Happy New Year!
Nostalgia rules. 2007 has been filled with good things for us, here at the store. We’ve added many new friends and enjoyed good times and good reads with our old friends. We started a Writer’s Group this year, added shelves to the book cases, and our website went on-line. We wish you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
Beth King and Marilyn Miller
Store Events in January
January 17, 31 (Thursdays) 7:00 P.M. Parkside Writers Group
January 9, (Wednesday) 10:00 A.M. Morning Book Club
January 18, (Friday) 9:30 A.M. Story Lady
Here's a short story to get your New Year off to a great start.
Mission: Resolution
Agent Jason Stone approached the front door warily. He checked behind him; no sign that he was followed here. The street was quiet, with streetlights casting halos that clung to the road, leaving the yard and entryway cloaked in the late-night darkness.
Pressing a small button on his key chain, a dim LED illuminated the lock. He selected a key and carefully slid it into the cylinder. Soundlessly he opened the deadbolt, swung the door open and stepped into the foyer.
The first floor was clear, but what he was looking for was on the second floor. Jason tested the steps. No squeak, he was in luck. At the top of the stairs he took the hallway to his right, second door on the left. He turned the knob and peered in.
Clare was asleep, as he had anticipated. He watched her from the door for a moment, drinking in her beauty as she breathed softly.
Next he moved back down the hallway to the door he had passed by. He rested his hand on the knob and paused. He wondered if he was too late. Slowly he pushed the door open to find Michael's eyes fixed upon him. "Come in, Agent Stone."
Jason stepped into the room and casually draped his jacket over the chair. "Good evening, 006. Is everything in order?"
Michael smiled. "You're the one coming back in from a mission. How did it go?"
Agent Stone smiled in return. "Well enough, I suppose. I made it back in one piece. You're up late."
"I worry about you when you're out. Anyway, 'M' is waiting for you."
Jason nodded and picked his jacket up. "Well, I'd best report in, then. See you in the morning."
Proceeding past the staircase, Jason approached the final door at the other end of the hallway. He opened the door slightly. The lights were out, but he could tell that 'M' was there.
He hung his jacket in the closet and changed into his PJs. Slipping under the sheets, he wrapped his arms around Maggie and kissed her passionately. She touched his lips with her finger. "Are you still playing that silly 'Secret Agent' game with Michael?"
"Who? You mean 006? That's his age. It's hard to believe that clare is almost nine now. I'm glad I resolved to take the late flight home after the conference instead of waiting until tomorrow. I miss you guys something awful. Family comes first this year."
Maggie smiled. "I resolve to love you even more," she whispered. "It's a new year, Agent Jason Stone, and your new mission is to be the perfect family man."
Jason grinned. "Now some resolutions you just want to keep."
Duane Porter - January 01, 2008
This Month’s Spotlight
By Mat King
Tales of the Otori Book I : Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn
From The Cover of the Book: In his black-walled fortress at Inuyama, the warlord Iida Sadamu surveys his famous nightingale floor. Constructed with exquisite skill, it sings at the tread of each human foot. No assassin can cross it unheard.
The youth Takeo has been brought up in a remote mountain village among the Hidden, a reclusive and spiritual people who have taught him only the ways of peace. But unbeknownst to him, his father was a celebrated assassin and a member of the Tribe, an ancient network of families with extraordinary, preternatural skills. When Takeo’s village is pillaged, he is rescued and adopted by the mysterious Lord Otori Shigeru. Under the tutelage of Shigeru, he learns that he too possesses the skills of the Tribe, and with this knowledge he embarks on a journey that will lead him across the nightingale floor and to his destiny within the walls of Inuyama.
Sometimes when your walking through the book store, a book just calls to you. The cover, the a genre, the title… It just clicks and you find yourself wanting to stop everything and read it right there. (Personally I think that this is why there are comfy lounge chairs at most bookstores.)
This book wasn’t quite that kind of book for me. It was however very close. I’ve always loved the ideals of the Samurai. They seemed to be the most well rounded class of humans. They have an almost fanatical dedication to art, appreciating it in everything from martial arts, building, nature, writing….even one simple Kanji character is a miniature work of art. This appreciation tempers the more vulgar parts of their lives such as war and killing. I don’t think I even need to touch on the idea of personal Honor… Which is something this country is in desperate need of.
It is not set in Japan. However, it’s set in a place and time almost identical to Feudal Japan, but the geography and the events are purely fictitious. I only mention this because in reading this book it is easy to forget.
Overall this book is a great story. There are some parts I don’t agree with, but it was well written and the story flows so you don’t find yourself wondering “What the?!”. As strange is it sounds, it flows like a Swords & Sorcery type novel. That is to say the plot isn’t too complex, and it leaves plenty to the reader to picture, but not to much. It does evoke questions of “What would I do?”, and even may get you to start listening more, and talk a little less… which I don’t know about you, but people tell me I could use a bit of that advice.
Our Customers are looking for these books
Darren Aronofsky, The Fountain
Carrie Blake-Brekke, Bugs on the Farm (CD)
Gail Giorgio Brewer, Orion
Kristen Britain, First Rider’s Call
Don Brown, Terror Series (Treason, Hostage, Defiance)
e.e. cummings, any titles
Gingrich/ Forstchen, Gettysburg
Marne D Kellogg, Perfect
Ted Kooser, any titles
Lahaye and Jenkins, Left Behind (HB/DJ)
Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
Emily Loring, any titles
George R. Martin, Storm of Swords
George R. Martin, Clash of Kings
Fern Michaels, Fool Me Once
Fern Michaels, Sweet Revenue
David Ray, any titles
Luanne Rice, Secrets of Paris
Luanne Rice, Stone Heart
Conrad Richter, The Fields
Nora Roberts, Night Moves
Martin Cruz Smith, The Indians Won
Pearl Wilcox, any titles
P.G. Wodehouse, any titles
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