Author Reading With Jonathan Evison "All About Lulu"

As part of our ongoing Author Reading series with the Seattle Public Library, we will be hosting an evening with Bainbridge Island author Jonathan Evison who will be reading from “All About Lulu."

When: March 25th, 2010
Time: 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Where: West Seattle Library, 2306 42nd Ave SW

Library events and programs are free and everyone is welcome.
Copies of the book will be for sale, and Jonathan will be on hand to sign them.

You can always pick up your book prior to the event at Square One Books. We have plenty of copies available in the store. We hope to see you at the event. Jonathan is quite a character, and his reading should be one to remember!

John Irving Interview

I came across this interesting interview with one of my favorite novelists, John Irving at http://bigthink.com/johnirving. Mr Irving has a new book out - his 12th novel, titled "Last Night on Twisted River." This is one of the many books released this fall that I am really excited about. It seems like the publishers have opened the floodgates on anticipated books this Fall. Hope you enjoy the video!

Lyanda Haupt - Author Reading Series -Seattle Public Library and Square One Books

As part of our ongoing Author Reading Series with the Seattle Public Library, we are happy to host an evening with Lyanda Haupt.

Lyanda Haupt has created and directed educational programs for Seattle Audubon, worked in raptor rehabilitation in Vermont and as a seabird researcher for the Fish and Wildlife Service in the remote tropical Pacific.

In “Crow Planet” her focus is closer to home. Haupt follows local crows in her neighborhood and gains a greater understanding of nature in the urban landscape. Join us as she discusses her key observations from the book

Thursday, SEPT 24TH, 2009

6:30 pm – 7:45 pm

High Point Library

3411 SW Raymond St.

Library events and programs are free and everyone is welcome. Registration is not required. This event is co-sponsored by Square One Books. Copies of the book will be for sale at the reading.

Square One Books Featured in Marc Fitten's INDIE 100 - a look at 100 Independent Bookstores Across America

We were happy to be visited by Marc in his recent trip through Seattle.

You can read about it here.

You can also peruse Marc's entries on other notable Seattle bookstores and read more about his project on the site. Here, in his own words is what he is working on:

I'm going on an extensive book tour in support of my new novel,VALERIA'S LAST STAND. Only, to spice things up, I've decided that while I'm on the road, I will visit 100 independent book stores and blog about what I think makes them unique. I'll also keep a photo diary on Flickr for anyone interested in seeing more of what these stores look like. It's a road trip, thousands of miles around America, from city to city -- 100 stores, as long as it takes. ..

You can also read about Marc's journey in this New York Times piece.

Good luck, Marc. Hope to see you in Seattle again soon.

15 Coolest Bookshelves

For a light diversion, we thought you would get a kick out of this entry on the 15 Coolest Bookshelves... as if all those lovely books weren't beautiful enough... 

From Oddee... http://www.oddee.com/item_96613.aspx

Literary top ten lists

 The Times (UK) online has three fun lists about novels: 10 Spectacular second novels, 10 Cursed second novels, and 10 Literary one-hit wonders.

Joe Hill -- Stephen King's son -- promotes indie bookstores

---from BoingBoing:

The author Joe Hill (son of Stephen King) is doing a great thing to promote the support of independent bookstores. He announced on his blog that he will draw a winner of a signed, slipcased edition of his new novel, Gunpowder. All you have to do is to buy something at an independent bookstore and email him a copy of the receipt.

Subterranean Press liked the idea so much that they've added a list of limited editions as prizes, including a limited edition of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book and two titles by Ray Bradbury, among other treasures.

Love Your Indie: The Contest http://joehillfiction.com/?p=714

A few new changes

First, we've changed our Book Club night! We will now be meeting on the first WEDNESDAY of each month, beginning in March.

We wanted to accommodate a few of our customers that wanted to attend other First Thursday events, so we have changed the date beginning on Wednesday March 4, when we will discuss The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner. You can read more about this and other book club selections on our Web site at http://www.square1books.com/bookclub.htm

We look forward to seeing you there for a great discussion.

Second, we have introduced a monthly email newsletter that discusses the books that we are reading now, what's hot in the store and exciting new releases to watch out for in the coming months. We'll also include coupons and special offers for subscribers. You can sign up on our home page at http://www.square1books.com.

Finally - check us out on Facebook - we'd love to connect with you there and hear what you have to say about the most recent bestsellers and other great books.

Longer Holiday Hours

Square Books wishes you and your family Happy Holidays.

We're extending our holiday hours to make it more convenient for you to come by.

We will now be open the following times:

Monday - Friday 10-7

Saturday 10-5:30 

Sunday 11-5

 We hope to see you in the store soon. 

Looking to find a book in Tanzania...

First, a thanks to everyone who joined us in celebrating our birthday and 21 years of serving the readers of West Seattle. I'm sorry I couldn't be there to help Gretchen and her team celebrate.

Right now, I'm on the hunt for a copy of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, while I'm here in Tanzania - I sure miss having a good book store nearby ;).  I hope to get a copy so that I can lead the discussion on Thursday, Dec. 4.

I hope to be fully recovered from jet lag and readjusting to life back in the States by that date. 

In the interim, I thought I'd share with you this photo of Bismark Rock that I took at sunset in Mwanza, in the NW of Tanzania. 

See you all soon.

Anniversary sale - 21% OFF!

Happy Birthday to US!

November will begin our 21st year serving the readers of West Seattle.
To celebrate we are having our anniversary sale on November 13, 14 and 15.

On those days, our customers will receive 21 percent off everything in the store.

Thank you again for your support. We look forward to celebrating with you at the sale!

More info on new Harry Potter books!!!!

More info is emerging on the new Harry Potter book due out December 4. Remember to pre-order your copy with us today!

From Scholastic:

The stories are accompanied by delightful pen-and-ink illustrations by Ms. Rowling herself, featuring a still-life frontispiece for each one. Professor Dumbledore’s commentary—apparently written some eighteen months before his death—reveals not just his vast knowledge of Wizarding lore, but also more of his personal qualities: his sense of humor, his courage, his pride in his abilities, and his hard-won wisdom. Names familiar from the Harry Potter novels sprinkle the pages, including Aberforth Dumbledore, Lucius Malfoy and his forebears, and Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington (or “Nearly Headless Nick”), as well as other professors at Hogwarts and the past owners of the Elder Wand. Dumbledore tells us of incidents unique to the Wizarding world, like hilariously troubled theatrical productions at Hogwarts or the dangers of having a “hairy heart.” But he also reveals aspects of the Wizarding world that his Muggle readers might find all too familiar, like censorship, intolerance, and questions about the deepest mysteries in life. Altogether, this is an essential addition to our store of knowledge about the world and the magic that J. K. Rowling has created, and a book every true Harry Potter fan will want to have for their shelves. This purchase also represents another very important form of giving: From every sale of this book, Scholastic will give its net proceeds to the CHILDREN'S HIGH LEVEL GROUP, a charity cofounded in 2005 by J.K. Rowling and Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, MEP. CHLG campaigns to protect and promote children's rights and make life better for vulnerable young people. www.chlg.org

Things that go bump in the night.

Take a look at the photos and coverage from the most recent Movies on the Wall on the West Seattle Blog: http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=9816

We were happy to co-sponsor the showing of Ghostbusters with Curious Kidstuff. Garlic Jim's also provided free pizza to the crowd and everyone had a great time. Jasper drew the lucky raffle winners' tickets.

Special thanks to Lora at Hotwire for her help organizing the movies.

Brisingr coming soon!

Just a quick reminder that the finale of the Eragon Trilogy by Christopher Paolini, Brisingr will be released on September 21st. We are taking preorders now - be sure to reserve your copy today!

A new book in the Harry Potter universe!!!???

Thought the Harry Potter saga was over with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?

So did many, but it was recently announced that on DECEMBER 4, J.K. Rowling will release The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a new addition to the Harry Potter Universe!

We are taking pre-orders for this book now. Reserve your copy today!

From Scholastic:


The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione Granger’s new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump,” and of course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” But not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter.

A Dear John, from John Moe

Some of you may know that West Seattle author, radio host, humorist and all around man about town is now an ex-West Seattle author, radio host and all around man NO WHERE TO BE FOUND.

Actually he's moved to St. Paul and wrote our fair city a farewell in this weekend's Seattle Times: Sorry, Seattle - I've found somewhere else.

Actually, I've been following his journey at his blog: Monkey Disaster.

You can also continue to hear him on "Weekend America," heard locally from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday on KUOW.

Good luck to you, John.*






*Oh, and... I'm on to you , little plastic tape holding bread bags closed.

Reading What is the What...?

If you are reading our current book club book, What is the What by Dave Eggers, and would like to learn more about the Lost Boys of Sudan, below we have put together some additional resources (courtesy of Wikipedia) to aid you in your discovery.

Lost Boys of Sudan, official IRC website.
Lost Boys from the Red Cross.
Photojournalist's Account - Images of Sudan's displaced
God Grew Tired of Us - Excerpts from a documentary about the Lost Boys
Lost Boys Program Fresh Ministries'
Sudan Emancipation & Preservation Network (SEPNet)
Alliance For The Lost Boys
Sudanese Lost Boys Association of Australia
"Do Not Forget The Lost Girls of Sudan", Refugees International, February 11, 2002.
Gabriel's Dream A charity dedicated to securing education and dental care for the lost boys.
They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky Official book site

Brisingr -The Inheritance Trilogy

You've enjoyed Eragon and Eldest... now prepare for the final book of the sensational Inheritance Trilogy, BRISINGR!

The final book by Christopher Paolini will be released on Saturday, September 20, 2008.

We are currently taking pre-orders. Come and reserve your copy now, and stay tuned for more details.

Congratulations, PNBA Award winners!

From the Seattle Times:

Northwest booksellers name PNBA winners

The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA) has announced the winners of the 2008 Pacific Northwest Book Awards. The honorees are:

Sherman Alexie, of Seattle, for "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," his young-adult novel which also won the National Book Award.

Jim Harrison, for his novel "Returning to Earth" (Harrison lives part-time in Montana).
Denis Johnson, of Idaho, for his novel "Tree of Smoke," which also won the National Book Award.

Lauren Kessler, of Oregon, for her nonfiction book "Dancing with Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer's."

Aryn Kyle, of Montana, for her debut novel, "The God of Animals."

Matt Ruff, of Seattle, for his novel "Bad Monkeys."

The six books were chosen from nearly 200 nominees by a committee of independent booksellers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. The winners will be feted at a reception for PNBA members in Portland on March 29.

PARKING TROUBLE?

Having a difficult time finding a parking spot at Jefferson Square in the busy holiday rush? Remember, parking in the lot underneath the store is FREE on weekends and after 4 p.m. on weekdays. The elevator near the West Seattle Animal Hospital can take you right up to our store.