The Learned Owl Book Shop, August 1, 2015
Kate's Corner

Happy August! What a scorcher July was, from the temperature, to the Sidewalk Sale, to the release of Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman. I know many of you have followed the story of this historic release and been skeptical. The early reports were not good - and why should they be? How many people have actually written a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel two times in their life? When we take a book written over 50 years ago and judge it by today's standards, it has no chance but to fail.

Since the release, I have had many reports on the book from within our own community ranging from good to great. Liz even called it "fabulous", and every single person said it was worth a read. I think we need to take a step back and remember why we read books. Most of us, whether we prefer fiction or nonfiction, are looking for a good story that gives us a look into other people's lives. They remind us that we are human, make mistakes, and even sometimes triumph. So put down those reviews, pick up Go Set a Watchman, and let us know what you think of it.

Thank you for your support, and happy reading!

- Kate
Coming
August 11:
Sweet and Tart
Author Carla Snyder will be visiting The Owl in October, but you can try out her recipes now!
Preorder book
Our famous Reverse Calendar Sale starts today!
20% off all 2016 calendars during August!
(in-stock only, no special orders)

Come talk about books
at our Learned Owl book groups

Monday, Aug. 10, 1 PM OR Tuesday, Aug. 11,
7 PM (at The Learned Owl)
Our Learned Owl Book Club discusses The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd.

Sunday, Aug. 16, 2 PM (at The Learned Owl)
The Learned Owl History Book Group discusses Ohio railroads. Read any book on the month's topic and join us!

Tuesday, Aug. 18, 7 PM (at The Learned Owl)
We've planned a one-time book discussion for Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman. All interested readers are invited to join us to discuss the book and enjoy snacks and drinks! Call 330-653-2252 to register.

Thursday, Aug. 27, 7 PM (location TBA)
Our Book Club in a Bar discusses The Maltese Falcon.
Meet the authors
Hudson, Akron, Cleveland, & beyond

Saturday, Aug. 1, 1-3 PM (at The Learned Owl)
Meet Mark J. Price, author of Lost Akron, a new book that looks back at the Akron of yesteryear.

Saturday, Aug. 8, 1-3 PM (at The Learned Owl)
Paul Moir, combat veteran, journeyman carpenter and debut author, will visit with his novel The Most Beautiful Woman in the World. This book is a an intoxicating blend of high fashion, industrial sabotage, alluring romance and hard-hitting action.

Hudson Saturday, Aug. 15, 1-3 PM (at Case-Barlow Farm)
Jill Grunenwald will be making an appearance at Case-Barlow Farm to talk about her new book about Hudson. Jill will also be available to personalize her book. Space for Jill's talk is limited, and there is a $10 recommended donation which goes to Case-Barlow Farm. We will be donating 10% of the book sales to the farm as well. Please call 330-653-2252 to reserve a spot for the author talk; signing and refreshments are open to the public.

Saturday, Aug. 29, 12-2 PM (at The Learned Owl)

Saturday, Aug. 29, 1-3 PM (at The Learned Owl)
Meet Sharona Hoffman, a professor of law and bioethics at Case Western Reserve University who has just published a book entitled Aging with a Plan: How a Little Thought Today Can Vastly Improve Your Tomorrow.
Sophie's Quest Meet the authors: for kids

Friday, Aug. 7, 1-3 PM (at The Learned Owl)
Twin sister authors Suzanne Cordatos (Lost Crown of Apollo) and Sonja Anderson (Sophie's Quest) have each written a middle grade adventure for readers from 8-12 years of age, and they will be talking about and selling their books. Suzanne and Sonja both graduated from Hudson High School in 1981.

Those Rockin' Cleveland Kids Saturday, Aug. 22, 1-3 PM (at The Learned Owl)
Dave Cockley, a Shaker Heights resident, has written a children's book entitled Those Rockin' Cleveland Kids. The book, which is illustrated with lots of photos, is the story of five kids and a teddy bear who visit landmarks in Cleveland including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Pierre's Ice Cream, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Museum of Art.
NEW and recommended

Kitchens of the Great Midwest
Kitchens of the Great Midwest
by J. Ryan Stradal
[Pamela Dorman Books, $25.00]
Kate says: Kitchens of the Great Midwest is absolutely delectable. Stradal has created a literary feast that will resonate with midwesterners and give others a glimpse into a world where food has the ability to shape the world and flavor memories. [read more]
Buy the bookBuy the eBook

Circling the Sun
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
[Ballantine Books, $28.00]
Louise says: East Africa in the early 1900s is one of my favorite time periods to read about. Reading about strong women in this time period makes it even better. Beryl Markham was a very colorful character, leading a life I may be a tad jealous of.
Buy the bookBuy the eBook Fishbowl


Fishbowl by Bradley Somer
[St. Martin's Press, $24.99; available Aug. 4]
Kate says: In Fishbowl, Bradley Somer does a brilliant job of developing characters and sharing with the reader a beautiful, scary, and wondrous snapshot of life in a high rise. [read more]

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MORE new books

The Dog Master
The Marriage of Opposites
Wind / Pinball
Just for kids?

What Pet Should I Get? What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss
[Random House, $17.99]
This never-ever-before-seen picture book by Dr. Seuss about making up one's mind is the literary equivalent of buried treasure! What happens when a brother and sister visit a pet store to pick a pet? Naturally, they can't choose just one! This is a must-have for Seuss fans and book collectors.
Buy the bookBuy the eBook

8 8: An Animal Alphabet by Elisha Cooper
[Orchard Books, $17.99]
Kate says: Beautifully illustrated with a fun take on the I Spy/counting concept.
Buy the bookBuy the eBook


Wild Feelings Wild Feelings by David Milgrim
[Henry Holt & Company, $16.99; Aug. 4]
In this lighthearted look at feelings, David Milgrim tenderly and humorously sketches the emotional range - from awkward to unnoticed, to really, rrrreally mad. Ultimately reassuring, this is a loving look at the normal, natural feelings we all have.
Kate says: Great book! Last page made me laugh out loud!
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Back to school!

Get ready with these books!
"Make it a rule never to give a child a book you would not read yourself."
 - George Bernard Shaw