Something New!!

Last month we suggested a Writer’s Group to meet here at the store. This month, because of the encouraging response we will hold our first meeting. This first meeting will be a “let’s get acquainted and organized” meeting. If you are interested and would like to join us, even if it’s just to see where we are going, please stop by. We’ll be meeting Tuesday evening, August 14, here at the store. For more information, just give us a call, or send an e-mail. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible. The welcome carpet is always out.

This Month’s Spotlight
By Mat King

I started reading Sci-Fi/Fantasy books when I was in Jr. High School. This is about the time that the Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms series where just kicking off. Now there are 100’s of books set in these worlds, but that’s really not important. I read these books for escape. Escape from my depressingly suburban environment.

A book I distinctly remember reading, was a book titled “Psion”, written by Joan D. Vinge. To summarize, this book was about a half-alien street urchin, Cat, who finds out he’s a very powerful telepath. There is a central theme about being different, and not really fitting in anywhere. I’ve always been smart. I took my SAT when I was in the 7th grade and scored like an average high-school graduate if I recall. (I never took it again) I’ve been using computers since I was about 7-8 years old. To say I felt like I didn’t fit in, at your typical suburban Jr. High would be an understatement. So this book really resonated with me. A specific quote from this book has always stayed in the back of my mind. So much so I kept it on my monitor at every job I’ve ever had.

“In the land of the blind, the one-eye’d man is stoned to death.”

This is an adaptation of the Latin proverb “In regione caecorum rex est luscus.” (trans. In the land of the blind, the one-eye’d man is King). The original proverb is pretty easy to understand. Essentially it is saying, when you can do what no one else can do, people look up to you and follow you. It has an optimistic outlook, that people will respect you for your difference, and they will look up to you. I think this is a very romantic outlook on life.

In my opinion the reality, especially in Jr. High School, is closer to the quote from the book. If your smarter than most kids, then you are made fun of. If you are different, for better or worse, you are ridiculed and parodied by everyone who is “normal”. If you are too far out there, people don’t trust you. They will in fact start to actively hate you for your differences. If your difference becomes something they fear, then you run the risk of indeed being (metaphorically or literally) stoned to death.

Even in Jr. High I understood the latter. So, I worked to fit in. I played sports, I joked in class, I rarely turned in homework and I barely graduated up from grade to grade. I cultivated this image of academic apathy, while still ravenously learning everything I could. Which created a glaring paradox inside me. I was a smart kid, who worked hard to be seen as dumb. I was an insecure and scared kid who built a tough, confident exterior.

What’s your point, Mat? Oh right. I recently re-read this book, and flew through all 266 pages in an afternoon. I realized that even 20 years later. These messages still apply to society at large. The masses are pressured into mediocrity, you feel that you have to conform to what is normal, never to stand out. Unless you are a rebel, and then you should stand out and be unique… just like everyone else. To me, … that just sucks!!!

“I’M LOOKING FOR……..”

We have collected a number of book titles and authors that our customers are looking for.  We do our best to notify them when the book they are interested in comes into the store on trade (all our inventory is from trade).  We will give double trade credit on these books should you happen across them.   

School Zone: Start to Read Books

Red River of the North Series by Lauraine Snelling

The Fields by Conrad Richter

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Mode Series by Piers Anthony

The Gor Series by John Norman

Orion by Brewer, Gail Giorgio

Perfect by Marne Davis Kellogg

Message from Nam by Danielle Steel

From Sue Grafton Mystery Series, A-H Hardback with dust jackets

Secrets of Paris by Luanne Rice

The Fountain by Darren Aronofsky

Diagnosis Murder Series, mysteries.

Left Behind by Lahaye and Jenkins. Hard Back with dust jacket

Any of the Hardy Boys books

Any Titles by Pearl Wilcox

Any Titles by Mercedes Lackey

Star Wars Picture Book (From the latest movies)

Gardening Book on Clematis

Doilie Patterns for Beginners

These books have been added to our WATCH list during the past month:

Bugs on the Farm (CD) by Carrie Blake-Brekke

The Bookseller of Kabul by Anne Seierstad and Ingrid Christophersen

Harry Potter (1-6) by A. K. Rowling

Any Titles by Emily Loring

Dates to Remember

August 8, (Wednesday) 10:00 A.M. Morning Book Club

August 14, (Tuesday 7:00 P.M. Writer’s Group

August 17, (Friday) 9:30 A.M. Story Lady

September 12, (Wednesday) 10:00 A.M. Morning Book Club

September 21, (Friday) 9:30 A.M. Story Lady

Don’t Forget!

The next time you are in our store, check out the bulletin board. We have space to post announcements for customers as well as notices of events. Feel free to bring in your own announcements to post. We’ll be happy to host your information, as well.

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