This month I am really excited about the Jan. 27th publication of Michael Zadoorian's The Leisure Seeker. Ella and John Robina have outlived most of their friends, good health and mental acuity. In addition to numerous medical issues, the final stages of cancer are closing in on Ella. Her husband, John, suffers from mid-stage Alzheimers. But their trusty travel trailer, the Leisure Seeker, is still running despite exhaust issues and has given them a lifetime of unforgettable family trips and good memories. Against their grown children's pleas and doctor's advice, John and Ella load up the slide carousels and hit the road one more time in an attempt to retrace (and recapture) a long-past vacation that takes them cross-country on Route 66. The multitude of emotions expressed, seen and felt is staggering. Words that come to mind are funny, sad, poignant, humbling... this wonderful book explores the loss of control that walks hand in hand with life's progress. It's worth the cover price. Look for my in-depth review next month on www.bookreporter.com.

Christmas hits in our house included the parody The Dangerous Book for Dogs by Rex and Sparky. FUNNY! Detailed instructions for removing pills from peanut butter! Chapters like 'Territory- What it is, Why It's Yours and Why You Must Defend It at All Costs' and, of course, lots and lots of cold, hard facts about... poo. Dog owners will eat it up. Merrill Markoe's new hardcover Nose Down, Eyes Up is also a must-read for the dog loving market. Markoe is the author of Walking in Circles Before Lying Down which Chris and I loved and has sold by the dozens here at the store. Her new novel focuses on Gil, the kind of guy who understands his four dogs far better than any of the people in his life; Sara, his 'animal communicator' girlfriend who the dogs make fun of; and Jimmy, his alpha dog who lectures other mutts on owner manipulation. His advice for working their way into the master's bed? 'Nose down, eyes up!' I can't wait to crack this one.

Sarah's stocking held The Encyclopedia of Immaturity (Klutz) which has her practicing all kinds of mischief- like how to turn report card F's (not that she gets them) into A's. Yeah, cool stuff like that. She also has her nose stuck in The Girls Book of How to be the Best at Everything. Look out world! Together, she and I have begun the ten book 39 Clues series featuring a different YA author penning each new book. The first book, Maze of Bones, is written by our personal favorite, Rick Riordan, and sets the stage for this interactive mystery involving trading cards, online clues and more.

New in paperback: All Shall be Well and All Shall Be Well and All Manner of Things Shall Be Well by Tod Wodicka. I loved this one in hardback and highly recommend it for fans of A Confederacy of Dunces (Toole) and The Epicure's Lament (Christensen). In other words, if you traditionally like unlikeable protagonists, add this to your list. Sue Miller's The Senator's Wife just hit in paper as did A Pigeon and A Boy by Meir Shalev. This bestseller was so popular this summer I had a hard time getting it. A recent publication from the History Press is Vintage Outer Banks: Shifting Sands & Bygone Beaches by Sarah Downing. A great collection of photographs culled from the archives at the Outer Banks History Center, this volume highlights the post World War II boom on the beach and features lost landmarks like the Oasis, Casino, Circus Tent and the Atlantis. For anybody who remembers the beach as it once was or is interested in seeing how it used to be, this is a great find!

Just in time for Valentine's Day: Sex Checks: 60 Checks for Maintaining Balance in the Bedroom. This check-book sized collection features IOU's (a private lap dance, one night of cheap talk, my undivided attention) and UOME's (one striptease, an appreciably affectionate advance, a chance to get my credit back in good standing). And it's only $9.95!! Win-win!

This month the Duck's Cottage Reading Group is discussing Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez (meeting Jan. 28). Other groups are reading The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox (O'Farrell); Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (Kingsolver); The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (Boyle); Those Who Save Us (Blum) and Death at LaFenice (Leon).

 

And remember, to order these or any other books you've read about here on Notes from the Pond, just email me at jamie@duckscottage.com. We ship and we always take special orders!  

My sincere wish is that it becomes a pleasant pastiche representing a whole new facet of Duck's Cottage!  Please bookmark it and be sure to visit often-