December 2009
2 posts
what am i reading?
Dan Chaon’s, Await Your Reply, is all about identity theft. I’m glued to the pages, but it’s almost like being told a really long joke (although in this case, wonderfully written), and wondering if you are going to understand the punch line at the end. It’s refreshing to venture out beyond my “women” books. Always glad when I do. Oh, and wait until mid-January...
after the madness
Happily, the fine people of Montclair still buy books - from us! Thank you to one and all for supporting watchung booksellers and all that we hold dear. I love helping people at the holidays because you hear the funniest stories. There’s the 85 year old grandmother who doesn’t want anything racy (and the one that does), the new brother-in-law that doesn’t read (said with great...
November 2009
3 posts
the ultimate question
When will we put the Christmas books out? Yes, I know that CVS has been ready since Halloween, and even some of my favorite Monclair indies have already decorated. I have put out Christmas cards, advent calendars, and the Nutcracker Suite books. But, much to my surprise, Thanksgiving is actually this week, and so I must accept the inevitable. Once I get all of the boxes up the steps, even I (a...
the thrill of the gift
It was my son’s 14th birthday this week. As he picked up the square flat gift, he smiled, and said, “of course, there is always a book”. This book for my non-reader son was all about his passion - skateboarding. It got the immediate “wow, cool”, and he actually sat down to look at it. Just got me thinking about the holiday season and all of our grumblings at the store...
What's his name?
Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary
October 2009
6 posts
"Lips Touch"
So curious about this book by Laini Taylor. Just nominated for the National Book Award, Arthur Levine sang it’s praises at BEA, and well, honestly, she does those women/angel 3/D cards. (such a cute website with pics of her new baby). So, yeah, wow, major fantasy book! Demons, goblins, curses and creatures - and all terribly romantic. I never read these kind of books when I was a YA. When I...
It's better to read in the daylight,
and then I don’t fall asleep. I just finished “New World Monkeys”. What a great book - had me from the beginning. It’s ridiculously honest. It’s a mystery. It’s got a town pervert. It’s got a crazy group of townspeople out for revenge. It’s even a love story. First novel for Nancy Mauro - I’ll be looking for the next.
I knew it was a great book!
I saw that Let The Great World Spin was nominated for the National Book Award. It’s been on my staff pick for a while - really quite a compelling book, loved it. I’m struggling right now with what to read. Tried a couple of paperbacks and fell asleep quickly. Now just starting New World Monkeys by Nancy Mauro - seems promising despite the fact that the first scene involves a wild boar....
ch..ch..ch..changes.....(think Bowie)
Yes, I’m the one who moves everything around in the store. Supposedly and apparently, it helps sales, highlights the new and fun and fab. But, of course, the downside is that no one can find anything and all blame points to moi! I recently moved sections in the children’s room, and this is how it goes.
activity books>gift shelf poetry>activity books concept books>poetry ...
"Zine" event prep
We’re getting reading for the big Zine event Friday night. Ana’s making the coolest buttons for the authors. I’m debating the perfect refreshments, and of course, wondering where we’ll put everyone. All the shelves should be on wheels, so we can roll things around and have more space. Or, what about those disappearing walls that spin around? Now THAT would be cool! In all...
testing, testing
Friday’s never seem to be long enough.