Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Banned Books Week September 29 - October 6

The American Library Association's "100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990 - 2000" looks like a great reading list - Judy Blume, Jean Craighead George, Shel Silverstein, Maurice Sendak, Mark Twain... http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm

"When the regime ordered
Books with dangerous knowledge
To be burned in public and everywhere
Oxen were forced to pull carts with books
to the bonfires, one of the persecuted poets
discovered one of the best
studying the list of the burned
disconcerted, that his books were forgotten.
He rushed to his desk, flying on wings of rage
and wrote a letter to the the authorities.
Burn me! he wrote with a quick stroke
Burn me! don't do this to me! Do not spare me!
Have I not always reported the truth in my books?
Yet now you treat me as were I a liar!
I command you: Burn me! "
Bertolt BRECHT
Poem titled "The Bookburning" (Die Bücherverbrennung)
German dramatist and poet (1898-1956)
(from http://www.ifla.org/faife/litter/subject/bookfire.htm)

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Looking for books

Even though I have thousands of books at the shop already, I'm still looking for more, specifically books by Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials series), Terry Pratchett (children's books), Christopher Paolini (Eragon series), Cornelia Funke, JK Rowling (Harry potter series,) and the Lemony Snicket series. These are some of our favorites at home.

I'd love to hear some recommendations, so if anyone has a favorite book they'd like to share, please post it.

I'm still working on the procedure for buying books. The amount I pay for them and whether I'll buy them will be based on quality and if I think I'll be able to sell them. Bring them down to the shop during business hours (Sat 9-3 and Sun 10-3) and I'll take a look at them. Please limit the quantity to 20 books for now.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Opening Day

The first day went well- I'm very happy with how the space is turning out. Fred and Camille added a really great mirror at the back of the room to add a little more light. Thanks for all the great photos Sheryl!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Almost ready for Saturday

Thanks to some help from Sheryl and Leah last night and a rug from Jen, things are shaping up nicely. The shelves are almost full and Leah will be setting up her Third Floor Studio Designs today.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Greyhound Adoptions

Anna got to help out with a Greyhound Adoption Clinic last Sunday. Channel 13 showed up to cover the event, so as soon as we got home we turned on the tube to see if she was on. Just sports on though.

The painting is almost done and shelves are going in soon.

I'm talking with some local artists about featuring handmade toys and children's jewelry in the shop. Leah, a Steamer #10 Theater costume designer and actor, makes one-of-a-kind felted wool toys. I hope I can talk her into making some for the shop.