Sunday, February 27, 2011

Author Geography

Tea Obreht talked to The Book Page about her peripatetic childhood (Yugoslavia, Egypt, Atlanta), her life in Ithaca, New York, and why she hasn't moved to the Big Apple. Obreht also discusses her writing process--and how TC Boyle helped her overcome writer's block.

The interview is here. The Tiger's Wife will be published March 8. Obreht will read from the book at M&Q on March 14.--David E

Friday, February 25, 2011

Best. Author Bio. Ever.

Most flap copy isn't great prose. But this blurb from an old copy of The Charles Addams Mother Goose is a gem of understated humor.--David E

Thursday, February 24, 2011

A Candid Talk About Inappropriateness

Scott Edelstein discusses Sex and the Spiritual Teacher at Magers & Quinn, Thursday, March 3, at 7:30pm.

Sex and the Spiritual Teacher: Why It Happens, When It’s a Problem, and What We All Can Do looks at the complex of forces that tempt otherwise insightful, compassionate, and well-intentioned teachers to lose their way--and that tempt some of their students to lose their way as well. It analyzes why most of our current efforts to keep spiritual teachers from transgressing usually don’t (and in fact can’t) work--and, perhaps most importantly, it suggests a set of practices and structures that can build community, encourage healthy student-teacher relationships, increase trust and spiritual intimacy between teachers and their students, and help authentic spiritual teachers stay happily monogamous or celibate. Sex and the Spiritual Teacher is for anyone who is or might become part of a spiritual community: students, teachers, clergy, lay leaders, and even casual visitors. It’s a reader-friendly, no-nonsense guide to making spiritual life safer and fuller for all of us--one person, relationship, and community at a time.

“Profound and compassionate. Anyone who has a spiritual teacher--or hopes to have one some day--should read this book.”-–Natalie Goldberg, bestselling author of Writing Down the Bones

Scott Edelstein has studied happily and productively with several spiritual teachers, including Toni Packer, Dainin Katagiri, Tim McCarthy, and (currently) Steve Hagen. As the friend of several spiritual teachers, he has also spent much time with them “off duty,” sometimes serving as confidant. He is a longtime practitioner of both Buddhism and Judaism, and a committed proponent of serious spirituality in all forms and traditions. Scott’s short work on spiritual topics has appeared in Shambhala Sun, American Jewish World, The Writer, the anthology What About God?, and elsewhere. He is also the author of 15 other books on a wide range of subjects. Learn more at www.sexandthespiritualteacher.com.

Details on this and all our events are here.--David E

Monday, February 21, 2011

Snow Day

Due to weather, tomorrow's reading by TR Reid has been canceled. Our apologies for any inconvenience.--David E

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Ouch

Publishers Weekly has posted a filing from Borders' bankruptcy petition. It lists the 200 stores the chain will close in the next months. Among the local casualties are four of the seven stores in the Twin Cities: Minnetonka, Richfield, St Paul, and Maple Grove.

The full list is here (.pdf). Or see them on a map.--David E

Contraction

Shelf Awareness has a nice summary of Borders' announced "reorganization." Under the protection of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company will shutter around 200 stores and lay off a number of employees. Details are here. For even more, you can visit www.bordersreorganization.com--David E

Think Spring


It's not a crocus or the first robin of spring, but the dollar book cart is back on the sidewalk in front of Magers & Quinn.--David E

Friday, February 11, 2011

We Pick 'Em


We love all our books equally here at M&Q. But as with our children, we can't help but have a few favorites. So to bring a little extra attention to some of the gems you might otherwise overlook, we've instituted a "Staff Picks" shelf.

At last, you can vicariously live the life of a bookstore employee. All the thrills, none of the paper cuts.--David E

Thursday, February 10, 2011

A New Book from Roberto Bolano

The Paris Review has announced that they will publish The Third Reich, a new novel from Roberto Bolano, in its next four issues. Even better, Bolano's translator Natasha Wimmer told Granta that the new work is "a buoyant novel, ominous at moments but mostly just funny." Judge for yourself: the Wall Street Journal has published a brief excerpt here.

Many thanks to Slate.com's Brow Beat blog for the catch and for the links.--David E

For the Horsey Set

M&Q has a selection of illustrations from Diseases of the Horse available now. They're all in good shape and suitable for framing. Prices range from $9.99 to $12.99. Get them while they last.--David E

A Meeting About Better Meetings

“Meetings are a waste of time” is a sentiment many of us share, which is tragic because meetings bring us together as human beings. To achieve the kind of meaning or breakthrough results most of us really yearn for when we gather, the key quality needed is authentic engagement: a genuine expression of what is true for us, and an attentive listening to what is true for others. On Wednesday, February 16, at 7:30pm, Craig Neal visits M&Q to help end this cycle, when he discusses his new book The Art of Convening: Authentic Engagement in Meetings, Gatherings, and Conversations

As cofounders of Heartland Inc., Craig and Patricia Neal have led over 170 of their acclaimed Thought Leader Gatherings with leaders from over 800 diverse organizations. Their new book shares for the first time the unique and powerful Art of Convening model, developed in these gatherings and refined over six years of intensive trainings, which brings authentic engagement and meaning to any group that comes together for any purpose.

Convening goes beyond facilitating. Convening creates an environment in which all voices are heard, profound exchanges take place, and transformative action results.
Convening works in any setting and can be adapted to virtually any group process. With this book you have all the tools you need to develop this essential life and leadership skill, one that will lead to improved outcomes in your organization, community, family, and relationships.

Craig Neal is a passionate change leader, publishing executive, organizational executive, and guide. From the 70s to the 90s Craig held executive positions with Garden Way, Inc, Rodale Publishing, and as Associate Publisher launched Harrowsmith and Eating Well magazines. He’s the founder and former publisher of the Utne Reader.

Details are here.--David E

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Silver-Tongued

Just in time for V-Day, Flavorwire has posted its list of "30 Literary Quotes That Just Might Get You Laid." The encouraging phrases range from Oscar Wilde (“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.”) to Dorothy Parker (“I require only three things of a man. He must be handsome, ruthless and stupid.”) to Sam Lipsyte (“Stuff me in a tutu and let’s screen experimental videos all day.”).

Read all thirty quotes here, and start practicing for the 14th.--David E

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Yes Dogs Allowed


Well-behaved dogs are always welcome at Magers & Quinn. You don't have to leave your canine co-shopper out in the cold when you want to browse our shelves. You can both come on in.--David E

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Counting the Days



M&Q still has a few calendars and planners to keep you organized throughout 2011. Wall calendars are now 50% off. Dayplanners are 25% off--including Moleskines.

Get yours while they last.--David E

Friday, February 4, 2011

It Was Indeed a Blast

Minnesota authors met Minnesota readers at last weekend's MinnPost Book Club Blast. See what you missed--or find your own smiling face--in these pictures of the event.



You can see all the pictures here.--David E

Remembering John Berryman

John Berryman was renowned as a teacher at the University of Minnesota, but he also won the Pulitzer for 77 Dream Songs, and his influence as a poet nationally and even internationally was enormous.

On February 17 a group of John Berryman enthusiasts will gather to celebrate the poet's writings and teaching with readings of his poems and remembrances by students and others who knew him. Come to the Red Room at the Loring Pasta Bar Cafe (327 14th Ave SE) at 7:00pm, to celebrate Berryman's life as a poet and an inspiring teacher. Ben Kreilkamp will read a selection of poems from Berryman's book Dream Songs. There will also be recollections from Kate Donahue, Michael Dennis Browne, Richard Kelly, Michael Mann, Judith Koll Healey, and others.

Admission is free. Details are at www.bookhouseindinkytown.com.--David E

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Books for Cooks--M&Q at the Food & Wine Experience

Magers & Quinn is pleased to be the official bookseller for the 17th annual Minnesota Monthly Food & Wine Experience. We'll be at Target Field on March 5 and 6--along with some of the Twin Cities top restaurants, brewers, and wineries.



Sample fine wines, specialty beers, and gourmet cuisine in the warmth and comfort of Target Field. With more than 200 companies showcasing wine, beer, and food samples from the Midwest and across the country, you're sure to find a variety of tastes to delight your palette.

You can also meet authors at Magers & Quinn's booth. Stop by, say hello, and meetDetails and tickets are available now at www.foodwineshow.com. See you there.--David E

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Poetic Meter for Your Feet

Via the invaluable Boing Boing comes word of the perfect project for a winter's night. Sanguine Gryphon's knitting pattern lets you make a pair of socks bearing the first lines of the oldest known copy of Beowolf, so your feet can be both warm and cool all winter long.

Details are here.--David E