A new Nancy Drew?

After reading Maureen Corrigan's review in the Wash Post this am, I want to read "The Shanghai Moon" by S.J. Rozan. After relating her own failed attempt to write a Nancy Drew book, Corrigan hooked me with:

"Rozen's Lydia Chin is a private investigator very much in the Nancy mold (that is, if Nancy were grown up and Chinese American)...Despite her longings, however, ladylike Lydia keeps Bill at a chaste distance,allowing only the kind of hugs that Nancy Drew would permit from Ned Nickerson."

Looks like fun - it's on the reading list. (BTW - Did Nancy and Ned EVER kiss?)

Lamorna Wink - Is that a bar or a drink??

I love to check out the pubs used as titles by Martha Grimes in her mystery books featuring Inspector Richard Jury of Scotland and Melrose Plant.

Having just finished one of her books, I wanted to check out the REAL The Lamorna Wink which is located in Cornwall. If only there weren't a satellite dish on the roof...

Just like Grade School - Our Class Picture

Without further ado, here's the Bookseller Class of March 2007 as captured by Marsha Wood of Ingram Books (we all loved Marsha). Mark and Donna, our wonderful instructors from Paz and Associates, are right in front.

Top 10 Indie Mysteries

Shocking! A post that actually mentions books.

Check out a new (to you) author from this top 10 list of mystery books from the American Booksellers Association based on sales at independent bookstores throughout the U.S.

1. Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear
2. The Private Patient by P.D. James (I read her stuff!)
3. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
4. Lush Life by Richard Price
5. T Is for Trespass by Sue Grafton (hers too)
6. Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais
7. Stranger in Paradise by Robert B. Parker
8. The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin
9. Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
10. The Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith

And these are ones I thought had great titles:
11. An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear
14. Dog on It by Spencer Quinn
15. August Heat by Andrea Camilleri
16. Promises in Death by J.D. Robb
22. Bookmarked for Death by Lorna Barrett
24. The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark
25. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

Feel that zing?

Usually the skeptic when it comes to all kinds of health treatments, alternative or otherwise, I have to admit I'm liking the results from acupuncture.

With my extreme fear of needles, it was not a "natural" choice for me, but it's been painless and the effects noticeable.

On top of that, there's a new treatment story every week. The most interesting so far have involved moxa.

Moxibustion = Herb + Burning + Skin and smells like weed (what I've HEARD weed smells like). Much as I laughed,it worked and has been a great story (and I haven't been burned yet).

Eating more candy

Glad I'm not alone, in When Economy Sours, Tootsie Rolls Soothe Souls, the NY Times noted that the "recession seems to have a sweet tooth."

We're all reaching for candy and assorted sweets during these challenging economic times. And not just the new stuff, oldies like mallo cups, mary janes, necco wafers, bit-o-honey and swedish fish are flying off the shelves.

Sales were up over 80% versus last year at one candy shop. Another shop owner said customers told her “They put candy in their actual budget”.

Now that's MY kind of budget!



And it's not new: "Hershey, the dominant candy brand during the Depression, remained profitable enough through the 1930s for the company to finance its own work program for the unemployed, said Pamela Whitenack, Hershey’s community archives director."

Threshold Moments...

Thin Mint cookies are the Best! (Sorry, that isn't what this posting is about, but they are fueling my energy this am.)

Threshold Moments - when we move/change TO something. As part of that, we LEAVE things behind. We are not the same person we were before we "crossed" that threshold.

A speaker talked about this at church last night and I didn't have to think hard about my most recent threshold moment - deciding to open the bookstore and leaving behind the $ and security of a corporate job.

Until I looked at back at some notes from when parted ways with the company, I didn't realize how much I had changed since coming to that decision. I feel more like me that I have in a long time. And that's a good thing.

Back home and let's get started!

You know you've got it bad when you get excited about discussions on inventory management systems. That's when I knew I was hopelessly hooked on the new bookstore.

After an intensive cram course on everything you need to open your bookstore, I'm ready to wrap up this business plan and GET SOME $$$$.

BTW, a bookstore perk - you make little money, but get LOTS of free books!

Amelia Island is a cute historic town with no chain anything that I could see. There were some awesome artists and I did buy 2 things before my bookstore poverty sets in.

I was particularly drawn back to a gallery on Ash Street with Carol Winner and Christina Long.

Bookstore Boot Camp

That's not what they call it, but that's what I call it. "Workshop" sounds very sedate and that's not what I'm looking for. I'm ready to get started and will drive them crazy with all my questions. By the time I come back, I'll (A) start my loan paperwork or (B) move to Plan B (but since there's no Plan B, we'll go back to Plan A).

Dedicated or Delusional?

Starting a new business is this environment is not the smartest thing to do, but if you continue to persevere in trying to make it happen, does that make you dedicated or delusional?

I've been working on opening my own business - a bookstore- and am realizing how much I DON'T know and also how much $$ it will take. But instead of being worried, the more I get into it, the more excited I am. To be able to do something you've wanted to do for a long time - it feels wonderful.

Maybe I won't have my house or savings in a few years, but at least I'm giving it a shot (so this is where maybe I'm delusional or reckless). I'm doing it anyway.

Back to travel...and my mom

First, my mom called me on not updating my blog for a week, so at least someone is looking at it. She wouldn't agree, but she's pretty tech savvy, except when it comes to her cell phone. She uses it when SHE needs it, but generally that's the only time it's on. She's one of those wonderful folks who are totally present when they're with you, so kudos, Mom, on not letting the technology dictate your actions.

And next up on the travel calendar: Amelia Island, FL and then Prague (yea!!) in May.

"And seldom is heard

a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day." That phrase from a v-e-r-y old song, Home on the Range, has been running through my mind the past 2 weeks.

Not sure why I know a song about the west, but it's come to mind after all these years, since I've been trying to not say "a discouraging word." I'm tired of hearing only bad things and don't want to contribute to the negative vibe - there are some good things going on too. Plus, the round-about way of saying it's sunny -- "not cloudy all day" sounds a little like me.

And if you want to read all the lyrics, click here (I love being able to check lyrics since I usually do NOT have them right - it saves a lot of embarrassment.).

Books and computers working together

Who says computers can't enhance a book reading experience?
(Lio by Mark Tatulli - Feb 28, 2009)