Celebrating 15 Years in Business!
Since May, 1991
June 2nd was a very good day for our family. We had two grandchildren graduate from Hill City High School. AND our newest little grandson, Caleb Andrew Pauly, came home from Neonatal Merit Care in Fargo—thanks to prayers from all over the area!
Tabitha King (Stephen’s wife) and Michael McDowell (deceased in 1999) collaborated on the now-in-print “Candles Burning”. It’s about Calliope “Calley” Carrol Dakin, a seven-year-old who speaks with the dead and eventually finds justice for her murdered daddy.
Minnesota author John Sandford released his latest hardcover “Dead Watch” in May. The political thriller features an army intelligence veteran, Jacob Winter.
Received a (well, duh) notice from ACS that if anything from the internet does not print all the way to the right, simply change your printer to Landscape. It works. It’s those simple little things that we (I) should have figured out in the first place!
Oh my, aren’t we all just a-twitter. There’s such a big promotional happening for Alan Moore’s graphic novel (cartoon-like drawings included along with the prose) of his “literary” porn, “Lost Girls”.
The Star Tribune (6/4/06) reviewed Charles Shields’ biography of “To Kill a Mockingbird” author, Harper Lee. The biographer’s “Mockingbird” is said to “paint a fine portrait of Harper Lee”. I’m remembering Scout, Jem and Atticus in the unforgettable book and movie.
Thriller, Inc.: A spin-off from Mystery Writers of America, this group hopes for a clearer definition of the thriller. A publisher condensed the description as, “Thrillers are a more visceral experience, while mysteries tend to be more cerebral.”
Publishers Weekly (PW) had an example:
Michael Connelly’s The Poet is classed as a thriller, while his Harry Bosch novels are (or should be) classed as mysteries.
Remember Barbara Cartland? Although she passed away in 2000, we remember her for her relationship to Princess Diana and for publishing an astounding 724 novels.
Mystery writer (and attorney) David Ellis of Illinois visited our store recently—as a walk-in customer. Check out his great website, davidellis.com.
It seems that more and more authors are publishing hardcovers first, before their usually-expected paperbacks. (Agent or publishing company directive?) If paperbacks are supposedly tops in sales, do hardcovers really bring in that much more moola? Wonder what would happen if they printed a new novel in both formats at the same time?
This is so fun! Romance readers who swore they would never read a Harlequin have accidentally picked up a new “HQN” and loved it! Several in this line are written by authors you’ve been reading for years: Christina Skye, Kasey Michaels, Lisa Jackson and Bertrice Small, as well as other well-known writers. Forget the logo and publishing companies, and enjoy! Also: Visit romantictimes.com—new look, new features and now a free newsletter! I’ll check it out as soon as I have some time…
I’ve got mascara all over my cheeks. Lorelei King (Janet Evanovich’s audio reader) describes a scent where Grandma Mazur did something in her leather hot pants. The five-word statement by Grandma Mazur did me in.
It’s from “Twelve Sharp”, and the interview was in PW. Oh, heaven help us.
Charlaine Harris: Alan Ball (Six Feet Under creator) is readying an HBO series based on Harris’ Southern Vampire novels. “Definitely Dead” (#6) is a hardcover bestseller.
James Rollins: I shouldn’t tell you this, because we are already running out of his thriller novels, but “Map of Bones” (his 4th) is on the paperback bestseller list, while “Black Order” will be released on June 27th. And don’t forget, you can read Rollins in James Patterson’s anthology, “Thriller: Stories to Keep You Up All Night”.
Nicholas Sparks: His paperback “True Believer” looks like it will stay on the bestseller list for quite a while—normal for this extremely talented author.
Big authors writing children’s bestselling fiction: On May 22, Carl Hiaasen’s “Hoot” was at #1, and James Patterson’s “Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment” was at #3 and (again!) Carl Hiaasen’s “Flush” at #15.
Say “Hello” to Michelle Wallin! Our very efficient summer employee is representing WHA at Girls State this June. (I also went to Girls State—a few years ago.) She’s a reader, and more than willing to help you with your selections. Welcome aboard, Michelle.
Larry McMurtry: An Oscar-winning co-screenwriter of “Brokeback Mountain”, a busy McMurtry now has his 32nd novel “Telegraph Days” in print. A Barnes & Nobel notation: “The first printing of McMurtry’s novel In a Narrow Grave is one of his most obscure for a rather obscure reason. The book was withdrawn because the word “skyscrapers” was misspelled as “skycrappers” on page 105.”
Into every life a little rain must fall.
Zane Grey: “Google” Zane Grey, and then click on “Writer Zane Grey”. I found a wealth of information in connection with the museum founded in his name, as well as lots of pictures.
Message to the DNR: If you would remove the weight requirement on your fishing license application, I’ll bet a lot more women would sign up.
Area Author: Our Ernest Francis Schanilec is not only a prolific mystery author—and a retired dentist—but, he’s a great carpenter. Take a look at the clever shelf he built for displaying his books!
We need some more Susan Wiggs books for our Romance Section. We’re almost sold out!
Our Writers Group is having a great time. We haven’t produced a “Gone With The Wind” novel yet, but we are writing! If you would like to join, just stop in or give us a call at the store.
Prof. Bill, we’ve had so many people stop in and ask how you are doing, and they all want to know if you are going to open another store. I tell them you are doing just fine, and that you’re too busy reading to work seven days a week!
It’s wonderful to see all our summer people again, and to know they “weathered” the winter. We really do appreciate each of you coming by to say “hello”. Welcome back!
“Ffzzspp!” to all the Yellow Page Telemarketers from Mexico, India and Outer Mongolia: I will not answer your calls; I will not watch for your web page statement on my telephone bill; I will not speak to you & I will hang up because I can’t understand a word you say, and because you don’t know where “Minisotah” is located. So there!
That felt just great…
(Note: The second telemarketing call I received for “The Yellow Pages” kept sending a web page bill through our telephone bill. It’s very hard to cancel if you do not have a phone number and you do not have an address! How many yellow page companies are there?)
Gotta go…Hugs!
| 
