First Officer's Log No 23: Old Favorites and New Toys

I think I've concluded that global warming must be real, because despite the fact that it's maybe a little over 30 degrees outside in the final full week of November, there's not a speck of snow or ice on the ground. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm quite happy to have winter in Iowa, sans the side effects. That being said, though, there are a few great coffee shops in town that have their fireplaces roaring, and who doesn't love being able to curl up in a comfy chair next to a fire with a good book?

I have a whole stack of books for winter reading, but I'm curious to know what people are planning on attacking this wintry season for their literary or non fiction fixes? I've got a mixture of both, and lately I haven't been able to pin down what The Big Thing will be this year. I mean, Steig Larsson is still selling like hot cakes, and we have a few nice new hardcovers of this year releases like Brady Udall's The Lonely Polygamist and Justin Cronin's The Passage, but I'm curious to see what people are hoping to see their neighborhood used book store have on hand.

It is that time of year again, when holiday shoppers (yours truly included) experience that mixture of dread and eagerness: the dread of braving The Mall, and the eagerness of finding The Perfect Gift. Well, fear not, gentle shoppers, for we might be able to help you out.

The good news is right now we have a lot of older favorites in stock, such as all the Harry Potter Books, including volumes 3 through 7 in hardcover, as well as most of the Cirque du Freak series for those supernatural teen fiction fans out there. As always, we have a great collection of children's picture books with beautiful illustrations, and don't forget our new kids non-fiction section. There are some very nifty reprints of classic Nancy Drew books from the 1920s, as well as an assortment of other old favorites, like Hardy Boys and Boxcar Children. If you need some suggestions for young adult readers who need something new for the winter holidays, just let us know.

We've got several lovely Library of America editions of classic American fiction like Philip Roth and Mark Twain, as well as non-fiction classical political writing from Jefferson, Paine and a very cool edition of A.J. Liebling's World War II articles. Our history section continues to grow, and we have a strictly European History section now, as well as Historiography, or books on writing about history. If you're coming in search of education or parenting books and don't find them up front, don't panic, they're in the back room above psychology now.

We've got a whole bunch of new toys to go along with the books, including some whimsical card games and new puppets. For more information, check our website or stop by and we'll be happy to demonstrate how to best utilize the big turkey puppet for maximum amusement during your big holiday get togethers.

Until next week, fellow bibliophiles.