Happy Halloween

Artist Mike Stilkey

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

I absolutely loved this book, and highly recommend it.  It is an unflinchingly dark, funny and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor.

At seven minutes past midnight, 13 year old Conor wakes up to find a monster outside his bedroom window.  But it isn't the monster he's been expecting--the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments.  The monster in his backyard is different.  It's ancient, and wild.  And it wants something from Conor--something terrible and dangerous.  It wants the truth.

This book stems from the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd (whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself).  It is a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined.

Profoundly moving and expertly crafted, the tale is enhanced by atmospheric and ominous illustrations that surround the text--softly caressing it in quiet moments, and in others rushing toward the viewer with a nightmarish intensity.  It draws on elements of classic horror stories to delve into the terrifying terrain of loss.  It tackles the toughest of subjects by refusing to flinch, meeting the ugly truth of life head-on with compassion, bravery, and insight. 

Bookshop at the End of the World

Arizona Public Media profiled Winifred Bundy's Singing Wind Bookshop, a 37-year-old, windswept "book lover's haven [that] sits on a ranch with no paved road or parking lot, no website, no advertisements--and no shortage of customers," largely because of its "expansive and eclectic collection, much of which is about the Southwest." 

"It's mostly subjective--whatever I like," Bundy said. "Over the door is finance, and I truly believe all of that is fiction... and here's women's experiences in the West, which aren't fiction, I promise. Here's Hillerman hardcover, Hillerman softcover. Indians in the Southwest, Indians outside the Southwest... the Jewish Western experience--that's extremely important... short Californians--that's the size of the books, not the people--and tall Californians... bad men and bad ladies, shoot-'em-ups... and the Mormons are up over the window."

Bundy, now 81, observed that the "people I meet are more important than anything else. They could be your neighbor, or a Japanese tourist. Honestly, I think I get more out of this than anyone else."

Oprah of the Piney Woods

The Houston Press, in an interview and profile, has called her the Oprah of the Piney Woods.  Kathy Patrick owns Beauty and the Book, is founder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Club, author of The Pulpwood Queen's Tiara-Wearing, Book-Sharing Guide to Life, organizer of the Girlfriend Weekend, and is a popular speaker at dozens of book festivals.  Okay, I admit it, she is pretty darn cool.

Make Take Murder by Joanna Campbell Slan

Scrapbooking is really big in my area.  Our library is going to have an upcoming holiday scrapbooking program that I'm sure people will really love, and scrapbooking retreats are planned once a year at our local state park.  With this in mind, I picked up the fourth book in Joanna Campbell Slan's Scrap n Craft mystery series the other day and I must say that I really enjoyed it. 

Joanna Campbell Slan is an international authority in the scrapbooking community. She is the author of over ten books on the subject, and her work has appeared in all of the industry's top magazines.  Joanna is one of the early Chicken Soup for the Soul authors, and in 2007, she co-founded Sisters in Crime's Forensic University of St. Louis.

This is a cozy mystery with a mix of humor and suspense.  When Kiki Lowenstein is dumpster diving for her lost paycheck she finds a severed leg.  She finds out that the leg belonged to Cindy Gambrowski, a customer with an abusive and violent husband.  As Kiki tries to discover who the killer is we meet an interesting mix of characters who are well developed and the writing keeps you interested and on the edge of your seat following the action.  The book includes holiday-themed projects and recipes too.  A darn good read with a surprise ending.  I highly recommend it.

Inheritance, November 8, 2011

He was 15 years old when he wrote Eragon, and now this home schooled prodigy is releasing Book 4, Inheritance.  Look for it.

Following Atticus by Tom Ryan

When a close friend dies of cancer, Tom Ryan and his miniature schnauzer Atticus, decide to pay tribute to her by attempting to climb all 48 of New Hampshire's 4,000 foot peaks twice in one winter while raising money for charity.  This is their story...the story of a middle aged, overweight, acrophobic newspaperman and a dog of singular character.  It is a book about a remarkable journey and an extraordinary relationship that began when a 5-pound puppy pierced the heart of a tough-as-nails newspaperman opening his eyes to the beauty and possibility in the world.  This is an inspiring story about love, loss, and the resilience of the human and animal bond.

Last Words of 25 Famous Dead Writers

When you've dedicated your life to words, it is important to go out eloquently.  This list from BuzzFeed is pretty interesting.  My favorite, of course, is from Edgar Allan Poe.

Top 10 Cities in the U.S. for Book Lovers

Here's the list from livability.com.  And no, one cannot live on books alone. That's why the cities picked offer a great quality of life, plenty of entertainment and awesome outdoor activities. After all, there's nothing worse than reading an inspiring novel and having nothing to do after closing the cover.

1.  Portland, OR
2.  Kansas City, MO
3.  San Jose, CA
4.  Charlottesville, VA
5.  Iowa City, IA
6.  Traverse City, MI
7.  Pueblo, CO
8.  Coral Gables, FL
9.  Spokane, WA
10.  Charlotte, NC

Baby Shower Invitation

Possibly the cutest idea I've seen for a baby shower in a long time.  I just love it!

The Smell of a Book

So many people claim to love the smell of books.  Here's an article that attempts to explain why.

Literary Pets

Hemingway and friend

Since I love all things literary, and I'm a pet lover too, this seemed to be a nice fit (courtesy of 50watt.com)

Page Corner Bookmarks

Novel-Tea Teapot

For that special person on your list who loves tea and books, how cute is this?

Packaging for Books and Beans, a used book and coffee shop

Vintage Library Themed Wedding Shoot

I have never seen a book themed wedding.  I just love this!

Great Novels to Read When You're Broke

From Flavorwire, comes this list of great novels to read when you're broke.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I loved this book!  It was such a fast fun read.  I recommend it highly.

The Waverlys are a family of women who reside in Bascom, North Carolina.  All the Waverley women have reputations for having certain gifts.  Claire Waverley is a successful caterer, who prepares dishes made with the plants from her garden, which mysteriously blooms year round.  She has an apple tree with prophetic fruit, edible flowers that imbue people with special powers, and she's eccentric, reclusive, and an enigma.  Claire's distant relative Evanelle gives people things.  It is not always clear why she is supposed to give them something, but invariably some time after the gift is made a purpose is revealed.  Claire's sister Sydney, who ran away from Bascom the moment she could, returns suddenly one day and Claire's quiet and carefully tended life spins completely out of control.

This book is about so much more than two sisters reconnecting after many years.  It is full of magic and enchantment, and flower lore, and just plain joie de vivre.  Sarah Addison Allen, the author, was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, a place Rolling Stone magazine once called "America's New Freak Capital."  She has a B.A. in Literature because she thought it would be amazing to get a diploma for reading fiction.  She thought it was like being able to major in eating chocolate (a girl after my own heart).

Read this book.  Prepare to be delighted.

Book Related Tours

Looking to take that special book related tour? Check out this site.

Street Bookseller

This guy has tenacity.  Barnes and Noble has come and gone, but he's still here.

The Demon's Parchment by Jeri Westerson

This is book three in Jeri Westerson's medieval noir series.   Westerson's main character is Crispin Guest, a sort of medieval Sam Spade, who lives in the Shambles area of 14th century London and uses his intelligence and keen eye for detail as the "Tracker".  He is approached by a Jewish physician, Jacob of Provencal, who wants him to find stolen parchments which someone might have used to bring forth a demon.  These same parchments might be behind a series of grusome murders of young boys.  With the help of his apprentice, Jack Tucker, Crispin must unravel all the mysteries and try to stop the murders.

It is a wild notion to write about a medieval serial killer who murders and defiles children, but in fact this novel is based on a retelling of a very real and strange tale of a 15th century serial killer, Gilles de Rais.  There is even another character in the book who is based on a real person, but I won't give away the surprise by telling you who here.  Just read the book and be surprised and delighted.

Westerson is a skillfull writer who knows her subject.  She has an uncanny knack for making you feel like you are right there in 14th century London experiencing these things along with Crispin.  She has a great eye for historical detail, and her writing is superb.

"Troubled Bones", the latest installment in this series comes out in October.  In the meantime, go here and check out Crispin Guest's Journal, or here and check out Jeri Westerson's webpage.