If not the worst romance novel cover, ever, then at least in the top 20:
28.2.10
2.2.10
Is It Wrong to Love a Book Box?
I order a lot of books. I ship a lot of books. I have a lot of bubble wrap, envelopes, cardboard, kraft paper, packing peanuts, and tape. Lots of tape, but that's another blog.
I say all that to say this: I am very, VERY picky when it comes to how my books are packaged, both thems what I sends and thems what I gets. Good, bad, ugly--I've seen 'em all, or at least this is what I thought before this morning.
I'll spare you the rant on bad packaging for now, Gentle Reader, because this post is about the bit of bookish joy I just experienced at receiving a book that was actually shipped--mostly--properly. This is always a nice surprise in itself.
I say all that to say this: I am very, VERY picky when it comes to how my books are packaged, both thems what I sends and thems what I gets. Good, bad, ugly--I've seen 'em all, or at least this is what I thought before this morning.
I'll spare you the rant on bad packaging for now, Gentle Reader, because this post is about the bit of bookish joy I just experienced at receiving a book that was actually shipped--mostly--properly. This is always a nice surprise in itself.
But--the paradigm-shifting part--was the book box used. Amazon, eat your heart out. This puppy uses some sort of tessaract/fractal valmorphanizing technology to SNICK! flap instantly into a shape perfectly adjusted to fit nearly any size of book, and then SNICK! flip back into a flat single sheet, all from merely receiving one's thoughts of boxness or flatness toward the cardboard miracle (well, nearly). I'm enchanted and have wasted several minutes trying to fit my feet into the thing in hopes that it will heal my limp, too. No dice yet in that department, but I remain optimistic and will soon be trying it on my head as well. Oh, and don't worry--I, too, have watched Tron, Dear Reader--I tested it with an orange, first, and am pleased to report no inside-out peely masses of gory fruit goo here.
(re-posted from the myspace blog)
1.2.10
Recent Reads
Reading a few books again, finally--this is something I've decided heck or high water to start doing, work load notwithstanding. I used to read voraciously, but have not recently had the time. Still don't, but whatever. What's the fun of having a bookstore if one can't read the durn things? So. Current reading list:
The Down-Home Zombie Blues,
Clicking,
Death on Demand,
Mind Hunters,
Read-Aloud Handbook,
The Road
Death on Demand was...oh...say a 2 out of four (lion) paws. Mmeh. I love bibliomysteries, so it was already in the plus column there, but it was too easy to figure out, and some of the book shop nittygritty didn't strike me as realistic. I'll be reading the rest of the series, though, so it was fair enough to make that cut.
Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook is a classic. I pick it up off and on for inspiration when I'm working on the children's section. Literacy and the love of reading has been on my mind recently, hence this book choice.
Sinclair's SciFi zombie romance was recommended to me by a customer. Sorry, whomever you were, but I haven't yet been able to get into this one. I'll give it another chapter or so, though.
Mind Hunters was one I picked up to give to someone else, then after reading a few pages decided to read. It's been okay, I guess. I like some romances, but I can't really get into this one's love story. The action and detective parts are okay, though. One paw.
What else...oh. Clicking. Just barely started this one. Looks interesting.
Finished The Road. Hm. I have mixed feelings on this one. Pretty sure I would have enjoyed it more if I were a man. Frustrated with some of the choices made by the protagonist, but I suppose they were in keeping with his character. Not the best post-apocalyptic book I've read, but a very quick read and some great imagery. 2.5 paws up.
Also picked up a Native American cookbook yesterday. It has a recipe for yellow jacket soup. Yes. As in, the bug. Yech.
TTFN.
-S.
The Exeter Book
The Exeter Book is the largest collection of Old English writings, and contains the oldest surviving colletion of riddles written in O.E. Its other works such as the religious poems and elegies are certainly literary and historical treasures, but the riddles--an earthy mix of conundrum poems ranging from humorous to haunting--are unique.
The book itself is a riddle. It currently resides in the Exeter Cathedral library, probably donated originally by Leofric, the first Exeter bishop, c.1050 AD. Before that, however, it's provenance is a mystery made all the more curious by clues left on its binding: beer mug rings and cheese and bread smears in knife scores, to name a couple of odd markings.
This is one of my favorite riddle-poems from the Book of Exeter, as translated by Crossley-Holland:
An enemy ended my lfe, deprived me
of my physical strength; then he dipped me
in water and drew me out again,
and put me in the sun where I soon shed
all my hair.
After that, the knife's sharp edge
bit into me and all my blemishes scraped away;
fingers folded me and the bird's feather
often moved over my brown surface,
sprinkling meaningful marks; it swallowed more wood-dye
(part of the stream)
and again travelled over me
leaving black tracks.
Then a man bound me,
he stretched skin over me and adorned me
with gold; thus I am enriched by the wondrous work
of smiths, wound about with shining metal.
Now my clasp and my red dye
and these glorious adornments bring fame far and wide
to the Protector of Men, and not to the pains of Hell.
If only the sons of men would make use of me
they would be the safer and the more victorious,
their hearts would be bolder and thei minds more at ease,
their thoughts wiser, and they would have more friends,
companions and kinsmen (courageous, honourable,
trusty, kind) who would gladly increase
their honour and prosperity, and heap
benefits upon them, ever holding them
most dea.
Ask what I am called,
of such use to men.
My name is famous,
of service to men and sacred in itself.
Not the hardest riddle, and much wordier than most, but nevertheless one I enjoy. Here's another:
When I heard of that wonder
it struck me as a strange event:
That a worm should swallow the song of some man,
a thief gorge in the darkness on a great man's
speech of distinction. The thievish stranger
was not a whit the wiser for swallowing words.
Happy riddling!
The book itself is a riddle. It currently resides in the Exeter Cathedral library, probably donated originally by Leofric, the first Exeter bishop, c.1050 AD. Before that, however, it's provenance is a mystery made all the more curious by clues left on its binding: beer mug rings and cheese and bread smears in knife scores, to name a couple of odd markings.
This is one of my favorite riddle-poems from the Book of Exeter, as translated by Crossley-Holland:
An enemy ended my lfe, deprived me
of my physical strength; then he dipped me
in water and drew me out again,
and put me in the sun where I soon shed
all my hair.
After that, the knife's sharp edge
bit into me and all my blemishes scraped away;
fingers folded me and the bird's feather
often moved over my brown surface,
sprinkling meaningful marks; it swallowed more wood-dye
(part of the stream)
and again travelled over me
leaving black tracks.
Then a man bound me,
he stretched skin over me and adorned me
with gold; thus I am enriched by the wondrous work
of smiths, wound about with shining metal.
Now my clasp and my red dye
and these glorious adornments bring fame far and wide
to the Protector of Men, and not to the pains of Hell.
If only the sons of men would make use of me
they would be the safer and the more victorious,
their hearts would be bolder and thei minds more at ease,
their thoughts wiser, and they would have more friends,
companions and kinsmen (courageous, honourable,
trusty, kind) who would gladly increase
their honour and prosperity, and heap
benefits upon them, ever holding them
most dea.
Ask what I am called,
of such use to men.
My name is famous,
of service to men and sacred in itself.
Not the hardest riddle, and much wordier than most, but nevertheless one I enjoy. Here's another:
When I heard of that wonder
it struck me as a strange event:
That a worm should swallow the song of some man,
a thief gorge in the darkness on a great man's
speech of distinction. The thievish stranger
was not a whit the wiser for swallowing words.
Happy riddling!
Bradbury on Burroughs, and the Shepherdess on a Soapbox
"A number of people changed my life forever in various ways.
Lon Chaney put me up on the side of Notre Dame and swung me from a chandelier over the opera crowd in Paris.
Edgar Allan Poe mortared me into a brick vault with some Amontillado.
Kong chased me up one side and down the other of the Empire State Building.
But--Mr. Burroughs convinced me that I could talk with the animals, even if they didn't answer back, and that late nights when I was asleep my soul slipped from my body, slung itself out the window, and frolicked across town never touching the lawns, always hanging from trees where, even later in those nights, I taught myself alphabets and soon learned French and English and danced with the apes when the moon rose.
But then again, his greatest gift was teaching me to look at Mars and ask to be taken home.
I went home to Mars often when I was eleven and twelve and every year since, and the astronauts with me, as far as the Moon to start, but Mars by the end of the century for sure, Mars by 1999. We have commuted because of Mr. Burroughs. Because of him we have printed the Moon. Because of him and men like him, one day in the next five centuries, we will commute forever, we will go away...
And never come back.
And so live forever."
--Bradbury, in the intro to Porges' Edgar Rice Burroughs: The Man Who Created Tarzan
This was written in ‘75, back before talking with animals became an anthropomorphic faux pas, a time when even the greatest living sci-fi writer couldn’t imagine a future in which we didn't reach Mars by '99, or '00, or ‘01, or.... We live in a society where the night sky is a harbinger of fear, not wonder; we erase it with street lights whose wavelengths are--coincidentally?--those most hostile to human night vision. Primitive man had fire to ward away the demons, but he also had the stars to guide him home.
Why is this? When did our commutation change into an ostriching of heads under the ground? Even the moon seems dimmer. And though we talk endlessly about saving the jungle and its creatures, we do our damndest to isolate ourselves from anything that chitters or whispers or smacks its lips to say, I'm wild. What's worse: we do so under the guise of care, of human-ity. Really?
And yet, and yet...those wild things creep among us as we stumble around in night-blind bliss, and Mars still bides its time. We're not safer, just oblivious. To wit: I have a picture on my phone, showing what my street lamp conceals at night from apes afraid of trees. The heart of town, and here, a deer, invisible sans camera. I’ve no doubt she saw me well before I heard her rustlings and squinted uselessly into the bright yellow darkness with my dazzled eyes.
In daylight I find her hoof prints, dainty compared to the coyote tracks in my mud-filled gutter in the center of town.
Mars still waits.
Lon Chaney put me up on the side of Notre Dame and swung me from a chandelier over the opera crowd in Paris.
Edgar Allan Poe mortared me into a brick vault with some Amontillado.
Kong chased me up one side and down the other of the Empire State Building.
But--Mr. Burroughs convinced me that I could talk with the animals, even if they didn't answer back, and that late nights when I was asleep my soul slipped from my body, slung itself out the window, and frolicked across town never touching the lawns, always hanging from trees where, even later in those nights, I taught myself alphabets and soon learned French and English and danced with the apes when the moon rose.
But then again, his greatest gift was teaching me to look at Mars and ask to be taken home.
I went home to Mars often when I was eleven and twelve and every year since, and the astronauts with me, as far as the Moon to start, but Mars by the end of the century for sure, Mars by 1999. We have commuted because of Mr. Burroughs. Because of him we have printed the Moon. Because of him and men like him, one day in the next five centuries, we will commute forever, we will go away...
And never come back.
And so live forever."
--Bradbury, in the intro to Porges' Edgar Rice Burroughs: The Man Who Created Tarzan
This was written in ‘75, back before talking with animals became an anthropomorphic faux pas, a time when even the greatest living sci-fi writer couldn’t imagine a future in which we didn't reach Mars by '99, or '00, or ‘01, or.... We live in a society where the night sky is a harbinger of fear, not wonder; we erase it with street lights whose wavelengths are--coincidentally?--those most hostile to human night vision. Primitive man had fire to ward away the demons, but he also had the stars to guide him home.
Why is this? When did our commutation change into an ostriching of heads under the ground? Even the moon seems dimmer. And though we talk endlessly about saving the jungle and its creatures, we do our damndest to isolate ourselves from anything that chitters or whispers or smacks its lips to say, I'm wild. What's worse: we do so under the guise of care, of human-ity. Really?
And yet, and yet...those wild things creep among us as we stumble around in night-blind bliss, and Mars still bides its time. We're not safer, just oblivious. To wit: I have a picture on my phone, showing what my street lamp conceals at night from apes afraid of trees. The heart of town, and here, a deer, invisible sans camera. I’ve no doubt she saw me well before I heard her rustlings and squinted uselessly into the bright yellow darkness with my dazzled eyes.
In daylight I find her hoof prints, dainty compared to the coyote tracks in my mud-filled gutter in the center of town.
Mars still waits.
12.10.08
take two
Well...we'll try this again. My not posting on this blog is bothering me far more than the bother of cutting and pasting, so I'm back again here. Sorry guys.
What can I say? I'm a bookseller, not a computer geek.
What can I say? I'm a bookseller, not a computer geek.
16.7.08
A Mystery and a Mystery Book Sale
The Shepherdess has been receiving at the Lion letters from fictional literary characters.
In honor of this odd filbert on her already odd life, she has been inspired to hold a Friends of the Lion Only Mystery Book sale this Monday, July 21st, from noon until 4pm at our antiquarian shop.
Over 1,000 hardback mystery novels will be in the sale for $1-$3 each.
Mark your calendars because this is a short, sweet sale that is being offered only to our blog readers and in-store customers. Feel free to bring a friend (or two, or more), but only those of you who know the pass phrase, "The butler did it," will be given an extra 40% off of any one item in our normal mystery shelves. This section includes many collectible titles, so if you've been eyeing that signed Cat Who... mystery by Lilian Jackson Braun, here's your chance.
...and if any of you know the author of the curious letters, please drop the Shepherdess a clue. Her puzzler is sore.
In honor of this odd filbert on her already odd life, she has been inspired to hold a Friends of the Lion Only Mystery Book sale this Monday, July 21st, from noon until 4pm at our antiquarian shop.
Over 1,000 hardback mystery novels will be in the sale for $1-$3 each.
Mark your calendars because this is a short, sweet sale that is being offered only to our blog readers and in-store customers. Feel free to bring a friend (or two, or more), but only those of you who know the pass phrase, "The butler did it," will be given an extra 40% off of any one item in our normal mystery shelves. This section includes many collectible titles, so if you've been eyeing that signed Cat Who... mystery by Lilian Jackson Braun, here's your chance.
...and if any of you know the author of the curious letters, please drop the Shepherdess a clue. Her puzzler is sore.
10.7.08
Simply Delish!
Okay, Local Lionheads: I just discovered a wonderful little shop here in the 'Ville--Simply Deli, located next to Scott's Flowers on the Square on College Street.
They have crepes (!), sandwiches, salads, and soup. I highly recommend the house salad--with cranberries, carrots, yummy dressing, and all sorts of other goodies on a bed of crisp greens. This is one of the tastiest salads I've ever eaten--and I know my salads! Anyway, with fresh, top-notch ingredients, professional service, clean settings, and genuine small-town warmth, this eatery deserves a visit.
They have crepes (!), sandwiches, salads, and soup. I highly recommend the house salad--with cranberries, carrots, yummy dressing, and all sorts of other goodies on a bed of crisp greens. This is one of the tastiest salads I've ever eaten--and I know my salads! Anyway, with fresh, top-notch ingredients, professional service, clean settings, and genuine small-town warmth, this eatery deserves a visit.
7.7.08
Local Poetry
The Peyote Milkshake Review, a local poetry zine published by uber-lionhead Mike Snyder, is now accepting submissions for the fall issue. Inquiries may be sent to Mike at mikeandlaura10 @ embarqmail.com (with spaces removed from addy, of course). And yes, this would be the same Mike who, during the course of his poetry slam/book release party, revealed that our sweet and erudite local Shakespeare prof is ACTUALLY...
DARTH MOUMIN!!!
26.4.08
Mystery Photo
Who: ???
What: ???
When: ???
Where: ???
I thought you guys might have fun figuring this one out. Can anyone identify what's going on in this picture, when it was taken, and which famous figures are present?
Here's a close up of the handshake:
Folks who solve the mystery get a virtual cake homemade by the Shepherdess, and her kudos.
17.4.08
Choose Your Own Adventure
Okay--time for a quick show of hands:
How many of you have a secret love for Choose Your Own Adventure-style books? 'Cause I know I do.
I used to have over a hundred of those wonderful time-sucks when I was a kid. Tragically, they were destroyed in a storm--all of them. : (
I recently added several to the children's shelves here at the Lion. Many of them were titles I once had. I've been tempted to buy them, myself, but have resisted thus far. Still...The Circus of Fear calls to me (You, too, can be held captive in an evil circus as a young orphan girl who trick rides on griffins and tames displacer beasts while fighting to bring to justice the secret ruling class of Greyhawk!) , as does that trippy literary left turn, You Are a Shark!.
I sold one of them today to another closet Choose Your Own fan, and we had a lively debate over which series was the best. I was partial to the Endless Quests, while she was a purist.
That sale prompted me to wonder: Anyone else out there with this particular guilty pleasure? Did you read them as intended (I did), or were you a rebel and went straight through them cover to cover? Or--horrors--did you defy all ethical standards and sneak peeks at the various outcomes before choosing your path?
15.4.08
1891 Incident, Part 3: Wherein the Mystery Is Revealed
(Special to the Lion blog by classy dame reporter, Sara Jay)
Some folks wait their entire lives for a story such as this one. Technically, so did I, but hopefully I have some living to do, yet.
It was just an ordinary day in the 'Ville. The Shepherdess had fed my guppies while I'd been covering a story last week in Madagascar, so in return I'd offered to watch the shop in the morning while she visited with an old friend. I was up on the rooftop enjoying the bookstore's garden, singing to myself and topping off the seed bin in the passenger pigeon coop, when I noticed a stranger in the midst of the usual birds. Attached to his leg by a red string was a tiny scroll of paper. I freed it and unrolled the message.
Confucius Say: May you lead an interesting life. On the back were some lucky numbers.
Huh. I pocketed the fortune and went about my day, though something niggled at the back of my mind and wouldn't let go. It wasn't until that evening when I realized what had bothered me about the incident: When I'd held the bird to remove the message, the usual thrumming heartbeat had been absent beneath my careful grasp. Could it be…? I raced back up to the shop--the Shepherdess had already locked up for the night, but there, fallen onto the ground, was the confirmation of my suspicions.
I picked up the bird from where it lay on its side, feet still scratching the air and head bobbing rhythmically. "Coo, Coo, Coo" it purred tinnily, and as I turned it over to examine it in the gaslight, I felt rather than heard a faint snick and a whirring. From within the bird spoke a monotone voice:
"Tomorrow. Mr. H__. Jake and Dorothy's. 4 O'Clock. Sharp. Tell no one. Come alone. Bring your notebook. Drop the pigeon."
Intrigued, I ignored the last of the bird's instructions and, after a moment's inspection, twisted off its plastic beak to reveal what was either an off switch or the self-destruct mechanism. Never being one to shillyshally with the what-ifs, I flicked it and flinched. I braced for the explosion, but the avian robot just gave one last dopplered-down coo as its glowing red eyes faded to black. I stashed it behind one of the flowerpots, then walked back home, thoughtful. I wouldn't sleep until hours later, but rather chewed on the day's unlikely turn of events. The Shepherdess was right; there was never a dull moment at the shop.
The next day, I fretted. My restless night had left me bleary and paranoid. I hoped to have the upper hand in my interview, so I came early and sat in a wall booth at Jake's to watch the incoming customers. I'd just drained my third cup of joe when, as I tilted the cup back, I saw I'd been joined at the booth by a figure holding a dinner menu in one hand and a glass bottle in the other.
"The instructions said 4, sharp. You're 20 minutes early. And you should go easy on that coffee, Miss Jay. It's your fourth cup."
"Third, actually," I corrected, then quickly did the math and realized he was right. I cleared my throat. My hopes for the upper hand were diminishing.
"Mr. H__, I presume?"
He didn't reply, but rather continued as if I'd not spoken.
"In 1891, something appeared in the sky over Dublin, Texas: something from another world, something which may have changed the town forever."
I listened expectantly as The Mysterious Mr. H__ took a long sip from his soda. He was a tall drink of water, or what I could see of him. The menu effectively blocked all but his hat from my view. I thought my clever camera tricks would catch his mug in at least one of my photos, but all my surreptitious pictures strangely came out blurred or blank, save this one:
So I waited. Patience, you see, is a journalist's greatest asset, save for her plucky personality and shorthand skills. Mr. H__ was quiet for a moment longer, perhaps reading the menu, perhaps reading me. His silence was as inscrutable as the Sphinx, but he blinked first (At least, I assume he did.). He cleared his throat and began again.
"That account, that sighting--most folks think that news story was the end. They don't know. They never do."
When nothing followed that enigmatic statement, I decided to cut to the chase, get to the grist.
"Gleepers, Mr. H__, I'm not sure I follow. I've covered some pretty fantastic stories in my time, but this one takes the cake! Surely having a levitating cotton bale explode into a rain of metal and manuscript is enough! Really, Sir; what more could there be?"
His gloved hand gripped the menu tighter until the laminate took on a wavy pattern in the glow of the overhead lights, sort of a film moire which reminded me that I knew nothing about this gentleman, where he came from, who he was, and I'd not left note of my agenda with anyone save a hurried note scribbled on the icebox.
I'd struck a nerve with him; that was obvious, but even so, I felt that I was not in danger, but rather on the brink of an amazing revelation. I took a bracing sip of my coffee, then met his stare (or what I extrapolated to be his stare.).
"Miss Jay, have you ever felt the weight of truth? The lonely chill from glimpsing what lies beneath our day-to-day placations and hypnoses? I have. I carried the burden for years, shivered in its growing rime, been its guardian and its prisoner, and now the time has come for us both to be free. I hold the key, Miss Jay. I need only your pen to turn it."
He lifted his soda again. I nodded my thanks to the waitress as she gave me a warm up, and as soon as she left, he spoke again.
"The manuscript. Didn't you ever wonder what became of the fragments?"
"I just always assumed they rotted away. Now the metal--"
"Forget the metal!!!" His vehemence startled me.
"Don't you see? The metal was just a red herring planted to throw folks off the trail of the real prize."
At this my skepticism (yet another quality of any journalist worth her weight in graphite) kicked in.
"With all due respect, Mr. H__, who on earth would do such a thing?"
"Who…on Earth…indeed, Miss Jay."
It was at that moment I first felt the clammy fingers of truth graze my neck. I downed my coffee, turned up my trench coat collar, and leaned closer to the man behind the menu.
"Holy smokes," I quietly exclaimed.
"Holy smokes," I quietly exclaimed.
"Holy smokes," he agreed. After a moment's pause, given I felt more for me than for his own collection, he continued.
"The writings were of strange hieroglyphs, unseen before by any of the townsmen. Undecipherable as they were, the fragments quickly disappeared, never to be viewed by the public again."
"All this has been public knowledge for the last century, Sir. What am I missing?"
"That same year, actually, that same month, Miss J., a secret formula began to appear throughout the area, an elixir so satisfying, so invigorating, that to this day folks will drive hundreds of miles just to pick up a few bottles."
"You don't mean…." I reached into my coat pocket and nervously fingered the tiny scroll from last night. "An interesting life," indeed. The numbers on the back--10...2...4--suddenly made sense.
The Mysterious Mr. H__ took a drink from his soda in confirmation.
"The one and the same. The formula for Dublin Dr Pepper has been known as the most closely guarded trade secret in the nation, perhaps…on…Earth. The recipe is locked away within a vault guarded round the clock by armed guards and known by only 2 people at any given time. In that vault? A single fragment of a manuscript. The sighting? June, 1891. The soda? June, 1891. The crash sight? Just across the street from the bottling plant."
At this point even your intrepid journalist's unshakable cool was broken. Here before me was overwhelming evidence that Dublin Dr Pepper was no mere beverage but actually the result of superior alien technology! They always claimed it was the pure cane sugar that gave it such zing, but perhaps that was just the beginning.
And what, exactly was Dublin Dr Pepper? To we earthlings, perhaps, it was merely a refreshing and tasty beverage, but who knows what effects it might have on extraterrestrial metabolisms? A Miraculous Medicine? An Alien Aphrodisiac? A Fountain of Youth for Greys? And who was I to presume that they actually drank the stuff, anyway? Perhaps it fueled their warp engines, or was the syrup a coating necessary for their bodies to safely withstand the rigors of interdimensional travel? No wonder they'd returned to Erath county! Who knew what type of calamities were occurring on their home planet as their remaining stockpiles of the elixir diminished while the sole copy of the recipe now rested in Terran hands!
"Mister, you have me convinced. Does this mean we should prepare for invasion?"
The corner of his mouth twitched (or I assume it did), the first display of amusement he'd shown since beginning the interview. Mr. H__ made a slight motion with his now-empty soda bottle, and the waitress returned.
"One of these for the lady, please. She's been drinking too much coffee, it seems."
The waitress returned with my drink. I took it, hands trembling.
"Here ya go, Honey," she said, then pulled a wry face when she saw how reverently I regarded the bottle.
"Enjoy. It's out of this world."
I took a tentative sip, and as calm returned me to my journalistic senses, spoke again.
"So what does this mean for humanity?"
"My research indicates they are a peaceful lot, these beings. If they want it back, they're here for the formula and nothing more. And perhaps they are merely watching us appreciate their gift. Heaven knows our primitive society could use a boost. We weren't ready to be taught how to build a hyper-drive, but maybe we managed to qualify for a soda pop light years ahead of all the others."
I jotted down some final notes, then flipped the pad shut and leaned over the table.
"Off the record, Mr. H__, but--how do you know these things?"
…And that, folks, is all I can write of what followed. A journalist's reputation for discretion must never be compromised. Sara Jay, reporting live from the Lion.
Text Copyright 2008 by The Literary Lion, using with permission the intellectual property copyrighted 2008 of Dr. Pepper/ 1891 crash site connection by J. Huse, all rights reserved. The Dr Pepper name is a trademark of the Dr Pepper company.
13.4.08
1891 Incident, Part Two: Late Breaking News!!!
!!!Is The Mystery Solved at Last???
!!!Has The Literary Lion Scooped the Story of The Century???
!!!Will This Be the End of Civilization As We Know It???
Stay tuned, stay alert, and stay together in a single line, folks--all shall soon be revealed in the Lion's next blog. Your spunky reporter (and renowned historian) Sara Jay, has heard an amazing story--a story so strange, so weird, so deliciously out-there, that she has had no choice but to stop the press, stop the traffic, and stop the insanity just so she might arrange a clandestine interview with the Mysterious Mr. H__, a man who holds the key to a tale too weird to be anything but fiction...or is it too strange to be anything but the truth...?
!!!Has The Literary Lion Scooped the Story of The Century???
!!!Will This Be the End of Civilization As We Know It???
Stay tuned, stay alert, and stay together in a single line, folks--all shall soon be revealed in the Lion's next blog. Your spunky reporter (and renowned historian) Sara Jay, has heard an amazing story--a story so strange, so weird, so deliciously out-there, that she has had no choice but to stop the press, stop the traffic, and stop the insanity just so she might arrange a clandestine interview with the Mysterious Mr. H__, a man who holds the key to a tale too weird to be anything but fiction...or is it too strange to be anything but the truth...?
UFO Archive and the 1891 Incident, Part One
Howdy again from the land of literature, longhorns, and little green men. I’ve been cruising under the blogosphere radar for the last month because--among my froggering thousands upon thousands of paperbacks across the street into our sister shop, opening up said second store, and re-arranging the original one--I've been swamped!
Since the airing of last week’s UFO Hunters on the History Channel, several folks have been asking in general about our UFO archive at the Lion and the 1891 incident, specifically (and if you missed it, it looks like they'll be airing the "Invasion: Stephenville" episode again on Sunday, April 13th 11:00 PM, Monday, April 14th at 03:00 AM, and Saturday, April 19th at 03:00 PM, EST). Here’s some back story on both:
In 7th grade, my creative writing teacher here in Stephenville gave us an historical fiction assignment. To help us pick a topic for our stories, we were to pour over old news snippets collected in calendars created by a local history buff (so Dan, if you’re reading--this is all your fault!). Ever the nerd, I of course was elated when I found the following:
Wowsers! Much to Teacher's chagrin, her attempts to extract from me a story not including bug-eyed monsters (or unicorns, or both) failed. Though I've successfully blocked most of those memories from my mind, I have the sneaking suspicion that my treatment of the peaceful pioneers of Erath County involved their getting invaded by time-travelling Romulans, or somesuch. Sigh...to be a young geeky pariah of public school society. If you just shuddered in empathy in your own recollections of having been a nerd awash in a sea of coolness, raise your hand thusly:
Aw. I knew you could!
Okay, space cadets--let’s time warp now back to the past present (Tense? I, too; I, too.). After the January hubbub here in Stephenville, I spoke with an old grade school buddy who, as old grade school buddies are wont to do, cheerfully dredged up that awkward period of my life and that infamous assignment. “Guess Erath’s had a long history of UFOs, huh,” was her tossed-off comment which planted the seed of what is now our Erath County UFO archive.
Bob Dunn, who is graciously allowing us to host his Lone Star Library Texana collection upstairs, had just that week brought in some new Erath county memorabilia and history books. I spent the next several hours pouring through the collection until I found the copies of the same calendars we used for inspiration all those years ago.
In addition to the aforementioned entry were other accounts, mostly seemingly of meteors, but a couple somewhat less explainable. This was the inspiration for the archive. I then sent out an open invitation to residents to add their personal accounts. That invite, by the way, is still open, folks, so keep those reports coming.
I've had folks ask what angle I'm taking on this. I'd like to say right now that I love science, love science fiction, and have a healthy sense of wonder along with a healthy bit of skepticism. I am merely gathering these records, not drawing conclusions. I am treating this project as something which might someday be of use to folks researching a variety of aspects of both our county history and UFO phenomena. And, in my book, a UFO is just that--an Unidentified Flying Object. So don't be shy--while I'm certainly having a blast with the project, I will not be testing you for high levels of midichlorians should you add your story to the collection...yet.
The archive is just in its infancy. It's merely a hobby of mine right now, but I hope in time it will be of some historical use. I'm also accepting donations of old news clippings, visual or audio related to the sightings, media and societal responses to the recent flap, advertisements related to the January sightings, and personal accounts not only of sightings but also of the emotional or otherwise impact the hubbub has had on residents.
...and that 1891 news clipping? I've long lost both the story and research from all those years ago, but here's a copy of one of the original articles on the incident recently sent to me from the Dublin Public Library (a wonderful library, I might add, but that's for another blog):
But wait--there's more!!! Stay tuned folks...I've just gotten a telegram from the Lion's own cub reporter, Sara Jay, requesting I stop the press, for she's just scooped what may be the Stephenville Story of the Century! More to come...
Nanu, Nanu,
Shepherdess
Since the airing of last week’s UFO Hunters on the History Channel, several folks have been asking in general about our UFO archive at the Lion and the 1891 incident, specifically (and if you missed it, it looks like they'll be airing the "Invasion: Stephenville" episode again on Sunday, April 13th 11:00 PM, Monday, April 14th at 03:00 AM, and Saturday, April 19th at 03:00 PM, EST). Here’s some back story on both:
In 7th grade, my creative writing teacher here in Stephenville gave us an historical fiction assignment. To help us pick a topic for our stories, we were to pour over old news snippets collected in calendars created by a local history buff (so Dan, if you’re reading--this is all your fault!). Ever the nerd, I of course was elated when I found the following:
June 12th/13th, 1891: Several Dublin citizens reported seeing and hearing what
appeared to be a brilliantly glowing bale of cotton suspended 300 feet in the
air, near Wasson & Miller’s gin last night. The thing exploded like a “bomb
shell,” burning local vegetation and leaving “peculiar stones and pieces of
metal, all of a leaden color” as well as “fragments of manuscript” in a language
that “no one has yet been found who has ever seen before…” (from the Dublin
Progress)
Wowsers! Much to Teacher's chagrin, her attempts to extract from me a story not including bug-eyed monsters (or unicorns, or both) failed. Though I've successfully blocked most of those memories from my mind, I have the sneaking suspicion that my treatment of the peaceful pioneers of Erath County involved their getting invaded by time-travelling Romulans, or somesuch. Sigh...to be a young geeky pariah of public school society. If you just shuddered in empathy in your own recollections of having been a nerd awash in a sea of coolness, raise your hand thusly:
Aw. I knew you could!
Okay, space cadets--let’s time warp now back to the past present (Tense? I, too; I, too.). After the January hubbub here in Stephenville, I spoke with an old grade school buddy who, as old grade school buddies are wont to do, cheerfully dredged up that awkward period of my life and that infamous assignment. “Guess Erath’s had a long history of UFOs, huh,” was her tossed-off comment which planted the seed of what is now our Erath County UFO archive.
Bob Dunn, who is graciously allowing us to host his Lone Star Library Texana collection upstairs, had just that week brought in some new Erath county memorabilia and history books. I spent the next several hours pouring through the collection until I found the copies of the same calendars we used for inspiration all those years ago.
In addition to the aforementioned entry were other accounts, mostly seemingly of meteors, but a couple somewhat less explainable. This was the inspiration for the archive. I then sent out an open invitation to residents to add their personal accounts. That invite, by the way, is still open, folks, so keep those reports coming.
I've had folks ask what angle I'm taking on this. I'd like to say right now that I love science, love science fiction, and have a healthy sense of wonder along with a healthy bit of skepticism. I am merely gathering these records, not drawing conclusions. I am treating this project as something which might someday be of use to folks researching a variety of aspects of both our county history and UFO phenomena. And, in my book, a UFO is just that--an Unidentified Flying Object. So don't be shy--while I'm certainly having a blast with the project, I will not be testing you for high levels of midichlorians should you add your story to the collection...yet.
The archive is just in its infancy. It's merely a hobby of mine right now, but I hope in time it will be of some historical use. I'm also accepting donations of old news clippings, visual or audio related to the sightings, media and societal responses to the recent flap, advertisements related to the January sightings, and personal accounts not only of sightings but also of the emotional or otherwise impact the hubbub has had on residents.
...and that 1891 news clipping? I've long lost both the story and research from all those years ago, but here's a copy of one of the original articles on the incident recently sent to me from the Dublin Public Library (a wonderful library, I might add, but that's for another blog):
But wait--there's more!!! Stay tuned folks...I've just gotten a telegram from the Lion's own cub reporter, Sara Jay, requesting I stop the press, for she's just scooped what may be the Stephenville Story of the Century! More to come...
Nanu, Nanu,
Shepherdess
7.3.08
Opening Date for The Literary Lion, Too
Okay--here's the latest scoop:
We will be opening The Literary Lion, Too on March 22nd. I'm still fiddling with scheduling, so the hours are subject to change in the future, but for now it looks like the shop will be open at least from 3-6, Monday through Friday, and 10-2 on Saturday. I'm sure the open hours will increase as time goes on, but until my clones grow up, the tulpa gets over her rebellious streak, and I fix the short in the android (darn that discount aluminum wiring), this is as good as it gets.
Additionally, we will have an outdoor 50 cent book sale every Saturday morning from 8am-10am, weather permitting.
A quick reminder: the original shop will still carry our collectible books and non-fiction, 10-6, Monday through Saturday; we are simply moving all of our discount hardbacks and paperbacks into the new location.
Yea...books!
-Sarah
We will be opening The Literary Lion, Too on March 22nd. I'm still fiddling with scheduling, so the hours are subject to change in the future, but for now it looks like the shop will be open at least from 3-6, Monday through Friday, and 10-2 on Saturday. I'm sure the open hours will increase as time goes on, but until my clones grow up, the tulpa gets over her rebellious streak, and I fix the short in the android (darn that discount aluminum wiring), this is as good as it gets.
Additionally, we will have an outdoor 50 cent book sale every Saturday morning from 8am-10am, weather permitting.
A quick reminder: the original shop will still carry our collectible books and non-fiction, 10-6, Monday through Saturday; we are simply moving all of our discount hardbacks and paperbacks into the new location.
Yea...books!
-Sarah
18.2.08
Bookstore News
After a decade of wonderful service, Diana’s Book Trader has closed its doors.
Diana was always friendly and gracious to other local bookstores, especially to the Literary Lion. She is a nice lady and a book lover, and that‘s always a great combination. Book addict that I am, I was a customer of hers as well as a colleague. I am sad that she is no longer in the book trade, but wish her many blessings for her future.
The closing of Diana’s Book Trader left an availablity of space just across from our primary shop.
This couldn't have had more synchronous timing. Ever since the Lion started hosting the Lone Star Library (book collector Bob Dunn's stellar Texana collection...check it out here) upstairs in what was formerly its paperbacks section, I've been scratching my head, wondering, "What am I going to do with all these books?" Who knew the answer would turn out to be, "Open a second shop!"?
The Literary Lion is open for business, same as always, but all of its half-price paperbacks and discount hardbacks will soon be for sale at the second location: “The Literary Lion, Too.”
I hope to have the new store open in early March. As soon as I have a concrete date set or any further details, I will post them on this blog.
Yea...books!
Diana was always friendly and gracious to other local bookstores, especially to the Literary Lion. She is a nice lady and a book lover, and that‘s always a great combination. Book addict that I am, I was a customer of hers as well as a colleague. I am sad that she is no longer in the book trade, but wish her many blessings for her future.
The closing of Diana’s Book Trader left an availablity of space just across from our primary shop.
This couldn't have had more synchronous timing. Ever since the Lion started hosting the Lone Star Library (book collector Bob Dunn's stellar Texana collection...check it out here) upstairs in what was formerly its paperbacks section, I've been scratching my head, wondering, "What am I going to do with all these books?" Who knew the answer would turn out to be, "Open a second shop!"?
The Literary Lion is open for business, same as always, but all of its half-price paperbacks and discount hardbacks will soon be for sale at the second location: “The Literary Lion, Too.”
I hope to have the new store open in early March. As soon as I have a concrete date set or any further details, I will post them on this blog.
Yea...books!
7.2.08
A Disturbing Event at the Lion
"Inasmuch as the mind creates the world of appearances, it can create any particular object desired. The process consists of giving palpable being to a particular object desired…to a visualization, in very much the same manner as an architect gives concrete expression in three dimensions to his abstract concepts after first having given them expression in the two-dimensions of his blue-print. “
- W. Y. Evans-Wentz
- W. Y. Evans-Wentz
"The Tibetan doubtobs are considered to be experts in the art of creating tulpas, imaginary forms which are a sort of robot they control as they wish, but which, sometimes, manage to acquire some kind of autonomous personality…”
- Alexandra David-Neel and Lama Yongden, The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects
“Tulpas can get uppity.”
-William S. Burroughs
It all started with a piece of poorly written bassoon music. Some maniac had seen fit to give his bassoon section several low As in the composition I was then playing in our high school band. Bassoons, as you know, play only down to B-flat, leaving a half-step chasm between musical reality and delusion.
“Skip it,” said the director.
“Never give up!” said I, the freshman of last chair distinction. After school I went on the internet in hopes of finding a technique for the cursed note. Surely some bassoonist with more training than I had such forbidden knowledge.
Ten minutes of seeking brought me to a page of unusual fingerings. Triumph! Low A’s, low A-flats, amazingly high notes--all these were suddenly within my sight if not yet within my ability. Most incredible of all were the multiphonic fingerings--positions which would enable one to play two, three, or even four notes simultaneously on a single instrument. Impossible? No, but certainly something I’d never imagined. The how-to was not enough; I wanted to know the how-come.
I spent the next two hours delving deeper and deeper into that wonderful time sponge we call the World Wide Web. I finally found the physics of multiphonics explained in an scientific journal’s article--not on bassooning, but in a study on certain oddities in Tibetan culture. It seemed the Tibetans had a practice of multiphonic chanting, the science of which was explained in phrases dry enough to take the interest out of the subject to all but the most intrepid (or masochistic) reader.
I was that reader. Tibet! The land of yaks, monks, and mountains--now also the source of arcane bassoon knowledge. Er…not exactly, but at any rate, I was hooked. I read anything I could on the culture; even after the dreaded A’s were gamely honked out (Take that, tuba section!), I kept up my research.
Tibet is full of intrigue. In addition to many-voiced monks and yak butter tea (a mystery in and of itself), Tibet is also home of the Tulpa, the what-you-do-when-there’s-no-cable-tv favorite pasttime of the Himalayas. These figments of the mind are rumored to have the capability of becoming real, not only to their creators, but to third parties, caught as glimpses from the corner of the eye and evinced by disappearing lumps of sticky rice set out for them in bowls.
Well. Fun with your new thoughtform might be a pastime just peachy for llamas, but I always figured that with my luck, any tulpa I created would quickly overpower my feeble mind, take on a life of its own, and make things 10 times more difficult than they already were. One unguarded moment, and POOF!--there she’d be, sacked out on my sofa surrounded by empty Funion bags and dog-earred books. My books, I might add--my complete collection of Star Trek (original series) novels, once pristine, now ruined by chocolate and chip-greased thumbprint smears, their pages creased and covers hopelessly curled. My books. My couch. My Funion money. Enough.
I’d politely offer her a bookmark and some Purell, and in a roundabout way suggest that she start sharing dish duty, perhaps even peruse the paper for some part time work, to which she’d slit her eyes and say, “You. Owe. Me,” sending me scurrying back into the kitchen to add a warm up to her tea as I pondered the implication of such words.
Eventually, things between us would deteriorate even further, and I’d finally turn to my family for advice. The cruelest cut!!! For unbeknownst to me, my tulpa would have carefully been seeding my closest ties with doubts and subtle slights against my honor, all the while giving the cousins nifty presents ordered from the numerous catalogues coming to my address in her name. My mother--my own mother!--would choose her side of the story over mine, and there I’d be--alone and unemployed in Greenland, as t’were.
And so, I’d surrender to my fate by taking on a second job to help pay for all the mail-ordered stuff and credit card bills, for though the catalogues would bear her name, she‘d have taken the cards out in mine, as it is a little known fact that even the strongest tulpa cannot withstand a credit check.
…Right. Some girls drew hearts around their boyfriend’s name for daydreaming. I broke out into cold sweats worried about delusions brought on by studying Tibetan culture. Whatever you do, don’t think about purple hippopotami…
Flash forward with me now from those awkward teenage years to 2008:
Last week I walked into the Lion, picked up the mail, and noticed a package, containing, I assumed, a book I’d special ordered for the shop. Odd, though…it felt as though there was more than one book in the shipping envelope…huh.
I look at the return addy: Random House Publishing. Curiouser and curiouser. I’d not ordered anything from them.
I opened the package and found inside two review copies of soon-to-be released books. Nifty! I felt beloved and bookish…until I looked at the enclosed letter. It was a chatty note regarding this very blog. It spoke kindly of the Shepherdess’ blog and her love of books, suggesting that she might enjoy the enclosed novels.
!!!
I looked at the mailing address, and sure enough--the package was addressed not to me, but to my imaginary blogger.
The Shepherdess??? My online avatar??? My creation made up only of random electrons and careless words??? Imagine, Gentle Reader, my shuddering horror at the realization that the Shepherdess was no longer merely a convenient foil and figment of creativity, brought out as it pleased me and tucked safely away at all other times. No--the Shepherdess, that crafty Tibetan, was quietly creeping out into other’s consciousnesses while my attention was directed elsewhere.
I felt a chill as I regarded the day’s mail with this realization. A chill…and peevishness. It had started: My tulpa was getting cool books and fan mail. All I got that day was the electric bill.
…
Today I noticed some of the Star Trek novels have gone missing from my shelf. Ingrate--the least she could do is read those review copies first. They’ve not been touched. Out of spite I plan on perusing them this weekend. I’ll blog my thoughts--MY thoughts, thank you--on the books when I finish them. Perhaps it will help someday get me a second job as a reviewer--it’s either that or a second mortgage, for I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until the Shepherdess starts demanding she be kept in the position to which she is wishing to become accustomed.
…On reflection, perhaps I should have followed my band director’s advice.
-S.J. Cannady
1.2.08
For Lovers of Lovers of Books
This February, join us at the Lion for a celebration of romance. We are featuring William Goldman's The Princess Bride--simply one of the best books of all time--as well as our collections of fairy tales and love poetry. Propose to your sweetheart in our history room, and we'll send you a wedding present. Come share your own stories of "happily ever after" with us over a cup of rose petal tea and a homemade key-lime sugar cookie.
For Valentine's Day, treat yourself or that special bluestocking in your life to a gift that won't go straight to the hips, wilt in a week, require reservations and a babysitter, or need a plumber to extract from the pea trap when it falls into the sink as you're washing dishes (says the voice of experience). Whether you choose a gift certificate or would like us to help you pick the perfect title for your sweetheart, we invite you to our store to indulge in a little biliophilia.
...and receive a 20% discount if you can find the Shepherdess a decent date for Valentine's Day. Bah.
For Valentine's Day, treat yourself or that special bluestocking in your life to a gift that won't go straight to the hips, wilt in a week, require reservations and a babysitter, or need a plumber to extract from the pea trap when it falls into the sink as you're washing dishes (says the voice of experience). Whether you choose a gift certificate or would like us to help you pick the perfect title for your sweetheart, we invite you to our store to indulge in a little biliophilia.
...and receive a 20% discount if you can find the Shepherdess a decent date for Valentine's Day. Bah.
31.1.08
Tom P's Fiddle: A Review
"Dusk deepened to raspberry darkness on the Texas landscape as Tom P headed west from his sister's homestead...."-from Tom P's Fiddle, by Sherri Knight
Tom P’s Fiddle, Texas native Sherri Knight’s first book, is a narrative non-fiction primarily about the events surrounding the Varnell/Land murder trial of the late 1800s. More than that, though, Knight effortlessly pulls readers into a world of determined ladies and gentlemen rogues, honorable standoffs and hidden ambushes, wide open ranges and claustrophobic prison cells, and shows us that, while laws and landscapes might change, people and their tendancies stay the same.
Knight’s writing style is punchy and well-paced from the first sentence all the way to the work’s haunting final page. Within the first paragraph she not only sets the scene but manages to immediately convey to the reader the scope of time and depth Tom P’s troubles encompass with the following: “A drooping mustache neatly outlined his mouth, hiding the slight downward turn that appeared when he was contemplative, the residue of the hard years he had spent in prison.” While his prison time won’t come until several chapters later (much of the book is told as a reflection on times prior to the story‘s exposition), she effectively introduces her protagonist and his situation without a strenuous ploughing through dreary mounds of character study.
The story unfolds with a plot based on the numerous newspaper articles, court documents, and other extensive sources related to the incident. These are blended by Knight’s skill as a storyteller into an interesting account that is never pendantic, that--to this cowgirl--instead reads like one is hearing the morning news swapped over coffee at the local feed store. At no time in the telling does her respect for the facts appear compromised by this approach; readers and researchers alike will appreciate this book.
The portrayal of Tom P is one which might at first be difficult to readers familiar with the story to embrace. A lady’s man wanted for murder and on the run--that is the verdict placed on Knight’s main character by common view, and not without reason. Although Knight is faithful to the historical facts, her sympathies toward Tom P readily come through. This initially may make for a more cynical read by some, but as the story develops those readers may be surprised to find their condemnation of Tom P tempered--not by Knight’s presentation, but by the facts therin.
Ultimately, the Varnell/Land tragedy is just that for all concerned parties, and Knight’s book fully brings that home. The tone is never maudlin, though, and instead fully pays homage to the spirit of the day. It lopes through the early life of a young Texas man, sips Arbuckle’s coffee at a timeless kitchen table, and gallops through arrests, jailbreaks, gunfights, and reckonings, all to the sound of a skillfully played fiddle. At times, toe-tapping, plaintive at others, Knight’s composition is always on-key and highly worthy of a listen.
-S. J. Cannady(This book will be available for purchase April 5, 2008. Stop by the Literary Lion to reserve your copy now.)
30.1.08
NaNoo, NaNoo!
Wow! What a busy month we've had here at the Lion. If anyone is wondering why I have giant blue circles under my puffy eyes...No; I didn't walk into the door again, thank you--I've just been running on an average of 2 hours of sleep per night for the last few weeks. Here are a few photos from last week's shennanigans at the bookshop.
And, last but not least, my very favorite prop, ever, for inciting spontaneous recitations of Hamlet:
I'll update this post with further pics as they are sent to me, but for now, enjoy:
We had some great discussions about the recent UFO sightings. Good company, good conversation, great chips and hot sauce (Thank you, Santa Fe County Taco Company
!).
We had some great discussions about the recent UFO sightings. Good company, good conversation, great chips and hot sauce (Thank you, Santa Fe County Taco Company
!).We are still accepting first-hand accounts of mysterious local phenoma for our Erath county section of the Lone Star Library; whether it happened last night or 50 years ago, please add your experience to the archives.
Author Forrest Jackson visited our bookstore. We still have for sale here a couple signed copies of his books, Cosmic Suicide: The Tragedy and Transcendence of Heaven's Gate, and Three Myths of Gods, Devils and Beasts. Thank you, Forrest!
This fellow was delighted because he was able to find copies of Where the Red Fern Grows and Lysistrata for under a dollar each here at the Lion. I believe his exact response to the find was, "oOOOOOOoooo!"
An alien culture pow-wow, here:
And, last but not least, my very favorite prop, ever, for inciting spontaneous recitations of Hamlet:
That's all, folks! Keep the photos coming!
Coming Soon...Photos from the Lion
Greetings, Gentle Readers!
So much wonderful Lion news to share, so little time. I will try to get pictures from last week up on the blog here tonight, so hang onto your tinfoil hats!
-S.
So much wonderful Lion news to share, so little time. I will try to get pictures from last week up on the blog here tonight, so hang onto your tinfoil hats!
-S.
19.1.08
100 Years of Stephenville Sightings
Explore the History of Stephenville's Sightings
Have you seen something that defies explanation, or are you just curious about others' accounts? Skeptics and believers alike, come be a part of history in the making as we discuss the beginnings of UFO sightings in Erath County--some dating back over 100 years! Additionally, we will be archiving your eye-witness accounts in our county history section at the Lone Star Library Texana Collection of the Literary Lion.
*display of Mysterious Phenomena Timeline for Erath County
*Special Guest Forrest Jackson, co-author of books on a variety of mysterious phenomena
*Whether you saw it yesterday or 50 years ago, log your story for future generations in our Erath County history section.
Thursday, Jan 24th, 7pm
The Literary Lion at 160 E. Washington in Stephenville
This event is free and refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP at either 968-6611 or via a blog comment. Thank you.
Have you seen something that defies explanation, or are you just curious about others' accounts? Skeptics and believers alike, come be a part of history in the making as we discuss the beginnings of UFO sightings in Erath County--some dating back over 100 years! Additionally, we will be archiving your eye-witness accounts in our county history section at the Lone Star Library Texana Collection of the Literary Lion.
*display of Mysterious Phenomena Timeline for Erath County
*Special Guest Forrest Jackson, co-author of books on a variety of mysterious phenomena
*Whether you saw it yesterday or 50 years ago, log your story for future generations in our Erath County history section.
Thursday, Jan 24th, 7pm
The Literary Lion at 160 E. Washington in Stephenville
This event is free and refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP at either 968-6611 or via a blog comment. Thank you.
They're Heee-ere Part 2
Yet another "Lion in News Unrelated to Bookselling" spot, this one from the Dallas Morning News video blog:
http://neighborsgo.com/video/521
The picture hanging on the wall behind me in the blurb is original artwork done by the superlative folks at Ethan Allen Studios. More about them, later.
http://neighborsgo.com/video/521
The picture hanging on the wall behind me in the blurb is original artwork done by the superlative folks at Ethan Allen Studios. More about them, later.
18.1.08
Chess
Since impromptu chess games are common at the Lion, I thought this article might interest some of you:
Chess Master Bobby Fischer Dies
Like him or hate him, he did know a thing or two about the game.
Chess Master Bobby Fischer Dies
Like him or hate him, he did know a thing or two about the game.
They're Hee-eere!
Okay. The Lion appeared in the news again...this time in articles that take the cake for "Most Unrelated to Bookselling."
UFO Sightings in Stephenville, Texas, Keep the City and Nation Abuzz San Angelo LIVE! - San Angelo,TX,USAAt the Literary Lion, an antiquarian bookstore in this small city 70 miles southwest of Fort Worth, patrons are scouring sci-fi titles more and clamoring ...
and another:
Someone Saw Something (from the neighborsgo blog of the Dallas News)
So yeah...we're having a little something here next Thursday. More tomorrow on the details, but suffice it to say, it'll be absolutely Phenomenal.... :)
UFO Sightings in Stephenville, Texas, Keep the City and Nation Abuzz San Angelo LIVE! - San Angelo,TX,USAAt the Literary Lion, an antiquarian bookstore in this small city 70 miles southwest of Fort Worth, patrons are scouring sci-fi titles more and clamoring ...
and another:
Someone Saw Something (from the neighborsgo blog of the Dallas News)
So yeah...we're having a little something here next Thursday. More tomorrow on the details, but suffice it to say, it'll be absolutely Phenomenal.... :)
17.1.08
The Lion Joins the Dark Side
I can't believe I'm writing these words: The Literary Lion, antiquarian bookstore, has a Myspace. I'm sorry. I held out as long as I could, but patrons were gathering with pitchforks and torches. So:
www.myspace.com/317586869
If any of you out there know how I can get this blog to feed to the site, I would be eternally grateful for the how-to.
The bright side is that I should actually have a decent calendar up and running on it in addition to these sporadic blog posts on events at the shop.
www.myspace.com/317586869
If any of you out there know how I can get this blog to feed to the site, I would be eternally grateful for the how-to.
The bright side is that I should actually have a decent calendar up and running on it in addition to these sporadic blog posts on events at the shop.
30.11.07
Last Chance For WriMos!
This is just a reminder to the NaNoWriMo participants: This is your last day to hit the 50,000 word mark. Be sure to get your novel word count verified at the official site, www.nanowrimo.org. And don't forget--if you win, let me know, too, so you can get your Lion lauds, applause, and prizes. Writers, rejoice.
...and yes, peanut gallery, I know I need to get my word count verified, too. Thanks. :)
...and yes, peanut gallery, I know I need to get my word count verified, too. Thanks. :)
29.11.07
Patrick Henry Hughes
This has absolutely nothing to do with books; however, it is something I wanted everyone to see:
Patrick Henry Hughes (YouTube video link)
Patrick Henry Hughes (YouTube video link)
28.11.07
Hang Onto Your Tinfoil Hats!
"If I'm not doing anything wrong, I have nothing to hide from you." True, true, but there is also the flipside: "If I'm not doing anything wrong, I have nothing for you to search."
Perhaps I'm opening up a yummy can o' oligochaetes by posting this link, but I think it's newsworthy. I'll step back and let the comments flow, but not before adding this to the mix: Do you think this might be part of the reason people still use brick and mortar shops? By the way, I don't keep customer data online, being a quill pen and vellum babe, myself. Just so's ya know....
Feds Cancel Amazon Data Request (for now...?)
Perhaps I'm opening up a yummy can o' oligochaetes by posting this link, but I think it's newsworthy. I'll step back and let the comments flow, but not before adding this to the mix: Do you think this might be part of the reason people still use brick and mortar shops? By the way, I don't keep customer data online, being a quill pen and vellum babe, myself. Just so's ya know....
Feds Cancel Amazon Data Request (for now...?)
31.10.07
Vie Haf Vays Off Makingk You Talk, Herr Ed.
The following post is not for the faint of heart:
Okay. You folks know I love horses. All horses--scruffy, pretty, gentle, rotten--any horse, right? I also love horse books (in pretty much all of the above conditions).
I picked up this book at the Texas Book and Paper show from a booth full of antiquarian and fine binding lovelies. Eye candy, all of it, but this one caught my eye and wouldn't let me leave without it. Here's the cover:
Pretty, ja? It is an 19th century gothic-script German book on horsemanship, directed primarily to cavalry officers but also for general equestrians.
Further instruments of terror.
Brave Mr. Ed refuses to talk.
Will the nightmare ever end?
In a brilliant surge of derring-do, Mr. Ed escapes from his captors.
Okay. You folks know I love horses. All horses--scruffy, pretty, gentle, rotten--any horse, right? I also love horse books (in pretty much all of the above conditions).
I picked up this book at the Texas Book and Paper show from a booth full of antiquarian and fine binding lovelies. Eye candy, all of it, but this one caught my eye and wouldn't let me leave without it. Here's the cover:
Pretty, ja? It is an 19th century gothic-script German book on horsemanship, directed primarily to cavalry officers but also for general equestrians.
Pretty, that is, until you open the cover. Great Scot! What masquerades as an innocent horse-training manual is actually the here-to-for top-secret Equine Prisoner of War Interrogation Manual!!! Those kooky pre-war Germans! Further research into the origins of this book has lead me to discover the true history of America's Beloved Mr. Ed...
I can't talk about it, or They'll get me, too, but suffice it to say that Mr. Ed single-hoofedly saved the free world as we know it at great sacrifice of his personal safety, creature comforts, and original identity as a rising-star pinto polo pony (And you thought having your hair bleached blond was time-consuming as a human.). We salute you, our palomino friend. We salute you.
Before They find out about this site, take a gander at the following images I've recovered from this Super-Secret document:
The capturing of Mr. Ed using a Taser disguised as a grooming tool.
Mr. Ed is transported to an undisclosed location.
Mr. Ed is threatened with devices too horrific to describe here.
Further instruments of terror.
Brave Mr. Ed refuses to talk.
Will the nightmare ever end?
In a brilliant surge of derring-do, Mr. Ed escapes from his captors....chilling. Who knew?
30.10.07
Donut Fest Head Count
Okay, folks: I'm taking a final head count for the nanowrimo kickoff party donut fest. All are welcome--just shoot me an email if you are planning on attending and haven't yet touched base with me.
Kickoff Donut Fest at The Literary Lion
7am until 10am November 1st, 2007
Kickoff Donut Fest at The Literary Lion
7am until 10am November 1st, 2007
Bygone Days on the Bosque
I much prefer my cowgirl hat to a sun bonnet, blue jeans to petticoats. Still, a good time was had by all, and we got to show off some of the Lone Star Library's Texana collection. (photo sent by D. Wilson--thanky much!).
Big Country Book Tour
These two folks came into the store on one of the craziest, messiest days we've had at the Lion (and that takes some doing!). I didn't realize they were reporters on a mission until toward the end of their visit...I guess we didn't scare them off too badly (Even after J. dropped in carrying several pounds of frozen water buffalo steaks for my freezer.).
Anyway, here's the link:
Big Country Book Tour
Ironically, we also have a book-related goat story, or goat-related book story, depending on your perspective. Stay tuned.
By the way, the name of the restaurant is actually Santa Fe County Taco Company, not to nit-pick or anything.
Anyway, here's the link:
Big Country Book Tour
Ironically, we also have a book-related goat story, or goat-related book story, depending on your perspective. Stay tuned.
By the way, the name of the restaurant is actually Santa Fe County Taco Company, not to nit-pick or anything.
26.10.07
NaNoWriMo 2007
Greetings and Salutations! Sorry that it's taken me so long to post here--I'll catch you guys up in a later post (maybe!). First, business:
National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo (pronounced na-no-wry-mo) for short, is November, and we're hosting Stephenville's participants. If you're interested in becoming part of this insane writing phenomenon, go for it. In addition to signing up with the official site, please drop me a line or drop by the store on or before Oct 31st, and you'll become eligible for the "WriMos only" in-store perks and events. Come on...you've always said you wanted to write a book, right? Here's your chance to ride a wave of intense literary momentum to help you achieve that goal.
Again, if you plan on participating, you must sign up at http://www.nanowrimo.org/. Writers, rejoice.
We are hosting a kickoff donut fest from 7am until 10am on November 1st. Bring your special pens and writer's caps! Please shoot me an email if you plan on dropping by so I can buy enough donuts.
National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo (pronounced na-no-wry-mo) for short, is November, and we're hosting Stephenville's participants. If you're interested in becoming part of this insane writing phenomenon, go for it. In addition to signing up with the official site, please drop me a line or drop by the store on or before Oct 31st, and you'll become eligible for the "WriMos only" in-store perks and events. Come on...you've always said you wanted to write a book, right? Here's your chance to ride a wave of intense literary momentum to help you achieve that goal.
Again, if you plan on participating, you must sign up at http://www.nanowrimo.org/. Writers, rejoice.
We are hosting a kickoff donut fest from 7am until 10am on November 1st. Bring your special pens and writer's caps! Please shoot me an email if you plan on dropping by so I can buy enough donuts.
12.10.07
Rowling in a Row with India
Here's some weird book news for you:
J.K. Rowling, creator of Harry Potter, has lost a copyright suit filed against members of the Indian city Kolkata for creating a giant papier mache replica of Hogwarts Castle. Read on...
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hB0Se_SFVl8Fz4LDWg0uMCBhEMqw
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-10-12-voa27.cfm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7041863.stm
...and so on.
J.K. Rowling, creator of Harry Potter, has lost a copyright suit filed against members of the Indian city Kolkata for creating a giant papier mache replica of Hogwarts Castle. Read on...
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hB0Se_SFVl8Fz4LDWg0uMCBhEMqw
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-10-12-voa27.cfm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7041863.stm
...and so on.
3.10.07
The Spinster's Scrip
Well. This is not your average Victorian book of love poems and domestic bliss. Edited by Cecil Raynor and published in 1896, The Spinster's Scrip is a compilation of quips and quotes about the horrors of married life, one for each day of the year (much like a daily devotional to bitterness). Here are a couple:
January Second:
"Is Courtship bliss? Marriage is blister."
-unknown.
May Twenty-Ninth:
"A second marriage is the triumph of hope over experience."
-Dr. Johnson
and, last but not least, October Thirty-First:
(regarding the fate of the married)
"They die so slowly that none call it murder."
-unknown.
My favorite thing about this particular book is the inscription on the front end page:
Who was Billy? Who was Fraggy? Best wishes...do I detect just the faintest hint of sarcasm in Fraggy's penmanship, a touch of anger in the underlinings? Perhaps she was Billy's jilted bride-to-be and this book her answer to his finding someone else. If so, I hope she kept the ring. Good riddance, Girl. Better to learn the truth now before you've been hitched to his unfaithful sorry--
...not that I'm bitter.
27.9.07
2007 Texas Book and Paper Show
The 14th Annual North Texas Book and Paper Show will be held at the Will Rogers Center on October 6th and 7th. This is a really neat event for anyone who loves books. We will have a table there showcasing some of our more unusual items. If you're in the Ft. Worth area that weekend, please feel free to stop by and say Howdy.
There have been a couple folks looking for others interested in carpooling or caravaning from the Stephenville area. Shoot me an email if you are interested.
Also, I have a couple of discount tickets left. First come, first serve--stop by the store to nab one.
There have been a couple folks looking for others interested in carpooling or caravaning from the Stephenville area. Shoot me an email if you are interested.
Also, I have a couple of discount tickets left. First come, first serve--stop by the store to nab one.
22.9.07
College Textbooks
I have had several customers bring up the rising cost of college textbooks. While this subject does not really pertain to the Lion's book stock (We do sell textbooks, but most of them are specialty items rather than current curricula requirements.), I thought the following article might interest some of you:
Bookstores Only Make Small Profit from Textbook Sales
Any thoughts on this article?
Bookstores Only Make Small Profit from Textbook Sales
Any thoughts on this article?
21.9.07
Betty Crocker's Baking's Believing
I found this little gem last week: Baking's Believing, from Betty Crocker (circa 1976). It's just a tiny pamphlet, but inside are recipes and cooking tips which range from the adorable to the downright bizarre (Houdini Wienies, anyone?)
My favorite recipe from the booklet is for secret message cupcakes--each cupcake contains a hidden message in the sugar topping...nifty!20.9.07
Fall News
Greetings and Salutations!
Life is good here at the Lion this fall. We got quite a bit of re-stocking and re-arranging done during the summer, and now have several new sections almost ready for business.
The biggest addition to the shop is a Texana research library. This is a special collection on loan from Texana guru Bob Dunn--be sure to check out his site for the details.
Dublin Dr. Pepper is now available at the Lion...woohoo!
We still carry the pinon coffee crunch chocolate bars. A new blend of coffee has come out that is truly wonderful: Texas Pinon. It's made by the same company that produces the candy, and it definitely is up to their usual standards. I brew some daily here at the Lion, so be sure to drop in for a cup on the house. We are selling it in 8oz. bags as whole beans, but I will be happy to grind it for you if you prefer.
What else...I've opened up a new-ish history room as well as expanded the children's section. We have quite a few new children's nostalgia and historical fictions as well as biographies--you know--the kind of books that used to assume kids could actually read and think. Many of them are great reads for the whole family and not just the wee ones. With chilly fall weather on the horizon, now is a great time to plan for popcorn, cider, and read-alouds.
Speaking of read-alouds, storytime is starting up again. I'll have the details in a later post.
Blessings,
S.
Life is good here at the Lion this fall. We got quite a bit of re-stocking and re-arranging done during the summer, and now have several new sections almost ready for business.
The biggest addition to the shop is a Texana research library. This is a special collection on loan from Texana guru Bob Dunn--be sure to check out his site for the details.
Dublin Dr. Pepper is now available at the Lion...woohoo!
We still carry the pinon coffee crunch chocolate bars. A new blend of coffee has come out that is truly wonderful: Texas Pinon. It's made by the same company that produces the candy, and it definitely is up to their usual standards. I brew some daily here at the Lion, so be sure to drop in for a cup on the house. We are selling it in 8oz. bags as whole beans, but I will be happy to grind it for you if you prefer.
What else...I've opened up a new-ish history room as well as expanded the children's section. We have quite a few new children's nostalgia and historical fictions as well as biographies--you know--the kind of books that used to assume kids could actually read and think. Many of them are great reads for the whole family and not just the wee ones. With chilly fall weather on the horizon, now is a great time to plan for popcorn, cider, and read-alouds.
Speaking of read-alouds, storytime is starting up again. I'll have the details in a later post.
Blessings,
S.
10.3.07
Poem
This is an excerpt from Mike Snyder's awesome poem, "Thoughts collected on a super crazy bouncing ball, or Poem written in a rare used bookstore." Thanks, Mike--we'll get to work on those out-patient procedures...as soon as I put up that 5 cent psychiatry sign.
Mike's book, Poems Written Near a Laundromat, is now available for purchase at the Lion.
"...But in some downtown beloved bookstore one may bundle toboggans finding a cease-
fire in this sea of love-n-literary desire lying about with the lonely lions
devouring minty tea feasting on a banquet of coffee-n-biscotti...
'self-educated' can never be overrated..
the seeds are sewn, and who knows where they're goin',
..please excuse the mess,
a rampaging nanny goat just smashed thru a downtown police barricade
and galloped in
looking for 3 billy goats gruff..this is noooo jest..
Earlier we had a Sinatra crooner yammer at the top of his lungs
and some kooke demanding a library card or he'd start a fire,
sir, this is not a library--only a sanctuary..
and we're still working on out-patient procedures."
-Mike Snyder, from "Poem written in a rare used bookstore"
Mike's book, Poems Written Near a Laundromat, is now available for purchase at the Lion.
"...But in some downtown beloved bookstore one may bundle toboggans finding a cease-
fire in this sea of love-n-literary desire lying about with the lonely lions
devouring minty tea feasting on a banquet of coffee-n-biscotti...
'self-educated' can never be overrated..
the seeds are sewn, and who knows where they're goin',
..please excuse the mess,
a rampaging nanny goat just smashed thru a downtown police barricade
and galloped in
looking for 3 billy goats gruff..this is noooo jest..
Earlier we had a Sinatra crooner yammer at the top of his lungs
and some kooke demanding a library card or he'd start a fire,
sir, this is not a library--only a sanctuary..
and we're still working on out-patient procedures."
-Mike Snyder, from "Poem written in a rare used bookstore"
2.3.07
The Minstrel
This is a book written originally as a gift to Elvis Presley from Bernard Benson, who, according to the dust jacket blurb, was the inventor of guided missiles, homing torpedoes, and the Delta Wing aircraft, who later retired from his work to a medieval home in France where he devoted himself to the studying the Tibetan culture (which explains why our yak shepherdess is so excited about this book). The book itself is a fable about a minstrel from long ago who gets reincarnated as--guess who--and is thus able to once again bring joy and peace to the world. Our copy is a reprint published shortly after Elvis' death; the copyright page indicates that proceeds from its original sales went to support Tibetan sages.
I couldn't make this up if I tried.
-S.
I couldn't make this up if I tried.
-S.
28.2.07
En Ven Er En Der Kan Li' Dig
En Ven Er En Der Kan Li' Dig, by Joan Walsh Anglund. A...Dutch, is it?...book with wonderful illustrations.
My litmus test for deciding if a book is in Dutch or German....If it looks like German, but I can't understand it, it's Dutch. This works most of the time.
My litmus test for deciding if a book is in Dutch or German....If it looks like German, but I can't understand it, it's Dutch. This works most of the time.
24.2.07
Martian Landscapes
Wow. The sky is red from all this West Texas dirt that's blown in. I feel like reading some Bradbury. If anybody out there has a picture of this dust storm, shoot me a copy and I'll post it.
The Psychology of Arithmetic
The Psychology of Arithmetic, by Edward Thorndike, 1923
This is evidently a book on the psychology of teaching arithmetic, not on the inner motivations of the numbers themselves. A quick perusal of the text turned up this gem of a line:
They just don't write 'em like that anymore.
This is evidently a book on the psychology of teaching arithmetic, not on the inner motivations of the numbers themselves. A quick perusal of the text turned up this gem of a line:
What armament of satisfiers and annoyers, of positive and negative interests and
motives, stands ready for use in the formation of the intrinsically uninteresting connections between black marks and meanings, numerical exercises and their answers, words and their spelling, and the like? School practice has tried, more or less at random, incentives and deterrents from quasi-physical pain to the most sentimental fondling, from sheer cajolery to philosophical argument, from appeals to assumed savage and primitive traits to appeals to the interest in automobiles, flying-machines, and wireless telegraphy.
They just don't write 'em like that anymore.
Back from Tibet
Greetings and Salutations!
It's been a while since I've been able to blog, but hopefully there will be a bit more time for such things in the future (Ha; I've said that before.).
We now are carrying pinon nut coffee and chocolates. This is the best coffee I've ever tasted, period, and I'm excited to finally carry this company's products. I brew a pot daily, so feel free to drop in for a quick cuppa. Fair warning, though--I brew it strong enough to mule kick.
The 2007 Penny for Your Thoughts lectures were kicked off by Dr. Christopher in January. In case you're new to the Lion, this is a free series of talks given on subjects ranging from poetry to science and everything in between. The next talk will be given by Dr. Marcy Tanter in March. Please check our Events listing on the website for details.
What else.... We still have an open mike poetry night the 3rd Thursday of each month. There are other groups and special events listed on the calendar.
That's all for now!
Blessings,
Sarah
It's been a while since I've been able to blog, but hopefully there will be a bit more time for such things in the future (Ha; I've said that before.).
We now are carrying pinon nut coffee and chocolates. This is the best coffee I've ever tasted, period, and I'm excited to finally carry this company's products. I brew a pot daily, so feel free to drop in for a quick cuppa. Fair warning, though--I brew it strong enough to mule kick.
The 2007 Penny for Your Thoughts lectures were kicked off by Dr. Christopher in January. In case you're new to the Lion, this is a free series of talks given on subjects ranging from poetry to science and everything in between. The next talk will be given by Dr. Marcy Tanter in March. Please check our Events listing on the website for details.
What else.... We still have an open mike poetry night the 3rd Thursday of each month. There are other groups and special events listed on the calendar.
That's all for now!
Blessings,
Sarah
6.12.06
Christmas at the Lion
Greetings and Salutations!
Christmas has arrived at the bookstore. Thanks to family, friends, and the occasional unsuspecting customer, the shop is decorated for the holidays, and looks great (I can brag since I can't take any credit for the work.). With the twinkling lights on the tree and Julie's beautiful singing filling the air, the Christmas spirit is definitely in full force here. If anyone has a good mulling spice recipe, I just might start offering cider for sipping while browsing the stacks. Please email me if you have a good (and simple!) recipe that holds up well in a pump pot.
Mrs. Claus will be reading Christmas stories here when it gets closer to the 25th. Check out our calendar for the exact date.
Congrats to our NaNoWriMo winner for writing a stellar 50,000+ word novel in less than 30 days. Wow! We're not worthy. If any other WriMo participants met the deadline, let me know and I'll toss virtual laurel wreaths your way, too.
That's all for now, folks. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good read.
GBTFB,
Sarah
Christmas has arrived at the bookstore. Thanks to family, friends, and the occasional unsuspecting customer, the shop is decorated for the holidays, and looks great (I can brag since I can't take any credit for the work.). With the twinkling lights on the tree and Julie's beautiful singing filling the air, the Christmas spirit is definitely in full force here. If anyone has a good mulling spice recipe, I just might start offering cider for sipping while browsing the stacks. Please email me if you have a good (and simple!) recipe that holds up well in a pump pot.
Mrs. Claus will be reading Christmas stories here when it gets closer to the 25th. Check out our calendar for the exact date.
Congrats to our NaNoWriMo winner for writing a stellar 50,000+ word novel in less than 30 days. Wow! We're not worthy. If any other WriMo participants met the deadline, let me know and I'll toss virtual laurel wreaths your way, too.
That's all for now, folks. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good read.
GBTFB,
Sarah
3.11.06
NaNoWriMo
Greetings, WriMos!
It's the first week of the writing frenzy, and I'm excited at the feedback I so far received from ya'll. I'll make this email short so you can get back to your novel, but I've a couple of updates.
First, the kickoff donut fest was moved to this Saturday (tomorrow) at 7:30 am until 9:30 am. Come when you want; if you just want to grab a bear claw and run, that's fine, or stay and visit with other WriMos. As always, you are free to write at the store anytime. Hang out all day if you'd like--the upstairs area is usually pretty quiet. I've stocked up on some gourmet coffees and teas for WriMos only.
Also this Saturday, Mike Kearby, author of Road to a Hanging, will be visiting the store from 10am until 11:30 am. He is available for book signing as well as for chatting about writing in general, and so I encourage you to drop in to say howdy. His book is young adult's historical fiction, so bring the kids if you have any. This event is free and open to the general public as well as you, our illustrious writers. (On the same note, be sure to pencil in time for the Author Extravaganza on Nov. 30th, 7pm-8:30pm. More info on that, later.).
What else...Oh! Hopefully everyone has done this already, but just in case: Don't forget that you have to register at http://www.nanowrimo.org/ in order to participate in this event. If you haven't, it's not too late, but we're already on Day Four, so I encourage you to sign up this week. And if you haven't started your novel yet or decided, "Ah, well, there's always next year..," CARPE DIEM! You only live once! You can do it! It's not too late to begin (Three participants will be starting their novel tomorrow, and my money's on their actually finishing before anyone else.)! Write...write like the wind, my fleet and frisky authors! And did I mention that I'm giving gift certificates to anyone who hits the 50,000 word mark? Writer's, rejoice!
Yea.....books,
Sarah
It's the first week of the writing frenzy, and I'm excited at the feedback I so far received from ya'll. I'll make this email short so you can get back to your novel, but I've a couple of updates.
First, the kickoff donut fest was moved to this Saturday (tomorrow) at 7:30 am until 9:30 am. Come when you want; if you just want to grab a bear claw and run, that's fine, or stay and visit with other WriMos. As always, you are free to write at the store anytime. Hang out all day if you'd like--the upstairs area is usually pretty quiet. I've stocked up on some gourmet coffees and teas for WriMos only.
Also this Saturday, Mike Kearby, author of Road to a Hanging, will be visiting the store from 10am until 11:30 am. He is available for book signing as well as for chatting about writing in general, and so I encourage you to drop in to say howdy. His book is young adult's historical fiction, so bring the kids if you have any. This event is free and open to the general public as well as you, our illustrious writers. (On the same note, be sure to pencil in time for the Author Extravaganza on Nov. 30th, 7pm-8:30pm. More info on that, later.).
What else...Oh! Hopefully everyone has done this already, but just in case: Don't forget that you have to register at http://www.nanowrimo.org/ in order to participate in this event. If you haven't, it's not too late, but we're already on Day Four, so I encourage you to sign up this week. And if you haven't started your novel yet or decided, "Ah, well, there's always next year..," CARPE DIEM! You only live once! You can do it! It's not too late to begin (Three participants will be starting their novel tomorrow, and my money's on their actually finishing before anyone else.)! Write...write like the wind, my fleet and frisky authors! And did I mention that I'm giving gift certificates to anyone who hits the 50,000 word mark? Writer's, rejoice!
Yea.....books,
Sarah
Our BookTalk message board is down. I'm not quite sure what the deal is, but I'll try to get it back up as soon as possible. The Tibetan yak shepherdess is currently brushing her yaks (and everyone knows how long it takes to properly groom such beasties), but when I see her tomorrow I'll notify her of the problem.
In the meantime, I'll post the book news here.
The Domesday Book has now been digitally archived. Here's the website:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/domesday/
Pretty neat, huh?
GBTFB,
Sarah
In the meantime, I'll post the book news here.
The Domesday Book has now been digitally archived. Here's the website:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/domesday/
Pretty neat, huh?
GBTFB,
Sarah
9.10.06
NaNoWriMo
Greetings and Salutations!
National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo (pronounced na-no-wry-mo) for short, is November, and we're hosting Stephenville's participants. I've placed the official link on the newsletter, so if you're interested in becoming part of this insane writing phenomenon, go for it. In addition to signing up with the official site, please drop me a line or drop by the store on or before Oct 31st, and you'll become eligible for the "WriMos only" in-store perks and events. Come on...you've always said you wanted to write a book, right? Here's your chance to ride a wave of intense literary momentum to help you achieve that goal.
GBTFB,
Sarah
National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo (pronounced na-no-wry-mo) for short, is November, and we're hosting Stephenville's participants. I've placed the official link on the newsletter, so if you're interested in becoming part of this insane writing phenomenon, go for it. In addition to signing up with the official site, please drop me a line or drop by the store on or before Oct 31st, and you'll become eligible for the "WriMos only" in-store perks and events. Come on...you've always said you wanted to write a book, right? Here's your chance to ride a wave of intense literary momentum to help you achieve that goal.
GBTFB,
Sarah
12.9.06
Evening in Tibet
Greetings and Salutations!
Long time no talk to, eh? We've much to catch up on, so grab a cup of tea for the duration. I'll post this in two entries, one business, one fun.
First, business:
We have recently added two new sections to the bookstore: romance and vintage paperback! The romance section is a hodge-podge of all the sub-categories in that genre, and are all priced at 1.25 per book. I'm really excited about the vintage paperback section. There's everything from classic pulp fiction (featuring menacing lagoon creatures, classy dames, cynical private eyes, and larger than life starship captains...though not all in the same novels, of course) to historical works. It's hard to pick a favorite out of them all, although the frighteningly upbeat government-issued 1961 chapbook on nuclear fallout protection for the whole family is definitely a top contender.
By the way, we are now carrying Brodart covers and other book-friendly preservation and storage products.
We're having our Grand Opening at the end of this month. Details of activities are still in the works; I'll post the schedule when it's finalized.
The Open Mike Poetry night has been going strong for several months now, and has become a personal favorite event. It's open to everyone, poet or no, so feel free to drop in whether you have something to read or not. Original work is encouraged but not required, thank goodness; I would not be able to participate otherwise! Poet I am not. Anyway, we meet at 7pm on the third Thursday of every month (which for this September is the 21st). All I ask is that you drop me a line or drop by the store to RSVP--that way I can brew enough java to go around.
We are starting up the Penny for Your Thoughts lectures this fall. Again, details will be up soon.
Fall is for Football here at the Lion. Yes, really! October we will feature all literary works pigskin. Whether you're a die-hard fan or would rather have a root canal than watch sports, I have a couple of surprises up my sleeve that will appeal to both ends of the enthusiasm spectrum....
Let's see...am I leaving anything out? Oh! There is another book group forming here. They will be meeting once a month in the evening--I don't think the group has fixed a specific date or time. They will be reading general fiction, which includes a pretty broad range of novels. A few people have approached me with the hopes of starting a Sci-Fi only group. There's not quite enough call for it yet, but if a couple more people would like a discussion over that genre, perhaps we'll get that together.
Guess that's it for now. I'm working on a second post about the latest crazy bookstore adventures...stay tuned.
GBTFB,
Sarah
Long time no talk to, eh? We've much to catch up on, so grab a cup of tea for the duration. I'll post this in two entries, one business, one fun.
First, business:
We have recently added two new sections to the bookstore: romance and vintage paperback! The romance section is a hodge-podge of all the sub-categories in that genre, and are all priced at 1.25 per book. I'm really excited about the vintage paperback section. There's everything from classic pulp fiction (featuring menacing lagoon creatures, classy dames, cynical private eyes, and larger than life starship captains...though not all in the same novels, of course) to historical works. It's hard to pick a favorite out of them all, although the frighteningly upbeat government-issued 1961 chapbook on nuclear fallout protection for the whole family is definitely a top contender.
By the way, we are now carrying Brodart covers and other book-friendly preservation and storage products.
We're having our Grand Opening at the end of this month. Details of activities are still in the works; I'll post the schedule when it's finalized.
The Open Mike Poetry night has been going strong for several months now, and has become a personal favorite event. It's open to everyone, poet or no, so feel free to drop in whether you have something to read or not. Original work is encouraged but not required, thank goodness; I would not be able to participate otherwise! Poet I am not. Anyway, we meet at 7pm on the third Thursday of every month (which for this September is the 21st). All I ask is that you drop me a line or drop by the store to RSVP--that way I can brew enough java to go around.
We are starting up the Penny for Your Thoughts lectures this fall. Again, details will be up soon.
Fall is for Football here at the Lion. Yes, really! October we will feature all literary works pigskin. Whether you're a die-hard fan or would rather have a root canal than watch sports, I have a couple of surprises up my sleeve that will appeal to both ends of the enthusiasm spectrum....
Let's see...am I leaving anything out? Oh! There is another book group forming here. They will be meeting once a month in the evening--I don't think the group has fixed a specific date or time. They will be reading general fiction, which includes a pretty broad range of novels. A few people have approached me with the hopes of starting a Sci-Fi only group. There's not quite enough call for it yet, but if a couple more people would like a discussion over that genre, perhaps we'll get that together.
Guess that's it for now. I'm working on a second post about the latest crazy bookstore adventures...stay tuned.
GBTFB,
Sarah
11.9.06
Later Tonight...
Sorry about taking so long to update the blog. I've been in Tibet visiting my 172 year old great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother, and my yaks, of course. Sarah's new entries should be up tonight. I promise that the goat pictures will be posted, for those of you who have been so patiently waiting.
-The Shepherdess
-The Shepherdess
5.6.06
Trial Run of Message Board
I have created a message board for book-related news and discussion. I have not yet placed a link to it from the website proper because it is only a trial run. We'll see what happens with it. In the meantime, you can find it at the following address:
http://www.vf11.com/belovedbookstor/
GBTFB,
Sarah
http://www.vf11.com/belovedbookstor/
GBTFB,
Sarah
1.6.06
Changes to the Website
Greetings and Salutations! May went by in a flash. Lots of bizarre and wonderful happenings here at the Lion; I'll elaborate in upcoming posts. Suffice it to say that among mad-cap inventory antics, barnyard animal invasions (yes, really), and a surprise celebrity appearance, things have been quite lively in the bookstore.
I've a few immediate updates. First, you may have noticed some changes to the website. We finally have the in-store stock catalogued, so a rough version of it can be viewed by clicking on the "browse our stacks" home page button. As time goes on, the catalogue will be significantly more informative, but it should even now give a general overview of our inventory. Prices should be posted by the end of next month. Second, I have moved our "Letters from the Lion" into this blog format to make them a) easier to update and b) comment-friendly. I welcome your comments and suggestions as well as any book news you may find.
If you have any anecdotes to share about the history of our building and/or the previous businesses it has held, please email me or drop by the shop. That's all, folks, at least for now. Happy reading!
GBTFB,
Sarah
I've a few immediate updates. First, you may have noticed some changes to the website. We finally have the in-store stock catalogued, so a rough version of it can be viewed by clicking on the "browse our stacks" home page button. As time goes on, the catalogue will be significantly more informative, but it should even now give a general overview of our inventory. Prices should be posted by the end of next month. Second, I have moved our "Letters from the Lion" into this blog format to make them a) easier to update and b) comment-friendly. I welcome your comments and suggestions as well as any book news you may find.
If you have any anecdotes to share about the history of our building and/or the previous businesses it has held, please email me or drop by the shop. That's all, folks, at least for now. Happy reading!
GBTFB,
Sarah
Feb-April archived posts
APRIL
I did manage to get a few seedlings in the ground last month, so hopefully in time I'll be browsing through the Literary Lion's cookbook section for creative ways to serve eggplant, tomatoes, spaghetti squash, garlic, and watermelon--probably not in the same dish.This month we will have our first "Open Mike" poetry night. I look forward to hearing you emote, Stephenville, so don't be shy. The event is free; please sign up in the store or shoot me an email so I'll know how much coffee to brew.The online search feature of our website should be up shortly, by the way. Thanks for your interest in this feature.
MARCH
It feels like May outside, so we've got a terminal case of gardening fever. Restraint, restraint, and focus on books. There. Better.To celebrate this early springtime weather, we last month featured books about birds. We still have our collection on display, and it's chock full of Field guides, feeding and watching handbooks, nature essays, and, of course, several fiction books, too. Mr. Popper's Penguins, anyone? This month we will feature anything Irish. Travel guides, fairy tales, modern fiction by authors from the Emerald Isle...you get the picture. What else...oh. If you would like to receive a monthly e-mail updating you on our events and new services, please shoot us an email with the word "NEWSLETTER" in the subject line.
FEBRUARY
Website Test
I did manage to get a few seedlings in the ground last month, so hopefully in time I'll be browsing through the Literary Lion's cookbook section for creative ways to serve eggplant, tomatoes, spaghetti squash, garlic, and watermelon--probably not in the same dish.This month we will have our first "Open Mike" poetry night. I look forward to hearing you emote, Stephenville, so don't be shy. The event is free; please sign up in the store or shoot me an email so I'll know how much coffee to brew.The online search feature of our website should be up shortly, by the way. Thanks for your interest in this feature.
MARCH
It feels like May outside, so we've got a terminal case of gardening fever. Restraint, restraint, and focus on books. There. Better.To celebrate this early springtime weather, we last month featured books about birds. We still have our collection on display, and it's chock full of Field guides, feeding and watching handbooks, nature essays, and, of course, several fiction books, too. Mr. Popper's Penguins, anyone? This month we will feature anything Irish. Travel guides, fairy tales, modern fiction by authors from the Emerald Isle...you get the picture. What else...oh. If you would like to receive a monthly e-mail updating you on our events and new services, please shoot us an email with the word "NEWSLETTER" in the subject line.
FEBRUARY
Website Test
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