Monday, August 29, 2011

I Contemplate This Week's Events (Ernie Cline, Clark Howard, Music for Aardvarks) from the Comfort of the Sea-Tac Airport

I can't believe that by the time you read this, I will most likely be back in Milwaukee, and probably already at Boswell, staring at a brand new pile of paperwork.  But for now, being that I arrive in Milwaukee at 5 AM and will probably be too tired to write anything for the rest of the day, I'm thinking I should let folks know what's happening on Downer Avenue's premiere (and only) bookstore this week.

We've got two highly anticipated evening events and one morning demo. 

Monday (that's tonight), August 28, 7 pm, we're hosting Ernest Cline and his DeLorean for Ready Player One.  Heck, I wish I had been able to promote this event at Pax Prime, the gaming convention that was going on in Seattle while I was here.  These folks would love the book. I know you've been reading all about it.

Here's our enthusiasm checklist:
--Carole E. Barrowman raves in the Journal Sentinel
--Jim Higgins reminds folks in the Journal Sentinel that Cline wrote the screenplay for the cult classic, "Fanboys." And we jump to the Internet Movie Database.
--Entertinament Weekly  suggests we "give Cline credit for crafting a fresh and imaginative world from our old toy box, finding significance in there among the collectibles."
--And Janet Maslin offers a surprisingly strong (that means mixed positive) recommendation in The New York Times, noting that "With its Pac-Man-style cover graphics and vintage Atari mind-set Ready Player One certainly looks like a genre item. But Mr. Cline is able to incorporate his favorite toys and games into a perfectly accessible narrative.
--There are no caveats in the rave from the AV Club/Onion, positing "Ready Player One borrows liberally from the same Joseph Campbell plot requirements as all the beloved franchises it references, but in such a loving, deferential way that it becomes endearing."

Here's a link to Bookpeople's 80s-tastic event with Cline. We're not wearing our jazzercise outfits, but we are giving away tee shirts.  Mandy, I hope you don't mind that I'm using this photo--blame it on Liz.

If you don't think we love Ready Player One enough, read Stacie's blog piece.

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It's just about time for our new season of Music for Aardvarks with Jennifer Murphy-Damm, and imagine that--we're already sold out for our regular fall session on Friday mornings. Ms. Murphy-Damm is taking names on a waiting list, and may have spots available at her other location.

Find out what all the fuss is about. We have a free session of Music for Aardvarks, a program for toddlers and their parental figures, filled with singing and games and many things that get put away aftewards to a bouncy tune, on Tuesday, August 30, at 10:30 am. Can't make that? She'll also be at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum on September 12, also at 10:30.
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Another big event for us this Wednesday, August 31, 7 pm. Clark Howard is appearing at the store in conjunction with his new book, Clark Howard's Living Large in Lean Times. The new book is "Clark's ultimate guide to saving money, covering everything from cell phones to student loans, coupon websites to mortgages, investing to saving on electric bills, and beyond. In his candid and friendly next-door-neighbor manner, Clark shares the small, manageable steps everyone can follow to build a path towards independence and wealth." More on his book here.

This event is co-sponsored by AM 620 WTMJ.  Howard airs on WTMJ radio daily, though I think I got the time wrong, as he's moved around a bit on the schedule. I think he is going to start airing from 11 pm to 2 am, according to a recent column from Duane Dudek in the Journal Sentinel. Now you can spend your silky sunset hours grooving with the smooth saver. And for you day owls, you can listen to archived shows here.

Get a signed copy of Mr. Clark's or Mr. Cline's books.  Just order and request an autograph.  Ms. Murphy-Damm will also autograph a book of your choosing. Just ask!

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