Library Is A Dirty Word

As a bookseller I am sometimes in the unfortunate position of telling someone that the book they are interested in is not available. Whenever that happens, I always make sure they understand that it may be available on the internet or at their local library for free. Most people will hear free and rush home others will hear library and that's where the fun really starts.

Growing up, my local library was only a couple of blocks away. Having to walk there and back was a ritual I gladly endured as it equated in my mind to being able to return with as many books as I could hold and once I started bringing my " library bag ", that was a lot of books. When I later moved to a new neighborhood, I was disappointed to find that the local library was quite a hike away but my mother assured me that though the distance was greater we could still walk there and back within a few hours. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make. The next time we moved, it was only reachable by several buses or an occasional car trip. This was not a problem however as I determined to endear myself to the librarian who eventually broke the limit on the number of books I could read as I could never deem it possible to only borrow 20 at a time as I never knew when the next chance would be. This was silly of course as the books would need to be returned by a certain date but I was terrified I'd read through the pile way before then. So as I grew up books were always available to me. When eventually as a teenager I discovered bookstores the world virtually bloomed with reading possibilities but I always kept the library as my first resource.

So nowadays when I tell people to check their local library the various reactions I get puzzle me as they can vary from wonder to outright hostility. I have dealt with customers who never even thought to check out their local libraries and have no understanding of how to interact with them. There are others who have looked confused and asked what made us different from a library; I have gently reminded them that the word store is included in our name. People have gasped and stared at me as though I was the great Sphinx come to life with the answer to an age old riddle. And I have had people who have, with great dignity let me know that they DO NOT go to the public library! But the ones I can understand best are the ones that simply inform me they've tried but the book was also unavailable there. In each instance they have unwittingly given me information about their reading styles. As an avid reader knows, you will do whatever you can to get your hands on a coveted title. So, in each case, each one of these customers has given me a glimpse into their inner thoughts and sometimes I wish they hadn't.

Dealing with this as a bookseller is frustrating because the reason I became a bookseller was to share my love of books and reading. Being able to tell someone who is unaware that books are available from many different vendors, libraries, garage sales, and publishers is always a kick as the light of excitement sparks in their eyes. Introducing children who have not had a library card introduced to them as part of their elementary school adventures  is one of the best feelings I get to have over and over, and although I cherish those moments they also make me sad to realize that somewhere along the line, the idea of the library has somewhat fallen between the cracks and in such the love of reading has been malnourished for many and their ability to learn and grow stunted. So, though the word library may garnish me moments of frustration, sadness, or quiet pleasure, I continue to use this seven letter word with impunity. I think the book gods will forgive me in the end. As I remind the children at the end of my story times, the reason that books are so important is that the human soul needs these stories to grow and bring us together. They let us see the world in ways we never could have imagined. They let us dream of endless possibilities and new horizons. They tie us to the stories told on the caves of our ancestors, the fire side stories told by memory of great deeds and ancient heroes. They are the connection to our past and future and they are housed in great temples called Libraries just waiting for the siren call to seduce you into picking them up. So teach yourself and your children to say the word with the reverence and joy it deserves. Visit your local libraries and see them for the treasure troves they are. Bookstores and libraries will never stop being important unless we let it happen. I for one refuse to stop a life long love affair with either.

Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge by Paul Krueger

Chicago is a hell of a town, the Sears Tower, bartenders that make killer drinks, and I do mean KILLER drinks. You see Chicago boasts a rare breed of bartender, mixologists who create drinks that help them fight off more than a patron's blues, they literally help keep the demons at bay. In this Chicago any place you find yourself five sheets to the wind you'll find yourself being trailed by tremens who would like nothing else but a drink themselves; your animus steeped in the drink of your choice. After all, even demons need to let loose.

In this unique novel you'll meet Bailey who is just out of college and ready to become the successful business woman who lunches, has pedicures, and runs the world, all at the same time. She's back home and ready to launch her career but in the meantime she needs to make money by being a bar back at her best friend's family bar while she plans her ascent. What she doesn't know is that she is about to become part of the main resistance to an influx of tremens that is building up to inflict itself on unsuspecting Chicago just in time for Halloween. Bailey's life is about to take a swing for a much different path than she thought and along the way she will meet mixologists who call themselves the Alechemists who are trying to attain the ultimate cocktail, a Long Island Iced Tea. This is not your parent's drink but one that will give the one who drinks it ultimate power and could be the only thing to save Chicago.

This book is a fun read, perfect for those just out of school, ready or not to face their futures. The uncertainties, the pressure, and the bumps in the road are all here waiting for you to commiserate over and if you feel like you might need a drink to help you along, let The Devil's Water Dictionary, which the author graciously includes, show the exact recipes the mixologists use to mix up some of the strongest cocktails around. Full of humor this is a great read for anyone. Would fit nicely onto the bookshelf by your Harry Dresden books.

The Forbidden Wish (The Forbidden Wish, #1) by Jessica Khoury

This is a retelling of the classic Aladdin tale that really lived up to the challenge. Khoury's tale brings Aladdin and his Genie into a whole new level of story telling. In this version Aladdin is not just a cheeky street rat but a young man who's failure to be the follow up to his father the people want him to be drives him into reckless thievery. Zahra, the geni is not just waiting patiently in the lamp for her next master but has been cast into the lamp as punishment for an act of betrayal that set off historical ramifications across her world. Her story starts even before when a decision made was shown to be a foolish choice within itself. When Aladdin frees her, her only thought is how to manipulate him to gain her freedom. Anything else is out of the question. And Princess Caspida is so much more than just the daughter to an ailing king. She is the last line of defense between her people and the cruel intents of her Uncle Sulifer and his son Darian. She is the personification of her people's last embers of hope.

This is a truly classic tale of love, desire, greed, and forgiveness. Well worth reading and adding to your shelf. Khoury has used her love of stories and understanding of people's relationships to bring you a tale of folklore to treasure.

The Black Witch (The Black Witch Chronicles #1) by Laurie Forest

Elloren is grand daughter of one of the most powerful Gardnerian mages to ever live and by all rights she should become the new Black Witch, powerful and capable of becoming the champion of her people. But little do others realize that Elloren may look exactly like her grand mother but she is nothing like her at all. Elloren is incapable of magic in a society that deems it a disgrace to be so. As she is sent to follow her dream of becoming an apothecary at Verpax University where all manner of people are allowed, Elloren comes to realize that her legacy will cast judgement upon her not only by her fellow Gardnerians but also by those who the Black Witch cast down. As she struggles to establish herself without the power of magic she must try to come to grips with the treachery surrounding her and find out for herself who she truly is and who her real friends and who her true enemies are. The world is about to change again and Elloren could be the pivotal point on which it rotates.

This book reflects many real world issues such as racism, addiction, anti feminists views, the struggles of being oneself in a society that judges upon shallow values. It is also an interesting universe with Verpax University at the top of my to visit list after Hogwarts. The main characters are also well crafted. My overall comment is that this story is worth following but I have to admit to having some issues with the pace of the book which lends it to being 601 pages. There were several points in the book where I couldn't stop myself from wishing it had been pruned more, tightened up a bit. However, still worth the read guys, and yes, there will be a second book to look forward too. Elloren is setting up to be a character that could really rock our reading worlds so here's hoping.

Ninth City Burning by J. Patrick Black

What will the future bring? For the denizens of Earth and cities like Ninth it brings a constant threat of alien invasion. War with the Valentines, so called because that was the day they originally attacked Earth is an ongoing effort, held in realms that are spread out beyond Earth itself. Each city is responsible to help hold off incursions with massive guns but it is the people in this new found resistance that are important. There are those who are able to use thelemity, a universal magic, to provide the final protection for those who have no such abilities and they are the ones the aliens need to destroy in order to take over the world.

As we follow Black's story we are introduced to several young people who are engaged in this fight to the death, not all capable of thelemity themselves but bringing forth the fight straight to Valentine as they face the ultimate battle with an enemy who has suddenly changed tactics which will reveal that this war is coming to an ultimate conclusion. The Valentines are tired of war and have amassed for complete decimation of Earth. Mankind's last stand will be seen through the eyes of these few who will determine if we triumph against massive odds.

At first I found this a little grueling to get through but I have to say that by the end of the book you're really invested in these characters who much like you are struggling to live in a hostile world that they care for. Lives are lost and honor bestowed as each of them realizes that to evacuate Earth is not a choice if it means not everyone gets out alive. They will fight for those who cannot or die knowing they tried. Valiant and courageous, they help to overlook any small flaw that trips you up. And did I mention there's semi sentient suits of magical armor? Knights of the future still make great story telling too. Looking forward to the continuation.

House of Shadows by Nicola Cornick

This was provided as an ARC by Graydon House and set to be released on October 17 of this year.

With one phone call in the middle of the night Holly Ansell's life changes forever. Her brother has vanished from his country home without a trace, as though he simply stepped outside for a breathe of air. With her own personal life in shambles, Holly moves into his house to find out what she can to find him. However as she begins to unfold his last moments, Holly begins to realize that the man she thinks her brother was was only a mirage. He had started the search for an ancient jewel tied to the Winter Queen herself and in doing so created repercussions that are still rippling out even as Holly fights to find the answers she needs. When Holly begins to realize there is more happening than she can explain she begins to doubt her own sanity as time and place begin to collude to expose a story centuries in the making of a great evil power, of a last chance at love, and of a quest finally nearing completion. Will the answers Holly uncovers help her to find forgiveness and healing or will the ancient power the jewel claims bring another black end to those involved.

Written by Cornick, who is a guide at Ashdown House, the story is based on the idea that William, First Earl of Craven had the house built for Elizabeth Stuart, The Winter Queen as a token of his love. Cornick has done a remarkable job of joining historical fact with possibility in this story and it was a pleasure to read. A recommend for anyone interested in English monarchy or historical fiction. Could be the next pick for a reading group as there is plenty of non fiction to follow up on in this story as well.

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1) by Laini Taylor

 

Right from the start I fell for this book. Taylor has written the beginning to a story that is crafted for a reader who loves the magic of reading. A young hero who starts as an orphan brought up by monks who have no idea who he is or where he came from. Called Strange as all orphans are, he grows up loving the stories of a fabled land lost to the mists of time. When he is sent on an errand and sees the great library he knows he is where he belongs and so begins the first steps towards what will be Strange's ultimate story. Not yet fully written but page by page his destiny is being intertwined with the very essence of the one story that has enchanted him since he was a small child. The story of Weep, lost to the world for hundreds of years is still being written and Strange will bear witness to its resurgence or its final moments. Along with him will be a coterie of individuals who will be tasked with the impossible job of rescuing Weep from its nemesis, for in the skies of Weep lingers a haunting memory of its worst nightmares and within that nightmare lies the soul of someone who may bring about its salvation. A story of wrongs done, lives shattered, regrets, recriminations, and the shreds of hope that refuse to die. A story about a love that is pure and true and the wrath of revenge that threatens all.

You will not put this book down without the feeling that you have just entered into the beginning of an epic saga. You have just met a new hero the likes of which have not been seen since the times of the ancient Greeks and that thought alone is a reader's dream.

Notes on a Banana: A Memoir of Food, Love, and Manic Depression by David Leite

David Leite's touching autobiography takes a look at himself from a small boy growing up to his present life as the creator of the James Beard Award winning website Leite's Culinaria. Leite introduces us to the happy memories and tribulations that have assailed him. His genuine and candid look at what he would later come to realize as a maelstrom of mental illness and the confusion of sexual identity that began to afflict him from a very young age.

David's family is the perfect example of an immigrants that came to America to begin a better life and were successful. Many would say he had the perfect childhood but that is the whole point of David's story. He was dealing with an illness that he could not even imagine never mind ask for help with and at the same time he began to realize that he felt differently than was considered normal about other boys. The confusion of realizing he was gay in a time when that was considered a moral flaw was hard for him considering he had a mother who he dubbed a bloodhound for Jesus. So even surrounded as he was by loving support from his family, his mental illness and secrets caught him in an undertow of anguish that would follow him for most of his life until being correctly diagnosed helped him fight his inner demons and finding the right person to love helped him conquer his fears.

David Leite is not saying he's perfect or cured. What you will find in here is the story of a young man who was vulnerable and weak and searched for answers, stumbling from one idea to another until he found it at last. This book is a look at the depths that some have to struggle out of and a hope for those who are lost on their own paths. David is a guiding light to learn to accept who you are and not be afraid to ask for help. This is a book about growing into your own identity no matter what. It is at the very end a book about hope and we could all learn a little something from that.

A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3) by V.E. Schwab

I actually finished this book quite a few weeks ago but I had to take the time between that and writing this review to deal with the trauma of this series actually being finished. Like any great read, the moment you realize it's ended is when you're filled with a mix of satisfaction and a sadness at having to say goodbye to a world of characters that hooked you right from the start. Luckily for us you can flip to the first page and start again, and that is really how you know you've found a great book. Schwab is no stranger to writing books that pull you in, placing you right there side by side with characters that are nuanced and full fledged. Your blood races as you tear down back alleys, face sentient magic intent on recreating worlds, or just good old fashioned assassins. Shades of Magic as a series fulfilled that yearning we all have for a grand life adventure not because it was over the top but because you could immerse yourself in the story and become another participant in it. The world created in the series feels like you could sail off the edge of the map and find it waiting for you. Bring me that horizon has never been more apt than when you read the last page of A Conjuring of Light and realize the story's chronicles may stop here but the story itself is far from over.

If you still haven't read this series, get onto it now. Life is short and adventure awaits the daring. A definite recommend from a fantasy lover and bookseller who says pick up this series and rediscover the awe and fascination a good story can bring. Also, make room on your bookshelves, these are keepers.

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3) by Sarah J. Maas

If you are reading this and have not read the first two titles in this trilogy, STOP. Go and immerse yourself in a world of characters that hit so many YES! buttons, you'll swear that they were created from magic themselves. These have been a pleasure to read without question, any little niggling details forgiven when you're on the last page, as you realize you've finished what are probably some of Maas's best books. I won't even try to do a review justice as there are many others who have done an admirable job of pointing out just why this series is so good. The only thing I can tell you is that I have added these titles to my permanent collection and can't wait another year for the next title to suck me back into one of the best fantasy series out there.

Go now and pick up the first book and start reading, if you've read them all as avidly as I have, don't quibble, start re reading them again and look forward to the continuation of this world next year as Maas continues to weave her stories with new adventures.

The Savage Garden by Mark Mills

A young scholar from Cambridge is sent to Tuscany where he will spend the summer preparing a monograph on the famous Docci garden. His professor is convinced Adam will be able to find the truth hidden in the creation of this fifteenth century garden. The current Docci family is welcoming and Adam is set to spend some time enjoying the sun and getting over his broken relationship, but as he delves into the mysterious layout of the garden he begins to realize there is something out of sync with the current history at Villa Docci. World War II has left scars all across Europe and the Doccis are no exception as the sealed off third floor is testament to. A horrible murder took place there and since the day of its happening, it has left a pall lingering over the family.

Adam starts to piece together the secrets of the garden and finds that there are more than just ghosts hidden in it, there is a curse that follows this family and the deeper he digs the closer he comes to the truth of what happened that fateful day on the third floor. Will he be able to bring closure to both mysteries or has he unwittingly stepped into a deadly game of chess as an unknowing pawn? The shadows that linger at Villa Docci mask the tapestry of betrayal that has been years in the making and not everyone wants the truth brought to light.

Although an intriguing mystery and well written, I found it stagnating several times. I I felt as though the story was being told to me by someone who had had to tell it so many times before, they did so now by rote. The overall effect for me was a let down, but as always, check it our for yourself and decide if the Docci mystery is an intrigue worthy of your bookshelf.

Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Illustrated Stories for Children) by Washington Irving, Arthur Rackham

With disturbingly eerie illustrations by Arthur Rackham, this is a great introduction to the classic legend based on the original story by Irving of the small town of Sleepy Hollow in New York. Take a step back and see a bounty of fields and Dutch heritage, a glimpse into a time left behind when the streets we now know so well weren't yet laid down and the swaying grass could hide witches, goblins, and other creatures conjured from superstitions brought over from Europe and twisted to flesh out new worries found in a new land. See the changes of old tradition merging into a new culture blooming forth. Whether you know the legend and just want to revisit it again or you're on your first foray into this story, this is a great version to read before maybe taking the chance and visiting the actual village of Sleepy Hollow. Will you be able to follow Ichabod's ride for his life? You'd be amazed at how much is still there if you know where to look.

The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson

This classical children's story is absolutely lovely. Simply written about a Parisian hobo who is quite happy to live a carefree life under the bridges of Paris among fellow homeless who scrape a living out of the detritus of the City of Light with no ties until the day he meets three children, who along with their mother are trying desperately to survive the winter. Unable to resist the urge to help this family Armand's fate as a drifter is put in jeopardy when he begins to follow his heart and make it his goal to make this Christmas magical.

This is a must read for any child on the rewards of generosity and love given unselfishly. A look at the truth that bad things can happen to good people and that a helping hand is always welcome. Written with care and thoughtfulness, it is a wonderful book to add to any child's library. Illustrated with lively views of Paris and the characters we meet, this really is a little treasure box of hope that can never grow old.