Sunday, July 29, 2012

The Dog Stars

Yea, yea, yea -- it's been an age since somebody wrote an honest to god book review on this fine page, but I'm happy to say that
        1. I'm back
        2. I've got a book to talk about
        3. It's one of finest books I've read all summer
        4. It's called The Dog Stars and it's by Peter Heller (Knopf, $19.96, hardcover)
Before we get started, I want you to sit back for a minute. Take cold sip, a deep breath. Now recall as much as you can about Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Post apocalyptic. Violent. Lonely. Take another breath. Now recall Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It. Montana. Fishing. Family. One more second. Seeing it? Poet-pilot-fisherman fighting post-apocalyptic wanderers (yea, a tongue twister)...love...hurt...wide open country...

Yea. You're there. You've stepped right into it. Peter Heller's newest novel. Written with a naturalist's eye, a fisherman's soul, and social perspective of a taoist hermit, Heller's work takes us back to the poetry of the countryside while reminding us of that dark fate that looms every time a pig or a bird catches the flu and sends it our way.  The prose is spare, poignant--and often hilarious--yet Heller not gloss over the darkness of post-apocalyptic life in any way. In fact, the book's attention to detail is stunning.

The story is this: A pilot (Hig) lives with a heavily armed survivalist in rural Colorado. A blood-sickness has ravaged the human population leaving few survivors. Hig and his partner live off of their land, eating what they grow, shoot, and catch. Hig flies his small plane daily, assessing their plot's perimeter and any activity in the surrounding areas.  Plot ensues...

And you won't want to miss it!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Attention Kristin Hannah Fans!

Happy Independence Week from Liberty Bay Books!


This is your opportunity to help Kristin Hannah with one of her favorite organizations;  The Wounded Warrior Project.   If you've had the chance to read Kristin's latest New York Times Bestseller, Home Front, it is abundantly clear what an impact our service men and women have made upon her. 

From Home Front - 
"This book is dedicated to the brave men and women of the American armed services and their families, who sacrifice so much to protect and preserve our way of life"


If you haven't read it, I would suggest buying a box of Kleenex and getting your copy from us this holiday week - we even have autographed copies available! 

A little about The Wounded Warrior Project:
 Their Mission - To honor and empower wounded warriors.
Their Vision - To foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history.

The Wounded Warrior Project Organization achieves these goals through a wide variety of unique FREE programs.  They provide assistance with health, wellness and even employment service to help our wounded veterans and their families adjust to a new successful life after their much-appreciated service and sacrifice to our country.  

Just take a look at their site, www.woundedwarriorproject.org , I find their work to be a testament to what our country is all about, and absolutely amazing to see what this group has accomplished! 




Here's how YOU can help:  

Ms. Hannah has generously offered five of her most popular early bestselling novels for a silent auction to support this incredibly meaningful group. All proceeds will go directly to The Wounded Warrior Project.

Not only are these five books from her own personal library; they are also rare first editions, in pristine condition, currently out of print (with these gorgeous covers!), and all have Kristin Hannah's original signature.  Note - these are being auctioned as a set of five.

When Lighting Strikes - October 1994
Once in Every Life - December 1992
The Enchantment - June 1992 
If You Believe - December 1993
Waiting for the Moon - September 1995
Let the bidding begin!  Either come on in to the store, or e-mail Suzanne at libertybaybooks@embarqmail.com with the 
following information:
Bid:
Full Name:
E-Mail:
Phone Number:

The auction will be open through July 15th, the winner will be announced July 16th on the Liberty Bay Books Blog, and will be notified by e-mail.  We will also keep everyone updated on our Facebook Page.