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Ellen works in BookKids, though you may occasionally spot her wandering the grown-up areas of the store. Her favorite word is "Yummy" and she was hired for her incredible ability to talk on two telephones at the same time and not once miss a beat. These are the skills of a seasoned bookseller, y'all. _____________________________________________________ … Continue reading Ellen’s Top 5 Reads of 2013
Doc "The Dazzling" - Second Floor Inventory Manager Book: The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan "Lately I have been roaring for art that demonstrates a practical understanding of influences on the identity of women across history. The Valley of Amazement is the perfect canvas for Amy Tan to shed light on the cultural trends … Continue reading Winter Catalog Feature: Doc & THE VALLEY OF AMAZEMENT
~post by Tommy Joy to us all, Christmas is in the air. This is the time of year for warm drinks, familiar songs, and the quiet desperation of not knowing what to get the nerd on your Christmas list. Well have no fear! I have a few answers to some of your questions. Q: The … Continue reading Sci Friday: DON’T PANIC! Christmas Edition
Gary Shteyngart: bestselling author, master of the book blurb, king of the book trailer. Just when you think he can't possibly top a trailer featuring Paul Giamatti and a dachshund, Shteyngart pulls out the big guns: Johnny Franzen, James Franco & Sloane Crosley. For the record, we love Gary Shteyngart even more than James Franco … Continue reading Gary Shteyngart: King of the Book Trailer (& Our Hearts)
~post by Julie Several Short Sentences About Writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg The writing book for the writer who's read all the writing books. Klinkenborg is all about sentences. Make every sentence justify its existence. Let the unspoken between sentences speak for itself. This book is written in what I can best describe as free verse. There … Continue reading Recommended Gifts for Writers
Last night we were fortunate to host one of the very, very few events author Doug Dorst is doing to promote his new novel, S. In addition to reading reviews of Ship of Theseus, the book-within-the book that comprises the body of S., and an excerpt of Theseus itself, he discussed the collaborative process that went into making S., … Continue reading An Evening with V. M. Straka. We Mean – Doug Dorst
The Disaster Artist by Greg Sestero Reviewed by Steve(n) If the difference between a crime and an accident is intent, then the international cult phenomenon that is the famously terrible film The Room bridges the gap between an insidiously surreal performance art prank and a contemptible, cinematic atrocity. Ping-ponging between the two ends of the spectrum … Continue reading THE DISASTER ARTIST: Just Try to Look Away
We're long time fans of the fiction of Austinite Doug Dorst, whose most recent short story collection The Surf Guru, received attention in the New York Times when it was first published: "...the stories speak to an important literary pursuit: that of pushing limits, of embracing challenge..." How prescient the Times turned out to be. Dorst's latest novel, S., a collaboration … Continue reading Statesman Selects: S. by Doug Dorst
Katie "The Queen of Sweets" - Bargain Books Maven Book: Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh "I'm pretty sure Allie Brosh is a genius. She started her blog Hyperbole and a Half in 2009 and has a gift for storytelling. Her childhood and adult life are ripe with adventures. These aren't the sort of adventures … Continue reading Winter Catalog Feature: Katie & HYPERBOLE AND A HALF
Despite the over saturation of dystopian fiction in the past few years, it’s impossible to overlook Margaret Atwood’s unforgettable 1985 novel The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s one that I’ve meant to read for so long, and was very excited that we set ourselves the task to read it for the Required Reading Revisited Book Club. My … Continue reading Required Reading Revisited Book Club Discussing THE HANDMAID’S TALE
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