The Lump of Coal Lemony Snicket Brett Helquist

The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket and Brett Helquist I read this on the train and I felt a little strange reading a holiday book in 90 degree weather so I hid the cover. Silly I know but the heat has taken my senses. Growing up my family didn't really do holidays. So I don't get buying a book to read for a few weeks or a night. I prefer holiday books like My Penguin Osbert by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel that aren't dated, season only. The Lump of Coal is definitely my type of holiday book, I loved it. The text and illustration worked beautifully together. Lemony Snicket tells us the story of a lump of coal who dreams of becoming an artist. He wanders the streets in search of his miracle. Several times while reading I had to pause and appreciate Helquist illustrations. Even now while writing this I am referring back to the book and I am noticing a few details in the drawings that make me say damn all over again. Lemony Snicket and Helquist have given us a wonderful story that families can enjoy no matter the season.

The Lump of Coal will be released Sept. 30

How I Display

At work today I changed out a lot of displays in the children's department. When working on the middle grade and young adult tables I always take a long time. I like to get the books just so based on color. I would never put three blue books right next to each other. I feel similar colors bleed into each other, and none of the books can stand out. Similar colors also clash, throwing off the look of the display. I have trouble finding different color books to work with though it's easier with the young adult titles. A lot of the covers for middle grade fiction are blue, black or red. I need more light covers to balance out the tables. The customer must have a reason to walk across the bookstore and stop at a display. I just don't think a table filled with similar colors will tempt a customer. I also have an only two books per author on a table rule. I don't think its fair to the other books or authors not to have this rule. One time I caught myself had three Scott Westerfeld books on a table. I like watching customers shop displays. I don't get up all on their shoulders but I will watch from a close distance, it helps me to know what works. I know I've done right by a display when customers 1. Stop 2. Browse, (reading the backs of a few titles with interest) 3. Are buying non bestselling titles.

Fall Releases

Below is a list of upcoming releases that I am looking forward to. There is no order to this list.


Impossible by Nancy Werlin release date Sept. 18. After Rules of Survival, Werlin is a must read

Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman release date Sept. 30. While I wait for this to come out, I may finally read one of Gaiman's adult novel ( I know shame on me)

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson release date Oct. 21. I love Anderson and look forward to everything she writes

Vibes by Amy Kathleen Ryan release date Oct. 6. There is something about this cover I like. The headphones probably

Ignatius Macfarland: Frequenaut! Paul Feig release date Sept. 1. I am intrigued by this book, the main character shares his name with John Kennedy Toole's classic novel lead Ignatius J Reilly from A Confederacy of Dunces which I loved. Ignatius is a lot to live up to and I what to see if Feig can bring it.

Dark Dude Oscar Hijuelos release date Sept 16- This looks interesting, and I like coming of age stories

Getting the Girl: A Guide to Private Investigation, Surveillance, and Cookery Susan Juby release date Sept 30 After Another Kind of Cowboy this book is a must

Hero-Type Barry Lyga release date Sept. 22. I like novels that question what is patritotic especially during times of war.

Kendra Coe Booth release date Oct. 1. I absolutely loved Tyrell, so this book is a must read

This Book Isn't Fat, It's Fabulous Nina Beck out now I am always on the look out for books by African American teen authors. I don't read them all I just like to know what's available. I saw this title a few months back and tried to get an arc no such luck. But the book is out now and I plan on reading it not soon but sooner then later.

Autumn Winifred Oliver Does Things Different by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb release date Oct. 14. Eminent Domain scares the hell out of me, and it will be interesting to see how a kid will cope with it.

Out of the Pocket Bill Konigsberg release date Sept 18. A football player is outed. If the novel is as perfect as the title, then its instant love


Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book release date Oct 15 - This is an obvious choice. It made my list for my nephew. He loves this series and he also writes graphic novels. I take no credit for the illustrations ( that's his mom) but the writing is all me. So I look forward to giving him this book

Pemba's Song: A Ghost Story by Marilyn Nelson release date Sept. 1 A supernatural novel featuring a black girl. Its a must read for me

Sight by Adrienne Maria Vrettos release date Sept 9. I loved the interview the author did on the Lockstockings blog. http://thelongstockings.blogspot.com/2008/05/chatting-with-adrienne-maria-vrettos.html

Steinbeck's Ghost by Lewis Buzbee release date Sept. 2. - I like books where the main character can see or talk to ghost

Ghost Medicine by Andrew Smith release date Sept. 2. This made my list because I liked the excerpt of The Feiwel and Friends site

Isabelle's Boyfriend by Caroline Hickey release date Sept. 2. This book could go many ways and I like that

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins release date Oct. 1. After all I heard I can't wait to read this.

Antsy Does Time by Neal Shusterman release date Sept. 28. The best sequels are the ones you don't know are coming out to the books you loved. And I absolutely loved the Schwa was Here.

The Order of Odd-Fish by James Kennedy- Out now. I saw it at work the other day. Stop working to take a peak. It looks interesting and odd.

Cycler by Lauren Mclaughlin release date Aug. 26 I am intrigued by this and I think the cover is perfect

I have a lot of great reading coming up. I'll probably start another kids kick in Sept.

Short Weather Update

Too damn Hot. Atlanta is blazin. I just got in from doing laundry. I am not going back out until the sun goes down. A guy at the laundromat was wearing a long black shirt, heavy cargo pants and timbs. Looking at him made me hot. Why in the hell would someone wear timbs in this heat. I am not saying he has to wear sandals but boots are a definite no no.

Store Closing

You know you've come across a good store closing sale when they're selling the fixtures. Yesterday I went to a Linen N Things, I have never scene such an organized going out of business sale. The employees are still working and keeping everything where it should be. The customers aren't being pricks and just putting things anywhere. Got a good deal on a 450 thread count sheets. I have been meaning to get new sheets for awhile. I kept on putting it off because I always had to buy something else like food. Now since I am trying to do me again, I said no more waiting until next week. Is it a sin to love your sheets? So of course after I put the sheets on, I had to clean up my room a bit. I can't have those lovely sheets surrounded by strewn about clothes. Since today was payday, I went back this morning got 2 more sets of sheets. Some towels, a cutlery set, and silverware. Now I can throw away some old towels (its the same deal with the sheets) I can also throw away my old knives those I've had since college they are very dull. I had to go to Linen N Things this morning because tonight I will be working the Breaking Dawn midnight release party. It will be my first day back from vacation. I meant to reread Twilight, finish New Moon, and maybe even read Eclipse but I never got around to it. Oh well guess I'll have to fake the funk. I've faked with less, since I've actually read Twilight I'll be cool.
I am not a big fun of midnight release parties. It throws the schedule off and the store is always left a hotmess.