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| May 19, 2016 |
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Attention, book lovers...
Grass Roots is now hiring for a receiving clerk position! To learn more about this opportunity and find out how to apply, see Store News below.
Awesome new books are stacking up, plus album releases from Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and various artists' tributes to the Grateful Dead, to name a few. Father's Day cards and giftable books are also here.
Join us for our upcoming events to listen to authors speak about their books -- on fascinating topics ranging from the eruption of Mount St. Helens to wilderness survival to the science of eating -- and pick up signed copies in the store.
Read on for more!
~Marissa
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New Hardcovers
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by Louise Erdrich
[Fiction]
North Dakota, late summer, 1999. Landreaux Iron stalks a deer along the edge of the property bordering his own. He shoots with easy confidence but when the buck springs away, he realizes he has killed his neighbor's five-year-old son, Dusty Ravich. The youngest child of his friend and neighbor, Peter Ravich, Dusty was best friends with Landreaux's five-year-old son, LaRose. Horrified at what he's done, following an ancient means of retribution, Landreaux will give LaRose to the grieving Peter and Nola. Inspiring and affecting, LaRose is a powerful exploration of loss, justice, and the reparation of the human heart.
Hardcover; $27.99
Publisher: Harper; ISBN: 9780062277022
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by Siddhartha Mukherjee
[Non-Fiction]
". . .Mukherjee, an oncologist and the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies, relates the grand tale of how scientists have come to understand the role genes play in human development, behavior, and physiology. He deftly relates the basic scientific facts about the way genes are believed to function, while making clear the aspects of genetics that remain unknown. Mukherjee. . .also examines many of the philosophical and moral quandaries that have long swirled around the study of genetics, addressing such important topics as eugenics, stem cell research, and what it means to use the composition of a person's genotype to make predictions. . ." - Publishers Weekly
Hardcover; $32.00
Publisher: Scribner Book Company; ISBN: 9781476733500
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by Jo Baker
[Fiction]
Paris, 1939. The pavement rumbles with the footfall of Nazi soldiers marching along the Champs-Elysees. A young, unknown writer, Samuel Beckett recently arrived from Ireland to make his mark, smokes one last cigarette with his lover before the city they know is torn apart. Soon he will put them both in mortal danger by joining the Resistance. . .Through it all we are witness to the workings of a uniquely brilliant mind struggling to create a language that will express this shattered world. Here is a remarkable story of survival and determination, and a portrait of the extremes of human experience alchemized into one man's timeless art.
Hardcover; $26.95
Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group; ISBN: 9781101947180
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[Non-Fiction]
One woman's quest to learn Mandarin in Beijing, Arabic in Beirut, and Spanish in Mexico, with her young family along for the ride. Imagine negotiating for a replacement carburetor in rural Mexico with words you're secretly pulling from a pocket dictionary. Imagine your two-year-old asking for more "niunai" at dinner -- a Mandarin word for milk that even you don't know yet. Imagine finding out that you're unexpectedly pregnant while living in war-torn Beirut. With vivid and evocative language, Christine Gilbert takes us along with her into foreign lands, showing us what it's like to make a life in an unfamiliar world and in an unfamiliar tongue.
Hardcover; $26.00
Publisher: Avery Publishing Group; ISBN: 9781592407927
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by Lindy West
[Non-Fiction]
"In this uproariously funny debut, West, GQ writer and fat-acceptance activist, blends memoir, social commentary, and ribald comedy in a biting manifesto. . .[and] describes her inspiring progression from body hate to body love. Readers will delight in West's clarity as she describes her childhood. . .illuminating the insidious way our culture regards those who are overweight as subhuman and revolting moral and intellectual failures. . . Sure to be a boon for anyone who has struggled with body image, Shrill is a triumphant, exacting, absorbing memoir that will lay new groundwork for the way we talk about the taboo of being too large." - Booklist, Starred Review
Hardcover; $26.00
Publisher: Hachette Books; ISBN: 9780316348409
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New Paperbacks
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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. . .
Paperback; $15.99
Publisher: William Morrow & Company; ISBN: 9780061779794
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by Willie Nelson
[Non-Fiction]
"Picking up where he left off in 2012 (Roll me Up and Smoke Me When I Die), Nelson shares intimate and entertaining details of his life behind the guitar, the ups and downs of his marriages, his infamous encounter with the IRS, and his deep love of making music. . .Nelson spent his early years as a disc jockey, getting to know the music industry from outside the studio. . .[He] offers a warm, friendly, and deeply reflective glimpse behind the making of most of his albums. . .Reading Nelson's narrative is like sitting on the front porch chatting with an old friend. " - Publishers Weekly
Paperback; $18.99
Publisher: Back Bay Books; ISBN: 9780316403542
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by Lisa Lutz
[Fiction]
". . .Outrageous Anna, contemplative Kate, and sporty Georgina (George) meet cute in college when roommates Anna and Kate come upon a very drunk George passed out on a frat-house lawn. The dissimilar women quickly become friends, and the book unfolds as a series of flashbacks from 1993 to 2014. Anna, once a doctor, ends up as a secretary after her substance-abuse problems cause her to lose her medical license. Kate becomes a drifter, unable to shake the fact that she killed a man (who was attacking George); and George moves from husband to husband, each time morphing into someone else's vision of a perfect wife and mother. . ." - Booklist, Starred Review
Paperback; $14.95
Publisher: Mariner Books; ISBN: 9780544705180
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by Bill Clegg
[Fiction]
"Literary agent Clegg, who has penned two acclaimed memoirs, here turns to fiction with a deeply haunting story. June Reid loses her entire family in a house fire: her daughter, who was about to be married; her daughter's fiance; her ex-husband; and her much-younger boyfriend, Luke. Utterly bereft, June leaves her Connecticut hometown and drives to the Moonstone motel in the Pacific Northwest, where she stays for months, barely leaving her room. . .Clegg is both delicately lyrical and emotionally direct in this masterful novel, which strives to show how people make bearable what is unbearable. . .this mesmerizing novel makes for a powerful debut." - Booklist, Starred Review
Paperback; $16.00
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press; ISBN: 9781476798189
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by Michael Perry
[Fiction]
". . .An amiable and quirky exploration of Christian beliefs, set against the backdrop of economically depressed rural Wisconsin. Bachelor Harley has been forced to sell portions of his family's farm to developers over the years just to stay afloat. But on Christmas Eve, his beef cow goes into labor, delivers a calf that bears the unmistakable image of Jesus on her hide, and Harley knows his life is about to change -- whether it's for the better or not, however, is unclear. Harley initially attempts to hide the Jesus Cow, but word quickly gets out, and soon everyone in town has an opinion. . ." - Publishers Weekly
Paperback; $14.99
Publisher: Harper Perennial; ISBN: 9780062289988
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New For Young Readers
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by Toni Yuly
[Fiction]
Ages 1 to 4
 Night Owl loves the nighttime! He can see everything, but when he doesn't see Mommy Owl, he starts to listen . . .With language that emphasizes sound words and listening skills, this is a reassuring bedtime story for little night owls everywhere.
Board Books; $7.99
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends; ISBN: 9781250072917
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by Ged Adamson
[Fiction]
Ages 3 to 8
Meet Douglas, a dog with a big problem: he needs eyeglasses but doesn't know it, and his bad eyesight tends to land him in some pretty hairy situations. Readers will laugh along with the new picture book character Douglas as he chases a leaf that he mistakes for a squirrel, walks through wet cement because he can't see the warning sign, and annoys the neighbor's dog by mistakenly eating out of his bowl. And when Douglas's owner Nancy finally helps him find the perfect pair of eyeglasses, readers will rejoice with Douglas as he sees all the amazing things he's been missing!
Hardcover; $16.99
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books; ISBN: 9780553522433
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New Bargain Books
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New arrivals are here, to be featured next week! Stop by the store soon for the best selection.
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New Music
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Bob Dylan
Fallen Angels
Pop/Folk
A companion piece to last year's Shadows in the Night, Fallen Angels also features Dylan's interpretation of songs from the classic American songbook. Songs include "Young at Heart," "Skylark," and more.
($11.96)
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Brett Dennen
Por Favor
Pop/Folk
Dennen is a contemporary folk singer-songwriter with a unique voice and a strong rhythmic style. This new collection is produced by renowned Americana producer Dave Cobb.
($13.98)
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Darrell Scott
Couchville Sessions
Pop/Folk
Over the years, Darrell Scott has working in a wide variety of genres, from folk to bluegrass and jazz. This new collection finds him in an Americana mood, addressing songs written and recorded at his home studio.
($12.98)
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Various Artists
Day of the Dead
Pop/Folk
This 5-CD tribute to the music of the Grateful Dead was produced by members of the band The National. Contributing artists include Courtney Barnett, Bela Fleck, Lucinda Williams, and more. All profits will help fight for AIDS/ HIV and related health issues around the world through the Red Hot Organization.
($39.98)
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Eric Clapton
I Still Do
Pop/Folk
Early reviews of Clapton's new collection have called it a return to his classic form. Produced by his old collaborator Glyn Johns, the record features both originals and blues classics.
($15.98)
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Hard Working Americans
Rest in Chaos
Pop/Folk
Hardworking Americans features Todd Snider alongside members of Widespread Panic, Great American Taxi and more. Their second release features gritty alt-country songs with a strong penchant for social commentary.
($12.98)
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Events at Grass Roots
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Steve Olson
 Wednesday, May 25, at 7:00 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR
In Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens, Steve Olson has written the definitive account of America's most famous volcano, a disaster (and survival) narrative that is also a fascinating natural and social history of the Pacific Northwest, one that stretches from lofty corporate boardrooms to remote logging camps, from pristine wilderness to the smoking crater itself. Eruption delves into volcanic science, into the economic and political history of the logging industry, and into the roots of the environmental conservation movement, all of which have deep and abiding connections to the Pacific Northwest.
Steve Olson is the author of Mapping Human History (a finalist for the National Book Award) and Count Down, among other books. He lives in Seattle, Washington. The author will be reading and signing books at this event.
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Ruby McConnell
 Friday, May 27, at 7:00 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR
For women who enjoy hiking, camping, backpacking, and other outdoor recreation or those inspired by Cheryl Strayed's Wild, this is the definitive guide to being a woman in the great outdoors. This friendly handbook covers the matters of most concern to women, from "feminine functions" in the wilderness to how to deal with condescending men, as well as the basics of wilderness survival tailored to women's unique needs. It includes gear lists in addition to advice for camp setup, fire building, food and water, safety, weather, and navigation. Ruby McConnell is a writer, dancer, and geologist from Eugene, Oregon. Her published works include professional geologic papers, personal essays, dance reviews, short stories, and her blog, Girl Gone Wild. Her work has appeared in Misadventures Magazine, Oregon Quarterly, and Birder Watcher's Digest, among others. The author will be reading and signing books at this event.
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Melissa Hart
 Monday, June 6, at 4:00 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR
Avenging the Owl takes readers on a hero's journey with 13-year-old Solo Hahn. After his father tries to commit suicide, his mother moves the family from their Southern California beach home to a landlocked trailer in Oregon. Solo is forced to do community service at the local raptor rehabilitation center after he accidentally injures a neighbor with Down syndrome while trying to kill a great-horned owl that's hurt his beloved pet. School Library Journal calls Avenging the Owl "a good action-adventure story compelling enough for reluctant readers. Hand to fans of books about the great outdoors and the wilderness."
Melissa Hart is a contributing editor at The Writer Magazine, and a Literature and Creative Writing teacher for Laurel Springs distance-learning high school. She's the author of two memoirs. Her essays have appeared in The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Orion, Hemispheres, Education Week, and other publications. This event will feature a raptor slide show and owl pellet dissection! The author will be reading and signing books at this event.
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Susan Conrad
 Friday, June 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR
Inside: One Woman's Journey Through the Inside Passage is a plucky adventure memoir of the sea and soul told by a woman on a big adventure in a small boat along the coast of western North America. In Spring 2010, with her world scaled down to an 18-foot sea kayak and the 1,200 mile ribbon of water called the Inside Passage, Susan Conrad launched a journey that took her north to Alaska. On the way, she forged friendships, lived her dream, and discovered the depths of her own strength and courage.
Susan Marie Conrad grew up on a small farm near Woodbourne in upstate New York. By dint of exploring the mountains of Colorado, Oregon, and Montana, she eventually discovered the dynamic and addictive environment of coastal British Columbia and Washington State, where she thrives as an adventure-seeker. Susan is a writer, photographer, personal trainer, kayak instructor, and outdoor enthusiast. The author will be reading and signing books at this event.
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Bill C. Hall
Wednesday, June 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR
McCallandia is a novel that imagines a world where Oregon's colorful, iconic Governor, Tom McCall, becomes president of the United States. In the pages of McCallandia, you'll visit a world where Tom McCall is Richard Nixon's successor. President McCall brings his unique style, candor, and environmental ethic to Washington, and the world changes. For the better. McCallandia features an outside cast of supporting characters, including Hunter Thompson, Ken Kesey and Steve Prefontaine. Publisher Matt Love calls McCallandia "The best political novel ever written about Oregon."
McCallandia is the first novel by Lincoln County Commissioner Bill Hall, who, like Tom McCall, made the transition from journalism to politics. Bill is a native Oregonian and met Tom McCall in 1978, when he volunteered for his ill-fated comeback campaign. Hall lives in Newport. The author will be reading and signing books at this event.
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Barbara Quinn
Wednesday, June 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Grass Roots Books & Music
227 SW 2nd St.
Corvallis, OR
Quinn-Essential Nutrition is your trustworthy manual for eating -- and enjoying! -- healthful food as you live your life in the real world. Inspired by her widely distributed newspaper column, Quinn On Nutrition, registered dietitian Barbara Quinn thoughtfully unpacks and delivers reliable answers to over 100 current nutrition topics. From pregnancy to old age, sports to diabetes, Quinn-Essential Nutrition is your user guide to healthful eating -- no matter what your circumstance.
Barbara Quinn, MS, RDN, CDE is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes educator affiliated with the Diabetes and Nutrition Therapy program at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. Quinn is also certified Health and Wellness coach.
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Community Events
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Darkside Show Times for 5/20-5/26
-The Meddler -PG-13 The Meddler transcends its cutesy title and familiar premise with a heartfelt look at family dynamics that's honored by a marvelous performances from Susan Sarandon and JK Simmons.
-The Man Who Knew Infinity -PG-13 In 1913 a self-taught Indian mathematics genius forged a bond with his brilliant, eccentric mentor professor at Trinity College, Cambridge. The true story of a friendship that forever changed mathematics. Jeremy Irons, Dev Patel.
-Francofonia -NR A tour of the Louvre serves as a meditation on art and explores how the museum avoided being plundered during the Nazi occupation of France. Directed by Alexander Sokurov (Russian Ark).
-Eye in the Sky -R Complications arise when a lieutenant general (Alan Rickman) and a colonel (Helen Mirren) order a drone missile strike to take out a group of terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya. 94% RT.
Arts/Literary Events
Reviewed by Susan and Bob Poole; sponsored by Friends of the Library
Wednesday, June 8, at 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Corvallis-Benton County Public Library 645 NW Monroe Ave. Corvallis, OR
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Community Events with Grass Roots
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Jennifer Richter
Friday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. 
OSU Valley Library Rotunda
201 SW Waldo Pl.
Corvallis, OR
Join Jennifer Richter as she reads from her new poetry collection, No Acute Distress, a powerful and enthralling collection that struggles to understand the relationship between self and body. This event is the last in the 2015-16 Literary Northwest Series, sponsored by the OSU MFA Program. All readings are free and open to the public with a book signing to follow. Grass Roots will be selling books at this event.
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Store News
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Job opening at Grass Roots
Love books and looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity? Grass Roots Books & Music has an immediate opening for a receiving clerk.
This position is both intellectually and physically demanding. Potential applicants must be avid readers and love sharing their knowledge of what they've read, be highly computer literate, and easily able to learn new programs and systems quickly in a multi-tasking environment. Successful candidates must interact well with coworkers and customers, but also be able to function independently.
To download more information and a complete job description, please click the following links:
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Jigsaw
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Reading Group Selection
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Tuesday, June 7, at 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Please join us for our June reading group with All the Wild that Remains by David Gessner.
Award-winning nature writer David Gessner takes us on an inspiring journey as he renews his own meaningful relationship with the wild, confronting American overconsumption, and fighting environmental injustice -- all while reawakening the thrill of the words of his two great heroes, Edward Abbey and Wallace Stegner. Archetypal wild man Edward Abbey and proper, dedicated Wallace Stegner left their footprints all over the western landscape. Gessner follows the ghosts of these two remarkable writer-environmentalists, braiding their stories and asking how they speak to the lives of all those who care about the West.
Regular Price: $16.95
On sale for: $14.41
Until Tuesday, June 7
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 9780393352375
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Night Stands
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[Fiction]
I tend to enjoy books that defy genre and subvert expectations, and this debut novel fits the bill -- in the sense that it doesn't quite seem to fit in to any category, which is part of its charm. Two social outcasts, a witch and a computer genius, come of age and fall in love even as the world around them is falling apart. They might be the ones with the power to put it back together, if they can put their relationship together first. If you're looking for an unconventional story blending science and magic, weird honest love, and ethereal writing, this is the one for you.
Hardcover; $25.99
Publisher: Tor Books; ISBN: 9780765379948
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