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Boswell Book Company

2559 North Downer Avenue at Webster Place

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211

(414) 332-1181, www.facebook.com/boswellbooks

Our Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm

and we're always open at boswellbooks.com!

Boswell Book Company Newsletter               Day 1340, December 3, 2012

Greetings!

 

Round House It's getting to that time of year where every day is bustling. We're also beginning to see what people want for the holidays. Unlike the last few years, our big three hardcover fiction selections are all from women writers--Barbara Kingsolver's Flight Behavior, Louise Erdrich's The Round House, and Alice Munro's Dear Life. By winning the National Book Award, Erdrich has broken away from the pack. It's set on the Ojibwe reservation of several of her previous novels, but as I always note, there's nothing like a few good courtroom scenes to turn a literary novel into a page turner. Right now we've got plenty of stock, but I can't say that will be the case on December 20.

Building stories One book I know we will sell out of is Chris Ware's amazing collection, Building Stories. It reminds me a bit of McSweeney's newspaper issue. Inside the colorful keepsake box are 14 assorted books, magazines, pamphlets and newspapers. As the publisher notes:"Whether you're feeling alone by yourself or alone with someone else, this book is sure to sympathize with the crushing sense of life wasted, opportunities missed and creative dreams dashed which afflict the middle- and upper-class literary public (and which can return to them in somewhat damaged form during REM sleep)."

Our Boswell's Best has a lot of gift ideas, and it also features our favorite books of the year. Each Boswellian got to pick a couple of hardcovers to go on the list. A lot of my choices were picked by other people, but I knew I'd have Don Lee's The Collective to myself, a classic collegiate novel that focuses on a writer contemplating his friend's possible suicide. No two Don Lee novels are alike, but all look at the push-pull of cultural identity and stereotypes, always with humor and insight.

Three Times Lucky And if you want to know what book in paperback I've been recommending, it's definitely Rules of Civility, by Amor Towles. How can you miss with a vintage New York setting, themes that play off of Fitzgerald and Wharton, great characters, and a compelling plot? It's been so great to have folks come back and say, "I loved, loved, loved that book. What else can you suggest?" 

And to that question, Hannah, Pam, Mel, and Amie would tell me to offer Three Times Lucky. It may have been published as a novel for teens, but adults are loving this Southern-set mystery with particularly memorable characters. It's next on my list, I promise.

Paul Geenen at the Washington Park Library, Tuesday, Dec. 4., 6:30 PM. 

 

  We had a great turnout for Geenen's book Schuster's and Gimbels last month (and copies are still available of this homage to two of Milwaukee's great department stores), but we've got more Geenen for the holidays. Sherman Park: A Legacy of Diversity in Milwaukee is a look at a community that worked to welcome African Americans moving to Milwaukee during the Great Migration, mapping out a blueprint for progress and diversity which began in the 1960s and continues to this day.  If you're wondering, Sherman Park's boundaries are from 35th to 60th Streets, and from North Avenue to Keefe. 

 

Located at 2121 North Sherman Boulevard (Milwaukee 53208), the WashingtoPaul Geenenn Park Library is the largest of Milwaukee's branches. Opened in 2013, it replaced the Finney library, which was built in 2003. It is one of six branches with computer terminals for patron use, and has a computer trainer (bilingual!) to help you get started. Outside stands a statue of Baron Frederick von Steuben, German hero of the Revolutionary War. Join us on Tuesday, December 4, 6:30 pm.

Luis Alberto Urrea at Boswell, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 7 pm, at Boswell. 

 

Queen of America If you've been reading your copy of My Bookstore: Writers Celebrate Their Favorite Places to Browse, Read, and Shop, you might have come across a wonderful essay by Luis Alberto Urrea about Anderson's Bookshop of Naperville. He talks about his life in books and bookstores and how he wound up outside of Chicago in a little gem of a town with a bookstore known for its "general awesomeness." Like a groupie, Urrea delighted in meeting his favorite authors beforehand in their green room, which is down in the basement. And his daughter, who grew up in the store, had her own groupie experience when she met R.L. Stine.

Luis Alberto UrreaWell, groupie-ism can go both ways. When I was chatting with our friend Lisa Beaudoin of Books and Company (who is hosting Urrea on Tuesday, December 4), she talked about how much she enjoyed his event in the past and how much she was looking forward to seeing him again. And though we've not hosted him yet, I recall his event at Schwartz years ago and his wonderful appearance on Wisconsin Public Radio. Our in-store book club also had a wonderful time discussing his previous novel, Into the Beautiful North, a playful take on the film "The Magnificent Seven" that follows a young woman sent to the United States to recruit back some migrants that could help save her small Mexican town.

The new novel, Queen of America, is just out in paperback. It is a follow up to The Hummingbird's Daughter, following the life of Teresita, a saint of sorts, and her adventures in America at the turn of the century. Library Journal praises the book as blending  "fairy tale, Western adventure, folk tale, and historical drama." And for more information, you can watch this interview with Maria Hinojosa.

Packer Great Willie Davis at Boswell on Monday, December 10, 7 pm.

 

Closing the Gap Ranked by The Sporting News as one of the top 100 football players, Willie Davis is the rare athlete who has been as successful off the field. With a spot on the Pro Football Hall of Fame, followed by ownership of a chain of radio stations, and a presence on the boards of a number of top companies, Davis has earned respect from both the sports and business communities.

Willie Davis Now in Closing the Gap: Lombardi, the Packers Dynasty, and the Pursuit of Excellence, Davis reflects on the skills that makes leaders of all kinds. He'll be signing books at Boswell on Monday, December 10, 7 pm. A limited number of books will be available at the event; unlike many celebrity signings, we will allow one book to be signed from home, even without a Boswell purchase. However, Mr. Davis will not be able to sign memorabilia.

Mr. Davis is also speaking and signing at the University Club for Marquette alums only (but you probably are or know one) on Thursday, December 6, at 5:30 and signing at the Barnes and Noble in Bayshore on Friday, December 7, at 12 noon. For more information, please contact these venues.

Anthropologist Alice Kehoe at Boswell, Wednesday, December 12, 7 pm. 

 

Militant Christianity Former professor of Anthopology at Marquette University Alice Beck Kehoe has authored numerous books about native cultures and anthropology processes. Her research also includes archaeological and ethnographic fieldwork on the Northwestern Plains, ethnographic fieldwork in an Aymara Indian village in Bolivia, and a continued collaboration with Amskapi Pikuni of Montana's Blackfeet Reservation.  

 

Alice Beck Kehoe In her new book, Militant Christianity: An Anthropological History, Kehoe traces back modern trends four thousand years to the battle-ax culture of early Indo-Europeans. Roman Emperor Constantine, from a Germanic background, approved Christianity in AD 312, believing it promised he would be 'the Anointed' greatest emperor. His Indo-European militarism characterized northern European Christianity, through Martin Luther's and John Calvin's aggressive Protestantism, American colonization ruthlessly dispossessing Indian nations, rise of competitive capitalism, to contemporary White American Protestants fighting to make America an officially Christian nation. Taking a broad anthropological approach, Militant Christianity offers new insight into the culture of Christian warriors.

Lil' Rev Release Party on Thursday, December 27, 7pm, at Boswell.  

 

Lil Rev Enjoy a fun evening of ukulele music, poetry and story with Milwaukee's own Ukulele Troubadour: Lil Rev! On Thursday, December 27, 7 pm, Rev will be promoting the release of his new CD titled: The Fountain of Uke 10th Anniversary Album. Joining him will be a cast of special guest artists. This will likely be the last time to see Rev before he goes on tour. 

 

Fountain of Uke Milwaukee born and raised, Lil' Rev is a songwriter and music-historian who teaches and tours nationally. In addition to the ukulele, he plays guitar, harmonica, mandolin, and banjo. Lil' Rev was voted "Best Folk Singer" by WAMI in 2004 and inducted into the Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003.  

 

For more information, visit Lil' Rev's Internet Junction. 

Meet Us at the Buy Local Gift Fair on Sunday, December 9, 12 Noon to 4 pm, at the Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden.

 

Local First Logo The number of holiday markets has increased dramatically in just the 1300 or so days that Boswell has been open, which is one of the reasons why we've pulled back on hosting our own market event. We do, however, participate in the Buy Local Gift Fair, sponsored by Local First Milwaukee, which this year is at the Lakefront Palm Garden on Sunday, December 9 from Noon to 4 pm.  

 

Participating vendors include Fair Trade for All, Ink Designs, Indulgence Chocolatiers, Brew City Botanicals, Sachsen Contemporary Imports, and Treat Bake Shop.  With 40 local vendors, free brewery tours at 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30, and free admission to boot, you're sure to find a special gift for someone on your list. More on the Local First website.

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre Presents Collected Stories, Now Through December 16. 

 

MCT Collected Stories Renowned short story writer Ruth Steiner has become a recluse in the East Village. Enter Lisa Morrison, her bright-eyed prot�g�e. Over the next six years, under Ruth's tutelage, Lisa advances from insecure student to faithful assistant to successful writer. As the relationship between these two strong-willed women evolves, their fascinating story comes to a dramatic conclusion.  You can read more about the production in the Shepherd Express.    

  

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre Collected Stories is authored by Donald (Brooklyn Boy) Margulies, directed by C. Michael Wright, and features Sarah Day and Laura Frye. And as a special offer to Boswell customers, the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre is offering $10 off tickets to Collected Stories when you mention "Collect10" when ordering at (414) 291-7800 or enter coupon code COLLECT10 when buying tickets on the milwaukeechambertheatre.com website. As always, certain restrictions reply and the offer is not valid on previously purchased tickets. 

christmas carol When I started buying gifts for Boswell, I never imagined that we would do such a good business buying ornaments of all things, but they have proven quite popular and we still have a good selection, including some sourced from Germany, Rhode Island, and even SpriBaby Lit Darcyng Green, Wisconsin.

We've also got some very nice Christmas and holiday cards, both loose and boxed, and I'm happy to say we get a card compliment almost every day. Our wooden boxes from Poland and leather animal purses have proven quite popular. We've got new tee shirts celebrating Alice and Wonderland and For Whom the Bell Tolls, and for kids, Stuart Little.

Though it's hard to choose, I think my favorite gift item that's come in of late are our totes, dolls and buttons celebrating Baby Lit, a series of board books featuring Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Dracula, A Christmas Carol, and other classic novels. And honestly, who doesn't love Mr. Darcy?
  
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Thanks for Your Patronage,
  
Daniel Goldin, with Amie, Anne, Conrad, Greg, Halley, Hannah, Jane, Jannis, Jason, Mel, Nick, Pam, Paul, Sharon, and Stacie.