Christie's Picks

Hello! It's been awhile. Mark and I recently decided to start something new in the Children's Room, Christie's Picks and Mark's Picks. I have spent a large part of my life in book "research" (meaning, carrying books with me everywhere and reading them any spare moment I can find) so why not share my favorites with those who are looking for new books.

My first list is five books for twelve year olds. They are a mix of books that I read when I was twelve and books that I have read in the past year or two.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
The perfect book for any free spirit, or someone who strives to be one.

Under Sea, Over Stone by Susan Cooper
A classic tale of the battle between good and evil, centered around the quest of three siblings to find the Holy Grail.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
A great adventure story at sea about a very daring girl!

The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
This quirky and hilarious book is about two children who are on a mission to solve the mystery of a missing magician.

Redwall by Brian Jacques
In the first book of an amazing series, animals have to protect the peaceful Redwall Abbey from an evil one-eyed rat.


How many of these books have you read? What books would you add to the list?

New Year's Eve

Happy New Year! So, one of my three resolutions in the new year is to keep track of every book I read in 2011. I will be curious to see how many books this is. I'm guessing that I read about 200 books a year. That sounds like a lot, but I read a lot of children's books that only take a night to read. I read every day for about two to three hours, but sometimes I don't read at all for a few days. We shall see.
I just read the first five books of the Chronicles of Narnia over the past few days. I am a bit surprised that kids take to them like they do because I find the enjoyment for me is in the little details. I read a biography of Lewis and many of his colleagues at Oxford thought he was the most well-read man in history. And so when I read his story about a battle, or how a dragon acts, it rings true and of erudition and knowledge. I guess kids would pick up on that as well. And one thing that is over-arching among all the books that I'm sure kids love as much as I do is the sense of moral goodness. In a profound way too, that you don't find in modern life too much. I think it is the religious nature of the goodness that makes it so full and the religious mythology that gives it an interesting back story and fullness.
So much power in Lewis' writing and nobility and whimsy and fun. My first book of 2011 will be Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Once I'm done with that I'm going to dash through Waiter Rant. I picked it up today in Newburyport. (You probably don't know this but as a member of the Eternal Book Guild I am obligated to buy a book in every book shop I enter).
I've read about the first 50 pages of Waiter Rant and it is good. But I pretty much know everything in the book from the other restaurant and cookbooks I've read. He really should have made the book a personal narrative about why he fell into waitering and how he can't get out. That is the most interesting part of the book. Silly stories about bad customers and bad tippers are mildly fun, but do not a book make.
Then back to Narnia. By the way, hordes of Manchester By the Book blog readers : January 2011 is C.S. Lewis month in our store, meaning we have his books displayed and discounted, and we a having a cocktail party on January 29th at 7 p.m. which we be Lewis themed. You can ask me about the Eternal Book Guild at the party, but I doubt if I will tell you.

Looking for the perfect holiday gift?

Look no further! Manchester by the Book is here for you. Here are a few hand-picked (and gorgeously photographed) selections!

Also, at the bottom of this post we've compiled list of a few of our rarer items. If you're seeking for a serious gift for a lover of literature, you've come to the right place.

If you see anything you're interested in or would like to request more information about a book, just email or call us!

Don't forget that Manchester By the Book will wrap your gift for FREE!

Here's how to reach us:
by way of the internet - manchesterbythebook@gmail.com
&
by way of the telephone - (978) 525-2929

Doctor Dolittle's Garden by Hugh Lofting
$17.50
Sheep Puppet
$18

For the lover of animals! The Dr. Dolittle series is a fun series and the old hardcover editions are very attractive gifts!

Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
$25
Horse Puppet
$30
Give someone a childhood favorite! This beautiful copy of "Misty of Chicoteague" is a first edition.

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
$45

This is a really wonderful book that comes highly recommended by the entire staff of Manchester By the Book. Although we have a few editions, the one pictured is a facsimile of the First Edition. It comes with a lovely slip cover and, in my humble opinion, would be very aesthetically pleasing with a crimson bow.

Rabbit is Rich by John Updike
$15

Give the gift of a local author! Manchester By the Book has many first editions and signed copies of the works of John Updike. This one, "Rabbit is Rich" is a first edition hardcover.

The Once and Future King by T.H. White
$10
This copy of T.H. White's classic tale of King Arthur, "The Once and Future King" contains all four books ("The Sword in the Stone," "The Queen of Air and Darkness," "The Ill-Made Knight," and "The Candle in the Wind.") It is the perfect book for the lover of fantasy and myth.

Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison
$11.95
For mothers in a hurry! This brand new SIGNED copy of Katrina Kenison's "Mitten Strings for God" is the perfect gift for mothers, new or old.
Nancy Drew and the Clue in the Jewel Box by Carolyn Keene.
$25
A great gift to remind someone of their childhood (or to give to a child!) We have many different copies of the Nancy Drew series. Pick your favorite edition!


Andre the Giant: a Legendary Life
$8
This is a flawless gift for your most massive friend!


On Dreams by Freud
$5
The Interpretation of Dreams
$10
Dreams by Jung
$8.95
For the psychological scholar or the interpreter of dreams!

Boston's Gold Coast by Joseph Garland
$25
Old Homes of New England: Historic Houses in Clapboard, Shingle and Stone
$35
The North Shore is the perfect place to live, why not celebrate it in a gift?

The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura
$12.95 (new)
This is a classic book about Japanese Teaism and Tea culture. Okakura touches on philosophical traditions ranging from Taoism to Zen Buddhism. The Book of Tea is a celebration of tranquility and simplicity. Also, Okakura was friends with Isabella Stewart Gardener, which proves that he was (at the very least) cool.

Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's Guide
$5
Do you need to send a polite but firm hint to your friend that serves Pabst Blue Ribbon at every dinner party? Then this is the perfect gift! Ring in the New Year with gallons of Nashville Eggnog instead of a cooler of watery brews! The whole party will thank you.

Mushroom Cookery by Helmut Ripperger
$17.50
This is a First Edition cookbook printed in 1941. Serious mushroom cooks will be thrilled to find this gem in their stocking. The recipes range from Hungarian Mushroom Soup to Chinese Stuffed Mushrooms. There is a dish for every shroomy palate!

Organic Gardening by Maria Rodale
$10
Organic Gardening by Geoff Hamilton
$8.95

Is your neighbor's compost pile coming dangerously close to ruining your friendship? Then give the gift of Organic Gardening. This gift sends the message that you approve of his or her passion for GREEN, but you will only endure the rotting matter if they use it to grow something delightful.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking
Julia Child
$89.95 (new)

This beautiful box set is the perfect gift for your B.C.F. (B.C.F. stands for Best Chef Friend, for those of you that don't have one.) Mastering the Art of French Cooking would also appeal to your M.S.S.F.F. (Meryl Streep Super-Fan Friend), as it is the book that appears in the hit movie Julie and Julia.

Searching for Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead by Phil Lesh
$10

This book would make a perfect gift for your favorite deadhead. Searching for Sound is also perfect for the musical anthropologist man or woman in your life who's focused field of study is "bands that like bears."

Death of a Lady's Man by Leonard Cohen
$45 (first edition)

This book is incredible and this edition is hard to find. Please buy this book for me. I love you and I'll always be there for you. (your friend, Laura)

RARE AND FANCY BOOKS:

Robert Penn Warren
New and Selected Poems : 1923-1985
First Edition and signed by Robert Penn Warren
$100

Joyce Carol Oates
Funland
Signed by Joyce Carol Oates. Limited edition of 150 copies. We have #17!
$105

also by Joyce Carol Oates
Invisible Woman : New and Selected Poems 1970-1982
Inscribed by Joyce Carol Oates to poet, essayist and editor Peter Davison.
$50

Margaret Thatcher
Statecraft : Strategies for a Changing World
Signed by Margaret Thatcher. Also signed and dated by Thatcher on a 'Certificate of Authenticity,' that is laid in.
$195

Edward Gorey
The Glorious Nosebleed : Fifth Alphabet
Signed by Edward Gorey.
$150

also signed by Gorey
The Curious Sofa By Ogdred Weary
$125

ALSO signed by Gorey
The Headless Bust : a Melancholy Meditation on the False Millennium
First Edition!
$95

John Barth
The Literature of Exhaustion and the Literature of Replenishment
Signed by John Barth and a Limited Edition Presentation Copy
$100

Anne Sexton
Transformations
First Edition, First Printing and signed by Anne Sexton and the illustrator!
$275

John Updike
The Afterlife and Other Stories
First Edition, First Printing and signed by John Updike.
$65

Maxine Kumin
Up Country : Poems of New England - New and Selected
Signed by Maxine Kumin

Edward Albee
The Wounding : An Essay on Education
Signed by Edward Albee and a First Edition.
$35

Willa Cather
Shadows on the Rock
Signed by Willa Cather and number 197 of 619 copies. First Edition.
$400

Tennessee Williams
Small Craft Warnings (book, script, 3 sheets of cast photos, and postcard of Play Preview invitation)
Inscribed by Tennessee Williams. Inscription states, "To Mario, With Love, Tennessee." Inscription is believed to be for Mario deMaria, who was a producer of the play. 35 photographs.
$450

Staff Pick: Christie

Travels With Charley

By John Steinbeck

I was into this book on the first page. So much so that I typed out the first three paragraphs during a Skype conversation with my friend who lives in Serbia. She thought the beginning was wonderful as well.

Travels with Charley is exactly what it sounds like. John Steinbeck decides to go on a cross country trip with his dog Charley in order to rediscover America. It gives beautiful descriptions of all parts of America during the early 1960s. Overall, this book just gave me the same sort of wanderlust that Steinbeck seemed to have.

Young Adult Fiction 10/11/2010

The Trolls

by Polly Horvath

The Trolls is yet another book by Polly Horvath that has me convinced that she is one of the best children's book writers today. It is the story of three children whose aunt babysits them while their parents are on vacation. During this time, their aunt tells them stories from their father's past. Some are funny, some are sad, some are a bit frightening. What is true about all of them is that it teaches the children a lot more about their family.

Not only does The Trolls have Polly Horvath's trademark humor, it ends on a serious note, which has kept me thinking about it days after I have read it. It is simple enough for middle schoolers to read, but older people can get something out of it as well. Well done, Polly Horvath, yet again.

JERRY SPINELLI!

The other day, we received mail from Jerry Spinelli himself! It was pretty awesome, and I think I am still reeling from it a bit.

This is what he sent:
His letter was a response to one we had sent a few months ago, proclaiming our love for all things Stargirl that included this picture to show that I loved Stargirl enough to get it tattooed on my arm.
He sent us temporary tattoos, for those who want to show their Stargirl love a little less drastically. All in all, it was awesome.

Store Updates!

Hello All,

So much has happened since last entry. Our children's room got an amazing update - brand new wood floors! They look absolutely fantastic and make reading on the bean bag chairs even better. Here's a photo:

Not only did we get beautiful new floors, we just got a shipment in of new puppets! I spent a good chunk of time processing them today, and they are all so cute! My favorites? I think the octopus is pretty rad, and the turtle wearing a turtleneck is just kind of funny. We got in a bunch of new finger puppets as well - super sweet chicks, black woolly sheep, and more!

You can check out the new and improved children's room TOMORROW when you come to our monthly Poetry Open Mic Night. In case you forgot, it is on October 2 at 7:30pm. If you can't come them, stop in anyways and ask about the other events coming up!

See you soon,

Christie