Good Reads Book Recommendations

Delaware's own Beehive Books provides online book recommendations to help you choose your next read. Beehive owner Mel Corroto, Beehive staff, and special guests can help you find great books for yourself or to give as gifts.

In the most recent webcast, local attorney (and book lover) Casey Clark and Mel discussed the following books (all available at Beehive):

Holiday Titles:

Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs ($24.95)

Matchless by Gregory Maguire ($19.99)

Three Wise Cats by Harold M. Konstantelos & Terri Jenkins-Brady

Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie ($13.95)

A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas ($9.95)

Holiday Remarks & Replies ($7.95)

Recommended by Casey:

Born to Run by Christopher McDougal($24.95)

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon ($26.95)

Use this link to find the Good Reads webcasts:

http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/video/Good_Reads.html

Beehive Books places special orders every day, so if you can't find the item you're looking for, just ask.

Author Erin McGraw Sunday 11-15-09 3:00 pm Reading and Book Signing

Erin McGraw will read from her novel
The Seamstress of Hollywood Boulevard.
The San Francisco Chronicle wrote: "The Seamstress of Hollywood Boulevard is rich and vibrant with historical accuracy and female fortitude."

"I couldn't cook but I could sew. It would have been better the other way around." So begins this witty and transporting new novel by the acclaimed Erin McGraw, introducing us to Nell Plat, who, at age seventeen, finds herself unhappily married and the mother of two baby girls. For a young woman with a hunger for excitement and glamour, Kansas circa 1900 offers nothing but a flat horizon. Still, Nell find some joy sewing and making dresses for women in town. Dreaming over her sewing machine, she begins to entertain ambitions she knows she cannot share.

Based on Erin McGraw's grandmother's life, here is the story--told in Nell's own irreverent and wise voice--of what happens when Nell runs away to Los Angeles in the year 1901 as the new motion-picture industry is just taking root. Nell marries again, has a daughter, and goes into business as a costumer in the Hollywood of the Roaring Twenties, renaming herself Madame Annelle. But a knock on the door by her grown daughters, precisely the thing she has most feared, threatens to take apart the new life Nell has so carefully built. Forced to confront the legacy of the life she believed she had shed, Nell struggles to make the right choices the second time around and finds herself truly transformed.

In vividly bringing to life the story of Nell Plat, Erin McGraw gives voice to the stories of the countless young women who, unsatisfied with their lives, headed to Hollywood in its heyday. The Seamstress of Hollywood Boulevard magically recreates that glamorous time and place, and allows us to witness it beautifully dressed, well lit, and close up. The Seamstress of Hollywood Boulevard was recently published in paperback by Mariner Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

McGraw is the author of four previous books, includingLies of the Saints (a New York Times Notable Book). She has published in the Atlantic, Story, and many other publications, and her work has been featured on Selected Shorts. She is a professor of creative writing at Ohio State University and lives in Ohio.

Thursday Oct 22 meet Larry Smith

It is indeed a privilege to invite our friends to a special night with author Larry Smith reading & signing his recently published novel The Long River Home

This Thursday at 7:15PM

“The Long River Home” is published as part of the Working Lives Series for Bottom Dog Press. His novel is about his own people of the Appalachian foothills in and around Ohio’s Green, Vinton, and Jefferson Counties. This novel has been nominated for a 2009 Pushcart Prize.
Annabel Thomas, Ohio author of “Stone Man Mountain” says of Mr. Smith “in this fine Appalachian novel, Larry Smith chronicles four generations of McCalls, their joys and sorrows, their sins and their nobility….Such regional fiction has always been about people: their connections with one another, their home place, their struggles to survive and to prosper. It’s all here, set, in the grand tradition of Wendell Berry and Conrad Richter, against the Ohio landscape: its hills and its rivers, its frontier beginnings and its later industrial development. We care about the place and its people. Finishing the novel, we understand ourselves and our nation with a deeper knowledge.”
Smith has worked as a steel mill laborer, a high school teacher, a college professor, and a writer and editor. A graduate of Mingo Central High School, Muskingum College, and Kent State University, he is the author of seven books of poetry, a book of memoirs, two books of fiction, two biographies of authors Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Kenneth Patchen, and two books of translations from the Chinese.

Now a professor emeritus of Bowling Green State University’s Firelands College, he is the director of the Firelands Writing Center there and of Bottom Dog Press. Smith has received an Individual Artist Fellowship from the Ohio Arts Council, and a Fulbright Lectureship in American Literature to Italy.

The Author will be introduced by Robert Flanagan

This Friday October 16

Come meet

Maggie Maggio

Nationally known polymer clay artist &
co-author of Polymer Clay Color Inspirations

This Friday October 16 at 7pm

Ms. Maggio will have a brief demonstration with polymer clay and be available to answer questions and sign copies of her book.

Polymer Clay Color Inspirations” was recently published by Watson-Guptill/Random House.
Ms. Maggio co-authored the book with another artist, Lindly Haunani. Maggie has studied and played with color for over thirty years. For the last twelve years she has traveled the country teaching polymer clay and fiber artists the difference between color theory and color reality in her unique “Smashing Color” workshops.
Her early work in polymer clay was inspired by folk art and fables, her recent work by watercolor and landscapes, and her current work by the natural materials she uses as an architectural designer.

September Events

Saturday 12 September 1:00p

Meet the Author Reading & Book Signing

Sherry Hartzler Author of Three Moons Over Sedona

Georgia Mae Brown has always lived an ordinary life. That is, until her husband dies in the arms of a younger woman. Six weeks after his death, Georgia slides behind the wheel of her husband’s beloved 1976 Fleetwood convertible, starts the engine and just keeps driving. Empowered by a volatile mix of freedom and retribution, Georgia begins a journey of a lifetime.

Sherry Hartzler grew up on a farm in Berlin Township and graduated from Olentangy High School. She and her husband (who also graduated from Olengtangy High School) live in Hocking Hills and operate a log cabin retreat “Inn a Cabin.” Her life-long passion for writing has led her to write many freelance articles and three unpublished novels. Three Moons Over Sedona is published by Rockhouse of Logan, Ohio.

Sunday 13 September

America’s One & Only All-Horse Parade! (biggest this side of the Mississippi, anyway)

Stop in and see us while you’re downtown—

We’ll be open Noon-5ish (parade starts at 3pm)

Sunday 20 September 2:00p

Poetry Reading

OSU Marion/Cornfield Review Reading

Come hear the bright, fresh writers from this area reading their work at the annual OSU Marion’s Literary Magazine, Cornfield Review reading. You’ll hear poetry, short fiction, and other pieces from these talented writers. The new edition of the Cornfield Review should be hot of the press and ready for distribution! Readers will include the winners of the 2009 OSU Marion Creative Writing Awards and other writers published in the magazine including Tabitha Albright, Jacci Baumann, Mike Beatty, Carlee Mabrey, and Stephanie Howard.

Sidewalk chalk art @ Beehive

"When they outlaw sidewalk art they'll have to pry the chalk out of my cold dead hands" says Ray Johnson veteran sidewalk chalk artist in response to proposed legislation outlawing the freedom of expression most favored by 6 year olds.

Friday Nite - First Friday HAPPENINGS

Come meet photographers Wendy Caldwell and Sheldon Ross at Beehive Books. They have just released their book of photography entitled A LOOK THROUGH OUR LENS AT THE DELAWARE BICENTENNIAL. The book is a fantastic look back at the important events of 2008.

You can ask the authors to sign your copy while you view an exhibit of their work at (not on the) Corner Framing next door to the 'hive.

Book signing at 6PM, reception 6:30 til 9pm

A majority of the proceeds from the sale of the book (by BeeHive Books) will be donated to: Andrews House, Friends for Life, Arts Castle, Main Street Delaware, Strand Theatre, and the Historical Societies of Delaware County.

Meet the Author of The Beef Princess of Practical County

Meet Michelle Houts, author of The Beef Princess of Practical County, at Beehive Books on Tuesday 8/4/09 at 4:00pm. She will read from her new novel and sign copies of the book.



After years of waiting, it is finally Libby Ryan’s turn to shine at the Practical County Fair. Libby is filled with excitement as she and her granddad pick out two calves for her to raise on her family’s cattle farm, in hopes of winning the annual steer competition. Against her father’s advice, Libby gives the calves names, even though both steers will eventually be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
What's the big deal? She's lived on a cattle farm forever. But, after a few months of preparing for the Practical County Fair, Libby finds that she is becoming more and more attached to her steers. When Libby's mother convinces her to enter the Beef Princess pageant, Libby realizes that she'll have to face off against the dreaded Darling sisters. Suddenly, everything related to the Practical County Fair feels like a big deal.
Luckily, Libby can count on her best friend to get her through most of the county fair chaos. Yet once reality sets in and she realizes that her steers will soon be sold to the highest bidder, the chaos in Libby’s heart becomes too much to bear.



Animal lovers, 4-H members, anyone who has lived among beautiful mid-western farms, or city-dwellers wanting to get a taste of farm living will love meeting 12- year old Libby Ryan in this delightful novel.



Check out Seventeen Magazine summer-reading recommendation of the book (and ignore their suggestion to buy it from Barnes & Noble, because you can buy it here at Beehive Books and have the author sign it!) http://www.seventeen.com/fun-stuff/17-buzz/michelle-houts-the-beef-princess-of-practical-county



Michelle Houts is an author, teacher, and lives on a farm in Mercer County, Ohio. Learn more about her and the book at Random House's website: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385735841

And you can even learn how to show a steer at Michelle's website: http://www.michellehouts.com/showsteer.php

Spots filling up...

We only have a limited number of spots left for the 1st annual Beehive Books Literary Wet T-Shirt Contest. Registration will not be taken over the phone or by email, please come in a sign up today.

Poet Robert Flanagan this Wednesday 7/15@7:15

Come celebrate the day after Bastille Day with poet Robert Flanagan, reading from his new book, Reply To An Eviction Notice: Selected Poems at 7:15 pm. The book (did we mention it is new?) encompasses his life and experiences from the inner city of Toledo to Ireland and from boxing to nature.

A professor emeritus at Ohio Wesleyan, Flanagan directed OWU's creative writing programs published the acclaimed novel, Maggot, three collections of short stories, fice chapbooks of poetry, essays and reviews.

See you Wednesday July 15, at 7:15pm.

Beehive Event Canceled

Sorry to inform you but the July scheduled performance of 22 Monkeys Type The Works of William Shakespeare has been canceled.

It wasn't so much a problem with the apes as much as the unavailability of manual typewriters.

Billy Shoes Live at the Beehive Saturday 5/9/09 7pm

Celebrate Spring, Mother's Day, Graduation, everything, nothing......

They're back! Come listen to your favorite 5-piece Americana/Folk/Bluegrass band who raises money for food pantries in southern Ohio.
If you haven't heard them before, you're in for a treat. This ensemble is usually an upright bass, percussion, guitar, banjo, harmonica....there are many variations but rumor is all 5 will be here on Saturday.

www.myspace.com/billytwoshoes
As always, all proceeds from their performances & CDs (and they have a new one!) are donated to food pantries.

And don't forget, we'll be closed on Mother's Day Sunday 10 May.

So grab your Mom or Grad & stop by for a refreshing beverage and good time!

Meet Author Karen Harper Tomorrow at Delaware County District Library

Beehive Books will be at the Delaware County District Library main branch tomorrow with author Karen Harper.

Friends of the DCDL Annual Meeting Join other Friends for an exclusive reception with bestselling author Karen Harper on May 6 at 6:30 pm. Ms. Harper’s public presentation and book signing follow at 7:15, and the annual meeting begins at 8:00. http://www.delawarelibrary.org/friends.html

Karen Harper writes historical fiction, Elizabethan era mysteries, and contemporary romantic suspense. Her latest novel, Mistress Shakespeare, explores the historic evidence of Shakespeare's other possible wife, Anne Whateley, in a fascinating story of love, passion, and Elizabethan theatre with a complete cast of historical characters from Shakespeare's England. http://www.karenharperauthor.com/mistress_shakespeare.html

Don't miss the chance to hear Karen Harper talk about her books and become a Friend of the Delaware County District Library.

And don't forget to vote today. Your vote strengthens our community!

Poetry Month

Today ends our month-long poetry celebration.

Thanks to all the generous and wonderful presenters & poets in the Beehive community that gave voice to poetry this month.

They continued a communal conversation started in January with the Reading of the Presidents.
Both projects explore and examine the many threads of thought and idea expressed in words that weave the complex and brilliant tapestry of our humanity.

Thanks for participating!

Wed 1-Apr Jack Scollay Robert Frost
Thurs 2-Apr OPEN READING Readers Welcome!
Fri 3-Apr Forrest Amidon Robert Browning
Sat 4-Apr Keith Flint Octavio Paz
Sun 5-Apr Tony Heald Percy Bysshe Shelley
Mon 6-Apr Open Reading Readers Welcome!
Tues 7-Apr Butch Weller Phil Liggett
Wed 8-Apr Ed Hunter T.S. Eliot
Thurs 9-Apr Tom Slayton Robert Burns
Fri 10-Apr Jerry Kelly Robert Creeley
Sat 11-Apr Vicki Lefevre Edna St. Vincent Millay
Sun 12-Apr Easter Sunday Closed
Mon 13-Apr Bob Flanagan Philip Larkin
Tues 14-Apr Don Bennington John Donne
Wed 15-Apr Rev. Charles Wilson  William Butler Yeats
Thurs 16-Apr Steve Davenport Poet OWU Literary Fest
Thurs 16-Apr Emily Katitus Her poetry
Fri 17-Apr Brent Carson Carl Sandburg
Sat 18-Apr Fred Andrle His Poetry
Sun 19-Apr John Bennett His Poetry
Mon 20-Apr Don Love Ogden Nash
Tues 21-Apr Mary Kay Love Longfellow
Wed 22-Apr April Nelson Poetic Medley
Thurs 23-Apr Margo Bartlett Billy Collins
Fri 24-Apr Guillermo Arango Spanish Language Poets
Sat 25-Apr Debbie Rhodes Maya Angelou
Sun 26-Apr Nancy M. Thompson Christina Rosetti
Sun 25-Apr Stuart Lishan & Terry Hermsen   A Poetic Conversation
Mon 27-Apr Robert Flanagan Nonsense Verse
Tues 28-Apr Lyman Leathers Emily Dickinson
Wed 29-Apr Bill Hanning Abe Lincoln
Wed 29-Apr Tom Slayton Robert Burns
Thur30-Apr Daniel Montoly Langston Hughes

Join our Presidential Parade Everyday at NOON!

In honor of President's Day, the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, and the recent inauguration of our new president, we are celebrating for 44 days!

Every day at NOON we hear a local person speak the words of our president. We started on Jan 18th with George Washington and will go until March 2 with Barack Obama. Our readers are from the local community, read for about 10 minutes, and are giving some fascinating background information as well.

We've had participants from all parts of our community including a very articulate and informed middle school student, judges, realators, teachers, writers, a bailiff, bankers, attorneys, retired & active professors, a reverend, a pastor, a doctor, small business owners, students....well as you can see, from all parts of our community.

Here is the entire schedule of readers.
Please join us to hear these speakers bring our presidents to life.
Bring your lunch or grab a coffee & a snack here.

Sun 18-Jan George Washington Tom Conrad
Mon 19-Jan John Adams Linda Heid
Tues 20-Jan Thomas Jefferson Tom Slayton
Wed 21-Jan James Madison Judge Sunderman
Thurs 22-Jan James Monroe George Conti
Fri 23-Jan John Quincy Adams Jack Scollay
Sat 24-Jan Andrew Jackson Dean Skipton
Sun 25-Jan Martin Van Buren Anna Hurley
Mon 26-Jan Wm Henry Harrison Tuesday Trippier
Tues 27-Jan John Tyler Corinne Lyman
Wed 28-Jan James K. Polk Toby Boyce
Thurs 29-Jan Zachary Taylor Teresa Watkins
Fri 30-Jan Millard Fillmore Judge David Gormley
Sat 31-Jan Franklin Pierce Dan Bennington
Sun 1-Feb James Buchanan Mike Rush
Mon 2-Feb Abraham Lincoln Russ Martin, Dean Skipton
Tues 3-Feb Andrew Johnson Abraham Gustavson
Wed 4-Feb Ulysses S. Grant Don Love
Thurs 5-Feb Rutherford B. Hayes Brent Carson
Fri 6-Feb James A. Garfield Dave Hejmanowski
Sat 7-Feb Chester A. Arthur Jake Myers
Sun 8-Feb Grover Cleveland Tony Heald
Mon 9-Feb Benjamin Harrison Griffin Waterman
Tues 10-Feb Grover Cleveland Butch Weller
Wed 11-Feb William McKinley Lori Dunlap-Flint
Thurs 12-Feb Theodore Roosevelt Rev. Charles Wilson
Fri1 13-Feb William H. Taft Chad Heald
Sat 14-Feb Woodrow Wilson Conrad Kent
Sun 15-Feb Warren G. Harding Tom Herring
Mon 16-Feb Calvin Coolidge Margo Bartlett
Tues 17-Feb Herbert Hoover Dave Steigerwald
Wed 18-Feb Franklin D. Roosevelt Mary Kay Love
Thurs 19-Feb Harry Truman Pat Hubbell
Fri 20-Feb Dwight D. Eisenhower Joan McLean
Sat 21-Feb John F. Kennedy Darlene Greenwood
Sun 22-Feb Lyndon B. Johnson Linda Shearer
Mon 23-Feb Richard Nixon Tom Slayton
Tues 24-Feb Gerald R. Ford Marianne Gabel
Wed 25-Feb Jimmy Carter Tim Chesser
Thurs 26-Feb Ronald Reagan Lisa Ho
Fri 27-Feb George H.W. Bush Dave Yost
Sat 28-Feb William J. Clinton Braden Kessler
Sun 1-Mar George W. Bush Nicole Endicott
Mon 2-Mar Barack Obama Kathleen O' Neill