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| August 27, 2015 |
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Hello, Readers,
This week's newsletter is short and sweet, but certainly not for a lack of incredible new releases coming in stock!
In hardcovers: Local Corvallis author Tracy Daugherty's biography of Joan Didion, BOTH highly anticipated next mystery installments by Louise Penny and Sue Grafton, and another dose of inspiration in the form of Brené Brown's latest. And in music...new Steep Canyon Rangers.
Come down to Grass Roots for the most recent and bestselling in books, including a varied selection of bargain-priced titles, and finish your summer reading on a strong note before autumn sets in!
Cheers,
~ Marissa
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New Hardcovers
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by Louise Penny
[Fiction]
"The bucolic Quebec village of Three Pines again proves no refuge. . .Gamache has settled in the small community after retiring from the Surete, where he worked as a homicide detective. But he's drawn back to the hunt after Laurent Lepage, a nine-year-old boy with a penchant for crying wolf, is found dead under circumstances that Gamache finds suspicious. The death followed Laurent's latest fantastic -- and disbelieved -- claim, of having found a gun as big as a building with a winged monster on it in the woods. Despite Gamache's unofficial status, he's allowed to work the case, which takes multiple unexpected turns. . . " - Publishers Weekly
Hardcover; $27.99
Publisher: Minotaur Books; ISBN: 9781250022080
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by Tracy Daugherty
[Non-Fiction]
(Local Corvallis author!)
Joan Didion lived a life in the public and private eye with her late husband, writer John Gregory Dunne, having become wildly successful writing partners when they moved to Los Angeles, co-writing screenplays and adaptations together. Didion is well-known for her literary journalistic style in both fiction and non-fiction, including The Year of Magical Thinking, a National Book Award winner and shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize. Daugherty takes readers on a journey back through time, following a young Didion in Sacramento, through to her adult life as a writer interviewing those who know and knew her personally, while maintaining a respectful distance from the reclusive literary great.
Hardcover; $35.00
Publisher: St. Martin's Press; ISBN: 9781250010025
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by Sue Grafton
[Fiction]
 X: The number 10. An unknown quantity. A mistake. A cross. A kiss. Derived from Greek and Latin and commonly found in science, medicine, and religion. The most graphically dramatic letter. Notoriously tricky to pronounce: think "xylophone." The twenty-fourth letter in the English alphabet. Perhaps her darkest and most chilling novel, Grafton's X features a remorseless serial killer who leaves no trace of his crimes. Once again breaking the rules and establishing new paths, Grafton wastes little time identifying this sociopath. The test is whether Kinsey can prove her case against him before she becomes his next victim.
Hardcover; $28.95
Publisher: Marian Wood Books/Putnam; ISBN: 9780399163845
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by Brené
Brown
[Non-Fiction]
"Brown ( Daring Greatly) wrestles with that moment when we fall -- and, as she argues, the brave person attempting to live wholeheartedly will always fall. Encouraging readers to be curious about their emotions, Brown guides them through the process of accepting vulnerability and emerging from the shadow of shame and fear. With a fresh perspective that marries research and humor, Brown offers compassion while delivering thought-provoking ideas about relationships with others and with oneself. Her writing is down-to-earth and entertaining. . .This book is about owning your story and choosing how to actively engage with the world. . ." - Publishers Weekly
Hardcover; $27.00
Publisher: Spiegel & Grau; ISBN: 9780812995824
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by Christopher Moore
[Fiction]
It seems like only yesterday that Charlie Asher took on a very dirty job collecting souls and keeping the Forces of Darkness at bay. The new gig came with the Big Book of the Dead and a host of other oddities: creatures under the streets, an evil trinity of ravenlike Celtic death goddesses, and one very bad Underworld dude attempting to conquer humanity. But just when Charlie and company thought the world was safe, some really freaky stuff hits San Francisco. People are dying, but their souls are not being collected. Someone or something is stealing them. . .
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by Philippa Gregory
[Fiction]
"Gregory's latest Tudor historical novel charts the surprisingly viable relationship between Henry VIII and Catherine (Kateryn) Parr. Catherine has the distinction of being the last of Henry's six wives and the only one to survive him, as his legal spouse, after his death. Compelled by fear and duty to marry Henry, despite being passionately in love with Thomas Seymour, she nevertheless forges a strong bond with both the increasingly ailing king and his three children. Of course, court conspiracies cannot be entirely avoided as Catherine's enemies (who else but staunch churchmen?) plot against her and attempt to undermine her influence on king, country, and church. . ." - Booklist
Hardcover; $27.99
Publisher: Touchstone Books; ISBN: 9781476758794
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New Paperbacks
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New For Young Readers
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 Following a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning until night, this book affirms the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to the warmth of family connections, to the widest sunset sky. Now available as a Classic Board Book, this Caldecott Honor picture book written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Marla Frazee is perfect for the youngest of readers.
Board Book; $7.99
Publisher: Little Simon; ISBN: 9781481431217
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by Alison McGhee
[Fiction]
Ages 8 to 12
 "Firefly dreams of flying to the moon; Cricket, of being a baseball catcher like Yogi Berra; and Vole, of sailing to the sea. These three creatures of Firefly Hollow are brought together by their larger-than-life ambitions and a fascination with giants (humans) to tell a timeless story of friendship, perseverance, and growing up. . .Each of the hollow's nations is richly imagined, as are their respective ambassadors. Brimming with adventure, friendship, loss, and courage, this story will set your heart aglow." - Booklist, Starred Review
Hardcover; $16.99
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; ISBN: 9781442423367
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New Bargain Books
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This week in bargain books, read the best of the best for less! The Best American series titles from previous years are here, each at less than $10! Collected anthologies of the best poetry, travel writing, spiritual writing and more are available in limited quantities -- the latter newly reduced to a flash deal at only $2.98.
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New Music
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David Ramirez
Fables
Pop/Folk
Ramirez is a hardworking Americana singer-songwriter from the Austin, Texas, area. His new collection finds him fronting a full band, produced by fellow artist Noah Gundersen. ($12.98) |
Ruby Amanfu
Standing Still Pop/Folk
Born in Ghana but currently residing in Nashville, Amanfu is best known for her collaborations with acts like Jack White and The Alabama Shakes. Amanfu's solo debut connects the organic instrumentation of country music with the rhythms and vocalizations of soul. ($12.98) |
Steep Canyon RangersRadio Pop/Folk
This veteran bluegrass band rose to new prominence with its recent collaboration with Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Their new record finds them returning to traditional faire, with occasional forays into country territory. ($15.98) |
Events at Grass Roots
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Community Events
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Darkside Show Times for 8/28-9/3
-She's Funny That Way -R An affectionate, talent-filled throwback to screwball comedies of old. Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson, Will Forte.
- Phoenix -PG-13
A disfigured concentration-camp survivor (Nina Hoss), unrecognizable after facial reconstruction surgery, searches ravaged postwar Berlin for the husband (Ronald Zehrfeld) who might have betrayed her to the Nazis. 99% ON RT!
-Diary of a Teenage Girl -NR Seldom has teenage sexual awakening been covered from a female perspective -- with a fickle alternating confidence, self-doubt, and voracious appetite -- quite so frankly or delicately.
-Tangerine -R A rip-roaring odyssey through various subcultures in L.A. -- both hilarious and heart-attack serious. Feels like a Pedro Almodovar remake of Crank. 94% on RT!
-Irrational Man -NR Woody Allen's latest. When a burned-out, brilliant professor -- one who believes in lessons from life rather than textbooks -- takes a job at a small college, everyone there is abuzz. Joaquin Phoenix.
Arts/Literary Events
Willamette Writers on the River: Character & Plotting Workshops with Susan Kelly
Saturday, September 12 and/or Sunday, September 13, at 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Corvallis, OR
Susan Kelly has a gift for conveying the structure of story. Her workshops are suitable for fiction and creative non-fiction writers. Her goal is always for students to have fun, to participate, and to learn lots. For maximum benefit, Susan recommends taking both workshops. Register before September 1 for reduced pricing at the Willamette Writers on the River website. Attendance is limited to 25 for each workshop.
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Community Events with Grass Roots
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Monday, September 14, at 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Monroe Community Library
380 North 5th St.
Monroe, OR
Bestseller Jance's 51st novel brings together two of her popular series characters Seattle detective J.P. Beaumont and Arizona sheriff Brandon Walker in a highly entertaining plot that honors both of these now-retired cops. Grounded in the legends and lore of the Tohono Oaodham people, the story also delivers a solid look at the vagaries of justice. In 1970, Walker arrested John Lassiter for the shooting murder of Lassiter's foster father, prospector Amos Warren. Still in prison after all these years and suffering from MS, Lassiter refuses a plea deal that might release him. Instead, Lassiter wants Walker to find the real killer. . .
J. A. Jance is the New York Times bestselling author of the J. P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, the Ali Reynolds series, and the Walker Family Series. Over 20 million copies of her books are in print. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona.
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Crazy Eights Author Event (Corvallis)
Thursday, October 15, at 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Corvallis-Benton County Library
645 NW Monroe Ave.
Corvallis, OR
Speed dating, only with authors! Each author will have eight minutes to address the audience about their life as a writer and introduce a featured book. It will be a fast-paced literary slam. A mixer, wherein the authors will interact one-on-one with members of the audience to discuss their work and personally sign books, will follow the rapid-fire presentations. Grass Roots will be selling books at this event.
Authors include:
- Dan DeWeese (Oregon Book Award fiction nominee, You Don't Love This Man)
- K.B. Dixon (Oregon Book Award finalist, The Sum of His Syndromes; Eric Hoffer Award)
- Cai Emmons (Oregon Book Award winner, His Mother's Son; new work Weather Woman)
- Lisa Ohlen Harris (Oregon Book Award finalist, The Fifth Season)
- Lauren Kessler (Oregon Book Awards; on David Letterman twice; newest: Raising the Barre)
- Phillip Margolin (Nationally known for NYT best selling legal thrillers; Woman With a Gun)
- Ismet Prcic (Bosnian author of Oregon Book Award winner novel, Shards; NYT Notable Book)
- Ellen Waterston (Award winning poet and essayist, novel of verse Via Lactea most recent)
- Emcee: George Byron Wright (Noted for Oregon-based novels; In the Wake of Our Misdeed)
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Store News
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| Looking for your next best read? Scroll through our freshly updated website for book lists, including President Obama's Summer Reading List, 26 Picture Books You Won't Want to Miss This Fall, and What's Coming to Grass Roots (you can pre-order books online, too)! |
Jigsaw
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Reading Group Selection
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Tuesday, September 1, at 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
 Join Tiffany as she leads our September Reading Group with Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, a National Book Award Finalist and a PEN/Faulkner Award Finalist.
Kirsten Raymonde will never forget the night when a devastating flu pandemic arrived in the city, and within weeks, civilization as we know it came to an end. Twenty years later, Kirsten moves between the settlements of the altered world with a small troupe of actors and musicians called The Traveling Symphony, dedicated to keeping the remnants of art and humanity alive. But when they arrive in St. Deborah by the Water, they encounter a violent prophet who will threaten the tiny band's existence. Vividly depicting life before and after the pandemic, the strange twist of fate that connects them all will be revealed.
Regular Price: $15.95
On sale for: $13.56
Until Tuesday, September 1
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 9780804172448
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Night Stands
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Linda
by Samuel Fromartz [Non-Fiction]
Samuel Fromartz has written a fantastic journey all about bread. Starting in Paris -- seeking the perfect baguette to write about for a magazine -- he travels from bakery to bakery, then delves deeply into the history of grains and breadmaking, then precisely into ways to make the best breads. Rich, full, and thorough, this is an engaging and fascinating encounter with the staple of mankind. Fromartz follows each chapter with pertaining recipes and in-depth suggestions, yet is quick to point out that the true baker develops their own perfect recipe.
Paperback, $16.00
Publisher: Penguin Books; ISBN: 9780143127628
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Marissa
by Sabaa Tahir [Fiction]
Alternating between the perspectives of Laia, a slave tasked to spy on one of the most ruthless villains ever written in fantasy fiction, and Elias, a soldier tasked with three grueling trials to determine the next emperor, this strong debut is a refreshing distinction from YA dystopian novels set in the future. It's based on Ancient Rome -- a favorite era -- and fittingly rampant with the strategy, action, and brutalities of warfare. The stakes are indeed high for our main characters, and had me speed-reading to find out what would happen to them next. Tahir's style is magnetic and original, layering on the tension and twists.
Hardcover, $19.95
Publisher: Razorbill; ISBN: 9781595148032
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Claire
by William Ritter [Fiction]
First, a cat has suddenly shape-shifted into a fish, then its owner is mysteriously murdered. Next, fossils of a giant unknown creature go missing. The second book in William Ritter's Jackaby series has Jackaby, a fantastical Sherlock Holmes, and Abigail Rook, his intuitive and intelligent Watson, teamed up with a host of characters to solve the case. With two paleontologists, a werewolf police detective, a big game hunter, and intrepid reporter, Abigail and Jackaby must navigate this mystery of a monster murdering people and mangling livestock. What they find is even more incredible than they could have imagined, and more dangerous. Beastly Bones has it all, mystery, self sacrifice, a feminist role model, with just a hint of romance.
Hardcover, $17.95 Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers; ISBN: 9781616203542 Editor's note: Together with her last Nightstand review here, Grass Roots would like to wish a hearty bon voyage to our Events Coordinator, Claire (pictured here with the author of Beastly Bones, William Ritter)! She's hosted many past author events like this one. We on the Grass Roots team wish her all the best!
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