Changes for New Albany Books Daily

We've decided to transition and consolidate our writing at one place on our regular Web site, www.destinationsbooksellers.com. New Albany Books Daily will no longer have active new posts. We'll maintain this archive of past writing, but if you want to follow us, change your bookmarks accordingly.

Thank you to readers who followed us here at Blogger, and thanks to Blogger for providing the platform.

Bookselling and Community

While amazon.com is famously cheap in its prices, it's also become infamously cheap to the community it lives in. The tacit silence over amazon's stinginess was first broken in a 2007 complaint on a Publishers Weekly blog by a rival Seattle bricks-and-mortar bookseller. When Paul Constant, books editor at the Seattle alt-weekly The Stranger, followed up on the post last year, he hit a stone wall: "[amazon.com] has refused to return repeated e-mails and calls from The Stranger about the company's seemingly nonexistent contributions to the Seattle arts scene," he wrote at the time. "Internet searches for any sign of philanthropy on behalf of the company prove fruitless."

Read Paul Collins' complete report at http://www.slate.com/id/2213037/.

What 2009 Brings to the Book World

Encounter the peaks and the lows of the roller coaster of Diana Joseph's life in her new book, I'm Sorry You Feel That Way. In this exciting and heartening narrative, Diana introduces the men most important to her, or in her case the ones who seem the most important. The first being her son, who she throughout the book refers to as "the boy". Next, there is her father with whom she has a very loose relationship with. He having only called her a handful of times in her life, gave her a warning about becoming a slut at the age of twelve. Needless to say, she didn't actually take his advice much to heart and she ended up having to put up with an ex-husband and a common-law husband. So join in on this memoir and she where modern life takes this sharp woman.

Throughout this book, I kept finding myself relating to Diana's feelings and just some of the hard times she was experiencing. She was a very friendly person, yet she only seemed to become acquaintances with boys. I, along with other females I'm sure, have the same feelings. Maybe it's just because I would pick shorts and some sneakers over a dress and heels any day. Or not, I just find it much easier to connect and be friends with males. Another characteristic that Diana and I both share is that we both find relief from our problems with humor. Diana cracked jokes right and left all through the book. Doing so, I think it lightens up the topic manner discussed in the book.

After I finished this book, I came to the realization of something unique about it. It wasn't like anything I have ever read before (this including of wide variety of literature for a 15 year old). Sure, I have read my share of memoirs but this one particularly stood out because of the tone it was written in. But since I was required by my English teacher to compare it to other literature, I would say that it reminded me of The Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates. The reason for this is because both works have rather sad basis' of what happens, but the way it is written doesn't make it seem that bad at all. That is what makes these mutually splendid reads.

This manuscript is so relatable to the world that it constructs itself to actually be thought-provoking and capable of being read without a drop of boredom. I'm Sorry You Feel That Way investigates many otherwise known as untouchable subjects. Those of which include: raising a child without his father being around, being called promiscuous names, being promiscuous, and others. I'm pretty sure we all know these subjects happen and are apparent in everyday life. The book also mentions what it's like to get married and divorced, which is an unfortunate reality in our world today. Overall, this book is not out there and exaggerated, it's just the plain hard truth from a woman who's seen it all.

I'm Sorry You Feel That Way will be available March 2009 in hardcover for $23.95.
Call the store to pre-order yours today!
Click here to view Diana's website:
http://dianajoseph.net/

Book read & reviewed by:
Sophie Riggs

Indie Bestsellers

You've probably not yet tried our secure, private, online purchasing tools at
http://www.destinationsbooksellers.com/.

We're making it easy to try. If you're a Patron Passport Rewards member, we'll rebate you 20% of the book purchase price on any of these Indie Bestsellers. And if you're not, call the store and find out how to become a member.

Bestseller List for December 4th, 2008
Based on sales for the week ending Sunday, November 30th, 2008.
Click on any title to buy it now. We'll rebate you 20% of the book's price.

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. Private Patient - P.D. James, Knopf, $25.95, 9780307270771
2. Story of Edgar Sawtelle - David Wroblewski, Ecco, $25.95, 9780061374227
3. Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows, Dial, $22, 9780385340991
4. Hour I First Believed - Wally Lamb, Harper, $29.95, 9780060393496
5. A Mercy - Toni Morrison, Knopf, $23.95, 9780307264237
6. The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck, Threshold Editions, $19.99, 9781416594857
7. Gate House - Nelson DeMille, Grand Central, $27.99, 978044653342
8. Cross Country - James Patterson, Little Brown, $27.99, 9780316018722
9. Arctic Drift - Clive Cussler, Dirk Cussler, Putnam, $27.95, 9780399155291
10. Just After Sunset - Stephen King, Scribner, $28, 9781416584087
11. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson, Knopf, $24.95, 9780307269751
12. Divine Justice- David Baldacci, Grand Central, $27.99, 9780446195508
13. A Lion Among Men: Volume Three in the Wicked Years- Gregory Maguire, Morrow, $26.95, 9780060548926
14. Host - Stephenie Meyer, Little Brown, $25.99, 9780316068048
15. Most Wanted Man- John Le Carre, Scribner, $28, 9781416594888

On the Rise:

17. Ender in Exile - Orson Scott Card, Tor, $25.95, 9780765304964
The latest in the Ender series by the bestselling author of Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead.

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. Outliers: The Story of Success - Malcolm Gladwell, Little Brown, $27.99, 9780316017923
2. Dewey - Vicki Myron, Grand Central, $19.99, 9780446407410
3. Hot, Flat, and Crowded - Thomas L. Friedman, FSG, $27.95, 9780374166854
4. American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House - Jon Meacham, Random House, $30, 9781400063253
5. Holidays on Ice - David Sedaris, Little Brown, $16.99, 9780316035903
6. Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics - Ina Garten, Clarkson Potter, $35, 9781400054350
7. Last Lecture - Randy Pausch, Hyperion, $21.95, 9781401323257
8. Goodnight Bush - Erich Origen, Gan Golan, Little Brown, $14.99, 9780316040419
9. Letter to My Daughter - Maya Angelou, Random House, $25, 9781400066124
10. Annie Leibovitz at Work - Annie Leibovitz, Random House, $40, 9780375505102
11. When You Are Engulfed in Flames - David Sedaris, Little Brown, $25.99, 9780316143479
12. Wordy Shipmates Sarah Vowell, Riverhead, $25.95, 9781594489990
13. Panic: The Story of Modern Financial Insanity - Michael Lewis, Norton, $27.95, 9780393065145
14. Alex & Me - Irene M. Pepperberg, Collins, $23.95, 9780061672477
15. Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life – Alice Schroeder, Bantam, $35, 9780553805093

On the Rise:

19. The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008 - Paul Krugman, Norton, $24.95, 9780393071016
A look at the global economic crisis by the winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics.

TRADE PAPERBACK FICTION



1.Shack – William P. Young, Windblown, $14.99, 9780964729230

2. Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Junot Diaz, Riverhead, $14, 9781594483295

3. White Tiger – Aravind Adiga, Free Press, $14, 9781416562603

4. Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini, Riverhead, $16, 9781594483851

5. Out Stealing Horses – Per Petterson, Picador, $14, 9780312427085

6. Elegance of the Hedgehog– Muriel Barbery, Europa Editions, $15, 9781933372600

7. Loving Frank - Nancy Horan, Ballantine, $14, 9780345495006

8. Run – Ann Patchett, Harper Perennial, $14.95, 9780061340642

9. Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen, Algonquin, $13.95, 9781565125605

10. Secret Life of Bees – Sue Monk Kidd, Penguin, $14, 9780142001745

11. World Without End - Ken Follett, NAL, $22, 9780451224996

12. In the Woods - Tana French, Penguin, $14, 9780143113492

13. Hearts of Horses - Molly Gloss, Mariner, $13.95, 9780547085753

14. Road - Cormac McCarthy, Vintage, $14.95, 9780307387899

15. Bridge of Sighs – Richard Russo, Vintage, $14.95, 9781400030903

On the Rise:
21. An Incomplete Revenge – Jacqueline Winspear, Picador, $14, 9780312428181
The fifth novel in the popular Maisie Dobbs series is now available in paperback.

TRADE PAPERBACK NONFICTION

1. Dreams From My Father - Barack Obama, Three Rivers, $14.95, 9781400082773

2. Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama, Three Rivers, $14.95, 9780307237705

3. Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin, Penguin, $15, 9780143038252

4. Marley & Me-John Grogan, Harper, $13.95, 9780060817091
5. Musicophilia - Oliver Sacks, Vintage, $14.95, 9781400033539

6. Zookeeper's Wife - Diane Ackerman, Norton, $14.95, 978039333060

7. Omnivore’s Dilemma - Michael Pollan, Penguin, $16, 9780143038580
8. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Barbara/Camille Kingsolver & Steven Hopp, Harper Perennial, $14.95, 9780660852566

9. The Nine – Jeffrey Toobin, Anchor, $15.95, 9781400096794
10. Our Dumb World: Atlas of the Planet Earth- The Onion, Little Brown, $17.99, 9780316018432
11. Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert, Penguin, $15, 9780143038412

12. Old Farmer's Almanac 2009 - Old Farmer's Almanac, $6.95, 9781571984531
13. New Earth – Eckhart Tolle, Plume, $14, 9780452289963
14. World Almanac and Book of Facts 2009 - World Almanac, $12.99, 9781600571053
15. Listening Is an Act of Love - Dave Isay (Ed.), Penguin, $15, 9780143114345

CHILDREN'S INTEREST

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book - Jeff Kinney, Amulet, $10.95, 9780810979772

2. Tale of Despereaux – Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick, $7.99, 9780763625290

3. Lump of Coal - Lemony Snicket, Brett Helquist (Illus.), HarperCollins, $12.99, 9780061574283

4. Book Thief – Markus Zusak, Knopf, $11.99, 9780375842207

5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules - Jeff Kinney, Amulet, $12.95, 9780810994737

6. Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney, Amulet, $12.95, 9780810993136

7.Mysterious Benedict Society – Trenton Lee Stewart, Little Brown, $6.99, 9780316003957

8.Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins, Scholastic, $17.99, 9780439023481

9.Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne, David Fickling, $8.99, 9780385751537

10. Inkdeath - Cornelia Funke, Chicken House, $24.99, 9780439866286

11. Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean (Illus.), Harper, $17.99, 9780060530921

12. Slam - Nick Hornby, Riverhead, $14, 9781594483455

13.Inkheart -
Cornelia Funke, Chicken House, $9.99, 9780439709101
14.Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope - Nikki Grimes, Bryan Collier (Illus.), S&S, $16.99, 9781416971443

15.Way We Work -
David Macaulay, Houghton Mifflin, $35, 9780618233786

CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED



1.Swing! -Rufus Butler Seder, Workman, $12.95, 9780761151272

2.Gallop! - Rufus Butler Seder, Workman, $12.95, 9780761147633

3.Goodnight Moon - Margaret Wise Brown - Clement Hurd (Illus.), Harper, $8.99, 9780694003617

4.Gingerbread Friends - Jan Brett, Putnam, $17.99, 9780399251610

5.Fancy Nancy: Let's Get Fancy Together! - Jane O'Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser (Illus.), HarperCollins, $17.99, 9780061576713

6.If You Give a Cat a Cupcake - Laura Joffe Numeroff, Felicia Bond (Illus.), Laura Geringer, $16.99, 9780060283247

7. A Very Marley Christmas - John Grogan, Richard Cowdrey (Illus.), HarperCollins, $17.99, 9780061372926

8.Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak, Harper, $17.95, 9780060254926

9.Twilight: The Complete Illustrated Movie Companion - Mark Cotta Vaz, Little Brown, $16.99, 9780316043137
10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Dr. Seuss, Random House, $14, 9780394800790

11.Brava, Strega Nona! - Tomie dePaola, Putnam, $29.99, 9780399244537

12. Story of Christmas - Carolyn Croll (Illus.), Workman, $15.95, 9780761152507

13.Fifteen Animals! - Sandra Boynton, Workman, $6.95, 9780761130666
14.Fancy Nancy Sees Stars - Jane O'Connor, Ted Enik (Illus.), HarperTrophy, $3.99, 9780061236112
15. ABC3D - Marion Bataille, Roaring Brook, $19.95, 9781596434257

A funny guy

It can be hard for an author to stand out in a flood of new releases. I received this charming missive from an author this morning, and I enjoyed it so much, I thought you might want to read it, too.

Hello my very good friend (your name here)!

This isn't a full-blown newsletter. It's a half-blown newsletter to say I'm having a contest to give away some free books.

The free books in question are hardcover and trade paperback copies of AFRAID by Jack Kilborn.

Jack Kilborn is JA Konrath, and JA Konrath is me.

AFRAID is being released on November 13 in the UK. It's a very scary book. The US version is coming out in paperback in April. It's also a scary book. In fact, it's the exact same book, except in England they use single quotes rather than double quotes for dialog, and they spell words funny like 'realise' and 'centre' and 'colour.' Also, if you ask for a fag in Britain you get a cigarette, and in the US you get something else entirely.

For info about AFRAID, an excerpt, and the infamous AFRAID flash game, visit http://www.JackKilborn.com.

For info about how to win free books in the Official Jack Kilborn Halloween UK Afraid Contest, visit my blog at http://jakonrath.blogspot.com.

Now for the remainder of this mini-newsletter, here's a bunch of praise from famous authors that you're going to skim over or ignore completely...

"AFRAID is a masterpiece of unrelenting horror. And I'm not exaggerating. Masterpiece. It's the best piece of fiction I've read in several years. It simply NEVER lets up."
— James Rollins, NYT bestselling author of Black Order and The Judas Strain

"AFRAID stands shoulder to shoulder with the very best of Harris, Koontz, and King. A classic horror novel."
— Blake Crouch, author of Abandon

"The moment I heard about this book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it."
— David Morrell, NYT bestselling author of Creepers and First Blood

"AFRAID is one of the most intense books I've ever read. This one takes no prisoners."
— Marcus Sakey, author of The Blade Itself

"An absolutely relentless nightmare, with some of the most deliciously nasty villains I've ever encountered in a book. Horror fans will be wiping blood out of their eyes with glee."
— Jeff Strand, author of Pressure

“Like the evil so rife in this book, Kilborn kicks down your psyche’s front door, barges into the middle of your spirit, and RAISES HOLY EVER-LIVING HELL. Never have I read a novel so gruesome and simultaneously relentless. This book throbs with unmitigated, inexorable. sheer friggin’ TERROR. You’ll probably need a shrink when you’re done.”
— Edward Lee, author of Brides of the Impaler

"AFRAID is the most cringe-inducing thriller I've read. Twisted, frightening, and definitely not for the fainthearted. I loved every terrifying page."
— Henry Perez, author of Killing Red

"AFRAID never lets the reader rest. Kilborn's debut will have you cheering for the underdog while checking your doors to make sure they're locked."
— Crimespree Magazine

"A startling novel, from its thrilling onset to horrific closing pages. Hands down, AFRAID by Jack Kilborn is perhaps the best psychological horror to come along since Silence of the Lambs."
— Michael Laimo, author of Dead Souls

"A bloody, terrifying, hurtling assault across a landscape of non-stop mayhem. A guilty, guilty pleasure."
— F. Paul Wilson, creator of Repairman Jack

"An amazing debut. I wish I'd written it."
— JA Konrath, author of Fuzzy Navel

Okay, the newsletter is over. Go back to doing whatever you were doing. And remember... I love you.

http://www.JAKonrath.com

The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir

There's little doubt that this blog is read by adults - readers perhaps, parents perhaps - but few if any teens. Yet, I think there is value in talking to you about a singular memoir that, for whatever reason, has been parked in the young adult market by Bloomsbury.

The Year We Disappeared

Cylin Busby's life was changed in an instant at the age of nine. She loved the Muppets and her pet box turtle. But when her police officer father (and co-author) John was the victim of an attempted assassination, everything changed.

The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir is their story of a life on the run, hiding out from the criminals who wanted John Busby dead.

I mention the book simply because you won't hear about it otherwise - and then you will. So very many books come out each year that it's hard for us, much less you, to know when a good one arrives unless the mass media (or Oprah) tell you to buy a book. Frankly, I resent that, but since our Web sites will never be mass media, I hope the discerning among you will investigate further (click on the image for more details or to buy it from us online).

Our Sophie has read the book and warns that it is not for the youngest - it's a little too scary and the injuries to John Busby are described quite graphically. But for a mature teen 14 and up, it's a gripping story. In fact, it offers the best of what books can do - it gives a life lesson in bravery that few will ever have to experience. It's important to know these things, but not quite necessary to live them.

For true crime aficionados or anyone looking for a remarkable memoir that will give you a great story to tell at your next watercooler stop, I invite you to check it out.

John Dominic Crossan

The noted theologian John Dominic Crossan will be a guest on New Albany Now in the coming weeks to discuss his recent book, God and Empire: Jesus Against Rome, Then and Now. Read more on our New Albanist blog.