Taking a cue from some non-book blogs I read, a post about lessons I’ve learned from my moms*–except I’m going to keep my lessons purely book and bookselling-oriented (otherwise we’d be here all day).

1. If you don’t like a book, don’t keep reading it, for heaven’s sake. Life is too short.

2. Read or die. (ganked directly from Mom’s FAQ, actually)

3. You might not judge a book by its cover, but plenty of people do, so keep that in mind when making a display.

4. Don’t allow a man (or a woman) to take you out unless he reads (and, for that matter, is a registered voter).

5. Book censorship is completely indefensible.

6. You sleep better if you read before bed.

7. There is no way of knowing for sure which books are going to be super-popular, so don’t beat yourself up when you get it wrong.

8. Enthusiasm sells books better than anything else.

9. If you don’t know how to do something, go find a book about it.

10. Kids like creepy, weird, strange books, because kids’ brains are creepy, weird, and strange.

ETA: 11. Loan out books indiscriminately.  Books are happiest when they’re being read, people are happier when they have good books, and friendships are  strengthened by conversation about good books (unless they’re not, in which case, good riddance).

It is my mom’s fault that I am a bookavore. When she was pregnant with my little sister and on bedrest most of the time, our life was getting grocery bags full of books from the library and lying in bed to read them all day. My earliest memories are of laying down surrounded by books. Is it any wonder that I feel at peace in a bookstore? (I also have early memories of everybody at the dinner table reading a different book rather than talking.)

*By moms, I include not only my actual mom, but also my step-mom (linked that instead of her home page so you can see how awesome she is), and countless maternal figures who have been in and out of my life, including the Head Buyer and Children’s Book Buyer at my current job.

From this article in Bookselling This Week, two bookstores I would like to highlight because they are the sort of awesome bookstores that I would wrap my arms around and give a bear hug, if my arms were long enough.

the river’s end, in Oswego, NY, is celebrating its tenth anniversary!  Hooray for them!  I love, love, love this store.  Beautiful store, awesome people, and I always find a book that I love but didn’t know about until I walked in.   Congrats, Bill and Mindy!

And Clinton Book Shop, who had the distinct honor of being on the soap opera As the World Turns Tuesday, which is just about one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard.  Congrats, Harvey and Rob!

Lunchtime reads have been:

51. When Men Become Gods: Mormon Polygamist Warren Jeffs, His Cult of Fear, and the Women Who Fought Back by Stephen Singular (St. Martin’s, 2008). This came in the store a little bit ago and I intended just to flip through it, because of the whole Yearning for Zion thing being in the news, but I ended up reading the whole thing. This is a great book for secret fans of true crime, because Jeffs is just as crazy as any serial killer. It’s also interesting to see why the FLDS was allowed to get away with their crimes, as well as the small army of people that were needed to start bringing them down. Made me think very seriously about the consequences of freedom of religion, even if the writing was choppy. If someone comes in wanting to know more about the FLDS stuff, this is a great book to hand them.

52. Bottomfeeder: How to Eat Ethically in a World of Vanishing Seafood by Taras Grescoe (Bloomsbury, 2008). As a vegetarian who sometimes doesn’t eat fish, I found this book invaluable and fascinating. I personally don’t have a problem with the ethics of eating a fish, but I do find the way many fish are caught to be problematic (most of all because of reports that at the rate humans are consuming fish, they will all be gone by 2048). Grescoe agrees, in many ways, and his book is a trip all over the world, looking at how fish is caught and consumed. Very well-written and engaging, and equally interested in people as fish, because after all, when we stop eating a certain kind of fish, it does have an impact on fishermen. Best of all, there’s a comprehensive section in the back with suggestions from Grescoe about how to consume fish responsibly. Unfortunately, it’s not simple, but if the book drives home one point about ethical fish eating, it’s that there is nothing simple about it. Well, that’s a small lie. The book’s thesis is actually summed up in the title–to eat ethically, we need to eat lower on the food chain. Rather than tuna and shark, eat sardines and clams. It’s just that “eating lower on the food chain” is a shifting thing that is a matter of “depends” and “sometimes.” Anyway, I really enjoyed it, as would anybody who likes Michael Pollan, Animal Vegetable Miracle, etc. I think this book has the potential to become very big, and I hope it does.

I see many many many fans of my marvelous mom, Laurie Halse Anderson, are wandering over!  She gave me the birthday present of pageviews.  Thanks, momma!

Hope y’all like what you read and come back!  Suggestions always welcome (as long as they’re kindly worded; after all, it is my birthday).

Thing One: An old flame, The Virginia Quarterly Review.  Rekindled by this blog entry listing some awesome reasons for rejecting submissions.  It’s impossible to pick my favorite, but here’s one of them: “If this were written by an eighth grader, I’d call a parent/teacher conference to discuss his anger issues. Since he’s a self-published novelist, though, I can only decline this and move on with my life.”

Thing Two: Another old flame rekindled, Sherman Alexie.  Apparently, there were people who were not too happy with his comments on a PW panel about what makes a YA a YA, but I am not one of them.  This made me laugh hysterically: “Alexie spoke of the response he’s received from writers in the adult world, since publishing Absolutely True Diary. ‘I thought I’d been condescended to because I’m an Indian,’ he said. ‘That was nothing compared to the condescension I get because I’ve written a YA novel.’”

Thing Three: A new crush!  THE IRON MAN MOVIE.  I’m not even sure I can write about it without breaking down into fangirl babble.  BUT IT WAS SO AWESOME.  And I am TOTALLY going as Pepper Potts for Halloween this year.  (Even if you don’t know anything about Iron Man, you’ll like it–I’m a comics girl, but didn’t know much about Iron Man before I went in–so go see it!)

Alrighty, I have not been very disciplined about blogging what I’ve been reading at home, which is a shame because it’s all been good.  Quick round-up.

43. Incognegro written by Mat Johnson, art by Warren Pleece (Vertigo/DC, 2008).  I had been wanting to read this for awhile, since I saw ads for it in the weekly books, and then when I was visiting New Paltz, I saw it at their awesome comic shop and snagged it.  It was just as good as I had hoped, maybe better.  Well-drawn characters (both literally and figuratively), very well-paced, and neither Johnson’s writing nor Pleece’s art shies away from the nasty, lethal racism of the 1930s Deep South.  When I finished it, I closed it, and then opened it right back up to read it again.  This book has amazing potential for a long life, because aside from just being a great read, it would be great for classes (race studies, American history, or graphic novel writing).

44. Sucks to Be Me by Kimberly Pauley (Mirrorstone, September 2008).  Picked this up at work, read a few pages, had to take it home–this is one of those books that just jumps right into the story.  The premise sounds a little fluffy; it’s about a girl whose parents are vampires, which she’s not supposed to know, and when the Vampire Council finds out she does, they basically give her a month (including vampire classes) to decide if she wants to be one too.  Mina is a great protagonist, so good that I wish Pauley hadn’t bothered with the journal/list/IM convo format and just told the story straight.  Some hilarious scenes–teen vampires are about the same as normal teens, it seems.  But Mina’s dilemma is actually a pretty difficult one, and she struggles with it for most of the book, as did I, once I started thinking about what she was being forced to choose.  I really wasn’t sure how the book would end until I got there, and found it very satisfying when I got there.

45. All We Ever Wanted Was Everything by Janelle Brown (Spiegel & Grau/RH, late May 2008).  Three main characters, none of whom I particularly liked because I was frustrated with them, but on the other hand I was up until 2am finishing the book because I was hoping that things would end better for them.  First: Mom Janice, having a great day on the day her husband’s company’s IPO is making them multi-millionaires–until he divorces her via bike messenger.  Second: Margaret, Janice’s older daughter, who finds herself in incredible debt because her feminist/anti-consumerist magazine has fallen apart and her boyfriend has left her (just as he’s becoming famous).  Third: Lizzie, Janice’s younger daughter, who loses a lot of weight, finds herself wanted by boys, and gives each of them what they want without thinking about what she wants, not realizing the consequences of that until later.  As everything falls down around their ears, I couldn’t stop reading because I just wanted to stop cringing already.  And sure enough, the end was satisfying without being cloying.  This might make a good book club book for a younger book group (under 50).

46. Little Things: A Memoir in Slices written and illustrated by Jeffrey Brown (Touchstone/S&S, 2008).  Brown’s Cat Getting Out of a Bag: And Other Observations is one of my favorite comics (and also would make the perfect gift for any cat person you know).  So I was pleased when this came out.  It truly is in slices; several seemingly disconnected stories that take place over a couple years.  I wasn’t completely blown away by it, but I did like it.

47. Awkward and Definition: The High School Comic Chronicles of Ariel Schrag written and illustrated by Ariel Schrag (Touchstone/S&S, 2008).  Another autobiographical comic–why are these more interesting as comics?  Anyway, the back describes it thusly: “an unflinching look at what it’s like being a teenage girl in America.”  This was definitely true in the mid-90s, when the book was written; things have changed since then (no cell phones in this book, or dealing with awkward IM conversations with someone you have a crush on, or so on).  But in many of the ways that matter, they haven’t changed at all, so I think this book would still appeal to HS students.  And it will definitely appeal to anybody who was a mid-90s teen.  It’s great in the larger context of autobiographical comics, and even more impressive when you consider that Schrag was still in high school when she created it.

48. The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante (Bloomsbury, just came out).  This has gotten a lot of buzz from YA fans, and I can see why–it’s quite good.  Eerily relevant in light of the whole Yearning for Zion scariness, as it’s about two girls living at a religious commune and then running away.  The book alternates between their viewpoints, which is useful because while Honey is rebellious, Agnes longs to become a saint and loves the commune.  When Agnes’ grandmother steals them and Agnes’ brother away after he is badly hurt (and after hearing about the abuse that happens at the commune) they are thrown into a world they don’t understand.  Galante does a great job of writing what our world must look like to people who haven’t experienced it (similar to how well Walter Kirn does this in Mission to America), as well as exploring the complexities of what Agnes and Honey want in their lives, and what they fear.

49. The Bush Tragedy by Jacob Weisberg (RH, 2008).  As you can see from the title, Weisberg obviously doesn’t think much of Bush’s tenure in office.  But then, according to polling, neither does most of the country.  However, rather than approaching it from policy decisions, Weisberg comes at the analysis with two frames.  Firstly, he uses Shakespeare (primarily Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, and Henry V).  Secondly, he looks at 5 relationships of Bush’s, and this is where his genius comes out.  As he says in the introduction, “This book isn’t intended as an indictment.  It is an attempt at explanation,” and that is exactly what his approach provides (xix).  In addition to his complex relationship with both sides of his family, Weisberg examines Bush’s relationship with Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld, and Rice.  The George W. who exists on the page at the end of the book is, truly, a figure out of Shakespearean tragedy, manipulated by several people who used his blind spots against him, but ultimately, not blameless for his actions, either.  It will freak you out, since we’re talking about the leader of the free world, but it’s compelling reading because it’s so well-crafted.

50. These Things Ain’t Gonna Smoke Themselves: A Love Hate Love Hate Love Letter to a Very Bad Habit written and illustrated by Emily Flake (Bloomsbury, 2008).  Hahahahahaha, this book is hilarious!  Not sure how funny it is to people who have never smoked, but smokers and former smokers, rest assured–this book is for you.  And, in fact, it did help a few non-smokers I know to understand why people smoke in the first place, and then keep smoking.  Funny as the day is long and unflinching, and 100% awesome.  A short little book that I have probably read 10 times since I bought it.  Love it!  Hard to sell, I guess, because many people hide their love of smoking, but if you find one, thrust this book in their hands and guarantee them that they’ll love it.

Whew, that was a lot of books to catch up on!

From today’s Shelf Awareness, a hilarious interview with Jon Scieszka:

“Can you weigh the pros and cons of the title “Laureate” versus “Ambassador?”

That’s a hot-button issue. That was decided at the highest level, at the Library of Congress.

I was a fan of “Laureate” because it’s easier to remember. No one can remember “National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.” It doesn’t even have a good acronym: naypul? I call myself “the Ambassador” because it works better. I’ve been claiming all Ambassador privileges, ranging from parking wherever I want to full diplomatic immunity. I’m still hoping for the attack helicopter with my seal on the side.

Last week, at Viking’s 75th Anniversary party, you were hooting and whistling when Regina Hayes was being introduced at the microphone. Do you think that is appropriate behavior for an Ambassador?

I think that was someone else, actually, my Aide-de-Camp. You probably confused that noise coming from me. It was probably my Aide-de-Camp and my Sergeant at Arms, both of whom go with me wherever I go. One takes the fall; the other takes any bullets that come my way. That third person hooting and hollering was my pastor, from whom I’ve since distanced myself.”

Jon was at our store a few months ago, and he was just as delightful as you’d think!  I have a lovely signed Octopus (of Cowboy & Octopus fame) on top of my monitor that makes me smile pretty much every day.  One of these days I’ll find the cord that links my computer to my camera, so you can see it!

While reading Bookslut, you see a link to a story about a spray-painted ISBN on a bridge in Toronto.  You look at the picture and note that the ISBN only has 9 digits, so it can’t possibly be an ISBN.  You log into Baker and Taylor’s database from home and try the 9 digits with a 1 in front; no luck.  You try with a 0, and it works!  It’s in the warehouse, and there’s a good chance it’s already in the store!  What a great idea for a small counter display!  You give a little cheer and the cat in your lap looks at you askance.

(It’s the Dover edition of Walden, by the way.)

Three Guys One Book.  One of the three guys, Jason Rice, is, about half the time, the guy at the other end of the phone when my buyer calls in an order to Bookazine.  I look forward to reading it; adding it to Google Reader now.

Okay, that didn’t work, can’t find it yet.  Well, I will add it, when it shows up as something I CAN add!

I’ve got a bunch of tabs here with articles that might be interesting to bookish folk:

Jessa Crispin’s trip to the London Book Fair had me laughing hysterically.  It’s hard to pick the funniest bits out, but here is one, from the section on a panel about how to make publishing sexy: “None of the panelists are younger than 50, and none of them has anything to say about making publishing sexy. Instead they talk about books’ “transformative powers,” followed by a discussion lasting a solid seven minutes on peer-reviewed science journals that seems to have come from Mars. Everyone but the talking physicist is looking around, confused. The panelists avoid eye contact with one another and have taken a sudden interest in the ceiling tiles. Finally, after uttering the sentence, “1642 is my favorite year of our nation’s history,” University of Bristol’s Emeritus Professor of Physics Sir John Enderby stops talking, and the rest of the panel goes back to this question of how to get more people to read. Talking about books in the same language one would describe the benefits of a daily multivitamin is maybe not the best way to sex up the industry.”

Bookdwarf wrote about a great essay by Rebecca Solnit, and relates it back to books.  Make sure you read the essay she links to; it’s profound and funny.  It’s a strange thing, talking about gender in fiction, because it is true that women often seem to dominate the industry in many ways, except for in the accolades dept.  It often reminds me of how the majority of teachers in an elementary school are almost always women, but there’s a better than average chance that the principal will be a man.

And speaking of diversity in fiction, here’s an older post from The Angry Black Woman that I found recently about how to promote it.  If the publishing industry cares at all about actual diversity in fiction, reading this would be a good place to start.

In closing, here’s something for you to do for the next 15 minutes, and a guarantee it’ll make you think (in my case, about books, of course, and how they fit into this general idea of a “cognitive surplus”).  It’s a video of Clay Shirky, recent author of Here Comes Everybody, found (obviously) on Warren Ellis’ website (you may have also seen it on Boingboing).  Very cool, as long as you cover your ears and hum when he tells people to buy his book on Amazon.

Look for an update later today of the beginning-to-teeter stack of recently read books!