Monday, December 18, 2017

HO! HO! HO! We think everyone should get a Book this Year!

We SO agree with this statement! Everyone gets a BOOK this year. It is so hard to decide which are the books you loved reading most this past year. What books you'd love to share with friends, what to recommend to customers. Have you decided what were your favorite reads for 2017? I  select favorite reads in genres, Mysteries- I loved so many but Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz, The Dry by Jane Harper, A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena are at the top. It's so hard to choose.  Fiction- I loved  The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders- of Course. I actually listen to Lincoln in the Bardo on the Libro.fm . 160+ voices. Just amazing! American War by Omar El Akkad, a southern end of days, and Exit West by Moshid Hamid were amazing reads as well. Exit West opens your eyes to he plight of refugees.
The Young Adult/Middle Grade book Refugee by Alan Gratz also opens our eyes to what refugees, children, suffer on their way towards freedom. The young adult book The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a book I feel should be read by everyone. Set in a tough area of town, family, gangs, young black men, white police men, tragedy.  A top 5 read of the year for me! What is your favorite genre? Mine might be fantasy books right now.
Katherine Arden's books, The Bear and the Nightingale and her new book The Girl in the Tower are fabulous! Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson  is a wonderful story with Faeries, a Rook, a painter... .


We appreciate you all shopping with us this past year.  Thank  you for shopping small with us in Poulsbo and in Bremerton. Happy Holidays and may we all have a wonderful New Year.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this tradition- Jolabokaflod Iceland's Christmas Book Flood,

 I have visited Iceland three times. I have so enjoyed each visit from, the Icelandic Horse riding, to the Black  Sand Beaches, to wandering Reykjavik and their wonderful bookstores. Given I own two bookstores, I always go into bookstores when I travel. Do you? I have just learned of this awesome Christmas Tradition Jolabokaflod- Christmas Book Flood! Everyone receives books on Christmas Eve. LOVE this! How awesome would it be if everyone around the world received books on Christmas Eve!
A new favorite Christmas book is The Little Reindeer  by Nicola Killen. A little girl and a lost reindeer.  So Cute. I love the illustrations! 
 Awesome board books are the Finger Puppet books. A new Holiday title is  Baby Reindeer finger puppet book. Perfect for little hands!
A  PNW favorite author  Martha Brockenbrough  has a new Holiday book- Love Santa. A young girl learns about  her Mom's involvement in the writing of Santa's letters. So Heartfelt!
Check out the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Holiday catalog for more book ideas. Thank you for continuing  to shop small with us, supporting an Indie Bookstore. 
We hope you stop in either store, Poulsbo or Bremerton, to see us about other book choices. You can always visit our website as well. Happy Holidays

Monday, November 27, 2017

Mystery Books, I love them, Do you?

I so enjoy a good mystery! I've read a few great ones this year by BIG name authors, but also by authors unknown by me before this. Of course, I loved the new Jack Reacher, The Midnight Line- story line- meds being sold by?? (Book Candy! as long as I don't think of Tom Cruise as Reacher!!) The setting in Wyoming, which I love, and is also the setting for Paradise Valley by CJ Box, his Cassie Dewell detective series. Truckers and women.

The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey had me guessing till
the end- detective Gemma Woodstock in her  Australian hometown solving a murder of a fellow HS graduate.  Another great mystery by an Australia author is The Dry by Jane Harper.  I have also read the advanced copy of her new book Force of Nature. You will really enjoy both of these mysteries which involve Federal Agent Aaron Falk!  Another new great mystery author to me is Gin Phillips and her book Fierce Kingdom. The setting- a visit to the zoo, by  a mother and child! Yes I was on the edge of my seat the whole book.
Check out our list of mystery book list off our web site. Enjoy! Remember you can listen to any of these awesome mystery novels on audio thru Libro.fm

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Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Authors, Authors, Authors visiting Kitsap County!

Fall, always  a special time of the year in publishing.  Many new books released with Authors touring and talking about their books.  This Fall we have a great line up of authors visiting Kitsap County. Saturday September 16th, Kim O'Donnel with PNW Veg is coming to the Poulsbo Farmers Market   from 11am to 1pm. Stop by to sample a few snacks from this wonderful cookbook. Also on Saturday September 16th at 2pm, we are the bookseller for Seanan McGuire's event with KRL's Silverdale branch. Her event is being held at Scout Hall 9161 Washington Ave. If you love Fantasy book's, you'll want to stop by to hear her. She also writes under another name, ?? and writes a different genre of books???. Any Ideas?? We will have those books on hand as well.


WEST SOUND READS! our Fall event is with Local Boy who's done REALLY well. Jamie Ford!! September 23rd, Saturday 2:30pm, Jamie with be at South Kitsap High School, (his HS  Alma Mater). He will be talking about his new book Love and Other Consolation Prizes. Set historically in Seattle around the 1909 Worlds Fair. I loved it! Plan to join us for this FREE community event.



Two other authors, both penning non-fiction titles, coming in October are Irene Skyriver with  her new book Paddling with Spirits: A Solo Kayak Journey, October 26th 6:30pm, to be held either at the Poulsbo store or at The Loft, in their event room.
 Josh Dean is coming to the Downtown Bremerton Library, 612 5th Ave, on Monday October 30th at 6:30p. His exciting read is  The Taking of K-129: How the CIA used Howard Hughes  to Steal a Russian Sub in the Most Daring Covert Operation in History.  With all the Military and Submarines in our area, I can not wait to hear about this book.









Children's Authors !! All the way from England,
 Cressida Cowell is coming to the Sylvan Way KRL branch in Bremerton October 4th 6pm to talk about her new book  The Wizard's of Once. You know Cressida from the book series How to Train your Dragon, which we all Loved. I think you'll all Love this book as well.
Next up is Kallie George ,who we are bringing to local elementary schools to talk to students about her new series Heartwood Hotel, for the younger readers.
We hope you can make to some of our events if not all. Thank you as always for shopping Indie with us in Poulsbo and Bremerton. We really appreciate your support. Remember we have book clubs at both our stores. Plan to join one this year!

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

A FREE audio book from us and Libro.fm

As you know I love to listen to audio books. At  Indie Book Stores we have partnered with Libro.fm. It is a Seattle company with our very own connection here in Poulsbo- Nick.  This month August 2017 you can redeem a code to listen to an audio book FREE, by UW professor John Medina. The title Brain Rules for Aging Well. Yes, a book for those of us  of a certain age! But you of the younger set should listen to make sure you age well and to think about your parents and grandparents if this book might give  you ideas to help them in any way. Ok enough said here is your link to sign up through our store  and here is  the code to redeem   IJCI-TSIZ-MUZJ-G5MJ    You can also use this link.  Happy listening! Suzanne








Friday, June 23, 2017

I read in the Summer, Do You?

I of course read all the time, but do you find yourself reading more or less during the Summer? I usually come home from work and sit out on my deck and read in the afternoon, plus I ALWAYS read before I go to sleep, no matter what time I come home. So here are a few of my favorite reads so far this year.  A few, I have listened  to thru Libro.fm.  Sign up with us !

Celine by Peter Heller. I want to meet Celine! A wonderful story.  Both Madison and I  LOVED this book! The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Reid Jenkins. We were lucky enough to meet Taylor at a dinner here in Seattle. After chatting with her, we loved the book even more.  The Perfect Beach Read! I listened to American War by Omar El Akkad. A second civil war set mainly in the South. Good read, thrilling story, set in the future. A tad Scary given our political climate now. I also listened to The Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey. Set in Alaska. Wonderful, you on their journey. Another book where I met the author is Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig. Ginny is autistic and a foster child. I don't  think I have ever read a book like this.  Very thought provoking. You love the voice of Ginny! You are cheering her on throughout the whole book.  Benjamin, is a school teacher as well as a foster parent, so you feel Ginny's story is very authentic.  I had never read Colleen Oakley before and I will now read more of her books I enjoyed Close Enough to Touch  so much. It does come out in paperback August 15th 2017. A great beach read! My favorite mystery this year is Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz. A murder within a murder. So creatively put together. I knew Anthony as a children's author,  as we sell his Alex Rider series really well. But he obviously writes great adult novels. My  last summer  selection is Boardwalk Summer by local author Kimberly Fisk.  A perfect romantic  read! We do have an event with Kim,  Wednesday June 28th 6:30pm at The Loft here in Poulsbo. Join us.




Friday, April 28, 2017

FREE audio books ONLY on April 29th, Indie Bookstore Day, thru Libro.fm

April 29th 2017 is Indie Bookstore Day. We'd love you to stop in either of our stores, Poulsbo or Bremerton.  We have author events at both stores. Kate Breslin 4pm Bremerton, Laura Coffey 2pm Bremerton and Suzanne Selfors and Lynn Brunelle in Poulsbo 2pm. We have special IBD items for sale(Yes, Literary condoms) plus FREE audio books from Libro.fm. Create your account here, if do not already have one, Then tomorrow,Saturday, until midnight go to the IBD playlist to get your FREE audio books.
 The April Indie Next top pick, The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck is on the FREE audio  list!
If you are planning on the #Seabookstoreday challenge of visiting all 19 Indie bookstores, we will see you bright and early(open 7:30am) in Poulsbo with Lefse and Mimosas. Enjoy and Thank you as always for shopping with us Indie Bookstores.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

We LOVE Audio Books! Do you? Listen with us thru Libro.fm

All your booksellers at Liberty Bay Books listen to audio books. We listen to at least one book a week.  We have a new partnership with  the PNW company Libro.fm., who is partnering with all us Indie Bookstores.  I am totaling taking this next part from fellow Indie Bookstore McLean & Eakin, who described our partnership with Libro.fm and the benefits so well.
Listened to Any Good Books Lately?

We are so psyched to introduce you to the latest in book offerings from Liberty Bay Books!  We are obviously a staff of readers, but we are also huge audio book fans.  It's the not-so-secret way we get through so many books.  We listen on our way to work, while we walk the dog, while we do the laundry and the dishes, heck, we even listen before we go to bed!  We can't wait to show you how easy it is to listen on your phone/tablet/PC and still buy your books from us, your  independent bookstore! Free Libro.fm IOS and Android App!

  These are the three things that you really need to know to get started:
-Libro.fm audiobook purchases happen on their website, linked to us.
-The listening happens through the app on your phone, tablet, PC.
-A monthly membership option for $14.99 gets you one book per month.

We love it, and we hope you do too.   Here are a few audio books I listened to recently  and loved! Lincoln in the Bardo, (166 amazing voices) NYT best seller,  Awesome Middle Grade story- Castle in the Mist,  To the Bright Edge of the World -  Historical Fiction set mainly in Alaska,  Exit West- Indie Next Top Read for March- thought provoking Immigrant story, Six Wakes,-set on a Space Ship manned by clones, secrets SO many secrets. 
If you want to just try one audio book to try our this amazing app, signup here, go to the playlist- Great Books on Sale  and use  coupon RANDOMACTS16 for 20%  off. Happy listening.  Ask us questions any time. Enjoy Suzanne

Monday, February 20, 2017

Where do you like to read?

What places do you head to, to read books? Inside? Outside?  At home? Public places? Couch, chair, bed, hammock? I am sharing a few photos from my house of places where  I usually read during the day.  Of course, at night before going to sleep, I read in bed. No pictures sorry. Too messy, too many stacks of books on the floor! I don't usually read in public places. Of course on airplanes, so maybe I do.

My favorite couch at my house is in the living room, great light with a view of Liberty Bay. I do admit I pretty much lounge/slouch on this couch in the afternoon reading.   When not slouching, I sit in my comfy chair with an ottoman.  When cold outside, I read on the couch  in front of the bookshelves with a fire.
I do love reading outside in a chaise  or hammock, usually in the shade, always wearing some sort of hat.
What books I've read so far in February 2017, Celine by Peter Heller, released early March. It will be one of my favorite reads for 2017, I loved it that much. I also really enjoyed Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. Great chronological rendition of the Norse Gods!  What I've been listening to this month on Libro.fm is Heartless by PNW author Marissa Meyer. If  you love audio books, we'd love you to listen with us. Use the coupon RANDOMACTS16 for 20% off. I'd love to hear where your  favorite places to read are!

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Do you keep a list of the books you read/listen to each year?

At Liberty Bay Books, most of us booksellers keep a list at the front desk of what we are reading. I make a note next to mine if it's a young adult, fiction or non fiction title. I also make a note of , +++, VG, etc.  I usually read around 100 books a year give or take.  I enjoyed reading this  survey about our reading habits.  Do you  read more print books, audio books or eBooks? I'd love to hear.. Suzanne

 Do you keep a list of what you read? How many pages do you  give a book before giving up?  Librarian Nancy  Pearl,  I believe once said- same number of pages as your age, or maybe double that.  Do you finish a book no matter what? I always think it's my mood, I put the book  down and pick up a book in a different genre. Maybe ,I'll go back to the original book I put down at another time.

 Do you read multiple books at the same time?
I confess, I do. I try to have books in different genres going.. like right now, I am reading Duplicity by Ingrid Thoft.  She is a PNW author, but her Fina Ludlow mysteries are all  set in Boston. She will be at our Poulsbo store, January 24th 6:30pm. I have enjoyed all of her mysteries. Duplicity is number four.

 I am also reading
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman.  Fabulous, of course! The cover alone is amazing! It goes on sale February 7th 2017.



 Last, but  not least, I just started The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. Kate, our main bookseller in our Bremerton store (409 Pacific) just finished it and loved it. Similar to Uprooted by Naomi Novik, she says.




 What about audio books? I LOVE them. We have a new Indie Audio Book Partner, Libro.fm. Signup and download the free app. My favorite audio is Seveneves by Neal Stephenson, a PNW author.  Check out the Great Books on Sale playlist. Use coupon code RANDOMACTS16 for 20% off. The price for the audio book right now is $5. Fabulous LOW price! Enjoy!