Please DON'T Ignore Vera Dietz

A.S. King's Please Ignore Vera Dietz debuts today, which at Aaron's Books is a reason to celebrate. Not only is it a bold, moving, beautiful work, the author is a wonderful person who shares her enthusiasm for writing (and independent bookstores) with everyone she meets. (watch her awesome video!)







Vera is a high schoool senior struggling with the death of her best friend Charlie, months after he had betrayed her trust. She has to find a way to reconstruct her life in the aftermath of these two events, finish high school, and find a direction for her life, while trying to block out the ongoing (and very funny) pleas from (dead) Charlie to unearth the truth about how he died.

King's first novel, The Dust of 100 Dogs, was a tremendous surprise; a beautiful, sad, challenging, funny, comletely unexpected work - with pirates! It has the front cover art and back cover blurb that continue to make it one of our store's easiest hand-sellers, almost two years after its publication. Vera is just good, and will have a featured place on the shelves at Aaron's Books for years to come.




Vera and Dogs are completely different in subject and style, but they have many things in common, including:
* great female lead characters
* unexpected shifts in narrator and perspective
* difficult issues, presented with honest emotion


But it's also important to note another similarity: they are both selling without any support from the chain stores. These are wonderful works for upper teens and adults that deserve love from every independent bookstore for their own sake, and also for the fact that they set us apart from the chains. We are the ones who decide what to carry in our stores. We aren't limited by national buyers who apparently have no idea how to evaluate books for teens that don't feature sparkly vampires or pretty girls in pink on the cover.


Let's all find ways to support Vera - and the other works that deserve and need indie love.

Celebrate Your fREADom!

Throughout the country, children have started a new academic year and teachers are sending out their lists of required readings, with parents beginning to gather books. In some cases, classics including “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “The Catcher in the Rye,” and “To Kill a Mockingbird,” will not be included in curriculum or available in school libraries due to challenges made by parents or administrators. In recent years a school district in our own region faced challenges to books presented in the high school classroom.


Aaron’s Books supports the right of every person in our community to choose books freely for themselves, and we are proud join a national awareness campaign known as Banned Books Week (Sept. 25 through Oct 2). Since its inception in 1982, Banned Books Week has reminded the nation that while not every book is intended for every reader, each of us has the right to decide for ourselves what to read or view.

Since 1990, the American Library Association (ALA) has recorded more than 10,000 book challenges, including 513 in 2008 and 460 in 2009. The ALA estimates the actual number of challenges is four times higher. A challenge is a formal, written complaint requesting a book be removed from library shelves or school curriculum. Approximately three out of every four challenges are to material in schools or school libraries, while the rest are to material in public libraries.

It is thanks to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, and students that most challenges are unsuccessful and reading materials like “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” “Slaughterhouse-Five,” and “The Kite Runner” remain available in public and school libraries.

The most challenged and/or restricted reading materials have been books for children. However, challenges are not simply an expression of a point of view; on the contrary, they are an attempt to remove materials from public use, thereby restricting the access of others. Even if the motivation to ban or challenge a book is well intentioned, the outcome is detrimental. Censorship denies our freedom as individuals to choose and think for ourselves.

Aaron’s Books and thousands of libraries and bookstores across the country will celebrate the freedom to read by participating in special events, exhibits, and read-outs that showcase books that have been banned or threatened. We encourage citizens to visit their libraries this week and check out a banned or challenged book. We have our own display of recently banned or challenged books in the store.

In addition to ALA, the national sponsors of Banned Books Week are: the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Association of American Publishers, and the National Association of College Stores. The Library of Congress Center for the Book endorses the observance.

As Lancaster County’s full service family owned independent bookstore we are happy to support our local and county libraries. Because libraries provide free access to a world of information, they bring opportunity to all people. They are also the strongest defenders against censorship in all forms. Read a book, support your library, and celebrate your freedom.

Be sure to check out our FaceBook page during Banned Books Week.  We'll be highlighting one of the most challenged books in 2009 & 2010 each day.

Here are some Banned Books Week Resources~
http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/info.html
http://bannedbooksweek.org/Mapofbookcensorship.html
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/free_downloads/index.cfm

An Exciting Addition To The Store!

Sam has been bouncing off the walls with glee for the past 6 weeks knowing this addition was coming but had to keep quite... well she doesn't have to stay quiet any longer!

Aaron's Books was selected by Chelsea Green Publishing to test out their new indie bookstore consignment program.  Right now the program is in just a handful of stores (like 5!), with Aaron's Books being the smallest and newest by far.  We are so thrilled to be a part of this, and it's really an honor that a publisher would think of us as a good fit to test out a program for the rest of the country.  Below is the official press release and some pictures of our new Chelsea Green display (still a work in progress).

Happy GREEN Reading!





Local Bookstore Among First in Nation to Join New Partnership With Famed Publisher Chelsea Green
NEWS RELEASE September 14, 2010


Aaron’s Books (Lititz PA) announces today it is beginning a unique new partnership with prominent independent publisher Chelsea Green to bring more titles about local foods, sustainable living, and earth consciousness to Lancaster County. Chelsea Green is developing a new business model for its relationship with independently-owned bookstores, and it selected Aaron’s Books to be one of the first in the nation to join this program.


Chelsea Green Publisher Margo Baldwin observed: “This branded area partnership is the only model that works to preserve and enhance the vitality of both indie publishers and indie bookstores. They need to move into alliances that support one another and build on local economies and shared communities and mission. We look forward to showing the rest of the industry that all is not doom and gloom if you can carve out authentic human relationship and build on it.”


This new consignment approach to bookselling is being tested in several of the largest and most well established independent bookstores in the nation to include Boulder Book Store (CO) and Northshire Bookstore (VT). Aaron’s Books, far smaller than the others has been selling books since 2005.


For 26 years, Chelsea Green has been the publishing leader for books on the politics and practice of sustainable living and is a founding member of the Green Press Initiative. It leads the industry in terms of content—foundational books on renewable energy, green building, organic agriculture, eco-cuisine, and ethical business—and in terms of environmental practice, printing 95 percent of books on recycled paper with a minimum 30 percent post-consumer waste and aiming for 100 percent whenever possible. This approach is a perfect example of what is called a “triple bottom line” practice, one that benefits people, planet, and profit, and the emerging new model for sustainable business in the 21st century.


The same triple bottom line practice has been core to the mission of Aaron’s Books since its inception, with sustainable living titles and information an important part of their store selection.


“By entering into this special consignment contract with such a great publisher as Chelsea Green, we are able to double our inventory in this area and make a far stronger commitment to offer works on sustainable living to the Lancaster community,” says Sam Droke-Dickinson, co-owner of Aaron’s Books. “We love that Chelsea Green understands how our small independent bookstore benefit from this new model for providing inventory and is willing to offer this opportunity for us. This selection is an honor for the store and the community it serves.”


For its part, Aaron’s Books will feature a special display of Chelsea Green titles selected by the store as the best match to the needs of community. The stock will be rotated periodically to reflect demand and new Chelsea Green offerings. This initiative builds on Aaron’s Books already active participation in local sustainability efforts, including the Susquehanna Sustainable Business Network, the Lititz Farmer’s Market, the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, and the Mother Earth Harvest Festival at Spoutwood Farm.


“We are most excited that out of the hundreds of smaller market independent bookstores, Chelsea Green selected Aaron’s Books to be a test store,” states Ms. Droke-Dickinson “They were encouraged to try a smaller market when they understood our dedication to sustainable living books.”


Regarding the recent experiments in consignment, American Booksellers Association (of which Aaron’s Books is a member) CEO Oren Teicher said, “We think it’s extremely encouraging that publishers are taking a fresh look at trade practices and asking themselves whether there are potentially profitable new ideas to be explored. In our discussions with publishers, ABA has encouraged them to examine such new avenues as consignment, which we believe have the strong potential of selling more books, a definite win-win for publishers and booksellers.”


Aaron’s Books opened in 2005 as a used book store and began featuring many more new books over the past few years. Founded on the principle of being a family and community center for Lititz and all of Lancaster County, Aaron’s Books hosts a variety of events including author appearances, book groups, lectures and discussions on a variety of subjects, story time, and an annual children’s literature festival.

###

Literary Lancaster!

When we mention to those outside the are we're a bookstore in Lancaster County, three guesses what the first association is and the first two don't count.... yep, "oh you mean Amish area".  Those closer to us think Amish, plus corn fields... but there is a true burgeoning literary arts scene in this part of the state and we're excited to play a big part in it.  This Fall is looking to be a stellar line up of author appearances around Lancaster County.... perhaps a list to rival most urban areas.  Here's a run down of the next 4 months of author events (or at least the ones we know about!)

August 25
Tea With Author Susan Gregg Gilmore at Aaron's Books

4pm; Free, reservations requested due to limited seating
A store and area favorite Susan Gregg Gilmore returns to celebrate the release of her second novel, The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove. Set in Nashville, during the 1960's and 70's this book is sure to be discussed for years to come. Bezellia Grove is the oldest daughter of one of Nashville's most revered families. A family that has many secrets, perhaps with Bezellia's love of their African American handy-man's son being the biggest. This a a great book for those that loved The Help. Susan's first book, Looking For Salvation at The Dairy Queen, was our best selling adult fiction title of 2009. Susan will be joining us for an afternoon of tea and discussion.




August 26
Back To School Night with 2010 Scott O'Dell Award Winner At Aaron's Books
6-8pm
Teachers, librarians, and PTA officers are invited to meet authors Matt Phelan and Mara Rockliff, and learn more about the services we offer for schools and non-profits. Guests will also get a sneak peek at books coming in the fall and winter, and be able to pre-order them for the classroom at a deep discount! All in store purchases that evening are 20% off!  Space is limited, so reservations are required. Call 627-1990.


September 10-12
2nd Annual Lititz Kid-Lit Festival

Building upon the popularity of the store’s first festival in 2009, Aaron’s Books is expanding the event locations, adding a fundraiser for local literacy programs, and providing a focus on diversity in children’s literature. Scheduled events for the weekend include a local author’s night, story time with picture book authors and illustrators and special guest Mother Goose, open signing times with the authors, a panel discussion on diversity in literature, an editing workshop for aspiring writers, and a dinner with authors to raise funds for Lancaster Reach Out and Read programs. All events are open to the public and all are free except the Saturday dinner.

Authors Appearing- Mitalie Perkins, Laurel Snyder, Amy Wummer, Eric Wight, Amy Ignatow, Suzanne Supplee, Cyn Balog, Josh Berk, A.S. King, Holly Nicole Hoxter, Vicky Burkholder, Chrysa Smith, Ruth Zavitsanos, Susan McKain & Sandy Swann, Matt Royer






September 29
Taylor Branch
Lancaster Literary Guild, Lancaster Interchurch Peace Witness, and Bright Side Opportunities Center welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Taylor Branch. His lecture, “Forty Years after Martin Luther King: Looking Ahead,” will be held at Bright Side Baptist Church, 515 Hershey Ave., Lancaster at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 29.  Taylor Branch is the author of the highly acclaimed King Era Trilogy: Parting the Waters, Pillar of Fire, and At Canaan’s Edge. That series is far from his only published works, though. In 2010 Branch published The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President, a work based on seventy-nine confidential conversations with President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001.


October 16
Launch Party for Vera Dietz at Aaron's Books
Aaron’s Books hosts the national release of author A.S. King’s new YA novel Please Ignore Vera Dietz with an evening of refreshment, live music, and a reading by A.S. King. This event is free. Call or visit Aaron’s Books for reservations or information.


October 17
Eileen Clymer Schwab, 11am
 Eileen Clymer Schwab Eileen will join Aaron's Books' Books & Brunch Book Group to discuss her debut novel, Promise Bridge, a historic novel of the Underground Railroad and friendship.

October 21
Bestselling Author Beth Hoffman
Co-sponsored by the Council of Friends of the
Lancaster Public Libraries
Thursday, October 21, 6:30pm at the Cork Factory Hotel
Aaron’s Books & the Council of Friends brings bestselling author Beth Hoffman to Lancaster for an evening of refreshments and a reading by the author, as well as an exclusive early release of the paperback edition of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt.   Tickets $20. Contact Ronnie Kepchar at 569-6850 to purchase tickets.




October 22
Monster Bash!
With NY Times Bestselling zombie author Jonathan Maberry

Friday, October 22, 6pm
Celebrate American Library Association’s Teen Read Week with pizza and readings by NY Times Bestseller and multiple Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry from his new teen zombie novel Rot & Ruin. Teens and the young at heart are invited come as their favorite dead, living dead, or un-dead book character. Sparkly vampires not invited. Proceeds will be donated to teen programs of the Lancaster County Public Libraries.  Tickets $7. Call or visit Aaron’s Books for reservations or information. Costumes not required.




November 9
Evening With The Author of "The Shack", William Young

Tuesday, Nov 9 7:00pm
at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School, Lancaster, PA
 Parish Resource Center of Lancaster is bringing William Paul Young, author of the bestselling novel "The Shack", to speak in the Chapel Auditorium of Lancaster Bible College. This book has been a New York Times best seller for more than two years. This is a Benefit Event for the Parish Resource Center of Lancaster.


November 12
Jeanette Walls
Jeanette will be joining the Junior League of Lancaster at its 2010 Author’s Luncheon on Friday, November 12 at the Lancaster Marriott and Convention Center.
Critics have called Jeannette Walls’ memoir, The Glass Castle, “spectacular,” “extraordinary,” “incredible,” and “riveting.” It has been a New York Times best-seller for more than three years, has sold more than two million copies, been translated into 16 languages, and is being made into a movie by Paramount. Walls’ follow-up to The Glass Castle, Half Broke Horses: A True Life Novel, was released in October 2009, and was an immediate New York Times best-seller.  Tickets for the Author’s Luncheon will go on sale in September.


November 12
Local Author Night at Aaron's Books
Appearing at part of Lititz's 2nd Friday Festivitities will be regional authors Mike Silvestri, Kim Kluxen Meredith and several other to be named.

November 14
Bestselling author Joyce Hinnefeld, 7pm
Aaron's Books
Joyce Hinnefeld author of In Hovering Flight and a professor at Moravian College will be joining us for coffee and dessert and to discuss her new novel Stranger Here Below.






So not a bad Fall line-up right?  There are many more literary events planned for the remaining months of 2010 here in Lancaster County.  The Lancaster Literary Guild has a great line up of author related exhibits and discussions. The Philadelphia Alumni Writer's House at Franklin & Marshall College always has wonder speakers and workshops.  Millersville University usually brings in some fabulous academic writers and speakers.  Plus the chain stores will probably have one or two mega-watt conservative memoir writers coming (in the past Mike Huckabee and Karl Rove have appeared there... whatever people may say about them, their appearances DID get people into a bookstore!) And don't forget to check out the calendar of events at your local library!

So Happy Reading and Happy Author Eventing!

REVIEW: Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

SHADOW HILLS by Anastasia Hopcus
(Egmont USA; July, 2010; YA Paranormal, mystery)

Persephone – Phe (Fee) – Archer lost her sister in a mysterious accident. Now the weird nightmares Athena had been having are haunting Phe. In order to figure out what the dreams mean, Phe enrolls in the Devenish Prep school in Massachusetts, a world away from her Los Angeles home. There she discovers even more mysteries – like the graveyard from her dreams. And people who have extra abilities that are somehow tied to a plague that hit the town in the early 1700s.

With the help of her boyfriend, Zach, one of the “odd” townies, Phe discovers the real truths behind odd deaths and events going on in the town of Shadow Hills. Zach broke a cardinal rule and told her about himself and others in the town. About why metal things move when he's around. And how he can recharge electronics with just a touch. But that knowledge is something that Phe isn't supposed to have. And she knows that since coming here, something has happened to her. Changed her. But she's not sure in what way. How it all ties to Phe is something she needs to figure out, but finding out could mean her death.

This is a well-crafted story with believable characters and an intriguing plot. It contains all the elements of a good mystery, paranormal abilities (without a vampire or werewolf in sight!) and teen angst all rolled into one book. Though a bit slow at times, the overall story is very good and keeps you turning pages until the end. And there was just enough of a carrot left dangling at the end to make me believe this might turn into a series. But even if it doesn't, the ending is satisfying. If you're tired of vampires and werewolves, but still want a good paranormal story, pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.

~ Vicky

Happy Reading!

What's New On The Shelves- Kids' Edition

Here are some great new Children's and YA books that are new to our shelves

The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That series books are here! 

PBS KIDS and Random House join to support science learning for preschoolers nationwide with the premiere of THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! on Monday, September 6.  Voiced by award-winning actor Martin Short, Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat guides friends Sally and Nick – with a little help from the Fish, Thing 1 and Thing 2 – on fun-filled adventures.   Filled with adventure and silliness, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!, based on the acclaimed The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library book series, will appeal to preschoolers’ natural curiosity and engage them in the process of scientific exploration and discovery.  A team of science and early childhood experts developed the curriculum for the first season’s 40 episodes, each of which begins with a question posed by Sally or Nick. Guided by the Cat, the kids figure things out by observing, collecting and managing clues, making connections, constructing and evaluating theories, and having discussions -- all in a preschool-appropriate manner.  The newly re-issued books available include "If I Ran the Rain Forest", "On Beyond Bugs",  "There's No Place Like Space",  and "Clam-I-Am".

A great new title based on one of Aaron's (and Sam's!) favorite PBS series-The Electric Company Mad Libs
No one that grew up in the 70's or early 80's needs to be told about the awesomeness of these two things.... can you imagine how cool the two are TOGETHER??!!!??




For the fans of Katie Kazoo  and the boys who aren't we present
George Brown, Class Clown!

Super Burp (#1) The first day at a new school is always the hardest, right? No, not always as George finds out the hard way. On the second day at . . . Sugarman Elementary School, he is suddenly seized by uncontrollable burps, burps so loud they practically break the sound barrier, burps that make him do wild and crazy stuff and land him in trouble with a capital T. One thing is for sure: these are not normal burps, they are magic burps - and they must be stopped! But how?

(Trouble Magnet, #2) The annual talent show at Shirley S. Sugarman Elementary School is in just a few weeks, and George signs up to be a stagehand. He is determined to do a good job because the new, improved George is responsible and helpful and glad to pitch in. So is comic mayhem coming? Oh yeah, absolutely! But leave it to Nancy Krulik to devise an unexpected way for disaster to strike and bring down the curtain.

For those that love Nancy Drew, Harriet the Spy (and math!)
The Red Blazer Girls, The Ring of Rocamadour  (now out in paperback)
Selected by Indie Booksellers for the Summer 2009 Kids' List
“Sophie and her friends must use cunning, luck, and an awful lot of math to figure out the puzzles that will lead them to the next clue in a decades-old scavenger hunt and enable them to find a priceless artifact -- before anyone else does, of course. This is, I hope, the start of many adventures with The Red Blazer Girls.” -- Melissa Posten, Children's Book World, Haverford, PA

It all began with The Scream. And ended with . . . well, if we told you that, it wouldn’t be a mystery! But in between The Scream and The Very Surprising Ending, three friends find themselves on a scavenger hunt set up for a girl they never met, in search of a legendary ring reputed to grant wishes. Are these sleuths in school uniforms modern-day equivalents of Nancy, Harriet, or Scooby? Not really, they’re just three nice girls who decide to help out a weird lady, and end up hiding under tables, tackling word puzzles and geometry equations, and searching rather moldy storage rooms for “the stuff that dreams are made of” (that’s from an old detective movie). Oh, and there’s A Boy, who complicates things. As boys often do.

New YA book from 2010 Lititz Kid-Lit Festival author, Cyn Balog!

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.  But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams.  Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?  Cyn Balog's follow-up to Fairy Tale has more wit, more supernatural delights, and more star-crossed romance! Teen girls will love this story of a Sandman who falls in love with his human charge.

Happy Reading!

Review: Merlin's Harp by Anne Crompton

Merlin's Harp
Author: Anne Eliot Crompton
Publisher: Sourcebooks, March 2010
Genre: YA Paranormal (older teens)

With flowery prose, Anne Crompton gives us the classic tale of Arthur from a different perspective. Similar to "the Mists of Avalon", this story is told from a woman's point of view. Nivienne is Fey, daughter of Merlin, mother of Mordred, Lady of the Lake, and a few other things. She suffers the loss of her brother, a Fey who turns human (and becomes Lancelot), and becomes apprentice to Merlin and leaves her safe haven of Avalon to journey with him into the world. The story is about her adventures over the span of approximately twenty years. Though the coincidences that happen to her are aptly explained, there are times when the fantastic tale stretch the limit of believability.

Told in first person, the story is well written, though a bit slow at times.

Written on a higher level than most novels, some young adults, the proposed audience, may find themselves digging for a dictionary. It's a good story, but definitely not a light, easily-read book. If you are a fan of Arthur legends and more academic writing, you will enjoy this short novel. But if you're looking for a quick, light read, look elsewhere.

(This book was originally released as an adult Fantasy Mass Market PB in 1997)
 
~ Vicky Burkholder
http://www.vickyburkholder.com

What's New On Our Shelves- 1st Week of July

NOW OUT IN PB!
The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins

Selected by Indie Booksellers for the Winter 2009 Kids' List

“This compelling, page-turning futuristic novel takes readers into a world that pits teenagers against each other in a fight to the death for the glory and well-being of their district. But when Katniss discovers the young man from her district is in love with her, she is faced with either having to kill him to survive or sacrificing herself to save him.”
-- David Richardson, The Blue Marble, Fort Thomas, KY

The acclaimed author of the "New York Times"-bestselling Underland Chronicles series delivers equal parts suspense and philosophy, adventure and romance, in a stunning novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to the present.
 

STAFF PICK!
The Fiddler in the Subway  By Gene Weingarten
Simply the best storyteller around, Weingarten describes the world as you think it is before revealing how it actually is—in narratives that are by turns hilarious, heartwarming, and provocative, but always memorable.  Millions of people know the title piece about violinist Joshua Bell, which originally began as a stunt: What would happen if you put a world-class musician outside a Washington, D.C., subway station to play for spare change? Would anyone even notice? The answer was no. Weingarten’s story went viral, becoming a widely referenced lesson about life lived too quickly. Other classic stories—the one about “The Great Zucchini,” a wildly popular but personally flawed children’s entertainer; the search for the official “Armpit of America”; a profile of the typical American nonvoter—all of them reveal as much about their readers as they do their subjects.

STAFF PICK!
Promise Bridge By Eileen Clymer Schwab

A powerful debut novel of friendship, love, and family set in the segregated pre-Civil War South.  "This is a promise bridge, and it bridges a promise flowing from your heart to mine. It can't never be broken...the promise is part of you now, understand."

Thus begins an unlikely friendship between Hannelore Blessing, a plantation mistress, and a slave girl named Livie. As the young women are launched on a harrowing journey of awakening filled with shared risks and nurtured promises amid whispers of the Underground Railroad and the rising tension preceding the Civil War, they discover their ability to trust, love, and ultimately take action.
Eileen will be joining us for brunch to discuss Promise Bridge, on Sunday October 17 at 11am.  This event is free and open to the public.

GREAT FOR FARMER'S MARKET GOODIES!
The Lost Art of Real Cooking By Ken Albala; Rosanna Nafziger

The Lost Art of Real Cooking heralds a new old-fashioned approach to food-laborious and inconvenient, yet extraordinarily rewarding and worth bragging about. From jam, yogurt, and fresh pasta to salami, smoked meat, and strudel, Ken Albala and Rosanna Nafziger arm you with the knowledge and skills that let you connect on a deeper level with what goes into your body.  These foods were once made by the family, in the home, rather than a factory. And they can still be made in the smallest kitchens without expensive equipment, capturing flavors that speak of place and personality. What you won't find here is a collection of rigid rules for the perfect meal. Ken and Rosanna offer a wealth of recipes, history, and techniques that start with the basics and evolve into dishes that are entirely your own.

What's New This Week, Last Week of June

What is New on Our Shelves This Week.

Echo in The Bone by Diana Gabaldon is finally out in paperback! In this new epic of imagination, time travel, and adventure, Diana Gabaldon continues the riveting story begun in Outlander.  With one foot in America and one foot in Scotland, Jamie and Claire’s adventure spans the Revolution, from sea battles to printshops, as their paths cross with historical figures from Benjamin Franklin to Benedict Arnold.  Diana Gabaldon’s sweeping Outlander saga reaches new heights in An Echo in the Bone.

Sisters of Hardscrabble Bay by Beverly Jensen
In 1916, Idella and Avis Hillock live on the edge of a chilly bluff in New Brunswick-a hardscrabble world of potato farms and lobster traps, rough men, hard work, and baffling beauty. From "Gone," the heartbreaking story of their mother's medical crisis in childbirth, to the darkly comic "Wake," which follows the grown siblings' catastrophic efforts to escort their father, "Wild Bill" Hillock's body to his funeral, the stories of Idella and Avis offer a compelling and wry vision of two remarkable women. The vivid cast includes Idella's philandering husband Edward, her bewilderingly difficult mother-in-law- and Avis, whose serial romantic disasters never quell her irrepressible spirit. Jensen's work evokes a time gone by and reads like an instant American classic.

Beverly Jensen died of cancer at the age of forty-nine without publishing her work. Since her death, her fiction has been championed by a dedicated group of supporters, including Stephen King and Joyce Carol Oates.

Our Red Hot Romance is Leaving Me Blue by Dixie Cash
Dixie Cash is one of Sam's favorite romantic comedy authors, so hold onto your hats for a hilarious romp!
Full-time hairdressers and part-time private detectives, Debbie Sue Overstreet and Edwina Perkins-Martin—the Domestic Equalizers—have dealt with cheating spouses, shady business deals, Elvis-obsessed shoe thieves, even murder. But ghosts? That's a whole new rodeo!  Justin Sadler's just coming to terms with the absence of his dear departed Rachel—but now he's not so sure she's departed! Every time he goes home he knows someone's been there—and if it's not Rachel trying to communicate from beyond, it's someone else who's trying to drive him stark raving bonkers. So the Equalizers are on the case, with the help of an El Paso psychic who's so dead-on, it's scary. It's enough to make any good ol' gal's big hair stand on end!

Plus HUNDREDS of new classics.  Arriving last week to fill out our classic section to the maximum, was three boxes from Wordsworth Editions.  A majority of these classics are priced between $4.99 and $7.99... perfect for that student's summer reading list!

What We're Reading This Week, last week of June

Our  look at what the gang at Aaron's Books is reading this week.

Todd is jumping into the follow up to one of his favorite books of 2010- Canticle by Ken Scholes, sequel to Lamentation. He's also working his way through the hit of the summer, The Passage by Justin Cronin

Vicky picked up two paranormal/fantasy/adventure/romance books from a used book trade.  Magic Lost, Trouble Found  and Armed & Magical by Lisa Shearin... which look right up her alley! 

Sam will be spending the rest of her summer reading books from authors coming  to the store in the fall.  This week she's dividing her time between Promise Bridge by Eileen Clymer Schwab  and Penny Dreadful by Laurel Snyder.  Laurel is one of our feaured authors at this year's Lititz Kid-Lit festival, and Eileen will be meeting with our Books & Brunch group later in the Fall.

Indies & Libraries- Bosom Buddies or Coke vs. Pepsi?

 

After being in business for five years, we've begun to etch out a partnership with libraries... in this case the Council of Friends for the Lancaster Public Libraries. In the past we have held fundraisers for our local libary, and offered a discount to their book groups with mild success. We'd love to partner more with the libraries as we feel it would be advantageous to both of us, Bosom Buddies of a sort. Their Buffy to our our Hildegard (a brief thanks to Jeff Burkholder and his comic Ouro Brothers for sparking this comparison!) ... but we fear that some out there may view their local indie as not a partner but money hungry competition, locked in a Coke vs. Pepsi epic battle for readers and funds. That is SO not the case and we (indies) are huge supporters of libraries. We both want to encourage reading and a love of literature. We both support young readers with programs, we both ignite curiosity and discovery with authorless events. So why not work together? Especially as library budgets are being decimated and online mega retailers are discounting so much that the lure of a community bookstore is dwindling.

There is so much both entities can bring to a table. Let's take doing an author event together as an example. A bookstore can work with the publisher to bring in nationally recognized authors on tour without paying a speakers fee, which libraries sometimes have to pay to bring in an author. A bookstore can front the cost of inventory to sell at the event through their contracts with publishers and distributors... libraries would not need to expend that money with their budgets so tight. What do we, the indie, get out of this then? The assumption from many is that we are in it for the money from book sales... not the case. Yes we would sell the books at the event, but we would not keep all the profits... the library would get some. In our case the major reason for doing such an event is exposure. We have a small store in a small town, publishers aren't necessarily willing to send out the bigger names to us... BUT by working with a library that has seating for 100+ and ways to reach thousands more people, we can secure a bigger name thus bringing in more people and selling more books... TO BENEFIT THE LIBRARY. For us there are only 2 places that will list our events- the Sunday News Book Section and Blue Ridge Cable 11...neither has a great scope of reach. BUT Library events get listed on all news station websites, all the local weekly newspapers, on public radio stations, and posters in their own buildings... outlets we can not usually get into. What does all this do? It brings more authors and readers together, it gives us a chance to be involved in "the big C" another way (see our blogs about community involvement here and here), it gives the library another way to raise funds with no additional staff hours or pre-event cash outlaid. It seems to be a win-win for all involved... so why the reluctance?


Indies across the country (and globe) are working hand in hand with their local library systems. In Kansas, Rainy Day Books partners with the Johnson County Library in producing author events in and; out of the library branches.


Skylight Books in California works with a library just blocks from their store in several ways.  When the new library opened they sponsored a book drive to increase the collection.  They also hold funds for the librarians to purchase books at a deep discount, and offer their extra Advance Reading Copies to the library to use for book reward give-aways.  In return the library does not hesitate to recommend Skylight as a place to buy a copy of a book that has a mega-waitinglist.


A neighbor to the north, Chat Noir Books in Canada is a model for indie-library partnerships. Here's what they had to say about all the ways they work with and help their local library:


We have a "frequent buyers" program where our customers earn points on all of their purchases and they can redeem them for store credit. We have a program set up with the library that people can donate their points to the library if they want and the library can use them to buy books.


The library has an early evening story time over the summer and we send store staff over to read their favourite children's books and sing some of their favourite children's songs.


We ran a "Library Wish List" program at Christmas that allowed our customers to get a discount off of their entire purchase if they bought a book to be donated the library. We got a"wish list" of books from the library and when people came through the cash with their purchases they could pick a book from the list and add it to their bill. We then took that title and boxed it up for the library and gave the customer a %15 discount off of their total purchase. (It would have cost us less to just donate the money to buy those books to the library but it was a great way to involve our customers in helping the library and have a pre-Christmas "sale" for our customers)


We are sponsoring the prizes for a reading contest in local grade three classes that the library is running. The students complete to see who can read and write a book report on the most books from a collection of books lent from the library for prizes and the classes as a whole receive a participation prize of books for their classroom library.


We also co-sponsor a float in the local Fall Fair parade with the library. They do a craft time with the kids making signs and sandwich boards that they wear and we provide bags full of bookmarks, balloons, posters etc for the kids to give out down the parade route and gift certificates for the store for the participants.(Jennifer Fournier, Chat Noir Books)




We hope indies and libraries will use their examples as models for building long term relationships that grow readers and fund book loving programs for years to come!




Happy Reading!

What We're reading This Week

Aaron is due for a library trip, so his read is unknown right now.  Although he is continuing with Harry Potter 5 with mommy and myths and legends from around the world with daddy at bed-time.

Todd is finishing up Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and then he will delve into the life of Michelangelo with the upcoming bio by John T. Spike.

Vicky is spending her week with ghouls and ghosts.  She's reading The Faculty Club by Danny Tobey and and arc of  Holy Ghosts by Gary Jansen. 

Sam learned a big lesson with her read this week- When Julie P (aka BookingMama) hands you a book and says "you should read this one, you'll like it", don't wait 4 months and start it at 9pm when you really should be sleeping!  Julie knows her books and Sam's taste.  Said book is The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen, and any time Sam is not working diligently on the computer this week, her nose will be deep into this great read. So everyone... if BookingMama says something is a "must read", RUN don't walk to your local indie and buy a copy!  (don't know where your local indie is, or don't have one?  use INDIEBOUND to find one and order online!  Remember that indies support their/your communities and the EvilRiverEmpire doesn't!)

Happy Reading!

"C" vs."M"

We're off our regular blog schedule this week, as Sam is attending the PA Downtown Center annual conference (the PDC is a statewide nonprofit focused on keeping towns and neighborhoods alive and vibrant) .... which is the reason for this early morning rambling of a blog post. 

Last week we blogged about the big "C" that is Community... and how we like to take our store and our mission out of our four walls and help non-profits financially and educationally.  That is one of the things we're doing this week at the PDC conference.  The conference has an expo room of paid vendors hawking their wares and services to  town planners and managers.  We are an invited guest with a tables of books to sell set up in the same area as the conference registration and hospitality.  Our book sale proceeds are being donated back to the PDC.  We attend the conference each year also as a strong supporter of promoting downtown Lititz, and go to the educational sessions to bring back what we learn to the town. 

We always thought we were welcome and doing a good thing when we do these off site events... until there were two comments yesterday...

Two separate people from our town that see and know how involved we are with the community both said the exact same thing "You guys really market yourself"... now I'm sure that they thought this was a compliment... and it is.. we do "market" the heck out of our little store... BUT in this context it got me thinking... are we not promoting our Community side enough?  Is it just assumed that whenever we do ANYTHING it's to make a few extra bucks?  If you see a store at an event, is that what you automatically think (they are there for their bottom line)?   What can we do to make sure people know that when we leave the store it's for COMMUNITY not MARKETING?   Would you be offended if we promoted WHY were there with signs and special bookmarks?  How aggressive do we get to "promote" our involvement in Community and Community building?  Those 2 comments have us (well, Sam) thinking that no matter what we do, we'll be viewed as corporations just eying the bottom line... and that is NOT what we have EVER been about...

Comments are very welcome and encouraged on this post... we want to know what you think when you see us out and about....