July 8, 2008
Many of you may recognize the gallant young man pictured at right as someone who spent a good deal of time around the store this past year. He is none other than Gaen Ruechai, our exchange student from Thailand, who returned to his family last week after spending a year in central Maine. Gaen is a prolific reader, and of all the books he read here his favorite was, interestingly, The Little Book of Big Ideas: Philosophy, pictured to the left. And though he had many new experiences this year, not least of which was being taught to ski by our own Karen West, Gaen felt that exposure to western philosophers had the greatest impact on him. The core ideas of Descartes, Kant, Kierkegaard, Hegel and company were both new and compelling to him.  This freshness and sense of discovery was something which it was, of course, a delight to share. Most importantly, however, it brought home the intrinsic value of ideas, reflection, and most of all, the power of books. One felt that the world of philosophy was not something to adopt so much as to explore and experience. How easy it is to take the history of ideas for granted! And what a pleasure it is to appreciate it as a thing of great value in and of itself. And so we wish Gaen a fond farewell and a safe and fruitful homecoming.
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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