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Our Bestsellers of 2007
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By: Daniel Goldin
It's already February of 2008, and we are still talking about 2007. We could continue this series for months, looking at everything from our bestselling children's picture books to our top calendars, including a bit of a story behind the sale of each. But, it's a new year and we have a lot going on that we'd also like to share with you. So with that in mind, this is our final segment about our bestsellers, focusing on what we see as one of our core strengths: trade (also known as "quality") paperback fiction.
 1. Astrid & Veronika
by Linda Olsson
What a wonderful experience it has been to put this book into the hands of readers! The two Swedish friends who bond over one year of food and secrets have touched so many of you to such an extent that we regularly saw return trips with fans loading up on copies to give to friends. Like so many of these books, it all started with a read-in this case from Macaela Willadsen, currently a bookseller at our Brookfield shop. When the enthusiastic recommendations started coming in from booksellers with quite varied reading taste, Nancy Quinn, our marketing director and another early reader, led the charge and vowed to Penguin that we would sell 2000 copies of this book. We don't usually give out exact sales figures, but allow me to say that she reached her goal.
Trivia point-did you know that the original name of this novel when it was published in New Zealand was Let Me Sing You Gentle Songs? It was renamed by her American publisher, and has been used on subsequent releases in Great Britain and the Netherlands.
There's so much more to say about this book, but we may have to save it for another column-especially since we've learned that the new book is scheduled to be published in Sweden in 2008, titled Sonat till Miriam.
2. Water for Elephants
by Sara Gruen
This is the perfect example of a book that broke out among independent booksellers like Schwartz and went on to find a wider audience. This story of a nursing home resident looking back on his time with a traveling circus (and one particularly wonderful elephant), was one of our most rewarding sales successes in 2006, starting once again with bookseller reads, most notably that of our Mequon manager Lanora Hurley, who encouraged numerous other Schwartz booksellers to get behind this book. The paperback release went on to become a #1 national bestseller, and Gruen signed a multi-million dollar contract with Spiegel and Grau for her next novel, tentatively titled The Ape House tentatively scheduled for 2009.
You may not have realized that this is Gruen's third novel. If you want to read more, you can try her horse novels, Riding Lessons and its sequel, Flying Changes.
3. Whistling in the Dark
by Lesley Kagen
Our homegrown success, this wonderful tale of young Sally O'Malley and her sister in 1950s Milwaukee has not only charmed Southeast Wisconsin, but also much of the rest of the country. The book's word-of-mouth appeal propelled it onto the New York Times trade paperback fiction list. It's irresistible, and Ms. Kagen's personal charm seals the deal. We can't wait for her next book, Land of a Hundred Wonders; you will be hearing a lot more from us about it in the upcoming months.
 4. Suite Francaise
by Irene Nemirovsky
This beloved novel has won worldwide acclaim and is almost required reading for any book club, says Jane Glaser, our Book Club coordinator at Mequon. As you may know, this was projected to be a five-book saga of life in France under German occupation, cut short by Nemirovsky's trip to Auschwitz. This story stirs up such passion in people-just writing about it makes me feel guilty that I haven't yet read it.
For fans who want to read more, Nemirovsky's early novels, David Golder, The Ball, Snow in Autumn, and The Courilof Affair have just been collected in a lovely Everyman's Library edition, with an introduction by Claire Messud.
(By the way, I'd like to apologize for not including all the correct accents and the cedilla on the "c" in Francaise-I was told that including it messes up a lot of emails.)
5. The Road
by Cormac McCarthy
The Pulitzer committee awarded it the Pulitzer Prize in 2007. Oprah chose it for her book club. Most of our Downer Avenue and Bay View booksellers love it. Is there a more unique cross-section of recommendations than that? If you are not an Oprah fan or just like a clean jacket, the sticker peels off-an innovation that I wish was used more frequently in the industry.
If you've read The Road and are hankering for more, you need to read No Country for Old Men, the basis for one of 2007's most-acclaimed films. Your next book after that should be All The Pretty Horses, McCarthy's National Book Award winner. I dare say you might read only Cormac McCarthy novels in 2008 and consider it a triumphant reading year.
6. The Memory Keeper's Daughter
by Kim Edwards
A carry-over from 2006, Edwards was a big hit at our Reader's Retreat last fall. She also has a good collection of stories, The Secrets of a Fire King.
 7. The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini
Here is another carry-over from the previous year. You have your choice of the classic edition, the deluxe edition with French flaps and a higher quality paper stock, or the illustrated hardcover. Actually, there are at least two more editions, but after reading The Paradox of Choice, I know that listing them all may actually inhibit you from choosing any of them.
8. The Inheritance of Loss
by Kiran Desai
The last few Man Booker prize-winners were good books through they seemed to have limited appeal. Desai's Booker Prize-winning novel has proven to be quite popular with readers, and the back story is one of family triumph-her mom Anita was short listed twice but hasn't yet won. Speaking of Booker winners, expect to see 2007 Man Booker winner Anne Enright's The Gathering on next year's top ten; the reads and subsequent word-of-mouth have been strong.
9. The True History of Hansel and Gretel
by Louise Murphy
This is another carry-over from previous years. One of our favorite discoveries ever, with a fascinating back story that starts with Brookfield bookseller Jerry Kannel cleaning out his garage. Jerry found the galley in a box of almost-forgotten books, read it, recommended it, and the rest is history.
10. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
by Lisa See.
A huge 2005 and 2006 book for us reappears. Her follow-up, Peony in Love, arrives in paperback in our shops On February 19! Peony is a wonderful story of a young Chinese girl promised to a never-met suitor who dreams of participating in a local opera. It's filled with Chinese lore and ritual, and we've had a number of very good reads from our booksellers.
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| Schwartz on WUWM's Lake Effect
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Listen to 89.7 WUWM's Lake Effect on February 14 at 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. for some unconventional Valentine's gift ideas. Schwartz Marketing Director Nancy Quinn shares books by married writers. If you miss it on the radio, you can always catch it online and see the books in our shops. While you're there, why not pick up a delicious Chocolove chocolate bar available in all of our bookshops in a variety of flavors.
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Galley Giveaway-February 15-17
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We're giving away galleys-the uncorrected proofs of books publishers send us before they hit the shelves-so you can take a chance on a new author, find a title from someone you already love to read, or try a book in a genre you don't normally read. For each book you buy that weekend, you get to choose a free galley. Buy one book, get one galley. Buy ten books, get ten galleys! Our Galley Giveaways are always popular, so stop by your neighborhood Schwartz bookshop early and check back often. Offer good while supplies last. Offer not available on internet or telephone orders.
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| Lunch with Lee Woodruff
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 February 26 * 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The Pfister Hotel
424 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Lee Woodruff will recount her story of crisis and healing, a stroy which began when her husband, ABC's newly appointed co-anchor of "World News Tonight" Bob Woodruff, was his by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq.
Tickets are $65 and include lunch and a paperback copy of Woodruff's bestseller In An Instant. This event is sponsored by the Junior League of Milwaukee (JLM). Proceeds from the luncheon will support the core mission of the JLM. For reservations and ticket information, please call (414) 289-9242.
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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.
 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.
 Michael B. OrenPower, Faith, and FantasyTuesday, February 19 * 7:00 p.m. talk * ShorewoodJoin Michael B. Oren when he discusses his bestselling book Power, Faith and Fantasy. It is the first comprehensive history of America's involvement in the Middle East from George Washington to George W. Bush. Using meticulous research, Oren reconstructs the diverse and remarkable ways Americans have interacted with the alluring yet often hostile region.
 Paul McComasPlanet of the DatesThursday, February 21 * 7:00 p.m. reading * Downer Ave.Milwaukee native and Whitefish Bay High School alum Paul McComas will offer a reading from his hilarious new novel, Planet of the Dates. Set in 1980s Milwaukee and peppered with references to beloved regional attractions like the Bong Recreational Area and Mars Cheese Castle, it is an earnest and unpretentious coming-of-age tale that takes a fresh look at the sometimes-awkward transition from adolescence to adulthood.
 
Manil SuriThe Age of Shiva
& Neeta SalujaSix Spices: A Simple Concept of Indian CookingSaturday, February 23 * 2:00 p.m. presentation * MequonCelebrate Indian culture with the author of The Death of Vishnu, Manil Suri. His latest novel, The Age of Shiva, is the story of one woman's quest to establish herself in a male-dominated society set against the bakdrop of a country in turmoil. Joining Manil is Neeta saluja, who will discuss preparing simple, delicious Indian cuisine and offer a tasting based on her cookbook Six Spices.
 James McBrideSong Yet SungSaturday, February 23 * 3:00 p.m. reading * ShorewoodThe latest page-turner by the author of The Color of Water
is a powerful story about a runaway slave and a determined slave
catcher. Liz Spocott flees into the world of the underground railroad
with its double meanings and unspoken clues known as "The Code." The
web of relationships in a small Chesapeake Bay town collapses as Liz
and her pursuer face off in this gripping drama.
 Chris BohjalianThe Double BindSunday, February 24 * 2:00 p.m. reading * BrookfieldThe author of Midwives is back with a literary thriller that travels between the roaring twenties and the twenty-first century. A formerly outgoing young woman, Laurel Estabrook withdraws into her photography and volunteer work at a homeless shelter after being attacked while riding her bicycle. At the shelter she meets Bobbie Crocker, who had been a successful photographer before becoming homeless. As her fascination with his former life grows, she becomes convinced that his photographs reveal a hidden secret. |
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Schwartz Select: Nonfiction
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 Swallow the Ocean
A MemoirLaura FlynnWhen Laura Flynn was a little girl, her beautiful, dynamic mother was the center of her imagination. Sally Flynn engaged her three daughters in rounds of elaborate games and felt great maternal joy at their smallest accomplishments. It wasn't long, however, before Sally's fun-loving side became slowly and methodically absorbed by madness. This memoir paints a portrait of what could have been a catastrophic childhood had Laura and her sisters not been determined to survive their environment. $23.00
 Henry KnoxMark Puls"Great man though he was, George Washington did not win American independence by himself. Henry Knox, a self-taught artillery commander, was one of the Revolution's great figures, and this book explains why we should know more about him. In the hands of Mark Puls, Knox and his beloved wife Lucy come to life in a way that reminds us of the debt we owe the men and women of the Founding generation."-Terry Golway, author of Washington's General$24.95
 The Church of 80% SincerityDavid Roche
Forward by Anne LamottEveryone has self-doubt, the feeling of being somehow different; the fear of embarrassment. For David Roche, born with a severe facial disfigurement, these feelings were intense. But bit by bit, over time and with a good deal of humor, David learned that his flaws were the gateway to finding faith, to seeing the beauty of others, to discovering grace. $19.95 |
| Schwartz Select: Fiction
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 Gardens of Water
Alan Drew
Set in 1999 in a town on the outskirts of Istanbul, Gardens of Water is an enthralling story of two families, and two faiths. Sinan, a struggling shopkeeper, is a devout Muslim and a Kurd. His daughter, Irem, dreams of escaping the confines of her family and the duties of a devout Muslim woman, and she sees in an American boy, Dylan-her upstairs neighbor-the enticing promise of another life.
$25.00
Audio also available
 Prepared for Rage
Dana Stabenow
Edgar Award winner Dana Stabenow delivers this all-too-real novel of international suspense. A renegade terrorist with a bottomless personal grudge against all things American targets the most visible symbol of American prestige and power one clear morning as NASA prepares to launch the Space Shuttle. Can one terrorist with a gift for mass murder subvert all the forces arrayed against him in a bid for recognition and revenge?
$24.95
Audio also available
 The Accident Man
Tom Cain
For a certain sum of money, Samuel Carver will arrange a death. A ruptured gas line, an automobile crash, a fall from a window; anything can look like an accident. But when Carver is to carry out a job in Paris involving a certain princess, and when the job goes wrong for him, Carver must execute his most daring feat yet. massa.
$24.95
 The Automatic Detective
A. Lee Martinez
Even in Empire City it's hard for a robot to make his way. It's even harder for a robot named Mack Megaton, a hulking machine designed to bring mankind to its knees. But Mack's not interested in world domination. He's just a bot trying to get by, trying to demonstrate that he isn't just an automated smashing machine, and to earn his citizenship in the process. When Mack's neighbors are kidnapped, Mack sets off on a journey through the dark alleys and gleaming skyscrapers of Empire City. Along the way, he runs afoul of a talking gorilla, a brainy dame, a mutant lowlife, a little green mob boss, and the secret conspiracy at the heart of Empire's founders-not to mention more trouble than he bargained for. Paperback
$14.95
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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.
The Tao of Willie
Willie Nelson
Publisher $12.00
SCHWARTZ: $4.99
Catepillar Spring, Butterfly Summer
Susan Hood
Illustrated by Claudine Gevry
Publisher $12.99
SCHWARTZ: $4.99
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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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