Simple and inspiring. We all have those days, when we’re afraid and sad because of the news; this book shows us how to step outside the fear “to make the world a better place.” Hand in hand, kindness by kindness, we can make a difference and win “a tiny battle over fear for [ourselves] and …
So many publications or sites do top 10 lists or even notable 100 for books published in the calendar year. But the folks at Phinney Books in Seattle have a fun year-end summary that I’m very excited about: the unread list. Here’s what Phinney’s owner, Tom Nissley, had to say about it in the store’s …
Charlie, aka the Grenadine Kid, is the son of an American diplomat in France in 1961. By chance–or is it?– he witnesses a pick pocket, Amir, similar in age to himself being accosted by police, Charlie comes to his aid and by doing so strikes up a friendship. Charlie really has no friends and is …
Anyone want to take bets on how many Wonder Women you’ll see trick-or-treating this year? From the movies to the bookshelves to the Halloween streets, Wonder Woman is having a big year. Below are two recent books for different ages. Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo. Bardugo’s fans know she writes rich worlds, complex characters, …
The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, the regional trade association for independent bookstores, just concluded its annual fall trade show this week. This means that the PNBA Board of Directors gathered, and when that happens, there’s a tradition of going around the room to introduce ourselves and something we’ve read lately. Below are the books that …
I love this picture book! Readers who are familiar with the original will definitely get a kick out of it, but so will folks new to the idea. It’s full of rhyming fun with just the right touch of absurdity. Up your rhyme game with this rambunctious read-aloud! –Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, WA …
I adored this debut middle grade novel. Narrated by young Arturo, it tells the story of how he tried to save his family’s restaurant and his neighborhood from alluring yet ultimately devastating gentrification at the hands of a smarmy real estate developer. There’s some light romance, a touch of bittersweet sadness, a ton of hilarious …
Last week, booksellers from all around the country converged on Portland, OR for a conference on children’s books and bookselling, hosted by the American Booksellers Association. Some lucky participants registered for half-day and full-day bus tours of Portland area independent bookstores, hopping from neighborhood to neighborhood for 20-30 minute drop-ins (Woefully short!). Here are some …
Saturday was Small Business Saturday and independent bookstores’ special Indies First day. Stores around the region strutted their small business stuff, and customers enjoyed a joyous kick-off to the holiday shopping season. In McMinnville, OR, Third Street Books was part of the community-wide small business passport program. Brian Juenemann, executive director of regional trade association …
What a subtitle: “An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders!” This is beautiful, bizarre, intriguing, absurd– arm-chair travel at its most curious and delightful. I’m recommending this as the gift to get for the person who has everything and/or the most interesting person on your list. Life will never be boring with a book like …
