piles of puppies - Macmillan Library

Our #FridayReads Recommendation for Your Dog-Loving Patrons

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Ali Fisher

Today Shelf Awareness featured mystery novelist David Rosenfelt's nonfiction adventure tale (tail?), DOGTRIPPING: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers, and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure, in their Shelf Awareness for Readers e-newsletter. They said,

"There are two likely reactions to DOGTRIPPING, David Rosenfelt's account of driving from California to Maine with 25 dogs: 'That man is crazy' or 'What a blast!' Either one is reasonable. [...] Rosenfelt is an entertaining, self-depreciating storyteller. He intersperses the tale of the journey with vignettes about the dogs they have rescued through the years—each pup's portrait is only a few pages long, but even readers who aren't dog people will soon see how Rosenfelt found himself in such a crazy predicament—and find themselves wishing the journey was much longer."

The final verdict? "DOGTRIPPING is a wonderful gift for any dog—or animal—lover." We agree!

Kirkus Reviews called it "a warmhearted winner" and Booklist says it's a "spirited and absolutely absorbing reading for fans of canine capers."

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Monday Fun Day! (5/13/2013 Edition)

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Ali Fisher

Happy Monday, friends! This is a short week for me as I'm heading off on vacation starting Thursday. Let's jump into a little Macmillany goodness to get your week started, shall we?

- Congratulations to 2013 Locus Award finalists John Scalzi, author of REDSHIRTS which is up for Best Science Fiction Novel, Mary Robinette Kowal, author of GLAMOUR IN GLASS which is up for Best Fantasy Novel (I recommended this series in Uncharted Pages!), and Gardner Dozois, editor of The Year’s Best Science Fiction: Twenty-ninth Annual Collection up for Best Anthology!

We're also delighted to see that Tor.com is a finalist for Best Magazine and Tor Books has been nominated for Best Publisher! And while we're at it, a hearty applause for Tor Teen author Cory Doctorow and Mac Kids author Catherynne M. Valente who are nominated for awards as well. See the full list of Locus finalists here.

- Looking ahead, the July 2013 Indie Next List has two perfect summer reads from St. Martin's Press: AMY FALLS DOWN by Jincy Willett and SWEET SALT AIR by Barbara Delinsky!

- We would also like to point you in the direction of Doug Lord's latest (and dare I say, greatest?) selections for Library Journal's Books for Dudes column, "A Simple Murder, Wool, and The Human Division."

- And last, but not even close to least, actually closer to most—a basket full of puppy:

So, should we get a bigger basket? Maybe more puppies? Both? twitter.com/EmergencyPuppy…

— Emergency Cute Stuff (@EmergencyPuppy) April 29, 2013

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Dispatches from that Little Bookstore in Big Stone Gap

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Ali Fisher

"Big Stone Gap is truly, madly, amazingly beautiful."
—Wendy Welch, in THE LITTLE BOOKSTORE OF BIG STONE GAP

"Hold up... IS THIS PLACE FOR REAL?!"
—Me, in the doorway of the little bookstore of Big Stone Gap

Dearest librarians,

I have returned alive and unscathed from my weekend field excursion to the Tales of the Lonesome Pine Bookstore, a magical little mansion-turned-bookstore in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Well, to be totally honest I'm a little scratched up thanks to an overly-playful kitten (I'm looking at you, Owen!), but below the love-scratches I'm all gushy and glowing inside.

I happen to know the dapper fellow who has been bookshop-sitting while bookstore co-owners Wendy and Jack are traveling the country on book tour. I've been bugging him since day one for pics, updates, and the stories behnd the stories, but eventually I had to haul myself down there and experiece it for myself.

There are few things more satisfying than heading downstairs for coffee in the morning, passing by tens of thousands of books ready for reading, and settling into a big, comfy chair with a lapful of unearned affection from a horde of well-loved pets. The coziness factor is completely out of control! Everyone is so freaking welcoming! There are a suspicious number of cats napping in all the right places!

In fact, the more I remember from my trip, the more I think I never went to Virginia at all. I probably just visited my local REKAL branch and had my perfect weekend getaway implanted in my memory.

Wendy and Jack have admittedly had their ups and downs moving into a small town and opening an independent bookstore. You can and should read all about their journey in Wendy's memoir, but the home/business/animal sanctuary that they live/work/play in today is straight out of a book lover's dream.

If you're ever in the area, do yourself a favor and stop by.

Giveaway!

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to winner Melissa Gray from St. Paul Public Library!

We're also giving away a signed copy of THE LITTLE BOOKSTORE OF BIG STONE GAP to one lucky librarian and I just extended to the entrance deadline until this Friday. Details here!

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Monday Fun Day! (4/2/2012 Edition)

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Ali Fisher

Haaaaappy Monday, lovely librarians!

- If you're going to be in Houston for TxLA in a few weeks, be sure to stop by booth #1704 to say hi! We'll have stacks of great galleys for you. See our full TxLA 2012 schedule here.

- Congrats to Kelli Stanley who just won the Golden Nugget Award for the best mystery set in California with CITY OF SECRETS!

- Also, congrats to our two RITA Award finalists Darynda Jones and Christina Brooke! Read about their super sexy books here.

- If you're one of the many that can't wait to dive in to Chelsea Cain's latest thriller, KILL YOU TWICE, head over to CriminalElement.com for a nice long excerpt.

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Happy Holidays from Macmillan Library!

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Ali Fisher

Dearest librarians,

This will be my last blog post of 2011. It's been an absolute pleasure blogging about all of our amazing books over the last year.

Tomorrow, I'm heading back to the Pacific Coast to spend the holidays with my family. I'm looking forward to a lot of eating, reading, and sleeping in as late as Mom will let me.

Things we're looking forward to in early 2012:

ALA Midwinter in Dallas!

PLA in Philadelphia!

World Book Night USA, during which two of our titles, HOUSEKEEPING and ENDER'S GAME, will be given out for free to remind people about the joy of reading! See all of the WBN books here or jump right in and sign up to give away books.

This holiday season Talia and I wish you many hugs, lots of smiles, delicious food, and piles of puppies. You make our jobs wonderful and easy.

Have an excellent rest of the year, and we'll see you on the other side!

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