Signing 11/13: Light by David Campano

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!