Dear Reader,
   It's a tough day today, at least for those who thought the presidential election would go the other way. Each conversation begins with a sigh, and then a check in, and then a book issue. And some are already talking about what this will mean.
   The sun came up today, most of us went to work, to school, went about our business. Those of us on the left have work to do. We have work to do in our communities, in our schools, in our workplaces, and with our fellow Americans in other states.
   And there are books to be read, authors to be met, and people to chat with about words.
   Let's get it done.
   See the bottom of the page for some recommendations of books for our time.
  
      Happy reading and take care of each other,
Luan 
 
We will be closed on Friday, November 11 in honor of Veterans Day
11-09-16
Younger Readers


Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs $24.99 A lavishly illustrated edition of the fantastical book featured in the best-selling Miss Peregrine series includes unusual fairy tales about wealthy cannibals, a fork-tongued princess, the origins of the first ymbryne, and more. Publishing to coincide with the film release of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.






Here's one for aspiring writers and our teacher friends!
Been There, Done That, Writing Stories From Real Life edited by Mike Winchell $8.99 Where do authors get their ideas? And how do they turn those ideas into stories? This anthology looks at the process of taking real-life experiences and turning them into works of engaging fiction. The collection features award-winning and bestselling middle-grade authors who provide both original fictional short stories as well as the nonfiction accounts that inspired them. The contributing authors include Julia Alvarez, Karen Cushman, Margarita Engle, Dee Garretson, Nathan Hale, Matthew Kirby, Claire Legrand, Grace Lin, Kate Messner, Linda Sue Park, Adam Rex, Gary Schmidt, Alan Sitomer, Caroline Starr Rose, Heidi Stemple, Rita Williams-Garcia, Tracy Edward Wymer, Lisa Yee, and Jane Yolen.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Mad Libs $8.99 Just show it to your Diary of a Wimpy Kid fan and see what they say. Great little gifty.









How to Build a Museum, Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture by Tonya Bolden $17.99  The first national museum whose mission is to illuminate for all people, the rich, diverse, complicated, and important experiences and contributions of African Americans in America is opening.
And the history of NMAAHC--the last museum to be built on the National Mall--is the history of America. The campaign to set up a museum honoring black citizens is nearly 100 years old; building the museum itelf and assembling its incredibly far-reaching collections is a modern story that involves all kinds of people, from educators and activists, to politicians, architects, curators, construction workers, and ordinary Americans who donated cherished belongings to be included in NMAAHC's thematically-organized exhibits.

365 Things to do With Lego Bricks by Dorling Kindersly $24.99 365 Things to Do with LEGO® Bricks inspires you to look at your LEGO bricks in new and exciting ways. This interactive book features imaginative play and building ideas, from LEGO projects that take just a few minutes and require a handful of bricks to inspirational build ideas and activities to keep you occupied for hours.



The Mermaid's Purse by Patricia Polacco $17.99 Young Stella loves books so much, her books begin to take over the farmhouse. "Why, Stell, you need your own library to hold those books," her pa tells her, so he and the neighbors build her one! She calls it "the Mermaid's Purse," since the midwife said Stella was born in one. Stella opens the Purse to her neighbors and travels around the countryside, sharing her books door-to-door. Not everyone gives them a chance at first, like grouchy Pig Ears Lonsberry. But farmer Dunkle sure changes his mind when information in a book saves his sick sheep. Eventually, everybody comes to love the Mermaid's Purse-so when a tornado destroys it, scattering Stella's precious books far and wide, the whole community rallies to help.

The Amazing Book of Star Wars 14.99 
Start your Padawan's training off right with this, the perfect introduction for young fans to the Star Wars galaxy. Large pictures and short, simple sentences bring Star Wars to life for children aged 4 to 6 as they learn about the brave heroes, helpful droids, amazing aliens, and powerful foes from the saga. Favorite characters and fascinating vehicles are explored in a fun, age-appropriate way, from Yoda and Luke Skywalker to the Millennium Falcon and BB-8.



 

Recommended For Current Climate



 
 
Comfortable with Uncertainty 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion by Pema Chodron

Hillbilly Elegy, a Memoir of Family and Culture in Crisis by JD Vance

Strangers in Their Own Land, Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arly Hochschild

The End of Protest, A New Playbook for Revolution by Michah White

When Things Fall Apart, Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron

NonViolent Communication, A Language of Life, Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships by Marshall Rosenberg

Book of Joy, Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu

Future of White Men by Joan Steinau Lester

Breaking Through Power, It's Easier Than We Think by Ralph Nader

Wages of Rebellion by Chris Hedges

One Good Deed 365 Days of Trying to Be Just a Little Bit Better by Erin McHugh

Start Where You Are, A Guide to Compassionate Living by Pema Chodron 

Book Club pick for November 17    
To join, read the book and show up. We would love to have you with us.

Next meeting is Thursday, November 17, 6:15.


The Sympathizer  by Viet Thanh NguyenThe winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as five other awards, The Sympathizer is the breakthrough novel of the year. With the pace and suspense of a thriller and prose that has been compared to Graham Greene and Saul Bellow, The Sympathizer is a sweeping epic of love and betrayal. The narrator, a communist double agent, is a man of two minds, a half-French, half-Vietnamese army captain who arranges to come to America after the Fall of Saigon, and while building a new life with other Vietnamese refugees in Los Angeles is secretly reporting back to his communist superiors in Vietnam. The Sympathizer is a blistering exploration of identity and America, a gripping espionage novel, and a powerful story of love and friendship.

December   Dogs of Christmas 
  
EVENTS

First Friday 6-8pm
Susan Jokelson
November's Artist of the Month 

Saturday, November 12 @ 7pm
Haunting Muses, Lesbian Ghost Stories
featuring various authors

Wednesday, November 16 @ 6pm
Mujeres Creative Writing Showcase
(Spanish with English translation)

Saturday, November 19
Words of Fire
with Antonia Amprino and Katie Gray

Friday, November 25
Plaid Friday - Shop locally in Oakland!

Saturday, November 26
Small Business Saturday

December 3 is a Family Day with two new picture books and time and space to shop!  Details to come.

Just added! December 10 at 5pm
Mark your calendar now!


More events here!


 
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