Perhaps it’s my destiny in life to relate to books in almost every possible way. I read them. I sell them. I’ve helped edit them. I’m writing some of my own. And I’m in two books, too. When I was growing up, my dad, Jon Remmerde, wrote a memoir of the eight and-a-half years our …
I read Kenmore, Washington author Kirby Larson’s Newbery Honor-winning book Hattie Big Sky when it came out in 2007. The story of 16-year-old Hattie, who moves to Montana by herself to try to prove up on a homestead claim left to her by her bachelor uncle, completely captured my heart, and I hand-sold it to everyone I …
“Gardening with children can be an incredible experience. They see so many things adults take for granted and miss! Listed is a group of plants that children love watching grow as they care tenderly for the plant to mature—pumpkins, sunflowers, hollyhocks, carrots and poppies are just a few that are recommended. There is a list …
It started when I saw the new movie of The Hobbit. Although I was in the middle of another book at the time–a new book, adult fiction, just the kind I always think I should read to keep up with my field–I couldn’t help it; I started to re-read The Hobbit. Never mind that I’ve …
“Guess it is the retired teacher in me, but I am always drawn toward books set in a classroom. The author, Buyea is a teacher who taught third and fourth graders, which is very evident in the reality of the characters and events in the book. Beginning in September, set in a fifth grade classroom …
Leave it to Simon Winchester to unearth the story of Alan Dudley (and his massive skull collection) as well the history and importance of skulls in science, art, culture, and history. Amazing photos accompany! Skulls was a newsletter staff pick from Paulina Springs Books, with stores in Sisters and Redmond, Oregon. Buy Skulls from Paulina Springs.
On a college trip to England, I wandered off by myself to explore a small town. I wanted to find a bookstore, and I wanted to find a very specific book. It was not a book I had ever seen, yet I thought it must exist. As I entered a secondhand and antiquarian bookstore, I …
I’ve met Kaya McLaren in person only once, but I feel like I know her. A few years ago when she was in Central Oregon, she stopped into Paulina Springs Books with her dog, Big Cedar. We talked for a few minutes before she revealed that she is an author. She was so sweet and genuine–when I …
I used to work at one of those large chain bookstores. Yes, one of those places we indies used to consider the big, bad wolf, until Amazon’s rise to power made us all realize who the wolf really is. I needed a job, it was a job in books, and I took it. I appreciated …
I grew up in Baker County, Oregon and visited the bookstore Betty’s Books on town trips. Betty’s Books sits squarely in the middle of downtown Baker City, on Main Street. It has been in operation since 1979 (when I was three) and is my original model for the magic bookshop. What is a magic bookshop? …
