This is no “Twilight” romance, where the protagonists stay pure until marriage. When Violet gives up her virginity, she believes it was her own choice, but was it? Now that she’s walking in a world populated by Powers and Principalities, it’s hard to be sure of anything. But given of her free will or not, Violet’s choice still has consequences she doesn’t consider at the time.

A good story. I want to read the rest of it (two more books coming). And if I put it into the hands of a reader younger than high school age, I’d want to discuss it with them afterwards. Because perhaps by discussing this fiction, they could find the truth about decisions that are bigger than they know or even anticipate.

I’m interested in leading a book group discussion of this title. It will be available for purchase March fifth, and if there’s a group who want to discuss it, we’ll offer them a 20% discount.

Keri

END WORLD BOOK NIGHT COUNTDOWN AD (So sorry, the countdown timer doesn’t seem to work on some browsers, but the “sign up” button works! So go ahead, volunteer!)

Want to be part of a million-book giveaway? To volunteer to change a life? You can, as part of World Book Night, on April 23, 2012

A deadline for signing up is imminent – February 6 – but give us a moment to explain what this is all about.

World Book Night is a campaign to find light or non-readers in the community and hand them each a book.

Person-to-person.

It was started in the U.K. last year, and it is coming to our shores on April 23, 2012 – Shakespeare birthday, not coincidentally – as well!

The World Book Night organization is printing hundreds of thousands of special free paperback editions, and they are looking for thousands of volunteers to go out on April 23 and give books out across America. To get more people reading. You pick the place: hospital or diner, school or … well, lots of possibilities. Be creative.

Sign up by February 6 to be a book giver on World Book Night! Please go the website to read up on its mission, the books you can choose from to give away, and some rules and regulations. All you need to become a giver is a little time, a love of books, and the desire to give something to your community.

Think about where you’d like to give away the books before you go online to apply. And thank you! We love this idea and we will be your community center for World Book Night support.

www.worldbooknight.org

We’ve been packing up the Christmas and winter merchandise, and the “seasonal nook” at the store is bare. But tomorrow, we’ll pull out the Valentine’s and St. Patrick’s Day items and that will perk things right up. Tonight, we’re making boo-boo kits for grandparents to keep in their purse and medicine cabinet. These would be marvelous “secret friend” gifts.

What’s a boo-boo kit? It’s a cute little pillow box that contains an adhesive bandage and a chocolate heart. When your little one gets a “boo-boo,” you use the kit to make everything better. When we showed the mock-up to one adult, she started checking herself for boo-boos. She didn’t really need the adhesive bandage, but the chocolate still made her feel better.

Which got me thinking . . .

We’ve all had times when a friend is hurting and we feel powerless to do anything about it. Sometimes the hurt isn’t something we can fix for them. And yet, we can always give encouragement. Encouragement is not “nothing.” Encouragement means “to give courage.” Courage is a big “Something.” Maybe I need to keep a couple of these boo-boo kits on hand. And the next time one of my friends have one of those “unfixable” hurts, I will go and sit quietly with them, let them know that I love them, and give them a boo-boo kit.

And it will be enough.

When I was a third grade misfit, someone put The Little Lame Prince by Miss Mullock in my hands. I read it and re-read it so many times, the school librarian started to worry about me. Perhaps she thought I was obsessed. The story of the abused, kidnapped, crippled prince who was raised in a high tower by a woman without a tongue helped me believe that one could overcome almost any obstacle in the path toward victory.

In fourth grade, I found The Velvet Room by Zilpha Snyder. It is the story of Robin and her family, set during the great depression. Her father has lost his job, and takes work as an agricultural worker, even though he is physically ill-equipped for such labor. Robin finds her way into a grand old house that’s been closed up. And on the top floor of that house she finds a room full of books, benches in a curved bay window, and closed velvet draperies that transport her to a “velvet room” where worries are less pressing. My family’s fortunes seemed just as unpredictable as Robin’s – my father changed jobs frequently – but if Robin could thrive in the face of her family’s troubles, so could I.

Books have given me courage, hope, and dreams. I have found ideas, strategies, and answers in books. So many times I’ve put a book into the hands of friends who were struggling. And just as many times, those books have helped them. I believe in the power of stories to change lives; I’ve seen it happen.

And now YOU can be a person who puts a book into the hands of someone who doesn’t normally patronize the local library or bookstore. You can be the person who introduces someone to, or reminds them of, the power of reading. You might give a child the first book they can claim as their own. Maybe you’ll give poetry to someone who only reads the newspaper. Maybe you’ll give a novel to someone who only reads professional journals. Maybe a book you give will touch a life, or change a heart.

World Book Night, U.S. has organized millions of dollars in donated materials, services, royalties, and manpower so that 50,000 people can give away 1,000,000 books absolutely free of charge – all in one night, April 23, 2012. Volunteer by February 1 at us.worldbooknight.org .

Volunteers are needed all across America. After you volunteer you will be directed to a pick-up location near you. Our children’s bookshop, Cornerstone Cottage Kids, has volunteered to be the book pick-up location in north central Iowa. But I’m sure there’s another independent bookstore or public library near where you live. Please. Volunteer.

Click HERE to see pictures.

The link above will take you to an article about author Anne Patchett, who recently opened a bookstore. I think the things she has to say really apply to all small businesses:

1. Know your stock.

2. Know your customer.

3. Use the products you sell (so you can make an authoritative recommendation).

4. Love what you do.

5. Invest in creating a perfect match between your customer and your products.

On Saturday, February 4, 10:30am, LuAnn Huling will be helping participants create Valentine-themed gift bags, cards, and thin mint treat “buttons.”

The gift bag is of high-gloss card stock, and will be perfect for a gift of cookies or other goodies. Each participant will also create 4 different Valentine cards, and decorative “buttons” to turn a thin mint patty into a Valentine treat.

$10 class fee includes all materials. Call either store to pre-register – it helps us plan accordingly. The class will be held in the backroom of Cornerstone Cottage Kids, 5 1st Ave NW, Hampton, IA 50441

Here’s hoping we’ll see you there!

The mission of World Book Night is to spread the love of reading to light or non-readers, for whatever reasons, including economic or location constraints. The ultimate audience is not a regular bookstore or library customer. Giving away books is meant to be a focused, one-to-one person-and-book interaction. In fact, while individual booksellers and librarians are encouraged to volunteer to give books away, the give away cannot be done in a library or bookstore.

Anyone can volunteer to distribute books. Potential volunteers must apply before February 1, 2012, by completing the application on the World Book Night website: http://www.us.worldbooknight.org.

The book-giver application process is designed to assure potential volunteers understand that the goal of World Book Night is to create new readers. Volunteers agree to rules and obligations, including giving some thought as to where they will give away the free WBN special editions. Authors have waived royalties on the WBN special editions of their works. The publishing and book community has arranged for over a million dollars’ worth of donated paper, printing and shipping in support of the million book giveaway, and have also donated more than one million dollars worth of volunteer time to the venture.

Locally, Cornerstone Cottage Kids has signed up as the drop-off point for cases of WBN books. “We’re planning a WBN pre-party for Monday, April 16, from 3pm – 7pm,” explains Judy Wrolson, owner. “Book givers can come in and get their box of books. We’ll serve refreshments, and want to learn about where the volunteers have decided to give away their 20 copies.” An after party will be held at the store on Monday, April 30. “Each giver will inevitably have a unique and interesting story to tell about the book s/he gave away. We’d like to capture those stories for our website, and believe sharing those stories will lead to even greater participation in the future,” said Wrolson.

“With thirty titles available, there is surely a book for everyone, including reluctant readers,” added Keri Rojas, general manager of Cornerstone Cottage Kids. “Area residents should keep an eye out for our WBN window display which will feature the regular editions of all 30 titles.” “ I will make sure we get the list posted to our Facebook pages, too,” she added.

World Book Night U.S. is a non-profit organization comprised of publishers, distributors and retailers. WBN’s sole mission is to get free books into the hands of people who may not be regular readers.

New Signs

Click the “new signs” link to see them all.

And last night I found and stole my husband’s Moisture Therapy Extreme Repair cream. My hands were so dry that they hurt when I used it, but they feel (and look) a million times better this morning. I might have to see if Judy can order it by the drum full, then we could just roll in it.

I feel the same way about Dakota Muscle Relief (spray or roll-on). The cold seems to make my joints even achier than usual, and this topical spray seems to penetrate deeply to soothe the pain and relax the muscles.

Well, I guess that’s all for this morning. I need to find my boots, bundle up with my Baa Baa Zu Zu hat and mittens and fact the day.

Thanks for reading,

Keri