820 LaSalle St.
Ottawa, IL
(815) 433-7323
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The Book Mouse Crew
(from
left) Maria Granados, Liz Bandstra, Rachel Hettrick, Josh Margowski,
Rachel Kwit and owner Eileen Fesco. Ol' Abe even joined us in dressing
up in tie-dye for our special Woodstock commemoration in August!
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Tales from the Front Counter
I've just finished reading The
Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Paloma, a caustic,
judgmental 12-year-old, shares narrator duties with an equally
sarcastic, isolating 50-year hotel concierge, Madame Michel.
Their dark
view of the world is tempered by some of the funniest lines I've had the
pleasure to read, i.e., "...he's so conservative that he won't say hello
to divorced people".
It also offers some of the most
exquisite, tender descriptions of everyday things. The characters are
irritating and fascinating. When Monsieur Kakuro Ozu moves into
their beautiful hotel/apartment building we see, through his eyes, the elegance
inside these two spine-covered hedgehogs.
This bestselling novel in Europe was
picked up by a U.S. publishing house and it became a second-tier bestseller
here, too.
We get quite a few literary
exports from Europe. Here is a list from bookseller.com ranking the global top 10
fiction authors for 2008:
1) Khaled Hosseini ( Kite
Runner and Thousand Splendid Suns; U.S. author)
2) Stieg Larsson ( The
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; Swedish author)
3) Ken Follett ( Pillars
of the Earth {Oprah pick}; British author)
4) Stephenie Meyer ( Twilight
series; U.S. author)
5) Muriel Barbery ( The
Elegance of the Hedgehog; French author)
6) Carlos Ruiz Zafón ( The
Shadow of the Wind; Spanish author)
7) Anna Gavalda ( Hunting
and Gathering: French author)
8) John Grisham ( The
Associate; U.S. author)
9) JK Rowling ( Harry
Potter series, British author)
10) Henning Mankell ( Kurt Wallander
mystery series; Swedish Author)
A recent study ("Bestselling Fiction in Europe 2008/2009") examined the 40
top-selling fiction writers in European book markets; 13 of the writers wrote
in English and the other 27 were written in other European languages.
None of the top 40 writers were from other non-European nations. The
article noted that usually the writer is a bestseller only in their own
country. With a few exceptions we are reading those writers within
our own geographic boundaries. In the U.S. for 2008 the top 10 bestselling authors were:
1) Stephenie Meyer
2) Eckhart Tolle (Oprah pick)
3) Randy Pausch (Oprah pick)
4) William Young (grassroots
dark horse)
5) J.K. Rowling
6) Christopher Paolini
7) Elizabeth Gilbert (Oprah pick)
8) Rhonda Byrne (Oprah pick)
9) Barack Obama
10) Jeff Kinney
You'll note that, with the
exception of Ms. Rowling, all are U.S. authors. You'll also note that Oprah Winfrey has
incredible book-selling power. (As an aside, I must note that Ms.
Meyer had 9 books in the top 50 for 2008, an amazing run for this young author
of vampire love stories.)
In the future we'll read more
outside of our borders. As your bookseller I will keep looking out for
those book gems both domestic and abroad. What non-U.S. author's
books have you enjoyed? Do you have any recommendations for the rest of
us? I'll share your discoveries in the next newsletter.
Read On!
Eileen Fesco
Book Mouse Owner
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Special
Events
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It's Fall, and time for Ottawa's annual Scarecrow Fest!
Games, a petting zoo, scarecrow displays, buckboard rides, a bike
rodeo, and plenty of activities for the whole family will be going on
downtown throughout Saturday, September 26.
Meyers' Magic Show
will be returning to the Book Mouse for two performances during
Scarecrow Fest! Shows will be performed in the Book Mouse Grand Lobby at
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Don't miss it while you're downtown admiring the
scarecrow displays and enjoying other fun activities!
Ahoy maties! We at the Book Mouse will be welcoming all ye ghosts and goblins, spooks and pirates during Downtown Ottawa's Trick or Treating. Participating downtown businesses will be passing out goodies on October 31 from 10 a.m. to noon.
We'll welcome two authors in October. Philip Kledzik
will be available to visit and sign books on Saturday, Oct. 3, from
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then on Halloween, October 31, from 11:30 to 1, our
resident ghost storyteller David Youngquist will return. Philip is author of Painted Rooms and Issues of the Heart. David is the author of Ghosts of Interstate 80 and Ghosts
of the Illinois Canal System.
Paranormal Odyssey Returns! Kelly Meagher is back as lead paranormal investigator for this Mondays at the Mouse presentation.
The Odyssey begins just before Halloween on Friday, October 30, at 6
p.m., then continues every Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. through November.
Keep on top of special events by clicking to our web site page!
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| New Releases
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Here's a list of hot new releases
due out this August. Call the store to reserve your copy!
    
09/29 -- 13 1/2 by Nevada Barr (one of Eileen's favorite
mystery writers)
10/01 -- Good Eats: The Early Years by Alton
Brown (Food Network star)
10/06 -- Zombie Survival Guide:
Recorded Attacks by Max Brooks (a Josh favorite)
10/06 -- A Touch Of Dead (New Sookie!) by Charlain Harris
10/12 -- Diary Of A Wimpy Kid #4
Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
10/13 -- Dracula: The Un-Dead by Dacre Stoker (great grandnephew) and Ian Holt
10/13 -- Martha Stewart's Dinner At Home: 52 Quick Meals by Martha Stewart
10/27 -- Last Night In Twisted River by John
Irving (At Long Last!)
10/27 -- Tempted (House Of Night Series) by P.C. Cast
10/27 -- Bowie: A
Biography by Marc Spitz (An Unusual Rock Icon)
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Turning the Pages
Here's what our staff are reading. Select one of these staff favorites and receive 20 % off your purchase.
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Eileen's Pick
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The Seasons on Henry's Farm: A Year of Food and Life on a Sustainable Farm
by TERRA BROOKS
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Henry Brockman grows more than 650 varieties of
vegetables on 10 acres near Congerville, Illinois, about 70 miles south and west of Ottawa.
His sister Terra shares the story of this true family
farm by describing the 52 weeks of planning, selecting, sowing, tending,
nurturing, reaping and sharing that makes this farm special to this wonderful
family and its supporters.
She writes, "This book is also an invitation to eat great food
grown by people near you who love the land." and "It is an invitation
to recognize that growing good food does not mean destroying the soil or
polluting air and water, and that we can all eat well and live well and still
leave this earth a better place than we found it."
You feel a part of this family when you finish the book. You
understand the delight of putting homegrown food into the hands of a
treasured customer. We will hopefully will have Terra come to the store to talk
about the farm and sign copies of this delicious (recipes included) book.
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| Eileen's Pick
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Half Broke Horses
by JEANNETTE WALLS (author of The Glass Castle)
Readers all over the U.S.
loved The Glass Castle and book clubs had wonderful discussions about
Jeanette and her parents.
Ms. Walls now shares the story of her remarkable
grandmother, Lily Casey Smith. At age 15, Lily rode 500 miles on a pony, alone,
to get to her job as an itinerant replacement teacher in Arizona.
She's a strong-willed, funny, no-nonsense woman. She survived the Great Depression, weak-hearted women and lily-livered
men, tornadoes and the tough life as a rancher. She was great at breaking
mustangs and would not put up with bigotry in any form.
You will love Lily and
look forward to more from Ms. Walls.
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Rachel K's Pick
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Catching Fire
by SUZANNE COLLINS
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Catching Fire, the second book to The Hunger Games, did not disappoint. If anything the book
was filled with more twists than the first.
This time Katniss is the victor
living a newly lavish lifestyle. Fresh water, electricity, and a telephone
are just some of her gifts for winning the hunger games. Only now, a rebellion
has broken out among the districts. Will Katniss get out alive? Will her family and loved ones
remain safe against the capital's strong hold?
You'll have to read this and
discover its undeniably haunting outcome.
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Rachel K's Pick
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Monster Variations
by DANIEL KRAUS
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When youth comes to mind, one thinks of a carefree, happy
spirit spending long summer days in the sun while hours slowly fade into
night. But for these three boys, night is their hell.
When someone starts to
kill boys with a truck, James, Willie, and Reggie's lives are changed forever.
They see friends die, viciously decapitated. The worst part is, the killer is
someone so inconceivable that their nightmares become their best dreams.
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| Josh's Pick
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Welcome Back, Frank
by ENNIS GARTH
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Frank Castle, or as comic fans know him, The Punisher, returns from a long hiatus to bring to
justice those who gunned down his family years ago. A former ex-marine, Frank
goes on a justified killing spree taking out members of the infamous Gnucci
family in New York.
Along the way he must also track down and stop three other vigilantes that are
nothing but imitators of the Punisher.
This book is filled over-the-top comic action, a fight with
the nigh-indestructable "Russian," punching polar bears, and
explosions. Lots and lots of explosions.
So if you're in the mood for action, this is your book of
choice. This graphic novel is the graphic novel to end all others
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| Josh's Pick
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Bones of the Dragon
by MARGARET WEIS AND TRACY HICKMAN
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Finally, a fantastic tale that combines Vikings with awesome powers to create
something that is truly legendary.
This is the story of Skylan Ivorson and his
quest to retrieve a stolen artifact from horrible ogres. Along the way he
learns that every action has a consequence and pays dearly for every one he
makes.
An epic tale that comes complete with follies and triumphs.
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Rachel H's Pick
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P.S. I Love You
by CECILIA AHEARN
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This was a great book! Holly and Gerry's blissful marriage
is interrupted by Gerry's diagnosis of a terminal sickness at the age of 30.
Months after his death, Holly receives a package of letters. They were
written to her by Gerry before he died, one to be read per month. Each letter
contains a task, designed to help Holly move on.
This book is the best kind;
one that can make you laugh and cry simultaneously.
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Rachel H's Pick
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A Raisin in the Sun
by LORRAINE HANSBERRY
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"What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the
sun?"
- Langston Hughes
This play, with the title based on Hughes' famous poem, is
all about dreams. Specifically, the dreams of an African - American family
living in South Side Chicago in the 1950s. They have common dreams: the dream
for a better life, the dream to be a doctor, the dream to be someone his son is
proud of, and the dream to have her family happy.
However, these dreams are
held back by the many realities: lack of money, poor jobs for
African-Americans, racism, and an unexpected surprise. You will want
to fight for the family the whole way. This play truly shows the power of dreams, no matter what the reality may be.
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Maria's Pick
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Tricks
by ELLEN HOPKINS
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Five teenagers from
different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay.
Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All
living their lives as best they can, but all searching ... for freedom, safety,
community, family, love.
What they don't expect, though, is all that can happen
when those powerful little words "I love you" are said for all the
wrong reasons.
Five moving stories remain
separate at first, then interweave to tell a larger, powerful story -- a story
about making choices, taking leaps of faith,
falling down, and growing up. A story about kids figuring out what sex and love
are all about, at all costs, while asking themselves, "Can I ever feel
okay about myself?"
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Liz's Pick
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High Tide in Hawaii
by MARY POPE OSBORNE
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This book is about two kids named Jack and
Annie, who go on an adventure to Hawaii
and make a lot of new friends. They also go exploring for the missing pages of
Merlin's magic book.
I liked this book because it was a nice and sweet story
about going to Hawaii. I would recomend this because it is a good book to read and
I think that fans of the Magic Tree House series
would really enjoy it.
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Becca's Pick
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3 Willows
by ANN BRASHARES
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3 Willows
is about three best friends who over the summer
go their separate ways and begin to grow apart. While Polly is stuck at home,
Jo is at her family beach house and Anna is out west in a summer camp.
They
all face problems that are very hard to overcome. In the end, though, they find
out that they need each other to get through all the tough things in life.
I recommend this book because it is funny, deals with problems a lot of teens
have, and has a happy ending.
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| Peggy's Pick
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Wheel of Darkness
By DOUGLAS PRESTON AND LINCOLN CHILD
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What FBI Special Agent Pendergast lacks in James Bond-style
armaments he makes up for in supernatural abilities, or s hould I say abilities
of the supernatural. His aristocratic family is a tad criminal in the extreme!
But Pendergast can always be found on the side of good against evil and
carrying test tubes, lock picks and other useful devices in the pockets of his
tailored trousers.
Wheel of Darkness takes him from a remote Tibetan monestary to the cruise from ... well, let's just
say he's pursuing an ancient Tibetan scroll that has powers to make it one
memorable and miserable cruise!
Preston and Child tap into the
mystery-horror genre. Their Agent Aloysius Pendergast,
whom I first met in a creepy-haunted-mansion tale called Cabinet of
Curiosities, is ethereal and unfathomable but always curiously appealing.
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| Peggy's Pick
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Anne of The Island (Anne of Green Gables #3)
By L. M. MONTGOMERY
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The charm of being an adult reader is that no book - well,
maybe calculus or philosophy - is out of reach.
I never read Anne of Green Gables when I was young, but I
just recently finished the third in the series (Anne
of the Island, preceded by Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea).
Anne is a dreamy, spirited, red-headed orphan growing up on Prince Edward Island in Canada.
Her adventures and misadventures, loves and friendships occupy the series,
which grows as Anne does.
These are sweet, gentle books, hardly
edge-of-your-seat reading, but Anne is a friend we'd all like to have (and some
of us do!)
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Fall for the Book Mouse !
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| Take Note !
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If your not-for-profit
organization would like to host an event in our store, give us a call and let's chat about it.
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Ongoing 
Events
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WCMY 1430 Book Club
Last Tuesday of the month.
9:20-10 a.m.
Toddler Time
3rd Saturday of the month.
10:30-11 a.m.
Dungeons and Dragons
2nd & 4th Fridays. 7-10 p.m.
Teen Book Club
Last Wednesday of every month.
4 p.m.
Heritage River Writers
poetry group
last Wednesdays: 6:30 p.m.
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Here's
What 
You
Just Did!
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BY SHOPPING AT AN INDEPENDENT BOOK STORE
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1) You kept dollars in our economy
2) You embraced what makes us unique
3) You created local jobs
4) You helped the environment
5) You nurtured community
6) You conserved tax dollars
7) You created more choice
8) You took advantage of our expertise
9) You invested in entrepreneurship
10) You made us a destination
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Don't see a favorite title
on our shelves?
Ordering is easy! Just
call the Book Mouse at (815) 433-7323 or Email Us
This newsletter is produced by the Book Mouse, Ottawa's independent book store, and edited by Peggy Schneider
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