Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza

My Name is Mary Sutter

2010-05-06T15:03:00.004-04:00

Today customers are starting to ask, "What's that book with the midwife from Albany, set during the Civil War?"

The answer: My Name is Mary Sutter, a new novel by Robin Oliviera, which will be released on May 13th.

Those of us at the Book House who have read the book loved it. Erin has this to say:

"Albany midwife Mary Sutter wants desperately to become a surgeon. On the eve of the American Civil War, she has been rejected by Albany Medical School and turned down for an apprenticeship by the town physician. Out of options, Mary is desperate — and so, when Dorthea Dix puts out a call for nurses, Mary hurries to Washington even though she is too young and has brought no letters of reference.

"Through impossible hardships, bone-numbing exhaustion, and personal grief, guilt, and aspirations, Mary toils day after day to care for the wounded Union soldiers that flood the hospitals. The story follows doctors and nurses, politicians and families — the people behind the front lines — as they find their way through war-torn lives. Rich in historic detail, Oliveira’s writing takes you back to its historical setting a in a way many novels never achieve."

Extra cool: Robin Oliviera grew up around Albany, though she now lives in Seattle.

Books on September 11th for Kids

2009-09-11T11:38:00.007-04:00

Carmen Agra Deedy has written a deeply moving picturebook on September 11th called 14 Cows for America in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah. This is the true story of Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, of the Maasai people of Kenya who was studying in New York City during the 9/11 attacks. He brought the story of what happened that day home to his tribe & they, in turn, reached out to the people of America with a gift of peace and hope. The illustrations by Thomas Gonzalez are absolutely beautiful. For around ages 5-10, although I think it would be excellent for the classroom for older kids as well.

Fireboat The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman. In 1931 the John J. Harvey fireboat was launched & her crews faithfully fought fires for decades. By 1995, however, the need for fireboats had diminished & the John J. Harvey was considered fit only for the scrap yard. Fortunately, a group of friends had heard of the fireboat's plight & got together to save her & fix her up. Nobody anticipated that someday she might be called back into action. On September 11th, this piece of New York history that had been considered antiquated & useless was instrumental in saving lives & putting out fires. Her owners worked endlessly during the emergency. A very inspiring & touching story, again for ages 5-10

Dennis Lehane at Book House!

2009-09-09T19:14:00.004-04:00

Next Wednesday, September 16th, at 7pm, Dennis Lehane will be signing and reading at the Book House! His most recent novel, "The Given Day," will be released in paperback the day before.

Mr. Lehane is also the author of "Mystic River" and "Shutter Island," on which the movies by the same titles are based, as well as "A Drink Before the War."

"The Given Day" is a historical novel about Boston during and after World War II. It was first published in hardcover last fall.

We hope you'll join us in welcoming Dennis Lehane to the Book House!

Graceling in Paperback!

2009-08-20T22:50:00.004-04:00

Just a quick note to say Graceling by Kristin Cashore arrived in the store in paperback yesterday. This book is one of our favorite young adult novels, great for lovers of fantasy, romance, the Twilight series (though Katsa is way cooler than Bella), or anyone looking for a well written story with cool characters, a wonderful romance, and a ton of adventure. Those of us who have read it -- and there are many -- couldn't put it down!

Bonus: Graceling's prequel, Fire, will be out in hardcover in a matter of months!

And finally, check out Kristin Cashore's blog for more tidbits about the books!

Oldies but Goodies: Our Favorite Summer Reads

2009-08-13T14:55:00.009-04:00

Looking for a good book to enjoy during the summer that's finally arrived? These books aren't fresh off the press, but they're some of our favorites.

Handling Sin by Michael Malone
By turns hysterical and touching, this novel follows Raleigh Hayes, who is torn from his comfortable life when his ailing father escapes from the hospital, leaving behind directions for Raleigh to gather specific items and then meet him in New Orleans on a particular date. A favorite of staff members and customers alike.

Julia Spencer-Fleming's Adirondack mystery series
These books are completely addictive! There are six in the series so far, all out in paperback, with a seventh on the way. The first is In the Bleak Midwinter, so be sure to pick it up first. And based on Julia Spencer-Fleming's recommendation, we started reading Craig Johnson's mysteries, and we love those as well! Start with #1, which is The Cold Dish.

Any novel by Sarah Waters, but especially The Fingersmith
Replete with twists and turns, this historical novel set in England will keep you guessing until the very last page. Don't start it late at night or you'll never go to bed! For people who are already fans of Sarah Waters' books, her newest novel, recently released in hardcover, is called The Little Stranger.

Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death series
Think twelfth century CSI with a feisty female lead and you have a sense of what these wonderful historical novels are about. As physician Adelia sorts out mystery after mystery for the king of England, all the while hiding the fact that she, as a woman, is the real doctor, she'll keep you on the edge of your seat. There are three books in the series so far, and we are anxiously awaiting the fourth installment!

A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka
This quirky, endearing story follows a pair of sisters as they try to wrest their father away from the grasp of the young and beautiful Valentina, the "fluffy pink grenade" who has taken over the aging gentleman's life. As they join forces against this common foe, Nadeshda and Vera repair a relationship that has been strained for years. (It doesn't have much to do with tractors!)

The Reluctant Tuscan by Phil Doran
This light, quick read is Doran's memoir of moving to Italy with his wife. As they battle everything from the archaic laws of the village's government to an elderly neighbor who seems to have it in for them, they settle little by little into their new life. You will laugh, sympathize, and find yourself with a craving for some authentic Italian pasta!

Stop in and talk to us about these and other "oldies but goodies"!

Looking for Local?

2009-08-07T16:18:00.002-04:00

Looking for something sporting Capital District flair? Look no further than the Book House! We carry a wide selection of local postcards in addition to beautiful greeting cards--both photo and art--by local artists.

Need something a little more substantial? We have Albany magnets and key chains and even Albany mugs. And of course, we have a large selection of books both by local authors and about the area, including hiking guides and maps.

Stop in and let us help you find what you're looking for!

New Titles for August

2009-07-31T10:56:00.012-04:00

Fall is a big season for books! Many favorite authors will be releasing new titles over the upcoming months. We'll give you the breakdown at the start of each month.

Here's what's new for August for adults:
August 4th: That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo and Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon
August 11th: South of Broad by Pat Conroy
August 18th: The Law of Nines by Terry Goodkind

And for kids and young adults:
August 4th: the long-awaited paperback of Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
August 11th: The 39 Clues Book 5: The Black Circle by Patrick Carman and What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss

Give us a call at 489-4761 to reserve your copy today!

Chocolate Gecko, Theo Chocolate, and Mu Mu Muesli

2009-07-31T10:12:00.006-04:00

As many of our customers already know, we now carry fresh local chocolate from Albany's Chocolate Gecko. We all have our favorites among their delectable selection: chocolate dipped handmade marshmallows, jumbo caramel and pecan turtles, chocolate covered Newman-Os, spicy Komodo Crunch toffee...and the list goes on!

We've just added another kind of chocolate to our front counter, making it even harder for the staff to concentrate: smooth, organic, fair-trade Theo chocolate bars from Seattle. Their website states that they are "proud to be the only organic, fair trade, bean-to-bar chocolate factory in the United States." These bars come in a wide variety of flavors, ranging from 70% rich dark chocolate to Fig, Fennel, & Almond and Coconut & Curry. Check out their website for more information, then stop by the Book House and try some for yourself!

And finally, we now carry Mu Mu Muesli. This blend of cranberries, dates, coconut, roasted almonds, and flaxseeds has been a hit at area farmer's markets; now it is also available at the Book House. It makes a delicious breakfast or snack. Eat it with yogurt, milk, or by the handful! And check out their logo...what could be cuter than a cow in a mu mu?

Book House is on Twitter!

2009-07-30T17:46:00.002-04:00

We've done it...Book House is now on Twitter! Follow us for book news and event updates: @bookhousealbany

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

2009-07-30T11:39:00.003-04:00

I have been a Diana Gabaldon fan for many years, so it was quite a shock to my system when I finished reading The Fiery Cross and realized that she was really starting to annoy me. I am sure fans everywhere are ready to burn me as a witch, but consider--as her hardcover sales started to grow, her books got longer and longer. I know Diana Gabaldon does a ton of research for her books, but it seemed as though she tried to include every fact she encountered in The Fiery Cross. In 1443 pages (in the mass market edition) she moves the story ahead 2 years. 2 years in 1443 pages? That is a few too many pages, in my opinion. Yes, it is a good story, but a good editor would have been welcome. So I didn't read the next book, Breath of Snow and Ashes.

Well--I recently found out that book 7 in the Outlander series, Echo in the Bone, is being released on September 22. What could I do? I had to sit down and read Breath of Snow and Ashes. I could stand being one book behind with nothing on the horizon, but to be 2 books behind was too much. My reaction: At 1432 pages (again in the mass market edition), it was long. But it moved the story from 1772 to 1776, so we made twice as much progress as in the previous book, and it didn't seem to have as much herb lore and medical tidbits, either. All in all, a much more satisfactory read than book 5.

And now, we wait impatiently for An Echo in the Bone. It will be 992 pages in the hardcover edition, so it is about the size of the previous two books. Will it be as riveting as the earlier volumes? Only time will tell.....

PS--If you are interested in another wonderful time travel novel, read The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It is so wonderfully romantic, I cry every time I read it! The movie is being released on August 14, so quick, read it before you see the movie!

(Susan T.)

Booksigning at Market Block Books in Troy

2009-06-23T07:17:00.001-04:00

Friday, 7:00 PM
Troy Night Out
Market Block Books
290 River Street
Troy, NY

Meet Brad Kessler! He will be signing his new book Goat Song. Brad is also the author of Birds in Fall, one of my favorite novels. Brad's new book is about his experiences raising goats and making cheese in Vermont. But more than this, the book explores the origins of the pastoral life, both etymologically and culturally. He's a brilliant writer and I think you'll be surprised at what a good book this is.

Stop by and meet this wonderful author.
Saturday, 12:00 PM
Market Block Books
290 River Street
Troy, NY

Come and meet Mike Esposito this Saturday at Market Block Books. Mike did a wonderful job collecting photos from Little Italy's past. We've already had people browsing the book saying things like, "that's my grandmother's kitchen!" Unlike many of the Images of America series that has historic photos of a city's past, this book has more intimate memories of a neighborhood that still has its connections in the present. This is a palpable historic in a book: the families, the churches, the stories. If you take a moment to look at this book you'll see the lives who made up this part of Troy, New York.

Bookseller's Bookshelf: Marggie

2009-06-22T09:13:00.002-04:00

Here's what Marggie has lined up to read next:

The Prayer Room by Shanthi Sekaran

This novel, for fans of Jhumpa Lahiri and Chitra Divakaruna, is about a British English professor, his Indian bride and their triplets adjusting to life in Sacramento, California, in 1974.

The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman by Nancy Marie Brown

This book tells the true story of Gudrid, who saled from Iceland to Newfoundland 500 years before Columbus.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This is a novel set in 1862 Mississippi and told through the voices of three unforgettable women.

Jesus Was a Liberal by Rev. Scotty McLennan, Dean of Religious Life at Stanford

According to Marcus Borg, this is "an immensely readable book that reclaims the honorable word 'liberal' for a vision of Christianity that is persuasive, compelling, and faithful."

The Ugly Duckling retold by Rachel Isadora

2009-06-10T11:06:00.003-04:00

I've just fallen in love with this series of Rachel Isadora's fairytales! She has been retelling & illustrating a number of classic fairytales from Grimm & Andersen but with illustrations inspired by a decade of her living in Africa. I have to say that The Ugly Duckling is one of my favourites! Besides being absolutely gorgeous, her vibrant collage/mixed media illustrations add a new depth & flavour to these beloved & familiar classics.

Perfect for Graduation

2009-06-05T06:00:00.001-04:00

Here's a new book that would be perfect for anyone graduating from college.
The book has that title that makes my skin crawl, but I've given it a good read through and it's not what it seems. It's a very practical book for folks in their 20s and 30s to help get their financial lives in order. And the "rich" part is really a hook. Sure, some will read this book as a way of getting ahead, but the book offers a balanced approach to finances including sharing your wealth and doing what you truly love.

The author has a good sense of humor and solid advice. Even an old codger like me can learn something from this book.

I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Sethi, Ramit

Stanley unwinds after BEA.

2009-06-04T07:56:00.002-04:00

After being in NYC for the weekend I feel like all my molecules are buzzing. And without much time between the convention and work I jumped right into my next appointment at the store, meeting with one of my favorite reps. (Seriously, I like ALL the reps who come to see me. They are a great bunch!) When I got home on Tuesday night I was worn down and wanted to skip out on going to my weekly meditation group. But I hopped in the car and headed to Albany. Once I got there I knew I needed to be there. I needed to be still and do nothing for an hour. Just sit.

But sometimes it takes more than that one session to restore my inner calm. And so Wednesday came and I got back on the moving sidewalk and buzzed through the day. I was busy the whole day, not much of a break except to grab a bite to eat at the front counter. Bad form! I needed to stop and smell the roses.

Speaking of smelling the roses... when I got home last night I went across the street to see my neighbor who was working in her garden. She showed me her English roses with enormous blooms and smelling divine. Then she showed me her wild roses which are taking over her work shed. Small, delicate white blooms which start from tiny pink buds. Beautiful. Then she pulled out her binoculars from her table and pointed them to the top of a mulberry tree three yards away. At the top was a small flock of cedar waxwings, with black masks, happily eating berries. When we finished watching the birds her husband showed up and we sat on the back deck and sipped a beer. I was calm and peaceful and happy. After an hour of conversation I came back home and picked a pot full of greens from my backyard and mixed up a delicious supper of beans and greens and brown rice. I was content. I slowed down. I picked up the readers copy of a book I've been reading and settled into bed. The perfect ending to the day.

PS. Happy Birthday Allen Ginsberg, wherever you are!

BEA Recap from Susan T.

2009-06-03T13:51:00.001-04:00

This past weekend, I headed down to New York City for Book Expo America, the annual bookseller convention. Every year, thousands of booksellers and publishers gather to kvetch, kvell, and talk books; it is also a reflection on the state of the bookselling industry in the United States. To judge by the scaled-down booths, parties, and swag, the state of bookselling is at a cautious crossroads. Are books terminal? Will we all be doing our bedtime reading on screens in the foreseeable future? I think (and hope) that books will be a viable option for the rest of my life (and, I hope, my career!) For me, BEA is all about learning about the new books coming out in the fall, meeting authors whose books I love, and hanging it with people who share my passion for reading. On to the show!

I arrived an NYC on Friday night and headed to the Housing Works Cafe and Bookstore for a Midnight Fried Chicken Party put on by the Lee brothers of The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook fame. They have a new cookbook coming out this fall, The Lee Bros. Simple Fresh Southern, and if the food at this party is any indication, it is going to be a heck of a cookbook! I especially enjoyed the soybean & tomato salad with buttermilk dressing. YUM! And the fried chicken was meaty, juicy & flavorful. All in all, an excellent way to start the show.

On Saturday, I headed to the Javits Center for the trade show proper. I won't say anything about all the exciting advance copies of the new fall releases I got, because you can't get them yet and it isn't fair to tease, but I met Kristin Cashore, author of Graceling, and thanked her for writing a novel whose heroine is the anti-Bella from Twilight--strong and independent, with or without a boyfriend at her side. I also met Isa Chandra Moskowitz, a vegan cookbook author whose latest, Vegan Brunch, appeals to me for some reason. I am not vegan, but I am trying to eat healthier, and some of these recipes look pretty simple, even for the novice cook. I glimpsed Craig Ferguson signing his new book, and said hello to Alan Bradley, the author of the bestselling Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. The highlight was meeting Michael Malone, author of Handling Sin, which has been one of my favorite books to recommend for over 20 years. His newest, The Four Corners of the Sky, was just released and is in the store in hardcover. Oh, and I met Tracy Kidder and got a signed copy of his forthcoming fall release.

By 4:00, I was dragging and my arms were tired of carrying canvas bags loaded with books. After a short rest at the hotel, I went out again, to meet friends for dinner. Before dinner, I stopped at the Strand Bookstore. I browsed for an hour and bought a book. Coals to Newcastle doesn't begin to cover it, but I like supporting independent bookstores when I travel. Yes, going to BEA is truly a busman's holiday, but one I totally enjoy. Now if I can only find a place to put all the new books I acquired........

An Embarrassment of Riches

2009-05-07T10:58:00.004-04:00

About 2 weeks ago, I was scrounging around for something good to read. So annoying, to work in a bookstore and not have anything gripping begging for my attention! I consoled myself with the thought that the selling season for the fall was starting up (that is when the publishers' sales reps visit and try to persuade our intrepid buyers to order many copies of the upcoming autumn bestsellers) and that soon we would have many galleys of forthcoming books to paw through.

Be careful what you wish for, indeed! From our Random House reps, I have a copy of the NEW PAT CONROY!! I love Pat Conroy. His new book, South of Broad, will be out in September. I am almost to the end of it, but I hate to finish too quickly, so I put it down for a day or so to start the new Margaret Atwood! The Year of the Flood will also be out in September. I think this will be as popular as The Handmaid's Tale; it is a topical look at a dystopian future whose problems bear eerie resemblance to today's headlines. Again, I am almost finished with it, and wishing it could go on for a little while longer.

Plus, I finished Kristin Cashore's prequel to Graceling, Fire, in just a day. It was a satisfying read that will please her ever-growing throng of fans. It is another book for adolescent girls who loved Twilight, but who need to meet a heroine whose life doesn't revolve around her crush. Fire will also be coming out in September. (And the sequel to The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Catching Fire, is coming out in September--another anti-Twilight strong heroine returns.)

And the cherry on top of the sundae? The Last Olympian, the 5th and last book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, was just released on Tuesday. My cup runneth over with books I can't wait to read, a wonderful situation for a book lover to be in.

Mark your calendars--this fall brings a bumper crop of fantastic fiction!

Also, a piece of shameless self-promotion: I am now writing a blog for Capital District Local First on the Times Union webpage. Feel free to wander over and give it a look see. Thanks for reading!

SMT

Bookseller's Bookshelf: Erin

2009-04-30T12:54:00.004-04:00

I'm reading two books at the moment: one old, and one new.

The old one is Frank Conroy's Body and Soul, a novel that follows piano prodigy Claude Rawlings as he climbs from humble beginnings to stardom in 1950s New York City. It's definitely not a fast moving book, yet it is positively engrossing. Filled with the minutiae of everyday life and peppered with bursts of fascinating musical discussion, Conroy takes a rags-to-riches tale that could be commonplace and dull and transforms it into a story to be savored. This book is actually from the 1990s and no longer on our shelves here at the Book House, but it's still available. Ask and we'll get it for you!

As for the new one, I just picked up a reader's copy of Love Begins in Winter, a forthcoming collection of short stories by Simon van Booy. I'm just a few pages in, but I can tell I won't be putting this one aside. In beautiful, clear prose, van Booy tells ordinary stories as if they're infused with magic. The opening story, about a world-famous cellist, has such sudden and universal truths about life that I am absolutely intrigued to read more. Look for it coming in May!

The Customers Strike Again!

2009-04-03T10:45:00.004-04:00

Awhile back, I had several customers buy the same book in rapid succession. Within a few days, we had sold three or four copies of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka. Every time the purchase was made, I was asked, "Have you read it? It's supposed to be wonderful." After answering "no" again and again, I decided to take the customers' advice and read the book.

I ended up loving it. Two sisters who are usually at odds with one another end up banding together to save their elderly father from Valentina, a young Ukrainian divorcee It's quirky and fun, with enough seriousness to give it weight, full of zany characters who are real and lovable underneath. It incorporates history, family dynamics, and crazy situations into a quick novel that has very little to do with tractors! In short, it's a good, fun read that I now recommend to many customers.

The same thing happened again last month. This time, two or three customers asked for the book on the same day: The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa. Over the next few days, several more people came in looking for a book we had no idea would be so popular! Having learned my lesson last time, I picked up a copy. Surprise! The customers were right again.

The Housekeeper and the Professor tells the story of three nameless characters: the housekeeper, the housekeeper's son (nicknamed Root by the professor, because his head is flat like a square root sign), and a retired professor of mathematics whose memory only lasts 80 minutes. As the story progresses, math and baseball pull these three characters together into a kind of family unit.

Some of my coworkers have read or are reading the book now as well. We can't keep it on the shelf! Thank you, Book House customers. Keep reading!

Let's Get Crafty!

2009-03-18T17:59:00.002-04:00

From Susan T:

At the suggestion of a customer who shall remain nameless (thanks, SG!), I went to Beauknits, Ltd in Cohoes to learn how to knit. I recently resumed crocheting after a 30-year break, but I needed some instruction to resume knitting again. Thus, the lessons. Barbara at Beauknits is a wonderful teacher and I am almost done with my first hat; I'll finish it at next Saturday's lesson. In the meantime, I've started hat #2 and purchased yarn for an easy-looking sweater.
(Remember that Florida trip where I said I'd save money by not buying books? I lied.) What does this have to do with books, you ask?

Whenever I have a new enthusiasm (Pilates, local economies, crocheting, slow cooker recipes, the Mitford sisters, whatever), I need books about that subject. I might not read them right away, I might just dip into them now and again, but I need to be surrounded by information. On Monday afternoon, we received a book that covers 2 of my enthusiasms: "Pints & Purls: Portable Projects for the Social Knitter", a knitting book with patterns for the person who knits in a bar. Each pattern is rated according to how much attention it requires; the designated driver patterns are the most difficult and the 4-bottle ones require very little skill. (Although
one simple pattern warns, "Never underestimate the difficulty of counting!") I am now the proud owner of this book. Now I just need to find a knitting group that meets in a local pub.....

There are 2 more knitting books on my must-buy list. Erin recommends "The Knitting Answer Book." Published by Storey Press (one of our favorite publishers; they publish interesting, high quality titles), it answers any possible knitting question you might have. Then there is "The Knitter's Companion", recommended by another bookseller as the best knitting reference book out there, and small enough to stash in your knitting bag.

Knitting and books on knitting--who could ask for anything more? Possibly one more thing--one of those gadgets that holds my novel open so I can read while knitting......

Susan

PS--In the next couple of months, Beauknits, Ltd will be offering a class on how to knit 2 socks at the same time on one circular needle. If I am feeling ambitious, I might take that class, and I know just the book to bolster me: "2-at-a-Time Socks" by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. It looks scary, but the best thing about knitting is you can always pull it out and start over.

The House in the Night is here!

2009-03-05T13:43:00.002-05:00

The new Caldecott award winner, The House in the Night, by Susan Marie Swanson & illustrated by Beth Krommes has been reprinted & is now here at your very own independent, locally-owned bookstore! This is a really beautiful book with luminous illustrations & a simple, lyrical text that is perfect for a new baby gift or as a read aloud, particularly for bedtime. There is a very classic feel to this book, akin to Virginia Burton's Little House or Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon that is very charming and lovely!

The Book House Book Group!

2009-03-05T11:16:00.003-05:00

We used to get many questions here at the Book House about whether we had a store affiliated book group. At the end of last year, we decided to launch one and see how it went. The first meeting of the Book House Book Group happened in January, and it's been going strong since! The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month. So far, we've read The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon (January) and Firmin by Sam Savage (February).

This month's book is The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, a book that Stanley of Market Block Books called his favorite book of 2008. If you'd like to join us, the next meeting is on Wednesday, March 11th at 7pm at the Book House -- still plenty of time to read! Just stop by the Book House (or Market Block Books) and pick up your copy.

If you have any questions, or if you'd like to RSVP, give us a call at (518) 489-4761. We hope you can join us!

News from Market Block Books in Troy, NY

2009-03-01T12:55:00.002-05:00

This is my first post here and I hope it's not my last. I'm juggling a few blogs at the moment which is why I'm writing this post. We created a blog for the staff and customers at Market Block Books. Click on that name there (it's a link) and it'll take you to it. There you will see postings by some of your favorite Book House staff as well as guest contributors who just happen to be our customers. Have a look, leave a comment and let me know if you want to post your own book recommendation.

Stanley in Troy

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 The Last Straw is here!

2009-01-13T13:38:00.009-05:00

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney was released yesterday, January 13th-to the delight of the series' many fans! It may have seemed an eternity to diehard fans since the last book came out, but it was just last October that Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Do-It-Yourself Book was released, which encourages kids to write a journal of their own in a Wimpy kid format. For those who may be unfamiliar with the Wimpy Kid phenomenon, it's a hilarious series written in journal form with cartoon style illustrations that is extremely popular, particularly with middle schoolers. The series has a broad appeal to both boys & girls & has been instrumental in getting many reluctant readers to actually enjoy reading. Suggested reading age is about 8 to 13.

The Best of 2008: Staff Favorites

2009-01-09T15:19:00.015-05:00

Below you will find the Book House booksellers' favorite books from 2008. They're as different as we are, so we hope there will be something for everyone! We'll be highlighting the books in the store to make it easy for customers to find them.

Without further ado, the best books of 2008, according to the Book House staff:

Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien
Chosen by: Troy
The book chronicles the life shared by biologist Stacey O'Brien and her adopted owl Wesley.
Troy says: Stacey O'Brien's dry humor and engaging reportage make this "animal tale" a standout. Read it even if--especially if--you're not pet-obsessed, because it's intelligent and fun.

Au Pied de Cochon by Martin Picard
Chosen by: Julia
Stories, photographs, and recipes make this cookbook a unique package.
Julia says: Life is a party, and at this Montreal restaurant, it's a party with pork products. An amazing eating experience is captured in this fantastic cookbook.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
Chosen by: Dan
The newest book by the best-selling author of Blink and The Tipping Point.
Dan says: Chance plays a bigger role in our lives than we like to admit. Gladwell shows how it may be the most important factor.

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell
Chosen by: Drew
This novel just made the cutoff; it was published right at the end of 2008.
Drew says: This fast-paced thriller tells the story of a doctor who was a mob hit man in a past life. This is the first novel from Josh Bazell. Written in a Chuck Palahniuk style, it's impossible to put down.

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan and The Little Book by Selden Edwards
Chosen by: Susan T.
Two very different books, so she just couldn't choose! Mudbound is set in the post-WWII South and has been compared to To Kill a Mockingbird. The Little Book tells the story of one man's struggles to understand why he was sent back in time to a half century before his own birth.
Susan says: Hard to choose, but Mudbound is by Hillary Jordan, a local author from Tivoli, and The Little Book involves traveling back in time (one of my favorite fictional devices) and it hasn't gotten nearly as much press as my other favorites...Watch for Mudbound in paperback this spring and possibly an author event, too!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Chosen by: Erin
Though technically classified as a young adult novel, Suzanne Collins spins a nail-biting story that will capture any reader.
Erin says: Set in a future America, it follows sixteen-year-old Katniss as she fights to win the government-sponsored, required-viewing Hunger Games--a reality TV show where the last contestant left alive is declared the winner. I spent every one of my spare minutes reading it, and when I'd finished, I spent days searching for something as catching to read. Everyone should read this book.

Holiday Message from Roy Blount Jr.

2008-12-12T12:19:00.006-05:00

Roy Blount Jr., president of the Author's Guild and author of Alphabet Juice: The Energies, Gists, and Spirits of Letters, Words, and Combinations Thereof; Their Roots, Bones, Inners, Piths, and Pips, has issued the following holiday message on authorsguild.org:

Holiday Message from Roy Blount Jr.:
Buy Books From Your Local Bookstore, Now

December 11, 2008. I've been talking to booksellers lately who report that times are hard. And local booksellers aren't known for vast reserves of capital, so a serious dip in sales can be devastating. Booksellers don't lose enough money, however, to receive congressional attention. A government bailout isn't in the cards.

We don't want bookstores to die. Authors need them, and so do neighborhoods. So let's mount a book-buying splurge. Get your friends together, go to your local bookstore and have a book-buying party. Buy the rest of your Christmas presents, but that's just for starters. Clear out the mysteries, wrap up the histories, beam up the science fiction! Round up the westerns, go crazy for self-help, say yes to the university press books! Get a load of those coffee-table books, fatten up on slim volumes of verse, and take a chance on romance!

There will be birthdays in the next twelve months; books keep well; they're easy to wrap: buy those books now. Buy replacements for any books looking raggedy on your shelves. Stockpile children's books as gifts for friends who look like they may eventually give birth. Hold off on the flat-screen TV and the GPS (they'll be cheaper after Christmas) and buy many, many books. Then tell the grateful booksellers, who by this time will be hanging onto your legs begging you to stay and live with their cat in the stockroom: "Got to move on, folks. Got some books to write now. You see...we're the Authors Guild."

Enjoy the holidays.

Roy Blount Jr.
President Authors Guild

When asked if booksellers could post and forward this message, Mr. Blount's response was this:

"Yes! Forward! Yes! Post! Sound the clarion call to every corner of the Internet: Hang in there, bookstores! We're coming! And we're coming to buy! To buy what? To buy books! Gimme a B! B! Gimme an O! O! Gimme another O! Another O! Gimme a K! K! Gimme an S! F! No, not an F, an S. We're spelling BOOKS!"

You can see the original post here. We here at the Book House are grateful to Mr. Blount for his support and encouragement. Every one of our customers makes a difference. We hope you'll think of us this holiday season and come support your local independent bookstore!

Which Guide Should You Buy?

2008-12-12T11:38:00.003-05:00

Traveling this holiday season, but not sure what travel guide would be best for you? Our travel guide expert has put together a short and sweet list to help you choose the right guide for your trip. Here's what she has to say about the various options:

Fodor's, Frommer's
These are inclusive, general guides that are considered standards in the field. If you're looking for a good all-around guide, go with one of these.

Lonely Planet Guides, Rough Guides
These guides are inclusive as well and are better for the independent traveler, as they're slightly less mainstream.

Michelin Green Guides
"Concise yet encyclopedic," these guides include good town maps.

DK's Eyewitness Guides, Fodor's "Experiencing" series
Although slightly heavier to carry, these two series are great if you're more visually oriented. They are fully illustrated, with color photos throughout.

The "Best of" or "Top 10" Series
These small guides cover various cities worldwide. They are best if you only have a few days to spend in a place and plan to stay in the area.

Culture Shock!, Culture Smart series
These guides are great if you'd like to know more about the people and culture of a place. They work well paired with one of the more geographically oriented guides.

Let's Go (by Lonely Planet)
Students and backpackers will find these handy guides especially useful.

Have further questions? Give us a call or stop in and see us. We'll be happy to help you find all the reading material you need for your trip...from travel guides to books for the plane!

Signing 12/11: Seven Stones by Peggy Nelson

2008-12-09T17:35:00.005-05:00

On Thursday, December 11th, 2008 at 7pm, local author Peggy Nelson will be signing her new book, Seven Stones: A Collection of Poems and Thoughts on Surviving Breast Cancer. The book is being printed by The Troy Book Makers and will be available at the signing.

From the back of the book:

"Peggy Nelson developed breast cancer in 2006. She went through chemotherapy and radiation, and is now in remission. Within these pages are the thoughts and feelings she experienced during that time, from happiness to depression, pain and recovery. Her highs and lows are written to express her feelings and to hopefully connect with those fighting cancer of all forms.

"Peggy is the mother of three and the grandmother of four. She lives in Delmar, New York with her husband of 38 years, Dr. Gary Nelson, a Delmar dentist."

We hope you'll join us in welcoming Peggy Nelson to the Book House on December 11th!

Signing 12/13: When I Grow Up by Jessica Loy

2008-12-09T10:37:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, December 13th, 2008 from 1-2:30pm, local author Jessica Loy will be at the Little Book House signing When I Grow Up: A Young Person's Guide to Interesting and Unusual Occupations. Geared toward the 8 & up age group, this fun book teaches children about fourteen occupations that are a bit off the beaten path.

Ever thought about being a kite designer? How about a pet photographer? Maybe a Chocolatier, or a Lobsterman, or an Alpaca Farmer? When I Grow Up gives you details, facts, and photographs about these and many more interesting occupations. The people profiled have made their interests and dreams into realities, and the book encourages children to do the same.

The book also includes a list of resources and summer camps at the back so that parents can help their children pursue various interests.

The book, which is published in hardcover from Henry Holt & Company, is $16.95 and is currently available at the Little Book House.

We hope you'll join us in welcoming Jessica Loy to the Little Book House on December 13th!

Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou

2008-12-04T20:07:00.003-05:00

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou is my favourite new Christmas book this year as well as my gift of choice! I have loved Maya Angelou and her writing since I first read I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings in middle school. My respect & admiration for her has only increased over the years so I was thrilled when I saw that she was coming out with a kid's book. The illustrators, Steve Johnson, & Lou Fancher, have created such beautiful textured images to match her glorious, resonant words. This is an absolutely gorgeous book with a message of hope & community that reaches across boundaries to our common humanity. The book also comes with a CD of Maya Angelou reading the poem. The best audience for the book would be 5 & up to adult. Let's all "speak the word aloud. Peace."

Signing 1/17: Dakota: A Work in Progress by Bill Rosencrans

2008-12-04T13:27:00.006-05:00

On Saturday, January 17th, 2009, from 1-3pm, local author Bill Rosencrans will be signing his new book, Dakota: A Work in Progress at the Book House. If you enjoy dog books, check this one out!

Several well-known authors have great things to say about Dakota. Stanley Coren, author of How Dogs Think and The Intelligence of Dogs, wrote, "Dakota: A Work in Progress is a cheerful and amusing romp through the life of a manic but sweet and endearing dog. If you love dogs and need a smile this book is for you."

Sonny Brewer, who wrote Cormac, The Tale of a Dog Gone Missing, and The Poet of Tolstoy Park, had this to say: "Bill Rosencrans' book about his wonder-dog Dakota is a long love letter, really. It's a treat for the rest of us that we get to read of Dakota's doings over Bill's shoulder, reminded on every page why we ourselves love our own doggies."

The book is forthcoming from Diversion Press and will be available at the signing.

About the author:
Bill Rosencrans, a member of SUNY Albany's New York State Writers Institute, lives in upstate New York with his wife, son, and (of course!) Dakota. In addition to Dakota: A Work in Progress, which is his first book, Bill has written eight screenplays and a stage play. He also served as the story consultant for the award-winning Inside the Blue Line - Leadley's Legacy, a documentary aired on both WMHT and PBS. Bill's current project is Dakota:Still a Work in Progress.

We hope you'll join us in welcoming Bill Rosencrans to the Book House on January 17th!

Holiday Sales!

2008-12-02T16:10:00.004-05:00

Lots of things at the Book House are now on sale!

First, bargain books (the ones with the orange stickers) continue to be 20% off. That's 20% off what's already the bargain price, so they're double on sale!

Second, our Holiday Picks have been announced! These are nice gift books that the staff has chosen to discount 20% for the holiday season. There are adult and children books, covering a wide variety of topics, all hand-picked by the Book House booksellers. Come in and look for the red tags to find them!

Third, our holiday catalog is out, which includes a 20% off coupon for any book in the catalog. Stop in and pick one up today!

Finally, we're trying something new this year. All books in the store that are originally $50 or more are 20% off as well. That means all the cool gift books, like customer favorite Birdscapes (the singing pop-up book), will be discounted from now until Christmas.

In addition, as always, we offer no fee, no expiration date gift certificates in any amount you desire, plus lots of gifts under $10! Stop in and see us for your holiday shopping!

Signing 12/3: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

2008-11-29T12:50:00.003-05:00

Bestselling author Jeff Kinney will be at the Little Book House on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 from 10:45am to noon to sign Diary of a Wimpy Kid! Kinney has also written a sequel to the book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules, as well as the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book, which kids can create themselves.

All three Diary of a Wimpy Kid titles are currently available at the Little Book House. The fourth book in the series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw will be out in January 2009 and is available for preorder.

The novels, told from main character Greg's point of view, are told through cartoons. They chronicle the everyday adventures of an average kid growing up. With school, his older brother Roderick, and his parents, Greg certainly has his hands full! A signed copy would make a great holiday gift.

We hope you'll join us in welcoming Jeff Kinney to the Little Book House. We're excited to have him, and we hope you are, too! We'll see you on December 3rd!

Signing 12/18: Diners of New York by Michael Engle

2008-11-18T16:07:00.002-05:00

Looking for a great Christmas gift, either for yourself or someone else? On Thursday, December 18th, 2008, at 7pm, local author Michael Engle will be signing copies of his new book, Diners of New York. Diner fans and New York residents can all rejoice. This book is great!

Spanning Long Island to the Great Lakes, Diners of New York covers the entirety of the Empire state. Organized by region, it features maps, descriptions, photographs, contact information, and bits of history. It even includes a section on diner manufacturers and styles!

Published by Stackpole Books, Diners of New York is available at the Book House in paperback for $19.95.

This book is truly a treasure for anyone interested in diners (and who isn't?). We hope you'll join us in welcoming Michael Engle to the Book House on December 18th!

Signing 11/22: Confusion on the Farm by L.D. Campbell

2008-11-14T11:23:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, November 22nd, 2008, from 1-2pm, local children's author L.D. Campbell will be at the Little Book House to sign her book Confusion on the Farm. The book is now available in paperback for $12.95.

The book is the first in L.D. Campbell's First Readers Collection. When Farmer Bill wakes up sick and can't feed the animals on his farm, a hungry fox decides to step in and "feed" them. Chaos ensues, as a confused dog tries to help the animals escape. Farmer Bill gets out of bed at the last minute to save the day. The story contains enough repetition for children to help read the story, yet enough action to keep them interested. Alexander Florence's illustrations provide a fun and colorful accompaniment to Campbell's text.

The About the Author section of Confusion on the Farm explains that Campbell is a science teacher who recognizes the importance of reading. She began writing books as a gift for her daughters.

We hope you will join us in welcoming L.D. Campbell to the Little Book House on November 22nd!

Signing 11/22: Lincoln's Veteran Volunteers Win the War by D. Reid Ross

2008-11-13T15:17:00.004-05:00

We've just learned that D. Reid Ross will be at the Book House on Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 at 4:30 for a signing. Ross's new book, which is of great local interest, is entitled Lincoln's Veteran Volunteers Win the War: The Hudson Valley's Ross Brothers and the Union's Fight for Emancipation (whew!).

We have very little information about the book, which is due out from SUNY Press just before our event. Our database states simply that the book "Chronicles the Civil War experiences of four brothers from New York's Hudson Valley." SUNY Press has a slightly longer description on their website, here.

Stay tuned! We'll post more information as we get it. We hope to see you on November 22nd to welcome D. Reid Ross to the Book House!

New Local Interest Calendars

2008-11-13T11:58:00.005-05:00

Over the past few days, some of our new local interest calendars have arrived! Here are a few about the Capital District that benefit local organizations:

2009 Quadricentennial Commemorative Calendar
This calendar is made up of beautiful photographs from all around the Capital District and was put out to commemorate Albany's 400th year! It is available at the Book House for $20.00, with all proceeds going to the Downtown Albany BID. The organization's mission, as stated on the back of the calendar, is "to restore, promote and maintain the character and viability of downtown Albany and improve the quality of life and overall image for those who live in, work in and visit the Capital City." If you'd like to support the Downtown Albany BID and have a great calendar, stop in today and pick one up!

Into the Kitchen 2009: Recipes from our Favorite Capital District Chefs
Each page of this scrumptious calendar features a recipe from a local chef next to a mouthwatering photograph of the finished product. Recipes cover everything from soup to main course to dessert. Yum! Even better, the proceeds from the calendar sales benefit Food Pantries for the Capital District. At just $12.95, this calendar is a great way to support a worthy cause, plus get a calendar and cookbook in one for yourself!

2009 Cutest Pets Photo Contest Calendar
Animal lovers will adore this collection of cute local pets put together by the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society. It features photographs of contest-winning Capital District pets, including a variety of dogs and one adorable cat. The calendar is available for $12.00, and proceeds go directly back to the Humane Society so that they can continue the great work they do.

Other Local Favorites
We also have many local favorites in stock, including the Guilderland Historical Society, Vermont Life, Adirondack Life, Adirondack Mountain Club, Lake George Vistas, and Hudson River calendars!

New Newsletters Are Here!

2008-11-07T15:40:00.005-05:00

We've recently added more newsletter options for Book House customers! In addition to our main newsletter, News from the Store, you can now sign up for seven other lists, depending on what information you'd like to receive.

Like to stay up-to-date on which authors are in town for signings? You have four list options, depending on your location(s) of choice:

Events at Book House: Receive invitations to signings and other events being held at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza

Events at Little Book House: Receive invitations to signings and other events being held at the Little Book House

Events at Market Block Books: Receive invitations to signings and other events being held at Market Block Books in Troy

Special & Offsite events: Receive invitations to offsite events, such as the SUNY Writers Institute author series or Children's Literature Connection events, where the Book House will be selling books

Are you in a book group, or would you like to be? Check out these two lists:

Book Groups this Month: Looking for suggestions or just curious what other book groups are reading? Find out through this list created just for our many book groups.

Official Store Book Group: Over the years, we've started and stopped book groups officially run by the store. We're thinking of starting one up through the Book House in January. Want to stay up to date? Sign up for this list.

Like to hear about books that have been in the media recently?

Check out the Books on the Air newsletter to hear about a selection every week.

If you're interested in signing up for any of these new newsletters, or if you'd like to sign up for News from the Store, check out our website here. We hope you enjoy our new selection of newsletters!

Signing 11/19: Blown to Bits by Harry Lewis

2008-11-07T14:06:00.005-05:00

On Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 at 7pm, former Dean of Harvard Harry Lewis will be signing and discussing a book he recently co-authored, Blown to Bits: Your Life, Liberty, and Happiness After the Digital Explosion. The book provides a way for us to understand the digitization of our lives that happens constantly, whether we realize it's going on or not.

From the inside of the book's jacket:

"Every day, billions of photographs, news stories, songs, X-rays, TV shows, phone calls, and emails are being scattered around the world as sequences of zeroes and ones: bits. We can't escape this explosion of digital information and few of us want to--the benefits are too seductive....But the same engineering marvels are shattering centuries-old assumptions about privacy, identity, free expression, and personal control as more and more details of our lives are captured as digital data....This book is a wake-up call to the human consequences of the digital explosion."

Also from the book's jacket, Reed Hundt, former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has this to say:

"If you want to understand the future before it happens, you'll love this book. If you want to change the future before it happens to you, this book is required reading."

The book was published in June of 2008 by Addison-Wesley Professional and is available in hardcover for $25.95.

We're looking forward to a fascinating, informative, and lively discussion. We hope you'll join us on November 19th in welcoming Harry Lewis!

Signing 11/13: Light by David Campano

2008-10-31T16:46:00.003-04:00

On Thursday, November 13th, 2008 at 7pm, local author David Campano will be joining us here at the Book House to sign his new book, Light: A Book of Solace.

We don't have too much information about the book yet, as it's not yet available. However, here is the quote from the back of the book:

"A beloved cat who teaches a life lesson. A crystal necklace with magical powers. The gateway to eternal life through ones’ breath. The power of nature, and the beauty of art. These are just a few peeks into the world of Light: A Book of Solace, a collection of joyous literature celebrating the joys of animals, nature, spiritual thought, and numerous other things the reader is sure to enjoy.

"David C. Campano has spent over ten years writing various forms of literature, including short stories and a novella. Aside from a budding writing career, he works as a Spiritual Advisor in the Capital District area of New York. He hopes to someday write full time. He lives in Schenectady, New York with his frisky cat, Luna, but he swears he’ll be living near palm trees sooner rather than later. He is currently working on his next book, and looks forward to releasing it soon."

We hope you'll join us in welcoming David Campano to the Book House on November 13th!

Signed Copies of Champlain's Dream!

2008-10-31T16:27:00.003-04:00

David Hackett Fischer, well-known historian and author of the Pulitzer Prize winning Washington's Crossing, among many other books, was at SUNY's Writers Institute last night. He graciously signed some copies of his newest book, Champlain's Dream, for us! We only have a limited supply, so come and get your copy soon!

The book is an in-depth study of Champlain's life, focusing on his exploration of America. Not only is it interesting, but it's beautifully written, making it a pleasure to read. It's a book with plenty of local appeal as well. Christmas is right around the corner...a signed book would make a great gift!

We also have a few copies of two other of Fischer's books, Albion's Seed and The Great Wave. Come on in and check them out!

Signing 11/8: The Narcotic Farm by Nancy Campbell

2008-10-29T15:04:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, November 8th, 2008 from 1:00 to 3:00pm, Nancy Campbell, author of The Narcotic Farm: The Rise and Fall of America's First Prison for Drug Addicts will be at the Book House for a signing.

The book tells the story of the United States Narcotic Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, over the span of 40 some years during which it was operational. Full of fascinating photographs, informative text, and historical documents, The Narcotic Farm offers an absorbing portrait of this unique establishment.

On the back of the book, David Courtwright, author of Dark Paradise, Addicts Who Survived, and Forces of Habit, is quoted as follows:

"The Narcotic Farm works its magic by recapturing, in images and words, the lost world of 'Narco,' the sprawling federal prison-hospital for drug addicts in Lexington, Kentucky. It's the details that get you, from the disheveled misery of withdrawal to the uninhibited joy of performing in the house jazz band."

The book, published by Abrams, is $29.95 in hardcover and is available now at the Book House.

We hope you will join us in welcoming Nancy D. Campbell to the Book House on November 8th!

Signing 1/24: Made from Scratch by Jenna Woginrich

2008-10-28T17:16:00.005-04:00

Have you ever wondered about keeping bees? How about dreamed of eggs fresh from the chicken every morning? Maybe imagined making your own clothes? Jenna Woginrich did. Not sure where to start? Jenna can help. Her new book, Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life is just what you need.

The setting: a farm in Idaho. The cast: two working huskies, a hive of bees, a tiny flock of slug-eating chickens, a couple angora rabbits, an encouraging homesteading mentor, and one girl who longs to farm. The plot: well...you'll just have to read it!

The book is set up in sections, with one for each of the homesteading skills discussed. First, Jenna tells the story of her own experience of trying her hand at the skill. Immediately following, you'll find a how-to section so that, if you are inspired by her example (and it's hard not to be), you can jump right in and give it a go yourself. There's also a fantastic appendix at the back listing all sorts of further reading on your topic(s?) of choice.

From gardening to sewing, from the kitchen to the barn, if you're looking for a taste of the simple life and some inspiration, this is the book for you. And there's no need to wait until spring to get started. There are plenty of projects in the book that you can start in on right away.

Interested? Jenna Woginrich will be at Market Block Books from 11:00am to 12:00pm and the Book House on Saturday, January 24, 2008 from 1:30 to 3:00, so you'll have plenty of chances to pick up the book and meet the author. The book will be published at the end of December and will be available at both stores (Storey Publishing, $20.95 in hardcover).

Please join us in welcoming Jenna Woginrich to the Book House and Market Block Books!

Signing 12/7: The History of the Snowman by Bob Eckstein

2008-10-28T17:09:00.004-04:00

On Sunday, December 7th, 2008, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm, Bob Eckstein will be at the Book House signing his delightful wintry book, The History of the Snowman.

From the publisher's comments (you can see more by clicking on the link above):

"Who made the first snowman? Who first came up with the idea of placing snowballs on top of each other, and who decided they would use a carrot for a nose? Most puzzling of all: How can this mystery ever be solved, with all the evidence long since melted?"

Curious? We are. For the answers to these questions and many more, stop in on December 7th and talk to Bob Eckstein!

Signing 11/20: I'm Going to Dance by Erika Kirtoglou

2008-10-28T16:50:00.004-04:00

On Thursday, November 20th, 2008, at 7pm, local author Erika Kirtoglou will be signing her memoir, I'm Going to Dance: A Memoir About Traumatic Brain Injury.

In August of 1993, Kirtoglou was involved in a head-on car collision that left her in a coma. I'm Going to Dance is her story of the crash and its aftermath, which still affects her today as she lives with post-traumatic brain injury. It is an honest look at her journey through recovery.

Her website, www.survivingdancer.org, includes the following quote from Liz Tuccillo, author of He’s Just Not That Into You and Staff Writer for "Sex in the City":

"This is indeed a story about the triumph of the human spirit. Yet, Erika tells it with an unflinching honesty and humor that makes you unable to put her book down. This is the real deal, not the sugar-coated version, and we, in the end, are left dreaming Erika's dreams with her."

Please join us in welcoming Erika Kirtoglou to the Book House on November 20th!

Signings 11/15: Buy Local Day!

2008-10-28T15:03:00.018-04:00

On Saturday, November 15th, 2008, Capital District Local First will be sponsoring Buy Local Day, a day that encourages shopping locally and supporting area businesses. In honor of Buy Local Day, the Book House will have three local authors signing their books throughout the day! All books will be available for purchase the day of the event. Please help us in welcoming the following local authors to the Book House:

CHRISTINE AUCLAIR: 1:00-2:15pm

From 1:00 to 2:15pm, Christine Auclair will be signing her two books. One of her books is geared toward adults and one is written for children.

Living in New York as a Red Sox Fan: Tips & Topics from Within Enemy Lines is packed with pictures, quotes, and stories that will bolster any NY resident/Boston fan's resolve. Inside the book you'll find everything from merchandise to children's drawings, tips to tidbits, all in support of cheering for the Red Sox. Funny, sarcastic, and informative, this one belongs on any Red Sox fan's bookshelf.

You Can't Find a Rainbow in the House, teaches children the joy and importance of being outside. Accompanied by drawings and photographs, the book discusses all the wonderful things you can do outside. A portion of the proceeds go to The Magic Foundation, which offers help to children dealing with rare diseases.

COLEEN PARATORE: 1:30-3:00pm

From 1:30 to 3:00pm, Coleen Paratore will be signing her books. A local favorite with the middle reader age group, Paratore has written both picture books and chapter books. Among her many titles are the following:

In Willa By Heart, Willa (from The Wedding Planner's Daughter) and her boyfriend, Joey, seem to be the obvious choices for the lead roles in the town's production of Our Town. However, competition from a talented new girl, combined with some dancing under the stars, shake things up for Willa and Joey.

In The Funeral Director's Son, Kip Campbell longs to move far away from the family's funeral home business. The problem is that the dead talk to him, telling him what must happen before they can move on. When someone offers to pay him his weight in gold for discovering what old Billy Blye needs before he can rest in peace, Kip can't refuse!

26 Big Things Small Hands Do is one of Paratore's picture books. It works its way through the alphabet, listing all sorts of kind, friendly, generous, and helpful things little hands can do. The sweet story is accompanied by Mike Reed's beautiful illustrations.

WINIFRED ELZE: 2:30-3:30pm

From 2:30 to 3:30pm, Winifred Elze will be signing her new book, The Borgia Prince. It's a mystery set in Schenectady, NY, where a murder in the local theatre during opening night of "The Borgia Prince" leads one box office employee into a potentially dangerous confrontation.

October Mystery Extravaganza

2008-10-25T10:11:00.007-04:00

With Halloween just around the corner, it's a great time to read a gripping mystery! Here are the most popular mysteries on our shelves this month. Clicking on the title will take you to a page with more information, a picture of the cover, and an opportunity to order the book(s) for in-store pick-up!

1. Where Are You Now by Mary Higgins Clark (Simon & Schuster, $25.95 in hardcover)
2. Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark (Simon & Schuster, $24.00 in hardcover)
3. In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming (Local author! Staff pick! St. Martin's, $6.99 in paperback)
4. Friends in High Places by Donna Leon (Penguin-Putnam, $7.99 in paperback)
5. Now and Then by Robert B. Parker (Penguin-Putnam, $9.99 in paperback)
6. The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie King (St. Martin's, $14.00 in paperback)
7. A Fountain Filled with Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming (Local author! Staff pick! St. Martin's, $6.99 in paperback)
8. Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell (Penguin-Putnam, $9.99 in paperback)
9. Sweet Revenge by Diana Mott Davidson (Harper-Collins, $7.99 in paperback)
10. I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming (Local author! Staff pick! St. Martin's, $24.95 in hardcover)

In addition, our booksellers have some favorite mysteries of their own. Here are some of our series picks:

Arnaldur Indridason's Reykjavik thrillers
This international mystery series starts off with Jar City, followed by Silence of the Grave and Voices, all available in paperback. The fourth in the series, The Draining Lake, is now available in hardcover (St. Martin's, $24.95). Marggie's hooked...you could be, too!

Ariana Franklin's "Mistress of the Art of Death" series
Susan T. and Erin adore this historical mystery series. The best way we can describe it is 12th century CSI! Follow Adelia, a female physician from Salerno, as she solves mysteries for the King of England. Mistress of the Art of Death is the first in the series, followed by The Serpent's Tale. And look for the third, Grave Goods, coming in March from Penguin-Putnam ($25.95)!

Jacqueline Winspear's "Maisie Dobbs" series
Looking for a good British mystery series? Lots of Book Housers would show you Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. After serving as a nurse during World War I, Maisie starts working as a private investigator. There are five books in the series so far, with the sixth due out in February. From second to last (the first being Maisie Dobbs, link above), the series runs: Birds of a Feather, Pardonable Lies, Messenger of Truth, Incomplete Revenge, and Among the Mad.

Event 11/14: SUNY English Department Party

2008-10-23T15:09:00.008-04:00

On Friday, November 14th, 2008, from 6-8pm, the SUNY Albany English Department will be holding their annual party at the Book House. The following authors will be in attendance, with the following books being available:

Author: Branka Arsic
Book: Passive Constitutions; or, 7 1/2 Times Bartleby
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Author: Glyne Griffith, et. al.
Book: Color, Hair and Bone: Race in the Twenty-First Century
Publisher: Bucknell University Press

Author: Helene Scheck
Book: Reform and Resistance: Formations of Female Subjectivity in Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Culture
Publisher: SUNY Press

Author: Charles Shepherdson
Book: Lacan and the Limits of Language
Publisher: Fordham University Press

Author: Alifair Skebe
Book: El Aqua Es la Sangre de la Tierra: The Water is the Blood of the Earth
Publisher: Finishing Line Press

Signing 10/30: No Room for Democracy by Richard Rosenbaum

2008-10-23T13:05:00.010-04:00

On Thursday, October 30th, 2008, at 7pm, local author Richard M. Rosenbaum will be at the Book House signing his new autobiography, No Room for Democracy: The Triumph of Ego over Common Sense. Born in upstate New York in the '30s, Mr. Rosenbaum has spent many years in politics. As a former New York State Republican Party Chairman and State Supreme Court justice, Mr. Rosenbaum has plenty of stories to tell.

The book is published by Cary Graphic Arts Press in Rochester, NY. The publisher has the following kind words for Mr. Rosenbaum's book on its website:

"Dick Rosenbaum narrates each moment with his characteristic booming enthusiasm and candid anecdotes, while sharing thoughtful insights derived from witnessing the shakeups of some 45 years of American political life. Rosenbaum’s journey is a unique portrait of self-made success."

In addition, Sam Roberts of the New York Times recently reviewed No Room for Democracy. Roberts recaps a portion of the book:

"Mr. Rosenbaum recalls flying over South Dakota on Mr. Rockefeller’s private jet in 1974, eager to see Mount Rushmore, but disappointed when the plane arrived after dark. Mr. Rockefeller left his seat briefly, and by the time he returned, the monument was bathed in floodlights. 'One of the most powerful men in the country,' Mr. Rosenbaum remembered, 'had just worked a miracle of sorts for my pleasure.'"

You can find the rest of the review here. Scroll down below the political cartoons to read the relevant review.

No Room for Democracy is now available at the Book House for $17.95 in paperback. We hope you will join us in welcoming Richard Rosenbaum to our store next Thursday night!

Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

2008-10-20T08:49:00.004-04:00

Looking for a spooky read? You'll find it in the Graveyard. Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book is a deliciously chilling, yet also quirky story. Nobody Owens escaped death by a hair's breadth as a baby, saved by the denizens of the nearby graveyard. He is raised by kindly if unconventional guardians who teach him the ways of their world. The graveyard has its own dangers & pitfalls that Nobody needs to learn to navigate as he grows older. His greatest peril, however, comes from the mysterious and deadly man Jack who never quite gave up the hope that he would be able to find and deal with Nobody. Neil Gaiman, (who also wrote Coraline, Stardust, & The Anansi Boys-to name a few of my favorites) is such an incredible storyteller. His worlds are an enthralling mixture of suspense, humor, and adventure that are filled with engaging characters. This particular adventure of Nobody Owens is good for 10 & up.

Guest Post: Adam Shepard

2008-10-14T09:21:00.003-04:00

As of today, Adam Shepard's book Scratch Beginnings is available for purchase! We're thrilled to have him joining us at the Book House a week from tomorrow, on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 at 7pm. If you missed our first announcement about the event, you can check it out by clicking here.

In preparation for the signing, and to help us launch our new blog, Shepard has written a guest post for us. Here's what he has to say in anticipation of his night at the Book House:

"Man, a lot of people in my generation are spoiled. A lot of us got EVERYTHING we wanted growing up, most of us turning a blind eye to the great opportunities that we’ve been given.

"Rather than continuing to debate about it, though, I decided to act. After reading Nickel and Dimed, a well-written but flawed account of Barbara Ehrenreich’s own search for the American Dream, and after taking a good, hard look at the materialistic individualism that appeared to be brewing around me with my peers, I decided to go out and test the theory of this “American Dream” on which our great country has been founded. I started with $25 and the clothes on my back in a randomly chosen city to see if, in one year, I could have $2500, a car, and a furnished apartment at the hands of hard work and frugality.

"And, of course, things didn’t go as planned from the start. I spent 70 days in a homeless shelter, got hurt, got sick, and got my butt kicked by my roommate. Maybe I reached my goals, maybe I didn’t, but that turned out to be less important than the journey itself that I took—the process of taking control of my future every morning when I woke up, or not—and the people I met along the way. Given $25, am I going to stand up, face adversity, and fight to reach my goals or am I going to dig a hole, crawl in, and wait for somebody to come rescue me?

"Of course there is PLENTY of criticism for this story, and when I come to the Book House on October 22nd, I’m going to be ready and willing to address it.

"But, for now, I’m relishing the idea that my generation, in particular, has to step up. Put down the Playstation controller, suck it up, and go out there and make something of your life!"

We all look forward to seeing you on Wednesday at the Book House!

Signing: Weeping Under this Same Moon by Jana Laiz

2008-10-11T13:58:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, November 1st, 2008, at 3pm, Jana Laiz will be at the Book House to sign her new novel, Weeping Under this Same Moon. Laiz has also written a beautiful children's picture book, Elephants of the Tsunami.

Weeping Under this Same Moon tells the story of two teens from different cultures. Mei, an artist in Vietnam, is forced to escape as one of the refugees known as "Boat People." Hannah, a student in America, learns about the refugees' struggles and feels she must help. The two girls are ultimately brought together across cultural lines.

From the back of the book: "Weeping Under this Same Moon is a testament to the power of love and the spirit of volunteerism; affirming that doing for others does so much for one's self."

Please join us in welcoming Jana Laiz to the Book House!

Presidential Election (Fictional)--2 Wonderful Novels

2008-10-09T08:13:00.011-04:00

If you're not already registered to vote (you are, aren't you? the deadline in New York is tomorrow, October 10th), do so immediately or forfeit your right to complain for the next 4 years!

After you've done that, pick up one of these worthy novels about fictional elections. Both have pie-in-the-sky, idealistic, impossible-to-realize visions of how politics, government and society could be run, but if we want our country and the world to be a better place, don't we need to imagine and work for the changes that will get us there? In the words of George Bernard Shaw:
"Some men see things as they are and ask why? I dream dreams that never were and ask why not?" Why not indeed?

American Savior by Roland Merullo has a simple premise. Jesus has returned to 21st century America because he is worried about the direction the USA is taking and how his words have been used to support various political agendas, none of which have anything to do with faith, hope or charity. His solution? He decides to run for President of the United States. Narrated by a cynical television reporter who becomes the security chief for the campaign, we hear all the reasons why Jesus can never win--he won't fight dirty, he won't badmouth the other candidates, he won't hire a PR firm to produce glitzy television commercials in swing states. You know, he runs a clean campaign, just like our current candidates . And yet--somehow, Americans are listening to his message, understanding his solutions, and finding the best in themselves, which translates into supporting the surprise 3rd party candidate. I recommend this book--I think McCain and Obama should both read it, too. Yes, it is a political fairy tale, but don't fairy tales exist because they illuminate our archetypical desires? Read this and aspire to a better country.

Janet Tashjian is a young adult author who has written 3 books about Larry, the alter-ego of a young man named Josh. Josh's life ambition is to contribute and make the world a better place.
The first book, The Gospel according to Larry, is the story of Josh's (Larry's) Web site, in which he posts anti-consumerist sermons. It's great--read it! This post concerns the second book, Vote for Larry. Josh is back in business and looking for a new way to contribute, so he decides to run for President. (Do you sense a theme here?) Yes, he is too young to be elected, but he wants to bring attention to the issues that really matter to kids his age--the environment, the war, unemployment, education, social justice. His campaign starts with himself, his best friend Beth (on the ticket as Vice President), her boyfriend Simon, and his stepfather Peter as campaign manager. After a disastrous beginning, the campaign starts to pick up steam, and soon Josh is speaking to huge crowds of supporters across the country and his Peace Party campaign is s power to be reckoned with. Interspersed with the story (love triangle, campaign skulduggery, general angst), are pages of factoids about the environment, the increasing gap between rich and poor, quality of life, America's youth, and quotes from well-known iconoclasts from Edward Abbey to Martin Luther King, Jr. NOT JUST FOR TEENS!! If you are feeling hopeless about politics and convinced nothing will ever change, read this book--it will inspire you to be the change you want to see, right here, right now.

Keep inspiring, educating and entertaining yourself--READ!

Your vote is your voice--the only person who can silence you is you.
On November 4th, be radical--VOTE!

The Renovations Continue!

2008-10-06T19:55:00.005-04:00

The renovations continue at the Book House & Little Book House. The Book House's new counter is looking sharp with its new lights (we think they look like cheesecakes...yum!):
Meanwhile, the Little Book House is getting a new coat of paint in all kinds of fun colors!

Stop in and see us (and the renovations!)...we'd love to see you!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

2008-10-04T15:26:00.019-04:00

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Book House staff wanted to do a special post with some related news and, of course, books.

First off, the news: Marggie of the Book House recently returned from San Francisco, where she walked in the Breast Cancer 3-Day with her two daughters. They, along with almost 2,000 other participants, walked a total of 60 miles over the 3 days of the event. Together, their team of 15 (the Boob Brigade) raised $43,308, and the entire event raised $4.8 million to fight breast cancer!

Now, on to the books! There have been many breast cancer memoirs published over the past few years. We here at the Book House wanted to highlight a few.

Erin's pick is It's Not About the Hair by Debra Jarvis (Sasquatch Books, $16.95), which just came out in paperback this fall. Jarvis works as a chaplain in the general oncology department of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. The book tells of her experience of going through treatment for breast cancer while helping others undergoing similar experiences. Erin's Staff Recommendation card for the book in the store reads: "I read this book and passed it along to my mother, who read the first 50 pages and promptly bought 2 more copies for friends before finishing it herself. It's warm and honest, funny and heartbreaking. I'd recommend this book to anyone dealing with, affected by, or interested in a survivor's experience with breast cancer."

Rachel's favorite is Cancer Vixen by Marisa Acocella Marchetto (Random House, $22.00). It's a graphic memoir, told through cartoons, about battling breast cancer while living in New York City. Rachel's Staff Recommendation card reads, "This is a wonderful memoir, filled with biting humor and poignancy, of cartoonist Marisa Marchetto's battle with breast cancer in graphic novel form. I really loved it!" You can browse Marchetto's website by clicking here.

In addition, the Little Book House staff has some favorite children's books that deal with cancer. Here are two of their recommendations:

The Lemonade Club by Patricia Polacco (Penguin-Putnam, $16.99) is, as Kathleen writes, is "a look at how cancer affects a classroom--both students and teacher--as only Patricia Polacco can tell, with grace, sensitivity, and humor." When both a student and the teacher are diagnosed with cancer, their classroom comes together to support them. Kathleen continues: "Once again, Polacco delves into her rich history to share with us a beautiful, life-affirming tale--be sure to have Kleenex on hand!"

Hair for Mama by Kelly Tinkham (Penguin-Putnam, $16.99) is described by Rachel as being "simply lovely!". She goes on to say that "Marcus' mom doesn't want to be in the family photograph this year because she has lost her hair to chemo. Marcus' solution doesn't come out the way he thinks bus is the perfect answer!" It's a touching story about a child struggling to understand his mother's illness and to find a way to express his love.

Signing: The River Lock by Stephen Haven

2008-10-04T13:45:00.004-04:00

Author Stephen Haven will be joining us here at the Book House on Tuesday, October 21 at 7pm to sign copies of his memoir The River Lock: One Boy's Life Along the Mohawk.

A few lines from the inside jacket flap:
"After a fourteen-year absence from his home in Amsterdam, New York, Haven returns in the week before Easter, 2003, to the town that molded his character....Through memories of adolescence, Haven reveals how a growing understanding of art, culture, friendship, spirituality, family, and class melded to create a man able to live fully in two distinct worlds."

The River Lock was published in hardcover earlier this year by Syracuse University Press.

Haven has also written several books of poetry. He is currently the director of both Ashland University's MFA in creative writing program and the Ashland Poetry Press.

Signing: Bikeman by Tom Flynn

2008-10-04T12:55:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, October 25 at 2pm, Tom Flynn will be at the Book House to sign copies of his book Bikeman: An Epic Poem. The book is based on his experiences with September 11, 2001:

"On September 11, 2001, journalist Tom Flynn set off on his bike toward the World Trade Towers not knowing what he was riding into. Bikeman is one man's journey back to the horrors of that day and to the humanity that somehow emerged from the dust and the death. Both heartbreaking and haunting, his words will stay with you like that 'forever September morning.'" (Meredith Vieira, NBC's "Today")

The book published by Andrews McMeel Publishing was released in September. The publisher has an excellent press release online about the book, which you can read here. The same web page also includes a brief bio about Flynn.

We hope you will join us in welcoming Tom Flynn to the Book House!

Signing: Mordicai Gerstein

2008-10-03T14:50:00.018-04:00

On Friday, October 24, 2008 at 3:15 pm, children's author & illustrator Mordicai Gerstein will be at the Little Book House to sign copies of his many books! He will be in town for the Children's Literature Connection's Fall Symposium (The Art of the Book), as well as several school events, and is graciously spending some time at the Little Book House as well.

Gerstein's best known children's book is probably The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, which he both wrote and illustrated, and for which he received the Caldecott Award in 2004. The book tells the story of Philippe Petit, a French funambulist who, on August 7, 1974, walked a tightrope wire stretched between the two towers of the World Trade Center. The story is accompanied, of course, by beautifully rendered illustrations.

Another older but still popular book by Gerstein is The Mountains of Tibet. It tells the story of a Tibetan woodcutter who, at the time of his death, is given the choice between remaining in heaven or returning to a new life. The words I found most used in reference to the story were "gentle" and "tender." You can read what two people had to say about it by clicking on the title link above.

My personal favorite of the books Gerstein has illustrated is one that came out just last December. It's How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird, written by Jacques Prevert and exquisitely illustrated by Gerstein. The story is one in which reality mingles with a child's imagination, and Gerstein's whimsical illustrations capture the magic perfectly. Just glance through the pages and you'll fall in love--I did!

Gerstein has also written and/or illustrated a slew of other books. You can check out the full list on his website, here. Other well known titles include Leaving the Nest and Three Samurai Cats.

We invite you to join us in welcoming Mordicai Gerstein to the Little Book House on October 24th!

Signing: Encountering Faith in the Classroom by Miriam Diamond

2008-10-01T20:28:00.004-04:00

Please join us in welcoming Miriam Diamond, editor of Encountering Faith in the Classroom: Turning Difficult Discussions into Constructive Engagement, to the Book House on Thursday, October 2 at 7pm for a signing! The book is a compilation of essays on the topic, as the title suggests, of what happens when faith comes up in a classroom setting.

From the back of the book:
"The purpose of this book is to explore what happens--and what can happen--in the higher education, and even secondary school, classroom when course content meets or collides with students' religious beliefs. It is a resource that offers ways of conceptualizing, engaging with, and responding to, student beliefs."

In an age when people of so many varied backgrounds come into contact with one another on a daily basis, the topic of this book is certainly a relevant one. We look forward to hosting Miriam Diamond and hearing more from her tomorrow night, and we hope you can join us!

Cover Your Ears, This Book Is Banned!

2008-09-29T20:27:00.005-04:00

Join the Little Book House's Kathleen Carey, along with other local bibliophiles, when they take part in the Banned Books Read Out on Friday, October 3rd at Tess' Lark Tavern, from 6:oo-7:30. Participants will celebrate the right to free speech by reading passages of classic books--with titles for both children and adults--to an eager audience that will hopefully include you! The event is being held to close out the annual Banned Book Week, which runs from September 28th to October 4th. Kathleen will be reading from Maurice Sendak's shocking classic In The Night Kitchen, which, according to the ALA's Banned Book Resource Guide, has been challenged at a Minnesota school in 1992 because reading the book "could lay the foundation for future use of pornography," and at a Texas public library in 1994 because "the little boy pictured did not have any clothes on and it pictured his private area."

Signing: Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepard

2008-09-29T18:31:00.012-04:00

Did you read Nickel and Dimed or Bait and Switch by Barbara Ehrenreich? Author Adam Shepard did, and he felt the need to respond. Not long after graduating from Merrimack College in North Andover, MA, Shepard set out on an experiment of his own. With the clothes he was wearing, $25 in cash, and a sleeping bag and tarp in his gym bag, he arrived in Charleston, SC--randomly chosen from a hat full of cities--to see what he could make of himself in one year.

"Socioeconomically speaking, my story is a rebuttal to Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed and Bait and Switch, the books that spoke on the death of the American Dream," Shepard writes in the intro, which you can read in full on Shepard's website, here. "...my story is a search to evaluate if hard work and discipline provide any payoff whatsoever or if they are, as Ehrenreich suggests, futile pursuits."

Shepard set goals for himself. Within one year of striking out for Charleston, he would:
1. own a functional car;
2. live in a furnished apartment;
3. have $2500 to his name; and
4. be at a point where he could either go to school or start his own business as a way of bettering his situation.

Scratch Beginnings is an account of his experience. You can see Shepard talking about the book on YouTube by clicking here. Originally self-published, the book is now being published by Harper Collins and will be available in October (hardcover, $19.95). As with most new books, the author will be on tour. Guess where he's coming?

That's right...to The Book House! On Wednesday, October 22, at 7pm, Adam Shepard will be at The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza to sign and discuss Scratch Beginnings. Of course, you are warmly invited to attend!

In addition, in anticipation of the signing event, we've asked Shepard to make a guest appearance on our blog. Keep an eye out for his post!

Shocking Culinary Theft! Frankenstein Takes the Cake!

2008-09-29T11:45:00.006-04:00

In a shocking turn of events, Frankenstein has been found to have taken the cake! (Yes, all you Mary Shelley fans out there, I know it should really be Frankenstein's Monster-Frankenstein was the name of the doctor, not the creature. But Frankenstein's Monster just doesn't scan as well. What can you do?) In any case, Frankenstein has been caught in flagrante delicto with icing all over his hands on the cover of Frankenstein Takes the Cake by Adam Rex . Frankenstein first become known to the public eye in Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich also by Adam Rex. Alas, it would seem that Frankenstein was not content to merely create sandwiches. It is necessary for all well informed citizens to read this account in order to understand this scandalous episode and the motivations behind it. Would be readers are warned that they might be at risk of injuries resulting from falling out of their chairs laughing. Indeed, an excess of hilarity has been witnessed whenever someone has read the account. There has been much favorable comment on the variety of styles of the hilarious illustrations. The natural audience for this epic would be 5-10 year olds with wacky, Pythonesque senses of humor, although fans of any age of monster movies run a close second!

Bats Abandon Belfry-Seek Library Instead!

2008-09-28T09:24:00.006-04:00

Bats are forsaking their natural habitat of belfrys and caves for the wondrous world of the library! In Brian Lies' new book , Bats at the Library , a window is left open at the local library and the bats swoop in after dark to enjoy the books. At least, the older and more mature bats do. The younger ones go a bit wild mucking about with the copier and the fountain-they've never learned proper library etiquette, you see. (That never happens in the human world.) But, thankfully, at storytime, the little ones get drawn into the lovely, incredible land of books and imagination. My absolute favourite parts of the book are the wonderfully clever illustrations of children's classics reinterpreted with bat characters and titles. Bats at the Library is obviously an excellent choice for library storytimes, but the different levels of humor will appeal to a wider audience of both kids and adults as well. Enjoy!

Top Ten New Fiction Books of September

2008-09-27T16:50:00.003-04:00

Here's a list of our best-selling hardcover (new) fiction titles for the month of September. Click on each title for more information!

1. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Mary Shaffer & Annie Barrows (hardover, $22.00) Staff Pick!
2. The Garden of Last Days by Andre Dubus III (hardcover, $24.95)
3. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (hardcover, $23.95) Staff Pick!
4. American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (hardcover, $26.00) Staff Pick!
5. Indignation by Philip Roth (hardcover, $26.00)
6. The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory (hardcover, $25.95)
7. Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri (hardcover, $25.00) Staff Pick!
8. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (hardcover, $25.95) Staff Pick!
9. Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan (hardcover, $19.95)
10. World Without End by Ken Follett (hardcover, $35.00) Staff Pick!

A Brief Renovation Tour

2008-09-27T10:16:00.008-04:00

Renovations here at the Book House are coming along nicely. Here's a quick tour of what we've done so far:

The biggest project underway at present is the new counter. The Little Book House's counter has been partially dismantled, and a doorway has been cut to connect it with the new Book House counter.

The new Book House counter, which will be joined to the Little Book House counter, is starting to come together. It should be beautiful when it's done!

This is the beginning of the new entry way on the Book House side. There will be double doors instead of the single one we currently have, and you'll come straight in instead of at an angle.

The Little Book House has been getting a fresh coat of paint over the past few weeks. This means moments of chaos as the books find short term homes wherever they fit! Bear with us--it's only temporary! And we're happy to dig through the stacks to find what you're looking for so that you don't have to.

Entire walls have been dismantled to get the painting done!
The end result, however, is very clean and fresh-looking. As more of the store gets painted, we think it will really start to come together.
That's all for now. Check back periodically for more updates as the renovations move forward!

LBH Review: The Princess and the Hound

2008-09-27T08:36:00.014-04:00

We're trying out video reviews by some of our staff members to see how they work. Here's Sarah giving an impromptu review of The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison:

Top Ten Mysteries of September

2008-09-26T12:49:00.004-04:00

Ever wonder which mysteries your fellow Book House customers have been reading lately? Here's a list of our 10 best selling mysteries for September 2008. Some are national bestsellers, but some are from our own local authors! You can click on each title for more information.

1. Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell (paperback, $9.99)
2. Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson (paperback, $7.99)
3. In the Woods by Tana French (paperback, $14.00) Staff Pick!
4. Friends in High Places by Donna Leon (paperback, $7.99)
5. In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming (paperback, $6.99) Staff Pick! Local Author!
6. On the Ropes by Tom Schreck (paperback, $13.95) Staff Pick! Local Author!
7. TKO by Tom Schreck (paperback, $14.95) Staff Pick! Local Author!
8. Out of the Deep I Cry by Julia Spencer-Fleming (paperback, $6.99) Staff Pick! Local Author!
9. The Careful Use of Compliments by Alexander McCall Smith (paperback, $13.95)
10. Knitting Bones by Monica Ferris (paperback, $6.99)

What's happening at the Book House?

2008-09-09T16:10:00.004-04:00

Many of our wonderful customers have asked us why we've boarded up our front window, installed a large translucent sheet of heavy plastic where the best seller wall used to be, and begun playing obnoxiously loud construction sounds instead of nice calming music. The answer is that we're undergoing a face lift!

There are actually many things we're planning to have done, but there are four main ones:
1. First and foremost, we (well, not we personally...) are moving the sales desk on the adult side to the other side of the store. The end result will be a horseshoe-shaped counter area that will be shared by the Book House and Little Book House. Which will open up space for...

2. ...more seating plus room for events! We are hoping to have more chairs, as well as a larger open area where we can hold things like signings and readings.

3. Since we've taken out the window to fix up the counter area anyway, we'll also be changing our front entrance from a single door to double doors. We're going for something a little easier to get in and out of with strollers and wheelchairs, plus an entrance that feels more welcoming to all our wonderful customers.

4. Finally (this is a big one!), we'll be getting new carpet throughout the store. Yep, that means moving all the books and shelves so that the carpet can be installed, then putting everything back. Should be...um...fun.

So that's what's going on at your local independent bookstore. Please bear with us through the construction. We're still here, still knowledgeable, and still eager to help you find that book you're looking for. Come in and pick our brains!

Calendars are here!

2008-09-09T15:52:00.002-04:00

The number of calendars arriving daily has been increasing over the past weeks. They aren't all here yet, but we have enough in stock that they've taken over several racks and a couple of shelves of bargain books. Wall calendars, desk calendars, planners, page-a-day calendars...you name it, we're starting to get it in!

My (Erin's) personal favorites are the Moleskine planners. That's right, they're starting to arrive! They come in three different sizes and a ton of formats: weekly on one page, weekly on two pages, monthly, daily...you name it, they've got a format to match. Some of them have built-in notebooks, some have reference pages, and the bright red academic planner even comes with stickers. And of course, they all have the handy Moleskine pocket inside the back cover. I may be a bit obsessed with Moleskines, but it's just because they're awesome. Come in and check them out.

Oh, and academic planners (the kind that start in July or August of 2008 and run until the end of 2009 or so) are now on sale! It's never too late to get organized!

THE BOOK HOUSE STAFF EATS A LOT OF GARLIC

2008-08-28T14:34:00.002-04:00

We like to eat. Actually, an understatement--we really, really like to eat. Today, we celebrated our manager, Dan's birthday with takeout from the Lark Street branch of Al-Baraki. We had chicken shawarma, assorted mezze (baba ganoosh, hummus, tabbouli, grape leaves) and pita, all topped by owner Paul's sublime garlic sauce. Now, we reek of garlic and are collectively incredibly happy. Happy Birthday, Dan!
Love, The Staff

We're under construction-literally!

2008-08-28T12:18:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the new Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza blog! We'll get started posting soon, we promise. In the meantime, even though our store location is undergoing renovation, please come visit us in person and we'd be happy to talk about books and recommend reading for you or for a gift.