New Titles for a Cozy Winter
Brave Enough, written by Cheryl Strayed
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, written by Elizabeth Gilbert
Two empowering and inspiring books by women I love who aim to help readers move through fear and doubt in order to live bravely, creatively, and more authentically. We have signed first editions of both books, making them extra special gifts for people you love who need support and encouragement.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette, written by Maria Semple
Hilariously described by those in the middle of the crisis, Semple’s epistolary novel chronicles a family meltdown. Few books leave me laughing out loud, but Semple easily succeeds in her black-humored account of a wealthy, eccentric family facing threats on multiple fronts and taking dramatic, often self-destructive measures.
The Malaprop’s WILD bookclub loved this novel, and I think you will, too. A perfect gift for someone who needs a laugh!
H is for Hawk, written by Helen Macdonald
H is for Hawk is magnificent, beautifully written with powerful imagery. Helen Macdonald struggles to heal after her father’s death and decides to raise a goshawk. Through her processing of grief, often explored within her complicated relationship with her hawk, she discovers what she really needs to heal. The last part of H is for Hawk is revelatory and affirming. A perfect gift for fans of Eat, Pray, Love, and Wild.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing , written by marie kondo
I LOVE this book! Kondo’s approach makes great sense: she leads you through a category by category decluttering process at the end of which you are only surrounded by items that spark joy. I was so charmed by her life story, too. She’s been decluttering since she was a child, and has learned patience, compassion and grace when dealing with people (like her parents and siblings) who cling to things in a way she believes no longer serve them.
I truly found this book life-changing and I personally know others who have, too. A wonderful gift for yourself or for someone you know who is ready to take on 2016 a little lighter.
Great Selection at Downtown Books & News
Happy Holidays!
Whether you are looking for something a little different and odd or traditional and family friendly, I bet we may be able to help you put smiles on your loved ones’ noggins.
An interesting item which we have been consistently selling are the Portable Fortitude playing cards. This is a high quality, 52 card deck, which describes itself as “suitable for Poker, Cartomancy, Mojo.” The illustrations are poignant and amusing, highlighting themes of protection. The royalty of each suit is represented by a cast of literary greats.
The Portable Fortitude decks are made locally by Corinna Dross, and you can find them, if you so desire, at our front counter.
If you’re going to come to Downtown Books & News you might as well check out the books, right? We have a cultivated collection of nigh on 30,000 books. Prices go from a dollar to as high as $4,500. Good beach reading to the most wingnut esoterica; modern fiction to classic dramatic works; erotica and kissy vampire books, to the Barry Moser edition of the Bible.
We pride ourselves on our selection. Do we have everything ever written? Heck no. We’ve just got the good stuff. Downtown Books & News is open every day of the year and has been for nearly 28 years. We are your literary refuge, at least until closing time. Stop by and see for yourself.
Safe holidays, friends!
Malaprop’s Bookstore & Café
55 Haywood St., Asheville
(828) 254-6734, www.malaprops.com
Downtown Books & News
67 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville
(828) 253-8654, www.downtownbooksandnews.com