You could say, Henning Mankell writes police procedural novels set in Sweden. That may be like saying Leo Kottke plays guitar. Henning Mankell builds a world around detective Kurt Wallander and lets us experience it through Wallander's sense and sensibilty. Most recently I have read The Fifth Woman, originally published in 1996 in Swedish and in this translation in the US in 2000. A shiny new mass market edition was published in the US in 2010, one copy on the shelves now at Anchor.
As you read this tightly plotted, up tempo crime fiction novel, you are immersed in the day to day activities of the sleep deprived, grieving detective but a part of your consciousness is reminded of literature teachers of the dim past. There is a reason writers write, there is an idea, a kernel. Enjoy the wrapping but be aware of the essential matter.
The story is good, the characters mostly sympathetic, some simply pathetic. It is crime fiction after all. The Austin American-Statesman announced on the the cover, "YOU CAN'T PUT IT DOWN." I believed them and did not put it down often. A side benefit of this not putting down is sharing sleep deprivation with Wallander. But Mankell gives us more than the long suffering policeman. The first I heard of Wallander was a reference from a friend. When he spoke of this fictional character I thought he was talking of another friend. There is size and shape to this man and you are included in his life for the duration. Wallander worries about his team, advances his case, learns about his family, looks after his child, and, emerges to resolution. In his reminiscences of his mentor an essence emerges, don't miss it.
Possibly heartening glimpses of commonality in modern society around the world also shine through the conversations and tribulations of the characters. Perhaps we are more alike than not, more in common than indifferent or in differences. One jarring note was the world weariness of Wallander in his forties. We should all have that problem. Another smaller speed bump is the idea of a Swede driving a Peugeot, perhaps an homage to Inspector Columbo.
Henning Mankel novels can be found in the mystery ranks at Anchor Books and Coffee. Don't delay, there are other readers out and about who come around searching out Mankell. We have several in stock now but that is not always the case.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Cloud Atlas Musings
Last week I saw an item on one of the online news services about the balloons sent aloft by Japan in the latter stages of World War Two. These balloons were of paper made from the bark of Mulberry trees, the same trees that silkworms eat. The balloons were inflated with lighter than air gas and sent aloft to be carried by prevailing upper air winds from Japan to the north American continent. The balloons carried incendiary/explosive bombs and a system for dropping ballast to keep them aloft on their journey. The article included video of American planes' gun cameras as they shot a balloon down and aerial pictures of a balloon flaccid and spent in a fallow crop field in the interior of the country. These balloons were responsible for the only civilian casualties on United States soil in World War II. Five children and the new pastor's wife on a CMA church picnic near Bly in southern Oregon found and inadvertently triggered the explosives. The War Department had known of the balloons but did not want to panic the population with the news that Japanese warfare was reaching America.
Liam Callanan's novel, The Cloud Atlas, weaves a mystical fabric on the structure of the history of the balloons. It is voiced by an Alaskan priest holding vigil for Yup'ik shaman who has been his adversary, teacher, friend and sharer of personal history. Stories unfold, move separately and together through the years from the war to the present like the winds carrying the balloons and the clouds. While I was reading the Cloud Atlas I was impatient for the stories, to resolve, to have a more familiar structure. but now a few days past I see the people and the stories in the moving air, sometimes solid, sometimes spirit, and I am very satisfied.
I only wonder from where and why that story online came and why it appeared now, just as I read this book.
The Cloud Atlas, Liam Callanan, is on the shelves in contemporary fiction at Anchor Books and Coffee. When you are seeking refuge from the gray-black solid, water bearing clouds of November, we have a warm dry place from which to travel on the written word.
Liam Callanan's novel, The Cloud Atlas, weaves a mystical fabric on the structure of the history of the balloons. It is voiced by an Alaskan priest holding vigil for Yup'ik shaman who has been his adversary, teacher, friend and sharer of personal history. Stories unfold, move separately and together through the years from the war to the present like the winds carrying the balloons and the clouds. While I was reading the Cloud Atlas I was impatient for the stories, to resolve, to have a more familiar structure. but now a few days past I see the people and the stories in the moving air, sometimes solid, sometimes spirit, and I am very satisfied.
I only wonder from where and why that story online came and why it appeared now, just as I read this book.
The Cloud Atlas, Liam Callanan, is on the shelves in contemporary fiction at Anchor Books and Coffee. When you are seeking refuge from the gray-black solid, water bearing clouds of November, we have a warm dry place from which to travel on the written word.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Welcome to August
It's been a whirlwind summer here at the store. The Glorious Fourth, summer has been sighted for a few minutes, and now it's August and the back to school ads have begun already.
Teresa, Lauren, Sarah, Trish and I have been honing our alphabetizing skills, pulling more and more shots of espresso and generally getting a handle on this bookstore/coffeeshop and coffeeshop/bookstore thing.
Since the new and improved visitor center signage went up just before the Fourth of July weekend we have also been dispensing free visitor information to the masses. it is so true about getting what you pay for. There are lots of good questions and even more good answers, we just need to connect them. Fortunately Katy Shaner and her crew are helping us connect the correct answers to the questions. It is fun to see the wide range of people visiting Whidbey, our fair isle. We have welcomed visitors from China, Brazil, France, British Columbia, California, Wisconsin and friends of Dorothy's from Kansas. We welcomed a couple from Wichita Falls Texas who drove here just to escape the heat. We were the rendezvous point for an extended family who gathered from Cincinnati, Washington DC, and San Jose before going on to Langley to surprise their daughter and sister for a milestone birthday.
Just last week we were fortunate to host a remarkable reunion. Fifty years ago Billye and Bobby graduated from Richland High in Richland, Washington. Life took them here and there and then here. Without knowing it they were both living on South Whidbey. Checking in to Richland Fiftieth Reunion activities online, they realized that they were practically neighbors. Billye had been here a couple times with friends and invited Bobby to meet her here. The rest is now part of our history. New friends or old, this is the place.
One reason I have been so delinquent in getting this blog current is the vigorous pre-reading program we have instituted. We have gotten almost 3,800 books in trade since we opened April 30th. Some of these have not been read very much and some of them have not been read by our staff. I have been doing my part. I can recommend the Guido Brunetti Mysteries by Donna Leon. They are set in Venice and explore the modern culture and family life through the eye of Commissario Brunetti. I think she may be trying to warn us. Ian Rankin's primary character is Detective Sergeant, John Rebus, world worn and street wise. John leads us through the streets of Edinburgh. When you are finished you feel you know the city. I looked up one afternoon to a friendly request for a double tall Americano and I had to ask for a minute to return to Clinton. I had been miles and years away in the dust and rubble of Berlin in the days of the Potsdam Conference at the close of World War II. Joseph Karon's novel The Good German, had immersed me in the mist and miasma of the vortex that was Berlin in those days, friend, foe, ally, victor and vanquished all in flux. In between these was the story of the loss in Scorpion Down, the American submarine victim of the cold war and the bigger story of competing undersea military forces in Blind Man's Bluff. These are both on the shelf in the growing history area. I need help, you can come buy some books and reduce my workload!
It's not too late to pick up some great light reading for the beach. We just got a fabulous French/English Scientific Dictionary. I recommend it for giving your scientific observations a definite continental air. We have a new wish list form posted backstage, if you have an author or a title you would like us to watch for, let us know and we will keep a sharp eye out.
Last week we had a media blitz going out. Toni Groves' article in the Whidbey Examiner was in the Thursday Edition; http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=6&SubSectionID=6&ArticleID=6366.
On Saturday Patricia Duff's Article, "New gathering spot is becoming the place where everybody knows your name" made Sarah famous! http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/swr/business/126523783.html
Trish continues to amaze and delight with her baking skills, gluten free peanut butter cookies, raspberry walnut bars, cinnamon pull-aparts and more and more cookies! Don't be late.
Teresa, Lauren, Sarah, Trish and I have been honing our alphabetizing skills, pulling more and more shots of espresso and generally getting a handle on this bookstore/coffeeshop and coffeeshop/bookstore thing.
Since the new and improved visitor center signage went up just before the Fourth of July weekend we have also been dispensing free visitor information to the masses. it is so true about getting what you pay for. There are lots of good questions and even more good answers, we just need to connect them. Fortunately Katy Shaner and her crew are helping us connect the correct answers to the questions. It is fun to see the wide range of people visiting Whidbey, our fair isle. We have welcomed visitors from China, Brazil, France, British Columbia, California, Wisconsin and friends of Dorothy's from Kansas. We welcomed a couple from Wichita Falls Texas who drove here just to escape the heat. We were the rendezvous point for an extended family who gathered from Cincinnati, Washington DC, and San Jose before going on to Langley to surprise their daughter and sister for a milestone birthday.
Just last week we were fortunate to host a remarkable reunion. Fifty years ago Billye and Bobby graduated from Richland High in Richland, Washington. Life took them here and there and then here. Without knowing it they were both living on South Whidbey. Checking in to Richland Fiftieth Reunion activities online, they realized that they were practically neighbors. Billye had been here a couple times with friends and invited Bobby to meet her here. The rest is now part of our history. New friends or old, this is the place.
One reason I have been so delinquent in getting this blog current is the vigorous pre-reading program we have instituted. We have gotten almost 3,800 books in trade since we opened April 30th. Some of these have not been read very much and some of them have not been read by our staff. I have been doing my part. I can recommend the Guido Brunetti Mysteries by Donna Leon. They are set in Venice and explore the modern culture and family life through the eye of Commissario Brunetti. I think she may be trying to warn us. Ian Rankin's primary character is Detective Sergeant, John Rebus, world worn and street wise. John leads us through the streets of Edinburgh. When you are finished you feel you know the city. I looked up one afternoon to a friendly request for a double tall Americano and I had to ask for a minute to return to Clinton. I had been miles and years away in the dust and rubble of Berlin in the days of the Potsdam Conference at the close of World War II. Joseph Karon's novel The Good German, had immersed me in the mist and miasma of the vortex that was Berlin in those days, friend, foe, ally, victor and vanquished all in flux. In between these was the story of the loss in Scorpion Down, the American submarine victim of the cold war and the bigger story of competing undersea military forces in Blind Man's Bluff. These are both on the shelf in the growing history area. I need help, you can come buy some books and reduce my workload!
It's not too late to pick up some great light reading for the beach. We just got a fabulous French/English Scientific Dictionary. I recommend it for giving your scientific observations a definite continental air. We have a new wish list form posted backstage, if you have an author or a title you would like us to watch for, let us know and we will keep a sharp eye out.
Last week we had a media blitz going out. Toni Groves' article in the Whidbey Examiner was in the Thursday Edition; http://www.whidbeyexaminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=6&SubSectionID=6&ArticleID=6366.
On Saturday Patricia Duff's Article, "New gathering spot is becoming the place where everybody knows your name" made Sarah famous! http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/swr/business/126523783.html
Trish continues to amaze and delight with her baking skills, gluten free peanut butter cookies, raspberry walnut bars, cinnamon pull-aparts and more and more cookies! Don't be late.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sunday morning coming down.....
It's old home week here at Anchor as we move into our ninth week of existence.
Joy Kosola brought by a new Whidbey Island birding poster that she and Craig are producing. It's a beautiful poster/map of Whidbey identifying some of the prime birding locations on the island and surrounded with Craig's images of the birds here in paradise. Joy was at the shop to bring us more copies of their book, Rufous, the Amazing Hummingbird Story. Much like Rufous this book continues to fly. We also have Craig and Joy's new book, Our Pacific Northwest Birds and Habitat, it's a fine one
Mona Newbauer is circling the world of chocolate with her travels to Ecuador and now beautiful Pittsburgh. Fortunately Tony has the keys to the shop and could come replenish our stock of sea salt caramels, they seem to emulate Rufous and fly out of here.
Chris Dennis of Island Framery here in Clinton, brought some coupons for framing services. Now when you purchase your Perry Woodfin, or Craig Johnson print you get a coupon good for $20 off custom framing at Chris and Joy's shop.
We now have are the place to get Frances Woods' work all day every day. When that craving for a blank journal and a cup of coffee comes on you suddenly, you can fill your needs with Frances' beautifully done blank journal, spiral bound, heavy weight paper interior and covers with beautiful pen and water color drawings of Great Blue Heron. The drawings and captions are from Frances' book Brushed By Feathers, A Year of Birdwatching in the West. We also have blank note cards with ink and watercolor prints by Frances and her book, Down to Camp: A History of Summer Folk on Whidbey Island.
This week we have dramatically expanded the L'Amour collection, that's Louis. We now have almost one hundred volumes of western stories by the dean of the genre. While we were collecting our opening stock we searched diligently for books for this section and finally had a decent number to get started but we now have some for all the fans who have been inquiring after the tales of the black hats in the wild west. They are here now.
Also in this week is a beautiful book of photographs, Japanese Courtyard Gardens. This little book has a nice collection of plates of gardens intimate and public, minute and grand.
Trish has been experimenting some more in the kitchen and her Cinnamon Pull Apart rolls now have walnuts, they were good before, now they are even nuttier. the Wall of Fame is filling up. Particular drinks for Particular People, come see who drinks what.
We have new outside seating. Today you can sit and watch the ferry line and not even need your Helly or fleece. The music is playing, the pie is apple and the coffee is hot.
Joy Kosola brought by a new Whidbey Island birding poster that she and Craig are producing. It's a beautiful poster/map of Whidbey identifying some of the prime birding locations on the island and surrounded with Craig's images of the birds here in paradise. Joy was at the shop to bring us more copies of their book, Rufous, the Amazing Hummingbird Story. Much like Rufous this book continues to fly. We also have Craig and Joy's new book, Our Pacific Northwest Birds and Habitat, it's a fine one
Mona Newbauer is circling the world of chocolate with her travels to Ecuador and now beautiful Pittsburgh. Fortunately Tony has the keys to the shop and could come replenish our stock of sea salt caramels, they seem to emulate Rufous and fly out of here.
Chris Dennis of Island Framery here in Clinton, brought some coupons for framing services. Now when you purchase your Perry Woodfin, or Craig Johnson print you get a coupon good for $20 off custom framing at Chris and Joy's shop.
We now have are the place to get Frances Woods' work all day every day. When that craving for a blank journal and a cup of coffee comes on you suddenly, you can fill your needs with Frances' beautifully done blank journal, spiral bound, heavy weight paper interior and covers with beautiful pen and water color drawings of Great Blue Heron. The drawings and captions are from Frances' book Brushed By Feathers, A Year of Birdwatching in the West. We also have blank note cards with ink and watercolor prints by Frances and her book, Down to Camp: A History of Summer Folk on Whidbey Island.
This week we have dramatically expanded the L'Amour collection, that's Louis. We now have almost one hundred volumes of western stories by the dean of the genre. While we were collecting our opening stock we searched diligently for books for this section and finally had a decent number to get started but we now have some for all the fans who have been inquiring after the tales of the black hats in the wild west. They are here now.
Also in this week is a beautiful book of photographs, Japanese Courtyard Gardens. This little book has a nice collection of plates of gardens intimate and public, minute and grand.
Trish has been experimenting some more in the kitchen and her Cinnamon Pull Apart rolls now have walnuts, they were good before, now they are even nuttier. the Wall of Fame is filling up. Particular drinks for Particular People, come see who drinks what.
We have new outside seating. Today you can sit and watch the ferry line and not even need your Helly or fleece. The music is playing, the pie is apple and the coffee is hot.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Good beginning and better endings!
Daily through June 2011
Morning Specials! Opening-7:00am to 11:00am
One of Trish's Bacon and Cheddar Muffin, a Kiichli's bagel or a Cinnamon Pullapart and a 12 ounce Drip coffee for $3.00, may not be combined with other specials or coupons.
Afternoons Specials! 3:00 pm to Closing-7:00 pm
One slice of the Whidbey Pie of the day and a 12 ounce drip coffee for $4.00, may not be combined with other specials or coupons.
Come on down, we'll leave the lights on!
Morning Specials! Opening-7:00am to 11:00am
One of Trish's Bacon and Cheddar Muffin, a Kiichli's bagel or a Cinnamon Pullapart and a 12 ounce Drip coffee for $3.00, may not be combined with other specials or coupons.
Afternoons Specials! 3:00 pm to Closing-7:00 pm
One slice of the Whidbey Pie of the day and a 12 ounce drip coffee for $4.00, may not be combined with other specials or coupons.
Come on down, we'll leave the lights on!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
The weather is here we wish we were beautiful,
There is a strange light in the east, it has heat. I'm going to google it as soon as I finish this and find out what it is.
Emmy Lou is singing in the back room, the cookies are out. Trish's Bacon-Cheddar muffins are ready to heat and the first triple shot Americano is out the door. Trucks pulling boats are headed to the launches. We had a great day yesterday lots of new faces and friends saying hi to each other. The drink of the day yesterday was the five shot venti breve, bet you can't drink just one.
There is black raspberry pie for Saturday brunch, just the thing to fuel a morning of yard sale investigations or even yard work. Yesterday evening someone stopped by to stock up with George's Hatch Chile Truffle and Mona's Sea Salt Caramel as rewards after lawn mowing, not a bad motivational tool.
My book report on the "Girl Who...." trilogy is available in person. I can report that I was up til 1:30 am one night/morning, not that there is anything wrong with that but I do need to be here at o'dark thirty to unfurl flags, place cookies and stamp coffee cups.
If you have not tried one yet consider the personal portable French press X-Press Smartcup. It's a press brewing system in a 16 or 20 ounce paper cup. We grind your coffee immediately before we pour the brew water over the ground coffee, you have the filter and plunger and can brew to your desired strength. You take the whole thing with you. An island exclusive here at Anchor Books and Coffee, your hometown coffee shop in Clinton, Washington.
Enjoy the sun!
Emmy Lou is singing in the back room, the cookies are out. Trish's Bacon-Cheddar muffins are ready to heat and the first triple shot Americano is out the door. Trucks pulling boats are headed to the launches. We had a great day yesterday lots of new faces and friends saying hi to each other. The drink of the day yesterday was the five shot venti breve, bet you can't drink just one.
There is black raspberry pie for Saturday brunch, just the thing to fuel a morning of yard sale investigations or even yard work. Yesterday evening someone stopped by to stock up with George's Hatch Chile Truffle and Mona's Sea Salt Caramel as rewards after lawn mowing, not a bad motivational tool.
My book report on the "Girl Who...." trilogy is available in person. I can report that I was up til 1:30 am one night/morning, not that there is anything wrong with that but I do need to be here at o'dark thirty to unfurl flags, place cookies and stamp coffee cups.
If you have not tried one yet consider the personal portable French press X-Press Smartcup. It's a press brewing system in a 16 or 20 ounce paper cup. We grind your coffee immediately before we pour the brew water over the ground coffee, you have the filter and plunger and can brew to your desired strength. You take the whole thing with you. An island exclusive here at Anchor Books and Coffee, your hometown coffee shop in Clinton, Washington.
Enjoy the sun!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
A whole Week?
It's been a busy week at Cafe Woebegone. I'm thinking that has to be true since it's been an entire week since I took time to do this. Oh, I did borrow a book and read it, finally, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. That's where the extra minutes went. I first borrowed Trish's copy at home, was in withdrawal at the store before the revelation. This is a book store!, and there is another copy on the shelves! and there you go, this week's literal staff pick. I have only a couple words about the book, get it, read it. We have one each hard or paper back for your choosing.
This morning we have a simple selection of Kiichli's bagels. I go there, all the way to Ken's Korner in outer Clinton, to Kiichli's Bagel bakery and I am completely overwhelmed. My simple input system can't process that many varieties of bagel. We do the hard part, narrowing the field. we have Cheddar-jalapeno, multigrain, pumpernickel, cinnamon raisin, and plain for your simplified bagel life, cream cheese of course.
Trish has found another most excellent recipe and already we have people driving all the way from Freeland for more. Her Bacon-cheddar muffin is worth the trip. Heated up they are a real treat and make one key leg of your daily food tripod. Caffeine and sugar are in close supply and you are ready to do what needs to be done.
I'd be remiss if i did not mention pie, after all it is what's for breakfast. One or two lucky people get the last two pieces of cherry and Boysenberry waits in the wings.
And there are books, see you soon!
This morning we have a simple selection of Kiichli's bagels. I go there, all the way to Ken's Korner in outer Clinton, to Kiichli's Bagel bakery and I am completely overwhelmed. My simple input system can't process that many varieties of bagel. We do the hard part, narrowing the field. we have Cheddar-jalapeno, multigrain, pumpernickel, cinnamon raisin, and plain for your simplified bagel life, cream cheese of course.
Trish has found another most excellent recipe and already we have people driving all the way from Freeland for more. Her Bacon-cheddar muffin is worth the trip. Heated up they are a real treat and make one key leg of your daily food tripod. Caffeine and sugar are in close supply and you are ready to do what needs to be done.
I'd be remiss if i did not mention pie, after all it is what's for breakfast. One or two lucky people get the last two pieces of cherry and Boysenberry waits in the wings.
And there are books, see you soon!
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