biblio-buzz

Goodbye Mr. Salinger

2010-01-28T14:16:00.003-06:00

from Post Secret

Sadly J.D. Salinger died in his home at the age of 91 yesterday. Hard to imagine where American

literature would be without Holden Caulfield. Link here for more of the story and a brief video.

New Semester New Events

2010-01-27T11:41:00.004-06:00

It looks like we are back into the swing of things after the winter break, a brief remodel in the department and a new semester of events on the horizon. This Saturday Nalini Nadkarni will be attending the Saturday Morning Science event and we will be there with her book Between Earth and Sky, Our Intimate Connections to Trees.

I just browsed through the book this morning and just glancing through makes we want to stop and dive in reading it looks like a really interesting ecological read. I think it will make for a great talk also this Saturday.

The event is called Saturday Morning Science and it is at 10:30 Saturday Morning at the Bond Life Sciences Center on campus- free and open to the public.

October Monsters

2009-10-01T08:14:00.004-05:00

Welcome October and one of my favorite times of the year- something about the way the swirling leaves, the cooler days makes me want to curl up in a cozy chair with a book and a cup of tea even more! Of course there is always the Halloween season also! How can a book lover resist this October with the Where the Wild Things Are movie coming out in T minus 15 days and did you Eggers fans know that this October there is also a novel that he is releasing that is loosely based on the Where the Wild Things Are story. You can get the standard version or the snazzy fur covered edition! Here is a sneak peek at that the New York Times from the novel to wet your montser appetite.

I also recently ordered this title in for the store for an adult horror delight!

The Monstrumologist by Rick Lancy! Check out this book trailer for it!

lost clues

2009-09-14T14:58:00.002-05:00

Have you seen the clues? These clues have been released that will lead to sites that are important to the plot and location to the new novel " The Lost Symbol" that will go on sale tomorrow!

Visit The Today show for a look at some clues and then come to the store first thing in the morning and get your copy on sale for $19.95! You still have time to pre-order your copy and we will hold a copy for you.

Welcoming Lisa Ling

2009-09-14T14:48:00.005-05:00

Be sure to join us this Wednesday as we welcome journalist Lisa Ling in the store for a book signing as part of the Delta Gamma Lecturship on Values and Ethics. She will be giving a lecture later in the day at Jesse Hall. Doors open at 7 and the lecture begins at 7:30.

lovely

2009-08-19T13:01:00.002-05:00

At first the pairing of director Peter Jackson with the novel Lovely Bones seemed an odd match to me, but upon seeing the trailer that was just released today I am hooked. The visual imagery looks stunning as a interesting juxtiposition to the central story line.

There will be a movie tie-in cover in both a standard trade edition of the book as well as the smaller mass market size, but I am generally a purist and love the original covers. In addition there will be a special edition of Lovely Bones coming out. The beautifully packaged, limited edition of this #1 bestseller—now with a companion volume. This unique companion volume integrates images of real missing children with the opening chapters of The Lovely Bones, providing a powerful visual experience and honoring the thousands of children who go missing every year. Also included in the boxed set is a hardcover edition of The Lovely Bones. It will retail for around $40 and be available at the end of October

Click here for the movie trailer-

a recipe for bloggers

2009-08-07T15:44:00.003-05:00

Bon Appetite!

Julie and Julia hits the theatres this weekend. I myself am ready for matinee for this weekend. I am excited to see both of these actresses paired up for the this movie. The story behind Julie and Julia is a great blog success story. It is a blog that got picked up as book, and then the movie. If you get a taste for the movie, stop by the bookstore for the book or even a Julia Childs cookbook!

Julie Powell has a new book coming out in December called Cleaving that you should watch out for!

take a bite

2009-07-21T10:18:00.004-05:00

here is a fun read on a couple takes on the current vampire craze, now that explain why I am having a hard time getting my friends to do things after 8:00 on Sunday nights!

http://www.newsweek.com/id/207128?GT1=43002

And just incase you needed more Twilight there is a graphic novel being published, date to be determined. Read more about it here.

zombies and seamonsters oh my!

2009-07-15T08:45:00.002-05:00

In case you didn't know it monsters of old were just as fond of Austen as we are today! The wildishly successful Pride and Prejudice and Zombies the hit the shelves in January leaving us hungry for more.

I don't think you will be disappointed with the anticipated next work for Quirk Books that comes from the watery depths, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters- coming this September!

yellow eyes

2009-07-13T14:02:00.002-05:00

I have to pace myself on how many posts to do on the upcoming live action version of "Where The Wild Things Are"- but considering the wonderful fantastic possibility of the movie I am so excited to find this wonderfull blog today called Wild Yellow Eyes that is a compilation of the art inspired by the book-

let the wild rumpus begin!!! psst- don't worry I will leave a link in the blogroll at the side in case you want to check it out each day before the movie comes Oct. 16!

awarding . . .

2009-07-10T08:43:00.002-05:00

Still hankering for something to read this summer? Never really sure what the buzz was about the National Book Award? The National Book Foundation has been established over the years for recognizing great works of literature and since the first National Book Award ceremony in the spring of 1950 in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel this organization has been giving out annual awards.

Now that is several award winning books to get caught up on your reading list, but the National Book Foundation has created a book a day blog highlighting the fiction winners of the National Book Award from 1950-2008. The blog will run from July 7 through September 21 and you can click on the cover to get more information about the book and the author so you can see if you would like to read it- see one you like- e-mail me willowc@missouri.edu and I will check and see if we have it in stock or order it for you.

44 years in the making

2009-07-09T11:55:00.002-05:00

Random Trivia for the day- it has taken nearly a half a decade to write the world's biggest thesaurus! Now that is going to be big book!

Here is a link to the story of how this project has survived, funding and fires to come to a completion.

Checking the mail

2009-07-09T11:28:00.004-05:00

How many of us will forever look to the sky upon hearing an owl's hoot and wonder even for just an instant if that owl will drop up a magical letter inviting us to Hogwarts? I discovered Harry not as a child, but as a bookseller. My career as a book seller has had a magical mirror to when the Harry Potter novels first arrived on the bookshelves of the University Bookstore. At first I would only order a couple copies as they would most often sell to a teacher or two. Upon the recommendation of a good friend I picked Harry up one day and read it- the rest is well history in the ol Muggles book of Harrydom.

I planned out multiple release parties for the books, devoured reading them when I got home, wore my strippy tights at the movies, and even got the chance to meet JK Rowling Oct of 2007. I have to admit I feel a little empty this summer not having a new Harry to read and I am almost, almost ready to start reading the series again with my own children. I loved reading this this fun article that

"Right now, a parent somewhere is reading Harry Potter to their child for the first time. That child will dream of a future birthday when he receives a letter in the mail from Hogwarts."

Before I begins re-reading the series, I picked up an old classic novel that has some lovely similarities but stands out on its own. Many folks may not know of this book, I read it years ago and it was actually written in 1991, about 6 years before Harry. The book is Wizard's Hall and is written by the fabulous writer Jane Yolen. Though the plot and characters are not as developed in the Rowling books, it stands alone as a fun read in the genre of wizards. I think she had parents in mind because reading it aloud is pretty fun!

It is a sweet, charming and also suspenseful short novel for youth readers. So far my fellas are quite engaged and it would be a perfect book to pick up for camp this summer for just a fun read before the other boy wizard's movie comes out next week- oh and by the way I will be there at the movie with my strippy tights on!

red and blue

2009-07-08T09:33:00.005-05:00

Blogs seem to have become the diary of today- though a diary intended for a public audience. But the art of the diary is not gone. Highlighted for you today are 2 books that explore the theme of the diary.

The Red Leather Diary is a work of non-fiction written when a NY Times journalist discovers a discarded old diary, and embarks on a journey with the woman Florence Wolfson. A stunning picture of the 1930's New York.

The Blue Notebook is a work of fiction written by James Levine. It is the story of Batuk, an Indian girl who is taken to Mumbai from the countryside and sold into prostitution by her father; the blue notebook is her diary, in which she recalls her early childhood, records her life on the Common Street. I have not read this yet, but ordered some copies in for the store as it just released this July.
Who knows, maybe blogs will be this little picture of our culture and lives, though I am not sure if they look quite as cool as a neat old red or blue journal tucked away or left behind that we discover years later. If you are a bit nostalgic like me, you might just pick up a journal to start. i recommend the book Note to Self by O'Shea Samara if you embark on that journey!

A little magic

2009-07-07T13:04:00.003-05:00

In a post Harry world where I am no longer have a new novel to promote, I can at least promote that the box set for the paperbacks 1-7 is out today along with the paperback version of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.

And just for all of us Potterheads I added the countdown clock for the movie that comes out next week!

Under the Sun with a book . . .

2009-07-07T11:44:00.003-05:00

Another book suggestion for this summer is the book that was chosen as the Mizzou Freshman Reads pick, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and set in Afghanistan. The incoming freshman are recommended a book to read over the summer and then there is a variety of discussion groups and programing that happens in the fall.

If you would like to join in for a great read over the summer here is a link for group discussion. Also here is a great interview on NPR. If you shop now at the bookstore you will find the book on sale for the low price of just $11.00 tax included!

Here is a video with the author talking about his inspiration for the novel.

summer time reads

2009-07-07T11:28:00.005-05:00

Looking for something to read this summer on the beach? Here are a couple suggestions that folks in Columbia might be reading. Columbia began the One Read Community Reading program 8 years ago and the public votes on a book for the community to read together and then there are a variety of programs throughout town in the fall. This year the book that was choosen by the public is The Air We Breathe by Andrea Barrett. Set in a sanatorium in the fall of 1916, the novel takes a look at the patient's lives.

I will be staring this here in July and adding my thoughts on the novel. If you are interested in reading this with a group of folks and need some discussion starters, here is a link to a group discussion guide. If you lean towards the artistic side, there is also a art show that coincides with the program. There is a call for entries now that can be found here. If you need a copy of the book, be sure to stop by the bookstore, we have it on sale, all summer long 30% off!

sign up today!

2009-03-17T08:33:00.001-05:00

David Sedaris is coming to a sold out performance on April 8 at Jesse Hall- bummed that you missed out on getting a ticket? There will be another chance . . .well actually 5 more chances! Sign up starting today for you chance to win one of 5 pairs of tickets to see David Sedaris!

Sign up begins today and will go until April 2 when KBIA will be doing a live remote in the store "under the tiger" to giveaway the tickets.

Come on by and sign up during the March Madness events this week, then don't miss your opportunity to meet David Sedaris at the book signing after the show on April 8!

Smelling Ellis

2009-03-11T08:47:00.002-05:00

Does anyone else walk by Ellis Library on campus on a fine spring day when the doors swing open and are hit with the aroma of Ellis- it takes me back to my college days of tucking away in a odd little spot in the stacks with some old book I was searching for to do research for some upcoming English paper.

I guess I am not the only one that loves that smell of old books! For us old book lovers there is now a perfume that embraces that aroma. I will have to talk my sister who lives in Brooklyn to go pick me up a small bottle and see what I think- not sure I would want to smell like an old book myself!

Darwin Days

2009-03-11T08:28:00.003-05:00

Come by and say hi to us at the Darwin Days Symposium this weekend- click here to see a list of some of the titles we will be bringing with us.

Women

2009-03-10T07:50:00.002-05:00

In case you up for more another quiz- click here to test your knowledge of Women's History. Resolutions have passed each year since 1987 proclaiming March to be National Women's History month. Every year the President issues a special Women's History Month Proclamation. This year women have been honored who stand out in their commitment and leadership in the green environmental movement.

This is a wonderful resource for Women's History Month, including a link the the 2009 Presidential Proclamation by President Obama.

If you missed the link on our website, the March newsletter is out- stop by and pick up a copy at the General Books counter when you are in the store, or download a version here.

did you know?

2009-03-10T07:39:00.002-05:00

The Oscar winning movie Slumdog Millionare was based on what Indian Novel?

A- A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

B- A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

C-Q & A by Vikas Swarup

D-A New World by Amit Chaudhuri

(insert suspenseful music and fancy lights)

C- Final answer!

Now you are in the know! Now there is a new movie tie-in cover to help tie the movie and book together, but before it was a novel called Q & A- both versions are now available- sorry I don't have a million dollars to give you for the correct answer- but how about some trivia to impress your friends!

have you heard the buzz?

2009-02-26T09:47:00.003-06:00

Well with a name like Biblio-Buzz, it is fun when we can bring you some buzz on the wire about some books. Pun intended this book is getting some great reviews. It is called "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave.

Being talked about as a great book club read and a favorite in Independent Bookstores- the publisher just went in re-print on this new novel. Doesn't the cover alone catch you- such clever marketing departments at book publishers! To read a full Q & A on from the author- click here. Be on the watch for this one . . it is all the buzz!

Thristy for more

2009-02-25T09:38:00.005-06:00

Well it seems like Stephenie Meyer really got folks uhmmm thristy for some more bloody good reads! This semester it has been interesting to see the Sookie Stackhouse vampire novels by Charlaine Harris really explode- particularly the past couple of weeks. Ahhh the power of vampires!

We are getting stocked up on her backlist, but be on the watch for the new novel Dead and Gone in May- it will be right next to the pile of garlic- those bloodsuckers have been a little nervous about all of these stories being told about them! All kidding aside I am always excited to see this kind of excitement with reading! Click here if you want to read the first chapter in the new novel.

On another vampire note- Columbia's famous film festival True False Film festival will be infusing our cultural world this week. We now carry a good assortment of filmmaking books and we also started carrying the DVD of the locally filmed Box Elder by Todd Sklar- watch for the bookstore in the movie- UBS- superstar! But I stray from the vampire thread- but the connection is an interesting foreign movie is Let the Right One In- I believe this is the last night in February that it is showing. We just got in the novel that inspired the movie if you are up for some more vampire reading. Pick up the book, eat some garlic and head down to RagTag tonight to watch the movie!

Inaugural Event

2009-02-18T14:45:00.003-06:00

Yesterday we had our first author event in the new space and had a great crowd for Animal Rights activist and author Karen Dawn. Thanks to everyone who came, thanks to Karen for coming to the store and writing "Thanking the Monkey"- hearing her stories was eye opening indeed as we think about animal rights.

Here is a great article written by the Missourian-

Literary Love

2009-02-12T11:47:00.002-06:00

If cupcakes were not enough in my prior Valentines post this week how about this new trend I just heard about: read dating!

I read about this from the University Bookstore in Seattle, Washington- think speed dating but instead of traditional speed dating, you get a set amount of minutes to talk about your favorite book. You may meet your soul mate or just the beginning of a long fruitful literary relationship- tell me what you think- or at least your favorite book- don't worry I won't time you!

Grab a banana

2009-02-11T13:53:00.003-06:00

and come on down for a great opportunity to meet nationally know animal rights activist and author Karen Dawn at University Bookstore next to Tiger Takeout and the General Books department.

Be sure to watch this great video also- I think you might recognize several of the Hollywood people in the clip endorsing this wonderful book.

roses, chocolate, or . . .

2009-02-11T11:08:00.005-06:00

Hallmark holiday or not, I actually don't mind Valentines Day! As there are many people scrambling to get the roses, some yummy chocolate, little red teddy bear- how about some calorie free books! I am secretly hoping that someone will open a Cupcake Cafe here in town, but until then I get to browse at the gorgeous cupcake cookbooks that are available now. At least there is not calorie intake for looking at these right?

Here are some yummy selections we currently have in-stock

Welcome February

2009-02-10T09:41:00.005-06:00

By now you have noticed we are in our new space in Phase I of the MU Student Center. General Books is next to the temporary food court area Truman's Take Out. Stop by and say hi and be sure to check out the exciting author events that are happening this semester linked up at our webpage.

February is Black History Month and be sure to stop by our display for a great selection of titles. We are also excited to be involved in a special series of author events with Kind Crone Productions as they welcome former boy soldier from Sierra Leone- Ishmael Beah. Ishmael Beah and Nationally known storyteller and Human Rights Activist Laura Simms will be visiting Columbia next week for a 4-Day Community Collaborative Residency. Stop by the General Books department to get your copy of A Long Way Gone, and see the website Kind Crone for full schedule details.

lunch with a Hippie!

2008-10-20T13:46:00.005-05:00

Look for the VW Van on Thursday and come eat some free pizza and meet Skip Yowell, the co-founder of Jansport. See you there!

come on home

2008-10-16T09:28:00.002-05:00

Homecoming- a tradition Mizzou has created:

The History of Homecoming It is believed that the University of Missouri started the tradition of Homecoming in 1911. MU Football Coach and Director of Athletics Chester Brewer is credited for inviting alumni to "come home" to Columbia, Mo. for the annual football game between MU and the University of Kansas. As part of this "coming home" celebration, there was a parade and a spirit rally that coincided with the game. MU reports that more than 9,000 fans packed into a stadium for this special event. Thus, MU is credited for the creation of the Homecoming tradition on the collegiate level. This time-honored event has served has a model for various Homecoming celebrations that take place at universities across the nation.

The festivites begin next week and we are excited to be at Ellis Library next Monday hanging out with Truman- it doesn't get much better than that!

yes there will be a party

2008-10-16T09:21:00.002-05:00

I have read on several chat spots online that most folks don't think that bookstores will be doing a midnight release party for Tales of Beedle the Bard. Well, that is always a place where Independent Bookstores have shined- we have done HP release parties that have gone down in the history books of magical parties.

Of course we will be doing a release party for Tales of Beedle Bard- we are developing the details of the event and will share them soon- but till then- mark your calendar to come to University Bookstore for some magical good times and another piece of the incredible literary legacy that is Harry Potter!

Jumping into some Corduroy

2008-09-29T09:36:00.002-05:00

Stop by this Thursday for a great opportunity to have some Big Heroes read a fabulous book that just celebrated its 40th anniversary!

Paws . . .

2008-09-25T12:10:00.003-05:00

I had to take a minute to paws, oops I mean pause and thank the fantastic crowd that came to signing for Jeff Corwin of Animal Planet yesterday. This is one of best things about working in a bookstore. To see the excitment and joy in people's faces as they get to meet authors and celebrities face to face! Click here to read the whole article from the Missourian.

Next month we will be hosting a signing with Frank Warren of PostSecret at the lecture at Jesse Hall! Make sure to stop by!

speaking of burning books . . .

2008-09-25T10:57:00.003-05:00

It may surprise you to see what is on the banned book list. Stop by the bookstore during the next week and celebrate your freedom to read!

Here is a list of the Top Ten Challenged Authors 1990-2004

1. Alvin Schwartz
2. Judy Blume
3. Robert Cormier
4. J.K. Rowling
5. Michael Willhoite
6. Katherine Paterson
7. Stephen King
8. Maya Angelou
9. R.L. Stine
10. John Steinbeck

Here is a great spot to learn more about challenged books.

Burning Books

2008-09-24T11:43:00.001-05:00

Book Burning

The link above is to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It describes the events surrounding the burning of many great books. Please take a look. Take special note of the language used by the people who wanted the books burned. Where is that kind of language being used today?

hot to the touch!

2008-09-17T15:11:00.003-05:00

Saturday is the much anticipated release of the 3rd book in the Inheritance Series. Be sure to stop by and pick up your copy at a special 30% discount!

Click here for more details!

other upcoming author events

2008-09-16T09:36:00.000-05:00

The quills will be busy this semester as we have a fantastic array of author events that we will be participating in both in and out of the store.

Click here for a listing of events and we will see you there!

Tea . . .

2008-09-16T09:27:00.002-05:00

We are very excited to be hosting and participating in the events today for bestselling author Greg Mortenson. He will be at a author reception at Ellis Library before he comes to the bookstore for the author signing today. His story is inspiring and we are so honored to have him in the store today. Stop by from 4-5 to have your copy of Three Cups of Tea signed today!

releasing at dawn

2008-08-08T13:19:00.001-05:00

here is a quick video of the bloody hot release party- thanks to everyone for coming!

happy holidays!

2008-08-01T14:50:00.004-05:00

I started off singing Happy Birthday to our dear friend Mr. Potter yesterday to come to that fact that I really should be singing Happy Holidays! Indeed it seems Mrs. Rowling has decided to make it a magical December!

In case you missed the owl post, The Tales of Beedle the Bard will be published for the greater fan base on Dec 4!

Do we have it in us to do 3 midnight release parties this semester? Yes, yes we do! So see you tonight at the midnight release for Breaking Dawn, Sept 19th for Brisingr, and then by the wisk of my wand The Tales of Beedle the Bard on Dec 3!

here is a peak at the offical movie trailer for HP6!

2008-07-31T10:13:00.003-05:00

Here is some reading to do while you anxiously await the midnight release party tomorrow night.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2008-07-30-stephenie-meyer-main_N.htm

The are predicting a very warm but dry day tomorrow- should be perfect for our outside party!

Charming Giveaway!

2008-07-29T10:54:00.003-05:00

We are very excited to be giving away a lovely locally crafted "Bella Bracelet" at the Midnight Release Party on Friday night. As an independent bookstore with our roots in providing outstanding book release parties we wanted to provide something beautiful and unique to give away.

Tucker's Fine Jewelry made this beautiful charm bracelet. So how do you get this? Come to the party of course and sign up- the bracelet will be given away just before midnight- and yes you must be present to win!!

grab a pen

2008-07-28T12:17:00.004-05:00

okay maybe this is a bit contrary to the blogging world, but I just loved author Samara O'Shea's first book "For the Love of Letters" that was a charming book on the lost art of letterwriting. Now she has come out with a quirky fun book on journaling, I love how she refers to this at the poor man's therapist- but I can attest to the power of words when you write them and see them! Check it out, oh and not to forget to mention some of the new shipments of ever so lovely journals that just came in!

green books

2008-07-24T10:49:00.002-05:00

In the midst of a shift back to green issues we have launched a new program that we are quite excited about. We are now offering used books in the General Books department and you have the option to return your books to us after you have read them for some extra green in your pocket.

Stop by the information counter to ask us more about it!

waiting

2008-07-24T10:35:00.003-05:00

as our readers are anxiously awaiting "Breaking Dawn" I wanted to point out another adult novel that is getting some acclaim and anticipation for the early August release as well. The novel is The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. The story line is very unique and could be a break out top seller at the end of the summer.

Check out this story in USA Today and then catch it on the our shelves on August 5.

Midnight Release Party

2008-07-17T11:44:00.004-05:00

How could we resist having a midnight release party after the sucess of our Harry Potter Parties in the past? We invite you to support your local independent bookstore and attend our Midnight Release Party for "Breaking Dawn"

Walk from downtown to Memorial Union where you are welcome to enjoy some bloody snacks under the moonlight as you await the clock to strike midnight. Come and test you knowledge with Twilight Trivia and sign up for a beautiful locally crafted Bella Bracelet by Tucker's Fine Jewelry.

Whether you are vampire or werewolf- join us for a night with bite!

Best of the Bookers

2008-07-11T09:04:00.003-05:00

What would you choose to be the greatest book to get the Booker Prize? Well the public voted and Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children was choosen- maybe it is about time I give this one a read- here is the complete story with a charming picture of his own children accepting the prize for him via video conference.

it's coming

2008-07-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

Judging Books by Their Covers

2008-06-20T09:48:00.003-05:00

Sometimes it’s nearly impossible to avoid judging books by their covers. One example is the upcoming Stephenie Meyer book Breaking Dawn. Fans of the series are dissecting it all over the blogs. What does it mean? Chess is a wonderful resource full of potential meanings. The relative value of the pieces, their titles, genders and colors all lead to exciting conversations about the possible outcomes of this highly anticipated story. The white queen must represent Bella but why white? Who is the red pawn? Does red stand for vampires or non-vampires? Has she left Edward or Jacob behind? The Queen is the most powerful piece. Is that an indication that she becomes a great force in the vampire world or does it signify a more personal power to rise above the vampire world and make the choices only she can make as young woman on the brink of adulthood. Stephenie Meyer may not have had any say in the cover but it's still fun to speculate.

a little more than some spare change

2008-06-12T12:07:00.006-05:00

Another very interesting auction item from the literary world!

June 11, 2008
Arts, Briefly

Austen’s Inspiration
Compiled by BEN SISARIO

A portrait of the man believed to have inspired the character of Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” is going on sale for £50,000 (about $98,000) at an antiques fair in London, the BBC reported. Thomas Lefroy, right, born in Ireland, met Austen in 1796, when both were in their early 20s. They had a flirtation, but Lefroy, whose family was poor, married an heiress. The watercolor portrait, 3 inches by 1 1/4 inches, was painted in 1798 by George Engleheart, and will be on sale at the Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair, which runs Thursday to next Wednesday.

On the horizon . .

2008-06-12T09:17:00.003-05:00

With the continued fervor of the Stephanie Meyer Twilight Saga, the anticipation is growing for the final book that will be released on August 2 called "Breaking Dawn" We will be well stocked up for the fourth and final book in the vampire saga that was written for young adults, but like Harry has had an amazing cross over readership with adults. I have the admit the trailer for the upcoming movie looks pretty good, though I don't think I fall into the "twihard" class of a fans!

just a bit

2008-06-12T09:06:00.002-05:00

It is a small little bite of a story but it is the most recent thing I have read since HP7 came out last summer! Here is a link to a "storycard" that JK Rowling wrote that sold for $48,910 at auction this week. From what I can tell it is part of a storycard postcard book being published by the British bookseller Waterstone. The competition is still running until next week- I think it is a marvelous idea- pssst read the story by Neil Gaiman also- I loved it!

tea

2008-06-05T13:30:00.003-05:00

With Summer Welcome on the horizon, the buzz is in the air and I love it when a book is involved! I am getting ready to share the reading adventure with several new students and start reading "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson. As I was at one of the summer welcome sessions for transfer students today I picked up the book and read the back. It answered my first question, which was where did the title come from?

From the back of the book:

"Here (in Pakistan and Afghanistan), we drink three cups of tea to do business, the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything-even die."

-Haji Ali, Korphe Village Chief, Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan

I am pulled right in, the author also has a website worth exploring.

I wasn't dreaming

2008-05-29T14:38:00.002-05:00

For years now my alarm is NPR in the morning. I am able to get a quick few minutes of the news and maybe a good story or two before I drag myself out of bed. A unique element of using this as a way to rise and shine is that often stories merge with those last minute dreams. This morning I was having a dream about the glories of being an independent bookstore and then wow I realized it wasn't a dream, it was a wonderful story on NPR- here are some highlights from the story about a store in California

The radio waves definitely blew away the mental cobwebs today. The broadcast of public radio's Marketplace Morning Edition concluded with a hometown voice: "commentator and independent bookseller" Kerry Slattery of L.A.'s Skylight Books, which is currently undergoing renovation. Kerry's piece examines just why, in the face of some pretty challenging times for indies, she and her colleagues at Skylight are seeing such great community support and store growth.
Her bottom line conclusion: "More than any other time in recent years, there is a growing national consumer awareness that big may not be better -- both in small towns as well as large cities." Customers are realizing that locally owned, independent businesses give back more economically to their communities, are greener, and help keep vibrant, diverse communities just that -- vibrant and unique!
But, guess what, Kerry says it way better than I do!

10 years

2008-05-22T09:17:00.004-05:00

Soon I will be celebrating my 10 year anniversary working here at the bookstore and have always enjoyed sharing this landmark in my book career with the birth of a certain young wizard in the American market. If you have had the fortune of being around me during any of our Harry Potter events, you will hear me tell tales of when I was a young (okay I am still young) bookseller and we would carry maybe 5 copies of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone when it first came out and would sell it mostly to teachers. When Chamber of Secrets came out, I had a good friend suggest picking these up and reading them. Sure- I am always game for a good read- well the rest is sheer magical book history. Five midnight book release parties later and I am not just ordering 5 copies of Harry Potter, but 500 plus copies for the last book. With the 10-year anniversary of the book coming, a special edition will be released with new artwork and bonus author material. This muggle would like to think that it is special just for my 10 year anniversary, but that is my fantasy. That is just that magic that Rowling creates for her readers, young and old!

feel the energy

2008-05-21T10:16:00.003-05:00

A magical wonderful energy comes to campus the first Tuesday after graduation. That is the unmistakable energy of approximately 1200 4th, 5th, and 6th graders from Columbia Public Schools. We are the sponsors of Children's Reading Day that encourages reading and gives these students the experience of hearing 2 authors and 2 storytellers. I love seeing this much excitment for books! This years authors were Deborah Wiles and Roland Smith, and the event welcomed back renowned storytellers Deb Swanegan and Bobby Norfolk.

One of the book series that continues to sell so well is the Rick Riodran series that follows the adventures of Percy Jackson. I have a feeling we will be continuing to see these books fly into the hands of these young readers.

here is video to take a look at the action and hear from some of the students

Children's Book Week 2008

2008-05-12T11:49:00.004-05:00

Come in and grab a great book to read for Children's Book Week 2008!

super hero bookstore!

2008-05-12T11:26:00.001-05:00

these are the stories that I just love:

Harvard Book Store, Cambridge, Mass., won over an Amazon customer last week when the store "paid ransom" for two books stolen from the customer's apartment house lobby, as reported on WCVB. Realizing the two obscure anthropology books might be sold as used to a bookstore, the grad student-customer alerted local stores, including Harvard Book Store, which indeed was offered the two books. Harvard quoted a "lowball" price and got the books. As with all such used book sales, the store took information about the customer, which it forwarded to the police.The customer was delighted and said he will shop at the store now. Harvard Book Store manager Mark Lamphier commented: "Internet sales are what's driving independent book stores out of business, but here the local independent bookstore saved the day in the end."

a wolf bite

2008-05-05T09:09:00.002-05:00

Augusten Burroughs new book "A Wolf at the Table" just hit the shelves last week. Often known for his comic bent memoirs that we carry such as "Dry" and "Running with Scissors"- his latest memoirs has a decidely more dark memoir taking on his father with some bite. I have not read this latest installment in his memoir fame, and the reviews are just starting to come in, I think I might wait till after Father's Day to read this one. Here is a video of a lecture of his that I found

coming next week!

2008-05-01T14:46:00.000-05:00

crossing the threshold

2008-04-24T14:15:00.003-05:00

May is almost here and soon the pomp and circumstance will fill campus with the sounds of the graduating class of 2008. What will you be doing? If you feel you are entering a crossroads when you leave Mizzou you might enjoy this graphic memoir:

"After graduating from college and spending a magical year abroad writing the best-selling A Year in Japan, Kate T. Williamson felt ready for anything. But, like many a postgraduate, she needed some time to figure out just what that anything was. Her parents' house in Pennsylvania seemed like the perfect place for a brief layover, but twenty-three months later, Williamson was still contemplating the past and the future, while explaining to curious neighbors that, at present, her life was "at a crossroads."

Graphic memoirs are a really interesting up and coming genre that burst onto the literary scene with Persepolis a few years ago. So enjoy and stop by for so good old fashioned non-required reading gems!

waiting for the last lecture

2008-04-21T11:27:00.002-05:00

I can hardly believe that it is nearing the end of April and soon to be finals week when many of you will be listening to your last lecture of the semester! While waiting for that last lecture, I thought I would give and update on one of the hottest books in the country at the moment, "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch, a professor who gave his last lecture as he was dying from pancreatic cancer. We are hoping to have more copies in by May, when the publisher will have more copies printed. I guess it is a good problem to have for the publisher to have so amazing unanticipated demand for the book. The publisher was even quoted "There is no way you can plan for this kind of phenomenon. Demand was simply meteoric"

We will have copies in once the publisher has them available, till then here is a spot where you can see a video of Professor Pausch's "Last Lecture"

blogging for authors

2008-04-17T14:35:00.005-05:00

An interesting element in the world of blogging that is happening in the book world is how writers and books are being discovered via their blogs. Julie Powell's book "Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen was discovered through her blog and has now been opted for a movie staring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep.

Another book that was recently published by a blogger that I read religiously is Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule, an amazing blogger with an incredible following who was also discovered through her blog. Her book was just published on April 1 and we do carry it in stock along with a great selection of books for the family and all your creative needs!

So I think that this is a really lovely and interesting benefit to writers and publishers alike to be able to discover the raw talent of writers through the world of blogs. As much as I really love blogs, I am happy to see books coming out of this world because the one thing with blogging and e-mailing is how we are some of the windows of time images of our culture because so much of it is done electronically. On that note- happy reading and happy blogging!

what is a muggle to think?

2008-04-14T08:10:00.001-05:00

I am not sure if other muggles have been following this story:

J.K. Rowling will be at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan this week to testify in a trial to determine if Steven Vander Ark's planned Harry Potter Lexicon violates her copyrights. According to the Associated Press, her lawyer "has arranged with the judge to have a private security guard for Rowling in the courtroom and for the author to spend breaks in the seclusion of a jury room--away from any die-hard Potter fans in attendance."

What do you think? I am a little torn on this. On the one hand I am a die-hard Potter fan myself and respect that this is the world she created and she should have intellectual property rights, especially if this is something she has planned to publish. But on the other hand the website for Harry Potter Lexicon has had the info for some time on the website. But a book would mean they would stand to profit from it. I would have to say I think I am going to have to say I am on JK Rowling's side, and it is not because of some spell of hers that I am under. I really respect her as a writer and for what she has done to both children's literature and for adults also.

What do you think?

late addition- here are a couple of stories related to the trial:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2008-04-15-harrypottertrial_N.htm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article3746609.ece

Campus Author Celebration

2008-04-11T14:48:00.001-05:00

Thank you everyone for a very succesful Campus Author Celebration yesterday. We look forward to another year of increased scholarship on campus. Below is a list of the Campus Authors that had a publication in the past year through April of this year. Don't hesitate to contact us and let us know if you have a publication in the upcoming year.

snuff stuff

2008-04-11T14:42:00.002-05:00

It is always fun when you have the opportunity to see what one of our bestselling author's favorite books are. Here is a list of book recommendations from Chuck Palahniuk whose newest title will be here on May 20. Chuck Palahniuk's novels have long appealed to our readers here at University Bookstore long before the well done movie adaptation of Fight Club. So take a peak at his list and find something to read before his next novel comes out!

I Speak for the Trees!

2008-04-10T11:06:00.000-05:00

I have met very few people who can't resist Dr. Seuss. With Earth Day fast approaching I thought I would mention that a new version of "The Lorax" was printed on all recycled paper! If you adore this book like myself, I think you will enjoy this video and also the game. There is also something new called The Lorax Project . On Earth Day April 22, 2008, Conservation International and Dr. Seuss Enterprises launch The Lorax Project, an innovative initiative to engage individuals & corporations to do their parts to conserve places and species critical to our planet.

Another book that readers may not recognize as easily around Earth Day is another favorite of mine call "Wump World" by Bill Peet which was actually written a year before the Lorax. The message is similar and equally engaging illustrations. Both are wonderful to read year around, but especially for Earth Day.

We have several copies of these Wump World, The Lorax and other great books that you thneed- opps I mean need!!

Manga Roots

2008-04-09T09:23:00.000-05:00

Manga is a fast growing section in the department with a broad mix of titles brought in by some faithful manga reading experts in our department. I found an interview with the author of the recently published book "One Thousand Years of Manga" by Brigitte Koyma-Richard, a professor at Musashi University in Tokyo. This book is receiving some great reviews admiring its mirroring quality to Japan's culture of being anchored in tradition and ritual while also reaching for something new and contemporary. Here is the interview done with the author:

PW Comics Week: Most books on manga—Fred Schodt's Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics or Paul Gravett's Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics—point to World War II as the starting point of Japanese comics as we currently know them. But you go all the way back to the 12th century. Why did you decide to start there?

Brigitte Koyama-Richard: I read the thoroughly researched and interesting works that you cite with great interest. I believe that both authors are contemporary manga specialists, which would explain why they focus on post-World War II manga. In Japan, however, the specialists agree that the roots of manga actually date back as early as the 7th century and my book One Thousand Years of Manga includes examples that date from that period to the present. My primary goal was to start from the origins and to show the evolution of drawing and caricature over the course of centuries in order to give the readers a visual panorama to help them understand not only the origins, but the originality of manga and to further their understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture.

PWCW: You are a professor of comparative literature in Japan. Do you use manga in your class? How did you come upon this project? What made you want to pursue it and does it dovetail with your teaching?

BK-R: My courses are mostly about Japanism in which I explain the influence of Japanese art on Western art, literature, fashion, etc. After presenting the history and production of prints from the Edo era, we go on to look at the ways they have influenced Western art. If the students are interested in the prints they feel much closer to manga. Having seen many exhibitions on the origins of manga and read many books on the topic, I decided to introduce this subject to my courses and to write this book.
By studying the origins of manga, my Japanese students gain a new perspective on the art of their country. They have a better appreciation of Japanese art from the past few centuries and instead of merely reading manga, they turn a more attentive eye to their graphic aspect.

PWCW: Legendary manga pioneers such as Hokusai who first coined the term; and Osamu Tezuka, who revolutionized the form, were deeply influenced by Western art or movies. Did manga in Japan then develop as a hybrid art form, informed by Japanese and Western sensibilities or does it stem from a deeper tradition of Japanese visual narrative?

BK-R: Art in general has always benefited from the influence of other cultures. Japan was significantly inspired and influenced by both Chinese and Western art but, nevertheless, developed its own very original art. Prints and manga, in particular, seem to me to be profoundly Japanese. Image has always played a fundamental role in Japanese culture. Manga are actively studied and are emulated today by young Asian mangakas [manga artists] as well as Western artists, which is testament to their unique and profoundly Japanese character.

PWCW: You use scrolls and print tryptchs, ukiyo-e block prints, as examples of early manga. What are the similarities between these older paintings and prints and current day manga?

BK-R: Japanese researchers and Mr. Takahata of the Ghibli studio, who devoted an important book to the question, all agree that scrolls are at the origin of manga and animated drawings. The scroll was a format on which an action could be represented as it unfurled over time, just as animation does today. Techniques used in the prints to demonstrate movement (e.g., motion lines, circular lines, etc.) are mirrored in contemporary manga.

PWCW: In addition to teaching comparative literature, you've written extensively about Japanese art. What made you decide to bridge the two worlds of traditional Japanese art and contemporary, commercial manga?

BK-R: To my mind there is no gap between the two. Manga, like illustration, contemporary painting, etc., finds its origin in the past. Mangakas prefer to avoid using the word “influence”, but they all recognize that what they design and express is anchored in the past; it is part of their DNA and their work finds its roots in their culture. Some say that they are very influenced by American comic book culture, yet their designs are different. Their manga are not American-style comics, they are decidedly Japanese manga.

PWCW: Are today's manga creators influenced by the hand scrolls and prints of old Japan

BK-R: Some—Mizuki Shigeru and Sugiura Hinako for example—are profoundly influenced by and attach a great importance to the culture of past centuries. [Shigeru’s Ge ge ge no Gitaro is his most famous work; NonNonBâ won him the Best Album award at 2007's Angouleme International Comics Festival; and Shigeru's work also inspired Takashi Miike's movie The Great Yokai War where he also made a cameo appearance. Hinako debuted in Japan's indie comics magazine, Garo, with Tsugen Muro no Ume]

PWCW: Caricature is a popular theme and tool used in Hokusai's work as well in Japan's first comic strips. Was the use of caricature important as manga developed over time? Is it still used in the manga that we see today?

BK-R: Yes, caricature has always played a very important role. One Thousand Years of Manga includes numerous examples of caricature, selected from throughout the centuries. The tradition of caricature is evident in the facial expressions of characters in contemporary manga.

PWCW: Are there current trends or themes in manga that you see in Japan today, such as more collaborative work between Japanese and western creators?

BK-R: More and more young mangakas from Asia, Europe, and the United States come to study and work in Japan. Some, like the well-known Taniguchi Jirô, have already published manga with a renowned Western mangaka like Moebius. I think this trend is on the rise; which is very positive. The exchange of ideas, the collaboration of several mangakas on a single work—it’s bound to be creative and enriching.

PWCW: You are fluent in both French and Japanese. Is it safe to assume that you were exposed to both French and Japanese comics at an early age? If so, are there any that are your favorite or made a deep impression on you?

BK-R: With regard to French comics, I, like many of my compatriots, like Astérix! For manga, I enjoy different styles: the poetry of Taniguchi Jirô, Mizuki Shigeru’s World of Yokai, and Sugiura Hinako’s forays into the very heart of the Edo period. But I’m also interested in many other manga artists.

hard to not judge a book by its cover

2008-04-08T11:06:00.003-05:00

As a book buyer it is very difficult to not judge a book by its cover when they are designed especially for me as a buyer and also for you as our customers. It is one of the main reasons I really like the tangibleness of books on a shelf to browse verses e-books. Sometimes there is a cover and title that just seem to pop and this is one of those books. It is called "Girls in Trucks" and I think it has a great cover, great title. This is one of my favorite covers of the spring titles so far! Below is an interview with the author Katie Crouch

bibliobituaries

2008-04-08T08:33:00.000-05:00

I came across this in another blog that I read about and could not resist posting it here:

"Wouldn't it be nice to see some formal sort of recognition go to books at the time of their passing? I personally would love it if someone in the world would create a repository for obituaries of out of print books, or "bibliobituaries," as I'm calling them. In order to make that happen, I'd suggest we start writing them"

I think this is a great idea- I will have to ponder my list of books I love that are now out of print and see what I can come up with!

what is it with boys and dinosaurs?

2008-04-07T12:49:00.000-05:00

I am not sure, but it makes for a timeless recipe for a book for and about boys. I grew up with the classic "Danny and the Dinosaur" but here is another dinosaur book that just won the E.B. White Read Aloud Award for picture book by Elise Broach

The Association of Booksellers for Children has announced the winners of the two E.B. White Read Aloud Awards:For picture books: When Dinosaurs Came with Everything by Elise Broach and illustrated by David Small (S&S, $16.99), which ABC described as an "indie favorite about what happens on an otherwise normal day when stores begin giving away dinos with every purchase . . . The title received the most bookseller nominations of any picture book, and the committee loved the 'perfect combination of wonderful writing, whimsical illustration, and imaginative premise.' "

come and grab a seat in our children's department and give this book a test run!

going local- what does it mean?

2008-04-07T11:43:00.000-05:00

April is here and Earth Day is on the horizon. It is a time where we can spread our toes in the grass and relax in the warm sunshine with a good book in hand. I recently heard a term at a book show that I went that I had not heard before. It is called "glocalization" and is a way for local independent retailers to emphasis how buying local has effects on both your community and globally as well. I found this really interesting and also a great time to remind you as our customers that we are your booksellers, this is your bookstore and we will work hard to continue to bring you a great selection of books with a friendly smile. So as we get close to Earth Day, stop by pick up a tree and check out our great selection of books that help you navigate a simple green path and be proud to know that you are supporting Columbia's Oldest Independent Bookstore. Here is a great slideshow from http://www.newrules.org/ that I found that elaborates on communities that are shopping local!

We also made it easier for you to let us know what you want. If you find a book on-line that you are intersted in, here is the spot to let us know. We will research the book and contact you with ordering availability, we might even have it in stock right now! So Click There- Shop Here!

The Secret, Law of Attraction and Manifesting your Reality

2008-03-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of new books on the market reviving the concept of the power of intention. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne has been on the Bestsellers list for more than a month now and her ideas are nothing new. Most major religions have visited the concept in some form or other. It has been attributed to Abraham, the Dalai Lama, Quantum Physics, various Goddesses etc... The general idea is that you can manifest your desires by mentally making your intentions clear. Some of the books available on the subject are:

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
Ask and it is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks
The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks
Law of Attraction by Michael J. Losier
Change Tour Thoughts - Change Your Life by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

I always felt that a combination of intention and action is required. Thoughts change reality by changing your motions through the world first. What do you think? Can willpower, prayer, visualization or clarity of intention bring your wants into being? Have you read any of these books? Tell us about it.

hungry for a bite . . .

2008-03-03T09:02:00.000-06:00

Move over Lestat, there is a new bloodsucker in town. Vampires have been in book genre form really since the early 1700's including poetry and gothic works, but in my college reading days it was the New Orlean's scene of Lestat, Louis and Claudia. It has been interesting to see a sudden rise in popularity to a new vampire series particularly because it is a series written for young adults. With a following developing (fans calling themselves twi-hards) and a crossover readership, Stephanie Meyer's twilight series is taking off. I recently read that the first movie Twilight is slated to be one of the most anticipated movies of 2008. I myself am holding out for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, but I am always up for a good vampire read!

Playing With Genres or A Rant About Genre Fiction

2008-02-27T08:16:00.001-06:00

I read just about every genre available. Most of the time, a book is placed firmly in it's genre and it's author is expected to stay with that genre. On the other hand, there are a number of authors who are consistently placed in the general fiction category even though they almost always write genre fiction. Here are a few examples:

Michael Chrichton: Science Fiction
Charles Frazier: Westerns
Nicholas Sparks: Romance
Anne Rice: Horror
James Patterson: Mystery

I suspect that the reason these authors get special treatment is that most adults never got over high school peer pressure. Genre fiction is looked upon with contempt in western culture (I can't say how it's viewed elsewhere). "Big" men and women read bestsellers, classics and reading-group-selections. People who read genre fiction are "trashy" or lack refinement. Any author who can potentially write a massive bestseller is magically lifted from the lowly ranks of the genre writers and given a place in the grand hall of "acceptable" fiction. Publishers are clearly aware of the bias and work hard to protect their readers. Did you notice the incredibly boring cover they slapped on the mass market version of Harry Potter? That's because the millions of people who snap up mass markets while they're in the airports or at the grocery stores wouldn't be caught dead with a colorful "kid's book" in their hand. It seems obvious to me that most of us really love fantasies and, fortunately, the special-effects-super-blockbuster is making it more palatable every year. As a culture we are slowly beginning to realize that all those books relegated to the ghetto for so many years are written by real writers and that many of them have something to say. We should shrug off the cloak of invisibility altogether and show the world who we really are. Leave the gossip and judgements to kids who haven't reached maturity yet and read books because they're well written or because they say something we need to understand or even because they excite us. If you've read Vonnegut, you've read science fiction. If you've read Dan Brown, you've read a mystery. If you've read Meg Cabot, you've read a romance. There now, that didn't hurt did it?

Why Zines?

2008-02-18T12:08:00.001-06:00

Our Zine Fest is coming up this Friday and many people still have no idea what a zine even is. The short answer is that zines are paper blogs. The more complete answer is that zines are the product of a spirited, courageous movement made up of people who, for various reasons, publish their own material.

Zines represent a long history of self publishing. It could be argued that Poor Richard's Almanac or Martin Luther's 95 Theses were zines. They are for people who are interested in literature that escapes the tight controls of the publishers. They are outlandish and deal with any subject you can imagine. Some are works of art from cover to cover, others are typewritten rants. Many zines are decidedly counter-culture and depict lifestyles rarely touched by the mainstream media. They can bring issues into focus by expressing the often overlooked angles. They're inexpensive but rich and vibrant.

If you write a zine, you should come in and talk to us. Our hope is to stir up the local talent and become a home for comic artists, perzine (personal zine) writers, drafters of manifestos and fearless self publishers right here in Columbia.

hot- (ouch) firey hot title named

2008-02-12T10:51:00.000-06:00

Coming September 20, 2008 is the highly anticipated third title in the Eragon cycle and it is named . . . . Brisingr

The cover is as lovely and enticing of a dragon cover as I have ever seen. Another lovely dragon read that I am on the finishing chapters with my family is called The Dragon Prince. The story does have some predictability, though I am not completely sure how this one is going to end, but the one thing that has impressed me with this book is the language. A wonderful arrangement of words that help create the landscape of this adventure of a couple of dragons, a young boy, and a grumpy and wise old chap on a journey to help mend a long embattled relationship between humans and dragons. This is one book that has been a joy to read outloud.

Off the Cuff

2008-01-24T11:38:00.000-06:00

I have to admit that most of the books I read these days are children's book with my kids and I had fun browsing through some of the favorite books of other booksellers. One of the most unique books I read in the past couple of months was a book called Monday by Anne Herbauts from Brussels. It is really different from other books that I came across this season taking a non-linear approach to storytelling through the tale of a bird named Monday and his friends Lester Day and Tom Morrow. With lush illustrations that I love this book was equally engaging on a tactile level that pulls you into the book even more. The messages of the passage of seasons and time are touching and true because nothing really always stays the same.

The 2007 Cuffies
Children’s booksellers choose their favorite (and a few not-so-favorite) books of the year
by Diane Roback -- Publishers Weekly, 1/21/2008

For our annual “Off the Cuff” awards, we canvassed retailers around the country. The winners of our poll (and selected bookseller comments) appear below.
Favorite Picture Book of the Year
Toy Boat by Randall de Sève, illustrated by Loren Long (“a beautiful and timeless new classic”)
Favorite Middle Grade Novel
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt (“it made me laugh, made me cry, and begs to be read aloud”)
Favorite YA Novel
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Most Unusual Picture Book of the Year
The Arrival by Shaun Tan (“it’s very sophisticated, but almost entirely visual”)
Best Book Title
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Honorable mention: I’d Really Like to Eat a Child; Do Unto Otters
Most Memorable Character in a Lead Role
Kek in Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate (“he has such an unusual voice, and its cadence stays with you”)
Best Sequel
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (“no contest!”)
Honorable mentions: Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems; Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy by Jane O’Connor, illus. by Robin Preiss Glasser; The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan (“hooray for Percy Jackson! he’s the new Harry!”)
Favorite Book Jacket
How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird by Jacques Prévert, illus. by Mordicai Gerstein
Funniest Book (tie)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (“good slice of middle-school life”); The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex
Most Promising New Author (tie)
Linda Urban; Jeff Kinney
Most Promising New Illustrator
Kevin Sherry, illustrator of I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean! (“so bold, so simple, and so funny”)
Favorite Series
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Honorable mentions: The Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer; Harry Potter
Best Nonfiction Treatment of a Subject
The Wall by Peter Sís
Most Innovative/Unique Book (tie)
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick ('different, imaginative and stunning”); Gallop! by Rufus Butler Seder
Favorite Book to Handsell
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
Honorable mentions: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (“it’s so great to convince both teenagers and their parents to read it!”)
Best Novel for Young Readers That Adults Would Love If They Knew About It (tie)
The Wednesday Wars (“every child of the ’60s would love this book”); Spud by John van de Ruit
Hottest Selling Book to Go Out of Stock
Gallop!
Honorable mentions: Diary of a Wimpy Kid; The Arrival, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Book We Could Have Sold More of with a Better Jacket
The Wednesday Wars; Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis (“I couldn’t get customers past it, no matter how much I enthused”)
Oddest Request by a Customer
“A customer brought the Fancy Nancy standee to the desk and said she was offended by the explicit nature of the drawing.”
Most Unusual Complaint
“These books are printed in China. Can’t you get them printed in the U.S.?”
Funniest Thing a Kid Said in Your Store
“A child said to a staff member, 'Do you live here?’ ”
“Our storytime reader greeted the children with 'Does anyone want to come and listen to some stories?’ and a four-year-old boy replied, 'Yes. I watch too much TV.’ ”

Something Fun

2008-01-22T11:23:00.000-06:00

My wife and I have just finished the second book in the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. As always when I read a work of fiction, I have a clear picture of each character in my head. Even so, I think it's a blast to see what other people think. I find myself looking at IMDB to see who is cast in the roles a lot. Only very rarely do I find my internal images changing (Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle ARE Mr. Darcy and Miss. Elizabeth Bennet). Just a couple of days ago I found a new way to see other interpretations of fictional characters. I went to Deviant Art and typed in the character's names. I was delighted to see that some of the artwork there was pretty close to what I imagined. It was funny to see how many people got it totally wrong too. One example is that even though Edward is described with bronze hair over and over again in the books he is painted with red or dark brown hair many times. All the characters were there and I had a great time looking them over. I highly recommend entering the characters you most love and seeing what comes up.

Used Books

2008-01-15T15:03:00.000-06:00

We've been playing with the idea of offering and buying used books in the trade department. In other words, allowing our guests to buy a hot new title and return it for a partial refund and then another guest could buy it for less. We're racking our brains about the best way go about it. What do you think? Would you buy used books at University Bookstore?

Artful Price Dodgers

2008-01-14T10:56:00.001-06:00

There are several great books out there for art lovers on a budget.

Renaissance Art by Victoria Charles ($19.95 from Parkstone Press International) is a lavishly illustrated coffee-table style book on Renaissance Art and Architecture which rewards both browsing and careful reading.

With the rise of formal ideologies and schools in modern art, it can be confusing to keep track of who belongs where, and with what. Isms: Understanding Art by Stephen Little (Universe, $16.95) does an excellent job of organizing and explaining the various movements and schools that have characterized art history. Color-coding each era for ease of reference (cyan for the Renaissance through red for Post-Modernism), Little bullet-points the various theoretical and methodological points characteristic of each "ism."

50 Artists You Should Know by Thomas Koster, (Prestel, 19.95) is a companion to the "Isms" book that focuses on the artists themselves. The book is arranged chronologically from Giotto to David Hockney, and gives a short, but good, overview to each artist's work, with representative samples included.

The king of inexpensive, yet high-quality, art-books is Phaidon Press.

The Art Book ($9.95), winner of the 1994 Illustrated Book of the Year Award, is an alphabetical look at five hundred artists, from Jacques-Laurent Agasse to Francisco de Zurbara'n. A short description of the artist's life and work combined with one representative work in a small and easy to handle book make this an excellent gift to introduce art to a friend or loved one. Phaidon also has books in the same format on 20th Century Art and Photography.

An even better deal, in my estimation, is the Phaidon Colour (yes, they are an English press) Library. It is devoted to individual artists and movements in a paperback coffee-table sized format with beautiful color and black and white plates for the same price ($9.95) as the Art Books. The Italian Renaissance book is pictured, but the series ranges from Fra Angelico to Whistler, with stops at Cubism, Impressionism, Japanese Colour Prints and Surrealist Painting (a personal favorite) along the way. These books will provide for wonderful browsing and study.

The Future of Books

2008-01-11T15:27:00.000-06:00

In recent years, new technology has come about that has allowed people to purchase an electronic book and download it directly to a computer or PDA, and more recently, devices are being sold with the sole purpose of being used for e-books. It would seem that in our new techno-savvy world, the book is becoming obsolete.

I believe, however, that the book will always be around. People that enjoy reading also enjoy being able to hold a book in their hand, and not a computer screen.

How do you feel about these new devices and would you ever use them?

It's a match!

2008-01-11T14:07:00.000-06:00

How do your reading habits match your loved one's?

I'm fortunate to have a wife that enjoys most of the same books that I do. I usually have 2 books going at once. I have a book I'm reading alone and another book I'm reading to her. Right now I'm reading The Hero and the Crown (Robin McKinley) when I'm by myself and New Moon (Stephanie Meyer) until one or the other of us falls asleep. Both books are excellent. The difference is in the names. I love a good high fantasy with characters sporting odd names and wicked magical powers. She finds those stories hard to follow and prefers more recognizable characters. She, on the other hand, can read self help books that would take me years to get through. Not only that, she can actually learn from them. She's one of those brilliant people who can master new skills by simply reading, taking notes and practicing. I'm so jealous!

What about you? Does your mate read what you do? What differences are there?

Book the Vote!

2008-01-10T12:54:00.001-06:00

It is that time again- every 4 years bookstores reflect the political landscape with a plethora of political books to choose from. Here is an interesting story that shows the sales are as equally as close as some of the primary race results:

Sales boom for Barack Obama's books
Wed Jan 9, 3:43 PM ET
Demand is high for the books of presidential contender Barack Obama.
The Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc., has ordered an additional 50,000 copies of Sen. Obama's million-selling policy book, "The Audacity of Hope," and another 10,000 for his million-selling memoir, "Dreams From My Father."
Both have been selling strongly in the past few weeks as campaigning intensified, with "Audacity of Hope" in the top 20 on Amazon.com as of Wednesday morning and "Dreams From My Father" in the top 60. Obama, an Illinois Democrat, was narrowly defeated in Tuesday's New Hampshire Democratic primary by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.
Clinton, a former first lady, has also written a million-selling memoir, "Living History," for which sales have increased recently, although at a slower pace than for Obama's books.
According to Nielsen BookScan, which tracks about 70 percent of industry sales, "Living History" averaged around 1,000 sales a week in December and early January, compared to more than 7,000 a week for "Audacity of Hope" and more than 2,000 for "Dreams From My Father."

2008-01-09T13:18:00.001-06:00

Take over the world! The newest book by Daniel H. Wilson has arrived at the bookstore. Now that you know how to survive a robot uprising you can begin constructing your electronic forces. This entertaining guide will tell you everything you need to know like how to deploy robotic spy bugs or how to train your robot troops. There are many forms your army could take. I would personally go with a few, super-powerful, death dealing, humanoid robots. If you had the time and the money, what kind of robot army would you build?

See a lecture by the author here!

"Feasting" on the news!

2008-01-09T10:56:00.000-06:00

One of our favorite local poets has been named Missouri's first poet laureate. Our big congratulations to Walter!

Gov. Matt Blunt named Ashland writer Walter Bargen as Missouri’s first official poet laureate on Tuesday. Bargen was notified of his selection by phone at 10 a.m. on Monday. He said being named Missouri Poet Laureate is “like a cherry on the whipped cream.”
“I’ve been writing for 40 years and suddenly this happens,” Bargen said. “I never had this in mind, I just write because there’s a great feel of enjoyment for me.”

The full story is here:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/stories.nsf/books/story/0B5C5594DE89E91C862573CB00193960?OpenDocument

Walter's website is www.walterbargen.com

January Newbies

2008-01-09T08:19:00.000-06:00

A short snip-it list of some of the new titles coming out this January:

In stock now include Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich and a new children's book by Jon Scieszka called Truck Town.

Coming to the stacks later in the month is the newest installment by Stephen King called Duma Key arriving on January 22, and just on its heals is Appeal by John Grisham arriving on January 29.

As we prepare for the Zine Fest in February we have a new order of zines arriving in the middle of the month that will replenish some of our favorite sellers like Tenacious volumes 11, 12, and 13 and We Need to Eat. Some new zine titles arriving will include Ghostpine #11-Crows and The Book Bindery.

Enjoy!

There Will Be Blood

2008-01-08T11:38:00.000-06:00

“There Will Be Blood” is winning numerous awards and may get nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. Daniel Day Lewis is the current favorite for Best Actor. See below for the full story:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h5v4C65cdr5bXTdBdCWzP9vFYt8QD8U18QLG0

The movie is based on the book by Upton Sinclair called "Oil" The movie is not slated to hit the midwest for a couple of weeks so you still have time to stop by and pick up a copy to read today before you go and see the movie.

Knit Hits

2008-01-07T14:37:00.000-06:00

Need a break from the knitting needles? Cozy up between scarves and hats with this hit work of fiction that just hit our shelves in paperback. The Friday Night Knitting Club received several great reviews when it debuted in hardcover last year. The novel surrounds a group of women who regularly meet at a Manhattan knitting shop. Julia Roberts and Universal Pictures bought the film rights and Julia Roberts is set to star in the film.

Stop by, knit one, purl two and check out our expanded craft section while you pick up a copy of The Friday Night Knitting Club.

http://www.fridaynightknittingclub.com/

Inheritance Cycle

2008-01-07T13:48:00.000-06:00

not only will readers that fell in love with Saphira in the first novel Eragon by Christopher Paolini be able to sink their teeth in the 3rd installment of the Inheritance Cycle this September, but will also reveal in the thought of a unplanned 4th novel!

http://www.randomhouse.biz/media/pdfs/paolini_announcement.pdf

Harry the Eighth????

2008-01-02T07:53:00.000-06:00

Though it doesn't take much for the presses to run with any mention of JK or Harry, this is certainly giving the wizard and muggle world something to blog over:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=505148&in_page_id=1773

Young Adult Fantasy at the Movies

2007-12-28T09:59:00.000-06:00

With each success, film makers are more encouraged to bring young adult fantasy novels to the big screen. Even though The Lord of the Rings is not a young adult series, it opened the eyes of the film industry to the possibilities of fantasy film and got the ball rolling. Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia took that success and gave it a family-friendly shine that appealed to the American audience. So began the rise of the big-budget, feel-good, family-oriented fantasy blockbuster. Here are a few recent and upcoming titles:

Which of these have you seen? How did they compare to the book? What would you change? Is this trend a good thing or is it destroying literature? Tell me your thoughts.