We LOVE Kids Books

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

2012-01-05T12:44:00.003-05:00

War Horse (Paperback)
By Michael Morpurgo
$6.99
9780439796644
Scholastic Press, 09/01/2010
176 Pages

Finally, we got this in stock! It's here if you want it. It's for ages 8 to 12.

In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

All Kinds of Kisses by Nancy Tafuri

2012-01-03T12:17:00.001-05:00

All Kinds of Kisses (Hardcover)
By Nancy Tafuri
$16.99

9780316122351
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 01/01/2012
Pages: 32

There are all kinds of kisses...
Cheep kisses. Moo kisses. Maaa kisses. Coo kisses...
But the best kiss of all...
Is Mommy's kiss goodnight. Sweet dreams, little one!

Mommies and babies aren't the only ones who enjoy sharing kisses. All throughout the farm, animal families snuggle up with their little ones, offering them warmth and love. Following a mama bird on her journey back to the nest to give her own baby some special cuddles, Nancy Tafuri uses beautiful, inviting illustration to share how different creatures, from peeping ducks to mooing cows, show their love and affection in very similar ways. A heartfelt homage to all of the wonderful kinds of kisses.

The Sisters Grimm: A Very Grimm Guide by Michael Buckley

2012-01-03T12:15:00.000-05:00

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler art by Maira Kalman

2012-01-03T12:12:00.000-05:00

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On: Things About Me by Jenny Slate

2011-12-14T08:25:00.001-05:00

Marggie really wants you to know about this book!

The Elf Off The Shelf: a Parody by Horace the Elf

2011-12-13T13:27:00.001-05:00

Okay, it's not really a kid's book but I thought some parents might get a laugh here. Come by the store if you want some suggestions for making your own elf. (think evil elf)

Max's Castle by Kate Banks, Boris Kulikov illustrator

2011-12-13T11:01:00.002-05:00

Some forgotten toys under the bed lead Max and his brother on an adventure using their imagination and some old blocks.

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

2011-12-09T16:37:00.002-05:00

His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass (Hardcover)
By Philip Pullman
$35.00
9780307957832
Everyman's Library, 12/06/2011
1144 Pages

Wow! This is an awesome edition. All three books in one handsome volume. Sure, it's a little pricey but that's the Everyman's Library edition.

Need a safe Christmas Tree?

2011-12-08T07:58:00.003-05:00

If you don't have room for a Christmas Tree, or want to have something in the kids' room. Here's an idea I found on Apartment Therapy. I love how simple it is.

The excitement builds.

2011-12-01T16:44:00.000-05:00

Star Trek: Book of Opposites

2011-11-30T15:54:00.002-05:00

Maybe your kids won't get this, but you know YOU want this!
Star Trek Book of Opposites (Board Book)
By David Borgenicht
$9.95
9781594745195
Quirk Books, 9/2011

Cheesy, campy, hilarious! Just like the original Star Trek series, you will love it. Your kids may not appreciate it as much as you do, but don't you get this kids books for yourself? Come on, admit it!

The Holiday Gift Catalog is HERE!

2011-11-22T07:57:00.001-05:00

The 2011 Holiday Gift Catalog is in the store now.

Over 100 book ideas for gifts AND there's a coupon on the back cover. Stop by Market Block Books, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza or The Little Book House to get your copy. Or use the link above to browse the catalog online.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Where Is The Green Sheep by Mem Fox

2011-11-17T21:14:00.001-05:00

It's coming!!!

2011-11-11T17:04:00.001-05:00

TUESDAY, November 15.
Call you reserve your copy!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever (Hardcover)
By Jeff Kinney
$13.95
ISBN-13: 9781419702235
Published: Amulet Books, 11/15/2011

Festival of Trees 2011

2011-11-11T15:01:00.003-05:00

Donations will be collected for Catholic Charities and pet supplies for Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.

Check out the website for more details.

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

2011-11-08T11:06:00.002-05:00

Inheritance (Hardcover)
By Christopher Paolini

So many good books today, this is one of many!

2011-11-07T20:46:00.001-05:00

http://alcdmm.org/modules/mod_wdbanners/hello.php?html138

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

2011-11-07T09:53:00.003-05:00

I Want My Hat Back (Hardcover)
By Jon Klassen, Jon Klassen
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9780763655983
Candlewick, 09/27/2011

Sometimes I just get an immediate feeling about a book; that it's going to be a winner. I Want My Hat Back is one of those books. The minute I saw the reader's copy I knew it would be a hit. Customers laugh when they read it. The humor grabs them. And these are folks who don't normally look at kids books. But here's the true test: do kids like it? But wait a minute! Are kids really the "true test?" After all, most of these books are bought by adults who give them as gifts. So, let's just leave the kids out of this discussion for the moment. Adults are the ones who really like these books. And now we're back to my original point. It's going to be a hit. My only editorial comment for the book: I wish it was a squirrel instead of a rabbit. Hehehehe
//Stanley

Help Us Help Our Neighboring Libraries

2011-09-28T21:27:00.000-04:00

Help us help our neighboring public libraries recover from Hurricane Irene!

The Schoharie Free Library and the Middleburgh Library in Schoharie County need your help to rebuild their recently damaged book collections. Schoharie Library lost the bottom three shelves throughout and Middleburgh lost the bottom one plus shelves due to Hurricane Irene damage.

Three local independent bookstores have established funds to help them purchase replacement titles. Your donations in any dollar amount will be greatly appreciated.

Please call with a credit card to donate:

Market Block Books in Troy, NY at 518-328-0045

The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany, NY at 518-489-4761

The Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady, NY at 518-346-2719.

Or, stop by any of these stores in person to donate.

Children's Book Talk: Saturday, August 27 at 4PM

2011-08-25T17:14:00.001-04:00

Oops! I forgot to mention I'd giving a talk this coming Saturday on new and upcoming Children's Books. And I might just throw in a couple of adult books for good measure. Come and hang out on Saturday at 4PM. (Stanley)

The Giant Book of Giants by Saviour Pirotta and Mark Robertson

2011-08-25T17:00:00.004-04:00

The Giant Book of Giants (Hardcover)
By Saviour Pirotta, Mark Robertson, illustrator
$19.95
Sterling, 08/01/2011
9781402785962

Guess who's having fun with books again? Yes, it's me! Hey! It's a dreary, rainy day and I had to make a display of this new book. And this is a book to have fun with! The giant in this book unfolds in a 3-D display with his pockets full of all kinds of surprises. He keeps a clock tower in one pocket to keep time. (A pocket watch?!) There are organ pipes from some palace so he can play some music. And somewhere under his kilt hides a few bats. Two grown adults at the store (unnamed!) had a lot of fun playing with this one. And so will you, I mean your kids! Come check it out! (Stanley)

What to do today in Troy?

2011-05-14T07:32:00.000-04:00

We have THREE events for you to consider today:

11AM: Mary and Carl McDaniel will talk about their new book Trail Magic: Creating a Positive Energy Home at Market Block Books.

12PM: Pitchapalooza will give you the opportunity to pitch your book idea to professionals in the book industry, with the possibility of getting to take your idea to an agent... at the Arts Center of the Capital Region.

1PM; Ray Andrews will be playing his baroque guitar for the enjoyment and inspiration of all at Market Block Books.

You need a bookstore today, don't you?

What's hot this week of 05/7/11

2011-05-07T16:18:00.009-04:00

	The Happy Mind: Seven Principles to Clear Your Head and Lift Your Heart (Paperback) By William R. Yoder $14.95
	Freeing Charles: The Struggle to Free a Slave on the Eve of the Civil War (Paperback) By Scott Christianson $24.95
	The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life (Hardcover) By Lisa Occhipinti $24.95
	The Help (Paperback) By Kathryn Stockett $16.00
	Sacred Hearts (Paperback) By Sarah Dunant $15.00

Remember: most books are downloadable as EBOOKS. Just click on the title link and select the Google eBooks option.

The hottest titles for the week of 3/28

2011-03-30T22:25:00.000-04:00

	The Affair of the Veiled Murderess: An Antebellum Scandal and Mystery (Hardcover) By Jeanne Winston Adler A Troy, NY cold case gets a new look and a fresh treatment.
	I Don't Wish Nobody to Have a Life Like Mine: Tales of Kids in Adult Lockup (Paperback) By David Chura Chura's years of teaching English to teens in adult lock-up make for excellent reading for parents and teachers.
	Uprising (Paperback) By Margaret Peterson Haddix The 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company just passed. A terrible disaster that changed working conditions for our nation is portrayed in this young adult novel.
	Memories, Poems and Essays by Don Jones.
IMAGE TO COME	Hidden (Paperback)By Tomas Mournian Gay teens sent off to psych hospitals by their parents to be "cured" find refuge in a safe house in San Francisco. The main character is a young Muslim teen whose dialogue is fresh and peppered with tension breaking humor.

We love teachers!

2011-03-26T11:08:00.003-04:00

We are fortunate enough to have a group of teachers from Troy High School and Doyle Middle School yesterday. They were looking at titles that might become part of the school's required reading.

So, here's your challenge, what books (new titles) would you recommended to become a part of a high school reading list? Fiction or nonfiction.

What do you think?

Meet David Chura tonight 3/25/11

2011-03-25T09:39:00.001-04:00

Book-signing tonight: David Chura 7-8:30 PM

Parents and teachers shouldn't miss this event!

I Don’t Wish Nobody to Have a Life Like Mine: Tales of Kids in Adult Lockup is the chronicle of David Chura’s 10 years teaching teenagers incarcerated at an adult county jail in Westchester, NY. In a series of vivid portraits that read like short stories, Chura brings to life a generation of young people caught up in the streets and all that that life leads to. Jonathan Kozol calls this book “powerful…and beautifully done…rich with devastating narrative” while the Times Union wrote that “the book discovers in the prison labyrinth a metaphor of the confinements and refuges of the human spirit.”

I Don’t Wish Nobody to Have a Life Like Mine: Tales of Kids in Adult Lockup, a book accessible to a variety of grade levels, has been assigned reading in Freshman Literature classes in community colleges as well as the subject of various high school reading and writing projects. Whether students are at-risk themselves or are curious about a world and culture they see around them and that has touched their own lives through music, fashion, TV or movies, these stories with their insider’s view of urban culture and the world of jail easily capture students’ interest.

David Chura, born, raised and educated in the Capital District, has visited both high school and college classes to discuss his book. Discussion topics range from the writing process itself to the lives explored in these portraits to the important issues surrounding the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

His writings have appeared in such publications as The New York Times, Mother Jones, and Education Next. He is a frequent contributor to Huffington Post and Beacon Broadside. Visit his website at www.kidsinthesystem.wordpress.com.

The hottest (best) titles for the week of 3/14/11

2011-03-19T15:56:00.008-04:00

	Digital Dead End: Fighting for Social Justice in the Information Age (Hardcover) By Virginia Eubanks, $27.95 It's pretty cool to see Virginia's book make it to the #1 spot for the third week in a row!
	The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (Mass Market Paperback) By Merriam-Webster, $7.50 It makes perfect sense that folks want this book. Some are even playing "scrabble" type games on their phones and devices. Nothing like a book to help you with electronics! Score one for paper!
	The Art of Racing in the Rain (Paperback) By Garth Stein, $14.99 This is a continued bestseller, popular with staff and customers alike. A dog story told from the point of view of the dog who's learning how to be human.
	The Affair of the Veiled Murderess: An Antebellum Scandal and Mystery (Hardcover) By Jeanne Winston Adler, $25.00 A cold case that's more than a century old gets some some new attention. It's exciting to see this book make it to the bestseller list before the author's event on 3/26/11. Will you be here?
	The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement (Hardcover) By David Brooks, $27.00 New York Times columnist and author, David Brooks gives us a look as who we are as social animals. The book is grabbing people's attention as evident by it's position on our bestseller list.

Peace and calm at last!

2011-03-19T12:52:00.004-04:00

Through a Dog's Ear: Music to Calm Your Canine Companion [With 26-Page Booklet] (Compact Disc)
By Joshua Leeds, Lisa Spector
$14.95

We've received a number of customer recommendations (dog owners) for this CD. But today we got the best review yet. One of our regular customers bought it with her dogs in mind but decided to play it in her classroom. To her surprise the third graders were the quietest ever while the music was playing. So, how can you argue with that? Dogs and kids calm down? Sounds like a tool for any household, eh?

What's hot this week of 3/7/11

2011-03-12T17:56:00.001-05:00

	Digital Dead End: Fighting for Social Justice in the Information Age By Virginia Eubanks Local author and professor gives us a powerful piece of writing to challenge our notions of a technological utopia. Not everyone gets to participate in this "dream."
	101 Things I Learned in Architecture School By Matthew Frederick This continues to be a popular book for our store, a no-brainer, eh? And a pretty cool book!
	I Broke My Trunk! (An Elephant and Piggie Book) By Mo Willems The Elephant and Pigge books are a hit! They are funny, easy to read and ready to be acted out! Put on a play at home you're kids will remember for a lifetime.
	The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire By Jack Weatherford New in paperback, this book got some attention in hardcover and is now making a run for it in paper.
	100 Most Awesome Things On The Planet By Anna Claybourne Doesn't this book just speak for itself?

What's hot this week of 2/28/11

2011-03-05T16:57:00.001-05:00

Here's what's been selling this week:

	1. Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. This long-awaited follow up to The Name of the Wind: The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day One has blown off the shelves! Susan is a huge fan of this book, and she's not alone.
	2. The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. Here's another staff favorite, thanks to Mary's enthusiasm this book is getting the attention of our customers.
	3. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. This is my (Stanley) favorite book for 2008 and I never get tired of recommending it. LOVE this book! And so does just about everyone else. This was our Number 1 book for 2009!
	4. Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This book recounts the store of the protest and fire at the Triangle Waist Company in New York City, which claimed the lives of 146 young immigrant workers. This year, 3/25/11, marks the 100th anniversary of the fire. FYI: The Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State is sponsoring a 40 hour fast to coincide with the anniversary.
	5. Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth. A smart and sassy and moral vampire (he was raised Catholic) is at the service of the President of the United States and the Constitution. I couldn't put this book down. Pure escapism at it's best. Not just a formulaic piece, it's got some substance to it. Yes, here it comes... something to sink your teeth into! (How could I resist.)

You can browse all these titles and more on our web pages. Just click on the title link to take you to our unified web pages (Market Block Books, Book House and The Little Book House). You can shop around and place orders for picking up in the store. Just choose the "outlet" where you want to pick the book up. Of course, not everything online is in the store but we can get most books.

Stanley

The Crows of Pearblossom by Aldous Huxley

2011-02-17T16:45:00.003-05:00

The Crows of Pearblossom (Hardcover)
By Aldous Huxley, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
9780810997301
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 03/01/2011
$16.95

Here's another book for the crow lover in you! Attractive illustrations and a curiously dark story by Aldous Huxley makes for a curious read. The book was written in 1944 for his niece, Olivia de Haulleville

Zombies vs. Unicorns by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier

2011-01-11T07:37:00.004-05:00

Zombies vs. Unicorns
By Holly Black, Justine Larbalestier (editors)
Margaret K. McElderry, 09/01/2010 (Simon & Schuster)
Hardcover, 432 pp
9781416989530
Ages 14+

What can be more fun than unicorns, right? How about unicorns that kick zombie butts?! Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! You think the Jane Austen mash ups have been groundbreaking? Well, get a load of this: a book of stories about the encounters between our favorite magical creatures AND flesh-eating zombies (whom we also love, right?)! Seriously, this doesn't get much better, does it? But wait! Let me sweeten the pot with even more good news. These stories are written by some of our greatest authors: Garth Nix, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Naomi Novik, Carrie Ayan, Margot Lanagan, Maureen Johnson, Diana Peterfreund, Scott Westerfeld, Meg Cabot, Cassandra Clare, Kathleen Duey, Libba Bray! How can you possibly resist that line up? What are you waiting for? Run down to the bookstore right now and have a look. Check out the cutesy cover... oh, wait? Is that unicorn tearing the arm off a zombie? Uh, er, yea, that's cute, right?

Stanley recommends this one!

Christmas Carol reading cancelled

2010-12-16T08:27:00.001-05:00

Well, folks, it was a last minute thought, and we appreciate those folks willing to participate, but it looks like we won't do the full reading of Dickens' A Christmas Carol this year. But we are enthusiastic about attempting is next year with renewed vigor.

May you find light in these darkening days!
Stanley

"A Christmas Carol" marathon reading!

2010-12-08T21:13:00.001-05:00

So what do you think? I'd like to do a complete reading of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" on Saturday, Dec 18, from 12-5PM.. or until we're done? Is anyone interested. We'd need about 10 readers. A mini-marathon! And I need your feedback pretty quickly. Well? Interested?

Comment with your email, or call me at the store.
Thanks,
Stanley

The Better World Shopping Guide: Every Dollar Makes a Difference By Ellis Jones

2010-12-06T13:39:00.000-05:00

The Better World Shopping Guide: Every Dollar Makes a Difference
By Ellis Jones
New Society Publishers, September, 2010
Paperback, 177pp
9780865716803
$9.95

From the publisher's webpage:

Many companies claim to be "good corporate citizens". So how does a responsible shopper separate the truly green from the greenwashers? Now in its third edition, The Better World Shopping Guide is the only comprehensive guide for socially and environmentally responsible consumers. This 100,000-copy bestseller rates every product on the shelf from A to F so you can quickly tell the "good guys" from the "bad guys" — turning your grocery list into a powerful tool to change the world.

Drawing on over 20 years of research, this completely revised and updated third edition includes over 45 sources of data, new product categories, a more accurate ranking system, additional business profiles and links to the latest online resources. Whether you're in the market for appliances or zucchini, The Better World Shopping Guide will help you find out which companies actually "walk the talk" when it comes to:

environmental sustainability
human rights
community involvement
animal protection
social justice.

Small enough to fit in a back pocket or handbag and organized in a user-friendly format, The Better World Shopping Guide will help you change the world as you shop!

Shop locally whenever possible.
-Stanley

(Reminder: All book links will take you to our stores' webpages (now unified) where you can place an order for in-store pick up or direct to home shipping.)

Today! George Wilson, fiddler 11:00 AM

2010-12-04T06:51:00.000-05:00

Local fiddler and clever guy, George Wilson will be playing his music at Market Block Books today. From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. George plays good old fashion fiddle tunes and tells a few stories along the way. A treat for all ages and a nice respite from the chaos of the holidays that are already bearing down on us. Come on in and enjoy the music.

What's new this week?

2010-11-30T09:02:00.001-05:00

1. The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar jumps to the #1 spot!

2. The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnet comes in at #2.

3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney continues to be a weekly bestseller since its release.

4.The Fall of South Bridge by Jimmy Badavino comes back to the bestseller list features a novel about the Mafia in Troy, NY.

5. The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi makes another honorable appearance on the list.

You decorate our lives AND windows!

2010-11-29T11:58:00.001-05:00

It's that time of the year when we invite our customers to come and sit in the window for the month of December leading up to Christmas. The sign up come by the store and select a time(s). We have one hour slots to fill. Here are a few "rules" to remember:

-We want you reading a book, hardcover or paperback. (Not an electronic device, either.) Not writing in your journal, or knitting, but actually reading a book. We're a bookstore and we promote literacy, you get to be an ambassador for reading for the world that walks by.

-This is not a time to promote or advocate for any causes, promotions or issues. Just sit and read. How simple is that? An hour of your time to just be still and enjoy a good book.

-Please bring a book or your choosing or you may buy one in the store. But since we are not a library, so we prefer it if you do not take a book off the shelf. We want you to reflect your reading life in the window as well.

-Children are welcome to read, but they must be accompanied by an adult for the entire hour.

-The windows are very cold, so dress warmly and FESTIVELY!!! A blanket will be provided.

Come by and sign up. Call if you have any questions: 518.328.0045

Seasonal Greetings!!!
-Stanley

Bedtime for Bear by Bonny Becker and Kady Macdonald Denton

2010-10-30T12:49:00.003-04:00

A Bedtime for Bear
By Bonny Becker; Kady MacDonald Denton (Illustrator)
Candlewick, September 14, 2010
Hardcover, 48pp.
9780763641016

If you're looking for the perfect bedtime story book then you've just come to the right place. Mouse shows up at Bear's house to spend the night. Bear wasn't exactly expecting a visitor. Bear is a sensitive sleeper and is concerned about how quite Mouse will be. Even Mouse's whispers are too loud for Bear.

The book is very funny! The interaction between Mouse and Bear is reminiscent of Frog and Toad, Henry and Mudge, Elephant and Piggie, and Bink and Gollie. (You do know about these other books, right?!) In the end you'll find yourself happy to read it again and again.

Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee

2010-10-21T07:58:00.003-04:00

Bink and Gollie
By Kate Dicamillo; Alison Mcghee; Tony Fucile (Illustrator)
Candlewick
Hardcover, 96pp.
September 14, 2010
9780763632663

Do you remember your best friend from childhood? That person who always made you smile? Encouraged you? And what about now? Who does that for you?

Open up this book about friendship. Bink and Gollie are friends. One tall, the other not so tall. Different in many ways and yet so much alike. This little book, perfect for an early reader, will explore profound lessons in simple ways.

There's a cheery freshness to this book that will make you smile and bring you back to a time when your life was less complicated. When a pair of socks could make you exceedingly happy. Maybe you need to get this book AND a great new pair of socks?!

Your local booklover (and sock lover),
Stanley

The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi

2010-09-26T12:49:00.003-04:00

The Search for WondLa
By Tony DiTerlizzi; Tony DiTerlizzi (Illustrator)
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing,
Hardcover, 496pp
9781416983101
September 21, 2010

I just finished reading "The Search for WondLa" last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll let you look up the synopsis yourself but let me say the storyline was fun with the references to future technologies was clever and interesting. And the life philosophies described were appealing to me. I have to warn you that this is the beginning of a series (big sigh!) but the book stands alone and doesn't feel like a teaser for the next book. Hooray! CONFESSION: I don't go in for series books much. And if it's a series I'll usually just read the first and move on. Mostly because I have more than enough to read for my job (bookseller) and I also want new reading experiences. (And this book comes with online interactive bonuses which I checked out and could be fun for lots of kids (younger and older like me!) but again, I spend enough time on computers all day, so .... (Hope I don't sound like a grouch here, just reporting my bookish lifestyles!)

2010-09-16T08:26:00.002-04:00

In Front of My House
By Marianne Dubuc
Kids Can Press
Hardcover
9781554536412, 120pp.
September 2010

Aren't you always looking for that ONE BOOK that will capture your child's imagination AND make it fun for you to read (over and over and over and over again?!) Here's one to consider! The cleverness of Marianne Dubuc has captured that rambling storytelling that only a child can render. "And then... and then... and then..." You know how the story goes, right. The child just goes on and on. Well, here's the book form of that idea. Every item is in relation to the next. One thing is next to another and soon you'll be giggling along with your child, or saying "what is that doing there!?" And it's a LONG book for a children's picture book. But let me say, it's a lot of fun packed into one book.

It's ALIVE!!!

2010-09-03T07:37:00.004-04:00

And it's IN THE STORE!!!

Benjamin Franklinstein Lives
By Matthew McElligott; Larry David Tuxbury
Putnam Juvenile, Hardcover
9780399252297, 128pp.)
September 2, 2010

Yes, yes, yes! It's arrived. A book you didn't know you were waiting for! And a couple of local guys made it for you, including one of our favorite customers, Larry Tuxbury (occasionally known at Mr. T).

Move over Wimpy Kid, there's a new guy in town who will make that "kid" wet his pants and run in fear. Okay, he's not THAT scary but here's a true contender for the hearts of kids who like a funny (shhhh, don't tell the kids it's smart too) and very cool. Benjamin Franklin brought back to life? Oh yes! And you didn't think it could be done. What? You didn't think about it at all?! Larry and Matthew will give you all the gory details and exploits of our new American hero monster.

This book is full of wonderful illustrations, many of them from historic sources, the rest from the wonderful mind of Matthew McElligott! And did I mention science. (Shhhhh! Don't tell the kids there's science in the book!) Just let them enjoy the scary story that unfolds to the delight of the reader.

Reanimation has never been more fun! And much better than a truckload of zombies! (or zombie parts)

Did I mention it's in stores now!
-Stanley is excited

Star Wars 3-D Millennium Falcon!!!

2010-08-27T08:15:00.002-04:00

Star Wars 3-D Millennium Falcon by Scholastic
Scholastic Inc., Hardcover
9780545210386, 24pp.

Okay, Star Wars fans here's something amazing and fun! (Yes! I'm using LOTS of exclamation marks!!!) This "board book" shows the detail to Han Solo's renowned ship The Millennium Falcon! The book shows level by level cross-section views of the Millennium Falcon. It's done like a board book with 24 pages. The effect is impressive! Short and sweet. The book speaks for itself. But you'll want to pick it up and thumb through this baby! (Not that I did! Ha! Are you kidding? You couldn't stop me.) I love this kind of stuff! After I saw the first Star Wars movie I was a danger to myself and others on the highway when I drove home from the theater. I was driving my Mazda (Millennium Falcon) 626 and acting like I was being pursued by X-wing fighters! I was alive after that movie! And this book brings back some of those memories of the film. What a rush!

Relive the memories with this book! I'm not gushing, am I? Please, don't let me drool in public!
-Stanley

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

2010-08-22T09:07:00.002-04:00

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
HarperCollins, Hardcover,
9780061969553, 448pp.
August 2010

Aliens living undercover on Earth. Only a few survivors remain alive. Number Four knows that the murderous enemies are tracking him down next. This is a thrilling adventure story that gets your heart pumping from the first page. Big hopes for this series. Here's what another bookseller has to say:

“John Smith arrives in Paradise Ohio and hopes that this will finally be the place where he settle down and be a normal teenager. This isn't so easy considering he's an alien developing supernatural powers on the run from the Mogadorians who have destroyed his home planet and are hunting him down along with the eight other surviving Loriens. A novel that hits the ground running and doesn't let up until the very end, this first book in the Lorien Legacies will cause readers to stop and think: do they really live among us?”
-- Grace Firari, The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop, Fort Atkinson, WI

Summer is NO excuse

2010-08-11T06:55:00.004-04:00

It's sad how much I've neglected this blog. My deepest apologies. I find that I have little time to work on the blog at the store during business hours and when I come home I find I have less energy to do work things. It's a question of boundaries. What I really want to do is simply tell you about some of the wonderful books that show up in the store day after day!
I love that part of the job. I keep thinking I'll just have a moment to post even one book and it never seems to make it to this blog.
Well, I'm trying again to bring those new titles to you.
Today it's a book by Mo Willems and Jon Muth: City Dog and Country Frog. This is a sweet and powerful story of a dog who goes out into the country and meets a frog who's waiting for a friend. And he says to the dog "But you'll do." And that's how their relationship begins and spans the seasons. The text is direct, well edited and powerful. The illustrations are splendid and full of life. It's sure to become a classic. If you aren't familiar with either one of these artists, both of whom have written and illustrated children's books, then you are behind the times and need to bring your education up to speed.

Thanks for being patient with me.
Stanley

Reprise: Sing, Nightingale, Sing

2010-07-03T14:34:00.003-04:00

This is not a new book but one that's been out of stock and now back on the shelves. Sing, Nightingale, Sing: A Book and CD for Discovering the Birds of the World is the perfect book for bird lovers. It's also great to introduce the world of birding to children of all ages. But the true beauty of this book is the CD that comes with 50 tracks of bird calls and 10 tracks that have piano arrangements accompanied by bird "soloists." You will make your cats crazy if you play it with them in the room.

On the road: Today in New York City

2010-05-24T17:26:00.001-04:00

I'm out of the store this week and will be reporting again from BookExpo America in New York City. This means I have some limitations to posting online since I typically will be using my ipod to send out posts. Limitations resulting from spotty or no WiFi means the posts may not get through until I find a connection. How lame, yes, but we just have to adjust.

First adjustment of the week: Bestsellers...

Adult:

1. 61 Hours by Lee Child
2. Freeing Charles: The Struggle to Free a Slave on the Eve of the Civil War by Scott Christianson
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
4. Writing What You Know: Realia by Marion Roach Smith
5. The Roots of Desire: The Myth, Meaning, and Sexual Power of Red Hair by Marion Roach

Children:

1. Firehouse by Mark Teague
2. Wish I Might by Coleen Paratore

Do you need a bag?

2010-05-20T08:20:00.002-04:00

Bag in the Wind
By Barry Root (Illustrator); Ted Kooser
(Candlewick, Hardcover, 9780763630010, 48pp.)

One cold morning in early spring, a bulldozer pushes a pile of garbage around a landfill and uncovers an empty plastic bag — a perfectly good bag, the color of the skin of a yellow onion, with two holes for handles — that someone has thrown away. Just then, a puff of wind lifts the rolling, flapping bag over a chain-link fence and into the lives of several townsfolk — a can-collecting girl, a homeless man, a store owner — not that all of them notice. Renowned poet Ted Kooser fashions an understated yet compassionate world full of happenstance and connection, neglect and care, all perfectly expressed in Barry Root’s tender illustrations. True to the book’s earth-friendly spirit, it is printed on paper containing 100 percent recycled post-consumer waste and includes an author’s note on recycling plastic bags.

Do you need a bag? Ask yourself that question again. Put the emphasis on a different word when you repeat the question. How many bags do you need? I've heard it said that each person on the planet throws away 500 plastic bags each year and only 5 percent are recycled. Check THIS ARTICLE for more statistics.

Were taking a small step in our store by not buying any more new plastic bags. It's a small step, but a step nonetheless. Will you join us? Bring us your clean, used plastic bags and we'll reuse them.

Children's Bestsellers for the week ending 8 May 2010

2010-05-12T07:32:00.007-04:00

	1. Party Animals by Kathie Lee Gifford (Running Press Kids) Lucy Goosy is carefully reviewing her list of animals to invite for her birthday party. She has to make sure to invite the right guests so that her party will be perfect.
	2. The Cootie Catcher Book by The Editors of Klutz (Klutz) Tear and folks your own fortune tellers.
	3. Friend or Flirt by Lizzie Mack (Scholastic) "Friend or Flirt?" contains nine quizzes about a girl's crush that can be shared with three of her closest friends.
	4. Spider-Man Versus the Lizard by Susan Hill (HarperCollins) Spider-Man's newest enemy is big, green, and mean. Spider-Man thinks he has him all figured out. But there may be more to the Lizard than Spidey can imagine!
	5. Instructions by Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins) A renowned storyteller whose words have transported readers to magical realms and an acclaimed illustrator of lushly imagined fairy-tale landscapes guide a traveler safely through lands unknown and yet strangely familiar.

Children's Bestsellers for the week ending 1 May 2010

2010-05-03T06:33:00.005-04:00

	1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar (board book) by Eric Carle (Philomel) That hungry caterpillar is so hungry she eats her way through the book to a spectacular ending!
	2. Judy Moody by Megan Mcdonald (Candlewick) Judy is in a mood what with the struggles of adjusting to third grade and all.
	3. Dancing Dinos at the Beach by Sally Lucas (Random House Books for Young Readers) This rhyming easy reader will kick start your summer break as well as reflect the latest warm temps.

Children's Bestsellers for the week ending 24 April 2010

2010-04-26T06:57:00.007-04:00

	1. Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch (Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle and kidnaps Ronald.) Annick Press
	2. Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick (Two boys--a slow learner stuck in the body of a teenage giant and a tiny genius in leg braces--forge a unique friendship when they pair up to create one formidable human force.) Scholastic
	3. Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (As the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.) Hyperion Books
	4. My Animals by Xavier Deneux (With playful cut-outs and splashes of color, this high-contrast book is perfect for introducing favorites from our wild kingdom.) Walker and Company
	5. Wimpy Kid Movie Diary by Jeff Kinney (Go behind the scenes with Jeff Kinney and the making of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" movie.) Amulet Books

Bestsellers for the week ending 10 April 2010

2010-04-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

1. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan (Two high school boys share the same name and learn powerful lessons from a mutual friend.) Young adult novel with mature themes.

2. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days #4 by Jeff Kinney (Life in middle school is never easy for a wimpy kid!)

3. Where's Waldo The Ultimate Travel Collection by Martin Handford (The classic is back in a travel format for kids of all ages.)

4. God Went To Beauty School by Cynthia Rylant (A touching poetry collection of a different way to look at God.)

5. How to Train Your Dragon: Befriending a Foe by Devan Aptekar (The early reader book based on the now popular movie.)

Bestsellers for the week ending 3 April 2010

2010-04-05T21:17:00.001-04:00

1. Wimpy Kid Movie Diary by Jeff Kinney

2. The Easter Egg by Jan Brett

3. Percy Jackson: The Ultimate Guide by Rick Riordan

Children's Bestsellers for the week ending 27 March 2010

2010-03-31T17:08:00.001-04:00

1. Red Is Best by Kathy Stinson (Annikins)
2. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (Puffin)
3. Graceling by Kristn Cashore (Houghton Miffling Harcourt)
4. Star Wars Clone Wars Season 1 Episode Guide by Jason Fry (Grosset & Dunlap)
5. Country Bunny & The Little Gold Shoes by Dubose Hayward (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Bestsellers for the week ending 20 March 2010

2010-03-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

1. The Lost City of Z by David Grann (Random House) A gripping tale of a Victorian explorer's attempts to find the fabled city of El Dorado.

2. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (Puffin) We know this story well, don't go chasing rabbits down holes.

3. The Big Short by Michael Lewis (W. W. Norton) A dark account of how our economy went off track.

4. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (Dial Press) An author's search for a new book idea takes her to the island of Guernsey and reveals the history of their occupation by the Germans.

5. The Book of Hours by Thomas Merton, edited by Kathleen Deignan (Ave Maria Press) A breviary of sorts elegantly composed from the writings of the monk Thomas Merton.

Bestsellers for the week ending 13 March 2010

2010-03-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

1. Lent and Holy Week: Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton. Edited by Jonathan Montaldo and Robert G. Toth (Ave Maria Press) It doesn't get better than a Lenten meditation book by Thomas Merton!

2. The Book of Hours by Thomas Merton. Edited by Kathleen Deignan (Ave Maria Press) This is a prayer book (breviary, if you please) using the words of Merton as hymns, psalms, prayers and more. Brilliantly edited making Merton's writings so accessible.

3. In The Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer Fleming. (Minotaur Books) The first in a series of murder mysteries set in the Adirondacks with a woman priest as the detective here along with the town sheriff. Very popular!

4. Saving Troy by William Patrick (SUNY Press) The author spent a year riding with the firefighters and EMTs of Troy, but it's about all the people who risk their lives to keep our cities safe.

5. Thunder of Captains by Dan Lynch (Three Lakes Publishing) Historical fiction set during the Revolutionary War in Upstate New York featuring Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne, Benedict Arnold and Benjamin Franklin.

Bestsellers for week ending 6 March 2010

2010-03-09T11:04:00.002-05:00

1. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (Random House)

2. Troy Then and Now by Don Rittner (Arcadia)

3. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See (Random House)

4. Lenten Labyrinth by Edward Hays (Ave Maria Press)

5. Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann (Random House)

Bestsellers for the week ending 27 February 2010

2010-02-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

1. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (Two under-appreciated tenants of a Parisian apartment building find deeper meaning with the arrival of a new resident.) Fiction

2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (An atmospheric crime novel set in Sweden featuring an investigative reporter and computer hacker track down the killer.) Fiction

3. The Lost City of Z by David Grann (A journalist tracks the trail of a long lost Victorian explorer who sought the famed city of El Dorado.) Biography/History

4. Something Missing by Matthew Dicks (A veteran cat burglar's attention to detail gets him an unlikely job as guardian angel to his "clients.") Fiction

5. The Natural Laws of Good Luck by Ellen Graf ("Mail order" in reverse, local author goes to China to meet her mate and brings him back to Upstate New York.) Biography

Bestsellers for the week ending 20 February 2010

2010-02-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

1. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

2. Little, Big by John Crowley

3. Blind Side by Michael Lewis

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

5. Grunt: Pigorian Chant by Sandra Boynton

Some Lenten Recommendations

2010-02-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here are a few books I would like to recommend for Lenten reflection. I have them in order of my preference.

1. Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J. M. Nouwen. This is my NUMBER ONE recommendation for Lent. It's not in stock at the moment but I'm working at getting it in soon.

2. The Lenten Labyrinth by Edward Hays. Hays' writing has been a staple in my library for years. This is yet another gem.

3. The Spirituality of Fasting: Rediscovering a Christian Practice by Charles M. Murphy. A brand new book that just showed up. I've been looking for a decent book (or two) on fasting. And this one promises to be a keeper.

4. A Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ and Saint Benedict: Daily Gospel Readings with Selections from the Rule of Saint Benedict by John R. Fortin.

More to come.

Bestsellers for the week ending 13 February 2010

2010-02-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

1. The Nightingales of Troy by Alice Fulton

2. Game Change by John Heilemann

3. The Lost City of Z by David Grann

4. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

5. Private Patient by P.D. James

Bestsellers for the Week Ending 6 February 2010

2010-02-07T16:06:00.001-05:00

1. Architects in Albany by Diana Waite

2. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

3. Food Rules: An Eater's Manual by Michael Pollan

4. Do You Doodle? by Nikalas Catlow

5. Mayo Clinic Diet: Eat Well Enjoy Life Lose Weight by Mayo Clinic

Bestsellers for the week ending 30 January 2010

2010-01-31T09:22:00.002-05:00

1. The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann

2. In the Bleak Midwinter By Julia Spencer-Fleming

3. In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto By Michael Pollan

4. Grimmer Tales: A Wicked Collection of Happily Never After Stories By Erik Bergstrom

5. There Once Lived a Woman Who Tried to Kill Her Neighbor's Baby: Scary Fairy Tales By Ludmilla Petrushevskaya

My Baby Rides the Short Bus

2010-01-22T06:48:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend I read through most of My Baby Rides the Short Bus a collection of stories from parents of "disabled" kids and their experiences with friends, family and service providers. Each story is amazing and a real chance for the rest of us to learn a little bit about the affect the birth and/or diagnosis of a "special" child has on parents, siblings and others.

I passed my copy along to a friend who has gone back to school to become a teacher and will be certified in special ed. I'm getting more copies for relatives and friends who have "special" children and need to know that others have had similar experiences.

Some of the stories will break your heart; others will make you cheer out loud; all of them will have an impact. One of the most powerful stories in these political times is entitled "Five Reasons We Need Health Care Reform Now"; it alone is worth the cost of the book and if it doesn't inspire you to work for reform, have someone check your vitals.

The book also contains reference material that will be helpful for families that are experiencing difficulty obtaining appropriate services. It's definitely a book to buy and to read and to share with others.

Marggie

New Year's Resolutions?

2010-01-18T09:17:00.003-05:00

I'm not a big fan of New Year's resolutions. But I usually do make one or two that are practical, achievable and measurable. Last year I vowed to get in better shape, to lose some weight (unspecified amount) and work on some writing projects.

Things happened beyond my control and as a result I lost 40 pounds in 2009. Without trying! Now, don't get all excited and think I've found the secret. I haven't but I learned a lot as a result of this past year.

First, I knew I needed to lose weight but never took the necessary steps. That's where forces beyond my control intervened. My doctor sent me to an ENT who diagnosed me with a kind of reflux I had never heard of before Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (click the link to learn more). And so my "diet" began: Foods to avoid: caffeine, cola beverages, citrus beverages and mints, alcoholic beverages, particularly at night, cheese, fried foods, eggs and chocolate. Also, smaller meals and no eating after 6PM. Don't you think you might lose weight too?

What I learned is that I ate out of habit and not because I was hungry. And for the first time in years, I felt hungry. That was the biggest shock. It's been almost a year now. My weight loss is stable. I have not put on any weight. I eat well and feel so much better. It does mess up my social life since evening meals are a part of the way I have socialized. But I'm still social. I just don't eat.

Secondly, I injured my shoulder. How, I'm not sure. I lift heavy boxes at work, it could be the natural wear and tear. The result, I just found out last week, is that I have a torn rotator cuff and will be having surgery. The pain has been intense and even typing has been difficult. So, when I come home I don't want to do much typing. (I'm typing all day at the bookstore.) And these blogs have suffered greatly.

Resolution 2: To post things at least weekly to these blogs but I'm not going to worry to much about it. If you have a book that you want to rave about, send me an email at books AT marketblockbooks DOT com and I'd be happy to make you a guest blogger! (Make sure the Subject says: Attention Stanley.)

I appreciate all the feedback I get from readers and customers. I happen to love books. I love my job. And I love to write. But I don't want to feel like this blog is a drudge. It's not, so far. But be forewarned, I'm backing off a little bit here. And when I have the surgery I will back off completely for a little while. Heck, you may not even notice. LOL

Resolution 3: I really want to work on my own writing projects.

What about you? Are you resolved? And what are you reading?

Thanks for reading,
Stanley

2009 Bestsellers at Market Block Books

2010-01-07T16:29:00.001-05:00

1. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (Europa)

2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer (Dial Press)

3. Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, a Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese by Brad Kessler (Scribner)

4. The Nightingales of Troy by Alice Fulton (W. W. Norton)

5. The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar (Soft Skull Press)

6. Birds in Fall by Brad Kessler (Scribner)

7. The Shack by William Young (Windblown Media)

8. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (Disney Hyperion)

9. The Poesten Kill: Waterfalls to Waterworks in the Capital District by John Warren (History Press)

10. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer (Megan Tingley Books: Little Brown)

Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher

2009-12-12T08:24:00.002-05:00

Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher
2007-10 - Hardcover
Sleuth RazorBill
9781595141712
$16.99

This has been a dark year. The economy has been bearing down on all of us. It's not surprising when fiction mirrors our reality. I'm sometimes at a loss to recommend books for teens who are not interested in the edgy. There are still plenty of good books to read, for all tastes. It's just that this year seemed to take a turn toward the dark side.

That being said book is about teen suicide. But told from the distinct point of view of the girl who's relating the events that led up to her choice using a set of cassettes to inform those who might have done something to help her. The vehicle is powerful. The effect makes the reader aware of all the things we do that could harm or damage another human being. I think that's the true strength of this book. And like any real suicide, it's easy to blame point fingers, but the true issue here is human suffering.

Each of us walks around with our own levels of pain and ability to cope with life. Some buckle under the pressure quicker than others. That's not an excuse, it's our reality. Jay Asher shows us our breaking points as well as ways to make it through difficult times.

This may not be on anyone's gift list, but it's an important book to read and DISCUSS! And I truly urge discussion on this book and topic.

Peace,
Stanley

You be the bookseller! Follow-up

2009-12-07T20:38:00.001-05:00

I forgot to tell you what the woman chose for her book for her 12 year old daughter who loves Stephen King.
She chose The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman!
Some of you got it! Bravo!

This Week's Bestsellers (Ending 5 December 2009)

2009-12-07T20:37:00.001-05:00

1. The Old Farmer's Almanac

2. Natural Areas of Rensselaer County

3. Stillwater by Linda Sanders

4. 1,001 Things They Won't Tell You: An Insider's Guide to Spending, Saving, and Living Wisely By Jonathan Dahl, et al.

5. Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer

The Feast of St. Nicholas, December 6

2009-12-06T06:15:00.002-05:00

By Edward Hays, from A Pilgrim's Almanac, Forest of Peace Publishing, 1989 (C), pages 191-192.

The Pay-less Shoe Gift Shop & Hobbit Gifts

Feast of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor in the fourth century, patron of children, pawnbrokers and sailors. Nicholas, known for his generosity, is also the patron saint of Greece, Russia and Sicily. Today in many European countries this Dutch Sinter Klaus, or Santa Claus, gives gifts of fruit, candy and sweets. Pray today for the heart of a child so as to enjoy this magical and mystical season of Christmastide.

One of the patron saints of this Advent season is good old St. Nicholas whose feast is December 6. Legend tells that he was the holy bishop of a city in Asia Minor. He is the patron of children, sailors, young women who wish to be married and pawn brokers—an interesting collection of persons to have the same guardian. But we might also add one more to the list of clients for the patronage of this kindly and generous saint: holiday shoppers.

By every advertising means at hand, we are encouraged to buy gifts for our loved ones. Christmas is the time when we empty our bank accounts in an attempt to satisfy our desire to find the right gifts for all those we love. Clever minds create commercials telling us that the cost of the gift speaks of the depth of our love. Hassled, hurried and haggled, we crowd our way through stores attempting the impossible feat of balancing our affection with our bank accounts. And each year, as the cost of goods increases, we find it harder to give a gift that truly speaks of our love. Woe to those who struggle through purchaser's purgatory!

But then, in the midst of our depression, comes St. Nicholas with a solution that's nearly a miracle (for which he was well known on land and sea). And it is fitting that the feast of St. Nicholas comes at the beginning of Advent and the beginning of the shopper's season. As the patron saint of shoppers he proclaims, "Keep it simple!" Keep it simple enough to fit in a shoe (as you may recall, in Europe it is St. Nicholas who gives gifts to children, leaving presents in their shoes or stockings). True, a diamond ring or a gold watch could fit inside a shoe, but that's not quite the idea behind this St. Nicholas advice.

One gift that could fit in a wooden or leather shoe, or in a stocking hanging on the fireplace, is a note that speaks of one of our most precious gifts, the gift of time. Such a St. Nicholas note might read: "My gift to you, Mom, is an offer to dry the dishes every night for the next three months." Or, "The gift I give you, dear, is half an hour of quality conversation each night right after the dishes are done." We can appreciate the value of such a gift if we keep in mind that according to a recent sociological survey, the average married couple in America has only thirty minutes a week of communication outside of exchanges that take place at the family table. And that thirty minutes a week even includes arguments! As you can see, the possibilities are almost unlimited for these St. Nicholas shoe gifts. Such love gifts imply that what you hide in the shoes of your loved one is yourself.

Come, St. Nicholas, patron of shoppers and gift-seekers, and make Christmas this year fun, creative and love-filled!

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

2009-12-05T07:34:00.004-05:00

I have been trying to post a blog about this book since I read it last week but I am up to my eyeballs in preparations for this time of the year. So, the blogs have suffered the most from my neglect. But the store looks good and the shelves are full.

Back to this wonderful book. There are times when I have been accused of having an overly active imagination. It's true. I have a vibrant inner life that lends itself to mystery and fantasy and just plain fun. I'm never going to apologize for that. As a result I'm never bored. I have a suspicion that Rebecca Stead has similar inclinations.

This book starts out simply enough. A sixth grader who has a best friend, but circumstances begin to change around her. (Remember how life was always shifting when we were twelve?) Her social setting is in flux, new people show up in her life. Her mother is practicing for a chance to "win big money" on a TV game show. But all that is familiar will soon be seen in a new light.

This book unfolds in such a lovely way. I hate to say too much without revealing the subtle plot points. I chose NOT to look up the book before reading it and I'm so glad I didn't have any expectations. There's a mystery here that begs to be solved. And I tried three times to guess what was going on, but I just couldn't quite get it. But when I finished and reviewed the book I realized it was right there. And I smiled. Yes, another book that I loved!

This has been a good year for reading good books and THIS one will be among those. Possibly my "top ten" but please don't make me make a list! It's just not fair.

Don't stop reading,
Stanley

This Week's Bestsellers (Ending 28 November 2009)

2009-11-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

1. Birds in Fall by Brad Kessler

2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

3. The Bell Casters of Troy by The Hudson-Mohawk Industrial Gateway

4. The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

5. Under the Dome by Stephen King

Volunteers wanted! Generosity needed!

2009-11-25T08:05:00.003-05:00

We're always looking for the perfect gift. And here it is: yourself!

We do free gift wrapping all year round, but during the holidays we ask for donations. This year we are collecting money for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. They need money more than canned goods. For every $1.00 given they can purchase $12.00 worth of food! Imagine how little it takes to feed so many?

There are those who are caught in these desperate times. Let your spirit of generosity extend well beyond your reach. Give your time. And give a few dollars. Skip that cup of coffee today and drop the money in the container.

Call or come by the store if you want to help with wrapping. The busiest time for wrapping is 12Noon-4PM, but any time you have will be a help. AND you get to hang out in the bookstore. That's a perk to me!

HOLIDAY HOURS: (we're now open EVERY DAY from now until Christmas)

SUNDAYS: 10AM-2PM
MONDAY-SATURDAY: 10AM-6PM
FRIDAYS in December 10AM-7PM
and YES!
Thanksgiving: 8AM-12Noon.

Don't forget, we're also continuing our 5th Birthday celebration! If you spend $50 we will give you a $5 gift certificate (good only in January & February, 2010)

You be the bookseller!

2009-11-22T08:12:00.002-05:00

I thought I would play a little game. It's called You Be The Bookseller!

Here are the rules:

I present you with a scenario and then tell me what book you would suggest to the customer.
Ready?

This week's scenario:

A mother comes into the store and wants a book for her 12 year old daughter. She reads well above her reading level and is mainly interested in Stephen King.

What would you suggest?

Noisy Outlaws... by McSweeney's

2009-11-15T05:47:00.002-05:00

Noisy Outlaws, Unfriendly Blobs, and Some Other Things That Aren't as Scary by McSweeney's
2009-09 - Paperback
Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
9780385737470
$12.99

If you aren't familiar with McSweeney's then you are in for a treat. The title of this book is actually much longer and goes something like this: Noisy Outlaws, Unfriendly Blobs, and Some Other Things . . .: That Aren't as Scary, Maybe, Depending on How You Feel About Lost Lands, Stray Cellphones, ... So Maybe You Could Help Us Out. To be perfectly honest, the title is longer than a couple of the short stories in this collection. But don't let that stop you from reading it. You may not appreciate the quirkiness of the title or the stories but YOU KNOW your kids will. All the "big guns" make an appearance in this book. And your reluctant reader will feel like a true insider to have this in her/his clutches. Come and take a look.

-Stanley

The Haunting of Derek Stone by Tony Abbott

2009-10-26T06:00:00.002-04:00

I know I talked about this book before but now that all four in the series are available I had to bring it up again. And it's just the perfectly scary book to read in preparation for Halloween! And then later this week I'll add some nice and sweet (non-scary) books for the little kids to enjoy Halloween.

[File this in the category of too much information.] Let me say that I'm not a big fan of Halloween. And I'm not really a fan of horror books. I don't usually like to be scared. The monthly bills that arrive in my mail box are fright enough for me! Even as a child I didn't care for Halloween. I know there are many who revel in this holiday but I just as soon go out to dinner than put on a costume and ring strangers' doorbell.

I'd rather spend my Halloween reading a good book. Wait! That's how I like to spend most of my evenings. There's nothing like reading a book that holds my interest and gets my brain working. The Haunting of Derek Stone is not my typical fare but I have to say I was quite impressed by the writing. And I will confess again, that I found it to be a very scary book. I read the first book late into the night, past midnight, and I was thoroughly creeped out. And the rest of the story kept me on the edge of my seat. The pace is quick, the tension is palpable. It's the kind of book most people (kids) would not put down but just press through to get to the end. And believe me, when I got to the end of book one I was frustrated that I didn't have the second book to dive into. Now you can have all four to complete the story.

The series will meet all your fear needs: ghosts, the undead (not zombies) and a raging battle that grows with every chapter. What I love most about the book is the protagonist, Derek. He's overweight, frequently out of breath, and a reluctant hero. This is not what he signed up for, but he's dragged kicking and screaming and puking through the tale. I found myself holding my breath as I wondered how he was going to get out of his various predicaments.

So, be forewarned, it's a scary, VERY SCARY series. The age recommendation is 9-13. But don't give it to kids who are easily scared. I wouldn't have read this when I was nine. It didn't leave me as terrified as I was when I read The Exorcist, but it gave me goosebumps. Know your reader before you recommend this. Read it for yourself first and see how the horror feels.

	City of the Dead by Tony Abbott 2009-01 - Mass Market Paperbound Scholastic Paperbacks 9780545034296 $4.99
	Bayou Dogs by Tony Abbott 2009-03 - Paperback Scholastic Paperbacks 9780545034302 $4.99
	The Red House by Tony Abbott 2009-06 - Mass Market Paperbound Scholastic Paperbacks 9780545034319 $4.99
	The Ghost Road by Tony Abbott 2009-09 - Mass Market Paperbound Scholastic Paperbacks 9780545034326 $4.99

One Shoe Blues by Sandra Boynton

2009-10-25T06:00:00.002-04:00

One Shoe Blues by Sandra Boynton
2009-10 - Hardcover
Workman Publishing
9780761151388
$10.95

The staff loves Sandra Boynton. Have you ever bought her books? You probably have, but have you listened to her books set to music? Oh my, now we're talking pure joy! We listen to Boynton's songs in the store just about every day. I have all her music on the old ipod and it shuffles in with the classics: from Bach to Boynton. That's what you hear at the store. "Dinosaur Blues" is always one of those songs that gets stuck in my head.

Now we have a new musical masterpiece! She just makes me smile. And this one has B.B. King!!! Really! It just keeps getting better and better! You can click on THIS LINK to watch a video of the making of One Sock Blues. Enjoy!

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus

2009-10-24T07:29:00.003-04:00

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood
By Benedictus, David
Illustrator Burgess, Mark
2009-10 - Hardcover
Dutton Books
9780525421603
See Other Formats
$19.99

Does anyone ever get tired of Winnie the Pooh? The stories are a delight over and over again. But now we have a new companion volume with more stories that have been authorized by the Trustees of of Pooh Properties. And a welcome companion it is. It has the complete feel and sense of Milne's beloved characters. This is not a rush job to jump on any bandwagon, it's a tribute to a children's classic.

What parents don't know about kids books

2009-10-19T11:48:00.003-04:00

I want to thank Maureen for her comment about The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Some parents and grandparents try to force their literary tastes on their children. Wimpy Kid is one of those examples where the parents don't get it. I've heard parents discouraging kids from reading it. Sure, sometimes children need guidance but if you are active in the reading life of the child then you have to let them choose books that appeal to them. Encouragement goes a lot further than discouragement. Isn't that
part of the challenge of raising children? Knowing when to say yes and knowing when to say no?
--Stanley

Not such a wimpy kid after all!

2009-10-18T16:00:00.004-04:00

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4 by Jeff Kinney
2009-10 - Hardcover
Amulet Books
9780810983915
$13.95

Looks like The Diary of a Wimpy Kid #4: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney stole the show this week. It's our top seller! And we're not the least surprised. The books have done well and it really gets kids reading. Ya gotta love a book that turns kids into readers. I sure do!
--Stanley

And at the end of the rainbow....?

2009-10-14T06:46:00.004-04:00

Contrary to all those stories and legends we grew up with there is NOT a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Kurtis and I have proof!

Yesterday (Tuesday) at 4:30PM we both noticed a brilliant rainbow on the ceiling of the bookstore. Since we are booklovers (and thereby curious) we began our investigation.

Conditions of the day:

1. It had been grey and dark all day long.
2. In the store the sources of light come from compact fluorescent bulbs.
3. By 4:30 PM the sun never reaches our building at this time of the year.

(We scratched our own heads respectively.)

Possibilities:
A. The Klutz spinner with all kinds of trinkets and sparkles (don't forget that Tiara Kit!) But no, not the source.
B. A car parked nearby that had a crystal hanging from it's rearview mirror. No such car.
C. Some crystal mounted on the glass somewhere. We don't have such gems in our shop.
D. That's when I realized what it must be.

And Michael Kindness is the most clever of our readers (it helps to have young children)!!

A small beam of light was bouncing off a building across the street from us, high enough to catch the last light of the day and reflecting that light onto the cover the Guinness World Records 2010. The covers usually have some kind of 3D cover that makes me dizzy to look at. And now we know that Guinness (don't they have some connection to leprechauns, after all?!) is what you'll find at the end of a rainbow.

I'll take a pint, please! Uh, Mr. Leprechaun! Over here! Where's my prize? And one for my friend Michael over there! Thanks.

Guinness World Records 2010 by Guinness World Records
2009-09 - Hardcover
Guinness Media
9781904994503
$28.95

--Stanley

Rainbow Magic

2009-10-13T18:56:00.001-04:00

Can you guess what might have caused this phenomenon?

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

2009-10-12T13:47:00.005-04:00

Lost and Found
By Oliver Jeffers
2006-01 - Hardcover
Philomel Books
9780399245039
$16.99

How can you NOT become a fan of children's books? I want to hand their artwork all over the place. And here's one that I'm truly fond of. Oliver Jeffers is a remarkable illustrator and author. I'm sure you've seen his books. But this little book just captures my heart as seen by this illustration from the book Lost and Found . A boy meets a lost penguin and tries to help him find his way home. But the book is also about friendship and compassion. Kids will love this book. Just give it to them. Read it to them. See how they react. You'll see. This is perfectly lovely.

-Stanley

And if you need more incentive to check out Oliver Jeffer's other titles, then take a look!

	The Way Back Home 2008-04 9780399250743 Hardcover $16.99
	The Incredible Book Eating Boy 2007-05 9780399247491 Hardcover $16.99
	The Great Paper Caper 2009-02 9780399250972 Hardcover $17.99

New This Week! (Kids Fiction)

2009-10-07T07:26:00.004-04:00

The third in the "Mysterious Benedict Society" came out today, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma. What a great set of books for kids! (And adults!) Mystery, adventure and teamwork (kinda, sorta) where our four detectives use their own unique skills to deal with situations that are normally beyond their abilities. But when they work together they come up with some great ideas. No, it's not written that obviously, it's really quite a joy to read. Pick up the first if you are not familiar with these books. Kids love them!
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart
2009-10 - Hardcover
Little, Brown Young Readers
9780316045520
$16.99

--Stanley

Ten Little Elvi

2009-10-06T09:22:00.003-04:00

Ten Little Elvi
By Laura Henson and Duffy Grooms, Illustrator Dean Gorissen
2004-10 - Hardcover
Tricycle Press
9781582461243
$12.95

This is a delightful counting book for everyone, but especially Elvis fans. We had a seven year old boy come in who was an Elvis impersonator! He LOVES Elvis. Elvis: he's not just for adults! (Flashback: my sisters would listen to Elvis all the time. Obsessed they were! The result, I know just about every lyric to every Elvis song.) This is a cute little tribute to The King with references to his life and movies. You'll get a chuckle on this redux of 10 Little Monkeys! Love it!
--Stanley

100% Wolf by Jayne Lyons

2009-10-01T06:01:00.003-04:00

100% Wolf
By Lyons, Jayne
2009-08 - Hardcover
Atheneum Books
9781416974741
$16.99

It's time to put those Hallowe'en books out on display today. And it's been feeling like Hallowe'en for more than a year with all the vampire books flying around the store. (Hmmm, maybe THAT'S why I've been having a pain in the neck all year!) And we are not short on werewolf books, either! (See an earlier posting on the new book Shiver!) But here's a completely different kind of werewolf story. One that features a long, proud line of werewolves. Only this one, Freddy Lupin, has an unusually twist. He's a fluffy, pink poodle. How can anyone take him seriously? Uh, well, they don't.
[Stanley]

When is a bookstore not a bookstore?

2009-09-30T07:17:00.002-04:00

This is just a mild rambling but one that always catches me by surprise. Since we opened our doors almost five years ago we have had a number of people refer to our shop as the library. Now, I can understand it when a small child comes into the store and is confused, but not adults. I'm a bit disappointed when a ten year old thinks we're a library, but not totally surprised. But it's the adults who come in ask refer to us as the library.

What do you think is going on? Careless use of language? Lack of exposure to a real library? Just not paying attention? We had a representative from an organization come in to pick up a gift certificate (hint, spending money) when her cell phone rang and she said, "I can't talk, I'm at the library."

We had a few customers come in and ask if we loaned books out. And I pointed out that they were looking for the library down the street. Or how about the customers who came in and asked if they could return books their books in exchange for others. I stood with my mouth open, trying not to laugh. "Uh, no, but have you been to the library?"

You tell me, what's going on here. I've never seen this before in any bookstore except this one.

And tell me we don't NEED public libraries.
-Stanley wonders

William S. and the Great Escape by Zilpha Keatly Snyder

2009-09-24T06:40:00.003-04:00

The last time I read a Zilpha Keatly Snyder book was 1966! So, I was more than excited to be reading this one. I'm halfway through it and confess to being a bit underwhelmed. But I'll give you the full report when I'm done.
--Stanley

Back in the saddle

2009-09-17T06:18:00.004-04:00

Without duplicating my posting on the staff blog, I just wanted to say that I've been away for a week and had created a series of posts to show up in my absence. But now that I'm back it seems that it's harder to sit down and get something posted here. But I'm settling back in after a week of silence and no computers (or phones!) and I'll be putting things up here quite soon.

You might want to know there are a few events coming up next week:

September 24, 4:30 PM Sarah Evans will be signing her book The Sour LIttle Lemon Tree. This is the book that might be of interest to some of you. Sarah is a young girl who wrote this children's book:

"In an ancient orchard, one little lemon tree has been waiting forever for his lemons to grow. When they finally do, he discovers how different he is from the other trees. A memorable tale for children of all ages, The Sour LIttle Lemon Tree illustrates the important life lesson that everyone is unique and capable of doing great things."

September 25, 5:00 PM Mark Changizi (RPI professor) will be signing his book The Vision Revolution.

September 25, 6:00 PM Douglas Blackmon will be at The Daily Grind in Troy to talk and sign his book Slavery By Another Name.

September 25, 7:00 PM Ellen Graf will be signing her new book The Natural Laws of Good Luck.

September 25 is the kick off for artist Ken Ragsdale, who is our featured artist in the Walk-Up Gallery

September 26, 12:00 PM Brittany Johnson will be signing her book Color 4 Kids.

I'll post more details in the ensuing days but you can see the information on our WEB PAGE right now.

The Compound by S. A. Bodeen

2009-09-13T07:25:00.000-04:00

The Compound by S. A. Bodeen
2009-09 - Paperback
Square Fish
9780312578602
$8.99

"Eli and his family have lived in the underground Compound for six years. The world they knew is gone, and they've become accustomed to their new life. Accustomed, but not happy. No amount of luxury can stifle the dull routine of living in the same place, with only his two sisters, only his father and mother, doing the same thing day after day after day. As problems with their carefully planned existence threaten to destroy their sanctuary--and their sanity--Eli can't help but wonder if he'd rather take his chances outside. Eli's father built the Compound to keep them safe. But are they safe--really?"

There seems to be a wave of post-apocalyptic fiction heading our way. This being one of the first. Did you read Cormac McCarthy's <>uThe Road? Nothing will top that piece of writing. It's spare, bleak, powerfully written. But here in the area of teen books is another offering to make us ponder about where our lives might be taken us. Or is it the lives we're living right now? You get to decide that one. I'm sending this to you from the past. I will have been in the Adirondacks for a week long retreat, not hiding in some bunker. See you on Tuesday. If the world is still here when I get back.

City of Fire by Laurence Yep

2009-09-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

City of Fire by Laurence Yep
2009-09 - Hardcover
Starscape Books
9780765319241
$15.99

Sure to appeal to fans of Rick Riordan and Eoin Colfer, this action-packed tale takes readers on an unforgettable journey through an alternate version of our world in 1941--a world filled with magical beings such as dragons in human form, tiny "lap griffins," reincarnations of legendary Chinese warriors, Japanese folk creatures, and goddesses in disguise.

Episodes: My Life as I See It by Blaze Ginsberg

2009-09-11T06:00:00.004-04:00

Episodes: My Life as I See It by Blaze Ginsberg
2009-09 - Hardcover
Roaring Brook Press
9781596434615
$16.99

Episodes is a memoir like no other. Debut writer, Blaze Ginsberg, offers a unique perspective on his life as a highly-functioning autistic 21 year old. Inspired by the format of the Internet Movie Database, Blaze organizes his life events as a collection of episodes. Some episodes are still running, some are in syndication, and some have sadly come to an end. With an innovative style and approach that is all its own, Episodes reinvents the traditional memoir; and it will inspire young readers to see the world as they've never seen it before. Here's another book written for a younger audience but I suspect many adults could be drawn to this memoir.

Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani

2009-09-09T07:02:00.000-04:00

Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani
2009-09 - Hardcover
Harper Teen
9780061451027
$16.99

From the publisher's page:

"I'm marooned.

Abandoned.

Left to rot in boarding school . . .

Viola doesn't want to go to boarding school, but somehow she ends up at an all-girls school in South Bend, Indiana, far, far away from her home in Brooklyn, New York. Now Viola is stuck for a whole year in the sherbet-colored sweater capital of the world.

Ick.

There's no way Viola's going to survive the year—especially since she has to replace her best friend Andrew with three new roommates who, disturbingly, actually seem to like it there. She resorts to viewing the world (and hiding) behind the lens of her video camera.

Boarding school, though, and her roommates and even the Midwest are nothing like she thought they would be, and soon Viola realizes she may be in for the most incredible year of her life.

But first she has to put the camera down and let the world in."

Adriana Trigiani has been successful in writing books for adults. This is her first young adult novel and she just might have found a new audience. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if her adult fans pic this one up. It has a clever premise and the ubiquitous video camera will give readers a sense of what we already experience: life a documentary/entertainment! Grim realities that shape this story as well as our lives. What do you think? Sound interesting?

The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children by Keith McGowan

2009-09-07T06:50:00.001-04:00

The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children by Keith McGowan
2009-09 - Hardcover
Henry Holt & Company
9780805086683
$15.99

This is a clever retelling of the Hansel and Gretel story. But this one comes with a bit of a mystery to solve. Of course, we already know the mystery but children will enjoy the creepy story that leads up to that inevitable ending. Or is it inevitable? Hmmmm! Don't you love how the cover looks a little like a Betty Crocker© cookbook? This is geared toward the 8 to 12 year old age but you're sure to enjoy it right along with them! Dig in!

Trouble Gum by Matthew Cordell

2009-09-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

Trouble Gum by Matthew Cordell2009-09 - Hardcover
Feiwel & Friends
9780312387747
$16.99

You already know that gum can cause lots of problems. It can get stuck in your hair (moustache, if you have one!). It gets stuck to the bottom of your shoe and then you walk in the house and it's now stuck to the carpet. And you've been warned about all the trouble it can cause. And yet... you just can't seem to resist its hypnotic allure. That's the story of these two piglets who are given the rules to enjoying gum, but they just get caught up in the moment. This book has good illustrations, simple and clear. And it even has a good story line/message.

Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires

2009-09-04T06:32:00.004-04:00

Binky the Space Cat
By Ashley Spires
2009-08 - Paperback
Kids Can Press
9781554534197
$7.95

If you've ever had a house cat this scenario may seem plausible to you. That is to say, assuming you had a cat that stares out the window and an active imagination. This is a very funny book that adults will enjoy as much as the kids.

Publisher comment: "Binky is a space cat - at least in his own mind. He's really a house cat who has never left the family "space station." Unlike other house cats, Binky has a mission: to blast off into outer space (outside), explore unknown places (the backyard) and battle aliens (bugs). Binky must undergo rigorous training so he can repel the alien attacks that threaten his humans. As he builds his spaceship, he must be extremely careful with his blueprints - the enemy is always watching. Soon Binky is ready to voyage into outer space. His humans go out there every day and he's sure they need a certified space cat to protect them. But just as he's about to blast off with his co-pilot, Ted (stuffed mousie), Binky realizes that he's left something very important behind ... and it's not the zero-gravity kitty litter. In the first book in the Binky Adventure series, graphic-novel readers will delight in watching where this lovable and quirky cat's imagination takes him."

Kids Can Press has been impressing me a lot lately. And here's one more example of a clever kids book.

Old Possum is back

2009-09-01T21:21:00.003-04:00

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
By T. S. Eliot, Illustrator Axel Scheffler
2009-10 - Hardcover
Harcourt Children's Books
9780547248271
$16.00

Everything old is new again! And it's long past time for a new edition of T. S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. This is a delight to read again. Cat lovers pay heed! And it's time to introduce this to your kids. I love this edition. The illustrations feel like they were meant for this text. Have a look and see!

The Poisons of Caux by Susannah Appelbaum

2009-08-27T07:15:00.002-04:00

The Poisons of Caux: The Hollow Bettle (Book I) by Susannah Appelbaum
2009-08 - Hardcover
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
9780375851735
$16.99
---
If you give a booklover a great cover she just might by the book. If a booklover buys a book she just might read it. If she reads a book and loves it she'll tell others about it.

I know that sounds like the beginnings of a book but it's just a few observations about the way bookselling works sometimes. Honestly, do you really thing we DON'T judge a book by its cover? Of course we do! And this has one of those covers and titles that just makes me want to curl up and read all night long. And if this were a snowy winter day then you'd have to pry the book from my cold, eager hands!

Here's the description of the book: "There's little joy left in the kingdom of Caux: the evil King Nightshade rules with terrible tyranny and the law of the land is poison or be poisoned. Worse, 11-year-old Ivy's uncle, a famous healer, has disappeared. Told with wry humor, this work is the first installment in a new trilogy, an astonishing tale of herbs and magic, tasters and poisoners."

That's all it takes for me to get curious about this book. How about you? Need more? You know where to find it!

Observing the end of summer

2009-08-25T07:24:00.004-04:00

There are ways of telling when summer comes to an end. The light shifts, for one. Not just the length of daylight but the quality of light, especially at sunset, has a different cast to it. I grew up with a great appreciate of winter over summer. But these days I am more of a fan of summer than winter. And so it is that the ending of summer brings a slight wistfulness for the perfect summer day. We had very few of those summer days. Before I get all nostalgic about summer let me make my point of end of summer observations: you know summer is coming to a close when students come in to pick up their summer reading requirements!

What is required this summer?

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
A Break with Charity by Ann Rinaldi
The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
... among many others.