Lit-Mag-Love-Train

I love literary magazines. It isn’t hard to do. They’re packed with beautiful and strange and provocative material. I love them! So much! For the times they make my chest feel wonderfully inadequate, and for those when I have to squirm, often in awe, and for others when I don’t know what to know, or to think, really, except that there’s something to the words that I can’t keep myself from wanting. 

I want as many people on my lit-mag-love-train as I can get; there are quite a few already, but I’m greedy: I want more. And it’s not even my train, I’m just a passenger. But I’m on it, I’m snacking, it’s fun, I’m meeting stories, poems and essays, reviews, critiques, interviews, sometimes people I know, a lot of times not. I make friends. I’m not the most outgoing person, but stories

(stories because they’re what I tend towards, although I’ve been lately very much enjoying interviews in The Paris Review, the reading of them feeling to me a little how I do when walking around at night as people’s curtains are wide and house innards visible, which is to say completely curious and sometimes covetous and other times comforted, maybe a little freaked out, as freaky as it may be to read what I’ve just revealed, but it’s true: I like to see what people are doing, or what a room does by itself, and interviews, in their many ways, provide that same satisfaction, about heads and processes and approaches; also, I’ll take any tight poem that wrings its extra out and leaves me with chewy, rich prose, which, really, is what I look for in stories, too, so we’re back, at last, to what I started with),

stories have a way of making me feel at home, even when I’m unfamiliar with the structure. But when I’m unfamiliar, I’m curious, so come the questions, to which I receive answers, or part of one, or nothing, really, that I can do much with at all, but even then, these bodies have invited me to ask, which is some of the most fun, revelatory engagement: how does the writer make this feeling in me, how does this character get away with saying that, how can something so mundane and originally familiar be suddenly so tilted and terrifying? How! Do! They! Do it?!

I sound a little like a nut. I’m some of one, sure.

Before I worked at G. Roots, I grew up visiting here, brought by parents to pick through kids’ books and, later, coming on my own to wander the store until I remembered a day contains time and tasks within its time needing done and then, because I’d lost all track of things, I skedaddled. And then I came back. This happened in high school, in college on breaks to home, and then when I moved home but worked elsewhere, and then again during times back from grad school, and now that I’m here and one of the GR bees I get to be with the shelves every day I’m in, and then on some days I’m not expected, too, because I just can’t help myself. All my time in here was, and is still, research – isn’t that the best? That all these guts be things that, to interact with, will yield good, even if I don’t always like or get it, and then the times that I do. Still, at some point down some road, I’ll benefit from having run into the material, I know it, I’ve felt it, I’ll feel it again. It’s fantastic.

So maybe I’m not so much a nut as I am a smart cookie. Like one of those from the bakery two doors down, built of super dough full of seeds and carob and the sweet and the salt and the nuts, slivers of them, or meal, for texture, taste. Maybe.

Are you on my train yet? Have you heard its horn? Are you making your hands like a megaphone and yelling CALYX as we blow past, Corvallis, or is there a toot that sometimes sounds like a tone the eco(system) would make, or others like something tin, maybe a house in our valley’s rain and wind, and sometimes you can tell that it’s not in Paris anymore, though that’s where it began, that lilt. Sometimes it’s public. Sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s normal, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s the way a box might sound, a coffin, maybe, if somehow you got in it and shouldn’t have and were doing your best, then, to get out. To sound the alarm. Some! Are! Jubila(n)t! Others strictly poet(ry)ic.

In college, then grad school, I got myself into all the bookstores I could find, which, in grad school, in my little Wyoming town alone, made for four independents and a Hasting’s box, cruising their contents, looking not only for books but lit mags, too, old ones, new ones, going home and searching online for them, taking any found to my basement to cull, erecting towers of them on the bedside table. Researching. Because each one is an anthology, a sampler, of what the editors found interesting, what they felt fit their call for submissions, if they had one; what, at the heart of it all, moved them. It’s insightful stuff, seeing what moves people, and if you’re writing, that kind of information is indispensable. You might be hoping to publish. You might be hoping to start your own little animal to put on the train or maybe to have in your yard, to feed, to exercise, to love. Perhaps you’re hoping for direction. Perhaps you’ll find just the place that’s been looking for you, and you it.

This town, beaver as it is, is one lucky duck, too, beefy with writers, many of whom work at the university, and many in the MFA Program in Creative Writing. MFA meaning, among other things, even more writers working on collections or novels or chapbooks and, writers, am I lucking into you reading this? Will you be visiting us to find not only the books but the literary magazines, too, ready here to inspire, full of what the big guns and kids are doing these days with language and story, dripping with discoveries. And then: just who will you find who wants to eat your story or poem or essay because it’s too good to let go once received? Come and decide! Do you see this? Visit! We’ll sweeten the deal, up the ante, ticket you for the lit-mag-love-train by offering a discount to students who come for a journal and mention their studentness. Like: Hey, I’m in the MFA. Or: Hey, I’m in high school and dig journals. Or: Get this, I’m in undergrad and this whole literary magazine thing really, really revs me, you know? I know. I’ve been there. I’m there right now, which is here, ready to welcome all you about to stream in. To point you to shelves and hear your suggestions for more journals. I will nerd out about literary magazines with you any time you want. Seriously. And remember, I’m not the most outgoing. But when it comes to this, if nothing else, I grin a lot and flap my hands and yeah, I ooo and ahhh and point and elbow and everything. Whatever it takes to get you stoked about these gems with me, supporting writers sticking their prosey, poetic necks out, and editors and/or publishers sticking out their pockets, and all of them their hearts, giving us these thoughtfully arranged words to build worlds in our heads and make us feel.

The Power of Mooch

     The life of a grown up can be a busy place. We’ve all been there. And although we are all lucky enough to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, there are times when the solace and wisdom found in the nature around us is overlooked or forgotten. These are the times nature can help us the most. The birds the trees, the bugs the leaves, and even our very own cats and dogs can connect us to something that is still and soothing. 

     Finding this can be profound, at least, but it doesn’t have to be melodramatic all the time. It can be simple, succinct and fun. This is exactly why I love reading the comics and children’s books of Patrick McDonnell so very much. Not only is he an award winning cartoonist who declaratively illustrates our companionship with and love of nature and animals, he is a real crusader for animal rights. He sits on the national board of directors for the humane society and regularly works with animal protection groups.

     His collections of comic strips are always great to have when you need a pick up. My copy of Stop and Smell the Roses at home has well worn pages that I have opened many times for a quick and quirky dose of animal wisdom. His newest collection, Our Little Kat King, is even better! Mooch & Earl, and other various woodland and suburban creatures, bring a smile to the face and the feeling that everything is right with the world. 
     Recently, his collaboration with Eckhart Tolle was released in paperback. Guardians of Being: Spiritual Teachings from Our Dogs and Cats is one of those books that I buy in bulk and give away as often as possible. Each page presents one of McDonnell’s illustrations, and words by Eckhart Tolle that remind us to live in the present moment. They direct the reader to look to their pets as Zen masters who always live in the now. It is poignant, heartwarming and most importantly applicable in our everyday lives.

     What Tolle says in Guardians of Being sums up McDonnell’s illustrations pretty well saying, “Everything natural –every flower, tree, and animal – has important lessons to teach us if we would only stop, look and listen.” Patrick McDonnell so effortlessly shows us that in our busy lives we can be present, content, and compassionate. What’s even more, and probably the most important is that he allows us to share this with our children.

     Over the years, McDonnell has written several children’s books. They all follow a similar picture book format, featuring around forty pages of his wonderful comic illustrations alongside delightful lines of text.  The Gift of Nothing was his very first children’s book. In it Mooch the cat doesn’t know what to get Earl the dog as a gift because he already has everything. In the end he discovers that he can give Earl a moment; a precious present moment with his best friend. This cute story has a very Zen feel. I have used it during story time often- both with the physical book and as an interactive oration. In either situation children love the book and understand the message.
     In Just Like Heaven Mooch the cat wakes up to quite a foggy day and decides he must be in heaven. The story is a look at everyday beauty and wonder.  The people and places we love are to be appreciated here and now. It reminds me of my foggy morning commutes. Is heaven really just a place on earth? In South, McDonnell actually leaves out print and tells a story just with pictures. I love reading this particular story with children and letting them help tell the story as we go through each of the illustrations. A small bird is left behind by the flock when they fly south. Who will help him find his way??? Mooch of course! The simplest of his books is probably Wag!, which explores what makes Earl the dog’s tail really get going. Earl knows the secret to the joy of life. Do you?

     One of my very favorite picture books is Hug Time, which was recently released in a board book version. How exciting! It can be shared with even younger folks now. Jules the kitten goes on a mission to hug the whole world! He hugs a giraffe, tree, petite pudu and even a “species brand new!” It’s all so precious! 
     And of course, what better way to connect our children with the wisdom and beauty of nature than through a picture book version of Dr. Jane Goodall’s biography? Me…Jane presents the story of a young Dr. Jane Goodall who wanted most of all to live with and help animals. Then what do you know? She does. The story is laid out a little different than his previous books with anecdotes straight from Goodall’s autobiography.  When Jane was young, she and Jubilee (her stuffed chimpanzee) started the Alligator Society for young naturalists. McDonnell includes well executed illustrations from her ‘nature notebook’ as she explores the wilderness around her, including squirrels and chickens! Not only does this book challenge children to explore and learn from the world around them, it also shows them that big dreams can, and do, come true. Kids aren’t the only ones who need to be reminded of this. We all do.

     I think Patrick McDonnell says it best himself -“The world is so big…And yet so small. It’s time that we embrace it all.”

What's cookin'?

It is lunch time at Grass Roots, so it must be time to discuss food. At least we should talk about books about food. Oh, I do love a good cookbook...

The inventory surveys we asked people to complete a few weeks ago has brought some lovely changes to our shelves, including an increased cooking section with more variety. (Thanks for the feedback!) One of the significant changes I noticed right away is more ethnic cookbooks. Yum!

We've included a few Indian cookbooks in our inventory, including 660 Curries: The Gateway to Indian Cooking by Raghavan Iyer, and How to Cook Indian by Sanjeev Kapoor, who is quite the celebrity chef in the rest of the world. Personally, I am not familiar with Indian cuisine, but there are over 1,100 recipes between these two books. That sounds like a pretty good foundation to me, and one to explore. You could make a night of it and read A Passage to India by E.M. Forster with your book group, and enjoy a recipe out of one of these cookbooks.

Italian cooking is something I have considerably more experience with, though I there's no way I could compete with Giada. The Glorious Pasta of Italy by Domenica Marchetti may just up my game, however. Sadly, I'm a sucker for a well-designed cookbook with nice pictures, but that is not the only reason I admire this one. There's a lot of information about pasta here, including buying and using dried pasta, a glossary of pasta shapes, and recipes and tips for making your own pasta at home. (I admit I cheat; I use a Kitchenaid. But it's still delicious!) It also covers basic sauces, but then it moves beyond. Bake it, sauce it, stuff it--heck, you can even make it sweet! If you love pasta, you've got to check this one out.

I can not not talk about international cookbooks without mentioning something French. This recommendation, however does not include pretty pictures. To make up for it, there is a recipe for Oreilles de Veau Farcies, Sauce Bernaise. I'm not going to translate that for you. The French Menu Cookbook, a classic tome by Richard Olney, will do that for you. It's a tidy little book organized with menus and wine pairings. If you think an evening reading The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry by Kathlenn Finn while nibbling on Fonds d'Artichauts aux Deux Mousses with a fine wine is your idea of a good time, I recommend this book.

Surely that's enough to keep your mouth watering until you come by and visit us. If you can't wait, you can click on the titles that interest you, and the link will take you right to our fantastic new website, www.grassrootsbookstore.com. Easy browsing and ordering right there!

Hopefully, though, you'll still come by and visit us. See you in the bookstore!

Pamela.

Greetings from the bookstore!

Just in case you were worried, I just want to reassure you that Grass Roots Books & Music is still here. We are even moreso still "HERE" since we have a new website. The new and improved grassrootsbookstore.com is awesome. You should definitely go take a look at it if you haven't seen it. Go ahead. I'll wait.

See what I mean? You can order from home and check our inventory from home whenever it strikes your fancy. And if by chance you have emptied your list of "books to read" (If you're like me, that will NEVER happen...), you can always check in with our staff recommendations. You'll find everything from our Nightstand reviews from the Grass Roots Reader newsletter, to specialized lists of Children's, Local, and Seasonal titles. And more is to come! (My Cooking recommendations will be coming soon!)

It has also been a few couple of months for events in the store, so it's really no wonder I haven't had time to blog. For poetry month in April, we hosted a wonderfully diverse crowd of local poets. May has been aflame with more local authors, and we have more planned in June. There are many local writers with new books out this year, and we're hosting three of them next month. George Estreich will join us June 4 at 2 p.m. for a reading and signing, Marjorie Sandor will lead a memoir-writing workshop on June 11 at 2 p.m., and Katie Kacvinsky will be here June 25 at 2 p.m. for a reading and signing. So much going on! (And more to come... Kathie Sever July 14...Laurie Notaro October 1...I could just squeal!) Follow along here, be our fan on Facebook, sign up for our newsletter, or stop by the store to keep up with what's new!

Certainly more new stuff will follow. I've seen some exciting changes in a few sections as a result of our recent surveys (Cooking and Crafts! YES!) which I will be talking about more in depth very soon. Our new website will keep improving, I (hopefully we...) will blog more often, and we'll work even harder to make shopping at Grass Roots your best book shopping experience ever. (Just please let us know how we can do that!)

With all that's new, however, somethings never change: I'll see you at the bookstore!

Pamela.

New Music Tuesday

It's another week, and a new batch of music has hit the shelves. Thanks to our music buyer, Scott, we have reveiws to share:

 

 

Adele, 21    $11.95

Torchy, soulful London singer evokes white soul singers like Amy Winehouse and Duffy, but reaches further back for influence, to Dusty Springfield and Etta James.  Her second album focuses on her syrupy, sweet voice, perfect for her songs about broken hearts.

Builders and the Butchers, Dead Reckoning  $12.95

This Portland quintet's fifth album ranges from folk to back porch bluegrass to gutbucket blues, all fueled by a raucous garage spirit.  Renowned for their kinetic live performances, their new effort seeks to recreate that energy on disc.

Johnny Cash, From Memphis to Hollywood: Bootleg Vol 2    $15.95

The second album in a series that brings to light rare, archival tracks from Cash's early career.  This new collection features cuts from Cash's personal tapes, recorded between 1954 and 1970, including many from his Sun Studio sessions.

Cave Singers, No Witch  $14.95

The third full-length album by this harmony-heavy Seattle folk-rock outift.  "No Witch is grander and more lush than The Cave Singers' previous efforts. It's also a nervier, scrappier affair: greasy guitars buck and rear up; Eastern-influenced blues snake through songs; gospel choirs rise up like tidal waves."

G. Love, Fixin' to Die    $10.95

G. Love has always occupied a rare space between folk, blues and hip hop.  On his new CD, produced by and with insturmental help by the Avett Brothers, the singer takes a big step towards percussion-heavy roots music.

Gibson Brothers, Help My Brother  $19.95

IBMA Award winners, Eric and Leigh are widely recognized as the finest brother duet in bluegrass music today.Their tenth release features 12 tracks, most of which are originals, feature guest spots by Alison Brown, Ricky Skaggs and Claire Lynch.

Johnny Irion & Sarah Lee Guthrie, Bright Examples    $12.95

The husband and wife duo's second full-length album is produced by Vetiver's Andy Cabic and Thom Monahan. The 12 original songs highlight the duo's patented country rock songwriting and rich vocal harmonies beautifully intertwining with Vetiver's West Coast pastoral psych-rock aesthetic.  Special guests include Mark Olson and Gary Louris.

Loch Lomond, Little Me Will Start a Storm  $13.95

"Elegant yet uneasy, this intriguing Portland sextet echoes the nervous grace of Arcade Fire and the New Pornographers, minus the electric charge. Frontman Ritchie Young can sing delicate and high or mournful and low, and while his dense chamber-pop songs employ clarinet, violin, mandolin, and marimba, they never feel overwrought."

Low Anthem, Smart Flesh    $13.95

The unique Rhode Island multi-instrumentalists straddle both traditional and modern folk, blues and even jazz and neo-classical elements.  Recorded in an abandoned factory, the songs, "shuffle like a Crescent City dirge played on an Appalachian dusty road."

Sean Rowe, Magic  $15.95

Like a hybrid of Leonard Cohen and Greg Brown, the New York singer songwriter sings in a rusty baritone, frequently backed only by a picked guitar and cello, with occasional piano.

Blues/Jazz
Various Artists, Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Celebration  $17.95

Celebrating 40 years of releases, the seminal blues label collects 2 discs of their favorite tracks from across the years.  Artists include Koko Taylor, Marcia Ball, Buddy Guy, JJ Grey and more.

Irish/Celtic

Celtic Thunder, Heritage  $18.95

A frequent presence on PBS fundraisers, these Irish music veterans combine traditional elements of Celtic music with dramatic orchestral flourishes and contemporary rock.

Kids

Putumayo Artists, Acoustic Dreamland  $15.95

Chosen especially for moments of relaxation and rest, the label's new collection features calming pieces played by Hem, Daniel Martin Moore, Lucy Kaplansky and more.

New Music Tuesday

Apologies for the late publication. It's been one of those weeks... Time to soothe that savage beast with some fresh music!

Pop/Rock

* Nicole Atkins, Mondo Amore  $13.95
The New Jersey singer-songwriter's follow-up to her critically praised 2007 Neptune City.  A lot has changed since then, including Atkins' band and label, but what remains is the artist's dramatic, orchestra "pop noir." 

* Drew Holcomb, Chasing Someday  $12.95
"To counter the Nashville hokum-heavy stereotype of big hats, steel guitars and tear-in-your-beer emotion of a man's relationship with his tractor, there's the gloriously un-twang music of Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors.Holcomb's savvy combination of earnest midwestern rock and folksy southern charm have burnished his reputation and dramatically expanded his audience."

* Jessica Lea Mayfield, Tell Me  $15.95
The singer-songwriter's second album is produced by Black Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach, who brings fuzzed-out guitars and a retro spirit and sound to Mayfield's songs.  The eclectic mix blends bits of blues, country and jazz. 

* Various, The Music Inside: Collaboration Dedicated to Waylon Jennings  $10.95
A tribute to the music of the country music legend.  Contributors include Jamey Johnson, Shooter Jennings, Patty Griffin and more. 

* Over the Rhine, Long Surrender  %15.95  DEMO
The husband and wife duo's new album is produced by iconic songwriter and instrumentalist Joe Henry.  In addition to providing instrumental help, Henry contributes his trademark atmospheric touch, as well as an increasing jazz emphasis to the duo's cinematic folk-pop. 

* Danny Schmidt, Man of Many Moons  $17.95
"The arrangements are bare and revealing. It's just Danny and guitar with bass, a tiny bit of piano and harmonica, and some haunting vocal support from fellow Red House artist, Carrie Elkin and Raina Rose. The songs center around the tricky concept of commitment, and the result is another glimpse into the complicated psyche of this talented, Austin-based emerging singer-songwriter."

* Teddy Thompson, Bella  $13.95
Thompson's fifth album of melodic folk-pop.  The son of Richard and Linda Thompson fills Bella with more upbeat, buoyant melodies than on previous efforts.  The album also continues the artist's recent flirtation with Roy Orbison-esque classic country. 

* Wailin' Jennys, Bright Morning Star  $17.95  DEMO
The third studio album by the Canadian female trio highlights the Jennys strength as songwriters and instrumentalists, as well as harmony vocalists.  Heather Masse, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody composed all but one of the album's tunes, which weave traditional and contemporary folk and americana. 

New Age

* Yanni, Truth of Touch  $16.95
The new age legend's first new collection since 2003.  Yanni's compositions bring together the orchestral with the electronic, incorporating world music influences throughout.

New Music Tuesday

Are you tired of listening to Justin Bieber yet? Stop by and check out the newest CDs in stock at Grass Roots this week!

 Pop/Rock

Hot Club of Cowtown, What Makes Bob Holler  $17.95
With their guitar/violin/bass and vocal line-up, the Hot Club puts their special spin on the 1940s Western swing of Bob Wills.  This tribute was released first in the UK, where it vaulted into the top 10 for several weeks. 

Bobby Long, Winter Tale $11.95
British singer-songwriter Long first came into the public eye with a contribution to the soundtrack to the teen vampire movie Twilight.  The poetry and guitar-centered music on his debut CD have been likened to Leonard Cohen playing the music of Ryan Adams. 

> David Lowery, Palace Guard  $11.95
As a bandleader, Lowery formed and fronted the seminal indie bands Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker.  For his debut solo CD, Lowery channels the quirky jam-inspired sounds of his previous bands into a more intimate, acoustic direction. 

North Mississippi Allstars, Keys to the Kingdom  $13.95
In the wake of their father Jim Dickinson's passing Cody and Luther Dickinson gathered friends at their Zebra Studios to record a tribute to the legendary producer and musician.  Keys to the Kingdom features guest spots by Ry Cooder, Mavis Staples, Alvin Youngblood Hart and more. 

Todd Snider, Live: the Storyteller  $16.95
This 2-disc set features the contemporary americana singer-songwriter's greatest hits, recorded live with a backing band.  It also  highlights Snider's prowess and good humor as a storyteller as he tells the tale behind his tunes. 

Tennis, Cape Dory  $13.95
As featured on NPR, this husband and wife duo play retro pop music in the spirit of the 1960s.  Some of the album's songs were inspired by boat trip along the Eastern seaboard. 


Kids
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Songs From a Zulu Farm  $13.95

The celebrated South African vocal ensemble present their second album for young listeners.  Sung primarily in the Zulu language, the songs also feature the sounds of farm animals and children.

New Music Tuesday

Tuesday is typically the day of the week that new music releases come out, and there are lots of them this week! Some are being featured in the Grass Roots Reader, but there is so much more out there. Here's what you might miss:

Pop/Folk

Carrie Elkin, Call it My Garden  ~  $17.95
Contemporary folk and americana singer-songwriter's third release demonstrates a laid-back spirit as Elkin gathers with a group of industry friends and collaborators in the kitchen of a friend's house.  The albums is produced by Colin Brooks (Band of Heathens) and fellow singer-songwriter Danny Schmidt. 

Lori McKenna, Lorraine  ~  $16.95
McKenna began her career with a piece on NPR focusing on her identity as a homemaker and mother of three children who lived a working class life and was a songwriter on the side.  Since, her songs have been performed by several mainstream country artists, and her solo CDs have garnered critical praise.  McKenna's new release is inspired by stories of her own mother's life. 

 James Vincent McMorrow, Early in the Morning  ~  $11.95
From Ireland, folk pop with mostly acoustic guitars, occasional drums and vocals, buoyed  by banjo and electric piano. McMorrow's album was considered one of the best of the year by Irish critics. 

Lynn Miles, Fall For Beauty   ~  $16.95
Canadian folk-americana artist has a beautiful catch in her voice and a way with a story.  Miles' new CD features a more polished production, as well as a fuller band sound behind her melodic tunes. 

Redbird, Live at the Cafe Carpe  ~  $16.95
Redbird is both the name of the album and the loose affiliation of three acclaimed American songwriters- Kris Delmhorst, Jeffrey Foucault and Peter Mulvey.  This live recording features tunes originally recorded by artists as diverse as Rickie Lee Jones, Neil Young, Merle Haggard and more. 

John Renbourn, Palermo Snow  ~  $18.95
Drawing on his recent excursions to Italy and its rich musical heritage Renbourn delivers another classic album of gentle, but engaging, guitar music. Seduced by the romantic grip of the area and its people he delivers a beautiful album that can only be described as timeless.


Classical
 
Helene Grimaud, Resonances  ~  $18.95


Stop by and have a listen...ask us what we like!

You big teaser!

A few days ago, I ached for Spring.

It was sunny and about 50 degrees, which is downright BALMY. At least if felt balmy, but I think the lack of gloom may be starting to affect my perception of the world in winter.

I felt inspired to walk along the river front from the parking lot to the store. The river is clearly swollen and murky-smelling, but there were other people out there. Adn there were buds on the trees and shrubs. That is always a good sign! People were in and out of the store all day, and the streets were practically teeming with walkers. Okay, that may be exaggerating. It's nice to see people out and about instead of holed up in their houses, though. When I walk on the street to and from my car, I notice the bulbs poking up from the planters. It makes me so jealous, and it makes me want to get my hands dirty. Time to find some good gardening books, I suspect.

Today, however...sigh, today... It is gray gloom again and I can see people's breath when they're walking by our windows. It reminds me that it is still time to curl up in a chair at home with a nice cup of tea and a good book.

On my nightstand right now?
An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
Winona's Pony Cart by Maud Hart Lovelace
The Four Seasons Book of Cocktails: Tips, Techniques, and More Than 1,000 Recipes from New York's Landmark Restaurant by Greg Connolly, Charles Corpion, John Varriano, and Fred DuBose
The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love by Kristin Kimball

Clearly, I'm going to be busy for a while...

 

What are you reading right now? Is it varied, or do you stick to one book and/or topic at a time? How many more days until Spring???

 

I'll be waiting it out behind the counter. See you at the bookstore!

 

Pamela.

What's a teenager to read?

In the great scheme of things, I'm not old. I'm in my mid-30s. I like to call it "Bookstore Middle-aged" because the last few years my ages has planted me pretty squarely among college students and twenty-somethings, and others older than me. It's just me...hangin' out here...in the middle...

One of my favorite books. My recommendation.

From this perspective, I remember the books I loved as a child. I remember the books I escaped with on my breaks home from college. I remember most of the books I've read in the 13 years I've been working in bookstores. But there's this gap in my reading memory...what the heck did I read while I was in high school? I have always been a voracious reader, and it surprises me that beyond what was required of me in school, I don't remember reading.

I guess it's possible I didn't read for pleasure much in those years. (Well, except maybe Sweet Valley High books... Don't judge me.) During those years I didn't live in the library district, and I certainly didn't have expendable income at that time.

One of this year's winners.

Maybe this gap in my reading memory is why I have such a hard time recommending books to readers in the14-19 age group. There are so many variables involved, not the least of which is the maturity level of the reader in question. Even for grade schoolers, I always ask myself, "What was I reading at that age?". I can't do this with teenagers, though, so I have to review the books of my adult reading life to gauge their appropriateness for this age group. Fortunately, the Alex Awards make this easier when my own reading interests diverge from that of the other reader.