Submitted by bookshelf on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 7:57pm
There is more than one way to tell a good story.
The BAG is currently preparing for its Telling Stories series, a three-event spread this February guaranteed to unchain, unplug and reconnect community members, as well as entertain the story lovers in all families. Story mediums include the written word, vocal performance and music.
First, The Unchained Tour's unique Bluebird bus will stop at the store 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6. Participants can expect an evening of raconteur delights from a variety of performers in support of independent, local book stores. Tickets, expected to go fast, are $15 each and are on sale now at the store or by clicking the link at the end of this blog.
Next, Donna's Americana will cue up its first concert of 2012 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the BAG with Austin, Texas musicians Sam Baker and Gurf Morlix. Prepare for musical story telling to please the ears as told via these unique talents. Opening the evening will be Tallahassee native Grant Peeples. Tickets are $15 regular or $7.50 for students with valid ID, and will be available at the door or in advance at the store.
Last, Georgia Rambler Charles Salter, famed Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist who traveled the South to interview some of its most interesting residents, will amble into the store 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. Sit back and enjoy the rambler as he recollects some of his most interesting experiences. This event is free to the public and more information about book singings will be forthcoming.
Submitted by bookshelf on Sat, 01/14/2012 - 7:54pm
Review By Book Lover Teresa Williams
Hello youth of today: 1996 has dialed up and wants you to know what it was like before the digital age.
Dear teen of the 1990s (like myself): care to scroll down memory lane to before everything about every thing was easily accessible with the click of a mouse and conversations took place in person instead of on "walls"?
"The Future of Us," by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler, follows teens Emma and Josh who inexplicably manage to download Facebook onto Emma's computer when they use an AOL CD-ROM to connect to a new thing called the Internet. Then, Emma and Josh must decide how to handle the information they uncover about their future selves and determine what changes need to be made in their current lives in order to have the futures they truly want.
I was in high school in 1996. If I could have used one of the numerous AOL CD-ROMs I received in the mail to download Facebook and glimpse my future...I don't think I'd byte. I like to learn as I go and I don't like to play with lives. Also, I've seen how people can be crushed by one online post or a single person not friending them on Facebook. And, since I'm one of the few people my age not on Facebook, I doubt it would help me, either.
Though new to me, I like Mackler's writing style. I love Asher's literary voice. He captures the voice of the teenage mind and the truth of what makes people tick. I thought the ending was a little soft, but it's still a fun read.
Teens of today, you are likely to laugh at the idea of having to strap a discman to an arm to listen to tunes as you run or that people used to have to get off the phone in order to dial up to the Internet. However, the story still confronts fundamental issues teens grapple with: romantic rejection, feelings for a close friend, divorced parents, peer pressure, sex, popularity, appearance versus reality...you get the idea.
Readers that grew up during the time period may fondly recall such norms from our youth, but also remember the not-so-great parts: slam books and verbal malicious gossip that ran rampant throughout the hallowed halls of high schools instead of being viral before lunch. We may also remember how our choices then shaped our current lives.
So, no matter your generation, grab a copy and see what "The Future of Us" downloads for you.
...$14.99
...$34.99
Vidal, Gore$11.95
...$12.99
...$29.99
...$12.99
...$29.99
Hillerman, Tony$9.99
Walker, Alice$23.95
Walker, Alice$15.95
Kidder, Tracy$13.95
Larson, Erik$16.00
Larson, Erik$25.95
Auster, Paul$15.00
Auster, Paul$14.00
Barks, Coleman$17.99
