NEWS WEEK OF 14 SEPTEMBER 2018

This has been a week of saying goodbye to many of the “summer people” and having time to say hello again to those who are here all year round. And a time at Parry Sound when stock changes and the new fall releases continue to arrive each day.

Some of the most notable this week are -

The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott is now in paperback. I loved this book! The story of a single mother, and Irish immigrant in Brooklyn in the early 20th century. It is hard to find words to describe this simple, beautiful, complicated and profound little book. Delicious. You will fall in love with the story, the characters, and the author.

French Exit is the most recent by Patrick De Witt. Described as a “tragedy of manners” this book is another witty caper by the author of The Sisters Brothers, such a hit a few years ago.

Buffy Sainte-Marie by Andrea Warner is the authorized biography of this Canadian Icon – Folk hero, songwriter, activist and living legend, and the unforgettable voice of my generation.

Dam Busters by Ted Barris tells the story of the Canadian Airmen and the Secret Raid Against Nazi Germany. Based on interviews, personal accounts, flight logs, maps and photographs of the Canadians involved in the night raid against the hydroelectric dams of Germany’s Ruhr River.

A Casualty of War, the 8th in the Bess Crawford Mystery series by mother and son writing pair Charles Todd, is now in paperback. As the Great War nears its end Bess is confronted by a puzzling case of unexpected danger.

We have just received a new selection of Cobble Hill jigsaw puzzles, and more are on the way from Eurographics and Ravensburger.

The arrival of new books each and every day always makes a visit to Parry Sound Books worthwhile!

BOBBY – My Story in Pictures - AUTOGRAPHED COPIES

BOBBY – My Story in Pictures

The incredible story of the life and phenomenal career of hockey's most legendary superstar, told through never-before-seen photographs. 

NOW IN STOCK !

Autographed copies available.

With each purchase you will receive a gift card for $5, with our thanks, to celebrate our 30 years of bookselling in Parry Sound.

The name Bobby Orr has become synonymous with greatness. With sublime, seemingly effortless grace. With complete dominance over his peers. But also with humility. 

No one who has ever played the game casts quite as long a shadow into legend. And yet, behind the statistics, the trophies, and the championships is the man himself. The son and brother, the teammate, the husband and father. There were losses to go along with the victories, disappointments alongside the accomplishments. Without those people around him, and without the challenges along the way, the triumphs would have meant much less. 

Now, for the first time, Orr opens up about these chapters in his life and the people he shared them with, telling his story though his personal collection of photos. Capturing not only a legendary career and incredible life, Orr: My Story in Photos also brings into focus a different time, when the hockey was grittier and being a good person was as important as being a great athlete.

Intimate, thoughtful, and full of never-before-seen shots of Bobby Orr and those close to him, Orr: My Story in Photos is a glimpse into the world of the game's most revered star.

NEWS WEEK OF 7 SEPTEMBER 2018

FRIDAY – AGAIN !!

Summer is over, the kids are back at school and we can take a deep breath and think of enjoying a lovely fall – and all of the great books that come in the door at this time of year.

Some of the most notable recently 

Talking Women by Miriam Towes

Described as her most astonishing novel to date, containing within its two short days and hayloft setting an expansive, timeless universe of thinking and feeling about women – and men – in our contemporary world.

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

The publisher of this novel has personally assured me it is astounding! From the blistering fields of the Caribbean to the frozen Far North, from the earliest aquariums of London to the eerie deserts of Morocco – an electrifying story of self invention and betrayal, of love and redemption. It is next on my “to read” pile.

But, first I am reading

Machine Without Horses by Helen Humphreys.

I made the mistake of starting this book at 11 pm last night and wish I could have kept reading!! Helen Humphreys is such a magical writer – with such compassion for her subject and her readers – I am swept away in wonder!

Fear by Bob Woodward

Lots of hype – and perhaps this time it is warranted. Bob Woodward has a reputation for excellence in journalism and as a man with integrity.

HELP WANTED

HELP!

I need a flexible part-time year round employee! To start immediately.

You will need to be willing to work, independently, one or two, or three days a week all year round – more in the summer and two or three full weeks at a time in the spring and fall months so I can be away from the store. I am always willing to be flexible about schedule as long the store remains open!

Not only must you be a voracious reader, you must be a person who pays attention to detail, and are literate, friendly, responsible, honest and ready to learn all the many procedures involved in retail bookselling.

I have no desire to retire but I would like to work less. I am looking for someone who is interested in making a commitment to learn this business, and to eventually work more as I work less.

If you are seriously interested please come see me so we can talk, and see if we might suit each other, and if the job suits you.

Being tech savvy in the use of Facebook and twitter and the like would also be useful.

NEWS WEEK OF 9 AUGUST 2018

A SUMMER OF EXTREME HEAT, WORRY ABOUT FOREST FIRES, AND BUSY DAYS AT PARRY SOUND BOOKS.

Just a few more days until Steve Burrows, the author of the Birder Murder Mystery Series, appears at Trestle Brewing Company. Look at our Author Events listing for more information – there are still some tickets available.

NEW & NOTEWORTY THIS WEEK

Hillbilly Elegy, A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance is now in paperback.

Our Homesick Songs by Emma Hooper, is new from the author of Etta and Otto and Russell and James. Set in Newfoundland in 1992 the story unfolds as an outport village is abandoned and the residents re-settled.

Seven Stones to Stand or Fall – a Collection of Outlander Fiction by Diana Gabaldon is now in paperback.

War in Val D’Orca – An Italian War Diary, 1943-44 by Iris Origo has been re-issued with an introduction by Virginia Nicholson. I read this book several years ago and found it a fascinating story of the life of a woman with American and Irish/Anglo heritage who married an Italian in 1924. They established a home south of Montepulciano, a farm and a garden. There they survive the Second World War, a very challenging experience. The farm is now open to the public and well worth a visit – read this book first, and the excellent biography of Iris Origo by Caroline Moorehead. You will see a full review, written in 2010, on our website.

So Much Left Over by Louis de Bernières is now on the top of my “to read” pile. This new novel is described as a “sort of sequel” to the story that begins in The Dust That Falls from Dreams – a novel I loved, and I look forward to being reacquainted with the characters first met there.