Learned Owl Book Shop

The Learned Owl Book Shop, March 15, 2015
Kate's Corner

Happy second anniversary! Two short and at the same time long years ago today, Liz and I were signing the papers. As I often do the night before a newsletter goes out, I was trying to find just the right thing to write, especially on a day that is so important to me. This month I found inspiration in an advanced reading copy of a book coming out in June called The Little Paris Bookshop. With most of my favorite books these days, the main character is a bookseller, Perdu. He owns a floating book barge in Paris called the Literary Apothecary. On this barge he doesn't just sell books, he prescribes books to heal various ailments of the body and soul. At about 2 AM this morning, I read "...Perdu reflected that it was a common misconception that booksellers looked after books. They look after people."

I often jokingly say that booksellers are the bartenders of the book world, and this passage makes me think that maybe this isn't such a joke after all. Booksellers interact with their customers every day. We know when it is a good day or bad, about the births, deaths, and all the milestones of life in between. Within our communities we create a family and sense of home when you walk through the door. For this, I can not thank all of you enough for being a part of our family and sharing your lives with us. There isn't anywhere else I would rather be. 

Happy reading!
- Kate
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This month at
The Learned Owl

Friday, March 20,
11 AM (at The Owl)
We'll celebrate the first day of spring by reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Come for storytime and stay to color your own butterfly mask.

Saturday, March 21,
1 PM (at The Owl)
Author Dixiane Hallaj with Born a Refugee, Aunt Nellie B, and others.

Thursday, March 26,
7 PM (location TBA)
Our Book Club in a Bar welcomes author Amanda Flower as we discuss her book Murder, Plain and Simple.

Saturday, March 28,
1-3 PM (at The Owl)
Bill Rapp, thriller and mystery writer, will introduce his newest book, Tears of Innocence.

Thursday, April 2, 7 PM (at the Hudson Library)
Mike Olszewski, author of Cleveland TV Tales: Stories from the Golden Age of Local Television, and WKSU's Kabir Bhatia will take a time trip back to the days of Ghoulardi, Barnaby and Dorothy. Register online, or call 330.653.6658 x1010.

Saturday, April 4,
1 PM (at The Owl)
Liz Ferro, founder of Girls with Sole, will discuss her inspirational program and sell her book, Finish Line Feeling.

Today (Sunday) is the last day of our ANNIVERSARY SALE:
Buy two books, and the less expensive one is 40% off.
(Special orders not included.)
Stock up for Spring Break reading!
Now in paperback, for your Spring Break travels:
Adult fiction

The Reluctant Midwife
To Rise Again at a Decent Hour
The Husband's Secret
Frog Music
Boy, Snow, Bird
Fourth of July Creek
Splinters of Light
Dog Crazy
Now in paperback:
Mysteries

The Faces of God
Death on Blackheath
I Can See in the Dark
Borrowed Crime
A Dark and Twisted Tide
The Boy in the Suitcase
We recommend: New storybooks to share

by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
[Chronicle Books, $16.99]
From the author of Learned Owl favorite Over and Under the Snow! Discover the wonders that lie hidden between stalks, under the shade of leaves, and down in the dirt. Explore the hidden world and many lives of a garden through the course of a year! Up in the garden, the world is full of green - leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt exists a busy world - earthworms dig, snakes hunt, skunks burrow - populated by all the animals that make a garden their home.
Buy the bookBuy the eBook

Monkey and Duck Quack Up!Monkey and Duck Quack Up!
by Jennifer Hamburg, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
[Scholastic Press, $17.99]
Katherine says: Hilarious! I want to go find a small child to read this to!
Monkey and Duck enter a rhyming contest but there is one problem: All Duck says is "quack." How will they ever win that three-day cruise?
Buy the bookBuy the eBook

Marilyn's Monster Marilyn's Monster by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Matt Phelan
[Candlewick Press, $15.99]
Some of the kids in Marilyn's class have monsters. Marilyn doesn't have hers yet, but she can't just go out and look for one. Your monster has to find you. That's just the way it works. Marilyn tries to be patient and the kind of girl no monster can resist, but her monster doesn't come. Could she go out and search for him herself? Even if that's not the way it works? From favorite picture-book creators Michelle Knudsen and Matt Phelan comes a story about one little girl and the perfect monster she knows is out there... and what happens when she decides she's waited long enough.
Buy the book

Special Delivery Special Delivery by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell
[Roaring Brook Press, $17.99]
Sadie is on her way to deliver an elephant to her Great-Aunt Josephine, who lives almost completely alone and can really use the company. She tries everything from mailing the elephant to boarding a plane, a train, and an alligator to get to her aunt's home. Along the way she meets an odd postal worker and a gang of bandit monkeys, who all help her get where she is going.
This eccentric and hilarious story will surprise and entertain from beginning to end.
Buy the bookGoogle Preview
We recommend: For kids

Roller GirlRoller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
[Dial Books, $12.99]
Katherine says: I loved this book! I really identified with Astrid and her struggles and determination - and I learned about a cool sport that I didn't even know existed.
In her graphic novel debut, real-life derby girl Victoria Jamieson has created an inspiring coming-of-age story about friendship, perseverence, and girl power.

Kate recommends:
Ms. Rapscott's GirlsMs. Rapscott's Girls by Elise Primavera
[Dial Books, $16.99]
Nestled inside a lighthouse, Great Rapscott School for the Daughters of Busy Parents takes its motto from Amelia Earhart: Adventure is worthwhile in itself. Headmistress Ms. Rapscott couldn't agree more, but her students, who are shipped to the school in boxes, could use a little convincing. Still, despite their initial reluctance, the students are soon soaring through the sky and getting lost on purpose. In addition to learning what birthday cakes are and how best to approach a bumbershoot tree, the students also manage to learn a little something about strength and bravery.
Bestselling author Elise Primavera has created an irresistible, richly illustrated story about finding your way.
Buy the bookBuy the eBook
Now in paperback:
For young adults

The Geography of You & Me
The Assassin's Blade
Dorothy Must Die
Open Road Summer
Rebel Belle
The Slanted Worlds
Elusion
Sea of Shadows
Thanks for supporting The Learned Owl Book Shop. Happy reading!