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Archive for September 13th, 2008
Saturday, September 13th, 2008Supporting Independent Booksellers
I read an interesting article today titled: What Are Independent Bookstores Really Good For? published on Slate.com in May 2006. It might have been two years ago, but writer Tyler Cowen’s article is still relevant in 2008. He writes:
Ever since the rise of the book superstore in the 1990s, we have been flooded with lamentations for the rapidly disappearing independent booksellers—cool hang-outs where the staff knows something about literature, the owners select each title with care, and bearded patrons sit at crowded coffee tables, talking about Jack Kerouac or the latest translation of Tolstoy. Thanks to the indies, it is thought, high-quality but inaccessible books can slowly build their reputations through reader word-of-mouth and eventually take the literary world by storm.
He goes on to say that indie bookstores ‘help cultivate and nurture—the eccentric interests, the peculiar niches‘ and that it is these qualities which will go by the wayside ‘in the routinized world of the superstore.‘
This article caught my attention because I am guilty of not always supporting the Independent booksellers with my dollars. It is cheaper (and easier) to log into my Amazon account or to stop by at one of the big chains which often offer deep discounts. But I must admit, I feel better when I shop in the neighborhood bookstore that serves up not only great books but staff who recognize me and an atmosphere which makes me want to curl up with my next novel.
Indiebound is an organization that celebrates Independent booksellers. Their tag line reads:
IndieBound is a socially-conscious movement in support of independent businesses and shopping locally, starting with indie bookstores. It’s about raising awareness, it’s about reaching out, and it’s about taking pride in your community.
They give some great reasons to support the Indies including keeping your dollars in your community, creating local jobs, supporting diversity, and supporting the environment (through less packaging and transportation of goods).
The American Booksellers Association (ABA) provides the Indies Next List - which is ‘drawn from bookseller-recommended favorite handsells, epitomizes the heart and soul of passionate bookselling. Independent booksellers are and have always been discoverers of the next big thing, the next great read, the next bestseller, and the next undiscovered gem.‘
Here is what made the September list:
- In Hovering Flight, by Joyce Hinnefeld
- My Father’s Paradise: A Son’s Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq, by Ariel Sabar
- America Eats! On the Road with the WPA, by Pat Willard
- The Good Thief, by Hannah Tinti
- Anathem, by Neal Stephenson
- Fine Just The Way It Is: Wyoming Stories 3, by Annie Proulx
- Feather Man, by Rhyll McMaster
- Just Breathe, by Susan Wiggs
- Hurry Down Sunshine: A Memoir, by Michael Greenberg
- American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld
- City of Refuge, by Tom Piazza
- Home, by Marilynne Robinson
- The Heretic’s Daughter, by Kathleen Kent (read my review)
- Songs for the Butcher’s Daughter, by Peter Manseau
- The Black Tower, by Louis Bayard
- Man in the Dark, by Paul Auster
- American Savior, by Roland Merullo
- Stalking Irish Madness: Searching for the Roots of My Family’s Schizophrenia, by Patrick Tracey
- Ritual, by Mo Hayder
- Sweeping Up Glass, by Carolyn Wall
To find an Independent Bookseller near you where you can buy one of these recommended titles, visit the ABA site under Find an ABA Member Bookstore.
Saturday, September 13th, 2008BBAW - Need Another Reason to Participate?
Book Blogger Appreciation Week is loaded with giveaways and prizes. And all you have to do to play is visit My Friend Amy’s Blog frequently from September 15th through the 19th.
Here is the “official” list of goodies:
A HUGE thank you to Hachette Book Group, Penguin Group USA, Harlequin, The B&B Media Group, Shera of SNS Blog Design, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, Catherine Delors, Pamela Binnings Ewen, Andromeda Romano-Lax, Ceceilia Dowdy, Sormag, Book Club Girl, Savvy Verse and Wit, Cafe of Dreams, Fashionista Piranha, and Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?.
Daily Raffles:
Monday–Books and Chocolate sponsored by My Friend Amy and Hey Lady! Whatcha’ Readin?
Tuesday–Books and Going Green sponsored by My Friend Amy
Wednesday–Books and Coffee sponsored by My Friend Amy
Thursday–Books and Charity sponsored by My Friend Amy and Fashionista Piranha
Friday–Books and Movies sponsored by My Friend Amy
Win a Book Club Girl Hostess Survival Kit!
Do you find it’s your turn to host book club and not only do you not know what to serve but you don’t know what books to offer up for the next month’s selection?! Let Book Club Girl come to your rescue with the Book Club Girl Hostess Survival Kit.
One lucky winner of the kit will receive:
* A basket of cheese, crackers, cookies and wine for up to 12 people
* 5 great book group books to vote on for your group’s next pick. And Book Club Girl will then donate 12 copies whichever book is chosen for your entire group to read.
* 12 Book Club Girl mousepads to give out as party favors that night
* 12 Book Club Girl bookmarks to mark everyone’s favorite passages
* 12 Book Club Girl coasters to protect your coffee table from all those wine glasses!
TWO SORMAG Goody Bags containing books and more!
A Special Pamper Me Basket from Cafe of Dreams!
From Avon Foot Works
~ Inflatable watermelon shaped foot tub
~ 3.4 FL oz Watermelon Cooling Foot Lotion
~ 3.4 FL oz Watermelon Exfoliating Foot Scrub
~ 12 count Watermelon Effervescent Foot Tablets
~ An ARC of So Long At The Fair by Christina Schwarz
~ A variety of Hot Chocolate and Tea mixes
A pre-made blog template from SNSDesign!
A Subscription to Poetry Magazine from Savvy Verse and Wit!
BOOKS
Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors
The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen
The Spanish Bow by Andromeda Romano-Lax
John’s Quest by Cecelia Dowdy
Confessions of a Contractor by Richard Murphy
Acedia & Me by Kathleen Norris
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer
Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley
A Tale Out of Luck by Willie Nelson with Mike Blakely
The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent
When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson
An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken
Exit Music by Ian Rankin
The Smart One and the Pretty One by Claire LaZebnik
Gunmetal Black by Daniel Serrano
Isolation by Travis Thrasher
The Miracle Girls by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt
Every Freaking! Day With Rachell Ray by Elizabeth Hilts
Dewey by Vicki Myron
The Shiniest Jewel by Marian Henley
Keep the Faith by Faith Evans
The Book of Calamities by Peter Trachtenberg
A is for Atticus by Lorilee Craker
After the Fire by Robin Gaby Fisher
Mike’s Election Guide by Michael Moore
War as They Knew It by Michael Rosenberg
Fixing Hell By Col. (ret.) Larry C. James
Wild Boy: My Life with Duran Duran by Andy Taylor
The Last Under-Cover: The True Story of an FBI Agent’s Dangerous Dance with Evil By Bob Hamer
Border Lass by Amanda Scott
Insatiable Desire by Rita Heron
Hungry for More by Diana Holquist
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
Trespassers Will Be Baptized by Elizabeth Emerson Hancock
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Trish Ryan
Never Surrender by General Jerry Boykin
Dream in Color by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Congresswoman Loretta Sánchez
Beyond Belief by Josh Hamilton
Cobain Unseen by Charles R. Cross
Doing Business in 21st Century India by Gunjan Bagla
Branding Only Works on Cattle by Jonathan Salem Baskin
Launching a Leadership Revolution by Chris Brady, Orrin Woodward
How to Hear from God by Joyce Meyer
Knowing Right from Wrong by Thomas D. Williams
Pope John Paul II: An Intimate Life by Caroline Pigozzi
Pure by Rebecca St. James
He Loves Me! by Wayne Jacobson
So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore by Wayne Jacobson and Dave Coleman
Move On, Move Up by Paula White
The Rosary by Gary Jansen
Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
Right Livelihoods by Rick Moody
by George by Wesley Stace
The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
Trunk Music by Michael Connelly
Hollywood Crows by Joseph Wambaugh
Dead Boys by Richard Lange
The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine Lopez
Sisterchicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn
Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky
With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman
Harlequin Titles: To Be Announced
Many other blogs are giving away books and prizes for BBAW as well! You can see the links to all of these giveaways here.
Interested in gaining entries into the daily raffles? Post this complete list on your blog with links and you’ll earn two extra entries!
Saturday, September 13th, 2008BBAW - Finalists in Three Categories
Caribousmom will be presenting the winners in three categories this week for BBAW:
- Funniest/Most Humorous Blog
- Most Eclectic Taste
- Best Non-Fiction Blog
All the nominees are wonderful - but I’ll let you judge for yourself! Below are highlights of each of the blogs nominated in all three categories.
1. There are five wonderful finalists in the category of Funniest/Most Humorous Blog:
Bloody Hell, It’s a Book Barrage written by Chartroose from Colorado Springs, Colorado leaves no doubt to its author’s sense of humor with its hilarious title and tagline: “Come and see the violence inherent in the system. Help, help, I’m being repressed!” Chartroose writes about herself:
I’m a liberal libertarian librarian and literature lover.
Yes she loves alliteration! Chartroose’s blog is filled with book reviews, and other writerly thoughts - all written with her signature brand of humor. And she’s also got a special giveaway going for BBAW: Alastair Cookie’s BBAW Monsterpiece Giveaway. Hurry and enter, the contest ends September 17th.
The Book Lady’s Blog written by Rebecca from Richmond, Virginia gives its readers hysterical glimpses into a bookseller’s day. The post My Superhero Alter-Ego: The Book Therapist is just one example of Rebecca’s humor at work on her blog. She also posts lots of book reviews which are engagingly written. Rebecca writes:
I read literary fiction, memoirs, and an eclectic smattering of nonfiction. Basically every flat surface in my house is covered with books, and my to-be-read pile is usually waist-high. Both personally and professionally, I’m on a mission to share the love of reading and keep the written word alive in our increasingly digital culture.
I think she’s doing an admirable job! And she is giving away a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble in honor of BBAW - check it out soon, contest ends September 15th.
Books I Done Read written by Raych doesn’t use stars to rate her books - she uses caterpillars. She writes:
You want me to read a book you done wrote, or tell me that my grammer sucks and that I have terrible taste in books, or offer me wads of cash?
She then gives her email address. Raych’s sense of humor is decidedly unique, and her books reviews are straight forward and always entertaining. And you will find plenty of book reviews on this blog - it is pretty much all reviews…and for those of you (who like me) exist only to add books to your TBR mountain by absorbing book reviews, this is a good thing!
Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’? written by Trish uses the tagline: ‘Welcome to my nightmares…‘ But far from being a nightmare, Trish’s blog is loaded with bookish posts and fabulous chatty-style reviews that always make me smile. Trish’s fun-loving personality shines through in her blog - from the wonderful custom header to her tag “Aw!! You Like Me!” next to her subscribe button. She’s also hosting a book giveaway which closes on September 15th.
Rip My Bodice written by three women (La Lola, Sheridan Sukura Carlotta, and Ma’ Mselle Mimi) is a hilarious blog devoted to Romance novels. Spoof-like in its humor, Rip My Bodice has a page which defines Romance Terms such as the Alpha Male (’…a dominant leader of men, dangerously sexy, possessive, wealthy, highly intelligent (thus excelling in everything he does), an incredibly good-looking specimen of a man who is usually described as a dangerously beautiful panther amongst a sea of peacocks‘) and Romance (’The glue that binds us all at ripmybodice headquarters and is not to be dissed within our hearing/spitting presence or we will memorize your face and hunt you down and kill you while you sleep.‘); there is also a wonderful page of FAQ’s where readers can learn more about Juan the Cabana Boy and other fun “facts.” This is one funny blog - you don’t want to miss it!
2. There are five fabulous blogs vying for the title: Most Eclectic Taste:
Becky’s Book Reviews written by Becky certainly fits this category. Becky reviews books from a wide variety of genres, both fiction and non-fiction and her website is filled with great posts including interviews, reading challenges, and weekly events. Becky writes:
I love reading. Always have, always will.
That is obvious to anyone who visits her fantastic blog!
Bookgasm written by a team of talkative guys covers a variety of genre fiction, graphic novels, “trashy” paperbacks and “cheap” magazines. Editor Ron Lott writes:
…we’d like to welcome you to BOOKGASM, the site dedicated to READING MATERIAL TO GET EXCITED ABOUT.
That includes all kinds of genre fiction, from horror and sci-fi to mystery and suspense. It also includes graphic novels, trashy paperbacks, cheap magazines and other things that much of America pretends to be ashamed of, for no good reason.
Don’t be fooled, however - these guys may be having fun, but they are also reading some great literature - just check out their favorite books under the tab Bookgasm Contributors!
Books on the Nightstand written by the team of Michael Kindness and Ann Kingman is a creative venture into podcasting. Professionally edited, their weekly podcasts run the gamut from why people participate in reading challenges, to 5 reasons to join a book club, to book recommendations in a variety of genres. They even had their readers call in and contribute to the piece titled: It’s All About You (episode #12). About their blog, Michael and Ann write:
We are friends and colleagues who work in the publishing industry. That means that we talk about books all day long to other people who love to talk about books. But sometimes, those conversations have to end before we’re ready to stop talking. Thus, this blog.
By the way, they are celebrating BBAW by running a photo contest to show them what is on YOUR nightstand (contest ends September 19th). Hurry and enter - the prize is books!
Mary’s Library written by non other than Mary, is a blog that doesn’t restrict itself when it comes to book reviews. Mary reviews books far off the populist track such as Birth of A Bookworm by Michel Tremblay and Blood on the Dining Room Floor by Gertrude Stein. I thought I was well-read until I visited Mary’s very eclectic blog, which (by the way) is beautifully written and designed.
OCD, Vampires, and Amusing Rants, Oh My! written by two “chicks” (their word!) - Ocelott and Sarlias - covers primarily genre fiction. They write:
We’ll read pretty much anything that falls into genre fiction: fantasy, science fiction, romance, horror, and even the occasional mystery/thriller.
Pretty eclectic, right? And funny, too. As you’d expect from the title, this blog covers the gamut from reviews, to philosophical wanderings, to everything in between.
3. And last (but certainly not least) are the fantastic blogs nominated for Best Non-Fiction blog:
A Striped Armchair written by Eva - a 22 year old who lives close to the Rocky Mountains - is not limited to Non-Fiction. Eva also enjoys classics and international fiction, as well as fantasy and YA lit. Her non-fiction tastes run along the lines of pop science books, international relations, and biographies or memoirs. Given her extensive travel (she’s lived in Russia, Greece and England) it is not surprising that some of her most interesting non-fiction reviews are on books about international relations. Her favorite non-fiction authors include: Hermione Lee, Nick Hornby, Philip Gourevitch, Samantha Power, Mark Salzman, and Francis Fukuyama. Eva reads in excess of 200 books a year - so if you stop by her blog you’ll be guaranteed lots of bookish thoughts!
The Discerning Reader written by a team of writers led by Tim Challies is ‘a site dedicated to promoting good books–books that bring honor to God.‘ Tim writes:
We do not seek to be harsh or judgmental. Rather, we seek only to be discerning as we compare books to the written Word of God. We let the words of authors speak for themselves and simply hold the books up to the light of Scripture. In doing so, we are building a database of reviews which we feel cast a discerning light on the books that are found in Christians homes, churches and bookstores.
As you might expect, the scope of non-fiction reviewed and written about on the site is thought-provoking and Christian-based. The Discerning Reader is professionally organized and easy to navigate with tabs to latest reviews, author interviews, and reading lists (to name just a few). Another interesting feature on the site is ‘Latest Headlines’ which draws readers to contemplate their faith as it relates to news and books.
I.N.K. written by a team of writers is all about non-fiction for kids (I.N.K. stands for Interesting Non Fiction for Kids). At I.N.K. readers will:
… meet the writers whose words are presenting nonfiction in a whole new way. Discover books that show how nonfiction writers are some of the best storytellers around.
Articles on the site explore research and the craft of writing, the importance of science and include interviews with authors. The commentary is quite current…an example being a recent post titled Out of the Mouths of Babes by Susan Goodman which discussed kids, politics, and activism.
Letters on Pages touts itself as ‘The Best Non-Fiction Book Reviews…Ever.‘ There are plenty to choose from by clicking on the tab for Book Review List (there is also links to author interviews from that tab). But you will find not only book reviews and interviews at Letters on the Pages. There are also posts on current topics relevant to the book world, including the controversy surrounding E-Readers, magazine reading, and thoughts on books written by or about Sarah Palin and Barrack Obama.
Non-Fiction Lover written by Havilah provides reviews and thoughts on a wide variety of non-fiction including (among others) cookbooks, college prep books, animal training, biographies, planting a garden, and how to write a novel. Havilah’s enthusiasm for books leaps from her blog. She writes:
…books in any form have always been a huge part of my life. As a child, my family would sit around the dinner table, each person with their own book, calmly reading and eating at the same time, the only thing breaking the silence being an occasional “Please pass the salt.”
Reviews on Non-Fiction Lover are well written and chatty - and there are lots of them! By the way, you might have seen Havilah around the blog-o-sphere since she claims to have 50+ blogs about T.V. shows!
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Are you as impressed as I am? I hope you’ll visit these amazing bloggers and their blogs over the next week!
Saturday, September 13th, 2008BBAW - Schedule of Award Announcements
The winners in all categories will be announced this week. Below is the schedule of announcements and where to find them.
Wednesday, September 17th by 10:00 AM PST
Visit Age 30+: A Lifetime in Books to see who won for:
- Best Meme/Event
- Best Commenter/Best Commentator
Visit Booking Mama to see who won for:
- Best Design
- Best Book Club
Wednesday, September 17th by 5:00 PM PST
Visit Caribousmom to see who won for:
- Funniest/Most Humorous Blog
Visit My Friend Amy to see how won for:
- Best Publication/Industry Blog
Visit Stephanie’s Confessions of a Book-A-Holic to see who won for:
- Best Name of a Blog
- Best Challenge Host
Visit Literate Housewife to see who won for:
- Best Community Builder
- Best Author Blog
Visit APOOO Books to see who won for:
- Best Book in 2008
Visit Bookroom Reviews to see who won for:
- Best Book Community Site
- Most Chatty Blog
Visit Book-a-rama to see who won for:
- Most Extravagant Giveaways
- Most Concise Blog
Thursday, September 18th by 10:00 AM PST
Visit My Friend Amy to see who won for:
- Best General Blog
Visit Stephanie’s Confessions of a Book-A-Holic to see who won for:
- Best Kid-lit Blog
- Best Romance Blog
Visit Literate Housewife to see who won for:
- Best History/Historical Blog
- Best Fantasy/Sci-fi/Horror/Spec-fic Blog
Visit APOOO Books to see who won for:
- Best Cookbook Blog
- Best Literary Fiction Blog
Visit Bookroom Reviews to see who won for:
- Best YA Blog
Visit Book-a-rama to see who won for:
- Best Thrillers/mysteries/suspense Blog
Visit Caribousmom to see who won for:
- Best Non-fiction Blog
- Most Eclectic Taste
Visit The Friendly Book Nook to see who won for:
- Best Christian/Inspirational Blog
Thursday, September 18th Evening
Visit My Friend Amy to see who won for:
- Most Altruistic Blog