Member Blogs Archive > March 2017
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from Journey of a Bookseller
The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White
Mon, 20 Mar 2017 09:00:00 PermalinkShe's newly divorced and she and her children are going to make a fresh start. She's moved to a small house near the woods, right behind the big house of her landlord. She's a bit hesitant but it's cheaper and not far from her ex so visitations won't be a hassle. But she's got a sore heart and isn't ready to enter the dating world or even the "mom" world at school. Sometimes you just don't have any choice.Berkley and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 11th.Merilee finds her Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Curiosity House: The Fearsome Firebird by Lauren Oliver, H. C. Chester
Sun, 19 Mar 2017 09:00:00 PermalinkIn this odd museum, you have all kinds of oddities. There's a flea circus, genetically altered children who have strange abilities, a cowboy, a pilot, and more. There are regularly scheduled performances and spontaneous performances. The whole group is living happily together. Then someone poisons the fleas. After the funeral, the General goes to brace the character selling flea poison out in front of their business. He's sure he's involved.HarperCollins and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 11th.When the police show up to arrest the General for the murder of Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Thomas Haftmann, Private Eye: The Short Stories by Robb White
Sun, 19 Mar 2017 08:30:00 PermalinkThis collection is full of stories about walking around on the dark side of town. No cozy mysteries here. Everything is tense, mean, and dangerous. And Mr. White's character, Thomas Haftmann, walks in fearlessly and with his gun. He's an ex-cop now a PI, and he's willing to do what he has to if it pays well.Mr. White sent me a copy of his book for me to read and review (thank you). It has been published and you can get a copy now either in ebook or print.These are stories you won't easily forget. The Kneeling Woman is grotesque Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Song of the Lion by Anne Hillerman
Sat, 18 Mar 2017 09:00:00 PermalinkBernie is at the big basketball game in Shiprock watching the current players playing the alumni. She suddenly feels the earth shake a bit and goes outside to see what's going on. A car in the lot has been blown up. She's not on duty, but she takes charge and calls in help. When the scene finally settles down, there's a young man close to the car who dies from his injuries. Was he the bomber or an innocent person just walking by?Harper and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It will be Read More -
from Books Tell You Why
Five of the Best Books on India
Sat, 18 Mar 2017 08:00:00 PermalinkThe Indian subcontinent is extremely large, including the nations of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Yet those nations have not always been separate. To be sure, the subcontinent was divided during the India-Pakistan Partition of 1947, and years later in 1971, Bangladesh (which was, at the time, East Pakistan), gained its independence. Given the complicated modern political history, it’s especially difficult to select only a handful of texts to represent the best books on India. As such, we’re beginning with an early twentieth-century work and then jumping immediately to the period following Bangladeshi independence, and we’re also offering the following books Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Souls of Men (An Elaine Hope Mystery #1) by A.R. Ashworth
Fri, 17 Mar 2017 09:00:00 PermalinkElaine Hope and her superior investigate a case were a young woman was brutally beaten to death. They find her on the cameras to the point where she exited the bus. A guy with a hoodie on followed after her. Once they identify him, Benson believes they've found their killer. Elaine is not so sure.Crooked Lane Books sent me an ARC of this book to read for review (thank you). It will be published April 11th.They question Peter, check his statements and Benson is positive he did it. He gets so worked up about it he suffers a heart attack. Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
The Prince and the Porker by Peter Bently
Fri, 17 Mar 2017 08:30:00 PermalinkPignatius Pig loves good food and when he sees ten buns cooling on the windowsill, he's sure he can steal one and no one will notice. But once he has one, he eats them all!Abrams shared a copy of this book with me for review (thank you). It has been published and you can grab a copy now.When the buns are gone, he sneaks into the kitchen. Before he can do much damage, the cook finds him. He runs into the castle to escape her. With various servants after him, he hides in a bedroom. There's a dress-up chest in Read More -
from Books Tell You Why
Collecting Nobel Laureates: Saul Bellow
Fri, 17 Mar 2017 08:00:00 PermalinkSince Saul Bellow won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1976, only a few other American writers (the inimitable Toni Morrison, who earned the sought-after medal in 1993 and most recently, Bob Dylan, come to mind) have accomplished the same feat. This fact speaks to a number of phenomena, but it chiefly indicates the way that Bellow’s fiction represented a sort of capstone in American fiction. Born in Quebec to Lithuanian-Jewish immigrants, Bellow soon moved to Chicago, a city he would come to immortalize in his works. Perhaps more than any other writer, Bellow brought the modernist and intellectual traditions Read More -
from Books Tell You Why
Celebrating the Life of Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott
Fri, 17 Mar 2017 02:22:27 Permalink"for what else is there but books, books and the sea, verandahs and the pages of the sea, to write of the wind and the memory of wind-whipped hair in the sun, the colour of fire!" -- Derek Walcott, Collected Poems 1948-1984 Caribbean writer and Nobel Prize in Literature winner Derek Walcott passed away early this morning. He was 87 years old. We thought we'd take a moment today to celebrate Walcott's life and influence. Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Dream Magic by Joshua Khan
Thu, 16 Mar 2017 09:00:00 PermalinkWhen Lily uses the magic she's learned to save Thorn from death, her whole castle turns against her. There's an old tale about women having magic that started all the trouble through the ages. It doesn't help when the trolls on their way, people in villages have been disappearing and the undead are walking. What's worse is when they are going to autopsy a couple of dead villagers, they erupt. They were full of crystal spiders...Disney Hyperion and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 11th. This book is even Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Burials: A Faye Longchamp Mystery #10 by Mary Anna Evans
Thu, 16 Mar 2017 08:30:00 PermalinkFaye and her husband, Joe, are going back to his home town for his father's sake. He wants to spread his wife's ashes from years ago and is going to have an informal gathering to do it. Joe is just barely getting along with his father and this isn't a convenient time but he needs to go. Faye goes along and signs on for a temporary archeologist job in the same town. She's going to be sorry she did.Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It has been published so you Read More -
from Books Tell You Why
The History Behind William Styron's Fictional Nat Turner
Thu, 16 Mar 2017 08:00:00 PermalinkWilliam Styron's account of The Confessions of Nat Turner differs significantly from the original Confessions of Nat Turner garnered by Turner's lawyer while he awaited his trial and impending execution. Because of this, the fact of whether it is historical-fiction or historical-fiction, is not an irrelevant minutia. Cries of controversy—that Styron is a racist or that he minimizes the genuineness of the Nat Turner Rebellion—depend wholly on how the reader approaches the text through the lens of it's emphasis. Read More -
from Tavistock Books
Beware the Ides of March Today, Folks… But What on Earth are the "Ides of March"?
Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:50:24 PermalinkHave you ever heard anyone say “Beware the Ides of March”? I have known this phrase my whole life, and even known that it speaks of March 15th. However, I have never truly known the whole story behind the Ides or why it was something akin to a Friday the 13th – a date to […] Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Dead Man's Rapids by William Durbin; Barbara Durbin
Wed, 15 Mar 2017 09:00:00 PermalinkHe's thirteen and working with his best friend and his dad on the wanigan (the floating cook shack). All is going well, his father is a good cook, and he's having fun even if it is a lot of work. Then his father fell in love and decides to quit the job; he's staying. Ben and Never go to work as cooking assistants. They'll be grabbing a new cook shortly...University of Minnesota Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 11th.The old fashioned ways of logging are part my Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
The Crane Girl by Curtis Manley, Lin Wong
Wed, 15 Mar 2017 08:30:00 PermalinkA young Japanese boy helps a crane escape a trap. Her leg was caught but he was able to free her and pet her a bit before she leaves. He is surprised to find a young girl at his door a days later but he takes her in to meet his father. She's looking for a place to stay and offers to clean and work around the house. The father tells her as long as she works, she can stay.Shen's Books and Edelweiss allowed me to read this story for review (thank you). It is being published today, so you Read More -
from Books Tell You Why
Buying Rare and Antiquarian Books in Finland
Wed, 15 Mar 2017 08:00:00 PermalinkAre you planning a trip to the Nordic countries anytime soon? If you’ll find yourself in Finland, there are dozens of rare and antiquarian bookstores to keep you busy as you explore Helsinki on foot, and there are more shops scattered north of the capital city. There are nineteen members of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) in the country, and fifteen are located in Helsinki. Many have storefronts with regular hours if you’re planning to wander around the city, while some others require an appointment to visit the shop. And if you decide to take a quick ferry Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
A Bridge Across The Ocean by Susan Meissner
Tue, 14 Mar 2017 09:00:00 PermalinkThis story begins during WW1. The Queen Mary is taking war brides to the states to reunite with their husbands. Not everyone on the boat is what they seem...Berkley Books allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It is being published today.The story is a bit broken up at the beginning because you are getting the back story of the two main characters of that era. You can piece it together, though and it smooths out as you read further.Three women are roommates on this trip and they become friends on the trip over. At the end, Read More -
from Read'Em Again Books
Four Book Fairs in Five Weeks - 14 March 2017
Tue, 14 Mar 2017 08:31:33 PermalinkIt’s been a busy month, but we’ve now returned from New York, and things should be back to normal by the end of the week.This year we decided to do both California book fairs and follow those up with the two New York satellite-shadow shows. Gail and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results; we sold well into the low five figures at each of the first three book fairs and did very well in the fourth. For the first time in a long time, customers--to include average collectors--weren’t timid when it came to buying. What did they buy? Well, Read More -
from Books Tell You Why
Win the Man Booker Prize, Sell More Books!
Tue, 14 Mar 2017 08:00:00 PermalinkThe Man Booker Prize was created in 1969 with the aim of promoting the finest in fiction by a citizen of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, or the Republic of Ireland written during the preceding year. Prize winners are chosen by judges who make the selections for the best novel based on personal opinion alone. The cash value of this Prize is relatively low, with winners receiving only £50,000. However, the Man Booker Prize draws attention to works of fiction which might otherwise have gone unnoticed. As Ion Trewin, the late Literary Director of the Booker Prize Foundation stated, the Read More -
from ten pound island book company
What if They Were Right… Whoever They Were?
Mon, 13 Mar 2017 12:46:02 PermalinkThe life of a journeyman major league book dealer (any one who makes his or her living in the trade as a hunter-gatherer, anyone not named Bill, Jim, Pom, Ed, or Don, or anyone not from the other side of the Atlantic whose shoes are worth more than most of your books)… this journeyman life, […]The post What if They Were Right… Whoever They Were? appeared first on Ten Pound Island Book Company. Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Kill Devil Falls by Brian Klingborg
Mon, 13 Mar 2017 09:00:00 PermalinkHelen is a US Marshall and she's been sent to pick up a fugitive. While in route, she gets a call that tells her she has a new destination. It's a small jail in Kill Devil Falls. When she arrives, she finds it's a ghost town with very few residents. She also knows someone sabotaged her tire at the restaurant she stopped at. The only thing she can figure is that it must have been her fugitive's boyfriend. So she's on the watch for him. She should be on the watch for the town residents...Midnight Ink and Net Galley allowed Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Red Cloud: A Lakota Story of War and Surrender by S.D. Nelson
Mon, 13 Mar 2017 08:30:00 PermalinkIndian history always fascinates me. It's sad, it's a clash of cultures, and differences still exist today. But it's American History and I hope we can learn from it.Abrams Young Reader's sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you). It will be published tomorrow.This book has the look of a journal and includes photographs and paintings. It's a story of people fighting for their land and their way of life. It's also full of soldiers who think they are less than human and consider them savages. The Indians did get nasty as the war kept Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Called to Justice: A Quaker Midwife Mystery #2 by Edith Maxwell
Sun, 12 Mar 2017 09:00:00 PermalinkRose is enjoying the evening fireworks with her boyfriend when the evening is ruined by the death of young lady. Her boyfriend is a doctor so he goes to her aid and finds she has been shot. There is no sign of a gun so she didn't shoot herself. Who did? Rose knew she was pregnant and the father would have nothing to do with the child nor would he marry her. But she didn't know who he was.Midnight Ink and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 8th.When the Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
No Way Home: A Zoe Chambers Mystery by Annette Dashofy
Sun, 12 Mar 2017 08:30:00 PermalinkZoe is going on a ride with clients using her horses. When everyone gets saddled up and ready to go, a horse comes back to the stables, riderless. She cancels the ride and goes out to find the rider. She finds him, dead.Henery Press and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published March 14th.Zoe feels an obligation to help with the investigation because the man died in her woods. He's an important person in the fight over fracking. Might that have been the reason he died? After all, he'd been shot, not Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen
Sat, 11 Mar 2017 09:00:00 PermalinkShe goes away to a business conference for a day and when she returns her boyfriend isn't there. Neither are any of his belongings. After four years together, he disappears in a day without even saying goodbye? All of her things are back where they used to be before he brought his stuff in. Even the quilt that was on the bed when she left has been exchanged for an old one of hers. It was his, you see...Berkley and Net Galley gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It is being published April 11th.Hannah Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
Blood and Circuses Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries #6 by Kerry Greenwood
Sat, 11 Mar 2017 08:30:00 PermalinkPhryne is bored. When a person from her past knocks on the door and asks her to look into the various "accidents" at the circus, she's not sure she wants to. He asks her if she'd bored, she says yes. Then she says yes to going undercover at the circus. It will be very different for her. She's rich, has servants, has beautiful cothes and a wonderful home. She'll be transitioning to a life where she owns nothing, not even her name. She's going to become a horseback rider in the circus...Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley allowed me to Read More -
from Books Tell You Why
Family Endurance: The Vicar of Wakefield
Sat, 11 Mar 2017 08:00:00 PermalinkPublished in 1766, The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith became one of the most widely read novels of the Victorian era. It is widely referenced in British literature—from Charles Dickens' Tale of Two Cities to Jane Austen's Emma and George Eliot's Middlemarch. A book about family endurance, the drama surrounds the characters of the Primrose family: Dr. Primrose as the Vicar of Wakefield, his wife, and their many children. The Primrose's idyllic country life is turned upside down when they lose their financial footing and a daughter is abducted. Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
The Horror on the Links by Seabury Quinn
Fri, 10 Mar 2017 09:00:00 PermalinkThis is an anthology of horror stories that were published in Weird Tales magazine. They were written in the 1920's. There will be more compilations as this author contributed to most of their magazines. Read this and you will get a blast of the past...Night Shade Books and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 4th.The French doctor reminds me a whole lot of Hercule Poirot. He, too, uses his little grey matter to figure out what extraordinary thing is going on. He tackles any case, no matter how Read More -
from Journey of a Bookseller
The Road Home by Katie Cotton, Sarah Jacoby (Illustrations)
Fri, 10 Mar 2017 08:30:00 PermalinkThis is a sweet book about animals. The illustrations are pastel and peaceful. It's always a long road home when you're away and this rhyme recognizes that.Abrams Young Readers sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you). It is being published today.Winter is setting in and the animals are getting ready for it. The birds fly south, the mice gather food and get ready to hunker down. Even the wolves are catching prey so they can sleep away part of the winter. There are more animals to visit with in the story. Despite the wolves, Read More -
from Books Tell You Why
What Exactly Is Young Adult Literature? A Brief History
Fri, 10 Mar 2017 08:00:00 PermalinkIf you ask a book lover what they read during their young, formative years, the conversation will inevitably turn to how “we didn’t have books like The Hunger Games when I was growing up.” And it’s true: young adult literature as a genre only began to take root in the 1970s and ‘80s, but boy, has it ever gone through a growth spurt since then. Books for teens are dominating book sales and box offices these days. Where did this phenomenon begin? Read More