Vromans Bookstore Blog

A big thanks goes out to all who participated in the Find Waldo Local event for the month of July!

We had a great turn-out at our Where’s Waldo celebration on 7/30.  We had the drawing for Waldo prizes and looked for Waldo one last time- he was hiding in the Children’s department!

Winners at the Where’s Waldo Celebration!

Waldo wouldn’t have had a place to hide if it hadn’t been for the 17 amazing local business who participated in the Find Waldo Local event!  Thank you all so much for letting our Waldo-finders invade your stores!

-  The Original Whistle Stop
-  Amy’s Haircuts/ Amy’s Playground
-  Fair Oaks Pharmacy
-  Ten Thousand Villages
-  Armory Center for the Arts
-  Lula Mae
-  Three Dog Bakery for Dogs (Pasadena location)
-  Carmela Ice Cream
-  Craft Fair
-  Zinnia
-  Buster’s Ice Cream & Coffee Stop
-  Moss & Ginger
-  InCycle (Pasadena location)
-  Sugar Fix Desserts
-  Dinosaur Farm
-  Violet’s Cakes
-  Buttercup

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Vroman’s Fine Writing, Gifts, and Stationery is all settled in its new location!

The beautiful new space is located between the parking lot entrance and the travel section!

After a lot of moving, cleaning, Windex-ing, merchandising, and organizing, Vroman’s Fine Writing, Gifts, and Stationery has moved in to the Vroman’s Bookstore main store and has been transformed into the Pen & Stationery department.  Now you can find all of your favorite items and brands from the corner store alongside all your favorite books!  How great is that?  Exactly. Pretty fantastic!

Brand-new blank stock styles and designs!

Don’t worry, the same great staff who you know and love from the corner store will be in the Pen & Stationery department to help you find pen refills, pick out wedding gifts, and order custom invitations and cards.  In-house printing is still available, too.

The bridal salon is full of wedding options and ideas.

But wait… there’s more! It’s Christmas in August!

Save 20% on your personalized holiday cards during the month of August (offer applies to personalization only).  Save and prepare for the holiday season with popular vendors like Crane, William Arthur, Brett Collection, Birchcraft, and more!

So, stop on by and see all the exciting changes!!!

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If you’ve been to Vroman’s Bookstore at any point in the past month or two, you know that the store has been under a bit of construction (and we thank you for being so patient during this transition!).  Were you wondering why audiobooks were suddenly not where they used to be, or why we moved all of the bargain books to the opposite side of the store? Well, great news!  All that construction, moving of sections, and changing displays around is for a wonderful reason!  After having been in its location for over 9 years, Vroman’s Fine Writing, Gifts, and Stationery (or, as some of you might know it,“the corner store”) will be moving into the Vroman’s Bookstore main store!

You might be wondering about some things, so here are some FAQs about the Vroman’s Fine Writing, Gifts, and Stationery move:

•    When is the corner store moving?
Stop by the old location and say goodbye this weekend- our big moving days are Monday 7/30 and Tuesday 7/31!  The corner store will be closed on these two days so we can finish moving merchandise from the old location and into the new space.

•    When will the new location open in the main store?
Vroman’s Fine Writing, Gifts, and Stationery will be open in its new space on Wednesday 8/1!

•    Where is the new location going to be in the main store?
All of your favorite merchandise from Vroman’s Fine Writing, Gifts, and Stationery will be in the back of the store where the bargain book section and calendars used to be located, between the travel section and the main registers.

Other fun facts!
•    Printing services will not be interrupted by the move to the main store.

•    Vroman’s will continue to carry all of the merchandise and brands that you loved at the corner store.

•    We’re thrilled to welcome the corner store staff to the main store and absolutely cannot wait to work with them!

Here are some photos showing the progress of the move!

(Soon-to-be) Old Location:

Packing up the old location for the big move!

Things are looking a bit empty at the old location.

Shelves are down and most of the bridal salon is in boxes.

New (as-of-August-1st) location:

New counter tops for the new register area!

Shiny new paint and new light fixtures!

A portion of the temporary wall is removed and brand-new carpet is installed.

Everyone at Vroman’s is very excited to offer our wonderful customers a place where they can find all their books, fine pens, stationery, and gifts in one location. Yes, there are a lot of changes, but one thing remains the same: Vroman’s Bookstore is so proud to be here as a part of the Pasadena community!

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Today’s blog post is brought to you by Ingrid, one of our wonderful cashiers!

An Ode to the Graphic Novel

In my humble opinion, it was hard to find graphic novels worth my time as a young, restless angry teenager. Books held the key to my aching heart. But as I grew older and allowed the gift of time to take over my being (and literary tastes) I began to see Graphic Novels not only as beautiful gems in the sea of literature but a captivating medium of exquisite storytelling.

In the short time I’ve invested reading Graphic Novels, I’ve come across stories that broke my heart and others that mended it. Here are a few of my favourites…

Special Exits by Joyce Farmer

I have to be honest; Special Exits rang so close to home that it was heart-breaking to read in certain sections. The book takes a sensitive subject (like the degenerative health of parents during the last years of their lives) and manages to engage the reader into a tear filled bundle of emotional joy. The artist and author Joyce Farmer took an incredible 11 years to complete this work of art. She’s well known for her contribution for Tits n’ Clits during the raging misogyny in underground commix in the 1970’s. The main characters allow us to suffer alongside them and help us to question our own mortality. Never has a story with such sensitive subject matter managed to instill happiness and sadness inadvertently.

On a lighter note, it was great to see Lars and Rachel (Joyce’s parents) having such a youthful and humorous approach to an otherwise horrible situation. Between being caught in the Los Angeles riots, convalescent homes and grocery shopping we can’t help but imagine what simple excess they’ll get into next. For anyone who has had or is having a similar experience, this book can act as a sedative if not a bittersweet reminder that life in essence is as good as we make it.

Stitches by David Small

Told in a child’s voice we follow a memoir that perhaps could be held a Horror classic if it had been fiction. Through a series of X-Ray procedures and prolonged household silences we follow David through a series of events that morphed his life into an isolated existence. The undercurrent of this plot is in-between those silences. We grasp that being a parent (and a child) never comes with instructions, and therefore we sometimes err unapologetically. In a sequence of events that did more harm than good, David and his parents undergo transformations both literally and emotionally. A beautiful graphic novel if you’re into haunting, melancholic and nightmarish story-telling.

Paying For It by Chester Brown

The introduction from Robert Crumb only mildly prepares you for the debauchery that is Paying For It. We follow the blossoming maturity of Chester Brown in his quest for loveless love. Told in a dry hilarious tone with a timbre of magnificent one-liners, Brown introduces us into the simple almost boring world of prostitution (in Canada). The aloofness and mild sentiment of Chesters’ character is almost too endearing. I won’t spoil the story by giving you a step-by-step synopsis as to what to expect, but I will say that after reading this novel you’ll look at the “business”, love and John’s in a whole new light…

My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf

My fascination with Serial Killers began at a very young age, needless to say that Dahmer stood out like a bloody thumb in the plethora of evil. I’ve seen plenty of interviews and read an amalgam of discussions on this dude and merely got a glimpse of his “disease”. But I wanted something more, something that came from someone other than himself, an outsiders perspective; enter Derf Backderf. He reminds us that these “killers’ were part of our society, our public school system, our working world before they tinged their reputations. Told in a timeline of unruffled memories and unrequited questions, we are reminded that humanity can be both frail and stout. An enjoyable read if you like that sort of thing.

*On a side note, if you enjoy these beautiful works of art, Robert Crumb (Fritz the Cat, Mr. Natural) is a fascinating entity all his own. If you dare to delve deeper into his psyche (and his frivolous enigmatic sexuality) please check out the movie Crumb available for sale behind the counters, I promise it won’t disappoint.

WARNING: Not for the faint of heart.

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Today’s blog post comes from Rebecca, one of Vroman’s Bookstore’s POS supervisors.  Here she offers a compelling selection of titles for all the non-fiction fans out there!

The Beautiful World of Non-Fiction

When you enter into a bookstore looking for some fun summer reading, you may normally head straight to fiction and pick up something like Fifty Shades of Grey, A Game of Thrones, or one of our other bestsellers. As creative and wonderful the world of fiction is, nonfiction also has a plethora of delicious titles for you to consume.

Here at Vroman’s, we don’t just have a standard section for all things nonfiction; we have dozens of nonfiction sections to choose from! Now, I’m a big fan of fiction too, but I have to intersperse my fiction with nonfiction from time to time. You see, this is because I’m a big nerd. I’m a trivia junkie. I need to constantly work at expanding my factual knowledge from a variety of topics, because I’m going to be on Jeopardy! someday. True story.

Along with all kinds of wonderful fiction I’ve read over the last year or so (which does include Fifty Shades of Grey and A Game of Thrones), I’ve read some great nonfiction books

Here are some of the titles that I have picked up over the past year:

1. Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi.

If you’re at all interested in true crime or the law, this book is perfect. As the primary attorney prosecuting Charles Manson and his infamous Family in the early 1970s. This book delves into every possible aspect of the murder, and not just the gritty details of Sharon Tate’s murder, but also Bugliosi’s entire process of how he brought Charles Manson (along with several members of the Family)  to justice.

Obviously, Bugliosi’s involvement with the case should dictate that his book would be packed with details and facts surrounding the case. However, with extensive notes and research into the case from every possible aspect, Bugliosi put together the entire story, from the very beginning through to the end, and with such precision and attention to detail that you can’t help but be amazed.

This book was never dry, never uninteresting. WARNING: This book is definitely graphic, as it portrays true and truly gruesome events.

2. Nom de Plume: A (Secret) History of Pseudonyms by Carmela Ciuraru.

I just finished this book, and I’m still riding that “good book afterglow,” y’know what I’m talking about? That feeling you get after completing a book that is just so satisfying, you’ve gotta tell everyone about it? Well, I’ve got it bad. I’m at the point where I’m even talking about this book with small children and animals.

From the Bronte sisters and Lewis Carroll to authors you’ve likely never even heard of, this book covers what I feel like must be only the most interesting pseudonymous authors who ever lived. There must be more than she writes of. There must.

While Ciuraru seems to focus more on English language authors (and on the Brits in particular), she also delves into folks like Isak Dinesen, George Sand, and Fernando Pessoa. Everything she writes is clearly well-researched and very well composed. Ciuraru doesn’t read like just another dry, old history text (although, I do love those). GREAT READ.

3. Billions and Billions by Carl Sagan.

Really, I could recommend just about anything by Carl Sagan with confidence, but Billions and Billions just happens to be the one I’ve read most recently. Sagan knows that his average reader isn’t going to be educated as an astrophysicist, and so he makes everything easily accessible without coming across as patronizing.

If you have any interest in astronomy and haven’t read anything by Carl Sagan, even in part, I personally guarantee that you will love him upon reading this book. Seriously. If you don’t like it, just tell me, and I will get down on my knees here in the store and apologize profusely.

However, should you fall madly in platonic love with Mr. Sagan (like me), I would love to recommend you check out his television series, Cosmos.

4. Maphead: Charting the Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks by Ken Jennings.

Remember that guy who won 74 episodes of Jeopardy? On the 75^th episode, he should have answered “H & R Block,” but regrettably guessed “FedEx.” Yes, I remember this vividly.

Anyway, I’ve been keeping up with this guy ever since (I even follow his Twitter—really funny stuff!), and he has written this book on geography. I know this doesn’t sound incredibly thrilling, but trust me – it is. I have not yet read it myself, but I am ridiculously eager to do so. True, I am a nerd and enjoy nerdy texts especially when they pertain to things related to history, but Ken Jennings’ writing is accessible and peppered with a delightful sense of humor.

I have not yet read this book myself, but if any of you have, feel free to let me know how you like it! I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be able to spoil it for me.

5. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby

This book, as a concept, should blow your mind. Jean-Dominique Bauby, known to friends as Jean-Do, was the editor-in-chief of Elle magazine before a horrific stroke robbed him of just about all of his physical capabilities. He could not walk, talk, or even write. So how did he come to write this book? WITH HIS LEFT EYE.

With the assistance of a wonderfully persistent medical staff, Bauby wrote a short yet breathtakingly beautiful account of his physical and emotional condition following his stroke. Sounds depressing, right? Maybe a little bit, but this book is so well written and so well thought out – considering the circumstances – that it assists as an emotional release rather than as a depressant (this may give you insight in how I use books as self-medication).

Gorgeous, wonderful book. When talking about it with a friend, she was stunned to find out this is a memoir rather than a novel. And, should you like the book, there is also an excellent movie made very true to the book.

6. Inside Scientology by Janet Reitman

Folks like to talk a lot of smack about things they know absolutely nothing about, including Scientology.

Sure, it’s easy to dismiss Scientology as this weird cult of brainwashed followers who worship aliens. Personally, I find this assessment to be ridiculously unfair. Granted, Inside Scientology represents Scientology from the outside looking in with a number of expose-type anecdotes of former Scientologists, so this is all from a particular perspective. However, this book gives the average naysayer a fuller perspective on what exactly Scientologists believe, how they practice, and what the heck all that Xenu stuff is about.

If you wanted to get a better understanding of Scientology and all the myth and history and hype surrounding it, I couldn’t recommend a better text to read.

If you want a few more nonfiction suggestions, feel free to come on down to Vroman’s and browse our shelves! We’ve got oodles of excellent nonfiction books for you to pick up as your next summer reading pick!

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          Not much makes me feel older than my impending birthday on Tuesday, except for the fact that this July, Waldo (as in your favorite red-and-white-striped traveler) turns 25 years old.  25!  I remember being absolutely frustrated by each puzzle; the beach, the museum, the  amusement park- each one tricking me with the strategically placed red-and-white-striped umbrellas, tents, and Waldo imposters.

For the month of July, Vroman’s will be hosting a Where’s Waldo search in Pasadena  to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Where’s Waldo by Martin Handford.  17 local businesses in the area will hide the striped figure in their stores for Waldo-hunters to spot.   Are you worthy of this challenge?  Do you have the eyes of a hawk?  Find him while he’s in your city!

Originally published in 1987, Waldo was created when author and illustrator, Martin Handford, was commissioned to create a body of work that depicted his style and talent.  As he created a series of detailed crowd scenes, Waldo was added to function as a common thread- something that would tie each scene together.

I personally believe he was created to drive people crazy and make them scream at books.

So, in honor of this momentous occasion, here’s a chance to brush up on your Where’s Waldo trivia:

Waldo
Only called Waldo in the US, he is referred to as Wally in most other parts of the world.   And if you, like myself, were under the impression that Waldo was the one-and-only, he actually hails from The Land of Waldos, a mysterious, uncharted land where all inhabitants appear to be Waldo’s clone.  Waldo meets this moment of self-discovery in the final pages of The Great Waldo Search.

Wenda
Waldo’s better half, Wenda, is a photographer extraordinaire, although she tends to lose her camera in nearly every book.  In the past, she has been illustrated with her identical twin sister, Wilma, but unfortunately Wilma has not made an appearance in the books for the past 20 years or so.  I just think nobody is looking hard enough!

Woof
Waldo’s furry friend, Woof, was originally owned by the elusive Wilma.  Since Wilma’s disappearance, Woof and Waldo have been inseparable, hiding in crowds together and wearing matching outfits.  Also, he has an abnormally long tail for a dog.

Wizard Whitebeard
This magical fellow allows Waldo and his gang to travel to mystical places and far-off lands.  Legend has it that Wizard Whitebeard is Wenda’s father, although these reports cannot be confirmed. 

Odlaw
Described by friends as “mean, nasty, loathsome, and disgusting,” Odlaw is originally from Odlaw’s Swamp, a place teeming with black-and-yellow-striped creatures.  He is generally referred to by readers as Waldo’s evil twin and is an all-around decidedly creepy character. And for those of you who might not have noticed yet, Odlaw is not just a villainous name- it is ‘Waldo’ spelled backwards.

           As I’m sure you’re ready to begin your hunt, here’s what you need to do: Stop by Vroman’s, pick up a list of participating businesses, and go out and start your search.  Collect an ‘I Found Waldo’ card at 10 of the possible 17 stores, submit your cards to the Vroman’s Bookstore Kids Department, and be entered in a drawing for a deluxe 6-book boxed set of Where’s Waldo books and other fantastic prizes.  The drawing will take place at the Where’s Waldo Celebration on July 30th at 4pm.  The search begins this Sunday, July 1st.

And remember, this event is open to all ages!  Afterall, you’re never too old to ask “Where’s Waldo?”

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Rebecca works with the cashiers. She’s been working here for over a year! Here are 25 things you don’t know about her:

1. I’m not a natural redhead.
2. Other than that, I don’t have many “secrets.”
3. I often (always) sleep with at least a book or two in my bed.
4. I love savannah cats.
5. I am an alumna of UC Santa Cruz. GO SLUGS!!
6. I love Mexican food. My particular weakness is bean & cheese burritos.
7. I’m a member of Mensa.
8. I play piano – a couple of good songs at least.
9. I am obsessed with Burt’s Bees Pomegranate Chapstick.
10. I majored in History & Literature in college.
11. But now, I’m attending school to become a court reporter.
12. My favorite drink is club soda plus lime juice.
13. I drink Diet Coke instead of coffee.
14. I love food.
15. I love bookstores & libraries, and I’ve worked in a couple of each.
16. I love Jeopardy!, and want so desperately to be a contestant.
17. I’ve never broken a bone in my body. Except maybe that one time I hurt my foot so bad, I wore my converse high tops super tight and chose to limp for a couple weeks (couple meaning 3-4… or maybe 5?) instead of going to a doctor.
18. My favorite game EVER is Hide N’ Seek!!
19. My favorite books include 1984, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the Harry Potter series, and Mother Night. Oh, and The Hunger Games.
20. I’ve lived in the same house my entire life (excluding college).
21. I used to read books as I walked home from elementary & middle school. It got to the point where neighbors told my mom because they thought I’d get hit by a car. Little did they know I had a very well-adapted sense of peripheral vision.
22. Soccer is my favorite sport. Period. (And, it’s the REAL football!)
23. I love parks and graveyards, but I’m not creepy or morbid.
24. Vroman’s really IS my favorite bookstore, ever. (I promise.)
25. Pasadena is one of my favorite places, EVER.

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