Five Board Books that Mariga Likes

A is for Andy by Andy Warhol (Mudpuppy Press, $12.99)

Pride and Prejudice by Jack and Holman Wang (Chronicle, $9.95)

So Many Stars by Andy Warhol (Mudpuppy Press, $12.99)

Rhymoceros by Janik Coat (Harry N. Abrams, Inc., $15.95)

Shapes by Xavier Deneux (Chronicle, $14.99)

Mariga Temple-West, April 2016

Five Journals Mariga Loves

                

Rainforest Decomposition Book (Michael Roger, Inc., $8.00)

Anorak Rabbits Notebook (Quadrille Publishing, $10.95)

Peacock Handmade Embroidered Journal (Galison Books, $14.99)

Jackie Morris Notebooks (set of three, Jackie Morris, $15.99)

Oz Passport Notebook (Unemployed Philosophers Guild, $3.25)

Mariga Temple-West, November 2015

        

They do exist! Finger puppets of your favorite authors and celebrities!

Yes, it's true. You can now put on a puppet show starring Hannah Arendt, Malcom X, or Betsy Ross. Mix it up and let your imagination go wild.

Feeling revolutionary? Here's your very own Che Guevara.

Perhaps a romance between Malcom X and Frida Kahlo?

The story is yours to create with Big Blue Marble's selection of literary finger puppets. Also, every puppet is magnetic for convenient attachment to any magnetic surface. Go on, put Andy Warhol on your refrigerator.

And don't forget Ms. Arendt.

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?

Big Blue Marble's Picks for Children's Book Week (May 4-10, 2015)

It's Children's Book Week! And so we offer you new and treasured book recommendations, from picture books to young adult, from graphic novels to verse novels. Read over our lists below, and come in and check out our offerings!

Among our own events this week are Shabbat Storytime on Friday morning, and an author reading Thursday night for Bayard Rustin: The Invisible Activist (ages 10 and up).

Check out the CBW website for national events and activities for kids of all ages.

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From Elliott:

One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies (Candlewick, $6.99)

This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne (Henry Holt, $16.95)

Library Lion by Michelle Knudson (Candlewick, $6.99)

17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore by Jenny Offill (Dragonfly Books, $6.99)

Me, All Alone, at the End of the World by M.T. Anderson (Candlewick, $16.99)

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From Janet:

Before After by Anne-Margot Ramstein and Matthias Arégui (Candlewick, $19.99)

Journey and Quest by Aaron Becker (Candlewick, $15.99)

Three Questions by John Muth (Scholastic, $17.99)

Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson (HarperCollins, $8.99/$19.99)

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From Jen:

Julia's House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke (First Second, $17.99)

If I Had a Raptor and If I Had a Triceratops by George O'Connor (Candlewick, $15.99)

Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman (HarperCollins, $17.99)

Skyscraping by Cordelia Jensen (Penguin, $17.99) -- coming in June!

The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex (Little, Brown, $7.99)

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From Mariga:

Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak (HarperCollins, $8.99)

El Deafo, Cece Bell (Abrams, $10.95)

The Brides of Rollrock Island, Margo Lanagan (Ember, $9.99)

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From Micah (age 4):

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall (HarperCollins, $17.99)

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak (Penguin Random House, $17.99)

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker (Chronicle, $16.99)

Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres (Random House, $7.99)

Digger, Dozer, Dumper by Hope Vestergaard and David Slonim (Random House, $15.99)

Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton (Harpercollins, $16.99)

Splash by Ann Jonas (Harpercollins, $6.99)

I Have a Garden and I Planted Cheddarbunnies ...oh, okay, that hasn't been published yet.

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From Nif:

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (St. Martins Griffin, $18.99)

Penderwicks in Spring Jeanne Birdsall (Random House, $16.99)

Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne Valente (Square Fish, $7.99)

Sleepover with Beatrice & Bear by Mônica Carnesi (Penguin, $15.99)

The Martian by Andy Weir (Random House, $15.00)

Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee (Simon & Schuster, $17.99)

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From Sarah:

Lumberjanes Volume 1 by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis (Boom!, $14.99)

The Adventures of Beekle, The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santant (Little, Brown, $17.00)

Julia's House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke (First Second, $17.99)

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty (Abrams, $16.95)

Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke (Scholastic, $8.99)

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From Sheila:

Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox (Square Fish, $8.99)

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (Random House, $10.99)

Sabriel by Garth Nix (HarperCollins, $9.99)

Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede (Scholastic, $9.99)

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (HarperCollins, $6.99)

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From Tiara:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (Scholastic, $12.99/$10.99)

Other HP favorites: The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Order of the Phoenix

Paper Towns by John Green (Speak, $9.99)

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett (Atheneum, $6.99)

A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara (Seven Stories Press, $9.99)

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..."

The Irish are coming!

What do Colm Toibin, Tana French, and Eoin Colfer all have in common? They're Irish! The month of March is upon us and St. Patrick's Day is imminent. In honor of the upcoming holiday, come on in to Big Blue Marble Bookstore and browse our display of marvelous Irish authors.

In the mood for a ghost story? Then John Boyne's This House is Haunted is the novel for you. Want a good read about the Irish immigrant experience? Pick up a copy of On Canaan's Side by Sebastian Barry.

And there's lots more! Stop by the Marble today where our staff will be happy to discuss our selection with you.

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.

Mariga's Five New Books Featuring Classic Literary Characters

Ruth's Journey by Donald McCaig (Atria Books, $26.00)
A smart, masterful piece of stand-alone fiction.

Longbourn by Jo Baker (Vintage Books, $15.95)

Edgar and the Tattle-Tale Heart by Jennifer Adams/Ron Stucki (Gibbs Smith, $16.99)

Edgar Gets Ready for Bed by Jennifer Adams/Ron Stucki (Gibbs Smith, $16.99)

Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz (HarperCollins, $26.99)

Mariga Temple-West, November 2014

Mariga's Five Spooky Picks for Halloween

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
(Quirk Books, $14.95)

Coraline by Neil Gaiman
(Harper Trophy, $8.99)

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
(Penguin Classics, $20.00)

The Dark by Lemony Snicket
(Little, Brown, $16.99)

Bats in the Band by Brian Lies
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $17.99)

Mariga Temple-West, October 2014

Mariga's Five Picks to Sweep You Away to Imperial Russia

The Romanov Sisters by Helen Rappaport (St. Martin's Press, $27.99)

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert Massie (Random House, $20.00)

Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert Massie (Random House, $20.00)

The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander (Penguin, $16.00)

The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin (Random House, $15.00)

Mariga Temple-West, September 2014

Mariga's Five Favorite Books Featuring Ducks

Just Ducks by Nicola Davies/Salvatore Rubbino (Candlewick Press, $6.99)

The Real Thief by William Steig (Square Fish, $7.99)

The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein/Henry Cole (Simon & Schuster, $7.99)

Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell/Helen Oxenbury (Candlewick Press, $6.99)

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (Puffin, $7.99)

Mariga Temple-West, July 2014

Mariga's Hardback/Paperback Combo Mix

Editor's note: with apologies to Mariga, I neglected to post this at the end of December...

Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh (Touchstone Books, $17.99)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney (Amulet Books, $13.95)

The Christmas Gift by Lori Evert (Random House Children's Books, $20.99)

How it All Began by Penelope Lively (Penguin, $16.00)

The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz (Mulholland Books, $14.99)

Mariga Temple-West, December 2013

Five Books That Mariga Loved This Fall

Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell (Ballantine Books, $28.00)

Inside Outside by Lizi Boyd (Chronicle Books, $15.99)

Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield (Emily Bestler Books, $26.99)

Mr. Wuffles! by David Wiesner (Clarion Books, $17.99)
[Check out the recent interview with David Wiesner elsewhere on our blog!]

Going Clear by Lawrence Wright (Vintage Books, $15.95)

Mariga Temple-West, November 2013

Five Picture Books That Mariga Loves

[Some belated staff picks from September. Note that our October promotion is 15% off books with staff pick stickers! Come in and check out what else we're reading!]

Little Bird by Germano Zullo (Enchanted Lion Books, $16.95)

Cozy Classics: Pride and Prejudice by Jack Wang (Simply Read Books, $9.95)

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt (Philomel Books, $17.99)

The Odd Egg by Emily Gravett (Simon & Schuster, $15.99)

Chloe by Peter McCarty (Balzer & Bray, $16.99)

Mariga Temple-West, September 2013

Five Books Mariga Liked So Far This Summer

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis (Candlewick Press, $14.99)

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (William Morrow, $25.99)

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill (Vintage, $14.00)

Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Scholastic Press, $17.99)

Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell (Alfred A. Knopf, $24.95)

Mariga Temple-West, July 2013