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| April 7, 2016 |
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Hello, Readers,
Exciting new titles have arrived this week, many with the common theme of returning to nature, fitting for this spring weather! Turn over a new leaf and turn the pages of fresh picks like How to be a Wildflower, Natural Born Heroes, and The New Wild, along with intriguing and romantic novels, and a debut children's book by Thor Hanson about the Pacific Northwest.
Amazing author events are filling our store throughout the month -- including lots of poetry -- so be sure to see who's coming to visit under Store Events.
All this, music, Mother's Day cards, and a fresh shipment of bargain books await you in the store. Stop by and let us help you find your ideal read!
~Marissa
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New Hardcovers
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by Hope Jahren
Lab Girl is a book about work, love, and the mountains that can be moved when those two things come together. It is told through Jahren's remarkable stories about how she found a sanctuary in science, and about the inevitable disappointments, but also the triumphs and exhilarating discoveries, of scientific work. Yet at the core of this book is the story of a relationship Jahren forged with her lab partner and best friend Bill. Jahren's probing look at plants, her astonishing tenacity of spirit, and her acute insights on nature enliven every page.
Hardcover; $26.95
Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group; ISBN: 9781101874936
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by Nick Bantock
[Fiction]
A love story for the ages, the tale of Griffin and Sabine is an international sensation. Now this final volume can be enjoyed as a singular reading experience or in conjunction with the series as a whole. The Pharos Gate rejoices in the book as physical object, weaving together word and image in beautifully illustrated postcards and removable letters that reveal a sensual and metaphysical romance, one full of mystery and intrigue. Published simultaneously with the 25th anniversary edition of Griffin & Sabine, it finally shares what happened to the lovers in a gorgeous volume that will surely delight Griffin and Sabine's longtime fans.
Hardcover; $24.95
Publisher: Chronicle Books; ISBN: 9781452151250
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[Fiction]
"Devoted readers of King's Mary Russell series, which reimagines the Sherlock Holmes mythos by giving the detective a young, brilliant wife, are in for a treat here. . .When the story begins, there's blood on the floor of Russell and Holmes' house in Sussex, thanks to the appearance of Samuel Hudson, the son of the couple's longtime housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson. . . Now we learn about her suspect background as well as her tangled relationship with Holmes. . .Fans, always hungry to know more personal details about King's iteration of Sherlock Holmes and his world, will get a few more delicious tidbits this time around." - Booklist, Starred Review
Hardcover; $28.00
Publisher: Bantam; ISBN: 9780804177900
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by Krista Tippett
[Non-Fiction]
"Artful listening is Tippett's trademark. Her mellifluous voice, adored by listeners of her radio program and podcast On Being, floats off the pages of this deftly woven collection of interviews. For over a decade, Tippett has interviewed 'geniuses in the art of living': scientists, philosophers, poets, playwrights, theologians -- anyone who delves deeply into what it means to be human. . .But this is not just a selection of greatest hits. Instead, rooted in Tippett's own keen insight, she provides an interlocking frame based on five themes: words, the body, love, faith, and hope. . .Tippett's striving here is the grist for creative genius." - Publishers Weekly
Hardcover; $28.00
Publisher: Penguin Press; ISBN: 9781594206801
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by Katie Daisy
[Non-Fiction]
Encouraging self-discovery through encounters with nature, beloved artist Katie Daisy brings her beautiful paintings and lettering to this collection of things to do and make, quotes, meditations, natural history, and more. A recipe for strawberry rhubarb pie, a prompt to hike by the light of the moon, a place to press flowers: every page inside the charming textured two-piece case invites readers to wander, gather, savor, and ponder the natural world around them. For every wild and free spirit and those who aspire to be, this is a field guide to living life to the fullest.
Hardcover; $19.95
Publisher: Chronicle Books; ISBN: 9781452142685
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New Paperbacks
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by Clemens Starck
[Poetry]
(Watch for upcoming author event in the Reader!)
Local poet Clemens Starck is the author of five books of poems, and is a recipient of the Oregon Book Award for Poetry as well as the William Stafford Memorial Poetry Award from the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association. The thoughtful design of his new chapbook, printed on creamy paper in an oversize format and accented with Kevin Clark's woodblock prints, perfectly complements the unsentimental beauty of the poems within.
Paperback; $10.00
Publisher: OBLIO PRESS; ISBN: 9780692584057
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by Alexander McCall Smith
[Fiction]
The bestselling author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series deftly escorts Jane Austen's beloved, meddlesome heroine into the 21st century in this delightfully inventive retelling. The summer after university, Emma Woodhouse returns home to the village of Highbury to prepare for the launch of her interior design business. As she cultivates grand plans for the future, she soon befriends Harriet Smith, the naive but charming young teacher's assistant at an English-language school. Harriet is Emma's inspiration to do the two things she does best: offer guidance to those less wise in the ways of the world and put her matchmaking skills to good use.
Paperback; $15.00
Publisher: Anchor Books; ISBN: 9780804172417
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by Roland Merullo
[Fiction]
". . .Otto Ringling embarked on a road trip eight years ago with his Russian monk brother-in-law, Volya Rinpoche, in Breakfast with Buddha. . .[This time], middle-aged Otto has experienced a series of life-changing losses, while Rinpoche's 7-year-old daughter may be the next Dalai Lama. Spurred on by crippling uncertainty, they travel through Native American reservations, roadside diners, casinos, homes of broken families, and more. Otto's underlying depression and grief is unearthed [as he] and Rinpoche learn to 'scrape the jadedness' from their habitual reactions in order to be present for themselves and for the world. . ." - Publishers Weekly
Paperback; $15.95
Publisher: Algonquin Books; ISBN: 9781616205997
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by Christopher McDougall
[Non-Fiction]
The bestselling author of Born to Run now travels to the Mediterranean, where he discovers that the secrets of ancient Greek heroes are still alive and well on the island of Crete, and ready to be unleashed in the muscles and minds of casual athletes and aspiring heroes everywhere. McDougall attempts to retrace the steps of Resistance fighters, experiencing firsthand their extreme physical challenges and discovering the tools of the hero -- natural movement, extraordinary endurance, and efficient nutrition. Natural Born Heroes will inspire readers to climb, swim, throw, and jump their way to their own heroic feats.
Paperback; $15.95
Publisher: Vintage; ISBN: 9780307742223
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by Fred Pearce
[Non-Fiction]
For a long time, veteran environmental journalist Fred Pearce thought in stark terms about invasive species: they were the evil interlopers spoiling pristine natural ecosystems. But what if the traditional view of ecology is wrong? Pearce explores ecosystems from remote Pacific islands to the United Kingdom, from San Francisco Bay to the Great Lakes, as he digs into questionable estimates of the cost of invader species and reveals the outdated intellectual sources of our ideas about the balance of nature. In an era of climate change and widespread ecological damage, embracing the new ecology, Pearce shows us, is our best chance at regeneration.
Paperback; $20.00
Publisher: Beacon Press; ISBN: 9780807039557
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New For Young Readers
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by Thor Hanson
[Fiction]
Thor Hanson's (The Triumph of Seeds) first children's book is the story of Bartholomew Quill, a crow who's trying to figure out what he is. Rather than just a creation myth, it s a legend about biodiversity and the clever and loveable crow. Tour the animal kingdom from a crow's point of view in this whimsical mix of science and poetry. The rhyming story and beautiful illustrations of Pacific Northwest wildlife make this a fun read-aloud for the whole family.
Hardcover; $17.99
Publisher: Little Bigfoot; ISBN: 9781632170460
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New Bargain Books
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 Brand new bargain books have arrived, with discounts so good many books are under $10!
This week, we're featuring a colorful selection of Zendoodle coloring books for adults. Add a splash of color to these intricate designs, all while reducing stress and making your spring bright.
Featured titles (click to reveal the deal!):
Zendoodle Coloring: Inspiring Zendalas
Zendoodle Coloring: Calming Swirls
Zendoodle Coloring: Creative Sensations
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New Music
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Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
Call it What it Is
Pop/Folk
Harper's earlier records featured a sparse expression of traditional blues. With his Innocent Criminals, he finds room for rock, glam, gospel, and folk, all with a social justice leaning.
($15.98)
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Hayes Carll
Lovers and Leavers
Pop/Folk
From Texas, Carll has earned recognition for his loose and humorous Texas country. His new collection is a "break up" album with more introspective songs composed on piano.
($12.98)
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The Lumineers
Cleopatra
Pop/Folk
From their debut CD, Lumineers' "Ho Hey" was so popular as to be almost inescapable. Their new songs remain based on this contemporary folk and blues structure, but extend their musical vision in new, more challenging directions.
($15.98)
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Events at Grass Roots
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Lorraine Anderson
Monday, April 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR
Earth & Eros combines words and photographs to inspire readers to deepen their connection with the wild earth and with their own capacity for reverence. Intended as an antidote to an age obsessed with speed, screens, and machines, the book brings together previously published prose and poetry -- by such authors as Terry Tempest Williams, Gary Snyder, Sherman Alexie, D. H. Lawrence, and Pablo Neruda -- with fine art landscape photographs to explore the sacred erotic dimension of humans' relationship to the earth.
Lorraine Anderson is a freelance writer and editor in Corvallis with a longstanding interest in creating a culture grounded in a reciprocal relationship with nature. The author will be reading and signing books at this event.
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David Biespiel
Tuesday, April 12, at 6:00 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR
David Biespiel has published 10 books of poetry and prose. The Book of Men and Women was named Best Poetry of the Year for 2009 by the Poetry Foundation and also won an Oregon Book Award. Biespiel published monthly essays on poetry for the Oregonian for 10 years, which was the longest-running newspaper column on poetry in the country. A Long High Whistle is a collection of many of these essays. This event is sponsored by OSU Office of the Provost.
The author will be reading and signing books at this event. Reception with hors d'oeuvres and wine, catered by Valley Catering, to follow.
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A William Stafford Birthday Celebration
Thursday, April 21, at 7:00 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR
Local writers Ann Staley, Steve Jones, Jerri Otto, Jim Merrill, and Liz Schillinger will be reading from poet William Stafford's work and speaking about his influence on their writing and thinking. This will be followed by an open mic so that whomever shows up can share their favorite Stafford poem, a poem of their own (inspired by William Stafford), or a poem by another Oregon poet.
William Stafford, Poet Laureate of Oregon, Library of Congress Poet, beloved teacher at Lewis & Clark College, published over 6,000 poems and 60 collections of poems during his writing life. Stafford was a member of the Brethren, one of three pacifist religious sects, which also included the Quakers. His brother, Bob was a bomber pilot; Bill was a CO during World War II.
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Margaret Malone and Joe Wilkins
  Thursday, April 22, at 7:00 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR
People Like You is a finalist for the 2016 PEN/Hemingway Award. In stories all at once funny, unsettling, subtle, and moving, Malone's people exist like most of us, in the thick of everyday experience absent of epiphanies, and they are caught off-guard or cast adrift by personal impulses even while wide awake to their own imperfections.
In When We Were Birds, Joe Wilkins wrestles his attention away from the griefs, deprivations, and high prairies of his Montana childhood and turns toward "the bean-rusted fields and gutted factories of the Midwest," toward ordinary injustice and everyday sadness, toward the imminent birth of his son and his own confusions in taking up the mantle of fatherhood, toward faith and grace, legacy and luck.
Margaret Malone is the recipient of fellowships from the Oregon Arts Commission, Literary Arts, and RACC. Joe Wilkins lives with his family in McMinnville, Oregon, where he teaches writing at Linfield College. The authors will be reading and signing books at this event.
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Ziggy Rendler-Bregman
The Gate of Our Coming and Going
 Thursday, April 27, at 7:00 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR
The Gate of Our Coming and Going is a beautiful, self-published collection of both poems and prints created by Ziggy and just released in December 2015. She selected more than a dozen of her poems to be accompanied by a full color monoprint created and hand-pulled in her studio. Her poems tell of growing up in a family of nine children as well as capturing her years with her own children, her home, garden, travels and love for the California landscape.
After receiving a BA in Aesthetic Studies at UC Santa Cruz in 1973, Ziggy Rendler-Bregman co-founded the children's literary and art magazine, Stone Soup. She and her husband Jesse live in Santa Cruz where they raised their three children. The author will be reading and signing books at this event.
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Community Events
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Darkside Show Times for 4/8-4/14
-Rams -R In a remote Icelandic farming valley, two brothers who haven't spoken in 40 years have to come together in order to save what's dearest to them -- their sheep. Subtitle Icelandic. Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes! 97% on RT!
-Boy And the World -PG Visually thrilling animation with a daring, refreshingly different storyline that should enthrall younger viewers while resonating deeply with adults. Subtitled Portuguese. 96% on RT!
-Mr. Right -R A girl falls for the "perfect" guy, who happens to have a very fatal flaw: he's a hitman on the run from the crime cartels who employ him. Anna Kendrick, Sam Rockwell, Tim Roth.
-Remember -R With the aid of a fellow Auschwitz survivor and a hand-written letter, an elderly man with dementia goes in search of the person responsible for the death of his family. Christopher Plumber. Atom Egoyan Directs!
-Hail, Caesar! -PG-13 Joel and Ethan Coen's all-star comedy Hail, Caesar! is set in Hollywood's Golden Age. Stars Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Channing Tatum.
Arts/Literary Events
Reviewed by Margaret Manoogian; sponsored by Friends of the Library
Wednesday, April 13, at 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Corvallis-Benton County Public Library 645 NW Monroe Ave. Corvallis, OR
Willamette Writers on the River: Monthly Meeting with Maren Bradley Anderson
"Writing a Novel in a Month: How to Get Started"
Monday, April 18, at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church
114 SW 8th St.
Corvallis, OR
Join us in an interactive presentation about how to succeed at the challenge of writing a 50,000-word first draft in 30 days. Bring something to write with, and an idea to get you started. Our guest speaker, Maren Bradley Anderson, is a writer and teacher who lives in Oregon. Her poetry has appeared in The Timberline Review, and her novel, Fuzzy Logic, was released in 2015.
 Willamette Writers on the River workshop with Sarina Dorie
"The Nuts and Bolts of Writing and Selling Short Stories"
Saturday, April 30, at 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Comfort Inn Suites
1730 NW 9th St.
Corvallis, OR
Why write short stories, flash fiction and novellas? Come to this fast-paced workshop to find out. Learn how to sell short fiction, where to find markets, what you need to include in a cover letter for short stories and more. We will practice dissecting markets and magazines to find the right ones for you. Sarina Dorie will share the secrets to her success so that you can write short stories and make money selling them. Register here.
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Community Events with Grass Roots
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Rita Dove
Thursday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m.
Oregon State University
CH2M Hill Alumni Center Ballroom
725 SW 26th St.
Corvallis, OR
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Rita Dove has been selected as the 2016 recipient of Oregon State University's Stone Award for Lifetime Literary Achievement. The biennial award is presented to a major American author who has created a body of critically acclaimed work and who has mentored young writers.
Dove served as Poet Laureate of the United States from 1993-1995 and has received numerous awards for her work, including the 1987 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. She is the only poet to receive both the National Humanities Medal (1996) and the National Medal of Arts (2011). She holds the Commonwealth Professor of English chair at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
Grass Roots will be selling books at this event.
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David Allen Sibley
  Monday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m.
645 NW Monroe Ave.
Corvallis, OR
The Sibley Guide to Birds has been released as an enhanced two volume set, The Sibley Guide to Birds of Western North America and The Sibley Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. Now completely revised and updated -- the indispensable resource for all birders seeking an authoritative guide to the birds of the East and West is in a portable format they will want to carry into the field.
David Allen Sibley is the author and illustrator of the series of successful guides to nature that bear his name. He is the recipient of the Roger Tory Peterson Award for Lifetime Achievement from the American Birding Association and the Linnaean Society of New York's Eisenmann Medal. Grass Roots will be selling books at this event.
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Store News
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National Poetry Month: This week's featured poem
That Little Beast by Mary Oliver
That pretty little beast, a poem,
has a mind of its own.
Sometimes I want it to crave apples
but it wants red meat.
Sometimes I want to walk peacefully
on the shore
and it wants to take off all its clothes
and dive in.
Sometimes I want to use small words
and make them important
and it starts shouting the dictionary,
the opportunities.
Sometimes I want to sum up and give thanks,
putting things in order
and it starts dancing around the room
on its four furry legs, laughing
and calling me outrageous.
But sometimes, when I'm thinking about you,
and no doubt smiling,
it sits down quietly, one paw under its chin,
and just listens.
Mary Oliver, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, celebrates love in her new collection of poems. Our most delicate chronicler of physical landscape, Oliver has described her work as loving the world. With Felicity she examines what it means to love another person. She opens our eyes again to the territory within our own hearts; to the wild and to the quiet. In these poems, she describes -- with joy --the strangeness and wonder of human connection.
Hardcover, $24.95 Publisher: Penguin Press; 9781594206764 |
Jigsaw
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Reading Group Selection
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Tuesday, May 3, at 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Join Amber as she leads our May reading group with Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng.
"Lydia is dead. But they don't know this yet." So begins this exquisite novel about a Chinese American family living in 1970s small-town Ohio. Lydia is the favorite child of Marilyn and James Lee, and her parents are determined that she will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue. But when Lydia's body is found in the local lake, the delicate balancing act that has been keeping the Lee family together is destroyed, tumbling them into chaos. A profoundly moving story of family, secrets, and longing, Everything I Never Told You is both a gripping page-turner and a sensitive family portrait.
Regular Price: $16.00
On sale for: $13.60
Until Tuesday, May 3
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 9780143127550
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Night Stands
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by André Alexis
[Fiction]
I'd been looking forward to picking up this novel after reading the glowing reviews and discovering it had won several Canadian literary awards, and I'm pleased to say the engaging writing didn't fall short. The novel's concept of a pack of dogs granted human intelligence requires a stretch of the imagination, but that's part of its charm and cleverness as the central question is explored: would such consciousness ultimately make animals happier? A warning for dog lovers: Fifteen Dogs will pull at your heartstrings. Strongly recommended for readers of magical realism and philosophy alike.
Paperback; $17.95
Publisher: Coach House Books; ISBN: 9781552453056
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