As noted previously on my blog, Island Books on Mercer Island was my go-to-happy-place when I worked at the Mercer Island Reporter, from 1997-2005. The fact that the store was literally behind the MIR parking lot had nothing to do with it! It was a joy to just walk out the door of the MIR and walk a few paces into the back door of Island Books, there to encounter all the brilliant booksellers, including Roger Page (the owner) who were ready to recommend books I would love and to shove ARCs into my eager hands. My husband used to call me every payday and remind me not to spend my whole paycheck at Island Books, because we needed money for food and rent! Once we had a child, Nick became a fixture at the MIR and in Island Books children's room, where he happily played in their wooden playhouse, while his mom found yet another great children's classic to read to him at bedtime. Sadly, the MIR was sold and is no long staffed or created on Mercer Island, so I rarely get to shop there anymore, but now that the Pages have sold the store to someone else, I don't think it would be the same for me. But I still wish them a happy birthday.
Happy 45th
Birthday, Island Books!
Mercer Island,
Wash., which is celebrating its 45th anniversary on
Saturday, November
3, from 4-6 p.m. The event will include champagne and
cake. Customers
are encouraged to bring photos of themselves taken in
the 1970s to share
on the store's board and to share stories about
Island Books in
its memory book.
I watched several episodes of the GAR, and the final one had me in tears, watching so many book lovers and authors shouting and applauding books that I've read and loved for many years. I was thrilled that the magnificent To Kill a Mockingbird, by Nell Harper Lee, won the number one spot! Of all the books on the top 15 list, the only one I've not read is the Outlander series, which I found offensive for its portrayal of rape as being so easily dealt with and automatic in ancient Scotland. I couldn't finish the first book in the series for that reason. However, I loved the rest of the novels, and was surprised that out of the 100 top books chosen, the last 20-30 books were mostly ones I've not read or even heard of, for the most part.I was also slihgtly dismayed that Steinbeck was only represented by Grapes of Wrath, when so many of his other books are easier and more enjoyable reading, such as To A God Unknown and the wonderful Travels With Charley. Anyway, congrats to Harper Lee, wherever she is, while hoping she's sipping a mint juliep with Truman Capote in heaven.
Great American
Read Winner is To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee's
classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird
was chosen by bookish voters as
America's #1 best-loved novel in The Great American
results were
unveiled last night on PBS during the final episode
of the eight-part television
competition and nationwide campaign, which explored the power
of books and the
joy of reading through the lens of America's 100
best-loved novels,
as voted on by the public.
To Kill a
Mockingbird led The Great American Read voting from the first
week, and
maintained its advantage over the months of voting, despite
strong competition
from the five finalists. Lee's novel also topped the
list of votes in
every state except North Carolina (which preferred
Outlander) and
Wyoming (Lord of The Rings). More than 4 million votes
were cast. The top
15 titles were:
1) To Kill a
Mockingbird by Harper Lee
2) Outlander
(series) by Diana Gabaldon
3) Harry Potter
(series) by J.K. Rowling
4) Pride and
Prejudice by Jane Austen
5) Lord of the
Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
6) Gone with the
Wind by Margaret Mitchell
7) Charlotte's Web
by E.B. White
8) Little Women by
Louisa May Alcott
9) Chronicles of
Narnia (series) by C.S. Lewis
10) Jane Eyre by
Charlotte Bronte
11) Anne of Green
Gables by L.M. Montgomery
12) The Grapes of
Wrath by John Steinbeck
13) A Tree Grows
in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
14) The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
15) The Great
Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I read Moran's first book, and I plan on picking up this one, mainly because I adore Emma Thompson and look forward to viewing everything she's done.
Movies: How to Build a Girl
Emma Thompson will
star in How to Build a Girl
based on Caitlin
Moran's novel, the Hollywood Reporter wrote, adding
that Chris O'Dowd
(Juliet, Naked) has also joined the cast that includes
Beanie Feldstein
(Lady Bird), Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones), Paddy
Considine (The
Death of Stalin) and Sarah Solemani (Bridget Jones'
Baby).The film comes
from U.K. producer Monumental Pictures, which optioned
Moran's 2014 book
and developed the project with Film4.
"We had
fantasized about Emma Thompson playing the editor since we first
spoke with Caitlin
about this project--I think Caitlin might have cut
the scene if Emma
hadn't agreed!" said Alison Owen of Monumental
Pictures.
"Thank goodness we struck lucky. We feel blessed."
Quotation of the
Day
Booksellers
'Become Universal by Dint of Their Specificity'
"One of the
virtues of my having no official business was the ability to
browse the aisles
in a way our readers browse our stacks. Booksellers
know the value of
serendipity and discovery well--our work, after all,
is to create
experiences predicated upon unforeseen and unexpected
delights.
"The book is
not dead. Books need booksellers. As a bookseller, I need
patience and
courage. Booksellers, like great novelists, become
universal by dint
of their specificity. Being decidedly of a particular
place is a
profound way to be global. And the readers of any place have
a need to
understand that place through experiences of elsewhere."
--Jeff Deutsch
director of
Chicago's Seminary Co-op Bookstore
http://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3642037Biz38701588,
writing about his experiences at the 2018 Frankfurt Book
Fair for Bookselling This Week
Putting the Fun in Funeral by Diana Pharaoh Francis is a self published title, but not the first book of hers that I've read. I recall having a conversation with her via Facebook years ago, and being charmed by her wit and sincerity. I enjoyed reading three books in a series she'd written about pirates, but then she fell off my radar as a writer until recently, when this book was recommended by my fellow Steampunk readers of Gail Carriger's works. However, having read and reviewed more than a few poorly written self published books, I didn't have high expectations of FIF, so I was pleasantly surprised that there were only 5-6 obvious typos in the entire novel. Even traditionally published novels have an average of 3 typos per book, so I was glad to see that Francis cared enough about her work to do some copy editing and proofreading before having this work published. Well done, Ms Francis! I would also like to point out that this is a great book to read on or near Halloween, as it has scary monsters, scary people, bloodshed and sticky-sweet romance, all bundled together in one swiftly plotted place. Here's the blurb:
Beck Wyatt has always hated her mother-enough to kill her. As luck would
have it, someone beats her to murdering Mommy Dearest and now Beck gets
to plan the tackiest funeral the world has ever seen for the worst
woman she's ever known.
But first, Beck has a few minor problems to deal with. First on the list? Avoid getting kidnapped. She also has to convince the police she didn't kill her mother. And then there's surviving a death curse ....
With the help of her three best friends, cheesecake, and a little magic, Beck figures she can handle anything, even the mysterious and irritating Damon Matroviani, whose sexy good-looks light her panties on fire.
All too soon, her life is turned inside out, and just when things are looking like they can't get any worse ... everything hits the fan.
But first, Beck has a few minor problems to deal with. First on the list? Avoid getting kidnapped. She also has to convince the police she didn't kill her mother. And then there's surviving a death curse ....
With the help of her three best friends, cheesecake, and a little magic, Beck figures she can handle anything, even the mysterious and irritating Damon Matroviani, whose sexy good-looks light her panties on fire.
All too soon, her life is turned inside out, and just when things are looking like they can't get any worse ... everything hits the fan.
While this book might seem to be just a paranormal romance at first blush, the author adds generous dollops of horror to the mix, and the 'steamy' love scenes, while frequent, go no further than describing sex,(thankfully without the precious euphemisms for body parts prevalent in most romance novels), while the protagonist and her man kiss and cuddle whenever they're not rescuing one another (or a dog) from something heinous.Personally, I found Damon to be controlling and possessive and abusive way too often for me to find his character attractive. He was obsessed with Beck, and obsession isn't love. Beck, after being tortured by her aunt/mother for most of her life really needs serious therapy before she embarks on a serious relationship, as she's unlikely to know how to say no to someone who abuses her, as its all she's ever known. Yet readers are supposed to think that Beck can continue to get beat up and almost die several times, and still not show any signs of PTSD . Still, while it had its faults, I enjoyed reading FIF, and I look forward to reading the next volume. For the zingy prose and the interesting protagonist, I'd give this book a B+, and recommend it to paranormal romance and horror readers.
The Bartered Brides by Mercedes Lackey is the 13th book in the Elemental Masters series, which is somehow appropriate for Halloween reading as well. I've read all of the Elemental Masters books, and enjoyed most of them, but this one added many more horrific elements than I was used to, including a serial killer who beheads poor young women and girls and uses them as magical "batteries" as he tries, ala Harry Potter's Voldemort, to resurrect this boss, the evil Professor Moriarty. Here's the blurb: The thirteenth novel in the magical alternate history Elemental
Masters series continues the reimagined adventures of Sherlock Holmes in
a richly-detailed alternate Victorian England.
The threat of Moriarty is gone—but so is Sherlock Holmes.
Even as they mourn the loss of their colleague, psychic Nan Killian, medium Sarah Lyon-White, and Elemental Masters John and Mary Watson must be vigilant, for members of Moriarty’s network are still at large. And their troubles are far from over: in a matter of weeks, two headless bodies of young brides wash up in major waterways. A couple who fears for their own recently-wedded daughter hires the group to investigate, but with each new body, the mystery only deepens.
The more bodies emerge, the more the gang suspects that there is dangerous magic at work, and that Moriarty’s associates are somehow involved. But as they race against the clock to uncover the killer, it will take all their talents, Magic, and Psychic Powers—and perhaps some help from a dearly departed friend—to bring the murderer to justice.
The threat of Moriarty is gone—but so is Sherlock Holmes.
Even as they mourn the loss of their colleague, psychic Nan Killian, medium Sarah Lyon-White, and Elemental Masters John and Mary Watson must be vigilant, for members of Moriarty’s network are still at large. And their troubles are far from over: in a matter of weeks, two headless bodies of young brides wash up in major waterways. A couple who fears for their own recently-wedded daughter hires the group to investigate, but with each new body, the mystery only deepens.
The more bodies emerge, the more the gang suspects that there is dangerous magic at work, and that Moriarty’s associates are somehow involved. But as they race against the clock to uncover the killer, it will take all their talents, Magic, and Psychic Powers—and perhaps some help from a dearly departed friend—to bring the murderer to justice.
The twist at the end, which includes a transgender person, is quite clever, but I was still creeped out and horrified by all the blood and gore of the serial killings and the wretched lives of these girls (particularly Chinese girls) in Victorian England. I don't enjoy being frightened or nauseated by horror novels or movies, and I sincerely hope that the next installment in the series is less gruesome. That said, Lackey's prose is the gold standard for fantasy, and her plots never flag. I'd give the novel an A, and recommend it to anyone who has read her other Elemental Masters books.
Born in Fire by K.F. Breene is the second self published novel I've read this month, which has to be a new record for me, since I stopped reading and reviewing self pubbed works for two major review services about 5 years ago. This series was also recommended to be by folks on Gail Carriger's Facebook fan group, and while I'm always reluctant to pick up a self published work due to the poor quality of most of them, I was pleasantly surprised by Born in Fire, as there were under 10 typos and the author was obviously a natural storyteller. While the first 25 pages were riddled with cliches, Breene makes them work for her in often hilarious ways, throughout the rest of the text. Here's the blurb: Heart pounding and laugh out loud funny, USA Today Bestselling author K.F. Breene will take you on a magical joy ride you won’t soon forget.
Supernatural Bounty Hunter isn’t the sort of thing you see on LinkedIn. But with a rare type of magic like mine, I don’t have many options.
So dangerous or not, the job is mine. And it was going fine, until an old as sin vampire stole my mark, and with it, my pay day.
Knowing I’m poor and desperate, he has offered me a job. I’ll have to work by his side to help solve a top secret case.
Everyone knows not to trust vampires. Especially a hot elder vampire. But without any other jobs coming up, I’m stuck. As I uncover a web of lies and treachery, revealing an enemy I didn’t know existed, the truth of my identity is threatened. I might make it out alive, only to end up in a gilded cage.
Supernatural Bounty Hunter isn’t the sort of thing you see on LinkedIn. But with a rare type of magic like mine, I don’t have many options.
So dangerous or not, the job is mine. And it was going fine, until an old as sin vampire stole my mark, and with it, my pay day.
Knowing I’m poor and desperate, he has offered me a job. I’ll have to work by his side to help solve a top secret case.
Everyone knows not to trust vampires. Especially a hot elder vampire. But without any other jobs coming up, I’m stuck. As I uncover a web of lies and treachery, revealing an enemy I didn’t know existed, the truth of my identity is threatened. I might make it out alive, only to end up in a gilded cage.
The prose was highly stylized with tons of urban slang and cliches, as well as profanity, but it wasn't out of place with the snarky protagonist and her vampire partner. SPOILER, I wasn't at all surprised that Reagan is the daughter of Lucifer (and whenever they get that TV show going again, they should consider adding some of his illegitimate children to the mix, I think that Lucifer as a dad would be hilarious and fascinating) but I found it annoying that the author had to tell us how all the other supernaturals couldn't get enough of her yummy smell in every single chapter. I mean, we get it, Breene, move on! the plot swooped along like a vampire on fire, and the prose, though somewhat amateurish and fan-serviced, was readable. I'd give this book a B, and recommend it to anyone who wants a fast and funny paranormal romantic adventure.
Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit by Amy Stewart is the 4th novel in the Kopp Sisters series, all based on real women who lived during the years leading up to WWI. Having read all the other Kopp sisters novels, I remain steadfast in my loathing of Norma, the rude and cantankerous (and pigeon obsessed, yuck) younger sister who stays at home on the family farm, brings in no income and yet has the audacity to be controlling and critical of both Constance and Fleurette, though they both actually work to bring in money to keep them all in food and shelter. Meanwhile, Norma, who has nothing good to say about anyone, fiddles around with pigeons and mobile pigeon coops and bullies her sisters and everyone else she encounters. I gather we're somehow supposed to find this endearing, which is ridiculous. Here's the blurb: After a year on the job, New Jersey’s first female deputy sheriff has
collared criminals, demanded justice for wronged women, and gained
notoriety nationwide for her exploits. But on one stormy night,
everything falls apart.
While transporting a woman to an insane asylum, Deputy Kopp discovers something deeply troubling about her story. Before she can investigate, another inmate bound for the asylum breaks free and tries to escape.
In both cases, Constance runs instinctively toward justice. But the fall of 1916 is a high-stakes election year, and any move she makes could jeopardize Sheriff Heath’s future—and her own. Although Constance is not on the ballot, her controversial career makes her the target of political attacks.
With wit and verve, book-club favorite Amy Stewart brilliantly conjures the life and times of the real Constance Kopp to give us this “unforgettable, not-to-be messed-with heroine” (Marie Claire).Publisher's Weekly: Deputy Constance Kopp, of Bergen County, N.J., comes under scrutiny during the brutal 1916 election season in bestseller Stewart’s fraught fourth Kopp Sisters novel (after 2017’s Miss Kopp’s Midnight Confessions). While her mentor and boss, Sheriff Robert Heath, runs for Congress, the real-life Constance prepares for a successor less supportive of the “lady deputy.” Her extracurricular investigation into the case of Anna Kayser, a seemingly sane woman whose husband and doctor conspired to send her to a mental institution, unexpectedly threatens to affect the election. Stewart draws on newspaper accounts from the era for the vicious rhetoric aimed at Constance, whose audacity at working in a male-dominated profession provides political fodder for her boss’s opponents. Although the Kayser story eventually loses steam, Stewart skillfully builds nail-biting suspense around the election results and Constance’s subsequent employment prospects. The blend of practicality, forthrightness, and compassion in her first-person narration is sure to satisfy series fans and win new admirers.
While transporting a woman to an insane asylum, Deputy Kopp discovers something deeply troubling about her story. Before she can investigate, another inmate bound for the asylum breaks free and tries to escape.
In both cases, Constance runs instinctively toward justice. But the fall of 1916 is a high-stakes election year, and any move she makes could jeopardize Sheriff Heath’s future—and her own. Although Constance is not on the ballot, her controversial career makes her the target of political attacks.
With wit and verve, book-club favorite Amy Stewart brilliantly conjures the life and times of the real Constance Kopp to give us this “unforgettable, not-to-be messed-with heroine” (Marie Claire).Publisher's Weekly: Deputy Constance Kopp, of Bergen County, N.J., comes under scrutiny during the brutal 1916 election season in bestseller Stewart’s fraught fourth Kopp Sisters novel (after 2017’s Miss Kopp’s Midnight Confessions). While her mentor and boss, Sheriff Robert Heath, runs for Congress, the real-life Constance prepares for a successor less supportive of the “lady deputy.” Her extracurricular investigation into the case of Anna Kayser, a seemingly sane woman whose husband and doctor conspired to send her to a mental institution, unexpectedly threatens to affect the election. Stewart draws on newspaper accounts from the era for the vicious rhetoric aimed at Constance, whose audacity at working in a male-dominated profession provides political fodder for her boss’s opponents. Although the Kayser story eventually loses steam, Stewart skillfully builds nail-biting suspense around the election results and Constance’s subsequent employment prospects. The blend of practicality, forthrightness, and compassion in her first-person narration is sure to satisfy series fans and win new admirers.
I disagree that this installment is satisfying to fans or new admirers. SPOILER, Constance loses her job when a new sexist Sheriff is elected, and her current boss loses his bid for a congressional seat. After all the good work she's done, it makes no difference to those who heap sexist slurs on her while the press engages in yellow journalism and makes her life even more fraught with danger and stress. Though the author leaves us with some hope of Constance and Norma and Fleurette getting work with the military in the lead up to America's involvement in WWI, I still felt let down by Sheriff Heath and the women in and out of the jails and asylums that Constance helped during her year as deputy/matron at the jail. Why was no one willing to stand up and help her? I can only imagine what horrors the women in the Bergen County jail will face with a man and male deputies in charge of their care. Though her prose was, as always, clean and strong, and her plot swift and sure, I was depressed after reading this novel, and while I would give it a B+, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who has melancholy tendencies.
