books to read books to share books nothing but books

     I love books.  I love how they feel, I love how they smell.  I love the  illustrations, I love the wonder I feel from looking at the words. I love the art of choosing a book (or having it choose me) I love the ritual of opening the cover and running my hand over the first few pages without reading the words but rather absorbing them onto my fingers.  Those first few moments with a new book (or an old favorite)  I forget to breathe, I get goosebumps in anticipation of the words that are ahead of me.  I love that everyday I get to share this passion with others that are equally passionate about books.  I have come to realize over the years that in the world of book lovers we are diverse in our views but we are united in our desire for stories (real and not so real) and our need for words (no matter the subject) written on paper.

    I have amazing conversations with people, covering every topic imaginable and oftentimes I probably know more about a person than anyone else.  (including their therapist)  There is  a recurring theme among my customers that share their lives with children.  Children of their own, their grandchildren, a niece or nephew or the kids next door.  They are asking me to recommend good books to read aloud and share with these moppets.  I am happy to oblige: (in no particular order)

Homer Price - Robert McCloskey -- is a fun collection of short stories

Goodnight Moon - Margaret Wise Brown -- a classic for the very young

Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, The Trumpet of the Swan - E. B. White

Little House on the Prairie series - Laura Ingalls Wilder (9 titles in the original set)

Secret Garden, Little Princess, Little Lord Fauntleroy - Frances Burnett Hodgson

Harry Potter - JK Rowling (7 titles in the series)

Peter Pan - James Matthew Barrie

Hatchet - Gary Paulsen (there are 3 companion books to Hatchet)

Tucket's Travles - Gary Paulsen (first 5 of the Francis Tucket books)

Tale of Despereaux - Kate DiCamillo

James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, Danny and the Chocolate Factory -Roald Dahl

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - L. Frank Baum (there 14 Oz titles written by Baum)

Rootabaga Stories - Carl Sandburg

Winnie the Pooh, House at Pooh Corner - A. A. Milne (the orginal books)

Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Black Arrow - Robert Louis Stevenson

Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

A Long Way from Chicago - Richard Peck

The Borrowers - Mary Norton (there are 5 books in this series)

Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis (seven book set)

Heidi - Johanna Spyri

Strawberry Girl - Lois Lenski

Ramona - Beverly Cleary (actually all of her books)

My Side of the Mountain, Julie of the Wolves - Jean Craighead Jones

From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - E.L. Konigsburg

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle - Betty Macdonald (several titles in this series)

Magic Treehouse series - Mary Pope Osborne

and many, many more.  I could include Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, Junie B. Jones, How to Train your Dragon, Inkheart and the Rangers Apprentice series.  There are so many picture books that make wonderful bedtime stories.  The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury is an incredible collection of stories and I personally feel that book is a must for every home library.  It has complete stories with the original illustrations included.

     As a child I remember a book that had a story for everyday of the year.  January first had a story about baby New Year and the illustration showed the familiar baby in a diaper.  I recall Valentines Day and cupid.  I think the book was simply called 365 bedtime stories.  But I have never been able to find a copy.  (there are many books with that title but they don't have the stories that remember) By the time my younger sisters were being read to from the book it was tattered.  I hope to find the book someday. 

     I love storytime at The Bookstore and have enjoyed reading to many children over the years (especially my nieces, nephews and God children)  Read to a child today and create memories for you and for them.

  

Thursday, It's all about the Books

      Today is Thursday.  It is book day.  I love Thursday's at The Bookstore.  It is the day of the week that the special orders arrive.  The books that customers can't wait to get and the books that we can't wait to put on our shelves.  Every Thursday is like Christmas.  Boxes waiting to be opened, books waiting to be held, the breathless anticipation of the possible back ordered book arriving today among the books that are expected. 
     Thursday is a good day.  I often find myself with boxes half opened, books strewn across counters and my desk.  Me with my elbows perched precariously on the edge of my desk with a book cradled in my hands.  Reading.  When I should be taking care of my customers needs.  I honestly shouldn't read when I am at work.  I tend to become engrossed in the words and ignore everything else.  Including the customers, I have even let the answering machine pick up phone calls because I was being held captive by the images the words have evoked.  
     But more scandalous than any of that is the fact that I have talked customers out of buying a book because I decide it is the book I have to have that day......... I am honest (to a point) when asked about the book.  I tell them I haven't read it, that I haven't heard much about it and that I am hesitant to recommend it when I myself am unsure of its contents. All of which is true I just don't admit to them that I am planning on reading that book the minute they leave the store.  I then work hard (very hard) to find them a book that I know they will love (if only to appease my conscience).

     Today will be no different.  The boxes will arrive.  I will start to open them.  I will promise myself that all customers orders will be dealt with prior to me opening the covers on the books specifically ordered for me. 

 They arrived.  The first item to land in my hands:  The Deck of 1000 spreads:  Your Tarot Toolkit, followed by The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, Life Code by Dr. Phil McGraw, One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard, Healthier Without Wheat, Treat your Own Back and the 13 Clocks.  All of which are special orders for customers.  In spite of the misbehavior I admitted to previously in this blog I won't take home a book meant for a customer.   They will be called and notified that their book has arrived.  In the meantime there are more boxes to open and more books to be seen so there is still the possibility that I will be caught hidden behind the stacks of books reading, ignoring the phone and not making eye contact with people.............I am hopelessly addicted to books and I hope never to be cured.

    

Superbowl, Awards Shows and and catching up on my reading

     It is that time of year.  Awards.  For movies, music,  television, football and books.  The red carpet, parties,  clothes, food, friends, fashion police, tailgating, and chicken wing scandals.   The MVP's for music, movies,  television, literature and football.  Half-time shows, pregame shows, brothers, fans, friendly bets and serious gamblers.  The agony and the ecstasy.  The National Anthem and America the Beautiful.  Boom -- the lights went out, the game went on and the commercials are what we are all talking about today. 

     I love, love, love football, (the Minnesota Vikings break my heart every year but I always come back hopeful and cheering loudly for them the next season) I watch very few movies and I have a couple of favorite TV shows but I  almost never miss the award shows.  (I love the clothes and glimpses of the stars and secretly can't wait to hear what the fashion police have to say about the outfits that make me scratch my head in awe or in wonder) 

 In January I   wait with breathless anticiaption to see if I have predicted the winners of this years children's literature awards.   I always have one or two of the lesser known titles on my shelf and only once in 22 years as a bookseller have I predicted the Caldecott Winner.  That was in 2010 and the winner was "The Lion and The Mouse" by Jerry Pinkney.  This year I just knew the Caldecott would go to "The Fantasic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore."  The winner was "This is Not my Hat" by Jon Klassen. (a really fun book)

It is always enjoyable to see which authors are being honored.  The announcements are much quieter than those given to athletes, movies and music but the minute we know who the winners are we scramble to get copies for ourselves and our cutomers.  Wondering how we missed predicting which books would end up with the foil medallions gracing their covers.   For a complete list of the winners check out this link: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia

I spent January rereading one of my favorite authors, Raymond Chandler.  I had forgotten how perfectly he tells a story.  If you are going to read just one of his books I highly recommend "The Big Sleep."  I picked up "Perks of Being a Wallflower"  wanting to read it again just in case I do see the movie.  It was just as good the second time as the first.  "Th1rteen R3asons Why" came into our used book section recently and the cover intrigued me, I took it home.  I didn't sleep that night.  The book was disturbing, captivating and the characters were at times awkward and infuriating.  The book is heartbreaking and made me stop in my tracks and think about how a remark that is casual to one of us can be devastating to someone else.  The books I am reading right now (just to name a few) include:  "Where'd you Go Bernadette", "A Dog Called Homeless", "My Beloved World" by Sonia Sotomayor, and Meacham's book on Thomas Jefferson.  I really want to read "Suspect" by Robert Crais and of course 100's of others if only I didn't have to work and sleep!!!!!

The Times They Are a Changing.................

I am a jumble of mixed emotions as I set fingers to keyboard.  My good friend and fellow business owner, Rob of Bert's CDs is closing his doors.   He has taken a job on campus, a job where he will do well, a job where the students will be lucky to know him, a job that will provide benefits for his family. 

This wasn't a decision that he made lightly.  Because, like me, Rob loves what he does.  Loves his customers, loves the music industry and despite the competition that he faces daily from the internet and downloadable product his niche store provided him a good life.  A life where his work was his passion, a life where he got to be happy every day.   Both he and his wife are self employed and the cost of medical insurance had become a burden.  He was looking for a job that he hoped would not only provide his family the much needed benefit of health insurance but one that would also provide him a sense of satisfaction, a job that he could do well and make a difference.  He found that.  The loss to downtown Dillon is huge but the gain for the University of Montana Western and the students he will work with is also huge.  I hope they all realize how lucky they are to have Rob Micken as part of their team. 

As for The Bookstore and me.......................well the Times They are a Changing.  We have added the greeting card lines and magnets that were availabe at Berts CDs.  The lines he carried compliment our existing greeting card selection.  Last week all those cards and magnets moved down Idaho Street to The Bookstore.  So those very funny, sometimes off color, unique products can now be found on our shelves. 

We have always been able to order music CD's but chose not to because on the corner was the expert.  We will now offer that service.  But be patient with us -- we know books.  We are excited that we will be able to order music for you but I am being really honest with you when I say the guy down the street was the expert.  I always knew that if I gave a partial title or very poorly sang him a couple of bars he would know what I wanted.  We will work very hard to provide you good service when it comes to ordering your music.

For several weeks I have been exploring an offer from the American Booksellers Association for independent bookstores like ours.  An offer that allows us to enter the ereader arena.  I am both excited and frightened.  Frightened to the point that I made the decision to accept this offer and sell the KOBO ereader at the very last minute.  I will soon be taking a crash course on these contraptions.  But for the first time we will be able to offer an ereader to our customers, an ereader that can be purchased locally.  When the KOBO is purchased from us and is registered on the KOBO website (http://www.kobo.com/) we will also be credited for the books you purchase.   In the next couple of weeks we will have demo KOBO's to show you. 

Good luck Rob we will miss having you on the corner,  Thanks for everything you do and good luck on your new journey. 

The times may be changing but as always I will be reading books my way,  held in my hand where I feel the pages, smell the ink and cherish those words from cover to cover. 

CHANGING SEASONS AND A REMINDER

It is no secret that I prefer the colder months.  But Fall is my favorite time of year.  The magnificent colors, cooler temps,  zucchini, green tomatoes, football (6-man to professional), falling leaves, sweaters,  hearty soups and thick books are all indicators that we are preparing for the winter months.  There is just something about this time of year that excites me.  I am more creative, I have more energy and I am thrilled to know that we will start having more colder days than hot ones.  I know I am lucky to live where I do, where there are distinct differences between the seasons where the sky never ends and the mountains stand tall. 

The store is busy, our schedules are full, we are preparing for author signings and Dances with Words.  The Oktoberfest is rapidly approaching (October 6th) and requiring a lot of my attention.  Somewhere among all the fast paced living that I do, I turned 9.  Quietly celebrating another year of living without cancer, another year of being so very thankful for all that I have and all that I do.  My Mom called the day before and said are you really 9 years out?  We laughed remembering how excited we were when I hit the 5 year mark.  I had an appoitment with the oncologist that day and I was giddy like a kid on a merry-go-round.  My Doctor noticed the dates and said "you are 5 today".  Bill and I were grinning from ear to ear.  

My dear friend, Mary has remembered each one of the 9.  Always marking the day in a unique and creative way.  This year was no exception.  She presented me with 9 ladies dancing and a box of Charleston Chews.  It was perfect.  No big fanfare, just a quick hug knowing that we all face adversity. Everyday when we wake up we are all survivors and should work hard at remembering to be grateful for the little things.  Don't take anything or anyone for granted and always get your mammograms.

A bit of a Rant and a whole lot of opinion

I wasn't sure I was going to take on this age of electronics BUT after the past few days I have decided not only that I would but also that I should.  I am not here to discuss the kindle pitfalls nor what it could mean to the future of a REAL book.  I am here to talk about, share and possibly become the Amy Vanderbilt for the proper manners when one owns an e-reader.

I can't help but think of my grandmother and the changes she witnessed during her lifetime.  She rode in horse drawn buggies, helped haying crews with equipment that was pulled by horses.  She drove cars, travelled by airplane and witnessed a man land on the moon. She listened to a radio before there was television.  She owned  TV in black and white and then one in color.  I now compare those advancements to the rapidly changing electronic world we live in today.  A world where we are hooked up, online and quickly becoming instant gratification addicts.


     I find it amusing that none of my customers purchased their own version of an e-reader whether it be an Ipad, Nook or the new kindle fire.  When they are confessing that they now have entered the world of electronic books they tell me that they never thought they would own one but then they got one as a gift. ......

I love books, I love reading, I love talking about books, I love recommending books and I love talking about books with people that love books, love reading and love talking about books.  This is my job, it is my career and it is my passion.

(WARNING:  This is where the rant begins)  Because I enjoy what I do I was slow to realize that "some customers" (but certainly not all) are now using me the same way information seekers use google.  They come into The Bookstore asking for my professional opinion on what is hot in the world of books.  I gladly comply reaping upon them my vast knowledge.  Giving them my undivided attention and letting them share in all that I know.  I pull the books from the shelves, I take the time to find out what books they enjoy or if they are looking for something particular to read.  I offer to order a title if we don't have it in stock.  It is no secret that I am a talker and when I am talking about books I can (and often do) go on and on sometimes forgetting that I am talking to someone but rather I become one with the book. 

These people will jot down the titles or ask if I have a website listing my favorite books.  I spend a lot of time with these customers enjoying the literary exchange before it slowly dawns on me that they are not going to buy any of these books from me.  They are going to purchase them and they are going to read them but they will not be paying me for the books nor do I get a consultants fee.  They are going to take the information that I gave them and happily travel the world wide web and purchase those books elsewhere.

I didn't want to believe that people who have been customers in my store would use me in this way.  And to be fair I doubt they think they are doing anything wrong.  I am starting to feel like they are shoplifting my brain.  I can not have them arrested but they are stealing from me (OK I also lean a bit to the dramatic)  Some people are much more subtle than others possibly purchasing a postcard for a quarter or a birthday card telling me they will be back.  I have actually witnessed people sitting in their cars in front of my store downloading something onto a plastic contraption.  I can only assume that it is one or all of the books I had just spent 45 minutes discussing with them.  And yes they have also downloaded the book while still in my store.

It was last week that I had a full realization that this happens (a lot) a woman came into the store and told me she wanted to thank me for being so helpful last summer when she visited Dillon for 8 weeks.  I vaguely remembered her and smiled and welcomed her back.  Then she asked me what books I had read over the winter.  I excitedly shared with her.  She then told me that she had been able to download all of the books I recommended last year and told all of her friends back home about the wonderful woman in Dillon.  I was stunned when she told me (in a round about way) that she had not purchased a single title from me.  She told me that no one had ever picked out titles for her that she enjoyed more.  In fact she told me she wasn't used to going to a bookstore where the clerk was so knowledgeable.  I didn't know whether to laugh, to cry or punch her........................I did none of those things but believe me the "Other Debbie" had serious thoughts of ways to torture this woman.

I have had people ask for my help and then stand in my store to see if they can download the book.  I have folks coming in and using the price check app.  I have had people refuse to allow their traveling companion to purchase them a book because they will get it from amazon or download it.  Often times the the companion is embarrassed.

Where does this lead?  What does it mean?  As for me I will continue to do what I do best, read books, sell books and share my passion with others.  I will hope that folks like me still walk the earth that want to hold a book, touch the pages, smell the print, browse the shelves of a bookstore and buy the book and take it home.

Graduation......................The Bookstore (observations but no advice)

It is May.  May of 2012.   I am stunned that not only is it May but it is closer to June than April.   In one short week our God son, Pete and one of our employees, Jordyn will graduate from high school.   Both are honor students and Pete is the class valedictorian.  We have many friends that are celebrating the graduations of their offspring.  For some it is their eldest child standing on the threshold of adulthood and for others it is the youngest.  Some are graduating from college or middle school and at least one is celebrating the milestone of graduating from preschool and heading off to the big world of kingergarden in the fall.   It is an exciting time.  A mixture of anticipation, trepidation, confusion and in some cases fear.   But no matter what, the diplomas they will receive are a symbol of accomplishment.  There will be parties and presents, cakes and meat platters.  There will be laughter, lots of laughter and a few tears.  Promises to keep in touch, promises not to change, promises of being best friends forever.   There will be the signing of the yearbooks and the exchanging of addresses.

     We will sell books intended for them that will encourage the prospective graduates to be all that they can be, books instructing them to spread their wings, books that warn them of the "naked roommate" and books that tell them what they should or shouldn't do.  They will receive dictionaries or a Rand McNally Road Atlas.  Cookbooks for dorm room meals or healthy college eating and recipe books on 101 ways to prepare ramen noodles.  

    

And most if not all will be given a copy of Dr. Seuss's "Oh the Places you will go"  where the words "You have brains in your head.  You have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself any direction you choose."  will be burned into their brains.   It is a terrific book. It fits for all ages from the preschool graduate to the medschool grad.  It works for and encourages those heading off to college or technical school and works just as well for those moving into an apartment and starting a job.  It tells of success and of bumps along the way.  It has a great message and it is plain fun.  It is fun to give and fun to receive.  It wasn't published until 1990 (I graduated from high school in 1978)  I left home and moved to Missoula where I attended the University of Montana as a journalism student.  I had fun.  I had a lot of fun.  Some might say too much fun.  My grades reflected the fun I was having and the studying I was not doing.  I did not graduate from college.  I could add chapters to the book "Been there SHOULD'VE done that" and possibly I was the naked roommate. Well I was at a minimum the roommate that encouraged late nights that often did not involve anything acedemic.   

     I look back at my graduation with fond memories.  Remembering the emotions and the determination to do something that took me out of Augusta, Montana and into the world.  I may not have graduated from college but I did spread my wings.  I did meet new people and experience new things.  I succeeded beyond my wildest dreams and somewhere along the way the dream changed and I am here in Dillon, Montana doing something that I love.  I have a degree in life and wish the best for all the graduates of 2012 no matter where they are or where they are headed for they have "Brains in their heads and feet in their shoes and they can steer themselves in any direction they choose."

Haystack Butte - Augusta, Montana

Photo shared by Rhett Young