5.29.2009

Why I love being a bookseller, Reason #279

Not long ago, I had a very special exchange with a customer that I'd like to share, because it is an example of one of the very best parts of my job.

I took a phone call from a woman who began a long story about how she needed a last minute gift for a birthday party that night, and she'd be passing through town later, and maybe I could set something aside for her. The woman was looking for a book for a friend diagnosed with Alzheimer's, a simple story that they could share together. She mentioned Runaway Bunny, and Goodnight Moon, but wasn't sure if those would be a little too simple, and went on to say, "Or maybe you have some ideas...?"

This was the question I'd been waiting for. Making book recommendations is a big part of a bookseller's job, and requires an understanding of what people want versus what they say as well as a combination of knowledge,  intuition, and maybe a bit of magic, in matching an unknown person with the perfect book.

As I slowly scanned the shelves around me, listening to the woman talk about her friend, I saw Toot & Puddle and wondered if that might be a good choice--stories about friendship and individuality, about the joys of travelling the world and of coming home again. I was on the verge of mentioning one of Holly Hobbie's books, when I glanced to the right and saw Zen Ties. And I knew that was the book. I took it from the shelf and began to tell the woman on the phone about this beautiful story, written and illustrated by John Muth.

Muth's book offers simple, accessible versions of tales from the Zen tradition. The character of Stillwater, the panda, represents a Zen teacher who offers gentle lessons in patience, acceptance, and compassion. In Zen Ties, Stillwater's young friends are upset by a cranky older woman who lives on their street. Stillwater asks if the children could help him by going to the woman's house to take care of her, because she is ill. Neither the children nor the woman like this idea at the beginning, but they soon learn that each has something special to offer the other, and understanding and friendship begin to blossom.

As I told the woman on the phone about the story, she became very excited, saying that her friend is a Zen practitioner, and it was in that context they had met. She was thrilled that we'd been able to find what sounded like the perfect gift.

I never found out how the present was received, but I felt happy just knowing that I made this customer happy by taking the time to listen and match her needs with a special book. I like to imagine these two friends--though I don't know either one--sitting and reading the book together often, finding comfort and joy in the story and in their time with each other.  And I think, "This is why I love what I do. This is why I love books."

5.22.2009

A couple of brief reviews



Written by Stella

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and
Annie Borrows has been one of the best books that I have read in a long
time. Mostly humorous, but at times poignant, the story is set in post WW II
London, where a young writer, Juliet Ashton, is trying to find an
interesting subject for her next book. She unexpectedly finds it when a pig
farmer from the Guernsey Islands writes to her with an unusual request.


Written in a letter format, the book draws you into the story of each of the
appealing characters. Anyone interested in historical fiction will find this
a captivating read.

This book is now available in paperback!







Written by Sandy


All Other Nights, by Dara Horn

All Other Nights is the story of Jacob Rappaport, a young Jewish solder who is forced to decide whether to betray his country or betray his family when he is ordered to murder his uncle, who is suspected of plotting to assassinate President Lincoln. Telling himself that it is the right thing to do for his country, Jacob follows orders, fully expecting some reward or recognition for his dedication. Instead, upon returning to his regiment, he is sent on another undercover  mission, this time to infiltrate a family of female spies by winning the confidence and love of their supposed ringleader, Eugenia. Despite himself, Jacob learns to care deeply for Eugenia, and is once again trapped between his country and the people he loves. Whatever his choice, he may never be able to redeem himself to the ones he betrays.

I also enjoyed Dara Horn's previous book, The World to Come, but it was a tougher book to recommend because of its tendency toward magical realism. All Other Nights is, I believe, a much more accessible book, and should win Horn many new fans. Her writing is engaging and thoughtful, her characters intriguing and relatable. Whether you're looking for history, suspense, or romance, this is a book that will satisfy from the first page to the last.

Visit the author's website.

5.15.2009

Links Galore, or Ways to Pass the Time till the Weekend Starts

What's Friday for, if not procrastinating in anticipation of the weekend? In honor of the day, I give you a multitude of links for your distraction.

Better than CliffsNotes? Get your classic lit in 140 characters or less.

Related to my review last week of The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet, one writer explains why he can't take another book featuring a child prodigy. I can sympathize with him, but really felt like Reif Larsen did an admirable job of balancing precociousness with a real childlike sensibility in his young character.

Photos of  bookstores that will make you drool (or is that just me?). The same site offers a look at truly amazing libraries around the world, as well. Wow.

Along the same lines: University staircases.

"In Toronto, picture standing on the Bloor Street Viaduct and reading about a nun who falls into the abyss at the end of the unfinished bridge and is caught by a man suspended underneath, from Michael Ondaatje’s In the Skin of a Lion. Or reading Dennis Lee’s classic children’s poem, “The Cat and the Wizard” to a young visitor while marvelling at the castle itself." Yet another reason to love Canadians: Project Bookmark Canada

Perseus Books Group invites you to submit "the first sentence for a yet-to-be-written sequel to any book ever published." (For example:  "It turned out not to be the worst of times at all; they got so much worse later." —From A Tale of Three Cities by Charles Dickens) The publisher will collect entries and publish them in BOOK: The Sequel at Book Expo America at the end of May.

Can't decide what to read next? Cynthia Crossen at the Wall Street Journal offers suggestions for some interesting book recommendation sites.

Get something for nothing: The New Yorker offers a free download of John Lithgow reading selected works by Mark Twain.

That free download is legal, of course. Authors and publishers are becoming more concerned (or not) with the increase in pirated ebooks. Please note: do NOT mess with Harlan Ellison. (via Vroman's)

The Outsiders was one of my favorite assigned books in high school, so I loved reading Cecil Castellucci's write-up of Ursula LeGuin's interview of S.E. Hinton. (That's a whole mouthful of excellent YA authors!)

Travel along with Mark Fitten, author of the recently published Valeria's Last Stand, as he tours the country, making stops at 100 independent bookstores.

In honor of Lost's season finale this week, I thought I'd pull out this old article about the show's many literary "cameos." (The final episode contained an extended closeup of Flannery O'Connor's Everything That Rises Must Converge.) (via RIB)


Not at all book related, but too much fun not to share: Tweenbots get people to lend a hand. It helps that they're adorable.


  • Local businesses get media attention:


The Galaxy Bookshop and this very blog were mentioned in the Times Argus article about bookish happenings around the state.

The latest edition of Edible Green Mountains features an article about Highfields Institute. (Magazine available, free, at various local businesses.)

Claire's Restaurant chef and co-owner Steven Obranovich was interviewed at Farm to Table.

5.13.2009

Jody Gladding - post-event notes

Jody GladdingJody Gladding gave a lovely reading last night, which included poems from her current and past books as well as excerpts of novels she's translated. She explained that the inspiration for one particular series of poems in her book Rooms and Their Airs came from a medieval guide to health, which included notes on the dangers and benefits of everything from Winter to Lettuce.

During the question and answer session, the audience became involved in a discussion of the footwear sported by several male poets in attendance. (Keen appeared to be a popular brand.) You just never know what you might learn at a Galaxy Bookshop event!

5.08.2009

Review: The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet

The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet, by Reif Larsen

Want the short review? I'm fairly confident in calling this my favorite novel of the year. You should read it--you'll love it, too.

Want the longer version? Here it is:

Tecumseh Sparrow "T.S." Spivet is always making maps. He maps water tables, bird migrations, his room, his home state of Montana, the paths of dreams and conversations, and the motions of his sister shucking corn. His maps have won him the attention of the Smithsonian Institution and the prestigious Baird Award. The only problem with this is that T.S. is only 12 years old and doesn't have a way to get from Montana to Washington, D.C. to accept the award. Well, there is one way, which is to hop a train, like the hobos he's learned about in school.

During his journey, T.S. reflects on his life's work and on his family, from whom he feels distanced. His mother is withdrawn into her scientific studies, his tough and practical rancher father can't understand the bookish T.S., his older sister is more sympathetic but often self-centered in a teenage, can't-wait-to-get-out-of-here way. Then, there's Layton, T.S.'s beloved younger brother, whose death constantly hovers in T.S.'s thoughts.

In T.S., Reif Larsen (who apparently made quite the stir in the publishing world with his debut) has created a character with a wholly original and memorable voice. I loved that, even though he is a tremendously intelligent child, Larsen stops short of the unbelievably precocious by retaining T.S.'s childish sense of wonder, excitement, and fear. This was a character I was willing to follow, wherever he decided to take me, which included many stops in the margins, where a good deal of the story is told. This is what makes the book truly unique—the margins are full of T.S.'s maps, drawings, and explanatory notes. The author describes these as “exploded hyper text,” but my initial comparison (suggested by the boy's destination) was to descriptive plaques in a museum, offering the deeper story behind the scene or object in front of you.

It is a story beautifully told and also beautifully presented—the book is slightly oversized, with a gorgeous dust jacket and embossed cover (plus all of the marginal illustrations inside)--it's the kind of book that makes you want to run your hands over it, pore over the illustrations, and maybe give it a hug. (Yes, I did those things when I took it out of the box. You might be able to guess that I haven't become an e-book convert.)

So, there it is--favorite book of the year; buy a copy--buy two, because once you're finished, you'll want to share it (but you won't want to give up your copy).

I recommend visiting the book's very cool interactive website. Be sure to give yourself some time to explore!

5.04.2009

Stardust: Looking Back and Moving Forward


Craftsbury – the name usually brings forth images of a busy farmer's market on the Common, a great event at the library, a cup of coffee at Stardust, Sterling students playing frisbee, stopping by the store to pick up essential ingredients, getting gas at the garage, skiing at the Center. Lately though, there has been a lot of discouraging news. The Historic General Store closed, The Inn on the Common closed, Sterling College appears to be in jeopardy, and the Craftsbury Schools have plenty of challenges too.



In the midst of much negative news, I hope to offer something positive, and ask for your help in making it happen. In order for Stardust Books & Cafe to reach its full potential as a vital community space, I am seeking to transition the satellite of The Galaxy Bookshop to a non-profit enterprise.



In 2002 I bought the former Craftsbury library building, and opened Stardust Books. In structuring Stardust as a satellite of The Galaxy Bookshop, I was inspired by the work of my friend Lacey. In the city of Baltimore, Lacey created Youth Entrepreneur Associates which trained teenagers to start and run their own businesses. As a part of this program, the teens opened a coffee bar as part of a community operated non-profit called Village Learning Place. Besides the coffee bar, VLP housed a community library, a learning center that included tutoring and after school enrichment programs, and an outdoor garden.



With the leadership of Diane Morgan, we soon had an eager and hardworking group of founding booksellers who opened Stardust in February of 2003. Since opening, Stardust has employed 26 teen booksellers. It was also the students who added a cafe and used book section. For many, this was their first paid job. At Stardust Books & Cafe they have learned general work skills as well as specific retail, business and entrepreneurial skills including customer service, handling money, computer and phone skills.



I am proud of the place that Stardust Books & Cafe occupies on the Common. Together with Diane and Annie Volmer, and especially for cafe goers, Dale O'Leary, we have created a warm gathering place with good conversation and events, great books and delicious food and coffee. I am incredibly grateful for all of the booksellers and bakers and latte makers who have made it what it is, and to the customers who have supported the business.



At the same time I aware that there is great potential for more to happen at Stardust. I am eager for Stardust to realize this potential. For the past year I have been talking privately about transitioning Stardust to a non-profit, and at the beginning 2009 I began to make those plans public and soliciting input from the greater Stardust community. I feel that by making Stardust a non-profit, the doors will open for more partnerships and programs. A non-profit board can bring new energy and ideas to Stardust in a more effective way than the current operating structure can provide.



In gathering ideas from the Stardust community, there is great interest in providing more activities for young people, a place for kids to gather after school, a place for students at Sterling and students from the Craftsbury Schools to connect, a place for tutoring or workshops, expanding the cafe offerings and expanding the hours that Stardust is open.



It is my belief that the best way to bring these great ideas to fruition is through the formation of a non-profit. I recognize the limits of my own abilities and energy, and would like to open the way for others to bring their energy and talents to this project. Additionally, as a satellite of The Galaxy, Stardust has been to an extent subsidized by Galaxy. As the retail and bookselling world is only getting more challenging, providing financing for Stardust has become a challenge. Were Stardust to become a non-profit, it is my belief that a board could find funding for many of the proposed activities. Additionally, in the context of a non-profit, the bookselling component of Stardust could continue and could provide revenue. The relationship between Galaxy and Stardust would become formal and contractual.



Certainly this is a challenging time both to operate a business or to establish a non-profit. It is my intention to take on the challenge, because I believe Stardust is the kind of place that Craftsbury needs. As it currently exists, it is a place to pick up a birthday gift on a Saturday morning or get a cup of coffee on a cold farmer's market day, or a place to meet or run into friends on a Wednesday afternoon. Imagine with me, and others who have shared their interests and ideas, what potential there is, and how important it is that we have gathering places in Craftsbury. Again, I express my appreciation to everyone who has contributed to making Stardust what it is so far. Please join us in taking on the challenge of taking Stardust forward to meet the needs and interests of even more people. We need you to spread the word, bring us your ideas, and lend your expertise. Please be in touch with Diane at morgand@vtlink.net or Linda at galaxy@vtlink.net .