Vromans Bookstore Blog

The Vroman’s breakroom is a wonderful place.

A few weeks ago, this poster appeared in the employee areas of the store (click to enlarge):

And, lo and behold, today the breakroom was filled with a delicious, rotating assortment of pies. What follows is photos of just a few of the delectable treats we encountered, each with a link to a book about pie (or pi) for those who are inspired. Enjoy.

Chocolate cream pie.

Upside down pie… still delicious!

Classic Pecan Pie. Yum.

Ice Cream Pie. Yeah buddy.

Sawdust pie is much, much better than it sounds.

Chocolate Cherry tarts and Mixed Berry tarts (not pictured – all consumed) were my contribution. It went well.

I wasn’t able to get pictures of all of the pies, so if you are one of the fabulous people who brought a pie and your pie isn’t here, I’m sorry! Seriously though. Vroman’s is a great place to work.

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In order to fulfill a childhood dream, and to encourage his kids to love reading, artist Michael Klaus Schmidt has been writing and illustrating a series of children’s books called The Adventures of the Salamander.   The series started with a story, written by five year old Michael, which sparked a life-long love of writing.

The Adventures of the Salamander is a story for kids and adults about a salamander whose village has been invaded by mean spirited lizards.  The 10 volumes chronicle ‘Slippy’s’ ongoing adventures as he attempts to free his family from lizard oppression.  Michael believes that this is a story which needs to be told.

The book will address themes which focus on values, such as being honest, trusting your friends, being patient, and more. Not all the lizards are bad and not all the salamanders are good in this book;  it makes the point that it is your actions, not your appearance, that is important.  While all these are very serious issues, the book will be a light-hearted, fun, fantasy adventure, suitable for children.

Michael is a working artist and illustrator, and his busy schedule keeps him from working on his books full-time, as he’d like to do. So… he’s started a kickstarter fund! If he gets enough pledges to fully fund his project, Kickstarter will charge the people who have pledged money and send that money on to Michael. If not, no one gets charged. He’s got a little over a week to reach his goal, and he could use all the help he can get!

You can head over to his kickstarter page to see images from the book and more info about him and the project. Check out the original story, it is hilarious and adorable. And keep an eye out for the Adventures of the Salamander!

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So I blogged last week about Joy the Baker, and her signing her brand new cookbook at Vroman’s. The event was extremely, well, eventful, so I figured I’d post a bit of a wrap-up for all of you that couldn’t make it.

We had a couple of great things going on – a huge crowd (so huge, in fact, that we ran out of books! This almost never happens, so if you were one of the people that had to place an order, thank you so much for your patience), Joy’s first event ever, a lot of excited staff members, and even a few special guests from Texas. Dan, officially the best husband ever, flew his wife Lesley out to California for her birthday, and… well, I’ll let Lesley tell you the story:

“My sweet husband told me on my birthday he was taking me on a  surprise trip and I would wait until the day of, to find out [where]. I didn’t know we were going to Joy Wilson’s first book signing until we made it to California. It was a wonderful surprise! I am such a big fan of the Joy the Baker blog! It was so great to meet Joy and hear her talk about her first cookbook. The staff at Vroman’s knew of my husband’s plans, and Ms. Dolores presented me with a homemade cake. It was the perfect birthday gift! Thanks from Texas!”

Happy birthday, Lesley! We hope you enjoyed the event, and your special day/days. I know first-hand that Dolores is an excellent baker, too, so I’m sure the cake was delicious.

Joy mentioned the event on her blog and posted a picture (along with a recipe for coffee bacon sandwiches. Coffee. Bacon. Sandwiches.), and several other people have blogged around the event.  In case there aren’t enough pictures on the internet yet, here’s a few more (click to enlarge):

Overall, it was a really fun event, despite a bit of craziness about books. Lucky for us, Joy lives in Los Angeles, so she was able to come out today and sign some extra books for us. If you’d like a signed copy of the Joy the Baker cookbook, you can order one online here! (If you placed a special order at the event, you should get a call soon).

Also: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownies. Yeah.

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Today’s guest post comes from Zak, who works with the cashiers. Zak has also blogged about books he wants to read but probably never will and other great DVDs we carry.

Maybe you’ve noticed: in the past few months, the Vroman’s DVD selection has grown at a blinding rate.

Or, maybe you haven’t.

Either way, it’s important that you know before you do something silly, like buying your movies online. If you do that, Vroman’s loses money, which means I lose money.

Which means that in a few weeks, I look like this:

So, in the spirit of saving my meal ticket, here are some suggestions you might not have considered.

Island of Lost Souls (1935)
A sailor who looks like a werewolf. An actress credited simply as “The Panther Woman”. Charles Laughton with awkward facial hair. Bela Lugosi shouting to an army of hideous man-beasts: “Vhat is the law?! Vhat is the law?!”

These are some unforgettable images from this horror classic. The pacing is brisk, the acting solid, and the makeup so good it made me cringe. H.G. Wells would be proud (it’s based on his 1896 novel The Island of Dr. Moreau).

The Time Machine (1960)
Then, there’s this other Wells adaptation.

If I were to say it’s a classic, I’d be lying. If I were to say it stands the test of time, I’d be lying again. Yet, strangely, there is much to love about this film.

It’s slow getting off the ground, but the second half of the story sticks like the memory of your last kidney stone: the sparkling future it portrays is rendered in chilling pastel tones (a description I never thought I’d use.)

The Morlocks are monstrous hairy blue people. The vapid, illiterate Eloi look what happened when the kids from “Village of the Damned” grew up. And somewhere in the middle is Rod Taylor, the square-jawed hero from the nineteenth century who almost soils himself when he discovers that no one reads anymore.

Bonus: The flat but wonderful performance of Yvette Mimieux, Taylor’s disturbingly attractive love interest.

The Great Escape (1963)
American films of the early 1960s were, in a word, terrible.

Just my opinion.

However, as with everything, there are many, many exceptions. My favorite of these is “The Great Escape”, a grand WW2 adventure about some guys who decide to bust out of a POW camp.

I can say little about this film that hasn’t already been said about the Holy Bible:

1)    It is old.
2)    It is partly fact, largely fiction.
3)    It is definitely, undeniably great.

But unlike the Bible, it’s underrated. So grab a copy. You won’t be disappointed.

Barton Fink (1991)
The lasting image I have from this film is John Goodman firing a shotgun down a burning hotel hallway. After multiple viewings, I’m still not sure why this happened.

I was under the impression that this film was about a writer who comes from New York to Hollywood to write a wrestling picture. But I guess somehow, somewhere, something went terribly wrong.

Like most Coen Brothers films, “Fink” is beautifully crafted, funny, and disturbing. Unlike most, it won the Palm d’Or at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.

A unique and worthwhile film, a film that probably won’t be made into a TV show anytime soon.

The Cove (2009)
Blood-spattered, dolphin chopping mayhem! Dolphin flesh in your child’s lunchmeat! Is no one safe? Is nothing sacred?

This is why this film is so entertaining.

Starring the guy who trained Flipper in the 1960s (or rather, the dolphin actor who played Flipper), “Cove” is a documentary, activist spy tale, and indictment of the Japanese fishing industry all rolled into one big sushi roll of gore.

Also hilariously ironic: the Japanese are portrayed as heartless killers for their slaughter of the dolphins, yet little mention is made of the equally cruel U.S. factory farming industry.

Bloody buckets of fun for the whole family!

Love,
Zak

NOTE: Not all of these DVDs are available online, but they are all available in the store. If you would like to have one shipped to you, please e-mail orders@vromansbookstore.com.

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Are you coming to our event with Joy Wilson, author of the Joy the Baker blog and the brand-new Joy the Baker cookbook? If you don’t have it on your schedule yet and you are a human being that consumes food (which I hope you are), add it now.

I just discovered her blog – reading about the upcoming book to prepare for the event, go figure – and I think I’m in love. The food photography is ridiculously gorgeous, and I want her apartment (despite having seen mostly just glimpses of her table). Everything is bright and colorful and looks, well, delicious. Each recipe is prefaced by a quirky bit about her life, which just makes you feel like you’re getting an awesome new dish from a fun friend. You can find out more about her here, or read the Tasting Table article about her new cookbook, including a totally unfair recipe for Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes, which I now must eat for breakfast forever. Best part: she’s (semi) local. Go Los Angeles!

I can’t wait for this event.

Joy the Baker will be coming to Vroman’s on Tuesday, February 28th at 7pm. The discussion is free and open to the public; if you want to get a book signed, please purchase at least one copy from Vroman’s and save your receipt.

In case you aren’t convinced, I leave you with this picture of her Chocolate Hazelnut Pudding, which I will be eating tonight. For dinner. Because I can.

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Ahhh, February, the month of love! What better way to commemorate Valentine’s Day than by spreading the love of reading? Algonquin Publishing asked seven of their authors to choose their favorite Algonquin title ever—a book they have an undeniable, passionate crush on. Their answers, ranging from early classics to more recent works, are sure to make you fall in love, too. From now until to February 19, you can purchase any of their selections as e-books for only $1.99 each. Now that’s a sweetheart of a deal!

Robert Olmstead (Far Bright Star) on Michael Parker’s If You Want Me to Stay:
“Michael Parker’s novel makes me think of Dickens, Twain, and Salinger, the unforgettable voices of boys’ lives. I think there used to be a time when we read for meaning—here’s your chance to do it again.”

Amy Stewart (Wicked Bugs) on Richard Goodman’s French Dirt:
“Richard Goodman is smart, funny, and sophisticated, but hopelessly naïve when it comes to planting a garden. This is armchair horticulture—and armchair travel—at its best.”

Hillary Jordan (When She Woke) on Jill McCorkle’s Going Away Shoes:
“I love Jill McCorkle for her wise and delicious wit, her ability to find humor in the tedium and sorrows of everyday life, and for sentences like, ‘Bob could dive into a pile of shit and come out riding a silver pony.’”

Jonathan Evison (West of Here) on Larry Brown’s Dirty Work:
“Larry Brown is gritty, inventive, and musical. Read him. Love him. Gift him. His debut novel, Dirty Work, is a great place to start.”

Caroline Leavitt (Pictures of You) on Brock Clarke’s An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England:
“An accidental arsonist turned husband and father has to grapple with his past when fires start igniting once again. Deliciously dark and funny—I would marry this novel if I could.”

Tayari Jones (Silver Sparrow) on Jim Grimsley’s Winter Birds:
“Grimsley is a virtuoso with a mastery of language that makes you forgive him for completely breaking your heart with this gorgeous and unforgettable novel.”

Heidi Durrow (The Girl Who Fell from the Sky) on Joseph Skibell’s A Blessing on the Moon:
“A lyrical, unflinching look at one of our darkest hours as a civilization, but Skibell’s writing sings despite the horror and grief it describes. It’s one of my all-time favorites!”

If you need help downloading Vroman’s eBooks, check out our quick start guide and frequently asked questions!

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Sometimes it’s just not possible to figure out what to give for Valentine’s day. Luckily for you, Vroman’s has your back! We’ve put together thoughtful packages for everyone in your life, featuring some of our favorite books about love paired with delicious candy or a cute gift just to make the deal that much sweeter. You’ll find packages for girlfriends, boyfriends, kids, co-workers, friends, parents, and even those that are a bit cynical about the holiday. They can be found upstairs, next to the Valentine’s day cards!

Some of our favorite gift sets:
Shakespeare’s Love Sonnets illustrated by Caitlin Keegan with Sweeties Gummy Hearts for the true romantic
Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found by Sophie Blackall with toffee for the unlikely couple
Smut: Stories by Alan Bennett with sea salt caramels for those who aren’t what they seem
Love, Sex, and Other Natural Disasters by The Onion with lemon sours for the bitter ones
Hug Time by Patrick McDonnell and a stuffed squirrel for your favorite kid

Don’t forget our free gift wrapping… and get a special gift! On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, Vroman’s will include a free rose when you buy a Valentine’s day gift from us and bring it to our Will Call department to get it wrapped in beautiful Valentine’s day paper. We only have enough roses for one rose per customer while supplies last, so arrive early to make sure you get your flower. Roses and gift packs are available at the Vroman’s main store only.

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Thank you for shopping at Vroman’s Bookstore! We have a great selection of gifts and jewelry perfect for Valentine’s Day, and we hope you’ll shop with us this year. If you don’t have anyone to shop for, however, we’ve got a bit of help for you:

Love Hurts. Winning Doesn’t!
Did your last boyfriend or girlfriend leave you high and dry with a broken heart? Well, let us help you put that sad sack behind you and give you a chance to win something fun in the process. Come into Vroman’s Bookstore or Vroman’s Hastings Ranch anytime before Sunday, February 12 with a picture of the one that did you wrong and when you are checking out at the register or visiting our information desk tear up his or her photo, put your name and phone #/email on the back and deposit your two chances to win in our Valentine’s Day drawing box.

You will have entered into a drawing to win a holiday basket courtesy of Vroman’s Bookstore, filled with books and gifts totaling up to $200!

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Today’s post comes from Ingrid, who works with the cashiers.

How many times have you finished a book and felt like it was the end of a relationship? That longing feeling lingered in your system and seeped into your subconscious. I know, I’ve been there. Now, there are books that are as memorable as last year’s Thanksgiving and THEN there are the ones that devour your senses and cut away at you like your first kiss. Here’s my list:

The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho
I know what you’re thinking, another biography about finding yourself? I assure you this one will put into perspective most things that lay dormant in most of us. Like the title suggests, the book is about a journey, both literal and spiritual. If you’re a wanderlust and have no funds to support such a habit this book will act a tour guide exploring northern Spain to Santiago de Compostella. I’m not the kind of person who easily falls for a writer but Coelho has left an imprint on my soul like no other. He’s also a love him or hate him type of writer SO if his tendencies to go into a realm that’s too confusing or just plain unreal/surreal gets in the way then he’s not for you. Otherwise indulge in the meditative pleasures of finding yourself within the pages of this book.

Chariots of the Gods by Erich von Däniken
Our world is so vast and so full of mysteries it’s easy to cast it aside as tumultuous and get caught in a bubble. Life, if we let it, can become monotonous, moving along to the same drum beat day after boring day. The very FACT that we’re here with blood  running through our veins stirs my emotions to a point that can be clinically called Obsessive. Erich von Däniken came out with this masterpiece back in 1968. While Nixon declared his presidential candidacy and the US State Department announced the highest US casualties in the Vietnam War, Däniken introduced a hypothesis that declared with a vociferous voice that our civilization was indeed visited by what he refers to as “ancient astronauts”. Far out, right? But the evidence, THE EVIDENCE that lies in those pages is nothing short of incredible. Take a read for yourself and dare to question our existence!

Tiger Tiger by Margaux Fragoso
Sexual abuse is not an easy subject to tackle in any form; especially if the predator isn’t referred to as such and is instead humanized by its victim. This book is more of a long poem within a modern timeline. A prose tinged with perversion and innocence. My heart and respect go out to Mrs. Fragoso for not only having to re-live her situation by writing this memoir but for surviving it; for helping those who have been in similar circumstances and exposing herself indirectly without compromising her incredible gift as a writer. A bittersweet book that will haunt and inspire you well after you read it.

The Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci
It’s hard to imagine a compassionate world if we were to base it on current events. Personally, this book really made me question myself and my everyday actions towards the people I love and those I have yet to meet. The benefits of living a happy life go hand in hand with spiritual growth. Ferrucci doesn’t scold you into submission but instead takes a sincere and gentle approach into helping you realize how simple and beneficial it is to let kindness be your guide. Everyone can benefit from this book but remember to leave your EGO at the door.

Got any recommendations on books that changed your life? Let me know, I’m ALWAYS open to suggestions. It’s hard to stay in the know with so much literature and so little time…

-Ingrid

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