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Greetings,
In this issue, find out what our booksellers are reading to keep warm
this winter, why Milwaukee's talking about Zora Neale Hurston, which
authors are coming soon to a Schwartz near you, which new titles you'd
like to add to your must-read list, and much more!
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Special Store Hours for February 6
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Due to the weather all of our shops are closed until February 7.
Our event with Alexandra Stoddard has been canceled due to the
weather. We will have signed copies of her books, including Happiness for Two (a great Valentine's Day gift!) at our Mequon location on
Thursday afternoon.
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Get Cozy with Winter Reads |
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If you're looking for a good book to keep you company during this cold and snowy winter, then look no further. Our booksellers have some wonderful recommendations that will keep your nightstand stacked with enough titles to see you through to spring.
 "Whenever I hit the really bad winter blahhs, I go for a historical romance that I read for the first time years ago: Katherine by Anya Seton. She was the mistress of John of Gaunt and a good number of the English kings are her descendents. It's a great escape read, and the author prided herself on being historically accurate."-Anne McMahon, Shorewood
"Ice Storm by Rick Moody is my pick. It's perfect to read in the middle of a blizzard curled up in a quilt, with a good glass of wine nearby."-Amie Mechler-Hickson, Schwartz Office
 "I suggest warming up with some good cooking literature, like Kathleen Flinn's The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry, Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, or Mireille Guilliano's French Women for All Seasons (which includes recipes!). Or, why not escape the cold altogether with a good travel mystery? The Soho Crime series are mysteries by different authors set in places all over the world. And, I enjoyed Chris Ewan's The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam that begins with the words, 'I want you to steal something for me.'"-Anne Wilde, Mequon
"The Winter of Frankie Machine by Don Winslow is a great winter book for guys. A 'retired' mob hit man gets pulled back into the life."-Carl Hoffmann, Bay View
"Give yourself a fun read on a cold winter's night with a novel by John Connolly. His books feature a former NYC cop turned private investigator named Charlie Parker (yep, named for that Charlie Parker). After the gruesome murder of his family, Parker returns home to Maine and takes up residence in a rural farmhouse. From there, during the course of several novels, Parker investigates a number of bizarre, violent murders, tracks down criminals who are not only beyond redemption but who are also, well, nasty-yucky-creepy, and he's not above shooting anyone who deserves it. John Connolly creates a dark, sinister world, filled with noir tough guys, loaded guns, cruelly victimized innocents, and justice dealt harshly, quickly, and privately. His first book is Every Dead Thing, and while they do not need to be read in order, if you enjoy a good series, start there."-Bishop Hadley, Buyer
"Grab a margarita and A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett and transport yourself to a world of soft breezes, warm waters and the good life. With the quirkiest characters this side of Carl Hiaasen and an improbable, but somehow believable, plot line, this book will make you forget you are in the middle of a gray Wisconsin winter. Buffett's writing is as addicting as his music-I guarantee you will be surprised as you chuckle your blues away!"-Pattie Cox, Mequon
"Forget the snow and cold of this Wisconsin winter. Curl up and read Geraldine Brooks's People of the Book and immerse yourself in the warmth of stunning storytelling!"-Jane Glaser, Mequon
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| Booklover's Special
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You love them. You love them not. And, you have so many you can hardly remember their names. Keep track of all the books you read (what did you think we meant?) with a compact and stylish Schwartz Reader's Journal. Jot down what you read, when you read it and what you thought of it-and do it for half off! For a limited time our journals are available for 50% off their regular price. It's a sweetheart of a deal! While you're at it, pick one up for your book-loving valentine!
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Milwaukee's Big Read
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 Get Caught Reading Zora
The Milwaukee Public Library has been chosen to participate in the 2008 Big Read, a community-wide program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts that aims to bring the pleasure of reading to lapsed or reluctant readers as well as the avid reader. The Zora Neale Hurston classic Their Eyes Were Watching God has been chosen for the project. Published amid controversy in 1937 and rescued from obscurity decades later, Their Eyes Were Watching God follows Janie Crawford from vibrant but voiceless teenager to a woman who ultimately decides her own destiny. In addition to discussions of the book at various branches, the Milwaukee Public Library will offer programming including films and lectures to celebrate the book. Find out more about how you can participate by visiting The Big Read website.
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| Project President Exhibit
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 February 16-18
Milwaukee Public Library's Central Library
Don't miss "Project President" at the Central Library
See history in a whole new light through memorabilia from George to George (Washington to Bush!)
The American Presidency Exhibit, a traveling museum-quality exhibit of 80 objects from the two largest private presidential memorabilia collection in the United States, will visit Milwaukee Public Library's Central Library (814 W. Wisconsin Ave.) from Saturday, February 16 to Monday, February 18. Timed to coincide with Wisconsin's presidential primary election day of February 19, the exhibit will travel to nine cities in states considered to be important caucus and primary locations.
See one-of-a-kind pieces from campaign buttons to state dinner menus and seating arrangements to an original key to the White House.
Author Jordan M. Wright will talk about his new book Campaigning for President on Sunday, February 17 at 2:00 p.m. in Central Library's first floor meeting room. Copies of his books will be available for sale from Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, and Mr. Wright will sign his book after his talk.
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Carroll College Presents: Ha Jin
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Monday, February 18 · 7:30 p.m.
The Carroll College English and Writing Programs and Division of Humanities and Social Sciences present Ha Jin, award-winning author of nine works of fiction and two collections of poetry. His most recent book, A Free Life, illuminates the contemporary immigrant experience. His body of work includes National Book of the Year (1999) Waiting, Ocean of Words, winner of the Pen/Hemmingway award, and Under the Red Flag, which won the Flannery O'Connor Prize.
This event is free and open to the public
Event takes place at:
The Stackner Ballroom
Carroll College Campus Center
101 N. East Ave, Waukesha
For more information visit the Carroll College web site.
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Red Oak Young Writers Summer Camps
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Send the young writer in your family off to camp this summer! Red Oak Young Writers, (formerly known as Redbird Young Authors), is offering summer writing camps for young people who will be entering grades 4-12. Led by accomplished writing teachers, the full-week programs offer young people the time, space, support and community they need to nurture their passion for writing.
Camps are held in two inspiring Wisconsin locations. Red Oak at Ten Chimneys takes students entering grades 7-12 to Ten Chimneys Estate, a national historic landmark with gorgeous grounds and an adjacent nature trail. It is located in Genesse Depot, WI, which is about 30 miles west of Milwaukee. Red Oak at Redbird will host three workshops for students entering grades 4-6, 7-8 and 9-12. Redbird Studio, a working-writers' studio with various outdoor spaces is located in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood.
For more information including workshop dates, and registration forms, visit their website.
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| Live at Schwartz
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Here is a list of all the authors coming to a Schwartz Bookshop near you during the upcoming week. For a complete list of upcoming author appearances visit our new events page.
 Jeff KinneyDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Thursday, February 7 * 7:00 p.m. reading * ShorewoodDon't ask Greg Heffley about his summer vacation because he definitely doesn't want to talk about it. In this sequel to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, he wants to put the summer, one event in particular, behind him and get on with the new school year. Unfortunately, secrets have a way of getting out, especially when a diary is involved and worse--Greg's older brother, Rodrick knows all about the incident. Some signing restrictions may apply. For middle readers
 Patricia Polacco
The Lemonade Club and Ginger and PetuniaSaturday, February 9 * 2:00 p.m. reading * MequonEnjoy a lively afternoon of storytelling with Patricia Polacco, author and illustrator of over fifty books for children including her latest, The Lemonade Club and Ginger and Petunia. A heartwarming story about the life-giving power of friendship, The Lemonade Club finds best friends Traci and Marilyn facing a difficult time when Marilyn is diagnosed with leukemia. With the help of their beloved teacher and The Lemonade Club, Marilyn is given lots of support and in turn finds the strength to help another person in need of comfort. In another story of friendship, Ginger and Petunia takes children to a delightfully funny town where sophisticated lady Virginia (Ginger for short) loves the finer things in life, but not quite so much as she loves her pet pig Petunia. When Ginger is called out of town, Petunia is left to fill Ginger's shoes--and fancy scarves and dresses--at a gala affair! For kids!
 Russell BanksThe ReserveMonday, February 11 * 7:00 p.m. reading * ShorewoodPart love story, part murder mystery, Russell Banks, author of Affliction, addresses questions of class, politics, art, love and madness in The Reserve. The lives of an heiress, unhinged by her father's death, and a working-class artist are intertwined in this compelling novel that moves from the secluded beauty of the Adirondacks to war-torn Spain and fascist Germany.
 Patrick McDonnellHug TimeWednesday, February 13 * 7:00 p.m. presentation * MequonHug Time is the newest heartwarming new tale from the creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip Mutts and the bestselling book The Gift of Nothing. Jules the kitten knows that hugs can make the world the better place. So, he makes a "Hug to-do List"--with the endangered species at the top--and travels the globe to show them that someone cares. From Africa, to the North Pole to his own back yard, Jules proves a hug is the simplest--and the kindest--gift we can give. An autographed book makes the perfect Valentine's Day gift. For kids!
 Felicia SullivanThe Sky Isn't Visible from HereThursday, February 14 * 7:00 p.m. talk * Downer Ave.Felicia Sullivan's beautiful, volatile and drug addicted mother disappeared the night Sullivan graduated from college and has not been seen or heard from in the decade since. Sullivan, who grew up on the tough streets of Brooklyn in the 1980s, now looks back on her rough childhood, and offers a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. |
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| Schwartz Select: Fiction
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 The Invention of Everything Else
Samantha Hunt
"[It's] a book of wonders: a resonant, technicolor recreation of Nikola Tesla's lost history, including the electricity wars, time machines, talking pigeons, the labyrinths of the Hotel New Yorker, and especially ingenious writing. Samantha Hunt's joyful novel is both scientific and miraculous, a high wire performance by a soulful and wildly intelligent writer."-Rene Steinke, author of Holy Skirts
$24.00
 Now You See Him
Eli Gottlieb
When celebrated writer Rob Castor murders his girlfriend, then kills himself, few are more saddened or surprised than the friends he's left behind. Most surprised of all is his best -friend from childhood, Nick Framingham. In the wake of the tragedy, Nick, a marginally content married father of two begins to reevaluate his own life and past through his memory of Rob. As he does so, he gradually discovers that beneath the sleepy surface of his placid town there dwells a secret of lust and its explosive consequences.
$23.95
 Sword Song
Book Four of The Saxon Tales
Bernard Cornwell
Alfred of Wessex has survived the Danish invasions, but, though he now has an uneasy truce with his enemies, fresh Viking ships are arriving to plunder and enslave the Saxons. Those Vikings must be defeated, and Alfred's first move is to deny them their fortress on the Thames, the decayed Roman city of London. His weapon is Uhtred, a warrior of formidable reputation. But neither Alfred's wisdom, nor Uhtred's prowess, might be enough to save Wessex when a Viking lord captures a prize of inestimable value.
$25.95
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Schwartz Select: Nonfiction
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 Staring at the Sun
Overcoming the Terror of DeathIrvin D. Yalom"Irv Yalom has written a beautiful and courageous book-a book that comforts even as it explores and confronts death. Yalom helps us understand that we must all come to grips with a paradox: The physicality of death destroys us; the idea of death saves us."- George Valliant, Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School $24.95
 Celtic QuestEdited by Jane LahrA lavish feast for the eye and spirit, this magnificently illustrated volume features classic works from Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall and Wales, winding the finest poetry, fables, fairy tales and folklore into a mesmerizing Celtic weave. From Robert Burns to Van Morrison, this book will add mystery and magic to your library. $29.95 |
| Cracking the Advanced Placement Subject Tests
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Each year, more high school students are taking advantage of Advanced Placement (AP) tests to help them stand out on college admissions forms and even earn credits or advanced standing at top colleges and universities. If your student is thinking about taking one or multiple AP tests this spring, help give her an edge with the aid of test-prep books by The Princeton Review. The 2008 editions include topic reviews, practice questions, and test-taking strategies, and have been updated and revised to include the most current information possible. A variety of subjects including AP Economics, AP Biology, AP World History, AP Chemistry and many more are available to help your student get ahead.
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Great Books at Bargain Prices
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This is a sampling of the terrific deals we have on good books. Stop in to
any of our shops to pick up any of these titles or browse our bargain section.
A Three Dog Life
Abigail Thomas
Publisher $22.00
SCHWARTZ: $5.99
The Nature of Monsters
Clare Clark
Publisher $25.00
SCHWARTZ: $6.99
The Joke's Over: Brusied Memories: Gonzo, Hunter S. Thompson, and Me.
Ralph Steadman
Publisher $26.00
SCHWARTZ: $7.99
The Personal Best of Monty Python's Flying Circus: DVD Set.
Publisher $199.99
SCHWARTZ: $49.99
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Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops
Milwaukee's Very Own Independent Bookshop Since 1927
Downer Ave., 2559 N. Downer Ave., 414-332-1181, ondowner@schwartzbooks.com
Bay View, 2262 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., 414-481-3401, bayview@schwartzbooks.com
Brookfield, 17145 W. Bluemound Rd., 262-797-6140, brookfield@schwartzbooks.com
Mequon, 10976 N. Port Washington Rd., 262-241-6220, mequon@schwartzbooks.com
Shorewood, 4093 N. Oakland Ave., 414-963-3111, shorewood@schwartzbooks.com
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