Serendipity Bookstore Blog

Purportedly, after Abraham Lincoln had received word from a Massachusetts official that Ms. Bixby had lost all five of her sons fighting in the Union army, Lincoln wrote a consolation letter to her expressing his and the nation’s gratitude for the sacrifice of her family. He tells her, “I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the republic they died to save.” Of course, controversy surrounds this letter, which  regained popular notice when read in the movie _Saving Private Ryan_. Did Lincoln really write the letter or did John Hays, one of his secretaries, pen the letter? Did all five of Ms. Bixby’s sons die? I guess the answer to how you feel about these questions depends on whether you require provable authenticity in any alleged historical document or whether the idea that Lincoln may have actually sent a letter like this to a grieving mother is enough. To me, any written document that has historical significance, whether or not it was written by a president or his aide, defines our country and gives significance to the events that have shaped our present. Like the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Mayflower Compact, even the Federalist and anti-Federalist Papers, all have been been published so that the “unwashed masses” can read them and learn from them and pass on their significance to future generations so the meaning of who we are as Americans will never die. Like a book, you can reread them again and again and each time discover something new about the place you call home.

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“Get more than twenty miles from the Pipe and you were in the inimical no-man’s land between the Livable Zone and the bloody nightmare of the unreal world. Sometimes it was safe, and sometimes it wasn’t. We called it the Border, and we went through it when we had to, when it was the only way to get somewhere in any reasonable length of time, when the alternative was a long drive around three sides of a square and the emergency wouldn’t wait. All the same, we went in force and we went quickly, lightly, and we kept an eye on the weather. If the wind changed, or the pressure dropped; if we saw clouds on the horizon we didn’t like, or strange folks, or animals which weren’t quite right, we turned tail and ran back to the Pipe. People who lived in the Border didn’t always stay people.”-excerpt from Chapter 1.

Although this story meanders into the realm of Scifi, it is also a warped reflection of our world. The governments of the countries of the world wage war just because; soldiers go out and fight; others create weapons so advanced they can change the fabric of reality. When one army gets pissed because the other army actually causes almost irreparable damage, they use the weapon (which they consider a creation of their own)in retaliaiton which leads to retaliation by the first army (the one who caused the first damage-following so far?) with the same weapon (surprise!). The world is irrevocably changed forever and the unsuspecting citizenry have to learn to cope until a huge corporation begins repairs and eventually becomes the new governing body. I recommend this book for everyone-not just those of us with a mind bent towards the unusual. The concept forces you to think about how we are ruled today and how large corporations, i.e. banks, finance corporations, Haliburton, control our government.

The description of this debut novel says that this story is “equal parts raucous adventure, comic odyssey, geek nirvana, and ultra-cool epic…a story of love, pirates, mimes, greed, and ninjas.” But it is also the story of a world, much like our own, in desperate need of heroes, however unlikely they may seem.” When I first read this I thought, “Wow! This must be some book to be able to put all that in between the covers.” Fortunately, for the most part, the book does live up to its review. The first chapter opens in a ramshackle pub called the Nameless Bar where the power has just gone out. As the occupants of the bar watch, the TV slowly comes back to life and shows that the pipeline, which is the lifeline for humanity, is on fire. The world in which our intrepid narrator and his friends live is a parody of what life used to be. Because of a senseless war, which came to be knwon as the “Gone Away War”, the world was irreparably changed by a weapon into two distinct parts: the “Livable Zone” and the “Gone Away World.” The dialogue is snappy and witticisms abound as the narrator relives life before the war (rather lengthy but necessary), during the war, and how humanity began adjusting afterwards. As soon as the narrator returns to the present, the story takes yet another turn, and we are treated to a clever twist that throws the whole book into a completely different light.

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The elections are finally over(Yeah!) and we have a brand new President. Some of you like him, some of you don’t. I will remain neutral since I voted for Ron Paul (I wrote him in!). What I want to know is who do you think, out of all the literary characters out there, best exemplifies the characters inherent in a good president? For example, Atticus Finch from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is honest, moral, and definitely knows right from wrong even if the “right” gets him in trouble with the majority. Or, there is Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Darcy may be rich and used to living as a stalwart member of the British upper class, however, he also does what’s right without bragging about his good deeds, stands by those whom he considers friends, and will help those who are less fortunate without expecting anything in return. Many others are out there. Who do you think would fit the bill? This character could be a woman, a character out of sci/fi or fantasy, even a talking animal (think Animal Farm). Let’s hear your choice!

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I like books. All kinds of books. I like the way they line up neatly on a shelf. I like the way they smell, especially the older ones. I like the ideas in them, I like the places they take you and the people they introduce you too. What is there not to like about books? Maybe the decisions you must make when thinknig about which book to read next. There are so many out there. New books are being published daily; new books that everyone is talking about or maybe no one really knows about so I want to be the first to read it and then share with everyone. But, what about all the books published last year? Or 10 years ago, or 100 years ago? I want to read those too. So, here’s the deal. Since I can’t possibly read every book on earth, I need you to help me tell others about the great stuff (and, yes, warn us about the not so great) out there. This is the blog to do it. Tell us about your favorites or start a discussion on what you’re reading, or have read, or want to read. A community of book readers can disseminate information about what’s hot and what’s not faster than I, a lone humble bookseller,can.

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Its finally here! I am so happy! For at least two years, no more ads! No more debates! No more talking heads! Oh, wait, there will always be those. Before I went an cast my vote, which I did early, I reread the Constitution. I was curious about what it said regarding voting and how we choose our president. Interestingly, I found that the Constitution was really not specific on how the masses should cast their vote. Lots of explanation on how states should choose electors to decide the president and how they go about deciding and then what to do if no one wins a majority, but not much on how the average person, well man, at that time, would cast a vote. For those of you who are curious, or may have forgotten your high school civics lesson, Article 2 of the Constitution lays out the powers of the President and how the President is voted into office. This sentence, to me, is where the average citizen gets his right to cast a vote, “But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by the states, the representation from each state having one vote…” Amendment XII also pertains to how a president and vice president are elected. If you can dispute that or shed more light on this issue, please do so. If you would like your own copy of the Constitution or Bill of Rights, I have them in stock!

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I know you have heard this so much its become cliche, but its true for me! As a bookseller, I really need to be up on many authors, genres, new titles, etc. Customers are always asking, “Have you read this?” or “What do you think about this author?” and I need to be able to answer intelligently, “I think this…” Problem is, so many books, so little time. Besides the business of running a bookstore, I also have three kids, a house, and church responsibilities that need to be attended to. Don’t get me wrong, I love my bookstore and LOVE to read, I just need to figure out how to read faster! That’s where you, dear reader, come in. I need your help! If you have read a book and loved it, tell me about it. If you have read something and thought you wasted your time, tell me about it. This blog is for booklovers, freedom lovers, and for those who just don’t know what kind of lover they are! Drop us a note on the blog!

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I have listened to Fox News, NPR, talk radio, and just about every other channel on radio and TV plus read on the internet about this bail out and still I am left wondering-is it really necessary? I understand that large banks and other financial firms that have alot of money may go under and if they do, then our economy may suffer because then people will not be able to borrow money or get the credit they need to live. Hence, we will all lose our jobs because our employers will not have the cash to pay us (well, that’s one of the consequences). I wonder, though, really, why can’t we just let them fail? If, say, I, as a very small business owner, were to go under because I could no longer make my payments or afford to buy inventory, would the government rescue me? No, because I am too small to really make a difference, plus, I should have known better and taken better care of my responsibilities. Apparently, if you are large enough and rich enough, if you get too greedy and then mismanage your business which then leads to a breakdown of your ability to do business, its OK because the government understands and they will help you out. The American people, who are really just a tad too dense, may not fully understand why they must bail you out, but we the government who know best do understand and, therefore, will help you so that our “economy” doesn’t fall apart. Did I get that right?

4 Comments » Posted by Hooty / Bookstore Commentary

Owning your own bookstore takes alot of energy! Especially if you are doing all the ordering, merchandising, advertising, events, bill paying, etc. on your own. Oftentimes you don’t have time to sit back and think about what you really should be doing or if you are actually going down the right path. My faith in God has kept me afloat this past year, especially during those times when customers were few and far between and I worried about making enough to pay my bills. Was I doing what He wanted me to do or was I forcing my own desires onto to Him to make it look like I was doing what God wanted me to do. Or was I just thinking about too much? It was hard to distinguish at first. But I have learned to just talk daily to Him and let my mind be still (which is very dificult) so I could sense the direction in which I am being led. Now I know that sounds all supernaturally and all, but it really works. I have learned how to put my worries away and to take whatever happens in stride. This is my store and I am going to enjoy it! And I want everybody too! Come by and see me.

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I am listening to this song, the version by Kaulana Kanekoa, and just thinking that I made it over the rainbow. I have my own bookstore. This is something that I have wanted for 20 years and now its mine. I do my best everyday to make it work realizing that this next year I might not be able to hold on to it. The trick is to enjoy it while I have it and daily thank God for giving me my dream. Each day I can walk through my aisles and pick a book up off the shelf and be transported into someone else’s world. That world may be a fantasyland, a gritty big city street, or the old English countryside, but wherever I am, I can experience something I wouldn’t have been able to in my “real” life. That’s what is so amazing about books and helping people find those new worlds and characters who’s lives they may want to share. It is a rush. Of course, there is the chance I may pick something for them they just do not like, but more often than not, they are grateful anyway and ask me to pick another. I think its one of my skills. I don’t have many of those (!) but i’d like to think that pairing an individual with the right book is one, and a good one at that.

1 Comment » Posted by Hooty / Bookstore Commentary

With banned books week coming up and the Presidential election on the horizon, I have been thinking alot about freedom and liberty. What do they really mean to me? Does a person have the right to tell me what my children are allowed to read, much less what I am allowed to read? I understand that a person may not want their children exposed to something they consider distasteful or objectionable, but do they have the right to prohibit my child from seeing that same material if I say otherwise? I consider myself a patriot, someone who believes in the constitution; that it is NOT a mutable document and that the Bill of Rights was written to ensure nobody took away my rights, my responsibility, my freedom to make decisions for myself. Further, even though someone may think they have your interest in mind and just want to protect you or your child from something indecent or obscene, they should not be able make that decision for you. To me, making your own decisions, being responsibile for yourself, teaching your children to be responsible and thoughtful and hardworking, are for the individual to do. A separate person, group, or government should not do that for you. When that happens, all liberties will follow. If you are incapable of making a decision about what book to read, then what’s going to follow? Already we have the government telling us to buckle up for safety. The state tells us not to bring cookies and cupcakes to our kids’ classrooms because they could get fat or someone might have an allergic reaction. The government, bit by bit, is taking away personal responsibility and replacing it with their rules so that we don’t have to think. Both parties are responsible for this, although I think the democrats are the greatest enablers. Our entitlement system has fostered so many who are dependent on it that each year new laws must be passed or laws amended in order to accommodate those who are incapable of taking care of themselves. They have become used to the government making decisions for them and then sending them a check in the mail. No wonder the masses are seen as moronic and clueless! Basically, I have a right to read what I want, to engage in lawful business practices, and to live the kind of life I want to live in my pursuit of happiness. I don’t hurt anyone, I pay my taxes (another sore and HUGE subject), and try to teach my kids the best I can. So for those who want to tell me how to live, andfor those in government who think they know how to run my life better than I, back off!

3 Comments » Posted by Hooty / Bookstore Commentary