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Grass Roots Books and Music
— 227 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis OR 97339 — 541-754-7668 |
| May 23, 2013 |
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Greetings, friends!
Where did the sunshine go. . . ? That's okay. It'll be back. In the meantime, these gray skies invite readers to sneak in a few more days of curling up on the couch with a book, mug of tea in hand. I promise summer is right around the corner, though, and with the change in season comes changes in the bookstore. Grass Roots has a part-time job opening for just the right person. Job requirements and more information can be found on our website.
This weekend is Memorial Day, the unofficial kick-off to summer. However you'll be celebrating (Patriotic parade? A marathon of watching auto racing events on television? Backyard barbecue? READING?), we hope you keep it safe and appreciate the extra time with your friends and loved ones. Grass Roots will be open 11 a.m. to 4-ish p.m. on Monday, May 27, so stop in and say hello, and ask us what we're reading.
Keep sunshine in your heart! See you in the bookstore!
Pamela. |
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| Newest Books |
And the Mountains Echoed
Khaled Hosseini
“Saboor, a laborer, pulls his young daughter, Pari, and his son, Abdullah, across the desert in a red wagon, leaving their poor village of Shadbagh for Kabul, where his brother-in-law, Nabi, a chauffeur, will introduce them to a wealthy man and his beautiful, despairing poet wife. . . [A] vital, profound, and spellbinding saga of family bonds and unlikely pairings forged by chance, choice, and necessity. . . Hosseini traces the traumas and scarring of tyranny, war, crime, lies, and illness in the intricately interconnected, heartbreaking, and extraordinary lives of his vibrantly realized characters to create a grand and encompassing tree of life.” – Booklist Starred Review
Hardcover, $28.95
Publisher: Riverhead Books; ISBN: 9781594631764 |
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The Fall of Arthur
J. R. R. Tolkien
The Fall of Arthur is one of preeminent fantasy author J. R. R. Tolkien’s only narrative poems, a venture into the legends of the king of Britain. Tolkien reveals a pervasive sense of this grave age in history, from Arthur's expedition overseas into distant heathen lands, to Guinevere's flight from Camelot, to the great sea battle on Arthur's return to Britain, to the tormented doubts of Lancelot in his French castle. The unfinished work, edited by his son Christopher, is accompanied by exclusive manuscript pages, drafting and notations that shed new insight on the evolution of its form and structure in Old English alliterative meter.
Hardcover, $25.00
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; ISBN: 9780544115897 |
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Junius and Albert's Adventures in the Confederacy: A Civil War Odyssey
Peter Carlson
“While working as Civil War correspondents for Horace Greeley's New York Tribune, [Junius Brown and Albert Richardson] were captured during the Battle of Vicksburg and spent 20 months in Confederate prisons before escaping behind Union lines. . . Former Washington Post reporter Carlson (K Blows Top) relates their ensuing odyssey in lively detail, from stints in multiple prisons, to an encounter with a certified pirate, a secret society called the ‘Heroes of America,’ and an escape and flight over snowy mountains. Civil War buffs and historians of journalism will revel in this thrilling tale of two raucous, self-described ‘knights of the quill.’” – Publishers Weekly
Hardcover, $26.99
Publisher: PublicAffairs; ISBN: 9781610391542 |
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Into the Abyss: An Extraordinary True Story
Carol Shaben
On an icy night in 1984, a commuter plane carrying nine passengers crashed in northern Alberta. Finding themselves stranded in the remote wilderness, four survivors remained: a rookie pilot, a reputable politician, a police officer, and the criminal he escorted, Paul Archambault. When the decision is made to remove Archambault’s handcuffs against regulations, the lives of the four men are impacted in astonishing ways. Under dire circumstances, the desperate battle to stay alive becomes a challenge to cooperate together despite their differences of power, wealth, and status, and each is forced to face the limited nature of his existence.
Hardcover, $25.00
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; ISBN: 9781455501953 |
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The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America
George Packer
George Packer examines the sense of crisis in American democracy; seismic shifts during a single generation have created a country of winners and losers. Telling the story of the United States over the past three decades, Packer focuses on the lives of a variety of Americans, juxtaposing stories of struggle with unusual tales of success.
"A broad and compelling perspective on a nation in crisis . . . an illuminating, in-depth, sometimes frightening view of the complexities of decline and the enduring hope of recovery." –Booklist Starred Review
Hardcover, $27.00
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux; ISBN: 9780374102418 |
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| New in Paperback |
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The Elephant Keepers' Children
Peter Hoeg
The parents of 14-year-old Peter and his older siblings, Tilte and Hans, are a vicar and an artisan, and they have mysteriously disappeared. While his parents are eccentric they are also profoundly devout, and Peter fears they may have left the island of Fino for a Grand Synod of faiths in Copenhagen with a plan to steal religious artifacts. Peter and Tilte set out to rescue their parents, embarking on a caper to give social services the slip, con their way off the island, and encountering one dangerous situation after another to solve the mystery of their missing parents.
Paperback, $16.95
Publisher: Other Press; ISBN: 9781590516355 |
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What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World
Jon Young
“In a groundbreaking work, Young, an experienced bird tracker and naturalist, shows nature lovers a new way to decipher the language of birds. Drawing from both cultural traditions and current scientific research, the author teaches the reader to be quiet, listen, and discover what is actually transpiring. . . Young encourages readers to pick a spot to sit every day and learn that, for instance, robins are very good teachers: their expressive repertoire of behaviors and vocalizations provides a primer from which the bird observer can learn, and later expand to other bird species. . . This absolutely fascinating book is a unique look at the natural world.” – Booklist Starred Review
Paperback, $14.95
Publisher: Mariner Books; ISBN: 9780544002302 |
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Yes, Chef: A Memoir
Marcus Samuelsson
The simple ritual of preparing roast chicken for dinner with his grandmother sparks young Marcus Samuelsson’s lifelong passion for food – one which will make him a world-renowned cook. Yes, Chef chronicles his culinary journey from humble kitchens to cutthroat European restaurants; to earning a New York Times three-star rating at age twenty-four, to opening the innovative and culturally diverse restaurant Red Rooster. Sharing the highs and lows in his self-described career of “chasing flavors,” Samuelsson’s memoir is equal parts personal discovery and heartfelt love letter to food and family.
Paperback, $16.00
Publisher: Random House Trade; ISBN: 9780385342612 |
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The Art Forger
B. A. Shapiro
The devious ethics of art reproduction is the focus of this thriller, inspired by the real-life largest unsolved art theft in history. A Degas painting is delivered to the Boston studio of young artist Claire Roth, which is represented as one of the pieces from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum stolen almost 25 years ago. In exchange for the attractive promise of a one-woman art show, Claire agrees to forge the Degas for a powerful gallery owner. But as she works, she begins to suspect that the long-missing masterpiece once displayed at the museum may be a forgery itself.
Paperback, $14.95
Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill; ISBN: 9781616203160 |
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Three Strong Women
Marie Ndiaye
Told in a narrative divided among three Senegalese women, each haunted by her own past and struggling to live in the present, this novel is a testimony of courage and the immigrant experience rarely examined in fiction. We meet Norah, a French-born lawyer who must contend with her estranged, tyrannical father; Fanta, whose modest living as a teacher in Dakar is threatened by an emotionally delusional boyfriend; and Khady, a poor widow who flees to France after being branded a pariah by her in-laws.
Paperback, $15.00
Publisher: Vintage Books; ISBN: 9780307741332 |
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| Featured Books for Young Readers |
If You Want to See a Whale
Julie Fogliano
Ages 3 to 7
In this gently whimsical and imaginative picture book, a boy accompanied by his steadfast basset hound learns exactly what it takes to catch a glimpse of an elusive whale.
“The creators of And Then It's Spring (2012) return with this quiet, contemplative, beautiful poem about patience and dreams and about enjoying the journey.” –Booklist Starred Review
Hardcover, $16.99
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; ISBN: 9781596437319 |
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A Big Guy Took My Ball! (Elephant & Piggie Books)
Mo Willems
Ages 4 to 7
Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie may be opposites, but they are best friends. In this new adventure in the popular early reader series, Piggie is happy when she finds a ball but devastated when a big guy takes it. Gerald is big, too. . . but is he big enough to help his best friend?
Hardcover, $8.99
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children; ISBN: 9781423174912 |
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Wednesdays in the Tower
Jessica Day George
Ages 8 to 12
A castle that is constantly rearranging itself, and a young royal family sworn to protect it. . . . Celie, Rolf, and their beloved Castle Glower are back in this exciting sequel to Tuesdays at the Castle. Celie discovers a new room the castle has made, with a giant egg hidden inside. It looks like the Castle wants Celie to care for the egg and whatever creature it hatches! Celie hadn't bargained for a pet, and caring for this one will prove to be especially tricky, once Celie and her siblings realize what else the Castle is hiding. . . .
Hardcover, $16.99
Publisher: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books; ISBN: 9781599906454 |
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| Music |
JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound
Howl
Genre: Jazz/Blues
The 2011 debut album from this Chicago quartet proved to be a surprise hit. Their sophomore release pairs retro R&B with a more contemporary post-punk soul for an upbeat and soulful yet edgy result. ($15.95) |
Don Rigsby
Doctor's Orders:
A Tribute to Ralph Stanley
Genre: Pop/Folk
Bluegrass singer Rigsby has performed with a myriad of genre royalty, from Ricky Skaggs to the Lonesome River Band. On his sixth solo album the Kentucky native turns his attention to the legendary Ralph Stanley, whose music influenced Rigsby as a young performer. ($16.95) |
Putumayo Artists
Women of Brazil
Genre: World
On the most recent Putumayo release, the focus is on the women who perform the wide variety of Brazil's music. Contributors to this eclectic volume include Aline Morales, Clara Moreno, Maguinha, and more. ($15.95) |
Celtic Fiddle Festival
Live in Brittany
Genre: Celtic
The original Celtic Fiddle Festival albums were perennial bestsellers for years at Grass Roots. Twenty years after their first recordings, Kevin Burke and Christian Lemaitre reconvene for a live concert celebrating the violin in all its Celtic and world variations, joined by André Brunet and Nicolas Quémener. ($17.95) |
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| Events |
Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis |
Paperback Release Event
George Estreich, The Shape of the Eye: A Memoir
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Aria Minu-Sepehr, We Heard the Heavens Then: A Memoir of Iran
Tonight we celebrate the paperback releases of two memoirs by Corvallis authors, George Estreich and Aria Minu-Sepehr. George
Estreich is the author of The Shape of the Eye, a memoir detailing all that comes after the life-altering diagnosis that his daughter Laura had Down syndrome. A poet and stay-at-home dad, George Estreich, relays both his daughter’s story and his struggle to accept and understand the meaning of ‘different.’ He is a winner of the 2012 Oregon Book Award for Creative Nonfiction.
Aria Minu-Sepehr is the author of We Heard the Heavens Then, a memoir of his boyhood in revolutionary Iran. Seen through the eyes of a ten year old with unusual access to the two poles of his society— modern and traditional—the tale recounts the rising tension, collision, and eventual fallout of the split. |
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Saturday, June 8 at 2 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis |
Angie Brenner
Anatolian Days & Nights: A Love Affair with Turkey: Land of Dervishes, Goddesses, and Saints
Angie Brenner stops by Grass Roots to discuss her book Anatolian Days & Nights, detailing her travels in Turkey.
When Joy Stocke and Angie Brenner meet on the balcony of a guesthouse in a small resort town on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, they think they have only a mutual friend and a summer dream in common. Soon, they discover a shared love of travel, history, culture, cuisine, and literature; and they begin a ten-year odyssey through Turkey. |
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Sunday, June 9 at 12:30 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis |
M. Allen Cunningham
The Honorable Obscurity Handbook
Taking a cue from Tillie Olsen's Silences and the works of Alain de Botton, The Honorable Obscurity Handbook is novelist M. Allen Cunningham's gloriously uncynical answer to a publishing world awash in cynical careerism and bottom-line thinking. Part consoling sourcebook, part cultural commentary, part wry self-help manual, and part inspirational anthology, this slim volume is a celebration of the creative spirit. It is packed with insights relevant to any creative worker, whatever their field. |
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Tuesday, June 18 at 7 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis |
Wendy Tremayne
The Good Life Lab: Radical Experiments in Hands-On Living
This is the inspirational story of how one couple ditched their high-powered careers and high-pressure life in New York City to move to rural New Mexico, where they made, built, invented, foraged, and grew all they needed to live self-sufficiently, discovering a new sense of abundance in the process.
Wendy Jehanara Tremayne offers a lively presentation of her book, leading the audience to deeply consider and share their thoughts and feelings about the ways that our lives are being shaped by being the first people alive to witness the whole world for sale. |
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Monday, June 24 at 7 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis |
Adam Rome
The Genius of Earth Day: How a 1970 Teach-In Unexpectedly Made the First Green Generation
Co-Sponsored by Grass Roots Books & Music and The Spring Creek Project for Ideas, Nature and the Written Word
The first Earth Day is the most famous little-known event in modern American history. Because we still pay ritual homage to the planet every April 22, everyone knows something about Earth Day. Some people may also know that Earth Day 1970 made the environmental movement a major force in American political life. But no one has told the whole story before. In The Genius of Earth Day, the prizewinning historian Adam Rome offers a compelling account of the rise of the environmental movement. |
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| Community Events |
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Community Events
Darkside Cinema: Movies showing May 23 to 29, showtimes daily, Darkside Cinema, Corvallis. Visit their website for showtimes.
- The Sapphires –PG-13: Inspired by a true story, The Sapphires follows four vivacious, young and talented Australian Aboriginal girls from a remote mission as they learn about love, friendship and war when their all girl group The Sapphires entertains the U.S. troops in Vietnam in 1968. 93% on RT! “It’s pure joy!”
- Happy People: A Year in the Taiga –NR: Werner Herzog and Russian co-director Dmitry Vasyukov take viewers on yet another unforgettable journey into remote and extreme natural landscapes. “Herzog . . . continues his streak of well-crafted documentaries with surprising subjects.”
- At Any Price –R: Henry (Dennis Quaid) wants his rebellious son Dean (Zac Efron) to help expand his family's farming empire. Dean has other ideas. An investigation into their business threatens the family's entire livelihood. “A complex, intelligent film, poetic in its tragedy, and beautiful in its compassion.”
- Angel’s Share –NR: Narrowly avoiding jail, new dad Robbie vows to turn over a new leaf. A visit to a whisky distillery inspires him and his mates to seek a way out of their hopeless lives. “As heartwarming and uplifting as any tale could be that features vicious beatings and grand larceny.”
Literary Events: Visit our Community Calendar for details on these events and others in the area.
- Book Release Gala for Peg Elliott Mayo, Old Wives Tales: Living Our Lives - Becoming Ourselves: Saturday, May 25, 2 to 4 p.m., Summit Center, Summit.
Opportunities:
- Airlie Press: This is the last month of Airlie Press's open reading period for new books. Full guidelines can be downloaded on the Airlie Press website where you can also read about our selection process and what it means to be part of a collective press. Manuscripts should be submitted electronically to airliepress@yahoo.com by May 31
- Youth Poetry Contest: Each year the The Arts Center partners with the Corvallis Fall Festival and Marys Peak Poets to hold the Youth Poetry Contest. Ages: Preschool–Grade 12. Deadline: June 2, 2013. Click here for a complete brochure and to register.
- Summer in Words Conference: Three days of events, talks, and workshops taught by a stellar cast of authors and writing instructors will help you learn more about story and craft and invite you to move forward. June 20-23, Hallmark Inn & Resort, Cannon Beach, OR. For more information and to register, visit the Conference website.
- Summer Fishtrap: The 26th annual Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers at Wallowa Lake runs July 8-14, 2013. For more details on workshops at Summer Fishtrap and to register please visit fishtrap.org.
- 2013 Lois Cranston Memorial Poetry Prize: March 1-May 31, 2013, postmarked. Please submit up to three unpublished poems (six pages maximum). Simultaneous submissions are discouraged. The CALYX editorial collective reads all manuscripts first, then selects 10-20 finalists to send to the final judge. See the CALYX submissions page for more information.
- Inklings, an open critique group, is seeking new members. The group meets on 1st & 3rd Sundays from 11 am to 1 pm in the upstairs meeting room at Market of Choice on 9th Street and Circle Boulevard in Corvallis. Please contact Dinaz Rogers at drogersor@msn.com or 541-967-1911 if you have any questions.
Ticket Sales: Grass Roots sells tickets for local music events. Check our Community Calendar for upcoming events that we have available. |
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| News |
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Book Awards
Nebula: The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America announced the winners of the 2012 Nebula Awards at their annual banquet last weekend. The awards are voted on and presented by the active members of SFWA for outstanding science fiction and fantasy published in 2012. This year’s winners include:
Plutarch: Members of the Biographers International Organization voted for the winner of the 2012 Plutarch Award, announced last weekend at their annual conference. This year’s winner is Robert Caro for his most recent volume in his biography of Lyndon B. Johnson, The Passage of Power.
Man Booker International Prize: The 2013 Man Booker International Prize was awarded to Lydia Davis for her “achievement in fiction on the world stage.” The prize is awarded every two years and recognizes one writer for their achievement in fiction. Winners of the prize are selected based on their body of work rather than a single novel. |
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Featured in the Store: Gifts for Grads
Graduation is just a few weeks away around here, meaning now is your chance to find the perfect card and gift! We have a wonderful card selection right now, with something fitting for graduates on every level. Books also make great gifts. Whether the graduate you know needs help maintaining a positive outlook on their future (Oh! The Places You’ll Go!) or something more practical (This is a Cookbook), you can find it here. |
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Featured in the Store: August to August Planners
The very popular August to August Calendar Organizers for 2013-2014 are now available. Each one is just $16.95 and provides an easy-to-read format for keeping up on assignments, dates, and events. It’s also available in a rainbow of colors; if you come in soon you’ll get your pick! |
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Featured in the Store: New Magazines
What are you interested in? We probably carry a magazine for it. Some new titles have arrived in the store the last few weeks, and we are pretty excited about them. Fans of food will appreciate seeing Bon Appetit on our shelves (so many recipes I’m eager to try this month. . . ), and we now carry Bark to appeal to dog lovers. (We do see a lot of dogs downtown!) If you want to learn more about caring for your poultry, we now have Chickens magazine. It includes recipes, health advice for your birds, and more. For readers interested in politics, we have added several titles to our stock, including Washington Monthly. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, please let us know and we’ll consider carrying it. |
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| This Week's Puzzle |
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| Reading Group Selection |
Tuesday, June 4, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements
Sam Kean
Charneé (our resident “Science Person”) leads the discussion of The Disappearing Spoon.
The periodic table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them.
“The Disappearing Spoon is a marvelous collection of stories about the elements of the periodic table. You may think this is an arcane undertaking —how much do we really remember (or want to remember) of that chart hanging on the classroom wall? . . . Most people recall the table with fear and loathing, but Kean is enthralled by the table, and the tales of obsession, quirkiness and mystery that surround the elements.” –Shelf Awareness |
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Publisher: Back Bay Books
ISBN: 9780316051637
Paperback
Regular price: $14.99
On sale for $12.75 until June 4.
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On Our Nightstands |
 Linda
Hiking Oregon's History
William L. Sullivan
This excellent guide book is a wonderful and fascinating collection of historic places in our amazing state. Sullivan has gathered together the best spots to easily visit, and with enthusiasm and expertise, has documented the history behind each. The directions for getting to these places are perfect, and the history is interesting to read even if you can't go. The book includes Mary's Peak and Willamette Mission Park. I have enjoyed Sullivan's Oregon guide books for years and often use them to map out a hike or place to visit. Grass Roots has a large supply of all of Sullivan's excellent books!
Paperback, $18.95
Publisher: Navillus Press; ISBN: 9780961815271 |
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Marissa
And the Mountains Echoed
Khaled Hosseini
Having loved The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, I had complete faith in Hosseini’s masterful storytelling ability, and his latest does not disappoint. The tale begins when a laborer and his children leave their poor village of Shadbagh for Kabul, but by terrible circumstance, the young siblings are separated. Their lives will be changed forever by war and wealth disparity, and the consequences of this catalyst expand outward from Afghanistan and across future generations. But the inextricable obligations of family remain a theme that resonates in this deeply moving, strikingly written read not to be missed this year.
Hardcover, $28.95
Publisher: Riverhead Books; ISBN: 9781594631764 |
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Pamela
Maddie on Things: A Super Serious Project about Dogs and Physics
Theron Humphrey
Maddie is a rescued coonhound with amazing talents. She stands on things and squeezes into things and exhibits the kind of patience I only wish I had. Theron Humphrey was at a point in his life where he needed to make changes and wanted to make real connections with people. He adopted a rescue dog (Maddie!) and set out on a year-long, 65,000 mile road trip, meeting one new person every day and discovering their story. Along the way his bond with Maddie deepened, and their journey together is celebrated in this book. Visit Theron Humphrey’s website to discover more about their ongoing adventures.
Hardcover, $15.95
Publisher: Chronicle Books; ISBN: 9781452115566 |
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 Guest Review*
My Beloved Brontosaurus: On the Road with Old Bones, New Science, and Our Favorite Dinosaurs
Brian Switek
Most of us can remember a simpler time in our lives, when dinosaurs dominated our imaginations as they once did planet Earth. In My Beloved Brontosaurus, Brian Switek reignites this childhood passion by enthusiastically chronicling paleontology’s groundbreaking (pun intended) new discoveries. He recounts how Triceratops transformed from a parrot-headed squirt into a frilled titan, why dinosaur romance may have been a dangerous endeavor, and why the great dinosaur “extinction” was no such thing. All of this is woven into an elegant tale of Mesozoic splendor, allowing Brian’s readers a captivating peek into the surprising world of the dinosaurs.
Hardcover, $26.00
Publisher: Scientific American; ISBN: 9780374135065
*Submitted by Stephen Selego, OSU PhD student in Fisheries and Wildlife.
Interested in reviewing a book for Grass Roots? Send an email to Neé at Grass Roots by emailing grootsreads@gmail.com, with “Guest Review” in the subject line. She will get in touch with you regarding guidelines. Please note that reviews will be used at the store’s discretion, and not every review can be published. |
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