Comments on: savage by david almond, illustrated by dave mckean

By: oh

oh — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:40:03 +0000

Sad about the bookstore. Ugh. in fact, that’s awful news. But glad you found a special book. I really do have to open up my reading “doors.” And then, take a “reading” vacation. Thanks for this.

Ooooooo – a reading vacation sounds so good! I have the next week off of work, but it has unfortunately begun filling up with all kinds of other stuff. I think I may be able to fit in a fun book or two, however!

By: jeanie

jeanie — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:34:08 +0000

This sounds fascinating. Sometimes those unexpected finds are the best! I’m just sad you had to discover is because a beloved independent book store closed.

My friend Jane Rosemont is posting lots of photos and commentary from her recent trip to Bali at janerosemont.blogspot.com — I know you’re planning to visit, so stop by her blog!

Cheers and happy Easter!
thanks for the connection to Jane Rosemont, Jeanie. I have been hanging out at her blog. What great photos!!
Happy Easter to you, too :]

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:47:43 +0000

Alas, we have lost all our most wonderful independent bookstores here. My favourite now is a used bookstore. I can still find some treasures there, and the atmosphere is better than the mega, faceless, sterile stores, even with their cakes and espressos!

Can you tell I miss the old stores???
Wishing you a most Happy Easter!!

A used bookstore is fun, too. There is one in downtown Milwaukee that has been there FOREVER. It’s in a tottering old four story building downtown, and you have to wind your way through stacks and shelves and piles of books. The incredibly eccentric owner knows where everything is, and decides on the price by the looks of ye when you step up to his cash drawer. Lots of treasures there!
Happy Easter to you and Edward

By: Carl V.

Carl V. — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:01:00 +0000

I had forgotten about this book. I remember reading about it before it came out and perhaps someone read and reviewed it before, just don’t remember. I enjoy McKean’s artwork so much.

I’m so sad to hear about your bookstore. I hate seeing places like this close. A bookstore is so much more than simply a retail outlet, they are places where lives are changed and adventures are begun. I hate seeing them close down.

It is amazing how the scene has changed. There used to be at least four mystery book stores in Milwaukee. Now there is one, and I am amazed that it’s hanging in there!

Schwartz bookstores were pretty special. Coffee, of course, and a great sales staff. One of the stores had a life size diorama of Goodnight Moon that my kids really loved when they were little. Oh well, life is about change, I guess.

By: mashadutoit

mashadutoit — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:40:10 +0000

Oh yes – I do enjoy David Almond. Sometimes, disturbing as Litlove says. I’ve read Clay and The Fire Eaters. And Skellig is magical. I will look out for this one, too.

Thanks for dropping in and commenting, Masha. I do intend to find Skellig. I am surprised I have not come across it before.

By: Litlove

Litlove — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:10:53 +0000

I’ve read Skellig with my son for his school – David Almond is a fine and disconcerting author with particular insight into the way that negativity in children often turns into something palpable, a ghost, a vision, a place, a monster. This book sounds wonderful, too. I’m so sorry to hear about the bookshop closing down, though. I’m buying a book a week from a bookstore at the moment in a small effort to help the situation along. I can’t bear to think of losing yet more bookstores and publishers to the general decline.

The “general decline” is rather scary – science fiction like… There are very, very, few independent booksellers left in town. Schwartz Bookshops had three locations, and fortunately, two of them were purchased by employees. I sure hope they survive.
I’ve not read Skellig, but I do intend to – thanks for the recommendation.