October 2010
820 LaSalle St.
Ottawa, IL
(815) 433-7323
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Halloween is coming. Here arrrrgh a
few pirates from Trick O'Treating 2009. Bookseller Becca coordinated
the treat distribution last year. We had over 600 tykes trolling for
treats. What a great day! This year Trick O'Treating will be on
Saturday, October 30th from 10 to 12 noon. |
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Mystery Book Sale
If you love mysteries, this sale is for you!
Buy
2 get 1 free. Pick out 3 mystery books and the least expensive of the 3
is free. If we don't have a mystery you want in the store we'll order
it for you and it counts toward the sale total. This sale will run through the month of October. You can buy the new Janet Evanovich book, Wicked Appetite for someone's Christmas present and select another couple for yourself.
(Also, you can pick out 6 and get 2 free or 9 and get three free, too.)
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Did you know you can keep the money in Ottawa rather than sending it to Amazon?
You
can order printed books, audio books and e-books online from the Book
Mouse. You have access to 4.5 million titles from the Book Mouse. The
books can be shipped to you or you can have them shipped to the Book
Mouse.
- Click on My Account
- Click on Create New Account
- Fill in all the necessary blanks and click on the button 'Create New Account' at the bottom of the page.
After you have set up an account
you can add any books you see on the website to your cart. You can also
search for unlisted books in the search bar. When you are ready,
proceed to checkout. Fill in all of your necessary billing and contact
information, choose your shipping method, then submit your order. Viola!
You have just purchased a book online and given your business to the
Book Mouse. Quick, fast and convenient!
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Tales from the Front Counter
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| Rachel and Domonic with Charlie Brown and a scared Snoopy. |
Fall
has arrived, semi-officially kicked off by Ottawa's Scarecrow Fest.
Our resident artist, Rachel Kwit, created our entry---Charlie Brown and
Snoopy in a spooky graveyard. In keeping with the 50's theme of this
year's event she honored the 60 year anniversary of these famous
literary characters by the cartoonist and author, Charles Schulz Good
job, Ray Ray!
This
Monday, October 4th at 6 p.m. we had the first of five Paranormal
Odyssey talks with Paranormal Investigator, Kelly Meagher. They will
continue every Monday in October and the first Monday in November.
Dates and description of the topics are on our website, www.bookmouse.org.
The series will conclude with a tour of the haunted sites in our
definitely undead downtown and environs. Call the store to reserve your
spot on the tour.
A
Fish Fry Fundraiser for the Radium Girls' statue will be held on
Friday, October 29th at the K of C Hall in downtown Ottawa. Author of Radium Halos, Shelley Stout will be on hand to talk about her book and sign copies. Tickets for this event are available at the Book Mouse.
Look
out for more spooky sitings in downtown Ottawa as we celebrate
Halloween on Saturday, October 30th. It'll be a Pumpkin Palooza with
Trick O' Treating from 10 to noon and other freakishly fun activities
throughout the day. Check out this website for updates on the day's
activities: Ottawadowntownmerchants.org. Authors Sylvia Shults, David
Youngquist, and Joan Kalbacken will read ghost stories from their recent
ghost story collections.
For you Lightning Thief fans
the Beau's Book Club will meet at the Book Mouse on November 1st at 5
p.m. Young men in Grades 5th through 8th are invited to attend. Beau
Burke and Reddick Librarian, Molly Bageley facilitate the discussion.
Call the store for more info at 815-433-7323.
If
you want to take a pleasureable, leaf-peeping road trip and enjoy the
company of regional writesmiths, plan on attending a Gathering of
Authors in Bishop Hill, Illinois on October 23rd and 24th. For more information go to www.bishophill.com or call Event Organizer David Youngquist at 815-646-4748.
Read on!
Eileen Fesco, Book Mouse Owner
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| Notable New Releases |
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Year of Meteors: Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, and the Election That Brought on the Civil War
by Douglas Egerton. Bloomsbury Press.
A brilliantly told prequel to Team of Rivals-the
first history in six decades of the wild presidential contest that put
Abraham Lincoln in the White House and brought the United States to the
brink of civil war. Acclaimed scholar Douglas R. Egerton chronicles the
contest with a historian's keen insight and a veteran political
reporter's eye for detail. Vividly, Egerton re-creates the cascade of
unforeseen events that confounded political bosses, set North and South
on the road to disunion, and put not Stephen Douglas, but his greatest
rival, in the White House.
 Christmas in Illinois
Edited by James Ballowe. U of I Press
Ottawan James
Ballowe has complied a delightful collection of tales, poems, news
reports, memoirs, recipes, and images arranged in sections on Christmas
in Illinois history, living traditions, songs and symbols, Christmas
outdoors, eating merrily and memories. A wide array of illustrations
makes this a great gift for the history fan.
On
November 10th Jim will be our guest at Hank's Restaurant where he will
share stores from this wonderful book. Call the Book Mouse at
815-433-7323 to reserve a place. For $50.00 you'll receive a signed
copy of the book and a delicious meal.
Rose in a Storm by Jon Katz
Random House
Rose is determined and focused, keeping
the sheep out of danger and protecting the other creatures on the farm
she calls home. But of all those she's looked after since coming to the
farm as a puppy, it is Sam, the farmer, whom she watches most
carefully. The ever observant Rose has seen a change in her master of
late, ever since Sam's wife disappeared one day. She senses something
else in the air as well: A storm is coming, but not like any of the ones
she's seen over the years. This storm feels different, bigger, more
foreboding. When an epic blizzard hits the region, it will take all of
Rose's resolve, resourcefulness, and courage to help Sam save the farm
and the creatures who live there.
 The Gates by John Connolly
Simon and Schuster
Young Samuel Johnson and his dachshund, Boswell, are trying to show
initiative by trick-or-treating a full three days before Halloween,
which is how they come to witness strange goings-on at 666 Crowley Road.
The Abernathys don't mean any harm by their flirtation with the
underworld, but when they unknowingly call forth Satan himself, they
create a gap in the universe, a gap through which a pair of enormous
gates is visible. The gates to Hell. And there are some terrifying
beings just itching to get out.
Sellevision by Augusten Burroughs
St. Martins Press
Welcome to the world of Sellevision, America's premier retail
broadcasting network. When Max Andrews, the much loved and handsome
(that is, lonely and gay) host of a "Toys for Tots" segment,
accidentally exposes himself in front of millions of kids, Sellevision
faces its first big scandal. As Max struggles to find a new job in
television, the popular and perky host Peggy Jean Smythe is receiving
sinister emails from a stalker. Popping pills and drinking heavily, she
fails to notice that her husband is spending a lot of time with the
young babysitter who lives next door. Then there's Leigh, whose affair
with married Sellevision boss Howard Toast is going nowhere until she
announces their relationship on air. A blistering satire of our
overcharged, scandal-obsessed world, Sellevision is "an absolute howl . .
. wicked fun" (New York Daily News).
The Books of Elsewhere by Jacqueline West
Penguin
Old Ms. McMartin is
definitely dead. Now her crumbling Victorian mansion lies vacant. When
eleven-year-old Olive and her dippy mathematician parents move in, she
knows there's something odd about the place-not least the walls covered
in strange antique paintings. But when Olive finds a pair of old
spectacles in a dusty drawer, she discovers the most peculiar thing yet:
She can travel inside these paintings to a world that's strangely quiet
. . . and eerily like her own Yet Elsewhere harbors dark secrets-and
Morton, an undersized boy with an outsize temper. As
she and Morton form an uneasy alliance, Olive finds herself ensnared in
a plan darker and more dangerous than she could have imagined,
confronting a power that wants to be rid of her by any means necessary.
It's up to Olive to save the house from the dark shadows, before the
lights go out for good.
Skippy Jon Jones: Presto Change-O
by Judy Schenchner. Penguin
Yip,
yippee, yippito! This special edition of the original book sports a
caliente new cover. Look at it one way and you'll see the bright,
classic image, then presto change-o Skippy will flourish his mask and
cape! It's a picture-changing party you won't want to miss. A bonus CD
in the back features author Judy Schachner reading all five Skippyjon
Jones books. ÁAy que fabulosa!
 Earth: A Visitors' Guide to the Human Race
by Jon Stewart. Hachette
Where do we come from? Who created us?
Why are we here? These questions have puzzled us since the dawn of time,
but when it became apparent to Jon Stewart and the writers of The Daily Show that
the world was about to end, they embarked on a massive mission to write
a book that summed up the human race: What we looked like; what we
accomplished; our achievements in society, government, religion, science
and culture -- all in a tome of 256 pages with lots of color photos,
graphs and charts.
The Power by Rhonda Byrne
Simon and Schuster
The Secret
revealed the law of attraction. Now, Rhonda Byrne reveals the greatest
force in the universe. This is the handbook to the greatest power in the
Universe; The Power to have anything you want. For those empowered by
Byrne's previous book, this is the perfect next step book.
 Da Bears by Steve Delsohn
Random house
It's been 25 years since the Chicago
Bears won Super Bowl XX with what Bill Parcells called "the best
defensive team I've ever seen" and an offense surprisingly good for a
franchise where offense was often a dirty word. Now, for the first time,
an incredibly candid book takes you through all the games and behind
the scenes-into the huddles, the locker rooms, the team meetings, and of
course the bars-for an intimate account of that unforgettable season.
Here's how a team that got booed
in its regular-season opener ended up winning its first world
championship in 22 years, led by the most capable, colorful, and un-PC
characters ever to strap on helmets-including Jim McMahon, the hard
partyer and so-called punk rocker who became a star quarterback and an
antihero; William "Refrigerator" Perry, the rookie giant who turned into
a full-blown national sensation; Mike Ditka, the legendarily combative
head coach called "Sybil" for his mercurial moods; his nemesis,
defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan, who insulted and broke down his
players, then built them back up again, military-style; Walter Payton,
the hard-nosed running back and mischievous prankster; and middle
linebacker Mike Singletary, known for his leadership and his jarring hits.
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Ongoing 
Events |
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The
first Monday of every month, at 5 p.m. ,is Beau's Book Club. It meets
at the Book Mouse in November and at the Reddick Library in December.
Every third Saturday is Toddler Time from 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Join Nana Jan and Miss. Rachel for stories, songs, a snack and fun. For toddlers ages 2-5 and their parent or guardian. October's theme is Halloween. Costumes are encouraged.
Also, every third Saturday is Becca's Book Club. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging is the topic for this October's meeting. The Club meet at 4 p.m. at the Book Mouse.
The last Tuesday of every month is the WCMY Radio Book Club from 9:15 to 10:00 a.m. October's book selection is Zeitoun by David Eggers.
The last Wednesday of every
month the Heritage River Writers Poetry Group meets at 6:00 p.m. All
poets and aspiring poets are invited to attend.
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Here's What You Just Did! |
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
Thank you!
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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 visit our website at
We always love to hear from you,
so feel free to
This newsletter is produced by the Book Mouse,
Ottawa's independent book store,
and edited by Eileen Fesco.
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| Special Events |
| Fundraiser
for the Radium Girls' statue is a Family Fish Fry on Friday, October
29th from 4:30 to 7:30 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ottawa.
Tickets are $8.00 and you can buy them at the Book Mouse. The author of
Radium Halos, Shelley Stout, will be at the event to talk about her research and sign copies of the book. |
 Downtown Ottawa's Pumpkin Palozza will be on Saturday, October 30.
It's the final day of the 2010 Farmers' Market. You can pick up the
last of the autumn fruits and veggies, mums and pumpkins, and who could
pass up the cookies, breads and other baked creations. Artisans will
also have items that would make great Christmas presents. Trick
O'Treating will run from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. For more info on the day's
events check out: www.ottawadowntownmerchants.org.
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Remember to check our website for
up to the moment information!
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Turning the Pages at the Book Mouse
Staff Picks
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Eileen's Picks
 The Ice Cradle by Mary Ann Winkowski. Three Rivers Press
A
chilling ghost story awaits the reader of The Ice Cradle. Anza is a
ghost whisperer-she sees the dead and can guide them to the light, if
she chooses to do either of these actions. (She sees so many dead
people that more often than not she ignores them.) What pays her bills
is book binding and she's hired to do the organizing and binding of
documents related to a horrifying accident. In 1907 a blizzard off the
coast of Rhode Island caused a steamer to collide with a schooner,
dragging 150 people to their watery graves but many remain
above-the-earth-bound . A couple of different plots flourishes
including a sweet romance, a crooked Senator, and a bratty and dangerous
little ghost girl, make this book a great Halloween treat.
Starting From Scratch by Susan Gilbert-Collins. Simon and Schuster
Olivia
flies home to South Dakota after the sudden death of her Mom. All the
sibling still know how to push each other's buttons as they each fall
into their old roles and this time there's a little hidden baggage. Two
months pass and Olivia has not moved on and her sibs threaten her with
"grief counseling" . Between cooking meals for her Dad from her Mom's
recipe box Olivia helps out at a Meals on Wheels. Over time all the
grownups grow up a little more, revealing secrets, loves and losses.
 The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise
by Julia Stuart. Random House.
Reminescent of The Guernesy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society with
its eccentric characters in a small community, in this case the campus
of the Tower of London, and filled with whimsical and farcical plot
jaunts you'll love sharing this story with your friends, especially
bookclubbers. This is a playful book surrounding a delicate and sweet
love story (and a few tart love stories, too). This is my new favorite
book of the year. This will make a super Christmas gift.
Buy two because you'll want to hang on to your copy.
Rachel H's Pick
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. Delacorte
Two girls, separated
by two centuries, connected by a diary. Alexandrine Paradis lived
in Paris at the time of the revolution. She dreamed of appearing on
the Paris stage, but her role became tragic after an encounter with the
doomed prince. Andi Alpers is from modern day Brooklyn and is on edge
after the death of her little brother and her parents divorce. Her
father has her spend winter break in Paris with him. Andi at first
simply finds the diary, until one night Alex's past becomes Andi's
reality.
Beau's Pick
Bruiser by Neal Shusterman. Harper
Brusiser is about
Brewster, and a pair of twins, Tennyson (Boy), and Bronte (Girl). Bronte
starts dating Brewster (Brusiser to everyone at school) and Tennyson
doesn't like that, but then he sees what Brewster's home life is like,
living with an alcoholic uncle, and raising his eight year old brother,
all by himself. After seeing this Tennyson learns to look past all the
things he has heard about him around school, such as Brewster being
voted the most likely to receive the death enalty, and accept him as a
good person, and they actually form something, not exactly a friendship,
but they aren't enemies. Brewster has this weird ability, when he gets
hurt, people he cares about get hurt also. Scarps and bruises just
appear on their bodies, in this case, the twin's bodies. I like this
book because it shows the ugly side of life from a young adult's
perspective. The book is also told in three different points of views,
and I have always been attracted to books that do this. If you read this
book, and like it as much as I have, you might enjoy Ellen Hopkins
series of books, Burned, Impulse, Crank, Glass, etc.
Rachel K's Picks
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens. St. Martin's
Told from victim to
psychiatrist, 32 year old Annie O'Sullivan recounts the year of her
abduction. Struggling to escape the man who deeply abused her and to
piece back her, Annie is almost abducted once again! Helpless, Annie
turns to a passionate investigator who will help her reveal her true
captor.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. Scholastic
The final installment
of the Hunger Games series, Mockingjay reveals the fate of Katness,
Peeta, Gail, and the districts. Katness's struggle to remain true to her
heart while becoming the icon of revolution is a powerful, riveting
ending. Readers may want to take a little time savoring the story
because it is just too good to end.
Becca's Staff Pick
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. Margaret K. McElderry
In the prequal to the much loved
Mortal Instruments series, sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray travels to
England to find her brother. When she arrives she finds all sorts of
chaos including vampires, warlocks, demons, and the shadow hunters who
keep them all under control. When Tessa is kidnapped by the Dark
Sisters, she learns that she is part of the Downworld and has the
ability to transform into other people. The Magister finds out about
Tessa's power and will do anything to take it. To escape him, Tessa
stays with the shadow hunters, who will help find her brother. When
Tessa befriends shadow hunters James and Will, she has to choose between
them and saving her brother.
Angela's Staff Picks
Wake by Lisa McMann. Simon and Schuster Publishing
Janie
Hannagan is a senior in high school who was born and raised on the bad
side of town. She had to raise herself because of her mother being an
alcoholic and her father leaving them. Her life would seem unusual
based on circumstance, but Janie can enter into peoples' dreams, which
is even more abnormal. Its an unwanted gift that she has been given
since she was a child; she can't control it either. Because of her gift
she didn't go to sleepovers and wished she could get a decent nights
sleep constantly. Her world becomes even more chaotic when she gets
involved with a boy named Cabel Strumheller. She wonders if she can
trust him with her secret, but as it turns out he has some secrets of
his own. Being a insider for the cops in a major drug bust at
their school makes for interesting conversation, but with the help of
Janie, Cabel and the cops are able to crack the case and stop the
dealers.
The Last Child by John Hart. St. Martin's.
This is a story about a 13-year-old boy named Johnny Merrimon and his determination to find his twin sister,
Alyssa, who was abducted a year ago. He feels that everyone has given
up hope that she could still be alive somewhere, but the detective on
the case has been tortured since she was taken. Johnny's family has
fallen apart, as well as the dectectives', but he goes through immense
danger trying to find his lost sister. He goes to the dirtiest,
creepiest, and most dangerous parts of town to study and talk to the
most likely people that could have taken her. Meanwhile, the detective
is trying to find anything that he could have missed so he can bring
home Alyssa. Things start to heat up when Johnny witness the death and
possible murder of a man. Before Johnny ran away from him he
whispered his last words, "I know where she is." Johnny's hopes have
been encouraged and now he pursues the plan he has been making for the
past year and takes action. This drives the detectives to find more
bodies and Johnny finds out that he has been betrayed and tricked along
with everyone else.
This
is an amazing story written beautifully. I loved this book because it
expresses an extreme love and determination that, in my opinion, most of
us lack. Johnny loved his sister soo much that he never gave up even
though the odds were against him. He did everything in his power to
find out what happened and where she was, losing all sense of
selfishness and expressed the rawest, truest form of self-lessness. His
love and determination to find his sister pushed away all doubts,
fears, and contrary facts leaving him to follow his heart.
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