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. 
         




     

Caldecott Medal 75th Anniversary

      In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Caldecott Medal, The Little
Book House employees have put together a window display full of Caldecott winners and honorees that will be on display for the rest of the summer.
       While admiring my co-worker's...well...work, I began to think about my favorite Caldecott books. Which lead me to ask some of my co-workers what their favorites are.
  Here are our Caldecott picks!

Rachel:  As manager of the Little Book House, Rachel has read tons of great children's book. She is the Little Book House guru. When I asked what her favorite Caldecott winner/honoree book is, I instantly knew I was being unfair. If you ask a bookseller what their favorite book is you'll never get just one title. But Rachel told me her heart is torn between The Snowy Day by: Ezra Jack Keats and  Umbrella by: Taro Yashima, which she read as a child. Both beautiful, classic tales.

Khahilia: I love Khai's taste in books. She reads the most interesting things! It only seemed fitting that she would choose Anansi the Spider: A Tale from Ashanti by: Gerald McDermott. Anansi is rich in traditional West African designs and full of bold color. It's gorgeous both in the story and the illustrations.

Alexis: Anyone who knows Alexis knows that she has a spunky, outgoing personality. Her passion for books is evident. I wasn't the least bit surprised when she chose Where the Wild Things Are by: Maurice Sendak as one of her favorite Caldecott winners. While the movie may have given Where the Wild Things Are a popularity boost, it doesn't compare to sitting down and reading about Max's adventures.

Rick: Rick and I often talk about our love for New England and nature. So his choice, Make Way for Ducklings by: Robert McCloskey, wasn't surprising either. In fact, after talking to my co-workers, I realize that we all picked books that seem to reflect some part of our personalities.

          As for me, I will always love Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type by: Doreen Cronin which tells the story about a group of literate cows that type up a list of demands that the farmer needs to fulfill if he wants the cows to produce anymore milk.

I'm sure my co-workers weren't surprised.

In addition to Caldecott winners/honorees, the Little Book House has stocked up on a great selection of summer reading books. If you don't have time to browse, you can call us at (518) 489-4761 and ask us to put aside a copy of the book you're looking for. If we don't have the book you're looking for in stock, we'd be more than happy to order it for you! It usually only takes a few business days for books to arrive.