Second annual U.P. Authors Day at the mall

The second annual U.P. Authors Day & Book Fair was held last weekend at the Westwood Mall in Marquette.  It was organized by members of the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA) in coordination with the Westwood Mall.  (For more information directly from the UPPAA, visit their web page.)

I had attended the one held last year, and had a great time.  The second annual event was greatly anticipated, especially when the UPPAA decided to hold it later in the year.  This time, as soon as I heard about it, I printed off flyers - one for the library, and one for myself to use as a shopping list.

Once again, my wallet and checkbook left the mall considerably lighter, and my boyfriend had a box-load of books to carry to the car.  Much thanks to all the authors who participated; it was good to see all of you.  Special thanks to Tyler Tichelaar for the box, the extra book for the school library, and all your hard work.  Also, special thanks to Mary T. Kremer for her book donation.

Many of the authors in attendance this time were not at last year's event.  Quite a few are self-published through Globe Printing in Ishpeming or are published through small presses.  As with last year, I will do my best to offer where these books can be obtained.

I even bought a book for myself.  Gasp.

Murder in Michigan's Upper Peninsula by Sonny Longtine; available through The History Press Bookstore

This book was donated for my public library.

Atonement in Avalon by Mary T. Kremer; available from Aonian Press

Children's books for the school library

Chogan and the Gray Wolf, Chogan and the White Feather, and Chogan and the Sioux Warrior, all by Larry Buege (his web site with additional resources)

Other books for the school library

My Marquette, a nonfiction book, and Spirit of the North, a paranormal romance, by Tyler Tichelaar (his web site, where you can find his hefty collection of books)

Nonfiction for the public library

 Deer Hunting, 4th edition by Richard P. Smith; published by Stackpole Books

The Book: Why the First Books of the Bible Were Written and Who They Were Written For by Allen Wright, which is being picked up by a large publisher soon - congratulations!  (currently available through iUniverse)

A writing collection

The Bay Prospector: Writings from Superior's South Shore, edited by Dean Weiger.  This was printed by the "Copper Country Intermediate School District under the auspices of the L'Anse-Baraga Community Schools" in 1991.  I honestly don't know where you can find it, beyond events like this.  :(

Mysteries

Bad Policy and Cabin Fever by James M. Jackson (his web site)

Not to be confused with Nevada

Page One: Whiteout by Nancy Barr; available from Arbutus Press (web site does not offer sale options, but you can find Nancy's books on major distributor sites and book stores)

A thriller

The Point by G. Nykanen; available in at least ebook format through The Independent Author Network

Bookmarks are good marketing.

I already have 1914 by Charles B. Smith at the library, but it really started circulating when he brought in a poster and bookmarks.  I begged some more bookmarks off him at the event.  (His web site.)

And finally, some swag!

It's interesting what you can get at events like this for marketing.  There are bookmarks, business cards, the Drummond Island Digest, resources to go with Larry Buege's books, and a little caution sign about zombies on a necklace (for G. Nykanen's upcoming book).

Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy books. Same difference, right?

As promised in the last post, I will now share what I bought for just under $200 at the local bookstore.

If you are a librarian with a small budget, it is very important to have a good relationship with your local bookseller, especially if he or she carries used books and gives discounts to libraries.  I am especially blessed by Snowbound Books, particularly because I worked there while pursuing my MLIS.  The people there don't cut my any extra-special deals - I get 20% off books I'm buying for either of my libraries, but do have to pay tax if the library isn't directly paying the store for it.  However, they know that if I say the book is going in my library, it will end up in my library.

And so it is with this lot.  Many are used, but some are new.  Some are ones I've read and know are good; others are award-winners or are popular; and still others are gambles.  Let's take a look at what I have to add to the public library's collection.

 For adults

A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

It's a used copy!

Before I bought this, and my partner donated A Feast for Crows, the library somehow did not have any of the series.  Gasp.

For children

Dork Diaries 6 and 7, by Rachel Renee Russell

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 1, 2, 6, and 8, by Jeff Kinney

These fill gaps in the collection.  All are hardcover, which was a must because they get used so heavily.  I did review the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid back in July 2011.

Battle of the Labyrinth by Percy Jackson

Flush by Carl Hiaasen

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Calumet Copper Creatures by Johnathan Rand (reviewed Oct. 2012)

More gap-filling goodness.  Maniac Magee was my favorite book as a kid.  I must have read it around 50 times.

For teens/young adults

 Zombies!

Rot & Ruin (Reviewed July 2011)

Dust & Decay (Reviewed Nov. 2011)

Flesh & Bone (Reviewed Sept. 2012)

all by Jonathan Maberry

These are paperback, and when the fourth comes out in that format, I'll also get that.  Hopefully in time to go in my suitcase to Dragon Con so I can Mr. Maberry sign these!  Squee!!

Maximum Ride

Books 1 and 2, by James Patterson

$4 apiece, used, before my discount.  And it's James Patterson, that prolific and popular author I've never read anything by.

A little Scott Westerfeld

Leviathan

My middle school boys love this author, especially this series.

Movie books

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Review coming soon)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

People love reading books and seeing the movies.  Granted, they'll never read the books again once the hype dies down (save for Harry Potter), but we must strike while the iron is hot, and actually not rely on interlibrary loans for every hit title.

Post-Apocalyptic

The Big Empty and Paradise City by J.B. Stephens

These are the first two books in a post-apocalyptic YA series that I haven't heard of.  But, they're used, someone might like them; why not give them a chance?

Award-winners

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi (Reviewed Dec. 2011)

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz (Reviewed Sept. 2013)

Looking for Alaska by John Green (Audiobook reviewed Sept. 2012)

These are great books.

Miscellany

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Burned by Ellen Hopkins (Audiobook reviewed Oct. 2013 with its sequel)

Kiss Me, Kill Me by Lauren Henderson

Here we have a hodge-podge to round out the purchase.  The first is historical, the second post-apocalyptic.  The last two are contemporary.  I think it's a nice mix.

I have read and plan to review The Fault in Our Stars, and as you saw, there are several that I already reviewed.  Are there others in this group you think I should also read and review?

Update: Before I had a chance to catalog these, a donation of Divergent came in.  So, I brought the newly purchased copy back to the store, and Dana let me exchange it for a book of equal value.  I bought Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride.  Dana has been having about that book to me for years, so now I'll finally read it and add it to the library collection.

Author Day at the mall

The first annual U.P. Authors Day and Book Fair was held at the Westwood Mall in Marquette recently.  It was organized by members of the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association (UPPAA) in coordination with the Westwood Mall.  (For more information directly from the UPPAA, visit their web page about the event.)

I went, of course.  My boyfriend and I had a great time visiting with more than a dozen friendly authors in the air conditioned mall.  (It was more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit; the A/C was very appreciated.)  Some were familiar faces, such as Gretchen Preston, who wrote Valley Cats and was thrilled that I reviewed the first in the series, and Deborah Frontiera, who said that Living on Sisu (also reviewed) was like the Dear America series because she was originally hoping to get it into that.  Others were debut authors, or people I simply had not heard of before.  Even local meteorologist Karl Bohnak was there with his two books.

I'll be honest; while I could strike up conversations with most of the featured authors, Mr. Bohnak is a local TV celebrity and I didn't say much more to him than how much my mom likes his book.  I'm shy!

Many books were bought in the course of the afternoon, for both of my libraries.  A few authors also were gracious enough to donate their books to the libraries, bless their hearts.  Much thanks to Kevin Kluck, Mel Laurila, and Mary Soper for their generosity!

It is worth mentioning that most authors who were in attendance at the Authors Day are self-published, many with printing services through Globe Printing in Ishpeming, MI.  Ergo, it may be hard to get these books outside of this region.  I will do my best to offer web sites and other information as available.

Below are pictures of my merrily obtained swag, along with their authors' names, and web sites when available.

For the charter school library:

Top row, left to right:
The Clue at Copper Harbor by M.C. Tillson; A&M Writing and Publishing (books available for purchase)
Where the Wind Blows by Ida Nord
Look Up! The Poems of Mr. Happy by Robert L. Cook; Mr. Happiness Online (autobiography and music available for purchase)
Snail-Shell Harbor by J.H. Langille.  This was originally published in 1870; this edition is edited by Donna Winters.  Great Lakes Romances (this book and many of Mrs. Winters' own works are available for purchase)
Bottom row, left to right:
Hamsters After Dark by Kathy Kuczek (book and art prints available for purchase)
A Day with Stanley by Milly Balzarini (web site has links to sales sites such as Barnes & Noble)

For the public library:

Top row, left to right:

Hamsters After Dark by Kathy Kuczek

Land of Enchantas by Corey M. LaBissoniere; Martin Sisters Publishing (web site has links to sales sites)

Yooper Bars by Randy and Kevin Kluck; Yooper Bars (book and t-shirt available for purchase)

Bottom roe, left to right:

The Clue at Copper Harbor by M.C. Tillson

Mine Games by Mel Laurila; Tate Publishing (book and ebook available for purchase)

Where the Wind Blows by Ida Nord

The Hospital Handbook by Mary Soper; The Hospital Handbook (book and journal available for purchase)

I look forward to reading and reviewing many of these books in the future!

How to make a librarian happy: Feb 2013 edition

The Scholastic book fair went well, despite being held for a shorter duration.  Let me showcase the books the library got, through donations and Scholastic dollars.  It's a good haul.

As always, the titles of the books are linked to Goodreads for more information.

Donations

National Geographic Kids: Everything Dolphins

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Special Edition 2012

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

Mush! Sled Dogs of the Iditarod

Titanic

The Titanic series by Gordon Korman (It came with a poster!)

Deck Z by Chris Pauls and Matt Solomon

YA sequels

Beautiful Darkness and Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

The Fire and The Kiss by James Patterson

More sequels

Confectionately Yours: Sugar and Spice by Lisa Papademetriou
Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All by Rachel Renee Russell
Nancy Clancy: Secret Admirer by Jane O'Connor
Beware the Ninja Weenies by David Lubar

Bargain books

Ravenwood by Andrew Peters

Agent Amelia: Ghost Diamond! by Michael Broad

The Truth about Truman School by Dori Hillestad Butler

Scholastic nonfiction

Disasters

World War II

Animals

Wild Age by Steve Parker

Everything You Need to Know about Snakes and Other Scaly Reptiles

Various nonfiction

Basher History: U.S. Presidents

Scary Science by Shar Levine

Strange Mysteries of the Unexplained by Oliver Doyle

More animals

 National Geographic Kids: African Animal Alphabet by Beverly Joubert

How to Draw Angry Birds

101 Animal Records by Melvin and Gilda Berger

I Love Horses and Ponies by Nicola Jane Swinney

Middle grade/YA novels

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson

Kissed (three books in one) by Cameron Dokey

Graphic novels

No DC, unfortunately.  Only Marvel.

Thor 

Marvel Adventures Hulk: Misunderstood Monster

Series chapter books

Rainbow Fairies Special Edition: Brianna the Tooth Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Magic Tree House 43: Leprechaun in Late Winter by Mary Pope Osborne

Picture books

Fancy Nancy: Ooh La La! It's Beauty Day by Jane O'Connor

Norman Bridwell's Clifford Collection

I'm sure the students will enjoy these books!

How to Make a Librarian Happy: November 2012 (part 2)

Yesterday, I showcased a lot of YA and middle grade books I was able to get for the charter school's library at the Scholastic book fair.  Now, let me present the new books for the younger students (there are also middle grade-appropriate books here; upper elementary students and middle school students read a variety of things).

All photos are mine.  All links are to Goodreads, unless otherwise noted.

Christmas pack of books - eight for $25!

Puppy Place: Maggie and Max by Emily Miles
Horrible Harry and the Christmas Surprise by Suzy Kline
The Christmas Toy Factory by Geronimo Stilton
The Christmas Party from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler
The Kids from the Polk Street School: December Secrets by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ready, Freddy!: The Perfect Present by Abby Klein
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Flat Stanley: Stanley's Christmas Adventure by Jeff Brown

Popular series

Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of the Tippy Tinkletrousers by Dav Pilkey (That hurt to type.)
Judy Moody's Mini-Mysteries by Megan McDonald
Junie B., First Grader: Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (and Other Thankful Stuff) by Barbara Park
Dork Diaries: How to Dork Your Diary and Tales from a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess by Rachel Renee Russell
School of Fear: The Final Exam by Gitty Daneshvari

Nonfiction

While You Were Sleeping by Steve and Matthew Murrie
Pokemon Essential Handbook
Scholastic 2013 Book of World Records by Jenifer Corr Morse
100 Deadliest Things on the Planet by Anna Claybourne

For my princess problem

Barbie: Fairytale Collection
Fancy Nancy: Hair Dos and Hair Don'ts by Jane O'Connor (I actually think Fancy Nancy is a lovely girl.)
Perfectly Princess: Orange Princess Has a Ball by Alyssa Crowne

Boyish books

 There's a Fly Guy in My Soup by Tedd Arnold

Ninjago: Way of the Ninja

An acclaimed book

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Animal picture books

Marley and the Kittens by John Grogan
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes and Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
A Kid for Jack by the Fourth Grade Students at Piney Grove Elementary in Kernersville, NC
Ponyella by Laura Numeroff

Monsters!

Mythical Monsters (a replacement copy)

World's Worst Monsters & Villains by Kieron Connolly (This book is amazing factually, but as my dear boyfriend pointed out to me, horribly illustrated.  That's Cthulhu on the cover.)

Animal nonfiction

Animal Heroes by Sandra Markle

Incredible Insects Q&A by Sally Tagholm

Political nonfiction

See How They Run by Susan E. Goodman

And last, but far from least, are some books bought as donations to the library!

Faith, Hope and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Big Nate Strikes Again by Lincoln Peirce
Magic Tree House: Eve of the Emperor Penguin by Mary Pope Osborne

I'm very pleased with the amount of books we were able to get.  The kids will love them!

 

How to Make a Librarian Happy: November 2012 (part 1)

Last week was the Scholastic book fair during parent-teacher conferences.  Despite having very few volunteers, we did pretty well.  Thanks to previous fairs and the resulting Scholastic Dollars we'd earned, the school made out like a bandit as far as what I was able to get from the fair for the library.  There were bargain books and nonfiction, picture books and best-sellers, and I think my students will be very happy with the nearly 60 books we ended up with.

And maybe I'll review a few here.  Let me know what you'd like to hear about!

(All photos are mine.  All links are to Goodreads, unless otherwise noted.)

Graphic novels

Undertown volume 1 by Jim Pascoe

Cardboard by Doug TenNapel

Spider-Girl volume 3 by Tom DeFalco

Bargain books (middle grade and YA)

The Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw
Brand-New Emily by Ginger Rue
Warp Speed by Lisa Yee
Star Crossed: Aries Rising byBonnie Hearn Hill
A Friendship for Today by Patricia C. McKissack

Popular series

The Mortal Instruments: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Origami Yoda: The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleberger
Heroes of Olympus: The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (it already has two holds placed)

Popular authors

Witch & Wizard: The Gift by James Patterson
The Vampire's Promise (3-in-1 reprint) by Caroline B. Cooney
101 Ways to Bug Your Friends and Enemies by Lee Wardlaw

Trendy YA

Choke by Diana Lopez (I intend to read this.)
Skinny by Donna Cooner

Nonfiction

Fast! by Ian Graham
Lost and Found by John Malam
How to Draw Harley-Davidson Motorcycles by Jickie Torres
Mine Eyes Have Seen by Bob Adelman (photographer) and Charles Johnson
Guinness World Records 2013 (sure to circulate wildly)

Part two will come soon!