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Dear Book Friends,
Is there a month that goes by faster in bookland than the month of May? New releases galore. Bushels of book launches. The university semester is finished. The idea that the summer holiday from work isn't too far away is starting to percolate. Oh my, the kids will soon be out of school… All of it grows towards the question: what are we going to read this June?
If your family is anything like my family, an early June walk to the bookstore is one of the pleasurable pauses of life. It's getting warmer, but it's not too hot (and to me there's nothing like being able to comfortably drink a warm takeaway coffee at the same time the sun pours down). We should probably get a guide or two and really start researching what we're going to do on our trip to Scotland (Walk around and look at more bookstores, perhaps?). Was this the cool graphic novel you read a sample of last week in
The Guardian? Is that a new novel by the guy who wrote
Falling Hour? OMG it's the new
Lightfall! Yes!
Or maybe it's a Thursday afternoon, you're taking a downtown stroll to de-stress from the meeting about the meeting, thinking you’ll just tuck into this bookstore for fifteen minutes, get that history of the Kingsclear First Nation that Dad was talking about wanting for Father's Day, or that new Carley Fortune you were going to read instead of spending a thousand dollars in gas to drive to the beach this summer.
You find those two books facing out on the new release tables pretty quick. What then? Your eyes hit the shelves; the titles on the spines force you to tilt your head in a slightly different direction than it does when you’re reading those documents back at your desk; the "twang countrygaze thursday morning mix" that the booksellers are playing late into the afternoon catches a silky, languorous riff and ... absolutely nothing happens. Zilch. Zip. Just a few sweet minutes where the wind gets through. That's why it's one syllable: June.
Nick
Fredericton Bookseller
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We Are Hiring!
Bookmark is looking to hire a bookseller. The successful applicant must be a voracious reader and book lover, enjoy serving customers and building relationships in a retail environment, and be creative, detail oriented and comfortable working on a computer. If you have these passions and skill sets and are interested in working in a bookstore, please email lori@bookmarkreads.ca with your resume and a cover letter telling us about what you are reading and why you would like to work at the bookstore. |
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STAFF QUESTION: "How do you make space for more books at home?"
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Norine
Several years ago, a wise former sales rep of mine had a strict policy: if one book came into the house, one had to leave. I thought that was a brilliant idea, but I say this after I just ordered a larger bookcase to replace my existing smaller one, so it’s a work in progress.
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The original premise of
Five definitely caught my attention. Essentially, it’s a work of psychological fiction where the author, at the beginning, introduces you to five seemingly random people waiting for a train. You are told one of them will die but before that happens you are given their background stories so you then try to judge which of the four deserve to live. This promises to be an exciting read! |
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It would be an understatement to say that I am a huge fan of Ruta Sepetys, so I was very happy to see a new novel of hers just released.
I have read all her stellar young adult historical novels, and I appreciate how she crafts a well researched story around an unrepresented period in history.
A Fortune in the Sand is her debut adult novel set in Detroit during the 1920’s highlighting the glamour and deception of Detroit’s Golden Age. I am eager to dip into this one. |
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The author has written a fascinating, hopeful, and science-based book for parents (and wannabe grandparents) or anyone with a young person in their life during the age of AI. Suskind argues that only humans can raise humans because only humans care. Bestselling author Adam Grant says” it’s a must-read for parents, teachers, policymakers, and anyone who gives a damn about the future”.
Human Raised sounds like an important book for our time. |
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Children’s picture books are near and dear to my heart ,and this is one of my favourites!
The Sweater is a subtle and beautifully illustrated story about the importance of community, acceptance , and kindness, which the world could use a little more of right now. An A++ read. |
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Aaron
How do I make space for more books at home? By getting rid of them! I'm the rare reader who, if moving, wouldn't need a separate U-haul for my books. I keep only a few around, gifts with inscriptions from friends, books autographed by the author, or stuff that's otherwise hard to track down. Everything else goes to the thrift store or the various little free libraries around Halifax.
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A book for fans and those (like me) who have no understanding of the game. Klosterman talks about football's meaning in America but also makes a long, often hilarious digression into the CFL. As worthy as Chuck's writing are his interview appearances promoting the book. These are always very unscripted, funny and reminiscent of those now legendary talk show appearances of the late, great Norm Macdonald. |
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British writer Nick Hornby once had a column in
The Believer about what he was reading. Many of his favourite books were YA and that gave this "mature" reader permission to explore the genre. Also, my seven year old is reading a lot these days and I don't want to miss the opportunity to read one alongside her. So this one came home with me today. It's about the Second World War, a subject that fascinates my daughter, and comes recommended by our friend Lisa at Woozles. |
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Continuing with that theme, this beautiful guide will be coming home with me as soon as the next payday arrives. Instead of being on the night stand though, it'll be in the living room so anybody wandering by can take a flip through. |
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I saved the best for last. This work of non-fiction by the Booker winning author of
The Narrow Road to the Deep North is the best book I've read in at least twenty six months. Flanagan connects the Second World War and the onset of the atomic age with his own family's story, showing how the great, terrible waves of history affected even a poor family in rural Tasmania. |
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Emma
I have a rule, I can only keep books if they are unread or were at least 4/5 star reads. Any time I finish a book that I did not love, it gets added to a box, once that box is full I donate it to the hospital or send it to the second-hand store. I know that sounds rough, but in my position as a bookseller, I have more books than I know what to do with. As I write this, my bookshelf is double-stacked.
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Admittedly, I was in a horror slump until I read
Japanese Gothic. This book was a total mindbender, and up until the very end, I was second-guessing everything. We follow a 21st-century college student and a 19th-century samurai who have found a door between their worlds. Beautifully crafted and intoxicatingly atmospheric, I cannot praise this book enough! |
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Holy, this book brought me back to the Creepypasta and r/nosleep days. At first, I was confused by the sporadic use of dashes and periods, but then I figured out that this book is riddled with hidden Morse code messages, which is super cool if you ask me. We follow Macy, who is desperate enough to take a caretaker job from Craigslist; she soon finds out that she actually signed up to be the ward of a weird house where she must follow the rites, or else. Having just finished this book, I will admit it certainly had its flaws, but it was an overall fun reading experience. |
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Talk about an unexpected hit! When
Yesteryear came out, we sold out almost immediately, and so did the publisher. The second our restock hit the shelves, I got my hands on a copy to see if it lives up to the hype. We follow a tradwife influencer who sells her lifestyle to millions of followers online, until she suddenly wakes up in the 1800s. Having just started reading it today, I will not leave a review, but I will say that SO FAR I am impressed and intrigued. |
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A supernatural thriller winning the Pulitzer Prize? Count me in! This title has earned a spot on my TBR, and unless I decide to mood-read something else, it will be my next read. Apparently, we follow five WWI grunts who come face to face with a fallen Angel, one who supposedly holds the key to ending the conflict, but of course, this comes at a cost. I cannot wait to read this! |
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“We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.”
- B. F. Skinner |
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Some of our crime fiction fan booksellers have trolled the shelves and found some mostly recent mysteries for your enjoyment. Feel free to share some of your favourites next time you’re in the store. |
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Did you spring clean/cull your books?
How do you make room for more books in your home?
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Last month, we asked you where you like to get caught reading. Clearly, our readers will delight in reading just about anywhere. Check out the (very close) results below. |
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In celebration of National Indigenous History Month, we highlight some amazing new titles being published by First Nation, Inuit & Métis authors, scholars, and storytellers. Each year brings more knowledge, more history, more stories, and more ideas about the future into our stores and out to readers. Amplifying Indigenous voices remains one of the most important aspects of our business. |
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Food Writing and Cookbooks |
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Food and Travel have always gone hand-in-hand. One of my most memorable meals was at a Burger King in Nice. So here are some food books, high brow and low, from the Halifax gang. |
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The Dawn of the Post-literate Society…and the End of Civilization
We recently returned from the RISE Bookselling Conference where the most referenced topic was “The Reading Crisis”. This article by
The Times columnist, James Marriott is definitely worth reading. If you want to know more, you can pre-order Marriott’s forthcoming book,
The New Dark Ages
: The Death of Reading and the Dawn of the Post-Literate Society.
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It’s Never Too Late for a Challenge
While this Reading Challenge began a few weeks ago, it’s not too late to join in. An anniversary celebration, the 25th birthday reading challenge for mobile app users is motivation for Wikipedia fans, for those who delight in a personal challenge, or for readers who refer to Wikipedia during their reading to ”just look something up.” |
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Writing Awards Survey
As one part of ongoing consultation with PEI's diverse writing communities in support of a revitalized awards program for Island writers, the PEI Writers Guild has launched an online survey to gather feedback.
This short survey is open to Island writers and creatives at all levels of experience. Even if you’ve never participated in a PEIWG event or submitted to the Island Literary Awards, these are your awards and we want to hear from you!
The survey will help shape the future direction of the awards program and celebration and will be open until June 15. Complete the survey by clicking HERE. |
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“I believe the notebook provides a basically comprehensive model for information technology:
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Easy to manufacture anywhere on Earth
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Available in many configurations, from cheap to luxe
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Never runs out of power
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Never surprises you with an OS update
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Totally flexible interface: becomes whatever you imagine
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Totally private … yet never locks you out for lack of a password
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Can be shared when needed: as easy as tearing out a page
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Durable and reliable
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Data is sensibly partitioned: loss of a notebook is annoying, not life-ruining
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Compostable 😌
I know some of those sound a bit silly, even glib, but I think they’re all very serious, even the last one. I have purchased and trashed enough e-readers!! I don’t want any more plastic confections. I don’t want any more accounts.”
- Robin Sloan, author of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Source) |
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If You Liked...Father's Day Edition |
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If you enjoyed the gripping, best-selling, thrilling narrative that is
The Wager, we have some suggestions for similar reading. Whether recent history or a couple of centuries ago, these three historical nonfiction thrillers offer edge-of-your-seat adventure, intriguing stories based on meticulous research, all wrapped together with absorbing storytelling.
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A slim novel about technology, mentorship, legacy, and yes, fatherhood. Few contemporary novelists are able to get as deep into the social implications of our mechanized, medicated, modern condition as Lerner does in ways that are as accessible and tender as they are heady and rigorous. The following recommendations -a novel, a book of nonfiction, and a trilogy of novels- all, in their different ways, strike that same balance. |
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If you liked
Project Hail Mary for its first-contact story with heart, you’ll love these three books. All feature thought-provoking first encounters and writing that will keep the pages turning. What are the implications of humans on other planets,
question? What if the rules of physics don’t apply everywhere,
question? What is an alien,
question? Read these to find out.
Amaze amaze amaze!
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”Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: They feed the soul. When writers make us shake our heads with the exactness of their prose and their truths, and even make us laugh about ourselves or life, our buoyancy is restored. We are given a shot at dancing with, or at least clapping along with, the absurdity of life, instead of being squashed by it over and over again. It’s like singing on a boat during a terrible storm at sea. You can’t stop the raging storm, but singing can change the hearts and spirits of the people who are together on that ship.”
– Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird |
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Events
Dates, times and locations are current as of publication date. Please refer to www.bookmarkreads.ca for updates or changes. |
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Author Readings at the Bookshop
Wednesday, June 3rd at 7 pm
Join us in the bookshop (111 Kent Street) for a wonderful evening of fiction featuring Jeff Miller, Halifax author of
Temporary Palaces and Katie Mac, Island author of
Dunk River Murders.
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An Evening of Poetry in the Bookshop
Wednesday, June 10th at 7 pm
We will be hosting Island Poet Jennifer Platts-Fanning in the bookshop for the launch of
Dandelion Rebellion, the celebration will include readings by Jennifer and friends.
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PEI Poetry Bash
Wednesday, June 17th at 7 pm
PEI Poet Laureate Bren Simmers has planned a celebration of poetry at Beaconsfield Carriage House, which will include three poets from New Brunswick - Fawn Parker, Ian LeTourneau, and Amber McMillan, three Island poets - Chris Bailey, Yvette Doucette, and John MacKenzie, while bassist Adam Hill and guests will provide musical interludes between readings.
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In Conversation with Kate Scarth and Sarah Emsley
Friday, June 26th at 4:30 pm
Kate Scarth will celebrate the launch of her book
Romantic Suburbs: Imagining Home in Greater London in Room 243 of the Don and Marion McDougall Hall at the University of Prince Edward Island. Kate will be in conversation with Sarah Emsley, author of
The Austens. |
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New 100 Piece Cobble Hill Puzzles |
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New in the bookshop, from our best-selling puzzle line, Cobble Hill Puzzles, a 100 piece puzzle line designed for all ages. Enjoy it as a traditional puzzle, or add value with Puzzle Chess gameplay. Curious about Puzzle Chess? Learn how to play here. |
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Overheard in the Bookshop |
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“How much for the wasabi tape?”
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Two young, high school aged guys walked into the store:
“Bro, do you even read books?”
“Bro, I read HELLA books.”
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With the participation of the Government of Canada |
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