Thursday, April 17 — There are few perks better than working in a place with thousands of used books waiting to be explored whenever the mood strikes. There are surprises and delights on every shelf. I'm happy to report on what I find, so here are the highlights of the most recent expedition. This list comes from the Grand Rapids store, so folks in Lansing will need to check on the availability of these. And they're first come, first served, so if you see something you have to have, give us a call and we'll set it aside for you. Here's what we're reading:
A DANCE WITH DRAGONS - George R.R. Martin
If you're busy catching up on the books because you're trying to stay ahead of the story on TV, here's a way to get a lovely copy of the most recent one for the price of a paperback. This one won't be here long. Hardcover $12.00
CASE HISTORIES - Kate Atkinson
ONE GOOD TURN - Kate Atkinson
Those of you who, like me, became acquainted with Ms. Atkinson through last year's amazing LIFE AFTER LIFE can get to know her better through a couple of her previous books. Paperback $6.00 each
LOST LUGGAGE - Jordi Punti
RIVERS - Michael Farris Smith
Two novels from 2013 that I loved and wrote about more than once. They didn't exactly become runaway bestsellers because of my recommendations, but they should have. Both very nice copies, both more than worth the small price tag. LUGGAGE - Paperback $6.00, RIVERS - Hardcover $7.50
A WIDOW FOR ONE YEAR - John Irving
My second favorite novel by my favorite novelist. A beautiful first-edition (but not first printing, for those of you who care about such things). Hardcover $7.50
DUTY: MEMOIRS OF A SECRETARY AT WAR - Robert Gates
Sometimes a book's ink is barely dry before we get a copy sold back to us. It hasn't been very long since this one was making waves in the news on a daily basis. Hardcover $16.00
MY NEW AMERICAN LIFE - Francine Prose
I'm a big fan, ever since I read her nonfiction READING LIKE A WRITER. She's every bit as compelling with her fiction and I'd recommend getting to know her work. Hardcover $7.50
A beautiful graphic novel biography of the Nobel-winning physicist. Could any book be more geek-tastic? Hardcover $12.00
THE BEST MUSIC YOU'VE NEVER HEARD - Nigel Williamson
Part of the Rough Guide series, from a noted British music writer and critic. I follow popular music obsessivly, and there were still a lot of entries who were new to me. Paperback $7.00
FURIOUS COOL: RICHARD PRYOR AND THE WORLD THAT MADE HIM - Joe & David Henry
One of the truly original and memorable celebrity bios I've come across. The Henry brothers paint a complex picture of a complex man. I listened to hours of his comedy recordings in the days after I read this. Hardcover $7.50
THE REAL MAD MEN - Andrew Cracknell
If the Mad Men TV series has piqued your interest in the advertising world of the middle of the last century, this is exactly what it says - the story of the real Don Drapers. Hardcover $7.50
THE BEST POEMS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE - Harold Bloom
A beautiful doorstop of a gift book for the right person (yourself?). British and American poetry ranging from Chaucer to Frost. A lot of beautiful phrases covering almost 1000 pages. Hardcover $10.00
THE THOUSAND RECIPE CHINESE COOKBOOK - Gloria Miller
This was the most nostalgic find for me. Back in my early days of learning to cook, I found this book on a relative's shelf and it became my introduction to what Chinese cooking was. I was thrilled to see it again, like an old friend. One of the classics. Paperback $8.00
PLEASE NOTE: I included the links to our website so you can read more about the titles on the list, if you wish. These aren't the links to the used versions of the books - used books can't be ordered through our website. But trust me, they're on the shelf at 28th Street. At least they are today.
Until next week,
Neil
NeilNeil Rajala is Currently Director of Community & Business Services for Schuler Books, Neil's decade with the company has included the wearing of many different hats - and lots and lots of reading.
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