Ye Olde Partners Page

*A Collection of Antiquarian Curios & Relics*

"Sometimes, immersed in his books, there would come to him an awareness of all he did not know,of all that he had not read; and the serenity for which he had labored was shattered as he realized the little time in life he had to read so much, to learn what he needed to know . . ."
                     --John Williams, Stoner (9781590171998) 14.95

 

SHORT TAKES TWO FROM STRAWBERRYLAND

I could almost hear the exasperated sighs and see your rolling eyes when I stated in last week's Partners Page, and I quote, "It looks like Jon Stewart is the new Oprah."  However, I am not one for hyperbole, and I sincerely believed that this was true.  Case in point, Mr. Krauthammer was on the Daily Show last Wednesday to promote Things That Matter (9780385349178) 28.00 and we promptly sold out.  We had another batch of his book land yesterday, and we were sold out in about five minutes.  It appears Random House had more stock on-hand, so we should have fresh copies in a few days.  I realize that Jon is no John Oliver, but he's still pretty good . . .

I was excited about the new Bobby Orr book, which was oddly entitled Orr (9780399161759) 27.95 (not to be confused with the brilliant Skip Spence album Oar), but realistically, as a long-time hockey fan, I never thought we would sell out of it.  Much to my surprise, it has hit the bestseller lists, and our copies are gone.  Maybe there's hope that the NHL will catch on in America after all.  Ha ha ha *gasps* ha ha ha . . .

But seriously folks, there is one place in these United States that is known as HockeytownTM and the Detroit Red Wings are much beloved.  There's usually a nice new Red Wings' picture title every holiday season that sells well, and this year it will be Bob Duff's Original Six Dynasties: Detroit Red Wings (9781927428276) 29.95.  There aren't many pro franchises with fans that are avid readers who also buy books . . .

However, the Green Bay Packers would probably have the biggest athletic supporters of all.  Their waterboy could write a book and we would probably sell out.  Donald Driver, their all-time leader in passing receptions (and that's saying something), has chosen to share his life story in Driven: From Homeless to Hero (9780385349147) 25.00.  And even as a long-time Detroit Lion's fan, I have nothing but respect for Donald Driver.  He is a class act . . .

And while we're on the topic of the Detroit Lions, my good friend Barry Schumer has delivered his new tome, 7 Years Later and I Still Don't Believe It!: Same Old Lions? (9780979886690) 14.95.  It's the perfect gift for that masochistic Lions fan on your Christmas list . . .   

  

 Odds & Sods

Our good friend Barbara Siepker, owner of The Cottage Book Shop and director of non-profit Leelanau Press has released her second title The Art of Sleeping Bear Dunes (9780974206844) 40.00.  This coffee table book has full-colour illustrations; it is a  veritable who's who of northwest Michigan artists and their most popular works.  This gorgeous gift book will be a northern Michigan staple for many more years to come . . .

 By the way, Signifying Rappers (9780316225830) 16.00 by my literary idol David Foster Wallace and Mark Costello has been re-released in a snappy new trade edition.  Word!