Stern Men by: Elizabeth Gilbert

  Book of the Day:

Stern Men by: Elizabeth Gilbert

       If you can't wait for Elizabeth Gilbert's new novel, Signature of All Things, than you might want to pick up Gilbert's first novel, Stern Men. Originally published in 2000, there's been talk of Stern Men going out of print. So when my friend Hannah and I spotted a copy in a used bookstore in Salem, Massachusetts, I told her she had to grab it. Not knowing if the rumors are true or not, I couldn't let her pass up the chance to read such a great book.
       The sharing doesn't stop there. Fellow co-worker, Rick, has also picked up a copy to bring on an upcoming vacation to New England.
        Truth be told, I can't stop recommending Stern Men. 

        Off the coast of Maine, between Fort Niles Island and Courne Have Island a feud has been brewing for decades over the ocean that lies between the island. The local lobstermen all want to fish in the sweet spot of ocean water. But as the saying goes, you can't always get what you want.
          To Ruth Thomas, Fort Niles is home. She's grown up in two homes, her first home being with her stubborn father. Her second home being with the Pommeroy's large, but loving, family of boys and a big-hearted Mrs. Pommeroy. Ruth knows how to be tough, it's in her blood. When you have a father who's a lobstermen, you quickly learn how to work hard and get what you want. Even Mrs. Pommeroy's motherly care can't smooth out Ruth's spitfire personality.
           Determined to rebel against her mother, Ruth throws away her education at a fancy boarding school at the age of 18 and sets off to be a stern man. Earning a spot on a lobstering boat is hard enough as it is, but being a young woman makes it even harder when the local lobstermen refuse to break out of their old ways. If any girl can earn a spot on a lobstering boat, it'd be Ruth Thomas.
        She may not be a romantic, but that won't stop Ruth from running into love despite the consequences. The same way being a woman won't stop her from calling herself a stern man.

     Elizabeth Gilbert has crafted a smart novel with a dash of romance. While Gilbert will satisfy your reading cravings, she'll leave you be longing for lobster. 
         




     

Rogue by: Lyn-Miller Lachmann

     

        Lyn-Miller Lachmann was signing her novel Rogue here at The Book House yesterday. Rogue follows the life of Kiara as she tries to cope with the struggles of having Asperger's syndrome. Making friends is tough and Kiara's world doesn't always make sense. She turns to Mr. Internet for answers but Mr. Internet doesn't know all. Kiara gets kicked out of school after an incident between her and a classmate. Feeling lonely she finds comfort in her hero, Rogue, who is a misunderstood X-Men mutant who had to learn how to control her special powers to keep from hurting those she touched.
          Things start to look up when Kiara becomes friends with her new neighbor Chad, she knows that she's finally found a true friendship. Chad has a big secret that Kiara promises to keep but when things get complicated Kiara has to to do what she knows is right. Through the process Kiara discovers her own super powers. 
          Rogue is one of those special books that tackle tough issues but also offers comfort for those who are trying to find their place. A great read for mature middle readers, teens, and adults alike.

         Lyn-Miller Lachmann took the time to talk thoroughly to her readers about the process of writing Rogue and how events from her own childhood inspired scenes in the novel. We really enjoyed having her at the store!

Lyn set up this awesome Leggo display for readers to look at during her talk.

My Name is Mary Sutter

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.

Graceling in Paperback!

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

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"!

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

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.)

The Customers Strike Again!

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!

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 1/24: Made from Scratch by Jenna Woginrich

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!

October Mystery Extravaganza

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.

Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

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.

Presidential Election (Fictional)--2 Wonderful Novels

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!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

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.

Shocking Culinary Theft! Frankenstein Takes the Cake!

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!

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!

LBH Review: The Princess and the Hound

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: