Star Wars Epic Yarns!

From the authors of Cozy Classics, we now bring you Epic Yarns! The first installment: A New Hope.

Authors Jack and Holman Wang have returned with their charming felt figures to recreate Star Wars Episode IV. It's all here, the Death Star, the garbage chute, light sabers and X-Wing fighters, the entire story in twelve words with beautiful, detailed illustrations rendered entirely in felt.

Stop by Big Blue Marble Bookstore and get your copy today!

It's a felt wookie. I mean, who can resist?

Novel Journals!

Are you an aspiring writer? Having trouble getting started? Need inspiration? Then you need A Novel Journal! Big Blue Marble Bookstore has a variety of these marvelous journals, where the blank pages are actually lined (in tiny text) with lines from famous novels. Write between the lines of Jane Austen or Charles Dickens, absorb the genius of Charlotte Bronte as you journal your thoughts and dreams!

Each journal is a different novel. Don't see your favorite author? We can order it! Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, the brothers Grimm all await your pen.

HERE is here!

Here is the stunning, new graphic novel from author Richard McGuire. It is the story of the corner of one room in one house, illustrated in overlapping pictures and prose. A masterwork that is difficult to describe, it is not told in linear fashion but through a collage of different eras and dialogue, revealing the passage of time moving both backward and forward. Thought provoking and ingenious, Here is a masterpiece of art and storytelling.

Take Away the A

Looking for an unusual alphabet book? Tired of "a is for apple"? Then Take Away the A is the fun, refreshing alphabet book you're looking for!

At once playful and thought provoking, this picture book teaches the alphabet while at the same time demonstrating how one small alteration elicits a big change.

Almost existential in scope and gorgeously illustrated, Take Away the A is one of those picture books that captivate children and adults alike. Come in to Big Blue Marble Bookstore and purchase your copy today!

"Without the I, stairs lead to the stars..."

Decomposition Books

Are you a dreamer? Contemplative? Introspective? A compulsive list-keeper? Then we have the perfect blank journal for you! Want to jot down those ideas for a novel? Record your poetic musings? Then may we recommend Decomposition Books, produced by Michael Roger Press. Made from 100% recycled paper, Decomposition Books are perfect for the ecologically conscious, aspiring writer. With a variety of colorful and whimsical varieties to choose from, Decomposition Books are also available in spiral bound.

Raccoons and Foxes and Cats, Oh My! And Ants!

Behold Mort(e), the fearsome cat warrior who fights across a dystopian landscape where pets have risen against their masters and ants rule the world! The novel begs the question, what is good? Who is evil? Are the dictatorial ants truly better than the humans with their germ warfare? The first print-run is already sold out! Order your copy today! Another exciting publication from Soho Press!

Mort(e), by Robert Repino, a featured novel in February's Indie Next List.

Last Book I Loved: My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris

With four children and a business to keep up with, the kind of books that I find time for these days is pretty much limited to bedtime stories. The last book my five-year-old son discovered (and timely at that) on his book shelf was My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Christine King Farris.

This book gives a glimpse into the childhood of Martin Luther King Jr., through intimate stories shared by his older sister, and heartwarming illustrations by Chris Seontpiet. I love how the stories and illustrations weave together a memoir filled with tenderness and compassion, and yet evoke a sense of vibrancy, purpose, and character.

This book offers a very gentle and thought provoking way to introduce the struggles of the civil rights era to children, and the progress that our country has made due to the sacrifices of people like Dr. Martin Luther King. When we finished reading the book, my son said, "I want to be like Martin.", which can only make a mama feel good.

-Dana Scherer

--Dana Scherer keeps herself enchanted with little ones, both as a mama and a local children's photographer. She lives in Germantown and is a proud parent of two students at Wissahickon Charter School. You can find more on her photography and family adventures at Bamboo Photography.

Last Book I Loved: Gumbo Tales by Sara Raohen

I bought Sara Raohen's Gumbo Tales at the airport on the day I was leaving New Orleans and, as I read, I wished that I had picked it up the day I arrived. Raohen is a master at bringing the eclectic tastes of New Orleans cuisine alive on the page and conveys the city's pride and heritage to the reader. I read this book hungrily on the flight back to Philadelphia and upon landing, immediately sought out local restaurants that may just deliver Roahen's described oyster po-boys, okra gumbo, and olive-salad muffalettas. Whether or not they will be accurate to Roahen's experience I'll never know until I go back to New Orleans (which I will) to sample from the restaurants she highlights.

My favorite part of the whole book is her explanation of why Monday's meal, in the whole of New Orleans, is red beans and rice. Roahen writes, "If there was a first pot of red beans in New Orleans, documentation of it has not been found. Everyone here knows, though, that whether truth or myth, red beans and rice became a Monday staple for two reasons: it made good use of the ham bone from Sunday dinner, and cooks could stir the low-maintenance dish infrequently while tending to housework back when Monday was laundry day and people still set their washtubs over charcoal furnaces in the backyard." To know that, even today, Monday's meal is red beans and rice where the washing machine and dryer will dutifully do New Orleans laundry any day of the week is so comforting to me, someone who likes to know what's coming up next. And the fact that the whole city participates shows the tight-knit community that is New Orleans.

I fell in love with New Orleans while I was there and Roahen's Gumbo Tales made me love it even more. If you want to get a little taste for this wonderful city, please read this book.

-Lucia Gunzel

--Lucia Gunzel is the author/publisher of the children's book, Cranky Pants.

Last Book I Loved: Most Good, Least Harm by Zoe Weil

Between the snowstorm, holidays, and my glorious new Kindle, I've had plenty of time to read this winter. And I am so glad I was able to read Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life by Zoe Weil right before the new year.

Most Good, Least Harm book delves into some of the issues covered in my own book. Weil gets to the core of conquering eco-anxiety and environmental guilt, using information and consumer power to improve and enrich your life. The book is truly inspiring and the perfect thing to read entering the new year.

-Paige Wolf

--Paige Wolf is a publicist, author, and green living expert who uses her media savvy and personal moxie to promote manageable eco-chic living. After working as a journalist, publicist, and communications manager, Paige founded Paige Wolf Media & Public Relations in 2002.

Last Book I Loved: Room by Emma Donoghue

I am jumping on the bandwagon and singing the praises of Room by Emma Donoghue. The storyline itself sounds like something from a Lifetime Movie Of The Week, but what sets it apart and makes it unique is the author's choice to tell the story through the five-year-old boy's point of view. The reader sees things through his eyes and knows what's happening (like the tension between characters or the shrillness of what's not being said) but the boy is completely clueless. There's a naivety to the voice that makes many scenes quite disturbing. Had Donoghue told the same story from the mother's point of view, the book wouldn't have been nearly as effective.

-Robert Swartwood

--Robert Swartwood is the editor of Hint Fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 Words or Fewer. Visit him online at www.robertswartwood.com.

Last Book I Loved: Road to Tater Hill by Edith Hemingway

Granted, I've got a thing about mountains. Or maybe more than "a thing": At one point I quit my job and joined AmeriCorps in far-western Maryland to try to figure out why so many of my favorite books take place in the mountains. So I knew when I picked up Road to Tater Hill, by Edith Hemingway, that it would quickly become "the most recent book I loved." The author uses her keen eye and ear for detail to give us Annie, a 10-year-old in 1963 whose infant sister has just died. Annie befriends a mysterious woman who lives near the spot where Annie returns to grieve, and together Annie and the woman forge a new path onward.

Readers of all ages who have experienced loss--and what reader has not experienced loss?--will draw strength from Hemingway's sharp observations and message of unexpected renewal. And readers without a particular fondness for mountains don't need to worry. Though the characters are thoroughly rooted in their mountain community, the powerful story and hopeful message will resonate strongly on the subway, on the beach, and anywhere else books are enjoyed.

-Pamela Ehrenberg

***

--Pamela Ehrenberg is the author of two novels for young readers: Ethan, Suspended (2007) is set in Washington, DC, but Tillmon County Fire (2009) is set in the mountains.

Last Book I Loved: American Gods by Neil Gaiman

I don’t normally enjoy science fiction or fantasy, but I had heard so many good things about the author Neil Gaiman and had recently seen the movie Coraline, based on his children’s book of the same name. Immediately, American Gods hooked me with an interesting protagonist, Shadow, that makes you want to keep reading to learn more about him.

The question that runs through the story is part theology, part mystery and altogether thought-provoking; if gods are kept alive by their believers, what happens to them when people stop believing? Or what happens when people start worshipping money, television and technology instead?

American Gods is well-written, provocative and just plain fun.
-Christine Knapp

Christine Knapp is the director of outreach for Citizens of Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture).

Last Book I Loved: The Four Spirits by Sena Jeter Naslund

The last book I loved was called The Four Spirits by Sena Jeter Naslund. It took place in Birmingham, Alabama during the civil rights movement and has fictional as well as historical characters. I loved how wrapped up you got in the fictional characters while they interacted with the historical ones and history itself. I also loved the ending which was hopeful and scary/uncertain, which really described the time. It was difficult and pulse racing at times but very beautiful.
-Gail Kotel

Gail Kotel is the proprietor of Therapeutic Pilates in Mt. Airy, a holistic physical therapy and pilates practice where she uses the Pilates method for strengthening and alignment. She is also a fine artist. Be sure to check out her March exhibit at MilkBoy in Ardmore and her exhibit at Cambell's in Chestnut Hill in April.

Last Book I Loved: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

Here's a new series on Big Blue Marble Bookstore's Blog. Last Book I Loved will profile books that community and neighborhood teachers, neighbors, artists, writers, and all kinds of other folks read recently and loved. Our first profile is by the talented Claire McConnell... and please be sure to check out her creative speech workshops (including the one starting on February 19th!)

The last book I loved was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell, published in 1960. Karana's tribe leaves her Pacific Island home and she must survive there alone. She learns how to build a house, how to make weapons to fight off the wild dogs, how to catch an octopus, and makes a number of surprising friends in lieu of human companionship. Like the Little House books, it's for children and it's about 'roughing it', the basic skills for living on the earth. You really learn to love the island, all the textures and colors and worlds within it, even while pining for human contact along with Karana. I would recommend this book to children around age 9 and to grown ups too!

Claire McConnell is writing an island novel. She is an assistant pre-school teacher at the Waldorf School of Philadelphia (across the street from the Trolley Car Diner). She also teaches Creative Speech-- the arts of storytelling, poetry reciting, and acting based on the work of Rudolf Steiner-- and will teach an intro workshop on February 19th at the Philadelphia Dance Theater, 10am to 3pm (More info at Creative Speech Philadelphia.)