Best Books of 2009--Sneak Preview

It's getting to be that time. Within the next few weeks, all of the major outlets will be unveiling their lists of the best books of the year: The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and, of course, the Book Stall newsletter. You can see the PW list here and the LA Times list here, but we'd like to give you a sneak preview of the books we've chosen:

Alison, our mystery reader, chose A Brutal Telling by Louise Penny.

Nancy Randall liked Zeitoun by Dave Eggers.

Melissa agreed with the Booker Prize committee and chose Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall as her favorite.

And I (Peter) cheated a bit and chose a late 2008 book that I didn't get to until this year: Roberto Bolaño's 2666.

Stay tuned for our full list and our write-ups on our favorites!

Available for pre-order: P.S. I Hate It Here

P.S. I Hate It Here: Kids Letters From Camp will be out in May 2010, just in time to send the kids to summer camp. We are taking pre-orders now for Diane Falanga's new book. It's for every parent who’s ever received a letter from a homesick child or anybody who’s ever written their parents with crazy requests from their bunk, P.S. I Hate It Here: Kids’ Letters From Camp will delight with hilarious and heartwarming real-life letters.

Pre-order by phone at The Book Stall, 847-446-8880, to reserve your copy. We will provide an online order link as soon as the book arrives in our database.

An Alan Cheuse essay

Honoring National Bookstore Day, Nov. 7, 2009

Author Alan Cheuse, National Public Radio’s longtime “voice of books” and reviewer on All Things Considered, is a frequent, and favorite, visitor to The Book Stall. Mr. Cheuse was last in the store to sign his novel, To Catch the Lightning, a wonderful exploration of the intertwined plights of the famous frontier photographer Edward Curtis and the American Indian (just out in paperback). At the time, he composed for us these recollections of his earliest bookstore experiences.

Enjoy reading his full essay here.

The Wild Things

The new film adaptation of the classic children's book by Maurice Sendak (http://wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com/) came out yesterday. Sendak's book is as fresh as ever. Dave Eggers, who wrote the screenplay for the film, has also written a novel based on Sendak's story. The Wild Things has garnered a lot of acclaim, and we'd love to hear what you think about it.

Here's a link to a review: http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2009/10/11/the_wildness_within/

Book Stall honored in the Huffington Post

Praveen Madan has written a wonderful article on the importance of independent booksellers. It is a cogent and heartfelt defense of an irreplaceable community institution. And to top it off, she acknowledges the Book Stall and other stores like it for our "warmth, generosity, and sharing spirit." Read the whole article here.

Headliner Events: Just Added Tim Keller, author of "Counterfeit Gods"

We generally have over fifty events a month at The Book Stall and don't want you to miss any of your favorites. The Headliner page of our web site lists some very popular, nationally known authors, including Wally Lamb on November 30th, and our Womens Writers Series includes great names like Sarah Dunant and Jacquelyn Mitchard. Check our site and come back to this blog for frequent book-lover updates.


Here's another author you won't want to miss:
FRIDAY, NOV. 6
7:30 p.m.
Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine St.

TIMOTHY KELLER, author of the bestsellers The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, speaks about his new book, Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Lasts, exposing the error of making good things "ultimate." Dr. Keller, the nationally renowned founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, now ministers to more than 9,000 regular Sunday attendees.

Admission: $20, includes a copy of Counterfeit Gods.
For reservations: Call us at 847 446-8880.

If you can't attend give us a call and we will get a signed copy for you to purchase or we'll send it for you as a special gift.

Mother-Daughter Book Club for Adults!!

We're excited about our new Mother-Daughter Book Club, which will be geared towards adult daughters and their mothers (and/or mother-in-laws)and need your feedback. Do you have a favorite book that you'd like to share with your mother or daughter? What titles are interesting to you this month? Please post your thoughts, and we'll keep you updated on the meeting dates as we schedule them.