Once again it's time for our Reverse Calendar Sale. Starting August 1st, all in-stock calendars for 2009 are 25% off (then 15% in September and 10% in October). If you always buy calendars for Christmas, you can save money AND start your holiday shopping this month! Another way to save this month is to take advantage of The Merchants of Hudson's Tax Free Days, August 15-17. Thirty-two businesses, including The Learned Owl, will PAY YOUR SALES TAX on those three days. (Details at merchantsofhudson.com)

Several books of note to read this month - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is the first. In this book, as London is emerging from the shadow of World War II, writer Juliet Ashton is intrigued when she hears of a book club on Guernsey. She begins her research with a letter to a member, and the book continues as an epistolary novel. Ashton finds that the club was born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi after its members are discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island. A STAFF favorite, loved by me, Mary-Ann, and Marti!

Then, take the opportunity to read something by Lisa Black (otherwise known as Elizabeth Becka). She is coming to the Hudson Library on August 12 as the first event in our Route 91 - Readers' Row Consortium with libraries in Stow, Hudson & Twinsburg, celebrating her new book, Takeover. Her Becka books, Trace Evidence and Unknown Means, are both also LizPicks - exciting, fast-paced thrillers. HarperCollins, her new publisher, is taking a chance sending her to us, but they were excited about our consortium concept. I'm HOPING for a big crowd, because I think she will be hitting the bestseller lists soon. Other new LizPicks can be found on our Staff Favorites rack.

Thanks to all who took the time to complete our online survey. We received many positive comments, and some good ideas for improvement. Several we can't do anything about (a few of you told us the store is too small), but we'll see what we can do about making our aisles a little easier to navigate. Katherine is posting another survey, encouraging responders to list their favorite books. (Take our favorite books survey.)

We're continuing to plan our ANNIVERSARY celebration (25 years for me; 40 for the shop). Save Sunday, October 19 - we're having a party!

Stay cool, and happy reading,

Liz

Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2, 10 PM-midnight - Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer's new book in the Twilight series, arrives! Join us for our midnight release party. There will be trivia contests, games, bumper sticker making, discussion and debates, predictions of the book, video clips from Stephenie Meyer and more! Bring your friends, costumes and all, or come as you are and celebrate this widely popular series which centers around forbidden love and the trials and tribulations which ensue. The event is free; however, you must prepay now to guarantee a book at midnight. Those who prepay will also receive a 15% discount off the price of the book. Call us to prepay: 800-968-2685.
P.S. "Breaking Dawn" T-shirts are now available to purchase! (while supplies last)

Due to several major scheduling conflicts, Hudson's Harry Potter Birthday Bash has been postponed until late Fall, when we will celebrate the release of the sixth movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The HP Committee is very excited about this change - we're planning a Pre-Release Party, which will involve many things Harry Potter, AND the opportunity to enter a drawing to win one of five or six "Red Carpet Packages" for the movie release. Date still to be determined - late October or early November.

Tuesday, August 12, 7 PM (Hudson Library) - Meet author and forensic specialist Lisa Black, who will sign her new book Takeover.

Saturday, August 16, 2:30 PM - Do you know a girl or boy, age 5 or older, who loves the Rainbow Magic series? Bring her or him to our Fairy Party! We'll have a craft and refreshments. Dress up as your favorite fairy! Call us to register for this free event.

Friday, August 22, 7-8 PM - As part of our Friday Fresh Voices series, author Sandy Mitchell will sign her book Cleveland's Little Italy, an Images of America book from Arcadia Publishing. Part of our Friday Fresh Voices series.

Saturday, August 23, 11 AM-1 PM - Cinda Chima returns with The Dragon Heir, the third book in her popular Warrior Heir series.

Kathy liked Here if You Need Me by Kate Braestrup. Just out in paperback, it's the author's remarkable journey from grief to faith to happiness - as she holds her family together in the wake of her husband's death, pursues his dream of becoming a minister, and ultimately finds her calling as a chaplain to search-and-rescue workers. [Read more]

Michael recommends Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea by Mark Kurlansky. [Read more]

Several of us, including Sam (age 1) have been enjoying Charley Harper ABC's, a beautiful, educational, and (if you're one year old) edible board book. [Read more]

I asked Mary what she'd been reading, and she wouldn't stop handing me books:
Madapple by Christina Meldrum - A great book with an unfortunate cover
Dogtown: A Sanctuary for Rescued Dogs by Bob Somerville - An uplifting, "people really do care" book (plus, the pictures are cute).
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson - The best book Mary's read this year.
Stop in the Name of Pants! by Louise Rennison - Not as good as Book 8, but still good.

Liz says: Undertow is a great book - perfect paperback thriller for late summer reading. Also, just out in paperback are Run by Ann Patchett and The Race by Richard North Patterson. Both are very timely - about politics and race.