Holiday Message from Roy Blount Jr.

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?

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

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

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

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

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!

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!