New Displays--Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day, Jane Austen, Norway?

I would like to say that display rotation happens on a regular basis, but it's more of a random spurt. I take a walk through the store and think, "It's February 13 and that display celebrates Lincoln's birthday, which is February 12."

When I hear stores talk about rotating displays every two weeks, I am completely exhausted. Can I just say that we rotate something every two weeks, but some displays seem to linger for months?

This Mardi Gras display has a natural expiration date of the first day of the first day of Lent, which is March 5. There are displays we do every year and others which get some sabbatical time. I think Stacie did a similar New Orleans display about three years ago.

On the other hand, I can't think of year where we didn't do something for St. Patrick's Day, even though it's not much of a gift-giving holiday, and we don't carry much in the way of St. Pat's themed books or gift items. I have a few four-leaf clover wooden boxes and some box cards and journals with Celtic designs. This bad boy is up for about another month, though it will probably change location again.

It's an easy display to put together, as who can resist the plethora of great Irish writers? We're featuring William Trevor, Sebastian Barry, Edna O'Brien, and company. Did you all know there's a new Sebastian Barry coming in May, a novel called The Temporary Gentleman? Something to look forward to--you can reserve a copy with us now.

I would say that Jane Austen displays run on a two-year cycle, if not annually. There's always some new novel that's inspired by her work. Last fall was all about Jo Baker's Longbourn. And we're still waiting for the film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Despite the tepid response to Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, the last we heard, Lily Collins was set to star, with Burt Steers directing.

And then there's Shannon Hale, and while she is coming for her new young adult novel, Dangerous, many folks know her from her novel for adults, Austenland.

This display, however, is inspired by the Jane Austen bandages, tattoos and air fresheners from Accoutrements.That said, I did redo the table to better feature Hale. She's going to be at the North Shore library on Wednesday, March 19, 6:30 pm.

On the other hand, I don't believe we've ever done a salute to Norway display. I think the bug in my head that started this one was their curling outfits at the Winter Olympics. Then I was looking through one of those anniversary websites, and saw that it was the 200th anniversary of Norway's constitution coming up.

So what did it turn out that we are reading that has Norway root? The most popular Norwegian author right now by far is Jo Nesbo, followed by another mystery writer, Karrin Fossum. Graywolf actually is pushing a new Norwegian novel called Before I Burn, which has a great recommendation from none other than Karin Fossum. Set in the 1970s, it's based on a true story of a town besieged by fire over one month.

Another novel, this one for young adults, that came out last year is Shadow on the Mountain, by Margi Preus. It's based on the Resistance movement went the Nazis invaded Norway, and the adventures of one real-life Norwegian spy. When You click on the title, you can see Pam's rec.

For now, we've got the spring is coming display moved to the front desk. That should be good for another week, though we'll probably give St. Patrick's Day the best table for at least a week. By March 18, we should have some new display ideas...I hope.