Friday, August 15, 2014

Village Story Peddlers: Nantucket Bookworks




The DMS wants to send some good cheer out to those wonderful independent books sellers. So, we decided to share some of our favorite corner bookstores with you. 




Today, we want to tell you about Nantucket BookworksThis charming book nook has gobs of story magic dripping from every shelf!  




What is the story behind Nantucket Bookworks?


The store was founded in 1972 by Patty Claflin. Originally located in a basement on the corner of Federal and Broad, Bookworks soon moved into 25 Broad St, a small building dating back to 1880, where it has remained to this day. In the late 90's, the Claflins tapped Wendy Hudson to take over the business, and Bookworks changed hands at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, 2000. Several years ago, Wendy also took on responsibility for Mitchell's Book Corner, and now both stores operate under the Nantucket Book Partners umbrella (while maintaining our respective distinct identities and fan bases). For the full story, click here

What is your favorite book to chat about?

This summer, I've been leaning heavily toward The Secret History. It's an earlier novel by Donna Tartt, who wrote this summer's bestseller The Goldfinch, and it's the story of a young man from the midwest who becomes enmeshed in an intellectually lofty but morally debauched clique at an East Coast college. The plot is great, but Tartt's writing really makes this book.

My coworker Max prefers A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki. According to Max, "It's the diary of a young Japanese girl who calls herself a time being, and the story is brought to you by a woman who finds the diary on a beach on an island in Canada that's a lot like Nantucket.... but the diary is more than it seems"



Our manager, Suzanne, has two favorites this summer: We the Drowned, which focuses on the shipping industry's effects on a small coastal town in Norway at the turn of the century, and The Baron in the Trees, the tale of a young Italian count who abandons his family in the middle of dinner one night and spends the rest of his life in the trees.



Are there any upcoming events happening at the bookstore? If so, what?

Since Mitchell's and Bookworks joined forces, Mitchell's has taken on most of the signings and author events, and every summer they have a very busy events schedule. This summer, Bookworks has featured volunteer face-painters on Saturday mornings, and this Saturday we're also hosting a signing by a local author, Melissa Macvicar.

Nimbus 2000 or a Firebolt???
This is a bookstore you'll definitely want to visit! 

Nantucket Bookworks
25 Broad Street
Nantucket, MA 02554
(508) 228-4000

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

What Will Happen to the Unwanteds?

There are three categories of people in Quill: Wanteds (strong and important), Necessaries (they keep everyone fed and take care of maintenance), and Unwanteds (people who have shown creativity). When the day of the purge comes, Alex Stowe is upset because he has long guessed that he is going to be purged as an Unwanted. His twin brother, Aaron, is a Wanted. Alex can’t believe they will be separated. Unfortunately, all of the Unwanteds are going to be eliminated because of various things they have done wrong in their lives. Alex drew in the sand, another girl strung words together in a way that wasn’t speaking, another girl told stories, and the list goes on and on. Quill is not a place for such behavior! When the bus takes the Unwanteds to the place they will be eliminated, they are introduced to a world unlike any they have ever seen. A world in which creativity, dancing, singing, music and all of the arts are not only expected, but embraced. The amazing Mr. Today is a magician who has created Artime, a vibrant world, where just about anything is possible, unless the people of Quill ever find out about it. But who would tell? Is it possible for a world like this to live and prosper while Quill is so miserable right next door? Would it be better for Alex to have his twin right there with him? Is it possible to sever the ties between twins? What will happen if the head of Quill finds out about this world? Reading this book will make your imagination soar!


When I read The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann I didn't have any idea what to expect. I really enjoyed the world she created in Artime and think it would be fun to spend some time there. Magical spells and creativity blend some of my favorite things! I liked that the characters all seemed very real, not only did they have things I could connect to, but they also had traits that I might not of liked very much, making them seem all the more realistic. There were parts of this book that I didn't want to continue reading because I was afraid of what was going to happen. I did keep reading of course because I also needed to know what happened. There is definitely a lot of suspense! I would recommend this book to kids in fourth grade and up who like books about other worlds and fantasy adventures. This is my first book by this author but I did notice this was part of a series, and I'm definitely curious about the rest of them!

Has anyone else read The Unwanteds? Or have you got another book by Lisa McMann? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
~L

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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Answer to Monday's Riddle: The Creative Mind!


Excellent guessing Riddlers! Imagination is fueled by creativity! Lizzy's review will take us into a very unusual scene, and Friday we're heading into a fantastic independent book store in Nantucket, so be sure to check back! See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F



I'm what lets you out of the box. You might see a car, but pretend it's a fox. I'm the sense that juggles unknowns, and you're sure it's right when felt in your bones. A subtle veil that keeps reason away, if you use me, I'll enchant the day. For I'm here for you when things seem too real; try me on to understand zeal. What I am is something divine, an idea sought right out of time. No one can tell what your thoughts are worth, they've been circling around since your infinite birth. The brew that bubbles within your mind is a jewel that's held by no other kind, and the balance between rhyme and reason is brilliantly cast when carefree of treason. Unique expression is the flag I raise, it matters not the amount of praise. The process expands out from you; in the end you must love what you do. 

What am I referring to? Answer: Creativity! 
Rest in Peace Robin Williams. ♥

Make time to riddle and rhyme!
62 original riddles and illustrations 

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 

Available in all e-book formats
Download for only .99¢ on Smashwords




Monday, August 11, 2014

Monday's Riddle: A Certain Zeal...


Hello Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? I've been told that I've always got my head in the clouds- thanks to this. ; ) ~ F

I'm what lets you out of the box. You might see a car, but pretend it's a fox. I'm the sense that juggles unknowns, and you're sure it's right when felt in your bones. A subtle veil that keeps reason away, if you use me, I'll enchant the day. For I'm here for you when things seem too real; try me on to understand zeal. What I am is something divine, an idea sought right out of time. No one can tell what your thoughts are worth, they've been circling around since your infinite birth. The brew that bubbles within your mind is a jewel that's held by no other kind, and the balance between rhyme and reason is brilliantly cast when carefree of treason. Unique expression is the flag I raise, it matters not the amount of praise. The process expands out from you; in the end you must love what you do. 

What am I referring to? 

I gave you a clue! 
A clue! Underwater Shark Dance- what I think really happens. ;)

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