CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK CELEBRATION KICKS OFF AT BARRINGTON BOOKS!

May 13, 2013 By adenise

Barrington Books will host three blockbuster author events in honor of CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK, 2013. Children’s Book Week, celebrated nationally from May 13-19, is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country, with commemorative events held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores–wherever young readers and books connect.

The celebration at Barrington Books kicks off with a special presentation and book signing by bestselling authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black–creators of THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES–on Wednesday, May 15th, from 6-8pm. The first fifty guests will receive a free, limited edition sketchbook by Tony DiTerlizzi!

TonyDiTerlizzi&HollyBlack-Credit Angela DeFrances

Spiderwick authors Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi
Photo credit: Angela DeFrances

THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES–about three siblings who have adventures in the fantastical world of fairy–boasts more than 12 million copies in print worldwide, has been adapted into a feature film, and translated in more than thirty countries. To mark the series’ tenth anniversary, Simon & Schuster is reissuing the books with all-new covers by Tony DiTerlizzi.

The Spiderwick Chronicles 10th Anniversary Edition

Barrington Books will have all the new editions on hand at the event, along with several others of the authors’ bestselling titles.

To accommodate the large audience that is expected for the SPIDERWICK event, the presentation and book signing will be held in an event space adjacent to the store. For more information, please call Barrington Books at 401-245-7925.

Next, story hour fans who enjoy listening to read-alouds from host Margie Reed in the store’s beautiful children’s book section every Thursday at 10am, will get a special treat on Thursday, May 16th. Mary Jane Begin, author and illustrator of the new picture book: MY LITTLE PONY: UNDER THE SPARKLING SEA and many other award-winning titles, will read her new book and do a special MY LITTLE PONY drawing demonstration for the kids.

MY LITTLE PONY: UNDER THE SPARKLING SEA is a brand new My Little Pony underwater adventure-written and illustrated by award-winning author-illustrator, Mary Jane Begin, and published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

The store’s week-long celebration concludes with a Middle Grade Authors Night featuring readings, signings and Q&A with four award-winning children’s novelists on Friday, May 17th from 6:30-8pm.

This year’s fabulous Middle Grade Author Panel includes:

Kimberly Newton Fusco author of BEHOLDING BEE

Kimberly Newton Fusco is the author of BEHOLDING BEE and two other novels, TENDING TO GRACE and THE WONDER OF CHARLIE ANNE, both of which garnered many accolades. TENDING TO GRACE received the American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award and a starred review in Booklist. THE WONDER OF CHARLIE ANNE was an ALA Amelia Bloomer Selection and a Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year. In a starred review, Kirkus wrote: “Good humor, kindness and courage triumph in this warm, richly nuanced novel that cheers the heart like a song sweetly sung.”

Before becoming a novelist, Ms. Fusco was an award-winning reporter and editor for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. She lives in Foster, Rhode Island, with her family. You can visit her on the Web at kimberlynewtonfusco.com.

Lynda Mullaly Hunt, author of ONE FOR THE MURPHYS

Lynda Mullaly Hunt is the author of middle-grade novel, ONE FOR THE MURPHYS (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin), winner of The Tassy Walden Award: New Voices in Children’s Literature. She is also a former teacher and Scenario Writing coach. Lynda has been Director of the SCBWI-NE Whispering Pines Retreat for six years. Her second novel, ALPHABET SOUP is due out from the same publisher in spring, 2014. Lynda lives with her husband, two kids, impetuous beagle and beagle-loathing cat. You can visit her on the Web at http://lyndamullalyhunt.com.

Ammi-Joan Paquette, author of NOWHERE GIRL

Ammi-Joan (A.J.) Paquette is the author of NOWHERE GIRL (Walker, 2011), and THE TIPTOE GUIDE TO TRACKING MERMAIDS (Tanglewood, 2012), as well as the forthcoming novels PARADOX (Random House, 2013) and RULES FOR GHOSTING (Walker, 2013), and the picture book GHOST IN THE HOUSE (Candlewick, 2013). She is also a literary agent with Erin Murphy Literary Agency, representing children’s and YA authors. She lives outside of Boston with her family and her very tall to-read pile. You can visit her on the Web at http://www.ajpaquette.com

Kristen Tracy, author of THE REINVENTION OF BESSICA LEFTER

Kristen Tracy writes books for teens, tweens and young readers as well as poetry for adults. Her other novels for middle grade readers include CAMILLE MCPHEE FELL UNDER THE BUS, BESSICA LEFTER BITES BACK and TOO COOL FOR THIS SCHOOL (forthcoming, August 2013). She has also written several novels for teens/ young adults including LOST IT, A FIELD GUIDE FOR HEARTBREAKERS and SHARKS & BOYS. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and young son. You can visit her on the Web at http://www.kristentracy.com.

Panel moderator: Alyisha Foley

Alyisha Foley graduated from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, where she majored in English Literature. She’s been in the library field for 5 years and now works as the Assistant Children’s Librarian at the Abbot Public Library in Marblehead, MA. Her responsibilities include leading a weekly Story Hour; making realistic animal noises; knowing about the inner mechanics of glue sticks & googly eyes; providing glitter for the masses; and helping kids from infancy to 6th grade develop a lifelong passion for reading. Alyisha recently adopted an über-intelligent rabbit named Moxie Crimefighter. Moxie writes a Book Review blog for (juvenile) adults called “The Pooka Picks” at http://thepookapicks.wordpress.com. She reviews Middle Grade novels, as well as Young Adult & Adult Literature. If you’re looking for your next great read, Moxie can help you out. She has impeccable taste.

Visit Barrington Books at 184 County Road in Barrington or online at barringtonbooks.com.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: AJ Paquette, Children's Book Week, Holly Black, Kimberly Newton Fusco, Kristen Tracy, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Middle Grade Authors Night, teen author panels, The Spiderwick Chronicles 10th Anniversary Event, Tony DiTerlizzi

Jo Knowles to Skype with “Tween” Book Club in May

April 29, 2013 By mreed

On Sunday, May 26th the “tween” members of Barrington Book’s “I Heart Reading” book club are in for a special treat. Author Jo Knowles will join us at the bookstore via Skype to discuss “See You At Harry’s”. Knowles latest book, released last year, is said to have readers grabbing for tissues while at the same time, laughing out loud. And while our book club members are thrilled to talk to one of their favorite authors, we know too that Ms. Knowles will be challenged and engaged by the thought provoking and insightful questions posed by our well-read tweens.

Jo Knowles is a New England girl and writes what she knows. She and her family owned restaurants in New Hampshire. Perhaps you had a delicious ice cream cone from Keller’s Restaurant or dined at the fancier The Hathaway House. Her life took many turns, from bussing tables to rubbing elbows with celebrities, meeting a famous author and ultimately, publishing her first book in 2006, “Letters From A Dead Girl”.

The “Tween” book club meets on the last Sunday of the month. This May, circle the 26th on your calendar - the conversation with Jo Knowles begins at 11 a.m.

Interested in “See You At Harry’s?” Here’s a review:

Starting middle school brings all the usual challenges – until the unthinkable happens, and Fern and her family must find a way to heal.
Twelve-year-old Fern feels invisible. Her dad is always busy planning how to increase traffic to the family business. Her Mom is constantly going off to meditate. Her sister Sarah, who’s taking a “gap year” after high school, is too busy finding ways not to work; and her brother Holden is too focused on his new “friend” to pay attention to her. And then there’s Charlie: three years old, a “surprise” baby, and the center of everyone’s world.

If it wasn’t for Ran, Fern’s best and oldest friend, there would be nowhere to turn. Ran is always calm, always positive. His mantra “All will be well” is soothing in a way that nothing else seems to be. And when Ran says it, Fern can almost believe.

But when their lives are unexpectedly turned upside down, Fern feels more alone than ever, and responsible for the event that wrenches the family apart. All will not be well. Or at least, all will never be the same.

For more on Jo Knowles, check out her website http://www.joknowles.com/about.html

Filed Under: Uncategorized

An all-new My Little Pony adventure makes a splash!

April 17, 2013 By adenise

Maybe it’s our close proximity to the prestigious art school Rhode Island School of Design, or perhaps it’s because our towns are situated on their own little corner of the “sparkling sea”—but the East Bay of Rhode Island is a mecca for children’s books authors and illustrators.

One jewel among working artists in our community is none other than the gracious and talented author-illustrator Mary Jane Begin.

I have the great good fortune of being Ms. Begin’s neighbor—and friend, as well as the event-planner for Barrington Books, so when she pitched me the idea to host a launch party for her all new picture book, My Little Pony: Under The Sparkling Sea at the store, she barely got the words out when I said, “Yes, yes, and YES!” my wheels immediately turning about how to make it a magical event.

After all, a brand new original My Little Pony picture book is a BIG DEAL! My Little Pony characters are held dear in the hearts of children. Their stories of friendship and adventure have captivated fans across the globe, from the hugely popular line of toys to the highly acclaimed “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” animated series, created by Hasbro Studios currently airing on The Hub TV Network in the United States.

The new book, My Little Pony: Under The Sparkling Sea, published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, brings to life a new underwater My Little Pony realm, “Aquastria” where an Annual Race is underway. The book incorporates many best-loved My Little Pony characters, and introduces some all-new under-the-sea friends.

Each page is a feast for the eyes, with vibrant color and Begin’s signature stunning detail. Readers will pour over every page of this gorgeously illustrated book, which officially releases on April 23, 2013.

As fans eagerly await its release and the fabulous launch party planned at Barrington Books on Saturday April 27, from 1-4pm, Mary Jane opened the doors of her sunlight-filled Barrington studio to talk with READ LOCAL about her creative process, and how this magical My Little Pony adventure came to be.

RL: What initially drew you to the project?

MJB: “This idea of creating an original story for some of the Hasbro branded characters was the brainchild of a classmate from RISD, Ed Lane, Senior Art Director at Hasbro. He told me he had this idea about creating a unique, beautiful series of picture books…and he thought I would be perfect! That was seven years ago over lunch at the Providence Art Club…things in life take twists and turns, but finally, that conversation turned into a reality two years ago and now the dream is about to land on the book shelf !!”

RL: What was it like to approach the story and art for such a well-known, well-loved brand and cast of characters?

MJB: “My initial concern was that I wouldn’t be able to bring my own voice into the world of My Little Pony…I feared that my artistic vision would run headlong into the expectations of the fans, and I thought it might be too restrictive to work with a corporation on a tightly controlled property.

What I discovered, in working with the Hasbro Publishing team, was that they were so supportive of my work, and trusted me as an artist and writer so very much, that I was allowed to explore with utter freedom. I read all of the scripts for the show, looked at both the toy and the animation style for the ponies…and then, quite literally, fell asleep. I was camping, napping in a tent a few feet from the lakes edge…and the water sound and the ponies merged! I woke up, jotted down the story in my head on a wrinkled piece of paper…and knew it would be a wonderful adventure, both the book and the story.”

RL: How long did it take you to complete the art?

MJB: “The whole project took about 18 months, from writing the story, laying the book out, creating the sketches and then final paintings. The paintings for the double pages are quite large for my detailed style and each one took from one week to three weeks to complete. All of the paintings were made in my little sunny studio in Barrington…a stone’s throw from Barrington Beach. If I needed watery inspiration…I would just take a walk!”

RL: What materials did you use?

MJB: “I used watercolor, pastel, colored pencil and some acrylic gloss medium on colored pastel paper to make the paintings. I wanted the colors to pop and shimmer, like a jellyfish in the sea, iridescent, sparkling and jewel like. I wanted the book to feel like a place you’d love to visit! I created characters in colors that would play off the brand’s bright hues…that’s why Nar Wally, the Narwhal character is shimmery white, to reflect the ponies vibrant tones. The paintings will be on exhibit, opening the last weekend in June at the National Museum of American Illustration…http://www.americanillustration.org. My Little Pony: Under the Sparkling Sea will be on display in Rhode Island’s City-By-The-Sea seems like a good match to me!”

MARY JANE BEGIN is a Rhode Island–based award-winning illustrator known in particular for her acclaimed and much-beloved picture books, including Before I Go to Sleep, The Wind in the Willows, A Mouse Told His Mother, Little Mouse’s Painting, and The Porcupine Mouse. She has also done work for Hasbro, Milton Bradley, See’s Candies, The Franklin Mint, Celestial Seasonings, Disney, and many other companies, and she is a professor at Rhode Island School of Design. Visit her website www.maryjanebegin.com for more information on her books.

Don’t miss the Premiere Book Launch Party for

My Little Pony: Under The Sparkling Sea

by Mary Jane Begin

Saturday, April 27th 1-4pm

featuring

* A signing by the author

* My Little Pony face-painting

* A special collectible My Little Pony for our guests (while supplies last)

* The chance to win a My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Walkin’ Talkin’ Pinkie Pie

[For more information, see our event page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Barrington.Books]

*Interviewing by Anika Denise

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: My Little Pony

Arthur Solomon Talks Business, Baseball and the Importance of Giving Back

March 25, 2013 By adenise

Art Soloman’s baseball career peaked at age 12 when he was an all-star shortstop in the New Haven Little League. But his love of baseball continued, nurtured by countless trips to the ballpark.

During the 1950s, he spent his time in “the house that Ruth built” watching the great decade of the NY Yankees. In the 1960s, while working in Washington D.C., it was the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. When his career brought him back to New York City in the 1980s and 90s, he split his time between Shea (The Mets) and a new Yankee Stadium. Eventually, Mr. Soloman made his way up to New England, transferring his rooting passion to Fenway and the Boston Red Sox.

Although the cities and the stadiums changed, one thing did not–his love of America’s national pastime. Today, Mr. Soloman has turned his passion for baseball into a highly successful business as the owner of two Minor League Baseball teams: the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

In his new book, Making It In The Minors: A Team Owner’s Lessons in the Business of Baseball, Solomon chronicles his career as a team owner, and explains how he and his staff utilize creative marketing, entertainment and community involvement to make the teams successful businesses off-the-field.

READ LOCAL sat down for a chat with the author in advance of his signing at Barrington Books onSaturday, March 30th from 1-3pm.

RL: You describe yourself as lifelong lover of baseball. Was owning a MiLB team something you’d always wanted to do?

AS: “While I’ve loved baseball from the time that my father use to take me to Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium when I was 6 years old, I never contemplated buying a Minor League team until 8-9 years ago. A couple of investment bankers who specialize in selling professional sports teams spoke to a men’s group that I belong to about the business of sports. I found their presentation so intriguing that I followed up with them. Since I was dating my wife at that time, and she is such an avid Red Sox fan, my original idea was to buy the Pawtucket Red Sox and use the center field jumbotron to propose marriage. While I failed to acquire the Pawtucket Red Sox, I did end up buying the New Hampshire Fisher Cats with the help of the same bankers and found another venue for my proposal.”

RL: The book is a manifesto on the business of sports franchise ownership; but it’s also very personal with anecdotes from your life and experiences. What made you decide to write Making it In The Minors?

AS: “I decided to write this book for two reasons. First, while there are hundreds of sports-related books about what takes place on the playing field there are few that are written about the equally interesting and entertaining activities that take place behind the scenes, on what I refer to as the business side of sports. My second reason is that I have 8 grandchildren who will likely inherit at least one of the three Minor League teams that my family owns but are too young to understand what goes into owning and operating a professional sports franchise. I wanted to put into writing some of the knowledge, experiences and lessons that I’ve learned that might be useful, or at least entertaining for them.

RL: The first chapter begins with a quote: ‘Minor League Baseball is the last font porch left in America.’ What did you mean by that?

AS: “In a simpler, earlier time people used to sit on their front porch and talk to their neighbors, listen to baseball games on the radio and interact more with others in their community. I believe that baseball, as our national pastime, still provides many of those wonderful earlier experiences and opportunities.”

RL: In the book, you discuss how MiLB has undergone a transformation in the past few decades from a scattering of mom and pop owned teams with outdated ballparks, to more polished professional management and investment in new stadiums and state-of-the-art amenities. To what do you attribute that evolution?

AS: “Some individual entrepreneurs recognized that Minor League Baseball could offer the kind of affordable family entertainment that isn’t available with many other forms of entertainment. While you often see multigenerational fans at a baseball game–try to get family members from different generations to listen to the same music, or select the same movie. Because of its universal appeal, a few entrepreneurs–then later even more–began to acquire Minor League baseball teams and brought with them professional management, marketing and advertising savvy and numerous amenities that hadn’t been available previously. And in executing this strategy, they were able to create a profitable small business model.

RL: Although the subject of the book is MiLB, it seems the book has universal business/marketing/branding strategies that could be applied to other small businesses across industries such as hospitality, retail, arts and entertainment. What other audiences might benefit from reading this book?

AS: “I would say that anyone who is involved with any type of business, professional practice, nonprofit group or cultural activity that desires to create a favorable reputation within their community would definitely benefit from reading about the myriad strategies used by successful MiLB teams to build their fan and business base, customize their marketing and become a well regarded organization within their local and regional community. While my wife may be bias, when she read the book draft she said that all the real estate agents in her company, Residential Properties, as well as those in other firms would truly benefit from reading this book.

RL: One of my favorite passages in the book comes at the end, when you discuss how important giving back to the local community is to you. Was that something you intrinsically understood at the outset, or did you come by it more gradually through your ownership of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at the Bowling Green Hot Rods?

AS: “I believe that it was a combination of the two. On the one hand, I was brought up to believe that if you are fortunate in life that you have both the obligation and the responsibility to give back. For example, when I was a couple of years out of college I participated in Crossroads Africa, a precursor to the Peace Corps, and later worked for a few years in the antipoverty program in Washington D.C.. So, in part, it was in my DNA. On the other hand, as I got to know the local communities better over time my desire to support local nonprofit groups, hospitals, senior citizen centers, youth groups, etc. clearly intensified.”

Arthur Solomon will be signing copies of Making It In The Minors: A Team Owner’s Lessons in the Business of Baseball at Barrington Books on Saturday, March 30, from 1-3pm. Please call 401.245.7925 for more information or to reserve a signed copy!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Arthur P. Solomon, Making It In The Minors: A Team Owner’s Lessons in the Business of Baseball

Local Authors Pick Their Favorite Romantic Reads

February 8, 2013 By adenise Leave a Comment

What defines a “romantic read?” Is it a classic like Romeo and Juliet? A collection of sensual sonnets? A steamy historical tale of romance and adventure?

When it comes to romantic reading, it’s not all black and white–or Shades of Gray. Romance is in the eye of the reader.

So, in honor of the upcoming Feast of Saint Valentine, we asked several local authors to tell us which books they consider to be the most “romantic reads” of all.

Kara LaReau

“Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. It’s hard not to fall in love with this quirky, poignant debut novel that explores the complicated nature of the human heart. When 14-year-old June’s beloved Uncle Finn dies, he leaves behind a mysterious artistic legacy, which leads June to question her romantic view of the world.”

Kara LaReau is the author of Snowbaby Could Not Sleep, the Rocko and Spanky stories, Ugly Fish, Rabbit and Squirrel, OTTO: The Boy Who Loved Cars, and Mr. Prickles: A Quill-Fated Love Story. She lives in Providence with her husband and two cats.

Raina C. Smith

“The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller is an oldie, but goodie, and one of my all-time favorite romantic reads! It’s one of those books I just couldn’t put down once I read the first chapter. The intense romance between Francesca–a woman who discovers the exhilaration true passion for the first time, and Robert Kincaid—a rugged world class photographer, is a story about the type of rare love which changes us forever.”

Raina C. Smith, a native Rhode Islander, is the author of The 13th Apostle, a thriller about the forces of good and evil and the soul of mankind. It is the first book in a trilogy.

Jon Land

“The most romantic read ever? I could answer that question a hundred ways, but I’m going to choose the most relevant: Gone With The Wind. Why? Because, as the great critic Leslie Fiedler tells us in his seminal work Love and Death in the American Novel, it changed the nature of romance in American fiction forever. Up until then, all the great relationships in American literature had been between men: Huck and Jim, Natty Bumpo and Chinggotchgook, Ishmael and Quequeag. But Gone With The Wind altered that landscape and paradigm forever. Our books and our writers were never the same again after publication of the Mitchell classic.”

Jon Land is the bestselling author over 25 novels including Strong Vengeance and Pandora’s Temple. He lives in Providence.

Mark Peter Hughes

“Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. As the youngest of three daughters, Tita is required by her family to remain unmarried and take care of her domineering mother, spending most of her days preparing meals that she fills with her own powerful but repressed emotions. It’s a wild and sometimes funny family drama set in Mexico and filled with food, earthy magic, and unrequited love.”

Mark Peter Hughes is the author of novels for teens and ‘tweens including Lemonade Mouth Puckers Up, A Crack in the Sky, I Am the Wallpaper, and Lemonade Mouth (now a Disney Channel Original Movie musical). Mark grew up in Barrington and now lives in Massachusetts with his family.

Jamie Michalak

“Romeo and Juliet, Rhett and Scarlett, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth . . . pshaw! When it comes to the world’s most romantic couple, look no further than George and Martha. These best friends are clearly smitten with each other. Their hippo-sized love conquers all, including Martha’s split pea soup. To avoid hurting her feelings, George eats ten bowls of it, even though he hates split pea soup. And when Martha catches him pouring the eleventh bowl into his loafers? Well, she understands and makes him cookies instead. Now what could be more romantic than that?”

Jamie Michalak is a children’s book author. Her books include So You Want to Catch Bigfoot? and the Joe and Sparky series of early readers. She lives in Barrington with her husband and two sons.

Jackie Hennessy

“Choclatique: 150 Simply Elegant Desserts by Ed Engoron is like a chocoholic’s dream. This man KNOWS chocolate, and as a chocoholic, I worship his culinary creations. Engoron has traveled the globe to find the best chocolate in the world and features 150 dessert recipes for this book. Every recipe in the beautifully-illustrated book is easy to make and ‘Death-by-Chocolate’ good. Imagine the romantic gifts you’ll receive from your spouse after serving luscious chocolate custard? I promise, these easy but elegant desserts will have your other half calling for a sitter!”

Jackie Hennessy is the author of How to Spread Sanity on a Cracker: Mom-to-Mom Whines, Cheese, Rants and Recipes. She lives in Barrington with her family.

Peter Mandel

“One of the most original novelists writing in English, Britain’s William Boyd is still a question mark to many readers on this side of the Atlantic. Part spy-thriller and part historical novel, his new “Waiting for Sunrise” is an offbeat ‘romantic read’ because the main character is a young Englishman with fairly traditional views on love who keeps getting tangled up with women who have, er, slightly more blunt ideas about what it means to connect.”

Peter Mandel is an adventure travel journalist and the author of nine children’s books including Jackhammer Sam (Macmillan) and Zoo Ah-Choooo (Holiday House). He lives in Providence with his wife, Kathy, and cats, Betty, Emily and Cecil.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Barrintgon Books, Jackie Hennessey, Jamie Michalak, Jon Land, Kara LaReau, mark peter hughes, Peter Mandel, Raina C. Smith, Rhode Island Authors, Romanic reads

Baby, it’s cold outside…

January 18, 2013 By adenise Leave a Comment

Brrr, the winter chill seems to have set in. Time to curl up in front of the fire with a good book! Need a winter reading recommendation? As always, Barrington Books has you covered.

Dick Wolf – THE INTERCEPT

Dick Wolf, producer of the crime drama LAW & ORDER has written his debut novel, a thriller about NYPD detective Jeremy Fisk. Jeremy and his partner, Kristen Gersten, are in a race against time to solve a terrorist plot. It’s well-written, suspenseful, with surprising plot twists—everything you want in a crime thriller. And it’s the first in a series, so there will be more to come!

Janet Evanovich & Dorien Kelly – THE HUSBAND LIST

The latest from New York Times bestselling writing duo Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly, THE HUSBAND LIST is a historic mystery set in New York City in 1894–during the gilded age of Vanderbilts and Rockefellers. Like the film Titanic, it explores the lavish lifestyles of the privileged and the importance of marrying into the right family. And of course, the main character falls for someone with no money and no title. This novel has romance, intrigue and adventure—a great Valentine’s Day read or gift for your sweetheart.

Alisa Valdes – THE FEMINIST AND THE COWBOY: AN UNLIKELY LOVE STORY

A love story of another sort – THE FEMINIST AND THE COWBOY is a new memoir by Alisa Valdes about how falling in love with a sexy cowboy turned her feminist beliefs upside down. This book is getting a ton of buzz. It’s a real-life romance novel, but also a sassy, intelligent, thought-provoking and entertaining read.

FOR TEENS

Libba Bray – THE DIVINERS

A staff favorite at Barrington Books, THE DIVINERS is a rich, historic supernatural thriller set in 1920’s New York. It has great characters, fabulous dialogue and an intriguing plot. The main character Evie O’Neill is sent to live with her Uncle, a curator at “The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies” in NY. We won’t spoil it, but Evie and her uncle get involved in a murder investigation and Evie has a secret power that can help solve it.

Lois Lowry – SON

Before THE HUNGER GAMES, came Lowry’s gripping dystopian saga. SON is the long-awaited conclusion to Lois Lowry’s Newberry medal-winning book THE GIVER. There are three previous books in this series, and SON is the thrilling series finale. Why not get all four books and hunker down with the series?

Patricia C. Wrede – THE FAR WEST

This is another conclusion to a bestselling staff-loved series. It’s a fantasy series about magic on the western frontier. We love that it blends dragons and other fantasy elements with the old west. Wrede is a fantastic writer; and again, it’s a trilogy, so perfect time to read all three.

Pete Hautman - THE BIG CRUNCH

This is a teen romance, but don’t expect any swooning vampires or any of the typical young-adult romance clichés. We love this book because it’s a smart, funny look at teenage love, and because it’s a book both teen girls AND boys will relate to.

PICTURE BOOKS

In the picture book category, great winter reads are ones your child can cozy up on your lap and read, and often have wintertime themes, like this one:

Lauren Thompson – POLAR BEAR MORNING

This is the companion book the wildly successful POLAR BEAR NIGHT. We love the sweet and simple text, and the illustrations are bright with big bold shapes – perfect for the young reader, and perfect to snuggle up with and read on a chilly winter day.

Lane Smith – ABE LINCOLN’S DREAM

Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is in February, so you might want to read a book with some Presidential themes. One of our favorites at Barrington Books is ABE LINCOLN’S DREAM by Lane Smith.

A schoolgirl gets separated from her tour of the White House and finds herself in the Lincoln bedroom, where she discovers the ghost of the great man himself. They embark on a little journey together and Lincoln has all sorts of questions for the girl about the nation in the future. It’s funny, touching and a great way to start a discussion about Abe Lincoln.

Kara LaReau – MR. PRICKLES: A QUILL-FATED LOVE STORY

Our pick for a friendship and “love” themed picture book for kids is MR. PRICKLES: A QUILL-FATED LOVE STORY by Providence-based author Kara LaReau. It’s the story of Mr. Prickles, a porcupine, who is shunned by the softer creatures of the forest because he’s “tough to get close to,” until one day he meets Miss Pointypants and the two make a love connection. Plenty of funny porcupine puns, and great illustrations!

Check out Margie Reed presenting Barrington Books’ Winter Reading recommendations on

THE RHODE SHOW:

Beat cabin fever with winter reading

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Winter Reads

Home Sweet Home Cooking

January 11, 2013 By adenise Leave a Comment

I’ve lived in Rhode Island going on about fifteen years, now. I love this little state.

I think the moment I fell in love was when my husband Chris brought me to Hemenways in Providence on our first “Rhode Island” date. We sat in the large light-filled raw bar while shuckers Dave and Dave (yes, both had the same name) brought out plates of perfectly shucked Matanuck and Moonstone oysters, delicate littlenecks, cherrystones, and cold glasses of crisp white wine.

After the sun set, we strolled over the river, where a new public art installation called ‘WaterFire’ was about to begin. A small crowd gathered as we watched the gondolas glide across the water, gradually setting the river alight. It was a magical evening. I remember feeling that it wasn’t just my date wooing me, but the city of Providence, as well. They had both won me over.

Since that first date, I’ve found many other reasons to fall in love with Rhode Island–the communities, the people, the coastline, and of course–the food. Rhode Island has a distinct and diverse food culture, not to mention restaurants that rival and often surpass larger culinary capitals like New York and Boston.

So, when I opened Linda Beaulieu’s The Providence & Rhode Island Cookbook: Big Recipes for the Smallest State (2nd Edition), it felt like a stroll down memory lane–a reminder of all the places and dishes and reasons why I love Rhode Island. With beautiful color photographs of Rhode Island’s culinary landmarks interspersed with recipes and photos of their best-loved dishes, this cookbook is simply a must-have for every Rhode Islander, or anyone who appreciates its food and culture.

From quintessential stuffed Quahogs, to Federal Hill Antipasto, to Saugy Dawgies, to Coffee Cabinets, to Zeppoles, Beaulieu’s ode to Rhode Island cuisine contains 200 recipes along with engaging sidebars and state lore.

In honor of Linda’s launch of the 2nd edition of her classic Rhode Island cookbook at Barrington Books tomorrow, I decided to cook up some ‘Linguini and White Clam Sauce’ using Linda’s recipe.

I’ve made the dish before. In fact, it was one of the first “real meals” I learned to cook after college. I’ll admit, though, I used canned clams and never really followed a recipe, I just threw it all together.

As Linda mentions, almost every Italian restaurant in Rhode Island offers some version of this dish– so it seemed an appropriate one to try. The best chefs use fresh clams, which luckily are abundant in our little state.

It was delicious! The best I’ve made.

Here’s a sneak peek at the recipe:

White Clam Sauce

*Courtesy of The Providence & Rhode Island Cookbook: Big Recipes for the Smallest State by Linda Beaulieu

6 dozen fresh clams in their shell

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons butter

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsely

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Scrub the clams with a stiff brush. Rinse well under cold running water. In a large stockpot, steam the clams in 1 inch of water for 5 minutes, or until the shells open. Discard any clams that do not open. Remove meat fom the clamshells and chop finely. Set clam meat aside. Strain clam juice from pot.

In a large frying pan, heat the oil and butter. Add the garlic and cook until golden brown–be careful not to burn as it will taste bitter. Add the clam juice to the frying pan. Add the parsley, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.

Add the chopped clams to the skillet to warm thoroughly. Pour this sauce over hot cooked linguini.

A note in the recipe said you could add a half a cup of dry white wine to the clam juice for extra flavor, which I did. I also left a few of the clams whole and in the shell for presentation.

I poured the remaining wine into two glasses. One for me, and one for my husband. We had a nice meal, and toasted the “divine providence” of our meeting–and making a home in our beloved “Little Rhody.”

-*Blogging (and Cooking) by Anika Denise

Linda Beaulieu will sign copies of The Providence & Rhode Island Cookbook: Big Recipes for the Smallest State – 2nd Edition, at Barrington Books tomorrow (Saturday, January 12th) from 1-3pm

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The ‘Zen’ of shopping local & last minute

December 19, 2012 By adenise Leave a Comment

I was chatting with a friend on Saturday who mentioned she had not yet begun her holiday shopping! [Insert sharp intake of breath here.] This is a mom. With three kids. And a large extended family.

I blinked, then stared at her wide-eyed searching her face for signs of stress — or jest. ”Are you planning on taking a trip instead?” I asked. “Or making edible gifts this year?”

“Nope,” she said cheerily. “I shop the week before Christmas every year. I stick to a few of my favorite stores, shop local, and I’m always happy with what I buy.”

Wow. This was a revelation to a person like me, with my meticulous lists and a designated “gift cabinet” for squirreling away holiday purchases I’ve picked up throughout the year. To think of someone shopping last minute by design was a total “Aha” moment!

It makes complete sense, really, particularly in the context of staying within your community to find truly unique and inspired gifts for family, friends, teachers and colleagues. Local independent shops go the extra mile to make even your last minute shopping experience a great one.

At Barrington Books and The Studio, for instance, you can listen to live holiday music while you shop for bestsellers, cookbooks, toys, puzzles, Alex & Ani, holiday candles, tableware, stocking stuffers and more! Pop into Grasmere and smell the delicious spicy scents of complimentary hot cider to sip while you browse their greenery and gifts. At Hollies and Daisy Diggins, you will frequently meet local artisans featuring fine lines of jewelry, or hear carolers sing while you shop.

And most important for last minute holiday shoppers: The local shops WRAP YOUR GIFTS… for free.

Compare these personal touches to the chaos and long lines of big box stores, and suddenly last minute holiday shopping is dare I say…FUN? So whether you are practicing the “Zen of Last Minute Shopping,” or checking your list and realizing, “Holy sugar-cookies, I forgot to buy a gift for Grandma!” we’d like to help.

Here are a few fabulous last-minute gift suggestions from our book, toy, and gift-loving staff.

And from all of us at Barrington Books and The Studio, we wish you a peaceful, safe, and joyous holiday.

LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS

SUTTON

By J.R. Moehringer

“In Willie Sutton, the greatest bank-robber of all time, thinker and lover, escape artist extraordinaire, [J.R. Moehringer] has found an historical subject equal to his vivid imagination, gimlet journalistic eye, and pitch-perfect ear for dialogue. The result is a terrific first novel by turns suspenseful, funny, romantic, and sad–in short, a book you won’t be able to put down.”– John Burnham Schwartz, author of “Reservation Road” and “The Commoner.”

MISFIT

By Adam Braver

Marilyn Monroe is one of the most iconic figures in the history of Hollywood, and her legendary work on the big screen is eclipsed only perhaps by the legend of her life off it. Bristol, RI-based author Adam Braver’s Misfit centers on the last weekend of Monroe’s life, which she spent at Frank Sinatra’s resort, the Cal Neva Lodge, in Lake Tahoe. Melding facts with fiction, Braver takes moments throughout Monroe’s life—her childhood, her marriages with Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, her studies with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio, and her role in The Misfits, the film Miller wrote for her—and explores how they informed her tragic end.

THE WALNUT TREE: A HOLIDAY TALE

By Charles Todd

The mother and son authors of the acclaimed Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford mysteries return with a bittersweet love story. Set at Christmas during the dangerous opening days of World War II, The Walnut Tree is a delightful holiday gift in the tradition of the award-winning television series “Downton Abbey.” A poignant, compelling tale brimming with adventure, danger, and love.

LEONARDO AND THE LAST SUPPER

By Ross King

Early in 1495, Leonardo da Vinci began work in Milan on what would become one of history’s most influential and beloved works of art: The Last Supper. In his compelling new book, Ross King explores how amid war and the political and religious turmoil around him, and beset by his own insecurities and frustrations—Leonardo created the masterpiece that would forever define him. As King explains, many of the myths that have grown up around The Last Supper are wrong, but its true story is even more interesting.

THE LITTLE BOOKSTORE OF BIG STONE GAP: A MEMOIR OF FRIENDSHIP, COMMUNITY, AND THE UNCOMMON PLEASURE OF A GOOD BOOK

By Wendy Welch

“In a time when brick and mortar bookstores around the country are literally imperiled, “The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap” comes along like a cool compress on a nagging wound; with humor, compassion, and a bold leap of spirit, Wendy Welch leads us back to this nearly forgotten truth, that bookstores are not simply distribution hubs for books, they are the warm living rooms of our culture, the portal to our dream worlds, the anchors for our hungry, drifting souls. Buy this book!” –Andre Dubus III, author of The House of Sand and Fog.

RISE TO GREATNESS: ABRAHAM LICOLN AND AMERICA’S MOST PERILOUS YEAR

By David Von Drehle

As 1862 dawned, the American republic was at death’s door. The federal government appeared overwhelmed, the U.S. Treasury was broke, and the Union’s top general was gravely ill. The Confederacy—with its booming economy, expert military leadership, and commanding position on the battlefield—had a clear view to victory. To a remarkable extent, the survival of the country depended on the judgment, cunning, and resilience of the unschooled frontier lawyer who had recently been elected president.

Twelve months later, the Civil War had become a cataclysm but the tide had turned. The Union generals who would win the war had at last emerged, and the Confederate Army had suffered the key losses that would lead to its doom. The blueprint of modern America—an expanding colossus of industrial and financial might—had been indelibly inked. And the man who brought the nation through its darkest hour, Abraham Lincoln, had been forged into a singular leader.

In Rise to Greatness, acclaimed author David Von Drehle has created both a deeply human portrait of America’s greatest president and a rich, dramatic narrative about our most fateful year.

SAILOR TWAIN: OR, MERMAID ON THE HUDSON

By Mark Siegel

One hundred years ago. On the foggy Hudson River, a riverboat captain rescues an injured mermaid from the waters of the busiest port in the United States. A wildly popular—and notoriously reclusive—author makes a public debut. A French nobleman seeks a remedy for a curse. As three lives twine together and race to an unexpected collision, the mystery of the Mermaid of the Hudson deepens. A mysterious and beguiling love story with elements of Poe, Twain, Hemingway, and Greek mythology, drawn in moody black-and-white charcoal, Sailor Twain is a study in romance, atmosphere, and suspense. Sailor Twain is one of The Washington Post’s Top 10 Graphic/Comic Reads of 2012.

LAUREN CONRAD BEAUTY

By Lauren Conrad

Whether she’s in front of the camera or behind the scenes, style icon Lauren Conrad has spent years learning from the pros and perfecting her look, and now she’s sharing all her beauty secrets. In her first guide dedicated exclusively to beauty, Lauren covers everything you need to know to maximize your own beauty potential. From tips for creating a strong foundation and maintaining healthy skin and hair through diet, exercise, and all-around wellness to everyday makeup techniques and tricks of the trade for special-occasion looks, Lauren Conrad Beauty provides the advice.

MY IDEAL BOOKSHELF

By Jane Mount

Here, dozens of cultural figures share the books that mattered most—books that define their dreams and ambitions, and in many cases helped them find their way in the world. With colorful and endearingly hand-rendered images of book spines by Jane Mount, and first-person commentary from all the contributors, this is the perfect gift for avid readers, writers and all who have known the influence of a great book.

THE ROLLING STONES 50

By Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts

On Thursday, July 12, 1962, the Rolling Stones went on stage at the Marquee Club in London’s Oxford Street. In the intervening fifty years the Stones have performed live in front of more people than any band… ever. With more than 1,000 illustrations, this book features some of the most rare and interesting memorabilia in existence: international posters, draft record cover art, bubblegum cards, jigsaws and other previously unpublished treasures specially photographed for this volume.

FOR KIDS & TEENS

THE DIVINERS

By Libba Bray

Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City–and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult–also known as “The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies.”

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer–if he doesn’t catch her first

A WRINKLE IN TIME QUINTET (SLIPCASED COLLECTOR’S EDITION)

By Madeline L’Engle

After Meg and Charles Wallace Murry and Calvin O’Keefe defeated evil and saved the universe in the Newbery Medal-winning classic A Wrinkle in Time, their adventures didn’t end. The other books in the Wrinkle in Time Quintet take readers to the deep past and distant future, to the far reaches of the galaxy and the inner workings of the human heart. A beautiful hardcover gift edition, complete with blue gilded pages and a slipcase, brings together the stories of A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time for true fans of this iconic series.

STARRY RIVER OF THE SKY

By Grace Lin

Newbery honor author Grace Lin’s Starry River of the Sky is filled with Chinese folklore, fascinating characters, and exciting new adventures. Publishers Weekly said: “The lively mix of adventure, mystery, and fantasy, supported by compelling character development and spellbinding language, will captivate a wide swath of readers.”

BOOK & TOY PAIRINGS

GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE paired with BRUDER TRUCK

LITTLE TUG paired with GREEN TOYS TUGBOAT

—I MUST HAVE BOBO! paired with BLABLA SOCK MONKEY

DON’T LET THE PIGEON FINISH THIS ACTIVITY BOOK paired with PLUSH PIGEON

FOR THE CHEF

NOW EAT THIS! ITALIAN: FAVORITE DISHES FROM THE REAL MAMA’S OF ITALY

By Rocco DiSpirito

In his signature style, DiSpirito has recreated 100 classic Italian recipes to be healthy and low in calories and fat-yet still full of flavor. After travelling to Italy and perfecting the dishes side-by-side with the chefs who make them best-the Italian mamas-he offers sinful pastas, sauces, and desserts you never thought you could eat while keeping healthy, including: Spaghetti with My Mama’s Meatballs, Mozzarella en Carozza, Chicken Parmigiana, Hand-Torn Pasta alla Bolognese, Sausage and Peppers, Classic Cannoli, Chocolate and Hazelnut Espresso Budino, and much more!

BAREFOOT CONTESSA: FOOLPROOF – RECIPES YOU CAN TRUST

By Ina Garten

Millions of people love Ina Garten because she writes recipes that make home cooks look great; family and friends shower them with praise and yet the dishes couldn’t be simpler to prepare using ingredients found in any grocery store.

For Ina, “foolproof” means more than just making one dish successfully; it’s also about planning a menu, including coordinating everything so it all gets to the table at the same time. In Barefoot Contessa Foolproof, Ina shows you how to make a game plan so everything is served hot while you keep your cool. There are notes throughout detailing where a recipe can go wrong to keep you on track, plus tips for making recipes in advance. It’s as though Ina is there in the kitchen with you guiding you every step of the way.

With 150 gorgeous color photographs and Ina’s invaluable tips, Barefoot Contessa Foolproof is a stunning yet infinitely practical cookbook that home cooks will turn to again and again.

THE ART OF COOKING WITH VEGETABLES

By ALAIN PASSARD

Alain Passard astonished the food world in 2001 by removing red meat from his three-Michelin-starred Paris restaurant L’Arpège, and dedicating himself to cooking with vegetables, supplied exclusively from his own organic farm. Today L’Arpège is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s great restaurants, while its visionary owner has inspired a new generation of chefs. Here is a collection of forty-eight wonderful recipes illustrated with Alain Passard’s own joyful collages.

JACQUES PEPIN: NEW COMPLETE TECHNIQUES

The time-tested recipes from Jacques Pépin - grand master of cooking skills and methods – will show everyone, from the greenest home cook to the seasoned professional, how to put techniques into practice. This completely revised edition includes thousands of color and black-and-white photographs throughout and is redesigned to make it even easier to follow the step-by-step techniques.

FOR THE HOST

ILLUME BALSAM & CEDAR SOY CANDLE

A comforting blend of fresh balsam and oak moss intertwines with aromatic cedarwood, cinnamon and eucalyptus to create the very essence of the holiday season.

—

ALEX & ANI KEYCHAINS

Alex & Ani Keychains are the perfect way to spread a little joy and positive energy to the host or anyone on your holiday gift list.

FOR EVERYONE

KOBO GLO and KOBO MINI

For the e-reader on your list, Barrington Books has a full line of KOBO eReaders, eReading accessories, and ebooks from Kobo’s catalog of nearly 3 million titles.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: gift books, Holiday Gifts, Last minute gifts

Q&A With Sebastian Cole, Author of Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love

December 7, 2012 By adenise Leave a Comment

I have never interviewed a writer–or anyone for that matter–who embodies the term “hopeless romantic” as much as Sebastian Cole. He is kind. He is self-deprecating, and yes, hopeless when it comes to talking about love. And I mean that in the most complimentary sense of the word. There is a genuine absence of cynicism, a love of life–and of love–that comes through when he discusses the journey of writing his first novel Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love.

Sand Dollar is an epic love story about “the one who got away.” A man on his deathbed describes his life of love and loss to a wise orderly, only to discover a far greater truth about the past, present, and future. The book has been nominated as finalist in the ForeWord Firsts debut literary competition for first-time authors. Reviewers have compared Cole’s writing to Nicholas Sparks, best-selling author of The Notebook, who also happens to be Cole’s favorite author.

Read Local sat down with Mr. Cole, a native Rhode Islander and graduate of Brown University, for a chat about what it was like to pen his debut novel.

RL: What was your inspiration for Sand Dollar?

SC: “Once, while snorkeling on vacation, I spotted a sand dollar on the ocean floor. I dove down and picked it up, whereupon it exploded in my hand and disappeared in the surrounding water. For me, the sand dollar has come to represent life, and how fragile life really is. Just like the sand dollar, the blessings we have in our lives today are easily shattered tomorrow. I wrote Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love because I wanted the world to look at sand dollars the way I do.

Eight years ago, after watching the movie The Notebook, I said to myself, I could do that. I could write a story like that. In fact, most of us probably could. That’s because we have all experienced the loss of a loved one at some point in our lives. And for far too many of us, and for whatever circumstances, the one we loved was “the one who got away.” I’ve had one, and chances are, you’ve had one too! Sand Dollar tells of such a love – a love gained, a love lost, and through it all, a love that just won’t die.”

RL: Like your favorite author Nicholas Sparks, you do not have an MFA in writing or any formal training. How did you approach writing your first novel? Tell us a bit about what the writing process was like for you.

SC: “Great question! I originally created Sand Dollar as a movie treatment. After kicking it around for a couple of months with my brother, who has experience in writing screenplays, I decided to novelize the story. But who knew writing a novel would be so difficult? I certainly didn’t. What I thought would take a couple of months, took a couple of years. Fortunately, I’m the type of person who believes I can achieve anything I set my mind to as long as I give it my all and don’t give up. So I figured I’d pick up the skills along the way, which is exactly how it went.

It took me five months to get to the “finish line” of my manuscript – that magical day when you write, “THE END.” Although I didn’t know it at the time, looking back, the first draft wasn’t written very well. The first thing I did was to send it out to those of my friends who read a lot, to get constructive criticism. This worked out great. After rewriting the story multiple times, I hired a professional to critique it. This also proved invaluable. I soon learned Lesson One in writing: writing is rewriting. There’d always be room for improvement.

By this point in time during this process, I felt that the story had risen to a level of brilliance. But what about my writing style and voice? It needed to be just as good as the best-selling authors’, because they don’t put an asterisk next to your name along with an explanation about your education. So I spent months combing through the manuscript, trying to bring the level of writing up to the level of the story.

When I felt that I couldn’t do any more based on my own limitations, I hired an editor. The first thing she did was cross off 5,000 unnecessary words. For instance, you shouldn’t write, “run fast.” You should simply write, “run”, because obviously if you’re running, it’s fast. Who knew?? Besides copy-editing, my editor did developmental editing, too, telling me where the story needed to be improved. It was kind of like digging for treasure – she’d tell me where to dig, and I’d come up with something great, as if she knew I had it in me before I ever did. I learned a lot simply by reading her edits and comments, and I became a better writer for it. She even told me that she never experienced anyone like me before, who learned so quickly, accomplishing everything she’d hoped for on my first try.

Finally, after rewriting the manuscript for a period of two years, it was ready to be published. And in the process, I learned how to write.

RL: Would you say, then, that having to learn as you went along was your greatest challenge in writing Sand Dollar?

SC: “When you’re writing a novel, there’s no such thing as a challenge that can’t be overcome. There’s always a solution, and it’s usually found in the story itself. The biggest challenge for me so far has not been in the writing process, it has been in the marketing process. Writing a novel is the easy part.”

RL: There are a lot of aspiring writers who are probably thinking, “Sure, easy for you to say,” right now! So, what was your greatest reward?

SC: “First of all, let me start by pointing out that Sand Dollar has an average rating of 4.6 stars (out of 5 stars) on Amazon with 59 reviews so far. What’s consistent in all of the reviews is that the surprise ending was amazing, it was well written, they couldn’t put the book down, you should keep a box of Kleenex handy (perhaps the book should be packaged with one), and they can’t wait to read another book by the author. Some people who have reviewed Sand Dollar have even called it the best love story they’ve ever read, with many of them comparing me to Nicholas Sparks. Who knew?!

What I find most rewarding is that people who’ve read Sand Dollar, especially those who have lost a loved one, feel that the book was written just for them, as if the author expressed in words what they have always felt. One person wrote that the story “touched the very depths of her soul,” and she’ll “cherish the book forever.” She loved the book so much that she even had the book made into earrings! Another person wrote that Sand Dollar was her “lighthouse in the storm” — this coming from a woman who had just survived Hurricane Sandy. Another woman was moved to tears as she finished the book on Veterans Day, missing her father, a veteran. And the list goes on…

So, my greatest reward lies not in any number or rating. My greatest reward lies in the effect I’ve had on the lives of others through my writing. Writing Sand Dollar has been the single most gratifying thing I have ever done in my life. I only wish more people knew about Sand Dollar so they could read it. I honestly feel the world would benefit, if they only knew…”

RL: How wonderful to know your story has affected people so profoundly. So, what are you working on now? Any hints for readers about your next book?

SC: “I’m working with my brother on the screenplay adaptation of Sand Dollar. It would make a great movie! I’ll start working on my next book shortly. However, if I told you what it was about, I’d have to kill you! (Just kidding!) In the meantime, I’m focused on my greatest challenge to date — marketing.”

RL: Well, hopefully we did our small part to get the word out about your beautiful story. Thank you for telling us more about it how it came to be.

SC: “My pleasure.”

(Interviewing by Anika Denise)

Sebastian Cole will sign copies of Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love at Barrington Books on Thursday, December 13th at 6:30 pm.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love, Sebastian Cole

Now, that’s Italian!

November 26, 2012 By adenise Leave a Comment

Need a great gift for the chef in your life?

Dr. Ed Iannuccilli, author of Growing Up Italian, and What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner? and Teresa Bert, author of The Italian Way: Recipes from the Old Country, will be at Barrington Books this Sunday, December 2nd from 1-2:30pm signing copies of their books. Both authors are local and have written books inspired by their Rhode Island roots and Italian heritage.

In What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner? Dr. Ed vividly describes the daily experiences of growing up in the late ‘40’s and early ‘50’s. He follows the theme of his popular first book Growing up Italian: Grandfather’s Fig Tree and Other Stories with experiences that will return you to your childhood and make you wish you were enjoying family in many ways–particularly at Sunday dinner.

Dr. Edward A. Iannuccilli is a distinguished physician, educator and innovator, especially in his home state of Rhode Island. He was the first appointed Clinical Professor at Brown University Medical School and is a former Chairman of the Board at Rhode Island Hospital. He served on the board of Lifespan. As one of the founding principals of Ocean State Physicians Health Plan (later to become United Health Care), Dr. Iannuccilli became its third Chairman of the Board.

Teresa and her husband John got the idea for their book while chatting at a wedding with friends who were about to open an Italian Restaurant. Musings on menu yielded such a wealth of recipes ideas, the couple decided to do a cookbook of their very own. The Italian Way: Recipes from the Old Country, contains 61 recipes inspired by Teresa’s family traditions and experiences with Italian cooking. Her husband John did all the food photography for the book. A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Mary’s home for children in North Providence, Rhode Island.

Teresa Bert was born to an Italian family in New York City. In 1976, she moved to Rhode Island where she attended nursing school. She has worked as an Ob-Gyn Nurse Practitioner since 1986. She took her first cooking class the summer she was 9 years old and has been cooking and baking ever since. Teresa makes her home in Warwick, Rhode Island with her husband John, and her kitty Lola – both of whom enjoy her cooking.

John Bert, MD was born to an Italian family and was raised in New York City. He moved to Rhode Island with his family in 1974. John is a practicing Obstetrician Gynecologist in Providence, is faculty at Brown University School of Medicine, and freely admits to being incompetent in the kitchen. He has, however, been an avid amateur photographer since his childhood and has thoroughly enjoyed photographing and “testing the props” for his wife’s cookbook.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Dr. Ed Iannuccilli, Teresa Bert, The Italian Way: Recipes from the Old Country, What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner? Growing Up Italian