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For September, we couldn’t pick just one book. We tossed around many ideas, and found that these two titles are absolutely well worth reading!
The first is Riding Invisible, by Sandra Alonzo. This is a fantastic YA novel that I reviewed on the site a while back, but it definitely deserves a better spotlight. Michael’s teenage son Nick read it over the summer, and he said it was “the best book he had ever read”. As if it needed more praise, the American Library Association, through its Young Adult Library Services Association, has nominated it for its Best in YA Fiction award, which we think is incredibly awesome!
We plan to have Sandy join us sometime in September for a signing, so stay tuned for news on that!
The second is Lies Across America by James W. Loewen. Lies My Teacher Told Me has been one of our summer bestsellers, and we felt that Loewen’s later book detailing the mistruths, mistakes and misconceptions of several of the country’s monuments, road markers and historical sites would be a fine addition to the store. He also clears up the mysteries in his likable, to-the-point writing style. I adore Loewen’s work, and consider this to be a phenomenal piece of U.S. History that is most deserving of your time.
Both of these excellent books will be 20% off during the month of September! Ask us about them if you’d like to know more – I know I’ll happily share why I got so into them!
Since Labor Day is right around the corner, I figured a poem about laboring would be appropriate. This is by Longfellow, one of America’s legendary poets.
THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH
Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.
His hair is crisp, and black, and long,
His face is like the tan;
His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He earns whate’er he can,
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.
Week in, week out, from morn till night,
You can hear his bellows blow;
You can hear him swing his heavy sledge,
With measured beat and slow,
Like a sexton ringing the village bell,
When the evening sun is low.
And children coming home from school
Look in at the open door;
They love to see the flaming forge,
And hear the bellows roar,
And catch the burning sparks that fly
Like chaff from a threshing-floor.
He goes on Sunday to the church,
And sits among his boys;
He hears the parson pray and preach,
He hears his daughter’s voice,
Singing in the village choir,
And it makes his heart rejoice.
It sounds to him like her mother’s voice,
Singing in Paradise!
He needs must think of her once more,
How in the grave she lies;
And with his hard, rough hand he wipes
A tear out of his eyes.
Toiling,—rejoicing,—sorrowing,
Onward through life he goes;
Each morning sees some task begin,
Each evening sees it close;
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night’s repose.
Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend,
For the lesson thou hast taught!
Thus at the flaming forge of life
Our fortunes must be wrought;
Thus on its sounding anvil shaped
Each burning deed and though
Sue’s event with us was great – she worked on a new piece on Mercer Caverns the duration of her stay, which was quite fascinating to watch, and had several guests chat her up about her work. Thanks for coming, Sue!
We will have refreshments on hand. If you need a little reprieve from the excitement of the County Fair, the Art Hop is a fantastic way to wind down! We are one of many vendors featuring an artist that evening, so come take a walk on the town!
This week hasn’t panned out well for me in terms of blogging, but I’ll definitely try to get back on the wagon next Monday. Have a good weekend!
As I expected, Mary Roach’s latest book thus far has been both intriguing and a riot to read. Roach has an amazing talent for combining intensely humorous situations with a fascinating amount of information that makes me thirst for more. She’s tackling space travel in a remarkably fresh, yet typical, way. By typical, I mean that it’s reminding me of the joys I had with Bonk, but is instead taking on the subject of space travel with her usual wit. She’s a phenomenal writer, and I can’t wait to continue getting deeper into the book.
Our friends over at Gallery 7 had a spectacular opening tonight, selling several pieces and cards to tourists and locals alike! Congrats to them all for a great grand opening, and we hope that they continue to do well!
wotwjerry
