Local poet Chard deNiord will be in store to read from and discuss his new book, Sad Friends, Drowned Lovers and Stapled Songs: Interviews and Reflections of 20th Century American Poets. 

This book of interviews with seven senior American poets-Jack Gilbert, Donald Hall, Galway Kinnell, Maxine Kumin, Lucille Clifton, Ruth Stone, and Robert Bly- and essays on Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell’s correspondence, specifically her delicate outrage over his use of his wife’s and daughter’s letters in his 1974 book, The Dolphin, James Wright’s poem To the Muse, and Philip Levine’s poems The Simple Truth and Call it Music, presents a broad view of the bold and original epoch in contemporary American poetry following World War II. In their wise and always engaging responses and commentaries, deNiord’s subjects reflect candidly on their careers and the unprecedented big tent of American poetry today.

Hope we see you here!

UVM Professor Richard Watts will be discussing his new book (pertinent to all New Englanders!) Public Meltdown: The Story of  the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant at 6pm on Friday, May 4.

In 2010, Vermont legislators voted to shutter a nuclear power plant, putting the state at odds with the federal government and the plant’s owner—the Louisiana-based Entergy Corporation.  Public Meltdown explores the debate that roiled Vermont, including the lawsuits and court action that followed. In rich, well-researched detail, Dr. Watts tells a story that spotlights the role of state governments, citizens and activists in decisions about the nation’s aging nuclear power fleet.

And we’re back.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT:

Otto the Book Bear – Katie Cleminson.  hc $16.99 Very sweet book about a story bear who has secret adventures, only to one day get lost and lonely before they find the perfect home.

Little Bird – Germano Zullo. hc $16.95  Absolutely stunning picture book suitable for children or adults, the simple story of a driver and his truck full of birds…very highly recommended.

ADULT NON-FICTION:

March Was Made of Yarn: Reflections of the Japanese Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Meltdown – Elmer Luke & David Karashima, eds. pb$15 Contains fiction, too.

Occupying Wall Street: The Inside Story of an Action that Changed America – Writers for 99%. pb $15 History in the making.

The Best Care Possible: A Physician’s Quest to Transform Care Through the End of Life – Ira Byock. hc $26  A must read for everyone.  No, really.

Global Palestine – John Collins. hc $30

Uprising: How Wisconsin Renewed the Politics of Protest, from Madison to Wall Street – John Nichols. pb $15.99 More history in the making.

Public Meltdown: the Story of Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant – Richard Watts. pb $15 Richard will be in-store on Friday, May 4 at 6pm.

Green Washed: Why We Can’t Buy Our Way to a Green Planet – Kendra Pierre-Louis. pb $15.95  The truth hurts!

Food Fight: Citizen’s Guide to the Next Food and Farm Bill – Daniel Imhoff. pb $19.95

The Great Northern Express: A Writer’s Journey Home – Howard Frank Mosher. hc $25 One Vermont author’s memoir of driving across America after treatment for prostate cancer.

We’re With Nobody: Two Insiders Reveal the Dark Side of American Politics – Alan Huffman & Michael Rejebian. pb $15.99  All about opposition research, which I think explains a lot about politics in the post-Bush era.

The Unfinished Revolution: Voices from the Global Fight for Women’s Rights – Minky Worden, ed. pb $25.95  Looks like a must-read.

No Happy Cows: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the Food Revolution – John Robbins. $16.95

Moby-Duck: The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea and of the Beachcombers, Oceanographers, Environmentalists, and Fools, Including the Author, Who Went in Search of Them – Donovan Hohn. pb $16 New in paperback.

The Obama Hate Machine: The Lies, Distortions, and Personal Attacks on the President – and Who is Behind Them – Bill Press. hc $26.99

GREED, INC.: Why Corporations Rule the World and How We Let it Happen – Wade Rowland. pb $14.95 Updated to include Occupy Wall Street.

Living Downstream: An Ecologist’s Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment – Sandra Steingraber. pb $16.95 Second edition.

The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards – William Broad. hc $26 Certainly the hot book of the moment.

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion – Jonathan Haidt. hc $28.95

Healing Ground: Walking the Farms of Vermont – John Huddleston. hc $45 Absolutely gorgeous.

New Collected Poems – Wendell Berry. hc $30

ADULT FICTION:

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest – Stieg Larsson. pb $9.99 trade: $15.95 The third and final book featuring Lisbeth Salander.

The Mirage – Matt Ruff. hc $25.99 On 11/9/2001, Christian fundamentalists highjack two planes and fly them into the Tigris and Euphrates World Trade Towers in Baghdad.  And  then a captured suicide bomber tells Security Services that actually, this world is a just mirage...

The Quantum Thief – Hannu Rajaniemi. pb $7.99 One man tries to hide the truth from himself while investigating himself.

The Forgotten Waltz – Anne Enright. pb $15.95 A man, a woman, an affair.

The Weird Sisters – Eleanor Brown. pb $15 Three sisters visit family in Maine upon occasion of their mother’s illness.

City of Dragons – Robin Hobb (aka Megan Lindholm). hc $27.99 Volume 3 of the Rain Wilds Chronicles.

Half-Blood Blues – Esi Edugyan. pb $15 The lost world of jazz in Berlin, 1929, and the disappearance of black German trumpeter.

Three Weeks in December – Audrey Schulman. pb $16 Lions, engineers, gorillas, ethnobotany, oh my!

Turn of Mind – Alice LaPlante. pb $15  If the murder suspect has dementia, how can you tell whether or not she did the deed?

Crucible of Gold: A Novel of Temeraire – Naomi Novik. hc $25 The Napoleonic Wars.  With dragons.

Believing the Lie – Elizabeth George. hc $28.95 Lynley and Havers return (personally I prefer Havers).

An American Spy – Olen Steinhauer. hc $25.99  Milo must discover who wants to close the Office of Tourism.

Throne of the Crescent Moon – Saladin Ahmed. hc $24.95 Dr. Adoulla Makhslood and companions must cull supernatural murders while rebellion rises in the Crescent Moon Kingdom. A highly anticipated debut novel  from Ahmed, a finalist for the Nebula and Campbell awards.

Lone Wolf – Jodi Picoult. hc $28 More family troubles for a retired researcher.

World and Town – Gish Jen. pb $15.95 When the quaint New England town isn’t.

Birds of a Lesser Paradise: Stories – Megan Mayhew Bergman. hc $24

Wise Man’s Fear – Patrick Rothfuss. Trade pb $19 The continued adventures of Kvothe in the Kingkiller Chronicles: Day Two.

Gods of Gotham – Lyndsay Faye. hc $25.95 NYC +1845 + The Irish + Mass Murder + A child = Conflagration.

We’re very happy to present Prof. John Collins and his new book Global Palestine on Friday, March 16 at 6PM.

Global Palestine offers a brilliant reading of the Palestine question, helping us more fully understand both the operation of a necropolitical regime of surveillance, interdiction, and control and a spirited and increasingly globalized resistance to it. Finding inspiration in the continuing Palestinian struggle for justice, this book is a fine example of intellectual precision and political commitment.

- Saree Makdisi, University of California, Los Angeles, and author of Palestine Inside Out: An Everyday Occupation

Vermont author Tovar Cerulli will be in store to discuss his memoir, The Mindful Carnivore: A Vegetarian’s Hunt for Sustenance, at 5:30pm on Friday, March 2nd.

“A personal tale of how one man comes to terms with the meat on his plate and a historical look at humanity’s connection to animals. The Mindful Carnivore delivers new insight in the too often simplistic vegetarian versus carnivore argument.”Novella Carpenter, author of Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer

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“The Mindful Carnivore: A Vegitarian’s Hunt for Sustenanceby Tovar Cerulli examines what it means to be a mindful eater, not just a mindful carnivore.  How much damage are you truly avoiding in choosing to be a vegetarian–and how can you be a mindful consumer and have respect for everything you ingest?”Sassy Peach, Book Reviewer blog

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“As veganism and vegetarianism become more popular, in the media and in individual lives, we are more and more aware of people jumping on the bandwagon and adopting lifestyles that seek to reduce the intentional harm they cause to animals—in their diets, what they wear, the personal-care products they use, and so on.

But at the same time, this new notoriety also means we encounter more people jumping offthe bandwagon, for any number of reasons…” Justin Van Kleeck, Sustainablog

We are very pleased to present world renowned scientist Carlene (Cardy) Raper and her memoir “Love, Sex, and Mushrooms: Adventures of a Woman in Science” at 5:30pm on Friday, February 10.

As Peter R. Day, coauthor of “Plant-Fungal Pathogen Interaction” remarked: “Books about sex in fungi rarely reward the casual interest of the general reader generated by ‘sex’ in their titles….Cardy Raper’s autobiography is a refreshing exception….What makes it so readable and engrossing is her frank account of her circumstances both in and out of the laboratory. This book will encourage aspiring students, men as well as women, in how to overcome difficulties.” – Jason Stajich, The Hyphal Tip: Digesting the Fungal Genomes

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Even if you are not a scientist, “Sex, Love, and Mushrooms” offers a fascinating study of what it took for a woman to forge a career in the face of personal and professional obstacles in the mid- to late- twentieth century. This is much more than an inspirational tale, however, because the life recalled is complicated on both the personal and the professional level and this complexity is related with candor, credibility, and without sentimentality. The writing is engaging and compelling, as the title promises, and you’ll learn of the love and sex life not only of mushrooms but also of people who are human, real, and totally alive. Also, the story carries a clear feminist message without a trace of polemic. A marvelous reading experience! – M. Norris, Amazon reviewer

We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a fascinating evening!

Everyone’s Books is very excited to to present Writer and Poet Christian McEwen and her new book, “World Enough & Time: On Creativity and Slowing Down” at 6:30pm on Friday, February 3 – next Gallery Walk.  The book is beautiful meditation on taking time to just be, to walk, to enjoy the pleasures of life and the natural world.  What we shouldn’t lose sight of is that this is all fodder for the imagination.

Whenever I feel the world pressing me to pack more do into my day, I quip to no one in particular, I’m a 33 rpm girl in a 45 rpm world. And yes, I know that’s old school.

But perhaps you relate. Perhaps, like me and like author Christian McEwen, you harbor the nagging feeling that you’ve stumbled drunk and alone through a door and into a land where the locals all bleat cheerfully about being “crazy-busy!”

Exit, please? – Karen Sandstrom, Cleveland Plain Dealer

~*~

Throughout her creative life, Christian McEwen‘s (Playwriting Fellow ’11) encounters in art and literature have taught her a deceptively simple lesson: slow down. The writer, who has worked in poetry, prose, film, and theater, recently published a new book, World Enough & Time: On Creativity and Slowing Down (Bauhan Publishing, 2011), about how slowing the pace of life can lead to breakthroughs in learning, wellness, and – perhaps most pertinent to artists – creativity.

We asked Christian if we could share a section of her new book, as well as some of the tactics she suggests for expanding creativity through a more measured mode of living. – ArtSake blog post, Excerpt and exercises written by Christian McEwen.

~*~

Poet Christian McEwen inhabits a sense of time that has all but disappeared in our frenzied world. Francesca met her several years ago over a poetry project with Smith College and she became a friend, the kind of friend to have leisurely conversations with over tea or to take a walk with along the Mill River in Northampton, MA, just a stone’s throw from her home. Her home is a writers’ sanctuary — books are everywhere, and the largest room in the house is her study. There’s no TV. She has created a generous space for unstructured time, that building block of contemplation, creativity and convivial conversation — all central to the life of the writer and poet.

But everyone needs that kind of space — and we get too little of it. We are more and more infected with what McEwen calls “hurry sickness.” It’s making us lonelier, more stressed, and less resilient. Children are losing recess, people have no time for friends — unless they’re on Facebook — and our health is suffering, too. We are missing life as we rush through it. It’s time to slow down. – Francesca Rheannon, The Writer’s Voice.

We think this is going to be a fantastic talk and hope to see you all here!

Well it’s taken a heck of a long time, but I have complete the second round of updates in New and Notable (under Featured Titles).  I’ve highlighted some of our favorite children’s books of the fall, along with the middle grades and young adult.

*

We’ve had number of requests for more adult fiction in Spanish* – if you have any suggestions, please let us know.

* we only have 3-4 adult books in Spanish at the moment

And the listing continues…

CHILDREN (picture books) :

Songs From the Baobab: African Lullabies & Nursery Rhymes w/cd – Chantal Grosleziat. hc $16.95

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind – William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer. hc $16.99 Gorgeous picture book based on the true story of William Kamkwamba.

Kindness: A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom for Children and Parents – Sarah Conover. pb $19.95  A read aloud book of fables.  Like Aesop, but Buddhist.

The Wise Fool: Fables from the Islamic World -  Sharukh Husain & Micha Archer. hc $19.99

Tales from India: Stories of Creation & the Cosmos – Jamila Gavin. hc $19.99

Once Upon a Time: Traditional Latin American Tales/Habia una vez Cuentos Tradicionales Latino Americanos – Rueben Martinez. hc $19.99

Old Bear and His Cub – Olivier Dunrea. hc $16.99  Charming father and son  picture book featuring bears.  In winter.

Blue Chicken – Deborah Freedman. hc $15.99 A book about painting and trying to help, and, maybe, leaving the house.

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse – Eric Carle.  hc $17.99 Semi-autobiographical tale between Eric Carle and Franz Marc.  The importance of coloring outside the lines.

Jazz Age Josephine – Jonah Winter. hc $16.99  A bright picture  book about Miss Josephine Baker.

Same, Same But Different – Jenny Kostecki-Shaw. Pen-pals between the USA and India.

Looking at Lincoln – Maira Kalman. hc $17.99  A sweet book looking at the life of Lincoln.

Stars – Mary Lyn Ray & Marla Frazee. hc $16.99 Stars are everywhere, not just in the sky.

CHILDREN (middle grades) :

Breadcrumbs – Anne Ursu hc $16.99  A friendship between a boy and a girl changes as they age, leading one to decide the other has had their heart frozen by a witch.  A modern day fairy tale.

Mastiff – Tamora Pierce. hc $18.99 Book three in the tale of Beka Cooper.

Scorpia Rising – Anthony Horowitz. hc $17.99 – The final Alex Rider book!

YOUNG ADULT:

Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices Book Two) – Cassandra Clare.  hc %17.99 Special collectors 1st edition.  More in Victorian London with Tessa and Will.

A Million Suns – Beth Revis. hc $17.99 Sequel to Across the Universe, or, More with Elder and Amy.

Wither (#1 Chemical Garden Trilogy) – Lauren DeStefano. hc $17.99 Forced Polygamy!  Forced Pregnancy! Post-Apocalypse!  At least the cover is attractive...

What Happened to Goodbye – Sarah Dessen. hc $19.99  More wuv, true wuv.  Admittedly well written wuv, but still.

First Kill (#1 Slayer Chronicles) – Heather Brewer. hc $17.99 Joss MacMillan’s (s)take on Vladimir Tod.

Crossed – Ally Condle. hc #17.99 Sequel to Matched.

ADULT NON-FICTION:

Revolution 2.0: The Power of the People is Greater Than the People in Power – Wael Ghonim. hc $26 Unbelievably readable account of one Google employee whose single post on Facebook changed the course of Egypt.  From a passive observer to passionate revolutionary, this is one book you don’t want to miss.

Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit – Parker J. Palmer. hc $24.95 Practical ways citizens can revitalize democracy to be by and for the people.

A History of the World in 100 Objects: From the Handaxe to the Credit Card – Neil MacGregor. hc $45 From the Director of the British Museum comes a massive tome filled with images and short essays organized on such topics as Status Symbols, Threshold of the Modern Era, Rise of World Faiths, and Making Us Human, to name but a few.  This is not dry reading   of these 100 objects, but a friendly, personal book written by someone who has a passion for history.  Very highly recommended!

American Oracle: The Civil War in the Civil Rights Era – David W. Blight. hc $27.95 A discussion of 4 writers – Bruce Catton, Robert Penn Warren, Edmund Wilson and James Baldwin – reflecting on the Civil War as well as the ever-changing nature of Civil War memory.

Folks, This Ain’t Normal: A Farmer’s Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World – Joel Salatin. hc $25.99  Some of the stories in this most excellent book will astound and horrify you (the chapter on those who not only don’t cook, but have never even seen the raw ingredients, is shocking), others will make you want to turn your lawn into a garden and get some chickens immediately.  Fantastic book from a well respected farmer and writer who knows his stuff.  If you’ve ever given the merest thought about your food and where it comes from, and how it could taste better, keep money local, and help the environment of the world at the same time, then this is the book for you.

Awakening of the Heart: Essential Buddhist Sutras and Commentaries – Thich Nhat Hanh. pb $39.95  A comprehensive collection of translations by probably the second best well known Buddhist in the world.

The Swerve: How the World Became Modern – Stephen Greenblatt. hc $26.95 All about the discovery – in 1417 – of Lucretius’ ancient poem ‘On the Nature of Things’/De Rerum Natura [read it or download it for free here] and how it changed the world forever.

1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created – Charles C. Mann. hc $30.50  From the author of 1491: New Revelations About the Americas Before Columbus, comes the story of the most momentous biological event since the great dinosaur die-off.  Things we take for granted, like honeybees and earthworms, and, apparently, mosquitoes (not sure I believe that one!), which came from other places, and how the two-way street of ecological commerce – tomatoes, potatoes, and corn, to name the most well known changed the world as we knew it.

A World On Fire: Britain’s Crucial Role in the American Civil War – Amanda Foreman. hc $35  Apparently there was far larger British involvement on the Civil War than most people are aware of.  I knew Britain supported the South (how officially is a good question) because hey, cheap cotton, but I didn’t know many Brits also joined up on both sides.  Here, Foreman looks at personal correspondences alongside the official relationships between Britain, the South, and the North.  One of the NYT Book Review’s top 10 notable books for 2011.

What It Is Like To Go To War – Karl Marlantes. hc $25  A personal and insightful look at war, what it does to people, and how we can better prepare soldier for the journey.  From the author of the critically acclaimed Matterhorn.

With Liberty and Justice for Some: How the Law is Used to Destroy Equality and Protect the Powerful – Glenn Greenwald. hc $26 Greenwald shows up our two-tiered system for what it is, along with the history of how it came to be this way.  Unsurprisingly, it all started with Nixon (and keep in mind two of his cronies remain in business, Rumsfeld and Cheney)...

Early Warming: Crisis and Response in the Climate-Changed North – Nancy Lord. pb $ 15.95  A vivid accounting of the changes in Alaska. Would that someone would do the same for the Northeast.

Vermont Wild Vol 2: More Adventures of Fish & Game Wardens – Megan Price. pb $19.95 More funny stories from the wilds of Vermont.

ADULT FICTION:

11/22/63 – Stephen King. hc $35  Said to be easily King’s best work in a decade or more, this one features time travel, romance, and the attempt to stop the assassination of John F Kennedy.

Revival: A Folk Music Novel – Scott Alarik. pb $22  A love story on the folk music circuit.  Comes particularly recommended for those who love folk music or are musicians themselves.

Who Fears Death – Nnedi Okorafor. pb $15  In postapocalyptic Africa, a child of rape, an Ewu, must learn magic to escape the person who would murder her.  Absolutely fantastic writing in Okorafor’s first novel for adults.  The 2011 World Fantasy Award Winner for best novel.

Jamrach’s Menagerie – Carol Birch. hc $25.95 Adventure on the high seas!  Also with dragons and tigers.

Among Others – Jo Walton. pb $14.99 Raised by a half-mad mother who dabbles in magic, Morwenna Phelps found refuge in the world of books.  After the death of her twin – during an attempt to stop their mother’s magic – Mor’s sent to a boarding school in England where she tries to once again stop her mother.  Absolutely wonderful novel about that time of our lives as young teens who simply don’t fit in the world.  Great for those who are genre readers, but non-genre readers will appreciate it as well.

1Q84 – Haruki Murakami. hc $30.50 A time-traveling mystery with a love story.  Or perhaps a mysterious love story taking place in different decades.  You decide, it’s Murakami.

The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern. hc $26.95 Magic, the Circus, Young Love – and a game wherein there is only one winner.

Best American Noir of the Century – James Elroy & Otto Penzler, eds. pb $16.95 Many of the usual suspects, also including Harlan Ellison and Dorothy Hughes, to name a couple of others.

Best American Comics 2011 – Allison Bechdel, ed. hc $25 Not one for the kiddos!

The Leftovers – Tom Perrotta. hc $25.99 After the Rapture, what happens to all the people left behind?

Mr Fox – Helen Oyeyemi. hc $25.95 A menage-a-trois love story.   Or is it?

While Mortals Sleep – Kurt Vonnegut. pb $16 Previously unpublished stories by the master.

Open City – Teju Cole. pb $15 Immigrant journey of present and past from the streets of Manhattan to the cobblestones of Brussels and the dirt tracks of Nigeria.

Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness. pb $16 The Bodleian and Oxford, Witches and Vampires, oh my!

American Dervish – Ayad Akhtar. hc $24.99  Growing up Muslim and the child of immigrants in America isn’t easy, and when young Hayat falls for his mother’s oldest friend from Pakistan, a single act changes everything.

Hi! So, yeah, it’s been a few months little while since I last updated this list and there have been a heap of new books to talk about. Some have made it onto the shelf while others are still on our highlighted new books tables – let us know if something strikes your memory but you can’t quite recall what the title is!  This page will be updated tomorrow as well.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT:

Inheritance (#4 Eragon series) – Christopher Paolini. hc $27.99 [we offer 15% off on this title]  The Last Book...

Wonderstruck – Brian Selznick. hc $29.99 [we offer 15% off on this title] From the author of the Invention of Hugo Cabret, a new book featuring two children living 50 years apart.

Drawing From Memory – Allen Say.  hc $17.99  Absolutely stunning memoir in text and picture from Allen Say, featuring on his early life in Japan and how he became an artist.  Very highly recommended for older children, teens, and adults.

ADULT NON-FICTION:

A Might Storm: Stories of Resilience After Irene – Yvonne Daley. pb $34.95 Fantastic book filled with personal stories as well as plenty of color photos.  Net proceeds go to the VT Irene Flood Relief Fund, the Mobile Home Project Fund, and the Rutland Relief Fund (United Way).

This Changes Everything: Occupy Wall St & the 99% Movement – Yes! Magazine. pb $9.95 Essays from Naomi Klein, Ralph Nader, Rebecca Solnit, & the Occupy Wall St General Assembly, among others.  The first book on OWS.

Tales From  the Sustainable Underground: A Wild Journey With People Who Care More About the Planet Than the Law – Stephen Hren. pb $17.95  Stories of those who are, in the words of Judas Priest, “breakin’ the law”.  Informative and inspiring as well as cautionary.

It Started in Wisconsin: Dispatches From the Front Lines of the New Labor Protest – Mari Jo and Paul Buhle. pb $14.95. Does what is says on the tin!

Phillip Hoff: How Red Turned Blue In the Green Mountain State – Samuel B. Hand, Anthony Marro & Stephen Terry. hc $29.95  The true story of Gov. Phillip Hoff’s 6 years in office and how he kickstarted the blue-ing of the Green Mountain State.

Mycophilia: Revelations From the Weird World of Mushrooms – Eugenia Bone. hc $25.99 Eugenia’s obsession with mushrooms for the pot turned into an obsession with fungi altogether.  A fascinating look at the fungus among us.

Why It’s Kicking Off Everywhere: The New Global Revolutions – Paul Mason. pb $19.95 Mason, the Economics editor on BBC’s Newsnight program (tv only), goes in search of the social and economic reasons behind the new worldwide protests.

Distrust That Particular Flavor – William Gibson. hc $26.95 Essays through the years from the man who coined the term ‘cyberpunk’.

Do the Impossible: My Crash Course on Presidential Politics Inside the Howard Dean Campaign – Kate O’Connor. pb $25 Vermont author Kate O’connor’s diary-style true-life story of the Dean campaign.

The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined – Steven Pinker. hc $40 Utterly fascinating book about the world-wide decline in violence – even though with modern news reporting it doesn’t seem like it.  There’s a great (but graphic) TED talk by Pinker on this subject from 2007 on our Facebook page.  Or, just search on TED.  In any case, I’m convinced.

Pulphead: Essays – John Jeremiah Sullivan. pb $16 Essays on American life by what some call one of the best writers of our time.

Cultivating an Ecological Conscience: Essays from a Farmer Philosopher – Frederick Kirschnmann. pb $18.95  The philosophy of sustainable agriculture, along with practical advice.

The Moment: Wild, Poignant, Life-Changing Stories from 125 Writers & Artists Famous & Obscure – Larry Smith, ed.  pb $14.99 From the creators of Six Word Memoirs comes this wonderful, frequently sad and funny little book of short essays.

Sacred Economics: Money, Gift, & Society in the Age of Transition – Charles Eisenstein. pb $22.95 The history of money throughout the ages and how the system will have to change in the new economy.  Also, it has a great cover.

Vultures’ Picnic: In Pursuit of Petroleum Pigs, Power Pirates, and High-Finance Carnivores – Greg Palast. hc $26.95  Beginning with a confidential anonymous note about BP’s Deepwater Horizon to nuclear power in Japan, with side trips to Alaska and the Amazon, Palast probes the corrupt heart of Big Oil.

The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food, and Love – Kristin Kimball. pb $15 If you want to know what it’s like to go from being a vegetarian city girl to chicken killing wife of a farmer, read this book.

A Train In Winter: Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship. and Resistance in Occupied France – Caroline Moorehead. hc $27.99  The remarkable and enduring power of female friendship in a time of war.

The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse That Inspired a Nation – Elizabeth Letts. hc $26  The amazing story of a horse bound for the slaughterhouse bought by an immigrant farmer and what happened after.

ADULT FICTION:

Death Comes To Pemberly – P.D. James. hc $25.95 The ‘sequel’ to Pride & Prejudice.  With murder.

The Marriage Plot – Jeffrey Eugenides. hc $28 Welcome back to the 80′s, college, and the decisions about What To Do With One’s Life.

The Crossing Places – Elly Griffiths. pb $14.95 Murder on the Norfolk coast featuring Forensic Archeologist Ruth Galloway.