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| February 18, 2016 |
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Good afternoon, Readers,
Hope you're taking time to read a good book on these rainy days...
There's a party in the publishing world with the announcement of a new Harry Potter book (an official script continuing the famous wizard's story, to be exact), to be released July 31. It's now available for pre-order, along with many other hotly anticipated titles of 2016, on our website or in-store!
Please join us tonight with PNW author Randy Henderson, who will be reading and signing copies of his latest, "a darkly funny urban fantasy." And take a scroll through more book and music releases below: Pulitzer-winner Jhumpa Lahiri's memoir, series installments from Alexander McCall Smith and Alan Bradley in paperback, awesome titles for children and young adults, and a new Mavis Staples record.
Have a great weekend!
~Marissa
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New Hardcovers
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by Phillip Margolin (See upcoming author event below!)
Dale Masterson, senior partner in a large Portland, Oregon, law firm, has become wealthy and successful representing the interests of oil and coal companies. When his colleague is found dead, Masterson's business practices are put under surveillance and a lower-level employee stands accused.
The controversy surrounding the firm is magnified tenfold when Dale is found beaten to death in his mansion. But this time Dale's son, Brandon, is seen fleeing the scene. Veteran lawyer Amanda Jaffe is hired to represent Brandon, but what she finds will force the seasoned legal pro to make the hardest professional decision of her life.
Hardcover; $26.99
Publisher: Harper; ISBN: 9780062266552
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by Jhumpa Lahiri
[Non-Fiction]
"Readers who have followed Pulitzer-winner Lahiri's stellar career might be surprised to discover that she has written her latest book in Italian. In this slim, lyrical non-fiction debut, Lahiri (The Lowland) traces the progress of her love affair with the Italian language and the steps that caused her to move to Italy and stop reading and writing in English. . .She writes exquisitely about her experiences with language: her first language was Bengali, but when her family moved to the United States, she made a difficult adjustment to using English at nursery school. . .Lahiri's unexpected metamorphosis provides a captivating and insightful lesson in the power of language to transform." - Publishers Weekly
Hardcover; $26.95
Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group; ISBN: 9781101875551
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[Fiction]
"This fictionalized biography of one of the best-known artists of the last century begins with Georgia O'Keeffe as a young woman teaching in Texas. When her sketches make their way to Alfred Stieglitz, photographer and gallery owner in New York, the two meet, and their passion is undeniable. They become lovers, and Stieglitz encourages O'Keeffe to develop her artistry, but she also becomes the inspiration for his work. When Stieglitz shows his nude portraits of her, Georgia is launched into the spotlight overnight. . .[even] as she fights to distance herself from the woman in the photographs and have her painting recognized for its artistry, not its femininity. . ." - Booklist
Hardcover; $28.00
Publisher: Random House; ISBN: 9781400069538
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by Eve Chase
[Fiction]
Amber Alton knows that the hours pass differently at Black Rabbit Hall, her London family's country estate, where no two clocks read the same. Summers there are perfect, timeless. More than three decades later, Lorna is determined to be married within the grand, ivy-covered walls of Pencraw Hall, known as Black Rabbit Hall among the locals. But as she's drawn deeper into the overgrown grounds, half-buried memories of her mother begin to surface and Lorna soon finds herself ensnared within the manor's labyrinthine history, overcome with an insatiable need for answers about her own past and that of the once-happy family whose memory still haunts the estate. . .
Hardcover; $27.00
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons; ISBN: 9780399174124
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New Paperbacks
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by Katarina Bivald
[Fiction]
"Swedish author Bivald's debut novel is a delight. Erstwhile bookseller Sara Lindqvist has traveled from her home in Sweden to the tiny town of Broken Wheel, Iowa, in order to spend time relaxing and reading with her pen pal, Amy Harris, but what she finds upon arriving is that she's just in time for Amy's funeral. Sara is bewildered but the townsfolk insist that she stay in Amy's house and generally refuse to let her pay for anything. She decides to give back by opening Amy's old store and sharing Amy's books with the community. . ." - Publishers Weekly
Paperback; $16.99
Publisher: Sourcebooks; ISBN: 9781492623441
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by Alexander McCall Smith
[Fiction]
Things are looking up for seven-year-old Bertie Pollock. The arrival of his spirited grandmother and the absence of his meddlesome mother who is currently running a book club in a Bedouin harem bring unforeseen blessings: no psychotherapy, no Italian lessons, and no yoga classes. Meanwhile, surprises await Scotland Street's grown-ups, and Pat learns a secret about her father's fiancee that may shake up her family. . .McCall Smith guides us through the risks and rewards of friendship, love, and family with his usual inimitable wit and irresistible charm.
Paperback; $15.00
Publisher: Anchor Books; ISBN: 9781101971918
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by Muriel Barbery
[Fiction]
"An orphan girl. . .raised in the French countryside [has] a strong, even magical, affinity with the natural world around her. . .[In] a rural mountain town in Italy, another orphan girl. . .has a seemingly supernatural gift for the piano. . .Countries apart, the two girls are connected in a way few understand, but as the evil force of war approaches, their birthright and the link between them grow increasingly important. Passionate and lyrical, the newest novel from internationally best-selling Barbery (The Elegance of the Hedgehog) is a richly imagined tale full of enchanting characters whom readers will love." - Booklist
Paperback; $17.00
Publisher: Europa Editions; ISBN: 9781609453152
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by Alan Bradley
[Fiction]
"Set in 1951, Bradley's exceptional seventh series whodunit. . . takes Flavia de Luce, a preteen with an interest in poisons, from her family home in Bishop's Lacey, England, to Canada, where she is to attend her late mother's alma mater, Miss Bodycote's Female Academy. On Flavia's very first night there, a fellow student, P.A. Collingwood, bursts into her room and reveals that three other girls have disappeared. When the head of school, Miss Fawlthorne (aka the Hangman's Mistress), knocks at Flavia's door, Collingwood flees up the chimney, dislodging a mummified corpse and detaching its skull. This intriguing setup only gets better, and Bradley makes Miss Bodycote's a suitably Gothic setting for Flavia's sleuthing. . ." -Publishers Weekly
Paperback; $15.00
Publisher: Bantam; ISBN: 9780345539946
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by Robert Repino
[Fiction]
The war with no name has begun, with human extinction as its goal. The instigator of this war is the Colony, a race of intelligent ants who, for thousands of years, have been silently building an army that would forever eradicate the destructive, oppressive humans. As a final step in the war effort, the Colony uses its strange technology to transform the surface animals into high-functioning two-legged beings who rise up to kill their masters. Former housecat turned war hero, Mort(e) -- famous for taking on the most dangerous missions -- begins a journey that will take him from the remaining human strongholds to the heart of the Colony. . .
Paperback; $16.00
Publisher: Soho Press; ISBN: 9781616956219
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New For Young Readers
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by Janet Hill
[Fiction]
For Dog Lovers of All Ages
Miss Wilhelmina Moon is a dog governess. At her first placement, on a small island off the coast of France, her new charges -- 67 dogs of all shapes, sizes and colors -- run wild. But armed with patience and a passion for teaching, as well as her companions, Mitford the monkey and Petunia the French bulldog, Miss Moon soon imparts 20 important lessons to her furry brood. Some are practical, some are playful, one or two are a little unusual, but all are necessary for the raising of happy, healthy and well-mannered dogs (and humans).
Hardcover; $17.99
Publisher: Tundra Books (NY); ISBN: 9781101917930
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by Rosanne Parry
[Fiction]
In Japan, you're always prepared for an earthquake. That's why Kai knows just what to do when the first rumbles shake the earth. And then he does the exact opposite of what you're supposed to do: He runs. And then the tsunami hits. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Pacific, Kai's cousin Jet sets sail off the coast of Astoria, Oregon. She knows she should have checked the tide, except this time she didn't. When the biggest mistakes of their lives bring them together, Jet and Kai find the one thing they never thought they'd have again: hope.
Hardcover; $16.99
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; ISBN: 9780375869723
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by Gavriel Savit
[Fiction]
Krakow, 1939. A million marching soldiers and a thousand barking dogs. Anna is just seven years old when the Germans take her father. And then Anna meets the Swallow Man. He is a mystery, strange and tall, a skilled deceiver with more than a little magic up his sleeve. When he summons a bright, beautiful swallow down to his hand to stop her from crying, Anna is entranced. Over the course of their travels together, Anna and the Swallow Man will dodge bombs, tame soldiers, and even, despite their better judgment, make a friend. But in a world gone mad, everything can prove dangerous. . .
Hardcover; $17.99
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers; ISBN: 9780553513349
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New Bargain Books
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New Music
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Carrie Rodriguez
Lola
Pop/Folk
Vocalist and fiddle player Rodriguez cut her teeth as part of a duo with songwriter Chip Taylor. Her fourth solo record features both Spanish and English, and is inspired by her great aunt who was a performer.
($12.98)
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Lake Street Dive
Side Pony
Pop/Folk
The members of this folk/soul band met as students at the New England Conservatory of Music. Their second full length features sounds inspired by jazz vocal groups, as well as sparkling street corner harmonies.
($16.98)
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Mavis Staples
Living On a High Note
Pop/Folk
M. Ward produced this new record from the longtime gospel and soul music legend. New original songs were written for Staples by artists like Bon Iver, Nick Cave, Ward, and more.
($15.98)
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Events at Grass Roots
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Randy Henderson
 Thursday, February 18, at 6:30 p.m. Grass Roots Books & Music 227 SW 2nd St. Corvallis, OR
In this sequel to Randy Henderson's acclaimed debut novel, Finn Fancy Necromancy, Finn Gramaraye is settling back into the real world after his 25-year-long imprisonment in the otherworld of the Fey. He's figured out how to use the Kinfinder device created by his half-mad father to find people's True Love, and he'd like to convert that into an Arcane Dating Service. Unfortunately, trouble always seems to find Finn, and when he agrees to help his friend, the Bigfoot named Sal, they walk right into a Feyblood rebellion against the Arcane Ruling Council, a rebellion being fomented by unknown forces and fueled by the drug created by Finn's own grandfather.
Author Randy Henderson creates a layer of improbable magic and hilarious family drama underneath the veneer of a quiet, charming small town in the American Northwest. Winner of the 2014 Golden Pen grand prize for Writers of the Future and featured in Penumbra, Realms of Fantasy, and on the podcast Escape Pod, Henderson has spun a tale brimming with humor, horror, and dangerous dilemmas.
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Community Events
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Darkside Show Times for 2/19-2/25
-Lady in The Van -PG-13 Based on the true story of Miss Shepherd (played by a magnificent Maggie Smith), a woman of uncertain origins who "temporarily" parked her van in Bennett's London driveway and proceeded to live there for 15 years.
-Rolling Papers -NR In 2014, recreational marijuana sales began in Colorado. With all eyes on ground zero of the green rush, The Denver Post appointed the world's first marijuana editor. Pot is legal, and The Cannabist is covering it as it unfolds. -Carol -R 6 OSCAR NOMS! Two women from very different backgrounds find themselves in an unexpected love affair in repressed 1950s New York, leading to unanticipated complications. Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara. Todd Haynes directs.
-45 Years -R
-Brooklyn -PG-13 THREE OSCAR NOMINATIONS Including Best Picture! Screenplay by Nick Hornby. 98% RT!
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Community Events with Grass Roots
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OSU Visiting Writers Series presents
Friday, February 19, at 7:30 p.m.
OSU Valley Library Rotunda
Corvallis, OR
Maggie Nelson (Ph.D. in English Literature, the Graduate Center of the City University of New York) is the author of five books of nonfiction and four books of poetry. Her most recent book is The Argonauts, a work of "autotheory" about gender, sexuality, sodomitical maternity, queer family, and the limitations and possibilities of language (Graywolf Press).
Her 2011 book of art and cultural criticism, The Art of Cruelty: A Reckoning, was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and Editors' Choice. Her other nonfiction books include the cult hit Bluets and an autobiographical book about sexual violence and media spectacle titled The Red Parts: A Memoir. Her poetry has been widely anthologized, including in the Best American Poetry series. Grass Roots will be selling books at this event.
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Oregon Small Farms Conference
Saturday, February 20, at 9:00 a.m.
LaSells Stewart Center and CH2M Hill Alumni Center
Oregon State University
875 SW 26th St.
Corvallis, OR
The Oregon Small Farms Conference is a day-long event geared toward farmers, agricultural professionals, food policy advocates, students, and managers of farmers markets. Thirty educational sessions are offered on a variety of topics relevant to the Oregon small farmers and include a track in Spanish. Speakers include farmers, OSU Extension faculty, agribusiness, and more. Grass Roots will be selling books at this event.
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Phillip Margolin
Thursday, March 17, at 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
645 NW Monroe Ave.
Corvallis, OR
New York Times bestselling author and master of suspense Phillip Margolin knows what his fans want and he delivers with his newest novel Violent Crimes. Join us as Mr. Margolin reads from and discusses his latest novel.This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Grass Roots will be selling books at this event.
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Store News
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New Staff at Grass Roots
When you stop by the store, please say hello to our newest staff members --bookseller Amber, events coordinator Mary, and receiver Sean! Be sure to check out a few of their great recommendations in Nightstand reviews, and more being added to our staff favorites page.
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Jigsaw
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Reading Group Selection
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Tuesday, March 3, at 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Join Marissa as she leads our March reading group with The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro.
In post-Arthurian Britain, the wars that once raged between the Saxons and the Britons have finally ceased. Axl and Beatrice, an elderly British couple, set off to visit their son, whom they haven't seen in years. And, because a strange mist has caused mass amnesia throughout the land, they can scarcely remember anything about him. As they are joined on their journey by a Saxon warrior, his orphan charge, and an illustrious knight, Axl and Beatrice slowly begin to remember the dark and troubled past they all share. By turns savage, suspenseful, and intensely moving, The Buried Giant is a luminous meditation on the act of forgetting and the power of memory.
Regular Price: $16.00
On sale for: $13.60
Until Tuesday, March 3
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 9780307455796
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Night Stands
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by Iain Pears
Iain Pears' novel blends and bends genres -- science fiction, fantasy, literary, speculative, and even dystopian fiction -- just as his character's time machine bends time and space. The book weaves together the multiple stories of Henry Lytten, a 1960's Oxford scholar/spy; Rose, his teenage assistant; Angela Meerson, a psychomathematician from 300 years in the future; and Jay, a young boy from the utopian world, Anterworld -- also called Arcadia, imagined by Lytten and created as an alternate universe by Meerson. If it sounds complicated, it is. But Pears has crafted a uniquely immersive experience, with the nature of storytelling and connections between people at its heart, that is well worth the effort of reading.
Hardcover; $27.95
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group; ISBN: 9781101946824
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by Matthieu Ricard
Matthieu Ricard looks at the nature of compassion and its role in personal and global change. The author takes an interdisciplinary approach to the salient issues of our times: the economy, life satisfaction, and the environment. If you are interested in the dynamics of altruism, how it shapes self and society, and how we might go about building a more beautiful and peaceful world, this is the book for you.
Hardcover; $30.00
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; ISBN: 9780316208246
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by Bill Nye
There are so many books out there with a doomed outlook on our future as inhabitants of Earth. Bill Nye sees this as a challenge, for us to rise to the occasion, an opportunity to create a cleaner world for the next generation rather than a world depleted of its resources. Read this book for some inspiration on how you can make a positive change in your life to better the world.
Hardcover; $26.99
Publisher: St. Martin's Press; ISBN: 9781250007148
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