Wayson Choy - 20 April 1939 - 27 April 2019
So saddened this weekend to learn that Wayson Choy has died. He was a very sweet man and a wonderful writer – his words will live forever.
A decade ago we celebrated the publication of Not Yet.
News – End of April 2019
There have certainly been lots of showers – even snow – but there is hope that flowers and warm weather will soon follow.
Some of those who have come into the store in the past few weeks will have already been introduced to Patti Morel who has recently joined out staff. Patti will be familiar to many of you, as she has worked in other local businesses, and in fact once owned the toy store across the hall from Parry Sound Books. Though Patti is younger than I am, we are both thinking about the benefits of working less, and playing more. So, we will be figuring out how to job share this job as time goes on.
New and Noteworthy book received recently are –
The Power of Kindness by Dr. Brian Goldman is now out in paperback. Sub-titled “Why Empathy is Essential in Everyday Life” the author investigates why kindness is so vital to our existence.
Best Places to Bird in Ontario by Kenneth and Michael Burrell is just that – a guide by local experts, with insider knowledge, and where to locate those hard-to-find birds. With clear maps, beautiful colour photos, and a wealth of useful information.
Machines Like Me by Ian McEwan is considered “a subversive new novel”. This novel has characters asking, “whether a machine can understand the human heart”.
Anja De Jager has a new novel in the Lotte Meerman Mystery series, A Death in Rembrandt Square, a book that finds a cold case being re-opened midst accusations of a bungled operation. The previous installment in this series, Death on the Canal, is now out in paperback.
News Week of 9 April 2019
April showers today, again, and another dreary day. It feels like a very long and slow spring. But, our year end and inventory are complete and the store is filling up again. This week we have received new greeting cards and art supplies and of course an increasing selection of wonderful books!
May will be here before we know it along with the return of those who have gone south for the winter – and we will be ready.
We have a lovely assortment of Easter books for little people, a great selection of board books for babies, and novels for the older kids.
New and noteworthy this week
Birds of Eastern Canada – the 2nd edition of the DK guide – just in time for the return of the birds, this definitive field guide uses beautiful close-up photography to showcase over 350 bird species found in Eastern Canada.
The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear is the 15th in the Maisie Dobbs series of mystery novels. This one involves an investigation into the death of an American correspondent in London during the Blitz.
Transcription by Kate Atkinson is now out in paperback. This novel follows a woman from the Second World War, and her work for MI5, to the present time, as secrets are kept and revealed.
Warlight by Michael Ondaatje is also new in paperback. This is one of the best books you’ll read this year – the story of two abandoned teenagers in London in the days and years immediately following the Second World War.
The Man With No Face by Peter May is a new stand alone novel that takes place in Brussels, and a case that involves the death of a British Cabinet minister.
Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid by Jeff Kinney (of Wimpy Kid fame) brings us Rowley Jefferson’s Journal.
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
It is that time of year again – spring seems to finally be here, and once again I am looking for staff.
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 the schedule as long the store remains open!
You must be a person who pays attention to detail, and is 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 occasionally work less – I am looking for someone who is interested in making a commitment to this business, and to eventually work more as I work less.
If you are seriously interested please come see me so we can talk, to 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.
FRIDAY 29 MARCH 2019
The end of March - the end of winter!
We are now back to our regular hours - Monday - Saturday 9 am - 5:30 pm
Here are a couple of books, both in paperback, that I can unreservedly recommend to you this week.
A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza is a wonderful novel. Well written and perfectly plotted it is the story of a young couple from Bangalore who settle in California to raise their family and make a life in America. What follows is a fascinating story of family expectations and conflict through one generation and into the next. As the world changes around them, they change as well, some becoming more liberal, especially as America becomes more and more xenophobic. This is a completely absorbing novel that will change perceptions and leave you feeling you have just read a really great book.
The Friendly Ones by Philip Hensher is finally out in paperback! This book was a hard sell in hardcover, ugly cover, strange shape – but now in paperback I urge you to trust me and read it. It is, again, an immigrant story, this time set in London, England. We meet the family as they host a party, welcoming family and friends. Their neighbour observes from his side of the fence – and the relationship between the two families begins. I loved everything about this book – the writing, the characters, the changing world of the changes and shifting loyalties and relationships within the family.
Perhaps by the time you’ve read these it really will be spring.