Ever Tales

Long ago I gave myself permission to ditch/skim through unworthy books, no guilt needed. This helps me blast through the many, many, many books that come across my path (thus allowing me to better perform my job--or at least that's what I tell myself!). This also makes it so much more delightful when I come across a book that I love, devour, relish--and then handsell. This week's delightful find: Sidekicked by John David Anderson--a classic "superhero" story. Drew is a sidekick-in-training--or at least he would be, if his assigned superhero was not slightly washed-up. And if he actually had some superpowers. And if he can survive high school.With just enough high school antics (girl crushes, lunchroom mystery meals) and humor to keep it grounded in reality (well, superhero reality!), this story reinforces bravery, honesty, and the courage to do the right thing. Even when it is difficult. In a literary world of teen angst, post-apocalyptic violence and school bullying...

A very brief post on a new, phenomenal book. Leave it to Lemony Snicket to give us a unique and creepy (but oddly comforting) take on a kid's fear of the dark. And only Lemony Snicket would give the dark a voice, a home, a purpose. Jon Klassen's illustrations perfectly accompany this tale--giving me a new favorite duo. Are you still reading this?! Go! Go, buy The Dark by Lemony Snicket!

As a bookseller, I respect a customer's hunt for pristine, unopened, un-smudged books. As a reader and writer, I retain the right to dog-ear, highlight, and generally abuse (with affection) the books in my library. My previously-owned copy of Ida B (by Katherine Hannigan) did not survive my reading unscathed; I began folding corners almost immediately. Hannigan's masterful passages are not only honest and heartfelt, but she also pulls from the world we all know--and wraps it up in ways I could never have imagined. For example: "Here's the bad thing about being a snake in the spring: sometimes you find what you think is the best place in the world to sunbathe. It's the biggest rock ever, so long you can't see where it ends. And this perfect, so-good-you-almost-can't-believe-it's-true rock is smooth and dark and toasty warm. [. . .] But, being a snake, you're so low to the ground you can't see that this piece of rock paradise you're lying o...

Just a quick Valentine's post (two shopping days left!). Don't tell my niece, but she's getting Huggy Kissy (by Leslie Patricelli) for Valentine's Day. Patricelli's book, Potty is a favorite in our household, so her latest title was an obvious choice. All of Patricelli's titles feature an adorable illustrated baby (could be girl or boy), simple text and bright colors . Because Huggy Kissy has Mommies and Daddies, and Grandparents, and puppies, and kitties, and Uncles and AUNTIES (!!!), this is a great book for every toddler. There aren't many books about Aunties out there . . . gotta grab 'em when you find 'em! Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm the kind of reader who has bookmarks in several books at once; usually a children's book, a "grown-up" book, a travel book (I'm a sucker for those giant National Geographic coffee-table books), my e.e. cummings fix. Admittedly, the bookmark in War and Peace hasn't moved in several years. But I felt the need to write a little February love-blog for Charles Dickens. Last week I picked up A Tale of Two Cities for the very first time (much to the shame of this English major, although I have read other Dickens). Oh, what language, what beautiful grasp of words we've lost to texts and tweets. For example, Dickens writing about a seaside town: "The air among the houses was of so strong a piscatory flavour that one might have supposed sick fish went up to be dipped in it, as sick people went down to be dipped in the sea." (Chapter 4 of the Barnes & Noble Classics printing, 2004). I love this image!!! Dickens is not for the super-casual read...

If illustrators were candy, I'd fill my pantry with Oliver Jeffers. I'd drive to stores beyond the city limits, I'd stuff him in my pockets and purse, I'd give baskets of him at Christmas, and happily lose my teeth to Jeffers cavities. Hungry? Check out This Moose Belongs to Me , Stuck , or The Way Back Home . And The Incredible Book Eating Boy . Yum. When I discovered Oliver Jeffers had teamed up with John Boyne (of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas fame), I was ecstatic. Boyne's book, Noah Barleywater Runs Away (illustrated by Oliver Jeffers) took me back to a specific world of fairytales that I haven't visited this clearly since childhood. Part Pinocchio , part The Phantom Tollbooth (by Juster--another favorite), this book is not only beautifully written (with occasional illustrations), it is a uniquely-told tale that reminded me I was not too old to be surprised and delighted by a story. Perfect for ages 8-12. Or 30+. The best part? The Boyne'n'J...

Once again, crazy December days in the bookstore have me thinking books 24/7; from my customers' lists, to my own shopping lists, to the book-idea requests from friends that arrive in my inbox. I would not have it any other way. With little time to write, I wanted to drop you a quick list of new gift books for 2012. The Insomniacs (Wolf) Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs (Willems) This Moose Belongs to Me (Jeffers) For adults: The Night Circus (Morgenstern) And, as I say to all my customers: happy reading!