Olivia V is our resident pie expert. In both of her
Christmas seasons here at Boswell, she has loved, loved a specific new pie
cookbook. Last year’s pie book was by
Kate McDermott, it was called Art of the Pie. This year she has another in her top 5
and it is a humdinger:
Pie and Whiskey by Kate Lebo
Ummm how could I not? Essays that when read are as filling
and at times, just as comforting as a piece of pie. $19.95
Art of Steven Universe by Chris McDonnell
Steven Universe is a cartoon show that happens to be one of
my favorites right now. The themes present go deep into modern messages of
love, and what it means to be loved. I hold the series dear to my heart, and
this book is a brilliant look into the complex and fun process of all the work
that goes into the making of the show. Good for fans of the show and Adventure
Time, and people just interested in the animation field.
Mud Book by John Cage, illustrated by Lois Long
Coming in part from the mind of John Cage, someone who has
played heavily in my own studies for composition, this book is a gentle tug
towards whimsical thinking for adults, and just plain fun for kids. Outwardly
simple, but holding a heavier meaning and connection to nature, in the typical
spirit of Cage. $14.95
Rick and Morty Book Two by Tom Fowler, Kyle Starks, Pamela Ribon
I had a hard time choosing between having book one or two
for this. I have read book 1, and can trust book two will be great, but I feel
most people who come to our store will see book 2 and will want to look into
book 1 and might want book 1 instead? Or both? Not sure what would be in demand
more, book 1 or 2? If book 2 goes on the top 5, I know I could sell copies of
book 1 if you were able to keep one in the store. $49.95
Art of Over the Garden Wall by Patrick McHale, Sean Edgar
Again a TV series dear to me. It has developed a devoted
cult following similar to Steven Universe or Adventure Time. The art direction,
story and music are just fantastic and I know the art book will be an exciting
in depth look at all of it. I'm definitely ordering the special edition for
myself! With the golden age animation we are getting some pretty dope art books
right now.
Aaron has been a local Downer Avenue celebrity as long as
Boswell has been around. Daniel worked with him on our first designed Boswell t-shirt done by a local artist (the one
in blue with a fish and a line). He also
illustrates children’s books when he's not working here. We carry some of his titles (there are so many!!),and you should come in and see some of his great
work! Having him working in the shop has been a delight and I love his choices
for his top 5:
Donner Dinner Party
If you love books you likely love games. A fun, easy and quick
moving game for game night; for four or more players trying to deduce or
mislead fellow players as to who the cannibal is in the group. You get eaten,
you're out. Find the cannibal, you win! A new edition to my personal game
collection. Teen and up. $19.95
Strega Nona by Tome dePaola
An admitted sentimental favorite of mine, but a classic
none-the-less. Follow Anthony and Strega Nona on their dilemma of what to do
with too much pasta! Warm and fun for all ages 1-99. A book that inspired me to
become a children's book illustrator. $7.99
The Gold Leaf by Kirsten Hall, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
Classic Storybook Fables by Scott Gustafson
A great collection of classic children's fables illustrated
by one of the best contemporary children's book illustrators, Scott Gustafson.
It’s a beautiful collection of stories and art that will remain timeless for
children and adults alike. $19.95
Out of Wonder by Kwame Alexander with Chris Colderley, Marjory Wentworth, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
$16.99 on Boswellian Best till the end of the year for $13.59
Tim was patron of the shop way before he joined us with all his vast
book knowledge (he was teacher in his previous life, but, honestly, do you ever stop being a teacher? With Tim, I don't think so.). He defines the very idea of a book collector/lover—as he inspects
each book for dings or dents and is very keen on acquiring autographed copies of his favorite books. Having him
in the shop has expanded our staff’s knowledge on a lot great titles that we
haven’t had the time to experience. His
top 5 this year shows his broad range of interests:
Ekua Homes art dances off the page! A beautiful blending of
mediums that captures the soul of the written word. A work of art for any
age!!!
Tim was patron of the shop way before he joined us with all his vast
book knowledge (he was teacher in his previous life, but, honestly, do you ever stop being a teacher? With Tim, I don't think so.). He defines the very idea of a book collector/lover—as he inspects
each book for dings or dents and is very keen on acquiring autographed copies of his favorite books. Having him
in the shop has expanded our staff’s knowledge on a lot great titles that we
haven’t had the time to experience. His
top 5 this year shows his broad range of interests:
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
How in the world did this long, murderous conspiracy fall
from American history's collective memory? Grann weaves a fascinating,
horrifying story that includes carefully researched history about: a very
wealthy Osage Nation; the West and U.S. expansion; the Texas Rangers, and how
one former Ranger became the heroic lead investigator of these crimes during
the earliest days of J. Edgar Hoover's five decades with the FBI. An
extraordinary book about the pain of racism.
A Piece of the World by Cristina Baker Kline
This novel is Christina Olson's story, told by her, of her
brave and difficult life with a disabled body, and how the iconic American
painter Andrew Wyeth created his 1948 masterpiece Christina's World while
working privately in Olson's own home. Kline's beautiful, spare use of language
perfectly fits the setting of 1920's coastal Maine, and her character portrayal
is engrossing. A must read for fans of American culture and American art! $27.99
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Seventeen-year-old Justyce is a smart, strong, and also very
confused young man attending a mostly white, elite high school Academy and
working toward the Ivy League. He is disturbed and amazed that he's constantly
judged by the color of his skin rather than the content of his character, and
even the people closest to him don't fully understand. So he begins writing
letters to someone who can't answer but would understand, Dr. Martin Luther
King. "What would you do in my situation, Martin?" This is a great
teen novel that makes the subtleties of modern African American suffering so
clear.
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk
Wolk is a very skilled writer. It's always refreshing to
read the work of someone who uses words and structures ideas in a way that pull
my eyes across the page. This fictional story is about a girl named Crow, a
twelve-year-old who'd been tied into a small boat, alone, as a baby, and pushed
out to the sea. She washed up onto a small island shore in the Elizabeth
Islands of Massachusetts. It's 1925, and her life is saved by a man called Osh,
who has left his past behind to live as the only person there. Crow wants to
understand who she is and where she came from; and as clues emerge which lead
to a mysterious, harrowing search for the truth, she struggles with what's
truly valuable and real about life. $16.99
Doctorow: Collected Stories by E.L. Doctorow
Having great respect and admiration for Toni Morrison,
Philip Roth, Joyce Carol Oates and others, I still don't believe there is a
voice in American literature more powerful than E. L. Doctorow's. His
historical fiction ranges in time from the crisis of the Civil War to the
complexity of modern life in New York, with books such as Ragtime, Billy
Bathgate, World's Fair and others receiving the highest awards given to a
novelist. This collection of stories, all published previously in other
collections, were placed in sequence for the book by the author himself,
apparently as his last contribution to publication before he died on July 21st,
2015. I had read most of these stories, but what a thrill to reread them in the
order he chose! We lost one of the greatest when he died. $30.00
I have been working with Anne pretty much as long as I lived
in Milwaukee, which was sometime in 2003. Her reading is always fascinating, and
talking to her about books that thrill her, is one of the best parts of working
here. If you ever have a mystery book question (or you need help finding one as
a gift), then I would find out when Anne is here and pick her brain for suggestions. Her mystery knowledge is
second to none here at the shop. Anne’s top 5:
Glass Houses by Louise Penny
$28.99 on Boswellian Best till the end of the year for $23.19
The Loyal Son by Daniel Epstein
$30.00 on Boswellian Best till the end of the year for $24.00
$26.00 on Boswellian Best till the end of the year for $20.80
The appearance of a mysterious figure signals the beginning
of events that change life in Three Pines forever.
The Loyal Son by Daniel Epstein
Benjamin Franklins son hold views opposite to those of his
father. A fascinating look at this land's early history. I knew nothing about this topic when I started -- including
that Franklin had a son, let alone a Loyalist. A fascinating picture of that
period of history and the cost that the founding of this country demanded from
families.
Hum, If you don’t Know the Words by Bianca Marias
The complexities of South African society in the early
1970's.
The Trust by Ronald Balson
Liam Taggart suddenly finds himself in the middle of tangled
family relationships and troubled Irish history when an uncle he has not heard
from in sixteen years dies and names him trustee of his estate. Liam returns to
Northern Ireland from Chicago to carry out his duties and lands in the middle
of a nightmare that threatens to engulf not only the Irish branch, but also
Liam’s wife and infant son. The Trust is a suspenseful read that taught me a
few things about Irish history as well! $26.99
Absolutely gorgeous writing and a poignant story of recovery
from mental problems. $25.00
And that's it for this post: parts three and four will be next week!
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