TSS – High School Book Drive Wrap-up

May 292011

You may remember that over the last couple months I was soliciting books from people cleaning off their shelves for the students at my husband’s school. We ended up receiving about 400 books, not counting the ones that I pulled off my shelves.

That means I owe about $80 to First Book, with which they will be able to buy another 40 books for young children. So thank you, all of you readers and bloggers who participated, and thank you to the employees of Random House and HarperCollins who sent books cleaned out of their offices!

One of two totally full library carts

Historical fiction table before the kids got to it

Nonfiction/memoir table

Fiction tables

We had a great turn out, 50 or 60 kids, and they CLEANED US OUT, which was awesome. One girl told me that she was really excited, because she only had three books at home, and now she had a great pile for summer reading (6 or 7 books, some of them major chunksters).

One girl's book pile - she wasn't even done yet

Sci-fi/fantasy table before the kids made their last sweep

Historical fiction table before the last sweep

By the end, the kids picked up every single book, and they were all beyond thrilled about it. A book for every reader and a reader for every book.

Thank you!

High School Book Drive

Apr 082011

My husband teaches high school math in the Western/Northwestern suburbs of Chicago; last week he came home telling me that his students were begging him to ask if I had some books I was finished with that he could bring in to them. Kids excited about reading get me really excited, so I went through my shelves purging things I was finished with and didn’t want to keep, as well as books I knew I was never going to get to. I even pulled out a few books I would have probably kept otherwise, because I knew they would appeal to his students.

The kids got their books on Tuesday and they were Over. The. Moon. about them. In fact, they wanted to know when I would have more for them. I had to tell them that sadly I probably couldn’t put together another bag like that until the end of the year, and even it would be a stretch.

Their excitement got me thinking, though. My husband’s school and district are going through really hard times budget-wise (what schools aren’t, really?). Many of the kids are immigrants or the children of immigrants, and 65% of the students are low-income, as opposed to the 39% state average. The school library has no funding, and many of the kids don’t have a ton of books in their houses, but they still love books.

So, I thought I’d see if my bookish friends have any books they would like to donate.

Books will go to interested students, the school library, and perhaps also some classroom libraries (depending partly on the quantity we get). The kids are interested in things that are YA, or adult books with YA crossover appeal. Historical fiction seems to be a big hit with the students, and I know that at least one US History teacher is interested history and historical fiction for his classroom library.

Since my passion is early literacy, I’ll donate $10 for every 50 books we receive (up to $200) to First Book, which will buy an ADDITIONAL 5 new books for younger children, thus increasing your donations by 10%.

We need the books by mid-May at the latest, so if you are sending media mail (which I would encourage you to do if sending within the US, it is a much cheaper option), please mail the books by the end of April. I will provide periodic thank yous/updates on the books received.

Books can be sent to:

High School Book Drive
C/o Jen Karsbaek
738 E Dundee Rd #194
Palatine, IL 60067

If you are planning to send books, please take a moment to fill out the form, so we know how many to expect, and so we have your information to properly thank you.

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The Bookstore Celebrity Bookseller!

Oct 182010

Not only have my bookseller friends at The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn been incredibly supportive of my Chicago Author Month, they have also taken the idea and run with it in their own way. For one thing, they and I are co-hosting a Chicago Author Month on Thursday, October 28th (put it on your calendar and join us!), but more information about that next week.

5081032715 16c4116547 m picture If you’re looking for more in-person Chicago Author Month fun this week, though, you can stop into The Bookstore on Friday morning from 10 until noon to shop with Celebrity Bookseller Melanie Benjamin. Melanie Benjamin is the author of “Alice I Have Been,” a book I absolutely loved. She has previously guest posted on this blog, talking about her inspiration for “Alice I Have Been,” and will actually be guest posting again for Chicago Author Month on Tuesday, October 26th, so look for that!

The ladies at The Bookstore have made sure to stock some of Melanie’s favorite books so stop by, have some coffee, and let her handsell you something! This could also be a good time to chat with Melanie about her upcoming work of historical fiction, due out next summer from Random House, it sounds like another winner!

Celebrate The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn!

Aug 162010

4898363178 02b6abdf85 m picture Those of you in the Chicago area, what are you doing Thursday night?

I am going to be at The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn, celebrating the store’s 50th birthday. There will be cake, prizes, and even some free books! If you haven’t been to The Bookstore before, this would be a great time to come and check it out. Plus, you can come and say hi to me and Daniel!

For more information, see the post about the party on the The Bookstore blog!

Reminder: Glen Ellyn Book Fest THIS Saturday!

Jun 162010

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Just in case you live in the Chicagoland area and I haven’t already badgered talked you into coming to the Glen Ellyn Bookfest this Saturday, I thought I’d post a little information about what will be going down in the Western Suburbs this weekend.

This Saturday, June 19th, marks the first (annual? I hope so!) Glen Ellyn Bookfest. “Why do you care what is happening in Glen Ellyn when you live 30 minutes away?” you may be asking. Well, Glen Ellyn is the site of my favorite independent bookstore, The Bookstore. They, together with the Glen Ellyn downtown alliance have been planning this event for months and months now, and it is going to be awesome. I mean, Elizabeth Berg is the keynote speaker!

A bunch of authors whose books I have reviewed (and loved) are going to be there as well:

Melanie Benjamin, author of Alice I Have Been
Stephanie Cowell, author of Claude and Camille
Kelly O’Connor McNees, author of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

Here’s the basic schedule:

Time	Event
8:30 – 9:30	Social Networking for Writers
9:30 – 10:30	“Kids Love Art Books” with Bob Raczka
10:00 – 11:00	Presentation and Book Signing: Underground Railroad with Glennette Tilley Turner
10:00 – 11:30	Bagels at The Bookstore with Pamela Ferdinand
11:00 – 12:00	Children’s Writing Workshop with Rose Calkins (ages 10-12, limited seating)
10:00 – 1:00	Book signings (Click for detailed brochure)
11:30 – 1:00	The Next Good Book Luncheon with Rebecca Vnuk
11:30 – 1:00	Claude and Camille Luncheon with Stephanie Cowell
11:30 – 1:00	68 Rooms Family Author Lunch and Art Event
1:30 – 2:30	Risky Business: Writing about Literary Icons
1:30 – 2:15	Chillers – Be bold, be bold… with Marie Ringenberg
2:30 – 3:30	Watch – Listen – Perform Poetry & Performance Slam
2:30 – 3:15	Zoos, Kazoos & Hullabaloos with Marie Ringenberg
3:00 – 4:00	Presentation and Book Signing: Keynote Speaker Elizabeth Berg
5:00 – 7:00	“Get Lit” with Authors J.A. Konrath and Charlene Baumbich
6:00 – 8:00	Baseball Dinner with Billy Lombardo at Bells & Whistles

I am definitely planning on being at the bolded events above: Social Networking for Writers at 8:30, which is sort of a Tweet-up (in fact, I’m the cohost!), then at the lunch with Stephanie Cowell at 11:30, followed by the panel with Kelly O’Connor McNees and Melanie Benjamin entitled Risky Business: Writing about Literary Icons at the library. During my time between the social networking event and the luncheon I will probably be at The Bookstore, but I am available to meet up with anyone who is coming into town for the event. I can also meet up directly after Kelly and Melanie’s panel, although I will have to head home pretty soon after it is over. If you do want to meet up and talk books, please let me know.

There are also going to be author signings at a multitude of downtown businesses:

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I hope you can make it out and join us!

My Day as an Indie Bookseller

Jun 152010

Last Friday I had the opportunity to spend the day at my favorite independent bookstore, The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn as a bookseller-f0r-a-day. This is something that I’ve been wanting to do for awhile and, since The Bookstore also had an author event on Friday evening I wanted to attend, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I chose Friday because it is the day that both Sue and Margie typically work – they call it Friday Funfest. Unfortunately, Margie wasn’t able to be there for much of the early part of the day after all, BUT it was really good that I was there to help Sue out, because the store was hopping, even though it was pouring outside.

The great thing about it being so busy, is that I had a great opportunity to handsell to quite a few people. Among other things, my customers left with:

4693865392 718b419979 m picture 4693865370 47b27a806d m picture 4693230495 13245d76bf m picture 4693865296 12962d8d00 m picture

It was just like blogging, but one on one and in real time, very fun!

It definitely gave me a new appreciation for my favorite booksellers, though, you really have to think on your feet based on what you customer likes and is looking for and, speaking of feet, standing all day sure isn’t easy!

I had a fantastic time at The Bookstore, thanks to Sue and Margie for letting me come in and hang out with them! Bloggers who are forming relationships with indie bookstores, I definitely recommend taking a day as a bookseller if at all possible.

Shilpi Gowda – Author Event at The Bookstore

Jun 142010

Shilpi Gowda was kind enough to stop by The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn last Friday night for happy hour to talk about her debut book, “Secret Daughter” (my review). After reading an absolutely gut-wrenching scene from the book, Shilpi talked a bit about her experiences leading up to writing the book, her writing process, and her time volunteering in an orphanage in India. She was absolutely lovely, and it was fascinating to see how her experiences influenced the book she wrote. Another thing that was very interesting is hearing how her book is doing in the US vs. Canada (in both places it is published by HarperCollins). In the US it is doing respectably and is on a second print run, but in Canada she’s on an 8th printing and has great placement in airport bookstores and in Costco. Even Shilpi didn’t exactly have an explanation for that, but it is interesting. My Canadian friends, have you been seeing “Secret Daughter” everywhere you turn?

Left to right: Margie, Shilpi, me, Sue

Shilpi Gowda, Author of Secret Daughter @ The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn

Jun 032010

One of my favorite blogs for getting book recommendations is S. Krishna’s Books. I like most of Swapna’s recommendations, but especially those for multicultural fiction. So when she started raving about “The Secret Daughter” by Shilpi Gowda, I knew I had to read it.

4666047307 60a99b6030 m picture Sadly, I haven’t had a chance to read the book yet, but I *am* planning on picking it up next Friday – and meeting Shilpi Gowda while I’m at it!

Gowda is in the Chicagoland area for Printer’s Row next weekend, but before she goes there, she’s coming to The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn for a happy hour celebration 5:30-7:00 on June 11th! My Chicagoland friends should come and join us. Good books, wine and cheese, and you can check out my favorite indie bookstore all at the same time!

To help cover the cost of the wine and cheese (come on people, this is a small store!), they just ask that you either buy Shilpi’s book or a $10 gift certificate – although I’m sure if you just wanted to pick up $100 or so worth of books they wouldn’t say no! To RSVP (we wouldn’t want to run out of wine, now, would we?), you can call the store at 630-469-2891 or email justbook475(at)yahoo.com

If you’re not totally convinced yet, The Bookstore has a video from Shilpi on their blog talking about her book.

I hope to see you there!

What Book Bloggers are Looking Forward to at BEA – Outside Events

May 202010

There is a lot going on during BEA, including events outside of Javits. It is difficult to know what to go to, but (hopefully) knowing what panels OTHER book bloggers are interested in is helpful. Head to one of these events and you are likely to meet some other bloggers. This isn’t list isn’t exhaustive, but I have built it based on what you all told me about your BEA plans, what I have put together on my schedule, and a fantastic schedule created by Heather of Age 30 Books.

Check out my posts on panels and author signings book bloggers are excited about.

Before BEA

For bloggers attending the Book Blogger Convention, there have been publishing house tours set up on Monday and Tuesday. Information can be found on the Book Blogger Convention website, but you need to fill out their google document TODAY (Thursday).

Wednesday Night

Harper Collins’ “Celebration of Book Bloggers”
6:00-9:00
Algonquin Hotel
RSVP Required.

BEA Tweet-Up
For those of you on Twitter, go and meet all the other bookish people you talk to on Twitter.
6:00-10:00
Powerhouse Books
37 Main Street
Brooklyn, NY

Thursday Afternoon/Night

Book Blogger Convention Reception
For those registered for Book Blogger Convention. If you are not attending, there is a $20 fee, but I’m not sure whether or not it is too late to sign up.
4:00-6:00
Javits Center
Room 1E13

Goodreads New York City Literary Pub Crawl
SCHEDULE:
7:00 p.m. Cocktail hour at Housing Works Bookstore & Cafe.
8:00 p.m. Readings by Colson Whitehead, Emily St. John Mandel and Amy King at Housing Works
9:00 p.m. Head out to Botanica and Tom & Jerry’s. PLEASE NOTE: Tom & Jerry’s is CASH ONLY (though there is an ATM machine in the bar).
10:30 p.m. Head to KGB Bar

What Book Bloggers are Looking Forward to at BEA – Author Signings

May 202010

There is a lot going on during BEA, including lots and lots and LOTS of author signings. It is difficult to know what to go to, but (hopefully) knowing what panels OTHER book bloggers are interested in is helpful. Head to one of these signings and you are likely to meet some other bloggers interested in the same information. This isn’t list isn’t exhaustive, but I have built it based on what you all told me about your BEA plans, what I have put together on my schedule, and a fantastic schedule created by Heather of Age 30 Books.

Note: Author signings are either at publishers’ booths, or in the autograph area. Certain author signings require tickets. To get tickets, you must line by by 6:45. Last year the line was outside the exhibit hall. You can get up to 5 tickets for signings on Wednesdays and 4 on Thursday, one ticket per person per author.

Check out my post on panels books bloggers are excited about, and stay tuned for my post on outside events at BEA.

Wednesday

What	When	Where	Ticketed?
James Dashner – The Scorch Trials	9:00-10:00	Booth 4341	No
Brunonia Barry – The Map of True Places	9:30-10:30	Autograph area table 13	No
Justin Cronin – The Passage	10:00-11:00	Autograph area table 8	No
Cory Doctorow – For The Win	10:00-11:00	Autograph area table 14	Yes
Joyce Carol Oates – Sourland: Stories	10:00-11:00	Autograph area table 5	Yes
Mitchell Kaplan – By Fire, By Water	10:00-11:00	Booth 4340	No
Sid Phillips – HBO’s The Pacific (series)	10:00-12:00	Booth 3040	No
Adriana Trigliani – Brava Valentine	10:00-11:00	Autograph area table 11	Yes
Brian Lies – Bats at the Ballgame & Bats at the Beach	11:00-12:00	Booth 4441	No
Nancy Pearl – Book Lust To Go	11:00-12:00	Booth 4330	No
Will Stegner & John Bowermaster – Crossing Antartica	11:00-12:00	Booth 4329	No
Scott Turow – Innocent	11:00-12:00	Booth 3740	No
Cornelia Funke – Reckless	11:30-12:30	Booth 3751	No
Tom Slaughter – Which Way	12:00-12:30	Autograph area table 2	No
Harlequin Teen signing	12:00-12:45	Booth 3922	No
Mitali Perkins – Bamboo People	12:30-1:00	Booth 2859	No
Ridley Pearson – Kingdom Keepers (Disney Adventures)	1:00-2:00	Autograph area table 17	Yes
Carmen Agra Deedy – 14 Cows for America	1:00-2:00	Autograph area table 7	No
Jon Scieszka – Guys Read	1:00-2:00	Autograph area table 20	No
Roger Sutton – A Family of Readers	1:00-2:00	Booth 2758	No
Gary Williams – SEAL of Honor	1:00-2:00	Booth 3853	No
Allison Winn Scotch – The One That I Want	1:00-1:30	Booth 4341	No
Elizabeth Scott – The Unwritten Rule	1:30-2:00	Booth 3484	No
Mitch Tobin – Endangered: Biodiversity on the Brink	1:30-2:30	Booth 4519	No
Jessica Francis Kane – The Report (plus Snacks)	2:00-3:00	Booth 4048	No
Allen Kurzweil – Potato Chip Science	2:00-3:00	Booth 4259	No
Lemony Snickett – 13 Words	2:00-3:00	Autograph area table 16	Yes
Deborah Durland De Saix & Karen Gray Ruelle – The Grand Mosque of Paris	2:30-3:30	Autograph area table 15	No
Holly Black & Justine Larbalestier – Zombies v. Unicorns	3:00-4:00	Autograph area table 17	No
Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy #5	3:00-4:00	Autograph area table 9	No
Rick Riordan – The Cane Chronicles: Book One	3:00-4:00	Autograph area table 24	Yes
Diana Peterfreund – Ascendant	3:30-4:00	Autograph area table 18	No
Matthew Reinhart – Encyclopedia Mythologica	3:30-4:30	Autograph area table 25	Yes
Simon Van Booy – Love Begins in Winter	3:30-4:30	Autograph area table 10	No
Julia Glass – The Widower’s Tale	4:00-4:30	Booth 4241	No
Anna Godberson – Bright Young Things/Splendor	4:00-4:30	Autograph area table 19	No
Melissa Marr – Radiant Shadows	4:00-5:00	Autograph area table 18	No
Paul V. Stuzman – Hiking Through	4:00-4:30	Autograph area table 3	No

Thursday

Thursday

What	When	Where	Ticketed?
Kathleen Kent – The Wolves of Andover	9:30-10:30	Autograph area table 26	No
Adele Griffin – Picture the Dead	10:00-11:00	Booth 3459	No
Clinton Kelly – Oh No She Didn’t	10:00-11:00	Booth 3940	No
Deanna Raybourne – The Dead Travel Fast	10:00-10:45	Booth 3922	No
Mary Roach – unspecified ARC, I’m assuming Packing For Mars	10:00-10:30	Booth 3423	No
TR Simon – Zora and Me	10:00-11:00	Booth 2759	No
Bruce Feiler – Council of Dads	10:30-11:30	Autograph area table 24	No
Ben Greenman – What He’s Poised to Do	10:30-11:30	Autograph area table 16	No
Tony Hawk – How Did I Get Here?	11:00-12:30	Booth 4141	No
Jake Ehrenreich – A Jew Grows in Brooklyn	11:30-12:30	Autograph area table 7	No
Laurie Halse Anderson – Forge	11:30-12:30	Booth 3940	No
Alix Strauss – Based Upon Availability	11:30-12:30	Autograph area table 16	No
Jo Weldon – The Burlesque Handbook	12:00-12:30	Autograph area table 16	No
Jake Ehrenreich – A Jew Grows in Brooklyn	1:00-2:00	Booth 3577	No
Tim Gunn – Gunn’s Golden Rules	1:00-2:00	Autograph area table 11	Yes
Richard Logan – Alone, Orphaned on the Ocean	1:00-2:00	Autograph area table 29	No
Jennifer Donnelly – Revolution	1:30-2:30	Booth 4341	No
Beth Kephart – Dangerous Neighbors	1:30-2:00	Autograph area table 16	No
Michael Connelly – The Reversal	2:00-3:00	Booth 3750	No
Michael Korda – Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia	3:00-4:00	Autograph area table 14	No

I hope you find this helpful, and I hope to see you at BEA!

Older Entries

Devourer of Books

TSS – High School Book Drive Wrap-up

High School Book Drive

So, I thought I’d see if my bookish friends have any books they would like to donate.

The Bookstore Celebrity Bookseller!

Celebrate The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn!

Reminder: Glen Ellyn Book Fest THIS Saturday!

I hope you can make it out and join us!

My Day as an Indie Bookseller

Shilpi Gowda – Author Event at The Bookstore

Shilpi Gowda, Author of Secret Daughter @ The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn

What Book Bloggers are Looking Forward to at BEA – Outside Events

Before BEA

Wednesday Night

Thursday Afternoon/Night

What Book Bloggers are Looking Forward to at BEA – Author Signings

Wednesday

Thursday

Sponsors:

Shelf Awareness for Readers eNewsletter

Tumblring

Recognition

Regular Features/Special Events

Check Me Out

So, I thought I’d see if my bookish friends have any books they would like to donate.

I hope you can make it out and join us!

Before BEA

Wednesday Night

Thursday Afternoon/Night

Wednesday

Thursday

Follow Me!

Sponsors:

Shelf Awareness for Readers eNewsletter

Recognition

Regular Features/Special Events

Check Me Out