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 Boswell Book Company 2559 North Downer Avenue at Webster Place Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211 (414) 332-1181, www.facebook.com/boswellbooks Our Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm and we're always open at boswellbooks.com! |
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Boswell Book Company Newsletter October 18, 2011, Day 928 |
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Greetings!
 Pretty much every newsletter, I run through a few titles that are on our Boswell's Best list. Jason and Amie carefully hand-pick these titles as they buy the upcoming months of adult and kids books. Sometimes we decide that something was overlooked, and we'll add that on too. But these are just a small selection of the titles that come out every month. So I thought for a change up, I'd mention a non-Boswell Best title from the new release case at Boswell that is getting some love.
We the Animals, by Justin Torres, is a slim but powerful novel about two boys growing up, much like the author did, in upstate New York, where his father was a truck driver and his mother a brewery shift worker. It's not a memoir, but life turned into myth. As Scott Simon said on NPR, "Justin Torres' debut novel is a welterweight champ of a book. It's short but it's also taut, elegant, lean--and it delivers a knockout."
 And here's a recommendation from our Mark: " We the Animals is vivid and alive with colors, sounds and smells. I tore through the book in one night, and found myself wishing that the story would've gone on longer, but Torres gives us everything we need to know, and he knows exactly where he wants to take us. Any additional elements would have diluted the story's power. The three young brothers in the story rush headlong into days filled with adventure and danger, both imagined and real. Torres's novel hits home with just how fierce, fragile, and fleeting boyhood is, and how we all must eventually discover who we are."
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt priced We the Animals at the great deal of $18 for a hardcover. How could one not give this a try? |
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Write Now with Rochelle Melander, Tuesday, October 18, 7 pm and Celebrate The Publication of her New Writing Manual.
 National Novel Writing Month is coming up fast, and you're probably wondering how you can become the next Sara Gruen (Water for Elephants) or Erin Morgenstern (The Night Circus). Yes, both authors' novels grew out of projects they started for NaNoWriMo. According to Melander, author of Write-a-Thon: Write Your Book in 26 Days (and Live to Tell About It), 200,000 people participate each year in this program.
But every year goes by and you look longingly at the other folks breaking through their blocks, and think, why not me? Well, what you need is a coach, giving you a mix of instruction and inspiration to make it to the finish line. Perhaps the Write Now! Coach is the answer. Find out tonight at our launch event--perhaps this interview with Writers Digest will convince you that 2011 is your year to get started. Also, I'm told there will be cake.
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Dava Sobel at Discovery World for her New Book on Copernicus, Wednesday, October 19, 7 pm.
 We all learned in school that Copernicus made the revolutionary proposal that the sun, and not the Earth, was the center of the cosmos. But how did this all happen? Dava Sobel, author of the bestselling Longitude and Galileo's Daughters, recreates that time to shed light on the revelation. If you've seen Sobel before, you know she is a wonderful speaker. And now A More Perfect Heaven: How Copernicus Revolutionized the Cosmos is getting wonderful reviews.
 Here's Timothy Ferris writing about the book in The Wall Street Journal: "Ms. Sobel presents a thoroughly researched and eminently readable account of a major scientist who celebrated the sun yet lurks in the shadows. 'Every time [NASA] detects a new exoplanet around a star beyond the Sun,' she aptly notes, 'another ripple of the Copernican Revolution reverberates through space.'" And here's a link to another great review from The Washington Post.
 I'm so pleased we were able to partner with Discovery World for this great event. Discovery World is located at 500 North Harbor Drive, just south of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Tickets are five dollars and are available on our website; at this point, you can pick them up at our will call box. Tickets are available at the door as well. And yes, drinks are available.
Soulstice Theater will be performing two short scenes from Sobel's play at the center of A More Perfect Heaven, where Copernicus has a pivotal meeting with mathematician George Joachim Rheticus. Coming up at Soulstice is their production of The Nerd, by Larry Shue, the story of an architect who meets the man who saved his life in Vietnam. It opens November 4. Buy tickets or get more information here. |
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Just Added! Chad Harbach of "The Art of Fielding" fame Joins Stuart Nadler for a Night of Boswell Fiction, This Thursday, October 20, 7 pm.
 With all the super famous, unlikely-to-be-reading-in-Milwaukee authors out there, I'm pleased to say that we had more inquiries as to whether we were hosting Chad Harbach than any other of the fall season. Partly it was because the book is everywhere, with reviews that are nothing short of ecstatic. Here's how Michiko Kakutani started out her her review in The New York Times: "Chad Harbach's book The Art of Fielding is not only a wonderful baseball novel--it zooms immediately into the pantheon of classics, alongside The Natural by Bernard Malamud and The Southpaw by Mark Harris--but it's also a magical, melancholy story about friendship and coming of age that marks the debut of an immensely talented writer."
 And part of it was the local connection. Harbach is from Racine and The Art of Fielding is set at fictional Westish College, close enough to Milwaukee that the coach commutes from there, and President Affenlight and his daughter Pella plan a dinner at their favorite Milwaukee restaurant, Bau Kitchen, which I've suddenly developed a yen for. Alas, I  don't think it exists. Fiction, you've once again ruined me for reality!
So it was with great joy that we finally, finally, finally heard that Harbach was returning home to the midwest, appearing at Boswell this Thursday, October 20, at 7 pm. We did have a contingency plan to move the event up to 5 pm if the Brewers made the World Series, but  for the Cardinals versus Rangers, the advice to me was to let the event stand.
Harbach is reading with Stuart Nadler, the author of The Book of Life, a great collection of stories that just came out. I wrote a giddy blog post on this book in August, which you can read here. And you can also read here what other folks are saying about Nadler's collection, with several writers comparing him to Malamud, just like Kakutani did for Harbach. So that's my final encouragement to come out--this event is going to be positively Malamudian. |
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Jeffrey Eugenides, Sunday, October 23, 12 Noon, at Boswell.
 Tomorow starts the Wisconsin Book Festival in Madison and their schedule is chock full of author readings, not the least of which is Jeffrey Eugenides. But you don't have to go to Madison to see the author of The Virgin Suicides, Middlesex, and now The Marriage Plot, because he'll be at Boswell on Sunday, October 23, at 12 Noon. Yes, it's a rather odd time, but we wanted to move it out of the way of the Packers game, which starts at 3 pm.
 But what of this new novel, an erudite take on the classics of the 18th and 19th century? First I offer my partner in all things events, Stacie, with her recommendation: "Eugenides deftly delivers a novel of great thought and romance, using the languages of philosophy, literature and theology to astutely explore the labyrinthine pathways of the heart. The warmth, intellect and beauty that glows from its eloquent pages and immersive characters had me in tears by the end. It's been years since a novel touched my soul so effectively: I LOVED THIS BOOK!"
 Well that's encouraginging. But what of Ron Charles, that Washington Post critic of rare insight and sparkling wit? He's quite positive on the subject as well: "This is a story about being young and bright and lost, a story Americans have been telling since Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises. Our exceptionally well-read but largely untested graduates still wonder: How should I live my life? What can I really believe in? Whom should I love? Literature has provided a wide range of answers to those questions --Lose Lady Brett! Give up on Daisy! Go with Team Edward! --but in the end, novels aren't really very good guidebooks. Instead, they're a chance to exercise our moral imagination, and this one provides an exceptionally witty and poignant workout."
The event is free but there are some restrictions. Personalization will depend on the size of the crowd. Only two backlist books signed per attendee. No dealers. And though I repeat this like a chant whenever we have a large event, the doors will close if we reach capacity. If this happens, we will start a signing line outside. |
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The Secrets of Oriental Medicine, Unlocked by Curry Chaudoir on Monday, October 24, 7 pm, at Boswell .
 Events come to Boswell from all sorts of channels. The recommendation for local acupuncturist Curry Chaudoir to speak about his new book, Oriental Medicine and You, came from our friend Phylis, who speaks very highly of his skills. His new book is a comprehensive look at ancient Chinese medical theory translated into modern language, suitable for the professional or the layperson.
Curry has made us a special offer as well. The book normally lists for $59.95, but we're able to sell it for a special price of $39.95. Yes, that's actually a better price than at many online outlets. If you are not able to attend, you can order the title by clicking on the link at the title. Chaudoir is executive director of Acupuncture and Holistic Health Associates in Milwaukee. More about their practice here. |
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James Dashner's Action-Packed Maze Runner Trilogy Finale at Greenfild Library on Tuesday, October 25, 6:30 pm.
 Bestselling author James Dashner will be appearing at Greenfield Public Library, 5310 West Layton Avenue, for his new book, The Death Cure, the long-awaited conclusion to the Maze Runner trilogy. The second book in the series, The Scorch Trials, is now out in paperback.
Here's a note from Jason: "I was hesitant to start The Death Cure, what more could WICKED put Thomas through? What horrible, what torturo us, what painful journey would Thomas have to complete? Would it be enough? In the clutches of WICKED and infected with the Flare, the outlook does not look promising. James Dashner does not disappoint in this bleak and exhilarating finale--I can't wait to see what he comes up with next."
And here's what Kirkus had to say about the new book: "Dashner again displays his mastery of the action sequence, making readers turn pages even as they become further invested in the well-developed characters."
Greenfield Public Library is right off 894, but I should warn you the connections are a bit wonky on your return if you're trying to connect to 43. It's easier if you are linking to 94. It's also quite close to Loomis Road. |
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More Events Coming Up in October and November.
Wednesday, October 26, 7 pm, Spald-o-Rama.
Join Theatre Gigante at Boswell for an evening of Spalding Gray-mania. We'll have a talk with TG frontpeople Isabel Kralj and Mark Anderson, as well as scene previews, preparation for Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell, which opens on October 27 at the Kenilworth Studio Theater. Our apologies, but Kathleen Russo is not able to attend.
 Saturday, October 29, 1 pm, Zombie Afternoon, at Boswell:
Andy Rash, author of Ten Little Zombies, with a combination storytime and make-a-zombie, for kids and adults.
Newly arrived children's book illustrator has drawn several books for kids and Ten Little Zombies for everyone else. After our slide-show storytime, we'll all learn how to draw zombies in all their gruesomeness.
Saturday, October 29, 2 pm, Zombie Afternoon Part Two, at Boswell
Angus Macabre, Scottish Zombie Comic offers unique undeadpan takes on what it's like to be a flesh eater. Are male zombies willing to ask for directions when they get lost on their way to eating tasty humans? Find out!
 Tuesday, November 1, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Deborah Niemann, author of Homegrown and Handmade: A Practical Guide to More Self-Reliant Living.
Niemann, a successful, self-taught homesteader, shows how making things from scratch and growing at least some of your own food can help you eliminate artificial ingredients from your diet, reduce your carbon footprint, and create a more authentic life.
Wednesday, November 2, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Lisa Albert, author of Mercy Lily.
Muskego's Albert has been speaking about her new young adult novel all over the state. Mercy Lily tells the story of a high-school-age daughter who will do anything to save her mother, suffering from multiple sclerosis.
 Saturday, November 5, 2 pm, at Elm Grove Womens Club, 13885 Watertown Plank Road, co-sponsored by Patched Works.
Jennifer Chiaverini, author of The Wedding Quilt.
Greet the newest book in the Elm Grove Quilt series. Sarah McClure arrived at Elm Creek Manor as a newlywed, and now prepares for her own daughter's wedding. Her goal? To stitch a quilt that represents the vast circle of friendship, across generations, that came out of her own quilting business, Elm Creek Quilts.
at the same time...part one of Nordic November
 Saturday, November 5, 2 pm, at Boswell:
Eric Dregni, author of Vikings in the Attic, speaking with Joan Peterson, author of Eat Smart in Norway.
Dregni's newest book looks at the Nordic traditions that have been preserved in the American midwest, told as a witty slide show. Peterson takes us from the midwest (her company Gingko Press is based in Madison) back to The Land of the Midnight Sun, offering a mix of travel tips and stories for Nordic travelers.
Saturday, November 5, 7 pm reception, with a talk at 8 pm:
Paul Schmitz, CEO of Public Allies, author of Everyone Leads: Building Leadership from the Community Up.
Milwaukee's launch event for this important and inspirational book offers a set of practices that will help leaders be more effective at bringing diverse people and groups together to solve problems. Schmitz shares unique experiences and lessons his organization has learned from two decades of identifying and developing thousands of diverse young leaders across the country.
 Monday, November 7, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Tamora Pierce, author of Mastiff: The Legend of Beka Cooper, Volume 3.
Tamora Pierce is coming to Boswell! Author of many series for young adults, including Song of the Lioness, Immortals, and Protector of the Small, her newest has Kirkus offering this praise: "Pierce has long been lauded for her kickass heroines, and in Beka she has created her most compelling, complicated character."
 Tuesday, November 8, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Chester Marcol, along with Gary D'Amato, who together wrote Alive and Kicking: My Journey Through Football, Addiction, and Life.
Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer teams up with Milwaukee Journal Sportswriter to document his life from shy Polish high school immigrant to his years as one of the sport's top place kickers and beyond, along with all the bumps (and boy were there bumps) along the way. Mr. Marcol will sign books only.
Wednesday, November 9, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Jillian Maas Backman, author of Beyond the Pews: Breaking with Tradition and Letting Go of Religious Lockdown.
This guide to natural soulful communication written by a Lake Geneva intuitive life coach allows the reader to create his or her own personal spiritual intuitive handbook.
 Friday, November 11, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Mary Fran�ois Rockcastle, author of In Caddis Wood.
Rockcastle, director of the Creative Writing program at Hamline University in St. Paul, offers a novel that explores the life of one couple through the changing of seasons and passing of years.
Tuesday, November 15, 7 pm, at Boswell, co-sponsored by Outpost Natural Foods:
Ingeborg Hydle Baugh and Irene Sandvold, co-authors of Gudrun's Kitchen: Recipes from a Norwegian Family.
For our second event in Nordic November, we present a book that is cookbook, part memoir, part guide to Norwegian culinary traditions. Outpost will have some samples  available at this event.
Wednesday, November 16, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Craig Thompson, author of Habibi and Blankets.
Welcome back one-time Milwaukeean Craig Thompson, who has written a graphic novel of the Muslim world so lauded that they practically extended the editorial cut off for 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die. It's the last entry. (This event is at Boswell, but is co-sponsored by MIAD. |
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 We've been a bit more low key than some stores about promoting our ebook options, and that's something I'm continually thinking about adjusting. For folks who've bought devices, it's important to know that they can buy books from us via Google Editions. At a regional book conference that Jason and I attended, we even saw a sneak preview of the app that will send you directly to Boswell, or any other independent bookstore you prefer that is on the ABA website program. Most larger publishers are on the agency program, meaning the pricing is the same everywhere. So if you have a Nook, Sony, Droid, or Apple device, you have the freedom of choice to buy where you want. If you're contemplating a device, don't forget that Kindle users are locked into purchasing from Amazon and that Consumer Reports ranked the newest Nook the best of all ereaders.
However you read, thank you for your patronage. We wouldn't have a bookstore without you. Daniel Goldin, with Amie, Anne, Beverly, Carl, Conrad, Greg, Jason, Mark, Pam, Shane, Sharon, and Stacie. |
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