GABBS, Notecards, and Bonk (oh my!)

The Great American Bargain Book Show (GABBS) starts this week. With Cheryl and Paul out of the office (and David on a sales trip), we can expect lots of business in the next few days. On the 19th, we will be sending out a new catalog as well. Keep an eye out for it.

Because it has been a while since we last updated our blog, there are lots of new titles in. I thought I would combine a bit of news with a review of a very good book. Before I begin the review, I would like to remind you all of the wonderful new Te Neues note cards and sidelines we just received. Flip notepads, cards, stationery sets, and blank journals with magnetic flaps. They're perfect for small or big displays; we have plenty of titles to fill any space.

Mary Roach certainly has a way with science. After her first book, Stiff, appeared on shelves, I've maintained an interest in her writing. But it wasn't until Bonk did I actually sit down and read one of her books. She takes a personal and sometimes taboo subject and makes it accessible. And interesting. She outlines the history of sexual studies and even participates in a few. While some of the wording can veer towards the scientific, she always has a witty or funny remark to lighten the mood. Overall, it took me two days to read and I loved every bit of it. This title is a must-have for any bookstore. Especially as her newest book, Packing for Mars, has just be released at the beginning of this month.

Itemcode: 01931

REVIEW: Noble's Book of Writing Blunders

By: Samantha, Wholesale Assistant

Noble's Book of Writing Blunders and How to Avoid Them, by William Noble, is one of the easiest writing reference books to read and understand. Each chapter is succinct, averaging only six pages, but there are twenty-nine of them, all of them packed with useful tips of what not to do. Some of the chapter titles are funny, others perfectly clear, but they cover a gamut of topics. Several examples are "Don't Get Cute with Spellings and Dialogue" and "Don't Complicate the Obvious" along with "Don't Write for Your Eighth-Grade Teacher" and "Don't be a Slave to a Grammar Guru." Each chapter is packed full of grammar information, tips, examples, and anecdotes.

Writing, like this book, walks a fine line between following the rules and breaking them. What about everything your eighth-grade teacher taught you about grammar? Now that you know the rules, you'll learn which you can ignore. As Noble says, "There's a writer's mindset we must all attain--there is no rule, no rule that can't be broken or changed! Nothing is everlasting."

It took less than two days to read, but I consider it a valuable resource, not just for writers, but for anyone interested in writing in a creative or interesting way. It is the perfect book for referencing what "Not to Do" when writing. So, do yourself a favor and don't go without it.

Itemcode: 00974

Welcome to Our Blog

Times, they are a'changing. With our new page on Facebook, we decided starting a blog was a good idea as well. This is a place for our personality to shine. We, in the sales department, want to share our opinions, favorite books, and industry news with all our customers, friends, and fans. Please join us.

Also, keep an eye out for additions to both our blog and Facebook sites. We are in a bit of a time crunch right now as we prepare for BEA, but once that is over, I'm sure we'll get into the swing of all of this. We hope to see you in New York next week. I can't believe that it is almost the end of May already. Time sure flies when you're selling good books.