Feeling like Tinkerbell

I feel like Tinkerbell and the other fairies when someone says they don't believe. My light is a little dimmer today. Yesterday we cleaned out Books & Crannies and now it is just a sad empty space. But if you all clap your hands, maybe something new can emerge from the ashes. I hear you clapping...

In the meantime, keep reading, don't get too hooked on your e-reader and help me keep the dream alive. While it was an unfortunate series of events that led to the demise of the bookstore, I know very well that there are plenty of book lovers out there--those old-fashioned kind that like to hold an actual, bound book in their hands--that would love to see another store in Middleburg. For now, why not read something great, like Little Bee by Chris Cleave. This is a haunting and moving novel about an unlikely friendship between a Nigerian refugee and a window in London.

And let me know what you think.

Frankenstein, A Sandwich, and Some Cake

There is a genius among us and his name is Adam Rex. A few years ago he wrote a book that we all thought at first was a children's book. It was Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich--utterly charming and hilarious. This year, he wrote a sequel, Frankenstein Takes the Cake. Now, I realize these are books all children will enjoy, but they are not necessarily books only for children. On the contrary they are a bit subversive, even naughty, but in a very good-hearted way. And you will laugh...and laugh...and laugh. And those of us above a certain age will enjoy the underlying jokes a LOT! In Sandwich, for instance, the Phantom of the Opera has 'composer's block' because he can't get a certain song out of his head. The song? It's A Small World After All. Now, can't all the adults in the room relate to that?

In Cake, there's a little ditty about some messages picked up from Outer Space, especially a certain jingle by way of Mars regarding inexpensive prescription drugs that will give you bigger, yellower antennae. Well, you just have to read it for yourself.

Unfortunately, Adam Rex has not gotten the attention I think he deserves. In fact, Cake was nearly left behind in Books & Crannies, until I bought it myself! What's up with that?

So if you have a sense of humor--and I know you all do--think about picking up one of Adam's books as a gift for someone who just loves puns and funky poetry and cool illustrations. Or buy it for yourself. I did.

My brand new blog for book lovers, book authors and would-be book authors

This is my first-ever post to my new blog, Genieology. It is my intention to make this blog about books, book lovers, book authors and would-be book authors. I am a writer myself and a bookseller who is closing her store, but I refuse to give up hope. With this blog, I hope to keep the book conversation going so that I can share news about authors, new books coming out that you might enjoy and anything else I can think of that will keep us connected. This is part of my one-woman crusade to support new voices, as well as established authors I love. I also want to hear from you about what you like, new authors you've discovered and anything else book-related you want to tell me.

I look forward to our dialogue.

Today we moved one step closer to shutting our doors forever at Books & Crannies in Middleburg, VA--something that will happen on Wednesday, October 27. But I refuse to abandon the dream and perhaps through this blog and new opportunities in the future, I will be able to one day to experience the joy of putting a good book into a reader's hands.

Let's keep talking.