University of Nebraska Press

Barnes & Noble Highlights Two UNP Titles in Summer 2008 Discover Great New Writers Selections

We're proud to announce that Barnes & Noble has included two forthcoming UNP titles as Summer 2008 Discover Great New Writers Selections. Featured in promotions from May-July 2008 will be:

The Enders Hotel: A Memoir
By Brandon R. Schrand

“Gorgeously written and generous in its telling, Schrand’s memoir takes us deep into the heart of a boomtown gone bust and a family surviving on little more than stubbornness and a desire to do the next right thing. The Enders Hotel is a heartbroken love song to a time gone by, a place lost, and a people whose longings ring true long after the last page ends.”—Kim Barnes, author of In the Wilderness: Coming of Age in Unknown Country

Click here to read more about The Enders Hotel.

Bicycling beyond the Divide: Two Journeys into the West
By Daryl Farmer

“Bicycling beyond the Divide did what all great books do: it told me about me. In its tale of a journey made by two different men—both of them Daryl Farmer—this book offers us not only moving vistas and meaningful people, but also hope, that rarest of literary commodities these days. I didn't want this to end.”—Bret Lott, author of Jewel

Click here to read more about Bicycling beyond the Divide.

To read an excerpt from Bicycling beyond the Divide, click on the link below.

Download farmer_excerpt.pdf

Congratulations to Brandon R. Schrand and Daryl Farmer for receiving this honor!

All Things Minnesota

I first visited Minnesota about five years ago while attending the Twin Cities Book Festival.  I quickly developed a love for the city, its statues of pop icons (Mary Tyler Moore and Peanuts characters), and its residents' Midwestern friendliness (PW has an extensive list fall book festivals all over the country).  Since that festival, I returned many times to visit friends in Minneapolis and to enjoy the ambiance of the Twin Cities.  My last visit was just for the American Association of University Presses Annual Meeting in June.

This week, as noted in the title of this post, I'm linking to all things Minnesota and books.  Hope I'm not missing too much.

Magazines

Rain Taxi

Minnesota Women's Press (zine, newspaper, and more)

Book Stores (Thanks to BookSense for the links)

The Red Balloon Bookshop: children's Books, Etc

Micawbers

Magers and Quinn Books

Common Good Books

Wild Rumpus

Presses

University of Minnesota Press

Minnesota Historical Society

New Rivers Press

Afton Historical Society Press

Graywolf Press

Coffee House Press

Milkweed Editions

San Francisco, Part Two

he span of the Golden Gate Bridge suspension is 4,200 feet (a mile is 5,280 feet), so the walk across the bridge was shorter than the walking I do on an average day (at least three miles).  It had to be only about sixty degrees, maybe a little warmer, so the weather was perfect for a short hike across the strait.  A beautiful day for it, actually, with a warm sun and a cool, ocean breeze.  Unfortunately, we forgot our sunscreen, so we got a little burned, but otherwise we were no worse for the wearing.

November Featured Bookstore

ee Booksellers
Edgewood Center
5500 S. 56th Street, Suite 4
Lincoln, NE 68516

(We spoke with Linda Hillegass of Lee Booksellers, in November about bookselling and the holidays. Linda and her husband Jim McKee own the bookstore.)

1. What are some of the traditions at Lee Booksellers for the holidays, such as sales or events?

All year long we keep a pot of coffee for our customers and in November and December, we put a plate of homemade Christmas cookies alongside. Joni, a longtime staff member loves to bake and for the two months before Christmas, not even the Keebler elves are busier in the evenings. We’re pretty sure some of our customers come into the store in December just to get one of her meltingly buttery Scotch shortbread cookies.

2.  Is there anything Lee Booksellers is doing new this year?

We also do lots of store autographings and fall is our busiest season. November usually sees one or two events a week. In December we’ll be hosting a favorite suspense writer, Omahan Sean Doolittle. This year we’ll also have a free children’s concert featuring The String Beans, a local group that features its own original children’s songs for ages 3 to 8. They have a new Christmas CD, Rocking Your Christmas Stocking, and will intersperse songs from that album with outrageously goofy jokes. We’ve also started two store knitting clubs that have drawn a very enthusiastic response.

August Featured Bookstore

Novel Idea Bookstore
118 N 14th St
Lincoln, NE

(The following interview with Cinnamon Dokken was conducted via email, August )

Q.  Why open a bookstore and, more importantly, why open a used bookstore?

A.  There's a romantic image of what it means to be a bookseller -- the misty vision of Audrey Hepburn sipping a latte and having erudite conversation while classical music softly plays in the background.  Sometimes, that's exactly what it's like.  Sometimes, it's less intellectual and more physical - unloading the 50th box of books purchased on a buying trip while Pat Benatar sings "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" in the background.  (Classical music just doesn't cut it when it comes to unloading the truck.)

Either way, being surrounded by books is a good gig.  I learn a lot every day.  Having a "used" bookstore rather than a "new" bookstore increases the level of unpredictability and surprise, which I like.  You truly never know what you'll find.  We carry a variety of fiction and non-fiction books that range from mass-market paperbacks to books signed by Harry Truman.  When a customer brings in a box of books to sell, it can be like opening a birthday present. 

Being around the people that gravitate to bookstores is another huge benefit.  The range of books attracts a range of people -- and they're excited about whatever subject they're into.  Superstring theory doesn't float my boat but I can get a vicarious thrill out of being around somebody who's passionate about it.  I'm constantly reminded that the world offers endless possibilities.  I like that.