Constellation Books

Dickens and Song this weekend!

2011-12-07T11:06:00.004-05:00

The Reisterstown Theatre Project join us Saturday at 3pm for a reading of A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens. Come start a new tradition at the bookstore!

Sunday, Steve Haug stops by with fabulous instruments to serenade us with folk/traditional/pop music. 3-6pm

Pumpkin Decorating Contest Winners

2011-10-30T17:17:00.005-04:00

Here's today's winners of the
Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

Adult Winner - The eye on the
porch is upon you! Note the optice nerve on the back. :)

And the Kids' Winner: it's hard to see but it says "Constellation Books Where Every Book Is a Star" with lots of stars!!! :)

Toga/Saturnalia Party for the Book Releases

2011-10-28T14:16:00.004-04:00

THIS EVENT IS CANCELED ON ACCOUNT OF SNOW - WE WILL RE-SCHEDULE IT SOON.

This Staurday, 3:00 pm- 5:00 pm

Owings Mills author Stephanie Dray has another book on Cleopatra's daughter, Selene, coming out, plus a romance involved a Sphinx. So we're holding a nearly Saturnalia party! You can wear the toga over your clothes, we don't mind! Egyptian munchies provided.

NOTE - any frat members thinking to bring an Animal House vibe to this party will have to buy one of Stephanie's Harlequin Romances. :)

We will also be hosting the Girl Scout Cookie Sales 1-5pm!

True Crime stories this weekend!

2011-10-20T11:57:00.002-04:00

Saturday, 3-5pm, we have Baltimore local Dick Ellwood, who spent 25 years on the Baltimore City Police Force. COP STORIES provides a true crime memoir that proves that fact is stranger than fiction. Coffee and donuts will be provided - come on down for some interesting anecdotes!

TRACKS - author tea this weekend

2011-10-12T14:22:00.003-04:00

Saturday 10/15/11 3-5 pm
This Saturday we host Baltimore local, Eric D. Goodman and his story collection set on the rails between Baltimore and Chicago. Join us for coffee/tea and munchies.

Each story is told from the perspective of a passenger on the train. They are the strangers we meet every day: a soldier, a salesman, a former mobster, a Holocaust survivor, couples in love, a woman who has lost her parents, a poet, a hit man. These and other characters fill the train with emotion and complexity.

Beer Tasting + Jobseekers Book Signing this weekend

2011-10-06T11:22:00.003-04:00

We have a double-header planned for the weekend:

Friday, 10/7/2011, 6-9pm BEER TASTING
Drop in for BEER and pizza! Bob Baroncinni will guide our tastings of Harvest Beer selection. Coffee and tea will also be available. [Yes, we're making a change from Wine in honor of the season...Oktoberfest!]

Today's Author Signing is CANCELLED - author has a family emergency. We'll reschedule with him later.
Saturday, 10/8/2011, 3-5pm Tea with OUTFLUENCE(r) for Job-Seekers
Regional author and court reporter Al Betz' ground-breaking book OUTFLUENCE(r) develops the communication skills needed for business and for life. Cookies and Tea/Coffee will be available.

The value of silent communication during a job interview is critical to landing a job. Outfluence can teach you how to use Constant Messaging that will help you make a professional connection during an interview, make a memorable impression, and give you the advantage over other candidates in landing the position you want.

Anniversary Wake for The Pony Express

2011-09-25T13:09:00.005-04:00

Local author and professor Christopher Corbett tells us that it's the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express, so we're holding a Wake. 150 years late but hey. If you have a relative who was in the Pony Express or even if you're just interested, come on over for tall tales and books. (Maybe they're the same.)

Bring your cowboy hat and/or boots!

Refreshments will be available...cowboy munchies!

Oops - it's 3-5pm, Saturday October 1st

Wine Tasting + Photo Exhibit Opening this Friday!

2011-08-31T15:45:00.002-04:00

Friday, September 2, 6-9pm September First Friday Wine Tasting and Photo Exhibit Opening

Drop in for wine and pizza! Coffee and tea will also be available. This marks the opening of a photography exhibit by local Pam Powell. Live music provided by Ken ‘iSinatra’ McDermott.

Science Fiction and Music this weekend!

2011-08-18T18:59:00.003-04:00

We have 2 events this weekend -

Saturday, Aug. 20, 3-5pm Tea with David Batchelor
hat if an alien offered mankind a starship in a trade for the rights to planet Mercury and moon Triton? Join us for a reading of THE METALMARK CONTRACT. Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

Sunday, Aug. 21, 3-6pm August Folk Music with Maugorn the Stray
Folk/Alternative Music with Steve Haug aka Maugorn – Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

Double-event Weekend - Outfluence+IN THE NAME OF GOD

2011-07-13T19:23:00.003-04:00

2 big events this weekend --

Saturday, 7/16/11, 3-5pm Tea with Outfluence(r)

Regional author and court reporter Al Betz' ground-breaking book OUTFLUENCE(r) develops the communication skills needed for business and for life. Cookies and Tea/Coffee will be available.

In Outfluence, The Better Way to Influence, Al Betz details his discovery, development, and successful implementation of Outfluence. He is a man from humble beginnings that could have taken a different path, a path to mediocrity, and instead he trounced self-esteem obstacles, refused to accept business roadblocks as final, and has fought his way to success after success. This book will mentor families, motivate students and young members ofthe work force, and be a source of inspiration to anyone searching for relief from timidity, poor self-esteem, or a lack of confidence. Al teaches us all that focusing on the needs of other people before our own needs is the key to a satisfying Outfluence lifestyle.

We will also have Al's backlist titles available: POWER WRITERS (Stories of the World's Trusted Court Reporters and Captioners) and POLISHING THE PEARL (The Art of Professional Performance).

Sunday, 7/17/11, 3-5pm Tea with Stephen Gordon

IN THE NAME OF GOD is a thriller set in Baltimore and Jerusalem and published through Loyola College’s Apprentice House Press. Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

Tea with David Belz this Saturday!

2011-06-22T11:51:00.002-04:00

This Saturday, June 25, 3-5pm
David’s collection of short stories, WHITE ASPARAGUS, has been published by Loyola College’s Apprentice House Press. Cookies and Tea/Coffee will be available.

Welcome to the real and imagined worlds of D. R. Belz, where you'll find: a practicing white witch kindergarten teacher whose practical joke brings a strange consequence; a young priest-in-training who encounters a literal femme fatale; a homeless man who finds a baby in a trash bin on Christmas morning-and something more; a catalog of bizarre mail-order products you won't find anywhere else in the universe; an agency in Washington where a million monkeys type out Shakespeare; a suburban doctor who emotionally starves his ailing wife to death; a future in which families employ professional Readers; a cookbook of international cuisine with "real-ingredient" recipes . . . and more.

Civil War Author this weekend!

2011-06-18T11:08:00.003-04:00

Saturday, June 18, 3-5pm - Tea with Steven Bernstein!

Civil War Buffs! THE CONFEDERACY’S LAST NORTHERN OFFENSIVE: JUBAL EARLY, THE ARMY OF THE VALLEY AND THE RAID ON WASHINGTON is the discussion. Cookies and Tea/Coffee will be available.

Authors and Music this weekend!

2011-06-08T16:48:00.003-04:00

This Saturday - Tea with Paulette Jaxton, 3-5pm

Paulette visits us from Annapolis to talk about her debut YA fantasy THE EMPRESS SWORD. Cookies and Tea/Coffee will be available.

This Sunday - June Folk Music @ the Bookstore, 3-6pm

Folk/Alternative Music with Steve Haug aka Maugorn – Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

Wine Tasting, Live Music and Book Signing this Weekend!

2011-05-29T16:58:00.004-04:00

This coming weekend is packed!

Friday, June 3rd, 6-9pm June First Friday Wine Tasting:
Drop in for wine, pizza and books! Live music by Emma Matthews and Cara White.

Saturday, June 4th, 3-5pm Tea with the Author: Baltimore area local Mathew Lee Gill introduces his first NCIS-style thriller set in Baltimore and DC. Cookies and Tea/Coffee will be available.

Baltimore Ghosts with Wine and Pizza plus Tea with Ninjas

2011-05-04T12:53:00.006-04:00

What a big weekend - TWO book launches!!!

Friday, May 6th, 6-9pm First Friday Wine Tasting and Book Launch: SHIFT

Jeri Smith-Ready's sequel to the Young Adult paranormal SHADE launches today! Set in Baltimore, this trilogy deals with a world in which ghosts can be seen by the young. Pizza, Wine, Sparkling Cider, Desserts, yum!

Saturday, May 7, 3-5pm Book Launch: SHADOW LEGACY: ART OF THE NINJA

Reisterstown local TJ Perkins launches her first adult fantasy novel. She will do for Ninjas what Tolkien did for Elves. Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

Book Launch - Sirocco

2011-04-10T13:22:00.005-04:00

Saturday, April 16, 2011 - 3-5pm
(yes, I really meant 2011)

DL Wilson is back with a bio-terrorism thriller. Remember UNHOLY GRAIL? Yep, THAT guy. Munchies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available. [He's going to be the next Robert Ludlum.]

Note - this one is so new, it's not in the databases yet - if you want a copy, drop us an email at constellationbooksATyahoo.com or DM us on twitter at http://twitter.com/ConstellationBo

Here's the book blurb:

Sirocco, a secret organization within the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, threatens to unleash a bioweapon at the heart of the United States unless Congress funds a new Palestinian government and convinces Israel to cede strategic occupied land.

Brett Reynolds, an attorney representing the pharmaceutical lobby, is summoned to Washington for an urgent meeting by Homeland Security to investigate the threat.

With a bio-terror looming that could devastate the U.S., Brett learns of his brother's death in a bizarre murder/suicide. He discovers connections between his brother and Sirocco's terrorist plot. His investigation leads him on a harrowing chase that ends in a deadly confrontation with
Sirocco and a chilling climax in the Oval Office.

Wine Tasting/Art Exhibit Opening + Muisc this weekend!

2011-03-30T15:14:00.003-04:00

Friday, April 1st, 6-9pm, we have Stellar Art Opening - No Fooling.

Constellation Books is hosting the debut photography exhibition of Laura Burns of Mare Ingenii Studios. Photographs by Laura have been used by NASA and by NPR Science Friday. Spanning four continents, Laura has picked a diverse selection of her favorite photographs for display. Come peruse the store, view the photographs, and taste the lovely wine selection. Live music will be provided by Ken 'iSinatra' McDermott and munchies will be available.

Sunday, April 3, 3-6pm - Music with Nathan Rabe

Reisterstown local Nathan Rabe plays folk, alternative and Contemporary Christian music. Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

Book Launch for 40 Days to Freedom this weekend!

2011-02-16T16:56:00.002-05:00

Just in time for Ash Wednesday - Saturday, 19 February 2011 3-5pm Reisterstown’s Alice Reid talks about the Lenten practice of release and letting go using a metaphysical approach minus suffering and repentance. Munchies and tea/coffee also available.

Wine and Horses this weekend!

2011-02-04T12:14:00.003-05:00

Tonight - Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 6-9pm - February First Friday Wine Tasting

Drop in for wine and pizza! Coffee and tea will also be available.

Tomorrow we have a Book Launch - Sea Feather! 3-5pm

Join Westminster local Lois Szymanski for the launch of her latest book. We'll have books and munchies and coffee/tea/cookies.

“The True Story of Sea Feather” is a middle grade book for children aged nine to eleven with photographs of the real pony. For Szymanski, the tale is a personal one, the story of the Chincoteague Pony her daughters took home from Chincoteague Island’s wild pony swim and auction.

In 1995 Szymanski’s daughters, Shannon and Ashley went to Pony Penning on Chincoteague Island with $500 in their pockets and a dream. It wasn’t long until they realized $500 was not enough money for a pony. That’s
when they were approached by Carollynn Suplee and her husband, Ed.

Carollynn Suplee had recently survived surgery to remove a cancerous brain tumor. She told the family how she found feathers everywhere
she went while awaiting surgery. She believed they were a sign from above, but
a sign of what? Then she found Psalm 91: verse 4 and read the words, “God will cover you with feathers and protect you,” she knew she would be okay. When a fireman pointed to the Szymanski family and told Suplee about two girls bidding on ponies without success, a feather drifted past his finger. Suplee said she knew this was the family.

After the purchase they discovered the foal was a pinto with one white marking on his neck… in the shape of a feather.

This story was first told in a book released in the nineties called “Sea Feather”. Many true details were changed at an editor’s request. After the book went out of print Animal Planet aired a special which mentioned the book and used copies were in high demand. That’s when Szymanski decided to edit the book to include the entire story. The rewritten version was picked up by Schiffer.

Tea with Vince Gisriel - Hearts Away, Bombs Away! - this Saturday

2011-01-26T13:10:00.002-05:00

Saturday the 29th, 3-5pm -
Local Vincent Gisriel, author of the WW II memoir “Hearts Away, Bombs Away” will join us for tea/coffee/cocoa and cookies.

Vince says

My father, Vincent dePaul Gisriel, Sr., was a bombardier during World War II. He served with the 8th Air Force based in England. When he passed away in 2003, some of the men who had served with him told me about their combat experiences in the skies over Germany and occupied Europe. It was then that I realized that my father was actually a wartime hero. Like so many other veterans of that era, he did not talk very much about the war. While growing up, I only had a vague idea of what my Dad did in the military. At the age of 62, I decided to find out more about the man whom I knew and loved all my life, but knew little about his service to our country.

Over a three year period, I gathered many details about my father's military career. I sifted through hundreds of pages searching for bits of information in an attempt to tell his story. I was able to document a major portion of his time in the Army Air Corps. I knew that my parents had corresponded extensively during the war. They saved the many letters written between them. I thought that if I could read them all, it would reveal additional aspects about his military service. I quickly discovered that he could not write about military strategy or bombing missions he flew, for that would have been a breach of security.

However, what I did discover from reading over a thousand letters between them was a beautiful love story. Thus, Hearts Away, Bombs Away is a true story about an American hero, but it is also a story of a young couple who were deeply in love.

Folk Music plus Autism Talk this weekend!

2011-01-19T13:03:00.001-05:00

Maugorn the Stray, aka Steve Haug, returns 3-6pm the Saturday - Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available. Steve has an extensive list of songs you can request!

Sunday, 3-5pm we have a presentation on Autism Ability -
Zosia Zaks joins us to talk about coping with Autism and Asbergers in everyday life and to discuss her books.

Zosia Zaks, M.S., M.Ed., works primarily as a disability advocate and as a teacher. She consults with autistic adults and the families of autistic children to address issues based on autistic
strengths. In addition to consulting, speaking, and writing on issues of importance to the autism community, Zosia teaches disabled adults community living and academic skills.

Book Launch this weekend - Home Ground!

2011-01-13T11:37:00.003-05:00

Local Jack Wennerstrom, known for his naturalist books on Soldiers Delight and the Potomac Valley, has published a novel. Coffee/Tea and munchies available too. Black Coffee, the other novel, will be available at this event for only $10. Limited copies of the naturalist titles will also be available at the signing.

Saturday 15 Jan. 2011, 3-5pm.

Happy New Year! Bring it on, 2011! And your calendar too!

2011-01-01T11:33:00.003-05:00

We will be open 11am to 5pm today, New Year's Day, 2011.
We will be hosting coffee, tea, cocoa, bagels, cream cheese, homemade jam, and later on, cookies.

3-5pm, We'll have Glyndon local KAL (Kevin Kallaugher) stopping by to sign his wonderful calendars.

Come on down!
Lauretta

Holiday Hours + Music this Sunday!

2010-12-22T19:41:00.002-05:00

This week, we're in Holiday Hours

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 11am-5pm

Christmas Day, Dec. 25 CLOSED

“Boxing Day,” Dec. 26 12pm-6pm --- Steve Haug, aka Maugorn the Stray, will be playing 3-6pm. Cookies will be available along with Coffee/Tea/Cocoa.

Farmer’s Market Organisation Meeting tomorrow!

2010-12-17T12:31:00.002-05:00

Saturday, Dec 18, 3-5pm we'll be hosting a Farmer’s Market Organisation Meeting.

Are you interested in seeing a weekly farmers market on Main Street in Reisterstown? What would you like to see? Would you like to sell something there? Join Gayle Neville Blum, author of “Reisterstown” to discuss options and possibilities.

Lots and lots of History this weekend

2010-12-02T15:15:00.002-05:00

Friday, 12/3, 7-8pm, The Sight and Sounds of Christmas in Williamsburg Local photographer Charlie Smith presents a slide show of Christmas in Williamsburg. Coffee and tea and munchies will also be available.

Saturday, 12/4, 3-5pm Tea with the Author Reisterstown author Marvin Barrash will discuss and sign “USS Cyclops,” a study of the worst non-combat related disaster in US Naval history. Join us for Tea/Coffee and cookies.

You won't believe WHO is in the Cowboys & Aliens movie!

2010-11-18T13:17:00.002-05:00

Many of you know of the graphic novel, Cowboys & Aliens (ISBN-10: 1934220000 and yes, it's rare) and some of you may even know it's being developed for a movie. Unless you've seen yesterday's trailer, though, I bet you don't know that the following actors are in it -

Harrison Ford
Daniel Craig
Olivia Wilde
Sam Rockwell
Keith Carradine
Walton Goggins (last seen in Justified, based on Elmore Leonard's novels)
and lots of others....

Man, what a cast!
Lauretta

PS There's supposed to be a trade paperback based on the movie coming out next May - but
the graphic novel came first.

Books and Music this weekend

2010-11-12T16:10:00.003-05:00

Saturday, November 13, 2010 3-5pm Tea with Author
Dana Stein, our own delegate and debut author will join us to discuss his climate-change-themed “Fire in the Wind.” Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

Sunday, November 14, 2010 3-6pm Music in the Bookstore
Reisterstown local Nathan Rabe plays folk, alternative and Contemporary Christian music. Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

Wine, Authors, Music the 1st Weekend in November

2010-11-05T17:23:00.004-04:00

Friday, 11/5/2010, 6-9pm - First Friday Wine Tasting
Drop in for wine and pizza! Coffee and tea will also be available.

Saturday, 11/6/2010, 3-5pm - Tea with the Author
Debut author Brand Gamblin will sign his SciFi YA novel, “Tumbler,” winner of the 2008 National Novel Writing Month award. Join us for Tea/Coffee and cookies. Tumbler is an adventure story about a woman who goes out to the Asteroid Belt to find her fortune. Yep, that's right, good old-fashioned science fiction.

Same bat-date, 6-9pm, Music in the Bookstore
Local guitarist Tina Ward will join us for live music. Refreshment will be available. Tina has sung/played with everyone from Joan Osborne to Taj Mahal to Livingston Taylor. This lady is seriously talented - come on in for a big treat.

Sunday, 11/7/2010 3-5 - Tea with the Author
Danny Birt makes a return appearance with his new books, the kids’ “Between a Roc and a Hard Place” and the adult high fantasy books. Join us for Tea/Coffee and cookies.

Pumpkin Contest Winners!

2010-11-03T14:32:00.006-04:00

As I mentioned in the last post, we had a Pumpkin Decorating Contest on Halloween - here are the winners!

In the Under 5 - Scarecrow!

In the Tweens - Cat!

In the Adults - Storyteller!!

Some of our runner-ups -

Halloween - Authors, Treats and Pumpkins oh my!

2010-10-27T17:47:00.003-04:00

We have a jam-packed weekend planned for Halloween! Saturday, 3-5pm Tea with the Bad-Ass Faerie and Dragon's Lure Authors - PLUS John L. French, local CSI and mystery writer/editor. Vonnie Winslow Crist, Kelly A. Harmon, Robert E. Waters , Jean Marie Ward, and editor Danielle Ackley-McPhail join us for refreshments and books-signing. The Dragon’s Lure anthology and Halfling's Court will also be available, along with Bad Cop, No Donut and Past Sins.

Sunday, all day -
Noon – 5pm Drop off your decorated pumpkin for judging!
Noon – 6pm Come by in costume for literary Trick or Treats…
3 - 5pm Join Reisterstown middle-school-mystery author TJ Perkins for a scary reading from her Mystery of the Attic plus autographed books.
5 - 6pm Decorated Pumpkin Contest Judging – prizes, photos, fun!

Big Weekend - Wine Tasting, Love, Monsters, Mythology, and Sunday Music

2010-10-01T13:16:00.003-04:00

We have a jam-packed weekend planned!

Friday, Oct 1, 6-9pm First Friday Wine Tasting: Drop in for wine and pizza! Coffee and tea will also be available. Live music provided by Ken 'iSinatra' McDermott.

Saturday, Oct 2 3-5pm Love, Monsters and Mythology (Tea with the Author) – Stephanie Draven, from our Writers Group, has a debut novel, POISONED KISSES. Stephanie will present a discussion on “Love, Monsters and Mythology.” Join us for Tea/Coffee, cookies and swag.

Sunday, Oct 3 3-5pm Music in the Bookstore – Local guitarist Tina Ward will join us for live music. Refreshments will be available.

Folk Music at the bookstore Saturday the 10th, 3-6pm

2010-07-09T17:27:00.003-04:00

Steve Haug aka Maugorn is back August 10th, 3-6pm! Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available. Steve has an extensive list of songs you can request!

Happy Canada Day - who is your favorite Canadian Author?

2010-06-30T19:09:00.004-04:00

To recognize July 1st as Canada Day, we'd like to recommend a couple of our favorite Canadian authors.

Louise Penny has this amazing mystery series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec. Still Life is the first novel and it is set in a sleepy small town near the edge of the Vermont/Quebec border. The latest in the series - Bury Your Dead - comes out this September.

Tanya Huff is known for both her science fiction and fantasy work - memorable, strong characters making the most of the 'interesting' situations in which they find themselves. Her most recent release (Enchantment Emporium) features a young historian from the powerful Gale family taking over her missing grandmother's junk shop in Calgary - only to find that the Fey seem to be worryingly involved in the business and the disappearance. Some of you may remember the TV series Blood Ties, based on her characters in the Blood Books.

Who is YOUR favorite Canadian Author?
Lauretta

Happy Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Day!

2010-06-23T15:06:00.002-04:00

June 23rd has been designated Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Day. We are celebrating by ordering more vampire books from authors we didn't know DID vampires; selling some very cool SF and Fantasy --- and above ALL, reading. Lots of reading.

I wonder if Mary Shelley realised what she started when she published Frankenstein?
Lauretta

Tea with the Author Saturday the 19th, 3-5pm

2010-06-18T17:04:00.001-04:00

Join Reisterstown’s Mary Bosley and her co-author Morgan Przybylski to discuss their memoir, “From August to Infinity”over tea, coffee and munchies.

RIP Jose Saramago

2010-06-18T11:14:00.002-04:00

Nobel Prize-winning Jose Saramago, author of Blindness and a host of other novels, passed away today in his home in the Canary Islands. Aged 87, his Portugese publisher, Zeferino Coelho, mentioned that Saramago had suffered a recent illness and his condition had deteriorated. His work was known for its combination of surrealism and humanism.

Baltimore Free Writers this Wednesday (6/16), 6-7pm

2010-06-13T17:03:00.002-04:00

Our local writing group meets here in the shop.
You can sign up at http://bfw.5gigs.net/

RIP Jeanne (the Stardancer) Robinson

2010-06-04T11:43:00.002-04:00

Our thoughts and prayers are with Spider Robinson and his family as they mourn the passing of Spider's wife and collaborator, Jeanne. If you were reading science fiction in the late 1970s and early 1980s, you will remember Jeanne Robinson as the co-author of the Stardance books. Stardance marked the first time I read such a clear description of how modern dance might evolve in zero-gravity...it was a uniquely amazing setting. It also won both the Hugo and the Nebula awards.

We'll miss your bright star, Jeanne,
Lauretta

Wine Tasting Friday June 4th, 6-9pm

2010-05-30T17:38:00.002-04:00

Drop in for wine and pizza! Coffee and tea will also be available. Live music provided by Ken “iSinatra’” McDermott.

Local Artist Kara Smith will be displaying her art this month - stop by and meet the artist!

Dead Poet's Tour at Poe's grave tonight at midnight!

2010-05-21T11:20:00.002-04:00

The Dead Poets Tour - namely Walter Skold - will visit Edgar Allan Poe's grave tonight and he invites all local poets and friends-of-Poe to join him at midnight. Poe's grave, for thos of you that have note been there, is in the Westminster Burying Ground, corner of Fayette and Greene. It's worth a visit - especially if you're into history!

Writers' Group tonight, live music this Saturday!

2010-05-19T11:52:00.002-04:00

The Baltimore Free Writers meet tonight at Constellation Books, 6-7pm, and we will host Nathan Rabe on Saturday the 22nd, 3-5pm. Reisterstown local Nathan Rabe plays folk, alternative and Contemporary Christian music. Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

Bloomin' ArtFest this weekend! St. 10-5, Sun 11-5

2010-05-13T18:03:00.001-04:00

This year we celebrate our sixth annual Reisterstown’s Bloomin’ ArtFest. We continue to bring local artisans, musical talent and delicious food to the community of Reisterstown and to all of our neighbors who wish to help us celebrate springtime.

This year we are adding a special area for our local service groups who want to share their organization’s efforts and goals. As always, we have collected a group of talented artisans who will present the best of their work. Stroll through the stalls and choose a delicate pair of earrings, a piece of artfully thrown pottery or a vibrantly colored t-shirt.

Chow down on pizza and crab cakes while listening to the sounds of the Reisterstown Jazz Ensemble, or perhaps take a bite out of a sugary funnel cake while listening to a rock beat. There is something for everyone, young and old.

Visit our website, www.bloominartfest.com for more details. Hope to see you there!

First Friday Wine Tasting with Steve Colon

2010-05-06T13:02:00.003-04:00

This Friday, the 7th, we have a First Friday Wine Tasting, 6-9pm!

Start off May right with wine and munchies. Live music will be provided by Reisterstown's local jazz/classical guitarist, Steve Colon. Coffee and tea will also be available.

ALSO: a new Reisterstown business, Iced Gems Baking, will be selling cupcakes from their truck!
YUM.

SHADE Book Launch Party May 2nd, 3-5pm!!

2010-04-25T17:57:00.003-04:00

Jeri's first SHADE booksigning! Come join us for a reading and discussion--and most important, delicious cookies and brownies from Westminster's Starry Night Bakery.

Though SHADE is written for teens and adults, the event will be suitable for kids of all ages.

Call 410-833-5151 or visit http://www.constellationbooks.com/

If you can't make the event but would like Jeri to sign a book for you, please call Constellation before 5pm May 2 and place an order for your copy, which can then be shipped to you or held for you to pick up.

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart?and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Live music Sunday the 25th, 3-6pm

2010-04-24T11:51:00.002-04:00

Local musicians Suzi Eldridge and Gerry Galuardi sing folk, pop and show tunes, accompanied by guitar and banjo. They have put together a CD to benefit Concer101.org and they will be playing at the bookstore to raise awareness for the organisation.

Coffee/Tea and munchies available - perfect way to spend a rainy Sunday!

Watershed Action Plan Meeting for Owings Mills, Reisterstown and Glyndon

2010-04-22T12:24:00.002-04:00

This is not about books - this is about the watershed Constellation Books inhabits (appropriate for Earth Day, right?):

The Reisterstown, Glyndon and Owings Mills public is invited to a meeting to learn about safeguarding the Gwynns Falls Watershed.

The county Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management and the Gwynns Falls Watershed Association, together with the community, plan to develop a Small Watershed Action Plan (SWAP) for the upper Gwynns Falls watershed.

The meeting is Wednesday, April 28th, 6:30-8:00 pm at Owings Mills High School, 124 Tollgate Rd.

It's our streams, let's keep them clean.
Lauretta

Another double-header: author-signing AND poetry slam this Saturday!

2010-04-14T14:04:00.003-04:00

First! Tea with the Author 3:00pm- 5:00pm

Reisterstown’s own Anny Cook will be signing her steamy romances. Join us for tea, coffee or cocoa and munchies! Simmering Romance with a Smile!

Second! Poetry Slam/Open Mic 6:00pm- 7:00pm

Everyone is welcome to speak their own poetry/hip hop/rap lyrics. No obscenities, limit 3 minutes. Kids over 6 years of age welcome.

Munchies will be available at both events!

Celebrate Easter with Folk Music this Sunday 3-6pm!!

2010-04-01T13:23:00.000-04:00

Folk/Alternative Music with Steve Haug aka Maugorn –
Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available. Steve has an extensive list of songs you can request! You can sample Steve's work at http://www.stevehaug.com/

Live music today at the bookstore 3-6pm!

2010-03-28T09:58:00.000-04:00

Reisterstown local Nathan Rabe plays folk, alternative and Contemporary Christian music. Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

Tea with Kids' Authors tomorrow 3-5!

2010-03-26T18:58:00.005-04:00

Join children’s authors Susan Detwiler , Edith Hemingway , Mona Kerby , and Lois Szymanski. The books range from Kindergarten-ages up to Tweens. Buy a signed book as a gift! Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

Happy Vernal Equinox! Folk Music tomorrow with Steve Haug

2010-03-20T12:40:00.001-04:00

Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available. Steve has an extensive list of songs you can request! You can sample Steve's work at http://www.stevehaug.com/

3-6pm

Race and bookcovers

2010-03-19T14:02:00.002-04:00

This was a very thought-provoking post - Alaya Johnson talks about her book cover on Justine Larbelestier's blog. It reminds my why I shelve Sister Souljah and Toni Morrison in the General Fiction section --- and Octavia Butler in SFF.

Good stories are good stories, regardless of the author's or protagonist's supposed skin color.
Lauretta

Amazon and Apple in a Cold War with the public and publishers in the cross-fire

2010-03-18T11:54:00.003-04:00

I feel like playing the theme from "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."

The New York Times reported yesterday that Amazon and Apple are manuvering around each other, using the publishers as pawns. There are three things about this article that catch our interest.

Amazon is threatening to stop selling books for certain publishers again. At issue this time is the requirement Apple wants publishers to guarantee their eBooks will not be published elsewhere for less than the iBookstore price. So the publishers are in renegotiations with Amazon...and its getting ugly.

The Bad: When Amazon refuses to sell a book, the publishers lose out, but so do the readers and the authors. Yes, the prices may go so high the readers won't buy the book, but that effects a market correction. If the prices go so low no one makes a profit, publishers go under, fewer books get published and the reader loses out.

The Good: Apple's iBookstore is actively recruiting the small and medium size publishers, which is great for readers. There is a LOT of wonderful material out there from the smaller publishers and promoting readership via the eBook format will only benefit us all.

What do you think?
Lauretta

Baltimore Free Writers meet this Wednesday, 6-7pm

2010-03-14T15:51:00.002-04:00

We'll host the Baltimore Free Writers group this Wednesday, March 17th (St. Pat's Day!), 6-7pm.
Hmn, how many Irish themes can you think of?
I can think of:

The early Irish Church as portrayed by Peter Tremayne's stories.
St. Patrick and the early history of the Romans in Ireland.
Leprechauns. :)
The American and Australian Irish Imigrant experience.

Anything else?
Lauretta

The day the snowbank died!

2010-03-11T11:58:00.002-05:00

Today's the day the last of the snow in front of the bookstore will melt...in memoriam, I offer

Snowbank died!
(to the tune of American Pie by Don McClean)
Lauretta Nagel

A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How th’ snowstorms used to make me smile.
And I knew if I stayed in that I could see those kiddies grin
And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while.

But February made me shiver
With every snowstorm it delivered.
Bad news on the doorstep;
I couldn’t take one more step.

I can’t remember if I sighed
Or laughed in joy when Sun I spied
But something touched me deep inside
The day the snowbank died…

And we were singin’

“Go, go!” to the remnants of snow,
Took my backhoe and my snowplow but the snowbank won’t go
Them icicles were drippin’ water and ice
Singin’ this’ll be the day the bank dies
Singin’ this’ll be the day the bank dies…

Did you lose a pair of gloves and do you have faith in th’ Sun above?
If the weather tells you so…

Do you believe in salt and sand,
Can rock salt save your blistered hand,
And can you teach me how to gently land?

Well, I know that you’re fed up with snow
`cause I saw you yellin’ at the plow.
You just dug out the ca-ar.
For the 40th time so fa–ar…

You were a lonely teenage bronckin’ buck
With a plow attachment and a pickup truck,
But you knew you were out of luck
The day the snowbank died.

And we were SINGIN’ (EVERYBODY IN THE MID-ATLANTIC!)

“Go, go!” to the remnants of snow,
Took my backhoe and my snowplow but the snowbank won’t go
Them icicles were drippin’ water and ice
Singin’ this’ll be the day the bank dies

Thank you. No money will be made, nor was any disrespect intended...
Lauretta

Wine Tasting with Nathan Rabe Friday, 6-9pm

2010-03-04T17:06:00.000-05:00

Friday, March 5, 2010, 6-9pm

Join us for wine, munchies, coffee, tea and cocoa. Live music will be provided by Reisterstown local Nathan Rabe.

Finalists for the Indies Choice Book Awards

2010-03-03T11:44:00.003-05:00

Your local, independent booksellers (including yours truly) will be voting on the following books for the Indies Choice Book Awards, which reflect the spirit of independent bookstores and the IndieBound movement . The winners, to be announced in April, will be honored at BookExpo America 2010 in New York City. If you see a particular favorite below, please comment or stop in and let us know!

The 2010 Indies Choice Book Awards Finalists are:

BOOK OF THE YEAR -- ADULT FICTION

Border Songs, by Jim Lynch (Knopf)
Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin (Scribner)
The Children's Book, by A.S. Byatt (Knopf)
Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese (Knopf)
Generosity: An Enhancement, by Richard Powers (FSG)
Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel (Holt)

BOOK OF THE YEAR -- ADULT NONFICTION

Animals Make Us Human, by Temple Grandin (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Lit: A Memoir, by Mary Karr (HarperCollins)
The Lost City of Z, by David Grann (Doubleday)
Stitches: A Memoir, by David Small (W.W. Norton)
Strength in What Remains, by Tracy Kidder (Random House)
When Everything Changed, by Gail Collins (Little, Brown)

BOOK OF THE YEAR -- ADULT DEBUT

The Earth Hums in B Flat, by Mari Strachan (Canongate)
The Help, by Kathryn Stockett (Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam)
The Piano Teacher, by Y.K. Lee (Viking)
The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet, by Reif Larson (Penguin Press)
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova (Pocket)
Tinkers, by Paul Harding (Bellevue Literary Press)

BOOK OF THE YEAR -- YOUNG ADULT

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic)
Going Bovine, by Libba Bray (Delacorte Books for Young Readers)
If I Stay, by Gayle Forman (Dutton Juvenile)
Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld, Keith Thompson (illus.) (Simon Pulse)
Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic)
Wintergirls, by Laurie Halse Anderson (Viking Juvenile)

BOOK OF THE YEAR -- MIDDLE READER

Al Capone Shines My Shoes, by Gennifer Choldenko (Dial)
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly (Holt)
Odd and the Frost Giants, by Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins)
A Season of Gifts, by Richard Peck (Dial)
When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead (Wendy Lamb Books)
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin (Little, Brown)

BOOK OF THE YEAR -- NEW PICTURE BOOK

All the World, by Liz Garton Scanlon, Maria Frazee (illus.) (Beach Lane Books)
The Curious Garden, by Peter Brown (Little, Brown)
The Lion and the Mouse, by Jerry Pinkney (Little, Brown)
Listen to the Wind, by Greg Mortenson, Susan Roth (illus.) (Dial)
Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11, by Brian Floca (Richard Jackson Books)
Otis, by Loren Long (Philomel)

MOST ENGAGING AUTHOR
(The author who is an in-store star as well as having a strong sense of the importance of indie booksellers to the community.)

Isabel Allende
Laurie Halse Anderson
Libba Bray
Michael Chabon
Kate DiCamillo
Abraham Verghese

PICTURE BOOK HALL OF FAME

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz (Atheneum)
Bread and Jam for Frances, by Russell Hoban and Lillian Hoban (HarperCollins)
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin, Jr., John Archambault, and Lois Ehlert (Simon & Schuster)
Corduroy, by Don Freeman (Viking)
Curious George, by H.A. Rey (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Goodnight Gorilla, by Peggy Rathmann (Putnam)
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow)
The Little Engine That Could, by Watty Piper (Grosset & Dunlap/Philomel)
Madeline, by Ludwig Bemelmans (Viking)
Napping House, by Audrey Wood (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats (Viking)
Stellaluna, by Janelle Cannon (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson (Viking)

Lauretta

Tsunami reading

2010-02-27T16:59:00.002-05:00

As I watch Twitter for Tsunami updates - and listen to Steve play and sing "Party with the Elder Ones" - I am reminded of the tsunami scene in Nation by Terry Pratchett where the protagonist manages to hold his canoe as he paddles through this huge wave. Very good reading for today.

Yes, "Party with the Elder Ones" is about Cthulu.
Lauretta

PS I hope everyone is safe in the Pacific.

Folk/Trad/Alternative Rock Music at the Bookstore this Saturday, 3-6pm

2010-02-24T13:18:00.001-05:00

Folk/Alternative Music with Steve Haug aka Maugorn! Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available. Steve has an extensive list of songs you can request!

Saturday the 27th, 3-6pm.

Ooo, the Stoker (Horror) Nominees are out too

2010-02-19T15:48:00.002-05:00

The Horror Writers Association have also released the Stoker nominees.
Excellent stuff here,
Lauretta

Agatha (Mystery) and Nebula (Science Fiction/Fantasy) Nominations are up

2010-02-19T13:10:00.002-05:00

The Malice Domestic convention just announced the Agatha Award nominees
ANNNNDDD
the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) just posted the nominees for the Nebula & Bradbury Awards and the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Congratulations to everybody on these lists - we have been jumping up and down, yelling "Good! We loved that one! Yes! Awesome!"

Note to local readers - Malice Domestic is just across the Potomac in Arlington, VA at the end of this April.
Lauretta

Baltimore Free Writers this Wednesday, 6-7pm

2010-02-14T17:31:00.003-05:00

Our writing group will be here on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 6-7pm.

YES we ARE having the Wine Tasting tonight 6-9pm

2010-02-12T11:24:00.001-05:00

All you who are dying to get out of the snowy-bound houses, come on down for wine, coffee, tea, and munchies. 6-9pm Friday at 303 Main St!

Reading for snowstorms

2010-02-07T15:54:00.004-05:00

During the record-breaking Valentine's 2003 weekend storm, I read memoirs of folks sailing around the world. It made me feel warm. THIS storm (that finished last night a bit before 5pm) was almost as bad as Valentine's 2003. Not quite there, though. I had on hand:

Douglas Preston's Impact
Charles Stross' Family Trade
(both by Macmillan Publishing, they of the very public eBook spat with Amazon)

Jasper Fforde's Shades of Grey - which reminds me of a satire of 1984. Darker than his usual work.
Emily Giffin's Love the One You're With - this one comes out soon. The protagonist runs into her first love and starts to wonder What If?
A collection of snippets from the mystery publisher Soho - called the Soho Sampler. VERY good stuff.

So what did YOU read? And what have you prepared for the next snowstorm (Wednesday)?
Lauretta

Moving tomorrow's Wine Tasting to the 12th

2010-02-04T12:51:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow's Wine Tasting is being moved to the 12th because of the snow storm acomin' - stay safe and warm, everyone.

Lauretta

10% off all Macmillan Authors!

2010-02-03T13:45:00.004-05:00

It seems that Amazon still has not resumed selling new copies of Macmillan titles. This means some of our favorite authors are not selling and not selling means not being able to pay their bills. We don't like this so we are offering 10% (percent!!) off all Macmillan authors. This includes the following imprints:

Tor/Forge
St. Martin's
Henry Holt
Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux
Orb
Minotaur

Note - I understand from one of my customers that Amazon has also delisted Macmillan from the Kindles. Her sister was in the middle of a mystery, only to find it's not accessible any more. Yep, it was a Macmillan title. :/

edited to fix the % symbol - it was a $

Wine Tasting this Friday 6-9pm!

2010-01-31T17:49:00.001-05:00

Join us for wine, munchies, coffee, tea and cocoa. Live music will be provided by Ken “iSinatra” McDermott. Chocolates by local chocolatier Parfections. Yum.

Psst, Kindle-owners - how do you feel about this Amazon-Macmillan fight?

2010-01-30T12:56:00.003-05:00

The New York Times is reporting that Amazon has delisted all Macmillan titles because the publisher requested they raise the Kindle prices to $15. Macmillan includes the Tor, St. Martin's,
and Henry Holt imprints, amongst others...

What I want to know, dear Kindle owners, has Amazon yanked or delisted the Macmillan titles you already have on your Kindles? How far does this spat go?
Lauretta

ETA:
Read Street picked this up too, as did Tobias Buckell

Please keep Kage Baker and her family in your thoughts

2010-01-27T11:41:00.004-05:00

There's some bad news about author Kage Baker over at
Green Man Review. Please keep Kage and her sister in your thoughts.
Lauretta

PS If you don't know Kage's books, you are missing something FINE. Elements of history, hard science fiction, androids and humor. VERY good stuff.

Edited to Add - Kage passed away on 1/31 in the arms of her family. There's a wonderful perspective on her work at io9.

Live Music tonight 6-9pm

2010-01-23T11:35:00.001-05:00

Reisterstown's own Nathan Rabe is playing/singing tonight 6-9pm. Tea, coffee and cookies -
as always - available!

Spenser, No Longer For Hire

2010-01-20T14:06:00.002-05:00

Author Robert B. Parker passed away Monday, at the age of 77. Author of more than 60 books, Parker passed away at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, his American publisher Penguin confirmed. "He will be deeply missed by us all," Penguin said. He is known for the Jesse Stone
series - made into TV movies starring Tom Selleck - and the Spenser series made into a TV procedural starring Robert Urich.

The books were so much better than the movies. (Always.)

He was named Grand Master at the Edgars in 2002. What I remember most about him was the gentle sarcastic humor he brought to his mysteries...very Raymond Chandler-like, but with a Boston twist.
Lauretta

Poe is not moving.

2010-01-16T16:24:00.001-05:00

Poe descendant, Harry Lee Poe, says cousin Ed will stay in Baltimore.

Author Noreen Grice Podcasts for 365 Days of Astronomy

2010-01-15T15:30:00.002-05:00

Noreen Grice, Astronomy author and guru on providing astronomy education to the blind community, is now a podcaster:
http://365daysofastronomy.org/2010/01/14/january-14th-you-can-do-astronomy/

Seth Grahame-Smith strikes again

2010-01-13T12:19:00.003-05:00

The co-author of our own bestseller, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies will strike again on March 2nd, 2010. The title? Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.

Who knew?
Lauretta

Baltimore Free Writers meet at the bookstore Next Wednesday! at 6pm!

2010-01-13T11:21:00.002-05:00

This is being moved to NEXT WEDNESDAY 1/20/10!

Our local writing group meets here in the shop. You can sign up at http://bfw.0fees.net/

Attention Baltimore Writers

2010-01-07T11:09:00.001-05:00

Urbanite is hiring.

Go for it
Lauretta

This Sunday, Jan 10th, 3-6pm Folk/Alternative Music with Steve Haug aka Maugorn

2010-01-06T15:46:00.001-05:00

Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.
Steve has an extensive list of songs you can request!

New Year's Day - Bagels & Books!

2009-12-31T13:38:00.000-05:00

Join us for New Year’s Day 11am - 5pm – Bagels & Books. Coffee, Seltzer, Tea too.

Fresh Off the Truck - It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies

2009-12-23T17:53:00.003-05:00

What a holiday present - we just got It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Zombies, a Christmas carol book for the era. Seriously, this is hilarious.

Eat a toe, eat a toe, eat a toe (to the tune of Let it Snow)...
Lauretta

Happy Solstice!

2009-12-21T17:19:00.002-05:00

For those customers/fans in the Northern Hemisphere, the days will start getting longer.
For those in the Southern, the days will start getting shorter.

As the woooorrrrlllldd tuuuurrrnnns,
(sorry couldn't resist - running away now)
Lauretta

Zombies are the new Vampires, the music video

2009-12-18T15:16:00.002-05:00

I keep saying, Zombies are the new Vampires - and John Scalzi has provided me with extra proof!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQYjZc7gKXc

Thank you John - I think -
Lauretta

Snow on Saturday - we may have some of the Authors Sunday

2009-12-18T15:02:00.001-05:00

If we get as much snow as they say Saturday (8-12 inches?), we are going to try the kids' author event Sunday, 3-5pm.

Stay warm and safe y'all
Lauretta

Lots of children's authors this Saturday!

2009-12-16T17:49:00.009-05:00

We are hosting 4 children's authors at
Tea with the Author
this Saturday, 3-5pm.

Join children’s authors Susan Detwiler, Edith Hemingway, Mona Kerby, and Lois Szymanski. The books range from Kindergarten-age up to Tweens. Buy a signed book for the holidays! Cookies and Tea/Coffee/Cocoa will be available.

The end of an era

2009-12-12T11:27:00.002-05:00

Lambda Rising, a giant amongst indie bookstores serving the GLBT community, has announced they are closing both of their remaining stores. Deacon Maccubbin, Lambda Rising's founder and co-owner, reported that it was 'virtually impossible' to find GLBT-friendly literature back in 1974 when they first opened. “We thought if we could show that there was a demand for our literature, that bookstores could be profitable selling it, we could encourage the writing and publishing of glbt books, and sooner or later other bookstores would put those books on their own shelves and there would no be less need for a specifically gay and lesbian bookstore.”

“Today 35 years later, nearly every general bookstore carries glbt books, often featuring them in special sections,” Maccubbin noted.

Lambda Rising was also a model for how a bookstore could be a resource in education and the fight against discrimination. I applaud your accomplishments and your example - this was how an Indie Bookstore SHOULD do it.

Rock on,

Lauretta

Happy Hannukah!

2009-12-11T14:27:00.002-05:00

On this the first day of Hannukah, we wish our Jewish friends a wonderful festival -
may your lights never go out.

Lauretta

Tea with the Author this Saturday - Baltimore County's Gayle Neville Blum

2009-12-06T15:57:00.001-05:00

Sat. Dec. 12, 3-5pm Tea with the Author –
Join Gayle Blum, author of the history “Images of America: Baltimore County.” Cookies and Tea/Coffee will be available.

Live music 3-6 today!

2009-12-06T11:10:00.001-05:00

Music today! Steve Haug is playing 3-6pm - lots of good folk/alternative/irish/acoustic music. Coffee/Tea/Cocoa/Cider and cookies too!

Snow! Just in time for tomight's tre-lighting ceremony!

2009-12-05T11:15:00.003-05:00

The church across the street is lighting the Reisterstown Christmas Tree tonight at 6:30, complete with outdoor carols and wreath sales. The Main Street shopkeepers are staying open until 8:30 to join the festivities - cocoa, cookies and sales abound.

PLUS it's SNOWING!! Yay, I feel like Snoopy doing his happy dance.
Lauretta

Wine Tasting 6-9pm tonight!

2009-12-04T13:18:00.001-05:00

We have books, CDs, DVDs, wine, munchies, and coffee or tea (for those who don't drink wine).

RIP Robert Holdstock :)

2009-11-29T12:13:00.001-05:00

SF Signal is reporting that Robert Holdstock, author of the Mythago Wood trilogy, passed on this morning. Our sympathies to his family and his fans. :(

Lauretta

Market Days + Live Music Saturday Night!

2009-11-27T17:12:00.001-05:00

Main Street Reisterstown will be holding sales and munchies all weekend.
Unchain yourself and buy local!
Reisterstown local musician Nathan Rabe will be playing in the bookstore Saturday 6-9pm.

Writers v. Harlequin - or What Makes a Real Publisher?

2009-11-20T16:24:00.002-05:00

John Scalzi is hosting an interesting discussion on Harlequin's decision to start what is basically a vanity publishing arm, and the reactions from the Romance Writers of America, the Mystery Writers of America and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. The writers are Not Happy with blend of Big Publisher brand with the reality of having to pay to get your book published.

Speaking as a bookseller (so you're sure of my perspective and agenda), I see the following: authors are much better off with real publishers, not print-on-demand publishers, not vanity publishers. What an author gets with a real publisher is a distribution network --- it's getting the book/isbn on iPage and TitleSource and in Bowker, etc, so when your family and friends call their local library and bookstore, those folks can LOOK UP the book to order.

Both I and my bookstore have been burned by certain vanity publishers (requiring certain minimum numbers and not allowing returns, even for book signings). These are the companies I won't deal with any more. If a local author approaches me for a signing and they're with that company, I tell them that they (the author) must provide the books. I will sign a check to them, not their publisher...I am at least sure the author gets paid that way. Some of you may find this offensive but I'm trying to stay in business alongside the likes of the big chains --- so I can host more local authors.

If you are an author who has self-published, you have a VERY hard road to travel...marketing, distribution, travel, advertising is ALL YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

So to get to Harlequin's decision: they're huge, and unlike other genres, romance is making money hand over fist. They shouldn't NEED to open a vanity arm. I wonder if this is a 'loss leader' for them? I don't think we'll know for awhile. It is absolutely bad for the writer community and possibly the publishing community as a whole. I applaud RWA, SFWA and MWA for taking a stand.
Lauretta

Baltimore Free Writers TODAY in the bookstore at 6pm

2009-11-18T11:49:00.001-05:00

Our local writing group meets in the bookstore at 6pm today.

Lauretta

Free Music from Steve Haug, aka Maugorn, aka Maugie, aka that folk singer at the bookstore

2009-11-15T13:51:00.004-05:00

Steve now has a website at

www.stevehaug.com

in which you can play free music, or buy CDs, or check when next he plays with us. Yep, that guy - the one with the huge playlist!!! Some of his CD tracks were even recorded here in the shop.
Lauretta

For Veteran's Day - America's White Table

2009-11-11T16:50:00.005-05:00

The White Table is set in many mess halls as a symbol for and remembrance to service members fallen, missing, or held captive in the line of duty. Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit.

In America's White Table, Marget Theis Raven and Mike Benny bring to life the story of a young family that put together their own White Table for their Uncle John.

Tea with the Author Saturday 3-5pm

2009-11-11T15:24:00.001-05:00

Join Sarah Davis, author of the children’s books “Always Tell a Grown-Up” and “Don’t Be Afraid to Shout No!” and the biography “I Can’t Stop Now!” Sarah is a tireless advocate for the prevention of child abuse. Cookies and Tea/Coffee will be available.

Girl Scout Cookies + National Bookstore Day!!!

2009-11-07T11:14:00.000-05:00

10% off everything inside the shop - the girl scouts are outside on the porch selling cookies.
YUM

Lauretta

Readers as Collateral Damage in the Bestseller Price Wars?

2009-11-05T18:25:00.006-05:00

ComicsPRO to join the ABA in letters to the DOJ regarding the Bestseller Price War

Many of you are already aware that the American Booksellers Association (ABA) submitted a letter to the US Department of Justice, requesting that they investigate the possibly illegal predatory pricing practises going on between Wal-Mart, Amazon and Target as they heavily discount certain hardback bestsellers. On November 2nd, ComicsPRO also sent a letter to the DOJ indicating similar concerns. ComicsPRO is a trade organisation that represents direct-market comic book retailers.

In addition to agreeing with the ABA that "the practices of Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Target.com to offer bestselling hardcover books for sale at prices well below the wholesale cost renders independent booksellers unable to compete and devalues the books in the eyes of consumers." ComicsPRO believes that the practices will affect comic books "as substantially as it affects the traditional book trade, and extends to the sale of graphic novels."

The ABA letter has been discussed a great deal in the media - for those of you interested in the details, a copy can be found here.

My personal opinion as a bookseller is that this price war is not sustainable and will eventually shrink the pool of available publishers and authors. Publishers pay attention to what sells - and if all that is selling are the 5-10 different $8.99-priced titles, they won't accept or print the new authors. They can't afford to. So we get a reduction in titles, a reduction in authors, and
eventually a reduction in publishers.

I ALREADY have issues obtaining copies of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series for his loyal Baltimore-area fans. Princess of Mars seems to be the only title that gets re-printed...the rest are either older 'new' books or only available as 'used' books. I cannot imagine how much worse this could get if the book of new titles shrinks. I can see readers trying to find their favorite authors - and not finding them at anything resembling less than a mortgage payment.

I hope this situation gets sorted out before too much damage is done.
Lauretta

Wine Tasting this Friday 6-9pm

2009-11-04T13:45:00.002-05:00

Join us for Wine and munchies. Live music will be provided by the old-time/bluegrass/folk duo Strings on Wings. Coffee and Tea will also be available.