Half Price Books Blog

Summer Musts for Booklovers + Chance to Win a $25 Gift Card!

2013-06-18T15:00:00Z

Booklovers don't leave home without a book in hand. Especially when going on vacation.

This summer reading list has something for everyone! Perhaps you're jetting off to the mountains, taking a leisure cruise to a tropical island, or dashing away for a 3-day weekend at a bed-and-breakfast. Or, maybe you're "stay-cationing" this summer and need some entertainment to satisfy your wanderlust, an hour of escape while the kids are occupied, or just a few moments of solitude before bed.

No matter what your summer plans are, you need to check out these must-reads. Plus, you could win a $25 HPB Gift Card to stock up on books for your summer vacation. Keep reading below for details.

For a day at the beach: 1) Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, 2) Let's Pretend this Never Happened by Jenny Lawson, One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell, 4) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn; For a long, weekend getaway: 1) This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Trapper, 2) The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls, 3) If Jack's in Love by Stephen Wetta, 4) The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes; For a week-long vacation: 1) Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, 2) The Bookman's Tale: A Novel of Obsession by Charlie Lovette, 3) The Story of Sisters by Alice Hoffman, 4) The Secret History by Donna Tartt; For wanderlust at home: 1) Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed, 2) On the Road by Jack Kerouac, 3) Life of Pi by Yann Martel, 4) Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

HOW TO ENTER: Tell us what book you're reading this summer! Just make a comment below and you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $25 HPB Gift Card! Use the hashtag #summerreads to tell your friends on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest what book you've got your nose in right now. Winner will be randomly selected from blog comments. Deadline to enter 4:00pm CST Friday, June 21, 2013.

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Meredith is Associate Creative Director at Half Price Books Corporate.
You can follow her on Twitter at @msquare21.

Best Songs by Brian Wilson (and the Beach Boys)

2013-06-11T14:40:49Z

Brian Wilson -- 71??? That’s right, this Beach “Boy” turns 71 this month. He’s been making music for more than fifty years, and is still releasing albums. I saw The Beach Boys with and without him in the seventies, and I got to see his live re-creations, during the ‘00s, of his Pet Sounds and Smile albums. (I also saw a “Beach Boys” concert in the nineties, but neither Brian nor his brothers were anywhere in sight.)

So, to mark Mr. Wilson’s birthday, here’s a list of my all-time favorite BW songs.

“Good Vibrations”

No surprise to find this on a list of Brian Wilson’s best. The much-honored 1966 song was the group’s first million-seller. The recording process involved seventeen sessions at four different studios, with the pieces assembled to make the final, fluid product. The ’66 version featured a theremin (the sliding, warbly instrument often used in sci-fi flicks) and the lead vocals of brother Carl.

Trivia: Tony Asher wrote lyrics for the song initially, but Beach Boy Mike Love’s lyrics were used on the 1966 album and single. The 2004 version includes Tony Asher’s lyrics.

“I Get Around”

In my opinion, the first four bars of this single are the best intro in pop music. The rest of the song maintains that energy. Despite the clash of the trite, cool-teen lyrics with the complex harmonies and arrangement, it all works, and was stunning upon its release in 1964.

Trivia: This song was the group’s first number-one hit.

“God Only Knows”

The influential Pet Sounds album is often considered to be Brian Wilson’s masterpiece. It was influenced by The Beatles’ Rubber Soul and, in turn, influenced the Beatles Sgt. Pepper album, but was not initially as successful as previous Beach Boys albums. “God Only Knows,” one of several hits from Pet Sounds, is an exceptionally gorgeous production, among many on the album.

Trivia: Brian and lyricist Tony Asher worried that the song wouldn’t be played on the radio because it had the word “God” in the title.

“When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)”

This one is my runner-up nominee for best vocal song opening ever. With its thoughtful lyrics and complicated arrangement, this was not like anything else out there in ‘64.

Trivia: The song was part of the Today! album, which initiated the group’s transformation from songs about cars and surfing to more conceptual themes.

“Wonderful”

An odd little gem from 1967, it was part of the fractured Smile project, and appeared on the Beach Boys’ Smiley Smile and on the 2004 Brian Wilson Presents Smile album. My favorite version was recorded in 1995 on the album of remakes I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times. It was done without the Boys, but with a fine band and a soulful trio backing Brian’s lead vocal. The song is rich and strange in any form, but this version’s worth looking for.

Trivia: The album I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times was co-produced by Don Was of Was (Not Was), who also directed the documentary of the album’s recording.

“Little Saint Nick”

The Beach Boys Christmas Album of 1963 contained five original numbers, of which this song, also issued as a single, is a standout. It has all the elements of the group’s early hits: rich harmonies, chugging guitars, and a falsetto coda fade. With other lyrics, it would’ve just been a part of the Beach Boys’ hit parade, instead of a holiday classic.

Trivia: Another song on the album, “Christmas Day,” was the first Beach Boys song to feature the lead vocals of Al Jardine (who later sang lead on “Help Me, Rhonda”).

“Orange Crate Art”

This non-Beach Boys song was actually written by Van Dyke Parks, whose role with Brian Wilson was usually only that of lyricist. But Parks wrote the music and lyrics for this 1995 album opener and let Brian arrange and sing the ornate vocals. The pair had high hopes for the Orange Crate Art album, but, alas, it flopped.

Trivia: Mike Love was not a fan of Parks’ arcane lyrics, referring to them as “acid alliteration.”

“Be Here in the Morning”

Brian has said that the 1968 Friends album, one of the band’s worst sellers, was among his favorites. I like it a lot, too, but it is pretty lightweight. Along with the title song, “Be Here in the Morning” has a bright and sunny West Coast aura. Another album highlight, “Little Bird,” was one of the few Beach Boys songs written by brother Dennis (with an assist from brother Brian).

Trivia: Another of Dennis Wilson’s songwriting partners was Charles Manson.

“The Warmth of the Sun”

This beautiful ballad was the B-side to the bouncy ’64 hit “Dance, Dance, Dance.” It was written by Brian and Mike Love the night of JFK’s assassination, but is actually about unrequited love. Brian’s unexpected chord changes and lush harmony arrangements are stellar.

Trivia: This song was covered by Brian’s dad Murry on his one and only album, The Many Moods of Murry Wilson (a real collector’s item).

Steve is Staffing & Development Manager (aka the "Buy Guy") at Half Price Books Corporate.

30 Adventures Stories You Don’t Want to Miss Out On

2013-06-06T15:34:43Z

Have you ever searched for buried treasure or escaped from murderous pirates? Have you ever chased an assassin through the streets of Hong Kong? Have you ever escaped from prison to exact revenge on your enemies? Would you like to? Well, as Tom Clancy once said, “The only way to do all the things you’d love to do is read.” So, we polled our 3,000 bibliomaniacs to find 30 adventures stories you don’t want to miss out on.

(1) Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson (2) Journey to the Center of the Earth, by Jules Verne (3) The Princess Bride, by William Goldman (4) Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll (5) The Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas, père (6) Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke (7) River of Doubt, by Candice Millard (8) The Hunt for Red October, by Tom Clancy (9) The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S. Lewis (10) Un Lun Dun, by China Mieville (11) Mutiny of the Bounty, by Charles Nordhoff & James Norman Hall (12) Summerland, by Michael Chabon (13) The Wizard of Oz, by Frank Baum (14) The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, père (15) The Bourne Identity, by Robert Ludlum (16) The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, by Rudolf Erich Raspe (17) The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman (18) First Blood, by David Morrell (19) The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien (20) Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann David Wyss (21) The Black Stallion, by Walter Farley (22) Hatchet, by Gary Paulson (23) Jaws, by Peter Benchley (24) Call of the Wild, by Jack London (25) The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling (26) The Incredible Journey, by Sheila Burnford (27) Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe (28) Crocodile on the Sandbank, by Elizabeth Peters (29) King Solomon’s Mines, by H. Rider Haggard (30) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne

So, did we miss your favorite adventure? Let us know. We’re always up for a good adventure.

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Julie is Production Manager at Half Price Books Corporate.
You may follow her on Twitter at @auntjewey.

Local Store Events Round-Up: June

2013-06-05T20:55:14Z

Local Store Events Round-Up: June

Looking for something to do in June? Check out some fun happenings at your neighborhood Half Price Books this month!

All Stores

FEED YOUR BRAIN® Summer Reading Program

Research shows that children who do not continue reading through the summer can lose a month or more of progress made during the school year. To help keep appetites up for reading, Half Price Books is hosting the FEED YOUR BRAIN® Summer Reading Program now through Wednesday, July 31, 2013. Kids ages 14 and under can earn 5 HPB Bookworm Bucks as a reward for reading over the summer. Pick up a reading log at your local HPB today. Get started and learn more about Top Reader Prizes.

Pearland, Texas

World Environment Day

HPB has strived to reuse, recycle and resell resources since our start in 1972. Join your Pearland HPB in honoring World Environment Day on Wednesday, June 5. Each customer will receive a free reusable tote bag with purchase. Offer valid at this location only. Don't forget to bring your tote next time you shop.

Dallas – Northwest Highway

The Steampunk Omnibus

The Seadog Slam presents The Magnificent and Stupendous Steam Powered Omnibus of Art, Science and Knowledge at your Flagship HPB. Celebrate the culture of steampunk with a living gazette of poetry and literature, fine arts, gears and gadgets, music, manners, and more. You are invited to dress in your finest steampunk garb and enjoy the experience on the first Wednesday of the month, this Summer, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. See you June 5!

Animal Adoptions

Cute kitties and canine companions will visit our Flagship HPB on the third Saturday of each month from noon to 4 p.m. The League of Animal Protectors, a nonprofit animal rescue and adoption organization, will have a select group of adoptable pets looking for good, forever homes. See you June 15!

Pirate Poetry with Seadog Slam

Avast me buckos! Dock yer jollyboat at your Flagship HPB as The Seadog Slam presents an evening of Pirate Poetry and Tales of the Sea on the third Wednesday of each month this Summer. And if ye be a pirate too, perhaps ye will be persuaded to read yer poems as well. Join us from 7:30-9:30 pm on June 19.

Chicagoland

Printers Row Lit Fest

Look for the HPB booth at Printers Row Lit Fest on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 & 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Your ChicaGO-TO Bookstore will have a wide range of items to peruse including Chicagoland regional interest, Young Adult, graphic novels, and vintage Life Magazines. Can't make it to Lit Fest? Then check out any of our 8 Chicago area stores.

Lexington – Fayette Place and Sir Barton Place

Bluegrass Music, Live!

Your Fayette Place and Sir Barton Place HPBs have free, live, Bluegrass music this summer. Our music on the patio will feature the smooth pickin' and sweet twang of The Blue Dawg Trio. Also, be sure to check out our music section for CDs, LPs, sheet music and more!

Bluegrass on alternating Saturdays from 2-4 p.m.:

At Fayette Place on June 1, 15, & 29
At Sir Barton Place on June 8 & 22

Algonquin, Ill.

HPB at Summer Cruise Nights

Hop in your rod & wheels and cruise on down to the Sonic Drive-In for Summer Cruise Nights on Tuesday, June 11 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Keep your peepers peeled for the HPB booth where you can score a nifty tote bag and coupons.

Camelback – Phoenix, AZ

Mystery PBs Halfy Hour

It's a Friday afternoon just like any other Friday afternoon. A glance out the front window reveals your neighbor. Your neighbor is struggling with a stack of paperbacks. Despite the effort, he looks deliriously happy. Want to solve the happy neighbor mystery? Then come to your Camelback HPB on Friday, June 14, between 3 and 5 p.m. Spoiler alert: Buy one mystery paperback and get one of equal or lesser value for half off. Offer good at this store only.

Mason, Ohio

Dog Days at Half Price Books

Join us at your Mason HPB to take a bite out of reading. Load up the kids and bring them to Half Price Books where they can read a book this Summer to Cooper, the Border Collie Mix, on the third Sunday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. See you June 16! Presented in partnership with Therapy Pets of Greater Cincinnati.

Houston – North Oaks

Knitting and Crochet Club

Are you a knit-wit? Hooked on crochet? Ambistitcherous? Join us on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, from 4 to 6 p.m., at your North Oaks HPB for our Knitting and Crochet Club. Bring your own yarn and don't worry about frogging or darn overs. Come for the camaraderie and stay for the fun. See you June 18!

Louisville, KY – Springhurst/Freys Hill

Monthly Coloring Contest

Grab a crayon and unleash your inner artist! Stop inside the Springhurst Half Price Books and get involved with our Monthly Coloring Contest. Each month, a new coloring sheet is available for our pint-sized customers. Throughout the month, children ages 13 and under may submit their coloring sheet for entry. At the end of the month, 4 winners are selected (one from each age group). Winners receive a Half Price Books Gift Card and the honor of having their artwork displayed in store.

Storytime – Multiple Locations

Many of our stores have weekly or monthly storytimes. Check out this month’s listings:

Northwest Highway – Dallas – Join us every Sunday from 1-2 p.m. for a story and special craft activity. Recommended for kids ages 10 and under. Also, join us for a special storytime on Monday, June 10 from 5-7 p.m. to celebrate Maurice Sendak’s birthday. We’ll have a special reading of Where the Wild Things Are. “there should be a place where only the things you want to happen, happen.”

Lincoln Square – Arlington, TX – Stop by the Lincoln Square Half Price Books every Sunday at 2 p.m. for a fun tale. Recommended for kids ranging from infants to 6 years of age. Refreshments will be provided.

Plano, TX – Our new Plano store will share a fun story with the kiddos each Sunday at 2 p.m.

Mesquite, TX – Pack up your kiddos and visit our store in Mesquite every Sunday for Storytime and Crafts. Sit down and enjoy a good tale and free activity with us from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Readers and arts-and-crafts lovers of all ages are welcome.

Rockwall, TX – Visit us in Rockwall each Sunday at 3 p.m. for a fun story. Stick around and get crafty with us with a new activity for kids each week. Storytime recommended for kids ranging from pre-schoolers to 5th graders.

South Arlington, TX – Pack up your little readers and come to South Arlington HPB for a fun storytime. Sit down and enjoy a good tale with us at 3 p.m. every Sunday afternoon. Recommended for kids ranging from 2 to 8 years of age.

Preston Village – Dallas – Join us for storytime from 3 to 4 pm every Sunday afternoon.

Lynnwood, WA – Bring the kiddos to the Lynnwood HPB for storytime from 3 to 4 p.m. every Sunday.

Corpus Christi, TX – Load up your half-pint readers and visit us at Moore Plaza for Storytime Sundays. We’ll share a tale from 2 to 3 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month. Recommended for kids ranging from pre-school to 4th grade. See you June 9!

Mason, Ohio – Sit down for a good tale each Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon at our Mason Half Price Books.

Humble, TX – Bring the kids for a children’s storytime every Wednesday from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Snacks will be provided. Recommended for kids ages 1 to 6.

Edmond, OK – Enjoy a fun story with the folks at the Edmond HPB at 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. See you June 8!

Paradise Valley – Phoenix – Bring your half-pint readers in for a good tale with us from 2:30 to 3:30 pm on the second Saturday of each month. See you June 8!

Hurstbourne – Louisville, KY – Bring the kids the third Saturday of every month from 2 to 4 p.m. for storytime. Join us for sing-alongs, coloring contests, story-telling and more. See you June 15!

Springhurst/Freys Hill – Louisville, KY - Stop by the Springhurst store on the last Saturday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m., where we’ll have stories, games, activities and snacks. See you June 29!

Sir Barton Place, Lexington, KY - Pack up your half-pint readers and come to your Sir Barton Place HPB for Storytime Saturday. Sit down and enjoy a good tale with us from 2 to 3 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month. See you May 25!

Special Sales – Multiple Locations

Indianapolis, Indiana

Clearance Sale at the Fairgrounds

Big location, big selection, big savings! Everything will be $3 or less! Come to our Clearance Sale at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Friday & Saturday, June 21 & 22, from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., & Sunday, June 23 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Agriculture Bldg. All Half Price Books locations in the Midwest are contributing merchandise to create our biggest Clearance Sale event yet, with more shopping carts, better organization and even lower prices. The first 200 customers each day will receive a free HPB tote bag!* And starting at 4 p.m. Sunday, we’ll donate unsold merchandise to any person or organization with a 501(c)(3) status. So come to the Half Price Books Clearance Sale and fill your shelves with great books, movies and music at great prices! See you there!

San Antonio

HPB at Texas Comicon 2013

Ready to geek out in San Antonio? Come to the Texas Comicon from Friday, June 21 -Sunday, June 23 to meet Billy Dee Williams of Star Wars and look for the HPB booth. HPB will sell comics, manga, graphic novels, science fiction and fantasy novels, DVDs and more.

Columbus, Ohio

Clearance Sale at the Ohio Expo Center

Everything will be $2 or less at our First Clearance Sale at the Ohio Expo Center, Friday & Saturday, June 21 & 22, from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., & Sunday, June 23 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Lausche Bldg. Half Price Books stores throughout the Midwest are contributing hundreds of thousands of books, movies and music to create this great Clearance Sale event! The first 200 customers each day will receive a free HPB tote bag!

Burleson, Texas

Tuesday Night Specials
Stop by our Burleson location each Tuesday night from 7 to 9 p.m. for discount specials. Great savings may include 20% off DVDs or 30% off fiction hardcovers. You won't know what's on sale until you visit. Tuesday Night Specials valid at this location only. Ask in store for details.

Northwest Highway – Dallas

Comic Book Wednesdays

Pow! Comics just got cheaper! Half Price Books on Northwest Highway in Dallas, Texas will be reducing all regularly-priced comic books to the sale price of 50¢ each on Wednesdays only. Recurring each week on Wednesdays until further notice. Collectibles and bargain bundles excluded.

$1 VHS Fridays

Feed that VCR! Shop our VHS collection every Friday and save even more on video tapes of all genres. All VHS in stock priced at $4.98 or less will be sold for just $1.00 on Fridays only, until further notice. Offer valid at Northwest Highway location only.

Greenwood, Indiana

Comic Book Wednesdays

Every Wednesday, stop by our Greenwood store to get 20% off all single-issue comics, including clearance and collectible issues. Offer good at this location only.

Clearwater Village – Indianapolis

Comics Sale Wednesdays

Comic fans and collectors, don't miss our weekly Comics Sale Wednesdays. Save 20% off comic books at our Clearwater Village HPB in Indianapolis, Indiana. Come back each week as we restock with new adventures in store! Sale excludes graphic novels and manga. Continues each Wednesday at this location until further notice. No superhero powers required.

Music Fridays

Looking for some soothing grooves or pounding beats to start your weekend? Stop by your Clearwater Village HPB every Friday to get 20% off all CDs, LPs, cassettes and 8-track tapes. Offer good at this location only.

Avon, Indiana

Retro Thursdays

Think it's still cool to be old school? Stop by the Half Price Books in Avon every Thursday from 5-9 p.m. and get 20% off all vinyl, cassettes, comics, graphic novels and manga. Offer good at this location only.

Half Price Books Outlet – Bloomington, Indiana

Vinyl Thursdays

Your Bloomington Half Price Books Outlet is having Buy One LP, Get One Free each Thursday. Thumb through our vast, cool selection of LPs, all priced at 50¢ or less. See store for details.

Fill-a-Bag for $15

1-DAY ONLY! Your Half Price Books Outlet is offering a special deal on Wednesday, June 19. Come "Fill-a-Bag for $15" and stock up on select fiction, nonfiction, children's books, music and movies. Fill a free souvenir HPB reusable tote bag with select merchandise from our assorted Bargain Tables and get your whole bundle for just $15 plus tax. Offer good at Half Price Books Outlet in Bloomington, IN only.

Northbrook/Greenbriar - Indianapolis

Retro Tuesdays

Listen up media aficionados! Join us each Tuesday and get 20% off all vinyl, cassettes, VHS, comics, manga, graphic novels and video games at our Northbrook/Greenbriar HPB in Indianapolis. Discount at this location only. No other discounts apply.

Music Fridays

Looking for some soothing grooves or pounding beats to start your weekend? Stop by the Greenwood HPB every Friday to get 20% off all CDs, LPs, cassettes and 8-track tapes. Offer good at this location only.

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Comic Books Sale

Whamo! That's right! Stop by the Fort Wayne location every Thursday and save an additional 20% off all comic books in store. Sale at the Fort Wayne HPB location only.

LP Day - Fridays

Join us each Friday for LP Day. All LPs will be 20% off, with some of your favorite songs being played on the turn-table.

South Arlington – Arlington, Texas

Retro Media Fridays

Get ready for a throwback! Join us at the Four Corners HPB in South Arlington every Friday night from 7-10 p.m. All retro media is 20% off – including LPs, cassette tapes, 8 tracks, VHS tapes and LaserDiscs.

Appleton, WI

Vinyl Fridays

Get 20% off all vinyl on Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m. at our Appleton HPB. Like what you hear? Records playing in the store are 50% off. Come back each week for new discoveries and savings! Discount at this location only.

Friday Poetry Readings

Do you love rhymes? Verse? Poetry?

Then drop by your Appleton HPB.

Where at 7 p.m. every Friday night

It's poetry that our Bibliomaniacs recite.

Whether it's free verse that's your style,

Or its rhymes that always make you smile,

We've got a poem just waiting for you,

Even if what you love is haiku.

Lexington, KY

Vinyl Fridays

Move to the groove while you shop! Join us on the last Friday of each month. Listen to classic tunes on vinyl and get 20% off all vinyl LPs all day at both the Sir Barton Place and Fayette Place HPBs in Lexington. Discount at this location only. See you June 28!

Phoenix – Paradise Valley

Vinyl Final Friday

Join us on the last Friday of each month to listen to classic tunes on vinyl and get 15% off all vinyl LPs from 7-10 p.m. at your Paradise Valley HPB. Offer good at this location only. See you June 28!

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As always, be sure to check your local store’s webpage to see if anything has been added throughout the month.

-Emily

Best Underrated Novels for Book Clubs

2013-05-29T15:00:21Z

Last month we brought you the Most Popular Book Club books, compiled from submissions from our 3,000 bibliomaniacs -- so this month, we want to show some love to books that are excellent and discussion worthy, but maybe don't make every list. Without further ado:

The Secret History by Donna Tartt; Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro; Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy; We by Yevgeny Zamyatin; The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells; 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami; American Gods by Neil Gaiman; Bel Canto by Ann Pachett; Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple; Little Bee by Chris Cleeve; The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent; The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver; The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem; The Shadow of the Wind Carlos Ruiz Zafon; I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak; The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer; The Last Novel by David Markson; The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling; Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld; Cider House Rules by John Irving; John Dies at the End by David Wong; This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper; Grendel by John Gardner; I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb; Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood; The History of Love by Nicole Krauss; If Jack’s In Love by Stephen Wetta; The Likeness by Tana French; Damned by Chuck Palahiuk; The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti; Kim by Rudyard Kipling; House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski.

Which did we miss? What underrated book club book is your favorite? -- Kristen

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Kristen is Public Relations Specialist at Half Price Books Corporate.
You can follow her on Twitter at @kristendickson.

Falling in Love with Cathy Lamb

2013-05-28T15:00:37Z

Our customers know books. So, when one of our customers suggested that I read a book by Cathy Lamb, I went straight over to the fiction section and picked up The Last Time I Was Me, by Cathy Lamb. Then I spent a weekend reading the book cover to cover while simultaneously falling out of my chair laughing.

The Last Time I Was Me is about Jeanne Stewart, a creative director from an advertising firm in Chicago who recently had a nervous breakdown and lost her job. She is also facing civil and criminal charges for “creatively” breaking up with her boyfriend and is being forced to take anger management classes. She ends up traveling to Oregon where her brother helps her get a job with the governor’s office. She buys a broken down house, runs naked by the river, falls in love and helps cover up a murder. And if that wasn’t enough to keep you interested, Cathy Lamb only hints at Jeanne’s “creative” break-up that landed her in anger management class, until the end when she has to go to court to face the charges. I’m not going to tell you what she did, but I will say that it has something to do with peanut oil and an exacto knife. Curious? I guess you’ll have to read the book. I want to reread the book, just writing about it.

So, if you love to laugh, I would highly recommend Cathy Lamb. In fact, I’m going to go to Half Price Books right now and get another one of her books.

What about you? What author have you fallen in love with?

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Julie is Production Manager at Half Price Books Corporate.
You may follow her on Twitter at @auntjewey.

Memorial Day . . . Extra 20% Off Storewide Sale!

2013-05-22T20:26:00Z

It's Memorial Day Weekend, booklovers! Half Price Books is having a Storewide 20% Off Sale. Shop your neighborhood HPB from Thursday, May 23 through Monday, May 27 and stock up on great new and used books, music, movies and games for the whole family.

See what treasures people find in stores, and tell us about your own. Use #HPBhaul in your tweets and on Instagram, and visit hpb.com/hpbhaul to see the action!

-- The HPB Blog Team

*No coupon needed. Discount valid in stores only. Not valid online nor on any gift card purchase.

Books Authors Read with John Corey Whaley

2013-05-20T19:37:22Z

We continue our "Books Authors Read" series with Printz and Morris award-winning author John Corey Whaley, who wrote Where Things Come Back, one of the best books I read last year (you should read it too. It's wonderful and excellent and you will thank me for recommending it). JCW himself is also wonderful and excellent, especially for putting together this list for us. Thanks, Corey! -- Kristen D.

1.) WINGER by Andrew Smith

Holy moly this book is awesome. Rugby, comic book drawings, hilarious characters, and a surprisingly emotional turn. I couldn't stop reading it. In fact, I may go start it back up right now. It's THAT good.

2.) DR. BIRD'S ADVICE FOR SAD POETS by Evan Roskos

A funny, smart book about a kid with a lot of problems--namely an anxiety disorder. He talks to an imaginary pigeon, who serves as his therapist. I mean, come on. It's gold.

3.) THE AGE OF MIRACLES by Karen Thompson Walker

This quiet, apocalyptic coming-of-age novel still haunts me months and months after reading it. A beautiful, lyrical story.

4.) ASK THE PASSENGERS by A.S. KING

A beautiful, funny, and intensely moving look at teenage love and sexuality and, well, how ridiculous words like "sexuality" are anyway. The magical realism in this one will give you goosebumps.

5.) RAPTURE PRACTICE by Aaron Hartzler

This is a young adult memoir about the author's experience growing up in conservative Christian household in Kansas City. It's funny, smart, and heartwarming. The best part is that that Hartzler never treats his subjects--his own family-with anything but respect and curiosity.

John Corey Whaley is the Printz and Morris award-winning author of Where Things Come Back.

You may follow him on Twitter at @corey_whaley.

In the mood for a marathon? Best TV shows for binges

2013-05-16T21:13:58Z

Missing the first run of a TV show has never been so rewarding. Thanks to streaming services from companies like Netflix, along with ever better deals on DVD box sets, consumers can now binge on complete seasons (or the entire series) of all those shows that they never got around to watching, or the ones that they loved and want to watch over and over…and over. Gone are the days of waiting and wishing for networks to play reruns of old episodes; now you decide when to start and stop (or not stop) your personal marathon. Let’s take a look at some of the best options for your next TV bender.

1. Firefly (2002)

This Sci-Fi show only lasted one season, but spawned thousands of devoted fans (Browncoats), multiple comics, and the 2005 film Serenity. Each episode is filled with witty dialogue and thrilling action, and you’ll definitely want to watch more than one to find out what happens to Captain Reynolds and his crew.

Planning your binge:

· Watch an episode: 42 minutes
· Watch a season (14 episodes): 10 hours
· Watch the whole series: 10 hours

2. House of Cards (2013-)

The first season of this 2013 political thriller was released in its entirety on Netflix in February, leading many people with TV-addictive personalities to stream all 13 episodes without much of a break between segments. Major suspense & top-notch acting by actors like Kevin Spacey make for a most satisfying binge.

Planning your binge:

· Watch an episode: 50 minutes
· Watch a season (13 episodes): 11 hours
· Watch the whole series: 11 hours

3. Sherlock (2010-)

With only three episodes per season, this BBC series won’t take too long to marathon, but you might need to watch it more than once to catch all the subtle clues and solve the cases like Sherlock.

Planning your binge:

· Watch an episode: 90 minutes
· Watch a season (3 episodes): 4.5 hours
· Watch the whole series: 9 hours

4. 24 (2001-2010)

Spanning eight seasons, this show feels extremely fast-paced despite covering only 60 minutes of “real time” action per episode. After watching what Jack Bauer deals with on an hourly basis, you’ll be glad that you’re watching from the comfort of your own home (and on your own time).

Planning your binge:

· Watch an episode: 43 minutes
· Watch a season (24 episodes): 17 hours
· Watch the whole series: 138 hours (139.5 hours if you include the TV movie Redemption)

5. Girls (2012-)

This racy HBO series isn’t for the faint-of-heart, but if you’ve lived through the uncertainty and awkwardness of your early twenties, this is a great series to binge on a season at a time. The episodes are bite-sized at only 30 minutes each, you won’t want to wait to find out what kind of crazy (and yet somehow totally believable) situations Hannah and her friends will find themselves facing next.

Planning your binge:

· Watch an episode: 30 minutes
· Watch a season (10 episodes): 5 hours
· Watch the whole series: 10 hours

6. Downton Abbey (2011-)

This one takes a little more initial patience than the others, but once you get sucked into this early 20^th century BBC drama (and you will get sucked in), you’ll have a tough time not pressing “next” when the current episode ends. Packed with romance, tragedy, and the occasional laugh, this series revolving around the upstairs & downstairs inhabitants of an English estate has something for everyone.

Planning your binge:

· Watch an episode: 50 minutes
· Watch a season (7 episodes, not including Christmas Specials): 6 hours
· Watch the whole series: 20.5 hours (including two 90-minute Christmas Specials)

7. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)

Another great show that lasted only one season, this ultra-relatable high school series set in 1980 will make you cringe with familiarity at the universally embarrassing problems that plague freaks & geeks, nerds, jocks, and all other teenage cliques. And despite the awkwardness, you won’t be able to stop watching.

Planning your binge:

· Watch an episode: 44 minutes
· Watch a season (18 episodes): 13 hours
· Watch the whole series: 13 hours

I know I’ve only scratched the surface here; when it comes to TV indulgences, there are so many great binge options. Which are your favorite series to marathon? -- Kate

Kate is Promotions & Direct Mail Coordinator at Half Price Books Corporate.

Must-Read Memoirs

2013-05-14T16:17:05Z

This list is not meant to be a “best of all time” memoir list. It’s just a list of memoirs from the past twenty years that I’ve enjoyed, laughing at the authors’ misfortunes (with the authors’ encouragement), agonizing as they struggle, cheering as they triumph.

The Liar’s Club by Mary Karr—When it was published in 1995, this one really got the memoir back into the mainstream as a book category. It is poet Karr’s completely absorbing page-turner about growing up in Texas. As a Texan son of pretty normal folks, I felt a bit guilty as I read of Karr’s trials and tribulations growing up the daughter of an alcoholic dad and a distracted mom. (Her second memoir, Cherry, is great, too. I haven’t yet made it to the third, Lit.)

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls—This horrifying-but-true (and funny) tale has been on the bestseller lists since it came out in 2006, but I just got around to reading it. Like The Liar’s Club, It’s about life with an alcoholic dad and a distracted mom. As I read it, I kept saying to my wife, “See— we’re not such awful parents!”

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt—Dysfunctional families, Irish-style. I kept rooting for young Francis, knowing his deadbeat dad was, once again, going to blow all the money on pints in the pub and let Francis’s desperate mother down. We kind of have a theme going here…

All Over But the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg—And yet another story of a no-good, drinkin’ dad, but this one has a heroic mom to save the son from poverty and pave his way to Pulitzer-Prizewinning journalism. Why all these tales of dissolute dads and miserable moms? Well, they make for fascinating reading, and it doesn’t hurt that all of these writers are exceptional storytellers. Some might argue that it was the adversity that led them to careers in writing.

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan—Ryan, like Karr, is a poet, but her memoir is an homage to her determined and inspiring mom, who kept the author and her nine siblings—and, of course, the alcoholic husband/father—out of the poorhouse. Another mother as heroine.

Big Russ & Me by Tim Russert—Newscaster Russert pays tribute to his dad, “Big Russ,” who was not an alcoholic; on the contrary, Big Russ supported his family and throughout his life gave good advice and support to his son. Not much in the way of embarrassing parental behavior here—just a nice gesture from a grateful son.

Bossypants by Tina Fey—Tina Fey had pretty normal, loving parents, who only occasionally embarrassed her in public. And despite normal parents, she has done pretty well for herself. This is one of the funniest books I’ve read in a while.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed—This is another interesting recent book, the account of the author’s harebrained decision to walk the Pacific Rim Trail solo, with few skills and no experience. She’s exorcising demons manifested following her mother’s death, and mostly blames herself for her troubles. A nice adventure tale.

Any favorite memoirs you’d like to recommend? -- Steve

Steve is Staffing & Development Manager (aka the "Buy Guy") at Half Price Books Corporate.