We’ve been getting some really good press lately. From the New York Times and TimeOut NY to this wonderful highlight on the local blog Brooklyn Based. Enjoy!
http://brooklynbased.net/everything/stuyvesant-heights-day-trip/
Who Wrote the Best of the National Book Award Fiction?
The 6 finalists, culled from the 60 year history of the award are impressive to say the least: O’Conner, Cheever, Faulkner, Ellison, Welty and Pynchon. I’m inspired by Lol who is on a quest to read all the Booker Prize winners. I think I’ll read each of the 6 books and let you know my winner before the award announcement in November. Stay tuned.
A couple of interesting articles dropped this past week mostly having to do with the ongoing fight for control of the electronic media market. Take a look.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/books/review/Hyde-t.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=google&st=cse
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/books/01book.html?scp=2&sq=books&st=cse
I’m in support of one of my favorite authors, Sherman Alexie, and his opinion on downloadable books. Check out his well stated and controversial opinion here:
http://booksurvival.blogspot.com/2009/06/good-man-in-fight-sherman-alexie.html
The E-book is the biggest issue to hit the world of bookselling since the advent of the superstore and Amazon.com. The Kindle, Sony Reader, Cy-Book and the like allow books and other media to be read electronically for a fraction of the cost of paper-based products. My fellow independent booksellers and I are constantly talking about the impact of newer, sexier media (whatever!). Many of you have alluded to a bit of dabbling and some of you have even expressed a little Kindle-guilt. I’m starting to feel like I’m being cheated on and I refuse to turn a blind eye. So, hey we’re all adults here, out with it! Am I the last one to know? Just give it to me straight–Are you Kindle-ing?
Banned Books Week
This week Brownstone Books is celebrating your freedom to read. Banned Books week is a program of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (www.abffe.com). ABFFE fights threats to the privacy of bookstore records, helps booksellers challenge subpoenas seeking customer information, and opposes efforts to ban books in schools, libraries and bookstores. Here’s a list of the 10 most challenged books of 2008: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/21stcenturychallenged/2008/index.cfm. And here you can find a link to banned and challenges classics: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/index.cfm.
All of these books are available here at Brownstone Books. This week I ask that you look at the list and reflect on what life would be without such seminal works as: To Kill a Mockingbird or Their Eyes We’re Watching God, Fahrenheit 451 or Invisible Man. Each of you should then consider sharing a banned book with someone. Finally, stop by the store any night this week at 6 pm for a reading of a banned book.
Remember, your silence speaks volumes!
Anna In-Between, the latest novel by American Book Award Winner Elizabeth Nunez, is our October book club selection. Anna, a successful New York book editor is visiting her home nation in the Caribbean when she learns that her mother is suffering in silent prayer with breast cancer. Instantly “tradition” and “duty” become characters alongside Anna and her parents as the novel explores familial tensions, neocolonialism, and the guilt and longing often endured by immigrants. Chock full of great themes and excellent writing, Anna In-Between will be discussed in-store at our monthly meeting on October 21st at 7:30 PM.
On October 28th Brownstone Books and Peaches Restaurant will welcome Nunez with a wine and hors d’ oeuvres reception and book reading. Tickets are $25 (price includes 1 copy of Anna In-Between). RSVP is required. Please confirm your attendance via email: info@brownstonebooks.com.
It’s no secret. I am not a cook. I do, however, love a good cookbook. Here are the five I featured on the Heritage Network’s “Five Things On Fire” segment, which is all about the sustainable foods movement.
Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys. Just how do you satisfy someone whose goal it is to never be satisfied. Author, Lucinda Quinn gives great recopies and tips for cooking satisfying meals that and tips to encourage boys to help themselves around the kitchen. If that’s not sustainability, what is?
The Moosewood Cookbook. A classic. Those of you who don’t know where to begin exploring vegetarianism should start here. Basic and delicious, these recipes are all you need to develop your basic crunchy granola repertoire.
Vegan Soul Kitchen. Award-winning chef and co-author of The Grub, Bryant Terry has taken some of the authentic tastes and dishes of the south and turned them into healthier animal free takes on classic southern and African-American dishes. Surprisingly delectable.
If you have children you need The Sneaky Chef. This fun and easy cookbook teaches new and creative ways to pack the most nutritious ingredients into snacks and meals your children will devour.
Food and Wine 2009. The eponymous yearly dish on one of my favorite magazine’s favorite recipes, Food and Wine 2009 can make a food network star out of anyone, even me.
So, what did I miss? You foodies out there be sure to let me know your Five Things (cook books) on Fire!
Here you will find daily dispatches from the literary world and the 411 on what’s happening at your favorite neighborhood bookstore: Brownstone Books. On this site you will find author events, book reviews, industry updates and guest author appearances. There’s much to look forward to so drop by often and bring friends.
