West Side Books - dissecting history - playing word games - enjoying the smell of old books

Neil Gaiman, winner of the Newberry Award for his newest, "Graveyard Book", announced here in Denver last month at the Amercian Library Association annual meeting, is an old favorite around here. Starting with "Sandman" and on through "Mirrormask", "American Gods", "Beowoulf" and Coraline" (the book) we've been reading and watching this guy with pleasure and amazement. Right on, Neil! "Some of these books we actually have in stock at WSB! Maybe I want to make a comment here on reading outside the box: not just that speculative fiction stuff. Read that for sure, for a look at the world that may be different enough from your own to inspire you in some way. But I also hope you find other old favorite mind openers, like "Geek Love", any McGonagall, "Archie and Mehitabel", "Boswell's London Journal" and/or new favorites like "Man on the Ceiling", "The Humingbird's Daughter" and "The Wind-Up Bird chronicle". I know. You say, "Lois, you just like all boos" (which makes me think of my favorite movie quote, credit for it's being overheard to the irascible John Caruso, repeated many times in the 25 years since he heard it: "I like all color movies.") Yes, it is true, I like almost all books, color or otherwise. And yet, it is worth mentioning now and again the ones that are currently blowing our minds and getting us outside the box. (And I wouldn't know what 'outside the box' is even, without PS1 alternative learning style emphasis, and the accompanying hand movement which Caira makes when she says it, which always makes me laugh.) Another slightly stretched analogy: "Rainbow Monkey Bandages in a Collectible Tin with a Toy Inside". We have those. They make me laugh too. this all helps somewhat when I'm trying to sort out what I think is wrong with the economy (greed and lack of ethics?) and what any possible solution to wars and unmitigated cruelty might be (a potent little amnesia pill in the world's water supply? especially in the Middle East?) Well, it has been a lovely not-winter day and I think maybe I'd better get back in my box. There is work to do and hopefully some time to read something in there somewhere, too. And there is Roller Derby tonight, so rage on fearful world! We're here at West Side Books, dissecting history playing word games and enjoying the smell of old book. (Pretend it's your birthday.) West Side Books 3434 W. 32nd Ave Denver, CO 80211 USA 303-480-0220 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Independent Booksellers for 30 years Founding Members of RMABA TomFolio. Members of IOBA, MPBA, ABA. OPEN EVERY DAY Open shop and Internet sales. Collections purchased. Searches undertaken. Lois J Harvey and James T Harvey