A House in the Sky by: Amanda Lindhout

Book of the Day:
A House in the Sky by: Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett

 
   I never used to find memoirs appealing until recently. In my head there was this preconceived notation that all memoirs are boring and dull. Call it teenage ignorance or just being naive, either way, I was so very, very wrong. A House in the Sky has all the makings of a breathtaking and immensely interesting memoir about a woman who was held captive in Somalia for 15 months.
     A House in the Sky starts off with a glimpse into Amanda Lindhout's childhood in a rural town of Alberta, Canada. As a child Amanda would dumpster dive with one of her brothers to collect bottles to return for cash. Amanda's bottle money was put to good use as she began to purchase old copies of National Geographic. She found that as her stack of magazines accumulated, so did her longing to travel. 
     Finally, at the age of 19, Amanda and her boyfriend at the time got out of Canada and spent 6 months in backpacking in South America. South America became a gateway destination for Amanda that led her to go on and backpack through many countries including Asia, Africa, Iran, and even Somalia.
      Ridden with war, religious tensions and poverty, Somalia is often labeled as one of the most dangerous places in the world, especially for women. At 26 years old, Amanda and her ex-boyfriend, Nigel, knew the risk they were taking when they decided to do some freelance reporting in part of Somalia. After a short time there, Amanda and Nigel were kidnapped by a group of Somalian men and held for a ransom of 1.5 million dollars each. A combined 3 million dollars for two westerners is not uncommon. In actuality, the kidnapping of westerners is a common occurrence in Somalia. and to the horror of Amanda and Nigel, there are laws set in place that stop foreign countries from paying ransoms. Amanda knows her family can't afford the ransom. She's well too aware of what happens to those whose families can't pay ransoms.

   Against the odds, Amanda survives 15 brutal months in captivity.

   A House in the Sky is a recollection of what happened during those 15 months. Amanda's bravery is awe-inspiring, it impossible to read this memoir and not be sucked into the world she became a part of. I can not recommend this book enough, it's simply a must read. 

Light Between Oceans by: M.L. Stedman

   Tom Sherbourne accepts a job offering as a lighthouse keeper on Januce Rock hoping that he'll have time to recover from the physiological effects of war. He's a dutiful man, who takes his job seriously and enjoys the peacefulness of the island so far away from home.
     Before he started his new job, a man told Tom that it takes a certain kind of woman to be a wife of a light keeper. So when Tom met Isabel while feeding pigeons one day, he didn't suspect that the playful young woman would later become his wife.
     Isabel proves to be the perfect wife to accompany Tom during his time at Jaunce. She tends to their small home and goes about fulfilling wifely duties. While her tasks satisfy her need to keep busy, Isabel wants nothing more than to be a mother. Many miscarriages later, Isabel realizes that she may never bear a child.
     Lucy is driven into depression, and Tom doesn't know how to restore his wife's hope of having children, until one night when a small boat drifts ashore carrying the body of a dead man and a baby girl bundled in a woman's cardigan. Tom immediately wants to call for help and record the events in his log, as a good light keeper should, but his wife convinces him to put it off for just one day. Isabel is completely smitten with the baby girl whom she names Lucy. Tom warns his wife not to become too attached, but his efforts are futile. Isabel wholeheartedly believes Lucy is a gift from God and can't be swayed to believe otherwise. With a dreadful pit in his stomach, Tom agrees to keep baby Lucy as their daughter and sends the body and boat back to sea.
       For nearly two years Tom and Isabel raise Lucy as their daughter until Tom finishes his required time as the light keeper. Returning home with Lucy is shockingly different from what Tom and Isabel imagined it would be. It doesn't take long for the couple to realize that, despite what they thought, there are consequences to taking a child that isn't theirs.
      
       I read The Light Between Oceans whenever I could, even if it was only for a few minutes. M.L. Stedman has written such a engrossing novel it is almost impossible to read in more than one sitting. As the reader, you're aware that life for the Sherbournes isn't going to be an easy one-after all, they've committed a serious crime, even if they had good intentions. Stedman will have you rooting for the characters you love and biting your nails to find out their fate.

Jabba the Puppett Is On His Way!

       Before there was Darth Vader & Son, or Vader's Little Princess, there was Tom Angleberger's Star Wars inspired children's books Origami Yoda. The series has been a huge hit with children and parents alike and continues to grow. On August 6th, 2013,  the fourth book in the series, The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett. will be released.While we all eagerly await the books arrival, we can get a kick out of admiring the Little Book House's new Jabba the Puppett display!
  
      If you'd like to pre-order a copy of The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppet you can call the Book House at (518) 489-4761.

The series in order:

1. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

2. Darth Paper Strikes Back 

3. The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee 

    May the force be with you!

Guilty Pleasures

There's no doubt that 50 Shades of Grey has spiced up Romance as a genre. But 50 Shades certainly isn't the only romance novel out there that's guaranteed to keep you hooked. Alexis, our Romance novel expert, has recently revived our Romance section to include a wide array of novels, including the popular uprising genre New Adult. (You can read all about the New Adult genre here in Alexis' most recent blog post.)
      Whether you're looking for a mild, medium, or hot read, we have it!

 Here are just a few of many books on Alexis' shelf:

If you like your romance novels on the mild side, try:
  
    1. Beautiful Disaster by: Jamie McGuire
       Abby Abernathy is trying to make it through college without making her presence, or her past, known. Though loud-mouth Travis Maddox isn't going to make that possible. Travis is known for his reputation with girls so when Travis and Abby lock eyes at one of his infamous fights, he's sure that he can win her over. Travis soon finds out that he's underestimated Abby. While she may seem innocent and shy on the outside, her past is just as checkered as Travis'.
     Beautiful Disaster is passionate read about two headstrong characters who can't help but fall in love. Best part is, Jamie McGuire has written Abby and Travis' story through Travis' point of view in her newest novel, Walking Disaster. Alexis and I both loved these two romantic reads.


 If you're looking for a romance novel right between mild and hot, try:

     2. Thoughtless by: S.C. Stephens (The first in the trilogy!) 
         " Kiera and her boyfriend Denny move across the country to live with his rockstar friend, Kellan. When sparks fly between Kellan and Kiera, can she resist? A powerful trilogy about love, loss, and fighting for happiness." -Alexis



If you want a really hot romance, try:
 
    3. The Breathless Trilogy by: Maya Banks (The first is Rush)
          "Gabe, Jace, and Ash are young billionaire play boys. Each book follows one as they find love. All three novels are full of lots of lust, fights, and deception, but always give you a perfect ending." -Alexis

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. 
         




     

The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by: Anton DiSclafani

        The Book House Book of the Day: 

The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by: Anton DiSclafani

   Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls is without a doubt, the best novel I've read so far this summer. Thea Atwell's role in a family tragedy has her sent away to Yonahlossee in the middle of the Great Depression. She's always been a talented rider after spending years practicing on her pony, Sasi. But Thea doesn't want to go to camp, she wants to stay close to her family in Florida. Growing up, family was all Thea had. Living on a secluded citrus farm meant never coming into contact with the outside world. Thea didn't have friends, didn't go to a public school. Instead her brother and twin, Sam, and her were home-schooled. Who needs friends when you have a twin?
          As she reaches young-adulthood, Thea starts to notice physical and mental changes. Though Thea isn't the only one to notice these changes. There's a person watching from the sidelines who may just break her family apart.
       While Thea has made her share of new friends, she's still careful about how much she reveals about herself. Not all the girls at Yonahlossee are loyal to each other and in a camp full of girls, secrets and rumors are bound to spread.
     Mrs. Holmes doesn't make life easy for Thea either. Her and her husband, Mr. Holmes, run the camp together. Thea can't read Mrs. Holmes like she can most people. She can never tell when Mrs. Holmes is impressed or displeased with her. When Thea begins to teach the Holmes children how to ride horses, Thea decides that Mr. and Mrs. Holmes simply aren't right together. His soft demeanor is no match for her stoic nature. Maybe Mr. Holmes' demeanor is the reason why Thea finds herself enjoying his presence. Or maybe it's because of his handsome, slender figure. Whatever the reason, Thea begins enjoying Yonahlossee more and more. She slowly finds herself disconnecting from her past and riding into an uncertain future. 
        This novel has everything I could ask for in a book. A perfect blend of seduction, suspense, history, and excellent writing. This coming of age tale will have you holding on tight until the end.
     
          The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls is also featured the Indie Bestseller list.

Ramadan Reads

      Monday evening the sacred month long Muslim holiday, Ramadan began.In honor of the holiday, The Little Book House has set up a Ramadan display that includes some beautiful children's Ramadan reads, a few of which are featured below.

1.Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Battuta 1325-1354 by: James Rumford

     This world traveler, James Rumford, has retold Ibn Battuta's journey through many Islamic lands using written and illustrative storytelling. He weaves intricate and elaborate ancient Arab maps within the story to take you through the life and travels of Ibn Battuta.

2.  My Name is Bilal by: Asma Mobin-Uddin
         Ayesha is a young Muslim girl who is struggling to assimilate into an American school. She becomes a victim of bullying because of two boys ignorance.
         Bilal is a witness to Aseya's bullying and wants to stand up for her. But standing up to the bullies also means exposing the fact that Bilal is also Muslim.While Bilal wants to protect his friend, he doesn't want to become the bullies new target.
         A heart-warming story about two young people who struggle to find their place and identity. This is a book every child should read and enjoy.

 

3. Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by:Hera Khan

This book uses beautiful and colorful illustrations to explain (and celebrate) some Islamic traditions. Fun and informative!

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.

       

Short Story Saturday

         Sometimes my brain just can't handle a whole novel. Especially when I'm on the go or waiting in a doctor's office and don't want to get suck into a story that I can't snap out of. It's times like those that have me turning to short stories. Times when I just want a satisfactory taste of a story without feeling like I'm sitting down for a four-course meal.
       Here are some delicious short-stories for your literary sweet tooth.


1. The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis by: Lydia Davis 
          You might have heard about Davis recently winning the Man Booker International Prize. But you might not realize that this award winning author resides right in Albany. The Man Booker International prize isn't given for any specific piece of work, but for an author's collection works. Which would explain why MacMillan has published this lovely collection of Davis' short stories.
          Davis' collection is an absolute treat. If you ask me, Davis is changing the way author's write short stories. She's known more for her three sentence stories than she is her longer short stories. Being able to entice a reader with only a few sentences is a true talent that Lydia Davis has mastered. 

2. Dear Life by: Alice Munro 
           Munro recently announced that she is officially retiring from writing. Claiming that there will be no more short stories after her newest collection, Dear Life, which came out late last year. The stories within this collection are a perfect reflection of the title. They all give the reader insight into the human nature. You can't read these stories without realizing how unpredictable a seemingly normal life can be. Not to mention, the paperback version of Dear Life is set to be released July 30th, 2013. 




3. Vampires in the Lemon Grove by: Karen Russell
         In 2012 Karen Russell became a Pulitzer Prize finalist for her novel, Swamplandia. Her quirky story-telling is back in this collection of oddball tales. Whether it's writings about two vampires sucking lemons or a group of factory girls turning into silk human silk worms, Russell's writing is always unpredictable. You might pick up Vampires in the Lemon Grove for the crazy plots. But you'll stay for the writing, it's the icing on the cake. 


      

Book of the Day: The Boyfriend App by: Katie Sise

   Sunday, June 30th, Katie Sise signed copies of her young adult novel, The Boyfriend App for a crowd of readers.
   Audrey McCarthy wants out of high school. During her senior year things are rapidly changing and not for the better. With her father's passing and a dear friend turning into an enemy, Audrey just wants a fresh start in college.
   In order to pay for college tuition, Audrey enters a competition that is looking for the best app designed by a high schooler. The $200,000 prize could surely put Audrey through college. So she sets off to develop the Boyfriend App. After the Boyfriend App takes off, Audrey becomes the center attention at school. She's getting kissed by hot boys and befriend by the popular girls. Despite all the new popularity, Audrey begins to wonder if her Boyfriend App works as well as she hoped it would...

        This cute romantic comedy is perfect for teens that are looking for a fun, summer read! The Book House has a limited amount of autographed copies that are still up for grabs!

Lost Generations by: Steven Noble

         On Sunday, Steven Noble was at The Book House signing copies of his newest book, Lost Generations, a medical and psychological thriller. Dr. Jack Del Rio just wants to relax with a scotch on his boat, but an unexpected phone call has him taking a trip into a terrifying episode that happened 20 years ago. He has spent the past 20 years trying to forget about the young woman who he cared for and the baby that went missing in the middle of the chaos. Jack knew that the woman was a victim of a terrible crime but he was unsuccessful at convincing anyone else to investigate.
            Years later, there's a new team of detectives that have found a dead baby in a Newport home in Rhode Island that has direct ties to the events that occurred the night Jack took care of the young woman. The detectives are desperate for Jack's help on the case, but Jack isn't interested in getting involved. When the detectives present new evidence to Jack he suddenly realizes how close he is to the case and how much he could help. But what happens when Jack's medical expertise is used against him and he's labeled as a suspect? Drawing from his experiences as a doctor and a Rhode Island native, Steven Noble has writing is authentic and thrilling.

The Book House has a limited amount of autographed copies of Lost Generations for purchasing. Pick up a copy while you can! 

Or call The Book House to have us put a copy aside for you: (518) 489-4761

Road Trip Reads

     'Tis the season for adventures! But most of the time, before you reach your destination you must endure the road-trip. If you're one of the lucky ones who can read in the car, here are some perfect books to bring along for the ride.
        
            1. Travels with Charley by: John Steinbeck
                       Anything written by John Steinbeck is a classic and Travels with Charley is no exception. Steinbeck writes about a road trip he took later on in life with his standard poodle, Charlie. While part of the book is based on his personal experiences Steinbeck had while traveling, some of the places and characters are fictionalized making Travels with Charley another great American novel.
     
            2. Blue Highways: A Journey into America by: William Least Heat-Moon
                    Sensing a theme here? Recommend from my fellow co-worker and bookseller, Rick, Blue Highways is a non-fictional account of William's journey across America. William refused to follow current maps that depict roads in red ink. Instead he opted for following only the old blue ink roads along the map. He traveled across the U.S. using only the back roads and avoiding interstates at all costs. This longer wandering pays off in rich experience and story telling. Read about America through the eyes of a man who strayed off of the nicely paved path and listened to the stories the locals had to tell.

     3. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values by: Robert M. Pirsig 
                  Robert M. Pirsig and his young son took a 17-day motorcycle from Minnesota to California and along the way had many philosophical discussions which centered around the concept of quality. Pirsig believes that "quality" is undefinable and throughout the ride he tries to understand the world through two different view points: rational and romantic. A philosophical read for the every-day bookworm, Pirsig tries to find zen in a world of rationality. Don't expect to find any motorcycle advice in this book but do expect to find yourself having internal-philosophical debates during your trip after reading this book. It's worth it.

    4. The Road Not Taken: A Selection of Robert Frost's Poems by: Robert Frost 
             This particular edition that we carry in the store includes an introduction and commentary by Louis Untermeyer. Of course Robert Frost is an extremely well-known poet but his nature poems are the ones that earned him a spot on our "Road Trip Reads" list. His poems aren't too long or too short and are great for carrying around and reading leisurely. I love bringing a collection of poetry with me on my trips and think Frost fits the bill nicely. 


    5. The Bean Trees by: Barabara Kingslover
             The Bean Trees is Kingslover's first novel and is often labeled as a "modern classic." It's easy to get stuck in a small town and Taylor Greer has grown up trying to avoid the same life her mother has gone through. After successfully avoiding teenage pregnancy and getting stuck in the small town lifestyle, Taylor takes her rusty old car on the road and heads for a new life out West. With her rural town of Kentucky in the rear view mirror, she sets out to embrace her Cherokee heritage. But no road map could predict the stop that causes Taylor to inherit a 3 year-old Native American girl named Turtle. Together Turtle and Taylor travel through Oklahoma and Tucson to Arizona. Taylor knows it's not going to be an easy trip but is it going to be worth the gas? I fell in love with this novel and can't wait to read more of Kingslover's works.

    
             The Book House also carries a large range of travel guides, maps, hiking books, Mad Libs, crossword puzzles and other games for your road trip needs. We also received a shipment of lovely walking sticks that come in a range of sizes perfect for summer hiking.

 Here's a picture of a younger 

Sully on his first road trip!