Blogs

You may have noticed that The Bookloft is now selling ereaders and ebooks though a partnership with Kobo. But did you know that we have - in stock now - some shiny new Kobo Arcs?

It's true! Kobo's newest reading device is a snazzy 7" multimedia tablet, with full access to the Google Play network for movies, games, apps, video chat, photo sharing, and music, and 3 million books from the Kobo library. With the fastest processor on the market and one of the sharpest screens, a vibrant experience is at the tip of your fingers. We've got the 16 and 32 GB models here, for $199.99 and $249.99 respectively. More information from Kobo here.

Have you heard of My Bookstore: Writers Celebrate Their Favorite Places to Browse, Read, and Shop? If you haven't, it's a charming homage to the importance of old-fashioned independent brick-and-mortar bookstores, by the authors who frequent them. Even better, The Bookloft has been included! Our friend and Berkshire neighbor - and New York Times bestselling author - Simon Winchester has written quite a few kind words about us. Here's a sample:

That they are all here conjoined - the writers and their bookstore, the book-loving customers and their formidably well-read army of booksellers - underlines the point that Eric Wilska likes to make: that this is a community bookstore, providing a much-needed service for a community that, as he believes and which all of us pray is true, simply could not and will not countenance the vanishing of one of the last truly great independent bookstores in the country.

And if this precious place happens to be lacking a mullioned bow front window or two, and has to exist sans cat napping on the Agatha Christie shelf, but is in fact down from the dollar store and a step away from the Vietnamese nail salon, who truly cares? Just as long as it is here, and stays here until we are gone, and long after. It is the kind of place that almost makes the notion of strip malls acceptable, provides the very idea with some kind of commercial blessing, and is a literary benison for us all.

I finished listening to the wonderful production ofThe Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, read by Anthony Heald. I enjoyed the story a great deal, and his voice suited it well. Another classic I enjoyed listening to was Watership Down by Richard Adams, read by Ralph Cosham. It's an interesting story, and well worth a listen, even if you, like myself, are not one for talking animals.

Something to think about for people of all ages are well-read "chidren's" books. I read and listen to quite a bit of juvenile fiction, and I must say it can be absolutely fantastic. One such is The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater, read by Steve West and Fiona Hardingham. Their joint narration enhanced the story with a magical wonder, despite there being no magic present in the book itself.

Two series that I have thoroughly enjoyed were Septimus Heap by Angie Sage, read by Gerald Doyle; and Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, read by Jim Dale. Whether dealing with the humorous or the serious, both narrators made me appreciate equally the jokes and adventure of these series.

- Julia

I skidded off, not just once, but three times before I managed to break the surface of Casi's monologue and get back on his shoulder beneath his ringing, aching ear, to listen to his long diatribes on justice, legacy, Television (always with a capital T), etc.

There is a lot of legalese to plow through, since he is a public defender in New York City. There is astute commentary on our very modern - or are we talking post-modern - world? And, there is that all-absorbing quality that a dense saga offers. It is impossible to ignore. Give it a try - or two - or three.

- Lauren

You might know J.K. Rowling as the author of the world-famous Harry Potter series. Tough act to follow! This week, she released her first book for adult readers, The Casual Vacany, a dark and gritty drama revolving around small town politics in the English countryside. Now 15% off at The Bookloft.

Have you already read it? Please let us know what you think!