Too-Good-for-Only-One-Round Books

Thanks to David R. Godine for this reprint.

David R. Godine, a small house in Boston founded 55 years ago, is one of my favorite publishers. Besides discovering new authors and works, they bring back into print titles that deserve another go-round. Such a one is certainly Clémentine in the Kitchen, which I read years ago and have regretted ever letting out of my hands. Now there is another chance for me and a first chance for you, if you have yet to discover this wonderful story. 

It was mere coincidence that, just after my order from David R. Godine brought me two copies of a reprint of Clémentine in the Kitchen, by Samuel Chamberlain, from another quarter came a first edition from the World War II era, Respectfully Yours, Annie, by Sylvia Brockway. The coincidence is dual: Clémentine was published in 1943 and tells the story of an American family leaving France in 1939 and bringing back with them their French cook. Annie was published in 1942 and is a series of letters, with introduction by the author of record, from an American family’s London charwoman-cook, who stayed with their house when the mother and children went back to America in 1939. So, Clémentine, French; Annie; English. Clémentine comes to the U.S., Annie remains in England. Both women cook for their employers, and both win the hearts of the families who employ them. Among the differences, the Clémentine book includes recipes, and Annie's does not.

Other books newly arrived in my order from David R. Godine:

Sorry to have to tell you that both copies of a reprinted Donald Hall memoir, String Too Short to be Saved, sold right off the stack on my desk before I could figure out a "better" display. (Apparently, the displayed stack was all it took.) If people knew Clémentine as I know Clémentine--and ditto with Rosie--those books would be gone already, too. As for The Last of the Hill Farms, if I have more time to spend with that before it flies to a new home, you'll hear no complaints from me. Eventually, however, it should go to a photographer or at least someone who loves photography. 

Friday visit from gentleman dog Brady

Newly Arrived: THE SOUL OF SLEEPING BEAR

 

This beautiful new book of photographs of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore has text to match the images' beauty. The covered bridge on the book cover invites you in! 

Both text and photography are by Mark Lindsay, and books in the shop now are signed by Mark. Perfect for Fathers Day, coming up next month. 

Back by Popular Demand

That would be the Back Pages of Leelanau County, a decade's worth of beautiful color photographs by Ken Scott, originally featured on the back page of Section One of the Leelanau Enterprise -- because not everyone has a copy yet!

Hardcover, $40

Leelanau Nature Real CLOSE UP!

Here's a new book that exemplifies, magnificently, what you can find in your own back yard, given patience, interest, and talent. My nature-loving book friends are going to be beside themselves over these photographs! Come in and see it -- you may not believe it even then! Amazing!

Nature's Unseen World: Leelanau County's Backyard
photographs by Bob Jones
Traverse City: Mission Point Press
Hardcover, $29.95

Going Fast!

I thought everyone would have a copy of Ken Scott's Back Pages by now, but after more than one request I knew I had to restock. Now there's one left for the first lucky customer to get here and claim it.

Back Pages of Leelanau County
from Ken Scott & the Leelanau Enterprise
Hardcover, $40


Another book that seemed far from Northport to me was Storm Struck: When Supercharged Winds Slammed Northwest Michigan, by Robert Campbell and photographs by residents and visitors.

Most of the August 2015 storm was concentrated in and around Glen Arbor, but the book was requested this far north, too, so I arranged to stock it, and now there is a single copy of that available, too.

Storm Struck: When Supercharged Winds Slammed Northwest Michigan
by Robert Campbell
Softcover, 107 pp/illustrated, $22.50

Perkins, Scott, Krapohl -- All On Hand Today

They are not alone on the front table, but signed copies of Leelanau Trek: One Shoreline, Two Visions and Nuts to You now available in paperback are a couple of very attractive offerings this weekend at Dog Ears Books.

The colors even go together!

Fishtown and Beyond!

For fifteen years, there has been the Leland Report online. Now there is The Leland Report -- a book! Those who have been faithful followers of Keith Burnham's daily bulletins will be enchanted by the book, as will those newly discovering the magic.

I was pleasantly surprised to find in these pages not only photographs of Fishtown but many other lovely scenes of the area, including aerial views, scenes from Lake Leelanau, and even a photograph of St. Wenceslaus Church, in my Gills Pier neighborhood, seen through branches of blossoming cherry trees.

Susan Ager of Northport wrote the foreword for the book, too, which marks it as belonging to Leelanau Township as well as to Leland.

The Leland Report: 15 Years in the Leelanau Peninsula,
by Keith & Jim Burnham
Hardcover, 120 pp, illustrated, full color
Signed copies
$39

Local Native American Images

Local photographer Minnie Wavanimkee's notecards are a featured item this year at Dog Ears Books. Individual cards such as the two shown above are priced at $4 each, but a boxed sets of all eight images in the series in the series retails for only $18. A new series of smaller cards, with full-color images and Anishnabe themes, are available for $3.50 each.

Our Beautiful Leelanau County Shoreline, Captured!

The latest book from Leelanau Press is in Northport now, and it’s a beauty. Lake Trek: One Shoreline, Two Visions features the work of photographer Ken Scott and painter Kaye Krapohl, and to call it stunning would be to understate the case. Walking the shore, through the seasons, from Traverse City north and around and down south to the Benzie County line, Ken and Kaye captured a breathtaking variety of beautiful moments with their respective arts. Kaye’s sketches and studies for later finished paintings and the comments of these two talented people about their extended adventure add depth to what would already be a magnificent volume with finished work alone. You will love this book!

Ken and Kaye will be at Dog Ears Books on Thursday evening, August 11, at 7 p.m., to tell you about their long hike and the art that came out of it. They will sign books for customers after Q&A.

Lake Trek: One Shoreline, Two Visions

Ken Scott & Kaye Krapohl

Hardcover, 136pp, $39.95