All posts by Diane

Ahoy! More Patrick O'Brian Than Ever!

We have boatloads of Patrick OBrian in for a change, so now is your chance to pick up those missing volumes!  We just received a complete Master and Commander Series!  If you are interested in his other non-nautical talents, we recently shelved other O’Brian in General Fiction.   Topics include Spain and India, and they were highly recommended by our customer!  Don’t wait, give us a call or stop by if you are a fan of Lord Nelson’s Navy and plenty of action.  (Master and Commander books are shelved in Historical Fiction).

New Wave of Movies to Choose From – Family and PBS Classics

Our selection of new movies this month includes some true classics adapted from literature by PBS/Masterpiece Theather and BBC.  And if you are looking for Mother’s Day gifts, I held back a few of the Jane Austen movies that just may fit the bill!

One of my childhood favorites, The Wind in the Willows, was made by Masterpiece Theatre, with humans playing Mole, Ratty, Toad, et al.  It was  included in the adult PBS selection, and really looks intriguing.  Of course I’m not really sure what any stoat looks like, so the human version invading Toad Hall may work great!

Another favorite author, Roald Dahl’s story of The Fantastic Mr. Fox, received a great deal of attention for its unique puppet animation.  George Clooney and Meryl Streep provide voices, as well as Owen Wilson and Bill Murray, so this movie includes some talent.  It looks adorable.

Clifford the Big Red Dog  in Celebrate with Clifford, does not need any introduction from me.  Norman Bridwell’s stories of Emily Elizabeth and her giant puppy make great preschool entertainment. bite out of the competition”.  I’m buying one for my dog crazy niece I think!  And while we have dog stories to consider, add Because of Winn Dixie to the must have to watch and rewatch pile.  A wonderful, and beloved Newbery Award winning book adapted beautifully to film, your whole family will love it. 

The last two family classics are The Man from Snowy River, another visually lovely and romantic  movie featuring Kirk Douglas, and Cinderella, only a version “unlike any you have ever seen”  It is a western animated version with characters riding ostriches….hmm, it has got to be funny!

Another selection from PBS Masterpiece Theatre, Any Human Heart stars Jim Broadbent, Matthew Macfadyen and Sam Claflin.  Based on a novel by William Boyd,  its character brushes with many historic figures from World War II on, but is defined by the women in his life (including Kim Cattrall).  It’s a long one, 4.5 hours on two discs, so you will get your  entertainment value with this movie!

Great Expectations, Our Town, Birdsong, and Far from the Madding Crowd round out this selection with stories familiar from literature and beautiful presentations by PBS Masterpiece Theatre.  Get some culture in your life this weekend, pick up a great movie!

Busy Little Leprechauns

I have to say, we had some pretty adorable visitors this year for the 7th Annual Leprechaun Party!  Good story listeners (bless their hearts), great helpers (thanks Clara and Emma, first time behind the table!), tasty strawberries, and I am sure, many lucky wishes from coins tossed in the Fairy Well.  Enjoy some photos, and plan on being here next year if you missed it!

And the Winner is: A Tie!

Well we have two winners to announce for the 2013 Best Romance Cover – our tie goes to the covers with apron strings and no ties at all, or The Undercover Cook, and The Christmas Heiress.  I completely underestimated the romantic quality of a man cooking in an apron, or maybe it was the heroine’s rosy cheeks that won over men and women?!  The Heiress brings some romantic luxury with the fur and a nice mysterious quality,  apparently it is not considered to politically incorrect to be romantic! 

Thank you all for playing, it is always fun for us to see how this contest plays out! 

One More Week for These Spring Titles – and on Sale!

Has the (depressing) season finale of another Abbey left you with nothing to watch?  Need an Easter movie for your family?  Our latest batch of new DVD’s is sure to have something to make you smile!  There are two Jane Austen classics, including Northhanger Abbey, the Masterpiece Theatre version of Dracula, Tales of season of Agatha Christie’s Poirot, and season three of the BBC favorite Doc Martin, and more. The lovely princess Anne Hathaway stars in Ella Enchanted, based on the favorite story by Gail Levine, and Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman bring some major talent to Mr Magorium’s Magic Emporium.  Find one to take home for your family’s entertainment!

Leprechaun Party and Storytime – New Date, Same Fun Place!

Mark your calendars for the 7th Annual Leprechaun Party and Storytime!  (We’ve changed the date, so please REmark your calendars!)  We’ll have some wonderful troll stories to add to our (Diane’s) list of favorites, and the crafts will include fairy doors!  Everyone can use a magical entrance for the wee ones in the house or garden, so it should be fun.  Hmmm, there may be a troll game too… and you can plan on some special treats too!  Please call if you have any questions.

Lovely Little Books

Stacked on top of our collectibles case is a collection of truly lovely little books, mostly poetry or novels from the 1880’s to 1920’s era.  Not expensive, not first editions, just beautiful little reprints meant to be given as gifts I believe when published.  They are still beautiful gifts.  Age and reading wear have only added to their allure! Like ancient churches that hold the echo of years of prayers, little old books of romantic poems have to magnify the love of all those previous adoring couples who’ve held them and read them!  Valentines Day is nearly here….