

A new book from Chelsea Green publishing house in White River Junction, called "The Raw Milk Revolution: Behind America's Emerging Battle Over Food Rights," asks whether the government has the public's interest or that of Big Dairy in mind when it prohibits the sale of raw milk, which buyers believe to be healthier.

Author David Gumpert describes a crackdown by the agriculture departments of several large states on small dairies producing raw milk. He paints a vision of undercover agents, sting operations, surprise raids, propaganda blitzes and grand jury investigations, all beginning in 2006.

The book also explores the debate over whether raw milk really does pose a public health threat and asserts that the basis for such claims was sometimes sketchy.

Gumpert has been a reporter and editor with The Wall Street Journal and the Harvard Business Review and has written other books on aspects of entrepreneurship and business. He also blogs about the battle over raw milk.


On page and screen

Anchor Books is re-releasing Vermonter Jay Parini's 1990 book "The Last Station: A Novel of Tolstoy's Last Year" to coincide with a new movie version starring Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, James McAvoy and Paul Giamatti.

Here's how Parini, who teaches at Middlebury College, described the story for the Chronicle of Higher Education: "It's about the final year in the life of Leo Tolstoy — a time of turmoil, when the Russian author was torn between Sofya, his wife of 48 years, and his chief disciple, Vladimir Chertkov, who represented his spiritual and ascetic side."

Parini noted that Tolstoyan ideals "included chastity and poverty — not ideals the master himself embodied with any constancy, as he well understood."


The Reading Light: a spotlight on events

-- Vincent E. Feeney's book "Finnigans, Slaters, and Stonepeggers: A History of the Irish in Vermont" examines the rich, true story of the Irish in the Green Mountains. The author will visit Briggs Carriage Bookstore in Brandon on Thursday at 7 p.m. for a reading and discussion.

-- Tickets are already on sale for an event with Ken Burns on Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at The Equinox Hotel in Manchester. He will talk about and sign copies of "The National Parks," the companion book to his recent PBS documentary on the parks. Tickets cost $50 and include a copy of the book. They are available through the Northshire Bookstore at www.northshire.com.

-- Former Vermont Gov. Madeleine Kunin will talk about her book "Pearls, Politics, and Power: How Women Can Win and Lead" today at 2 p.m. at the Stone Church in Chester. We're not giving you much notice to get down there, so we'll also note that Philip Baruth will appear at the church Nov. 15, also at 2 p.m., to present his recent novel "The Brothers Boswell." The series is sponsored by Misty Valley Books.

-- Correction: Bear Pond Books has announced a corrected time for Willem Lange's appearance Nov. 27 at the store. He'll be there at 11 a.m. to sign his new picture book, "Favor Johnson."


Compiled by Ruth Hare. Do you have a tip for Between the Lines? Send it to ruth.hare@timesargus.com.