We love getting new books here.  New, used, remaindered, antiquarian -- it doesn't matter, we do 'em all, and new acquisitions are new.  Today the treasure troves are a dozen boxes of gorgeous remaindered books (mostly British art books with titles like The Art of Botanical Illustration and The Idea of Louis Sullivan).

We also got a decadent box of new, new books from Chelsea Green Publishing in Vermont.  I try not to buy too many new books, since this is a used bookstore after all (you've heard about the competition), but some fields just demand it.  Modern ecological studies and advances in renewable energy are such a field.  Chelsea Green also publishes this groovy little set of four inexpensive handbooks that sum up our four basic ecological concerns:  energy, water, recycling and composting.  A perfect stocking stuffer kind of book, even in August.  Meaningful, applicable sound bytes you can use. 

THE GOLDEN COMPASS
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Harriett

The story I always heard was that Philip Pullman had multiple offers to film The Golden Compass, but he kept refusing, saying it is too magical and complex to work in a cinematic fashion.  Then he saw Peter Jackson's first installment of The Lord of the Rings and said, gee, Peter Jackson can film my book.  To which Jackson answered, as the rumor goes, sure, as soon as I finish the Ring cycle.

Now with the Ring firmly in the past, the movie version of The Golden Compass is slated to open December 7, 2007.  The official previews begin with reference to the Ring movies, but the director has changed many times apparently.  In the end, screenwriter Chris Weitz gets the credit.  I wonder who his daemon is.  I eagerly await the movie...  Both the trailer and the longer Comic Con preview are available on the official movie site.  There's also a cool Meet Your Daemon game -- mine is a crow named Thaleron.

DELIVERIES
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 
Harriett

When it rains it pours!  We got some deliveries, oh boy!  Some for friends, new some books and cards (and some new acquisitions of used books, too), and even a new washing machine for home (it happens).  In fact, I was on the phone with Antioch Publishing, asking where my new shipment of bookmarks was, when the UPS guy came in with four boxes from Antioch.  Okay, we got some bookmarks and bookplates now!  Woo-hoo!

BALLAST BLOWOUT
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Harriett

I was turning on lights this morning when the LitArts room made some scary crackling noises, smoke and smell, and then sparks flew.  Yeah, I turned that switch off very quickly.  Luckily I know an electrician (see entry for 8/23/07)!  It's always something....

The good news of the day though, is that we've just augmented the photography section in one quick fell swoop -- 6 new boxes this morning.  I'm eager to go play with the new acquisitions!  Ya just never know what's gonna happen on Saturday...

QUINN
Friday, August 24, 2007
Rebecca

So there we were at the Cleveland Browns practice camp - the last of the summer and the HOTTEST - and there's young Peter Knab with sister and friends.  Peter is no stranger to Loganberry since his mom (me) works there and Peter often cruises the store in his wheelchair offering help and striking up conversations.  After practice, the dripping players came over to the barrier to sign autographs for the fans - very nice of them actually, since an air-conditioned room and cold shower were no doubt waiting.  At the very end, the big star Quinn comes out  (well, we hope he's gonna be a big star - hope springs eternal in the Cleveland sports breast), signs things, and then, right before leaving, takes off his practice jersey and hands it to Peter. 
Dropped jaws all round.
I have been forbidden to wash it. 
The story no doubt would have impressed Harriett more if I hadn't had to explain WHO BRADY QUINN IS.

PS:  I have told Peter this "cutest-kid-in-wheelchair" stuff won't last much longer.  He says he knows, but plans to enjoy it in the meantime.

SOLAR POWER
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Harriett

Our friend Erika is in the news again.  Renewable Energy has great popular and press appeal these days, but it's still a fledgling business.  Thanks to the  Free Times  for some publicity!  Now to get some solar panels in action...  let's go, guys...  it's awfully sunny today and I'm burning coal just to cool down (ridiculous, isn't it?).... REpower... 

ALICE IN SUNDERLAND
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Harriett

The good book I referred to on Monday was Bryan Talbot's Alice in Sunderland.  Talbot already has a winning reputation as a graphic novelist and illustrator (he even illustrated some of Gaiman's Sandman).  This one has an infectious beginning, blending theatre with literature with history in three different illustration styles.  Hooked me right away (as in, oh, I have to take this one home), but I'll warn you:  the illustrations are so good that each page will take about 10 minute apiece if you give it due justice.  I'm still working on it, and very much enjoying it...  what a allusionary riot.... 

IN MEMORIAM: MADELEINE B. STERN
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Harriett

Madeleine B. Stern died on August 18, 2007 at the age of 95.  Together with the late Leona Rostenberg, the two broke boundaries in the antiquarian book trade.  Rostenberg was the first woman President of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and Stern was responsible for putting on the first Antiquarian Book Fair.  The bookdealer team Rostenberg & Stern also wrote numerous memoirs and book chronicles and were friends and partners for over 50 years.  Among their books are the memoirs Old Books Rare Friends, Old & Rare, Bookends, and several other books about the antiquarian book trade and literary discoveries, like discovering the thrillers written by Louisa May Alcott.  Ah, the end of an era...  But is it?  Bookends has been made into a musical and is currently in production at New Jersey Rep. 

FLAT TIRES 
Monday, August 20, 2007
Harriett

Ever notice that car trouble always happens in bad weather?  I thought, gee, I don't have to go anywhere on Sunday and I've got a good book (more on that tomorrow), so I'll deal with this flat tire tomorrow when it stops raining.  When it stops raining?!  Right, I forgot the heavens are trying to make up for the drought of July by raining through the entire month of August.  Silly me. 

Well, we're on the road to recovery now...  but I got lazy and didn't bother to change the tire into its crummy (very crummy) spare and limp to the tire shop - no, I called Better World Club (the enviro answer to AAA - they'll even help with your bicycle) and got a tow.  Seemed like a more efficient solution, and certainly easier for me.

LINKS
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Harriett

I remember when I started a website in 1994, the in thing to do was link to everything, making most of your own text underlined with hyperlinks (I'd link to one of those early incarnations, but I can't find it right now).  So, in new blog spirit, I offer some of my favorite book joke links (except they're real). 

The first image here is Bookman, courtesy of Any Amount of Books on Charing Cross Road in London. You can buy one of your own, and there are three designs. 

Or, if you want something closer to furniture than sculpture, try the Cave by Japanese-Italian Sakura Adachi.  Also available in three styles, including a pet version. 

And then there's the Italian Livio De Marchi.  His Casa di Libri is made entirely of books, or wood made to look like books, inside and out.  Click on "Large Works" on his website to take you to the big house.  Although his Floating Ferrari is rather amusing....

RUGS AND LIMBO
Friday, August 17, 2007
Harriett

So I decided perhaps I'd start a blog.  Having kept a journal since age 7 or so, and in conjunction with Loganberry's monthly e-newsletters, it seems a tad redundant (especially when Audrey says I have to get a MySpacepage too), but here goes. 

Today the news is about rugs and limbos.  Our beloved vegetarian restaurant on the street, Cafe Limbo, has seemingly closed her doors.  I dare say she will resurrect, albeit differently, but for the time being she's down.  What's down at Loganberry is a new rug.  Down on the floor (that I can scarcely reach for this back ache--caused by moving a rug, mind you), there is a new acquisition from a book customer, a Heriz that looked more peach than red, and now looks orange.  Changes the space somewhat, gives it more light but less purple.  Speaking of rugs, Erdogan is in the process of moving Larchmere Oriental Rugs to the old M% building across the street.  New building paint and signs look great, and it will surely be a wonderful open space for all those rugs.  I used to share space with all those rugs... so many years ago...  But business changes are eternal, and we're just waiting for that coffee shop to open again (at least for some iced tea)...  There was a time when I thought we wouldn't have rugs with the books, and a time when I wondered where to get some veggie eats...  the more things change, the more they stay the same...