| January 20th, 2009
We have an exciting event coming up later this month which I wanted to make everyone aware of. Two local poets have books coming out from prestigious national presses in January and to celebrate The Farmington Public Library and DDG have worked together to present a joint book launch, a reading and book signing to be held on the evening of January 29th, 7:00 pm at the Library. Appearing will be UMF Professor Jeffrey Thomson and new Alice James Books director Carey Salerno. Many of you will know, or recognize, Jeff, pictured to the right, as the debonair author of several fine works of poetry, most recently Celestial Emporium of Benevolent Knowledge. Not only was that a great chapbook, but with a title that good Jeff |  |
| really put the pressure on himself to come up something sensational for his next book. His new release from Carnegie Mellon, Birdwatching in Wartime, doesn't disappoint. Carey is the new director of Alice James books. This event should be a great way to welcome Carey to Farmington! One thing you'll notice about Carey's book is the cover. Here's a link to Shelter's Cover. The obvious problem is that, while Shelter is a serious political allegory, its cover makes one go awwww* because the dog is so cute. I immediately made a fool of myself when Carey handed me a copy, so beware! Full information about the event can be found on our Event page. We hope to see you there! *(I'm not sure the phonetic representation for the sound one makes when viewing a cute dog has quite been perfected yet. Some phonetic sounds, such as the one for an evil laugh, bwahahaha, are clearly rock solid. If anyone knows of a better phonetic representation for the sound of looking at a cute dog than awwwww I'd be interested in knowing it. Here they are! Our weekly picks for the two best: two hardcover, two paperback, and two children's books. The very best new arrivals to leap out of the box and onto our shelves this week. Call or email us if you want more information on any of these titles, or to have us hold you a copy. Or stop in and check them out in person. We'd love to see you. Thanks as always for sharing your reading with us! |  |
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The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet
By Tyson, Neil DeGrasse Degrasse Tyson, Neil 2009/01 - W. W. Norton & Company 9780393065206 - Hardcover See Other Formats List Price $23.95 - Your Price: $19.16
The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet is a tremendously entertaining read authored by the director of The Hayden Planetarium. Tyson was integral in the reclassification of Pluto from 'Planet' to icy 'comet' orbiting around Neptune, and ultimately to 'dwarf planet'. With great warmth, humor and insight Tyson presents the public outcry against scientific sensibility in a manner which is both informative and fascinating. I must admit that I numbered myself among the group of Pluto's defenders, and felt that it was ungallant to take away Pluto's planetary status. The Pluto Files is so full of life and an appreciation for human foibles, however, that one can't help seeing both sides of the debate with an appreciation of Pluto's story not as a question of right and wrong, but as a splendid illustration of human nature....More
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Agincourt
By Cornwell, Bernard 2009/01 - Harper 9780061578915 - Hardcover See Other Formats List Price $27.95 - Your Price: $22.36
Historical fiction author Bernard Cornwell has long had a loyal following. His publisher is hoping that AgincourtAgincourt is a stand alone historical novel, rather than a series book, and the topic is fraught with interest. Anyone who has been lying in the weeds, wondering whether to give Cornwell a go, should step forth into the light of day and give Agincourt a close look....More
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The Christian World
By Marty, Martin 2009/01 - Modern Library 9780812976779 - Trade Paper See Other Formats List Price $15.00 - Your Price: $12.00
The Christian World is a very fine global history now available in paperback. Anyone interested in deepening their perspective will find both pleasure and insight in Marty's brief and balanced account....More
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The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights
By Steinbeck, John Horton, Chase Paolini, Christopher 2008/12 - Penguin Books 9780143105459 - Trade Paper See Other Formats List Price $16.00 - Your Price: $12.80
This lovely new edition of Steinbeck's The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights is meant to introduce the work to young fantasy readers. To accomplish this the book sports a foreword by popular young fantasy author Christopher Paolini. Some readers may find Paolini's preface to be insufferably smug. In the opening line, for example, Paolini shares with us that "Like Steinbeck, I read the Caxton version of Sir Thomas Malor's Le Morte d'Arthur when I was nine." On the other hand, if Paolini's presence in the book induces any young readers to make the acquaintance of The Acts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights then right ho....More
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The Musical
By Holm, Jennifer L. Holm, Matt Holm, Jennifer 2009/01 - Random House Books for Young Readers 9780375843884 - Trade Paper List Price $5.99 - Your Price: $4.79
Some of the most popular, and the best, books produced for elementary and middle grade readers has taken the form of graphic novel series. This week features releases in two of the most prominent of these. At the elementary level the latest Babymouse book, Babymouse The Musical is out. ...More
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The Last Straw
By Kinney, Jeff 2009/01 - Amulet Books 9780810970687 - Hardcover List Price $12.95 - Your Price: $10.36
Few middle grade readers can rival the quality, and non can rival the appeal to reluctant readers, of Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. His third book in this series, The Last Straw, is out today. Any parent wondering what book might get their 11-13 year old boy reading should wonder no further....More
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