April 17, 2008
|  |  | phone: 541-754-7668 address: 227 SW 2nd Street, Corvallis, OR
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| | A New Feature - Sampling Our New Music from Home
| | | | | We've added something new this week. If you receive your Grass Roots Reader in HTML format (most of you do), you'll see a link for each new album: "Hear samples at allmusic.com." Each link opens the album's page at allmusic.com, where you can read more about the artist and album. Clicking the icons beside the track numbers plays song samples. We know that playing web-based audio can be problematic: your firewall or browser settings can block the process, or your computer may be confused about the file type. If you run into problems and really want to get it to work, try reading allmusic.com's FAQ. And, if all else fails, remember that you can come down to the store and listen. We love to see visitors in headphones! | | | ^ back to Table of Contents | |
| Five Good Books
| | | | The Miracle at Speedy Motors: The New Novel in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series
Bad Money: Reckless Finance, Failed Politics, and the Global Crisis of American Capitalism
The Ginseng Hunter
A Mending at the Edge
The Girl with No Shadow
| | The Miracle at Speedy Motors: The New Novel in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series Alexander McCall Smith
Precious Ramotswe, "Botswana's foremost solver of problems," is used to handling straightforward domestic cases, which makes a series of anonymous letters threatening her and her assistant all the more disturbing. In Smith's ninth No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novel (after The Good Husband of Zebra Drive), tricky problems afford Mma Ramotswe ample opportunity to display her winning blend of insight into people's motivations and an endearingly belief in the best in human nature. Hardcover, $ 22.95
Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group, ISBN-13: 9780375424489
| | | | | | Bad Money: Reckless Finance, Failed Politics, and the Global Crisis of American Capitalism Kevin Phillips
In American Theocracy, Kevin Phillips warned us of the perilous interaction of debt, financial recklessness, and the increasing cost of oil. In Bad Money, he describes the consequences of our misguided economic policies, mounting debt, collapsing housing market, threatened oil, and the end of American domination of world markets. He uses the term "bad money" to describe new phenomena in megafinance — the emergence of an economy dominated by hubris-driven financial services, multitrillion-dollar products such as asset-backed securities, and the lure of hedge funds. Hardcover, $25.95
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) , ISBN-13: 9780670019076
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Jeff Talarigo
Set on China's ruggedly beautiful border with North Korea along the Tumen River, Talarigo's second novel (after The Pearl Diver) movingly dramatizes the human faces behind political oppression. When a solitary Chinese ginsing hunter meets a young North Korean prostitute, he learns about the tragedy occurring across the river and become involved in the fate of a group of refugees. Spare, intimate, and atmospheric, The Ginseng Hunter takes us into the little-understood lives of North Koreans, weaving together a set of harrowing stories against a backdrop of stunning scenery and a cruel regime. Hardcover, $21.95
Publisher: Doubleday Publishing; ISBN-13: 9780385517393
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Jane Kirkpatrick
This third book in Kirkpatrick's historical series (after A Clearing in the Wild and A Tendering in the Storm) is based on the true-life experiences of German-American Emma Wagner Giesy, the only woman sent to the Oregon Territory in the 1850s to help found a communal society. Kirkpatrick shows how landscape, relationships, spirituality and artistry can weave a unique and meaningful legacy within a community. Paperback, $13.99
Publisher: Doubleday Religious Publishing Group; ISBN-13: 9781578569793
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Joanne Harris
Harris revisits characters from 1999's bestselling Chocolat in this delectable, razor-edged fairy tale. After an unfortunate accident, Vianne has forsworn her paranormal power and moved to Paris to live a conventional life managing a chocolaterie. But Zozie, an identity-robbing witch, manages to insinuate herself into Vianne's family and drive a wedge between Vianne and her children. Eventually, Vianne must face what is happening in her household and reclaim her own unique magic touch. The complicated psychology of the characters enhances the story's classic theme of good versus evil and the difficulty of detecting the difference. Hardcover, $24.95
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers; ISBN-13: 9780061431623
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| For Readers of All Ages
| | | | | Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari MaathaiClaire A. NivolaRecommended ages: 5 - 8 Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the Green Belt Movement, grew up in the highlands of Kenya. This picture book biography uses lyrical text and and glowing watercolor illustrations to tell the remarkable story of one woman’s effort to change the fate of her land by teaching many to care for it. The idea of restoring ruined land to its original beauty will fill readers of all ages with hope. 
Hardcover, $16.95
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; ISBN-13: 9780374399184
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| Celebrating Earth Week – Books About our Planet
| | | | Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Social Movement in History Is Restoring Grace, Justice, and Beauty to the World
Earth: The Sequel: The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming
Gardening at the Dragon's Gate: At Work in the Wild and Cultivated World
Go Green: How to Build an Earth-Friendly Community
50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth: Completely New and Updated for the 21st Century
Some Eco-Friendly Shopping Guides
| | Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Social Movement in History Is Restoring Grace, Justice, and Beauty to the World Paul Hawken
Paul Hawken has spent more than a decade researching organizations dedicated to restoring the environment and fostering social justice. Blessed Unrest explores the diversity of the movement, its brilliant ideas, innovative strategies, and centuries of hidden history. The book is "exciting, compelling and very important. It will inspire and encourage millions more to take action." - Jane Goodall New in Paperback, $16.00
Publisher: Penguin Group; ISBN-13: 9780143113652
| | | | | | Earth: The Sequel: The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming Fred Krupp and Miriam Horn
Fred Krupp, longtime president of Environmental Defense Fund, brings a stirring and hopeful call to arms: we can solve global warming. And in doing so we will build the new industries, jobs, and fortunes of the twenty-first century. Krupp describes the bold innovators and investors who are reinventing energy and the ways we use it. Successive chapters sketch recent progress in solar, biofuels, ocean, geothermal, coal, biogas, conservation, and transportation. Hardcover, $24.95
Publisher: Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.; ISBN-13: 9780393066906
| | | | | | Gardening at the Dragon's Gate: At Work in the Wild and Cultivated World Wendy Johnson
For more than thirty years, Wendy Johnson has been meditating and gardening at the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center in northern California. Renowned for its pioneering role in California’s food revolution, Green Gulch provides choice produce to farmers’ markets and San Francisco restaurants. Johnson has distilled her lifetime of experience into this celebration of inner and outer growth, showing how the garden cultivates the gardener. Paperback, $25.00
Publisher: Bantam Books ; ISBN-13: 9780553378030
| | | | | | Go Green: How to Build an Earth-Friendly Community Nancy H. Taylor
Go Green is an great resource for people who are ready to join the movement towards going green, living sustainably, and creating a smaller carbon footprint. Homeowners, students, professionals and elected officials can all learn valuable solutions to save money and energy, and to combat global warming. The suggestions are "user-friendly" and can be applied to individuals, schools, hospitals, businesses and communities. Paperback, $12.95
Publisher: Gibbs Smith; ISBN-13: 9781423603870
| | | | | | 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth: Completely New and Updated for the 21st Century John, Sophie, and Jesse Javna
The first edition of 50 Simple Things was a revolutionary 1990 bestseller. Now, it has been reissued in a completely revised, updated edition that's just as innovative and groundbreaking as the original. The authors have teamed up with 50 of America's top environmental groups, including The Natural Resources Defense Council, the National Wildlife Federation, and Rainforest Action Network. Each group takes on one issue and provides a simple, step-by-step program that will empower you to become citizen activists. Paperback, $12.95
Publisher: Hyperion; ISBN-13: 9781401322991
| | | | | | Some Eco-Friendly Shopping Guides
- Thepurplebook Green Edition: An Eco-Friendly Online Shopping Guide
Hillary Mendelsohn and Ian Anderson
$11.95; ISBN-13: 9780979926617 - Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World
Diane MacEachern
$17.95; ISBN-13: 9781583333037 - The Rough Guide to Shopping with a Conscience
Duncan Clark and Richie Unterberger
$16.99; ISBN-13: 9781843537243 - The Better World Shopping Guide
Ellis Jones
$9.95; ISBN-13: 9780865715769 | | | | | | | | ^ back to Table of Contents | |
| Music
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Kris Delmhorst $17.95
Genre: Pop/Folk
Contemporary folk singer-songwriter Delmhorst recorded his fifth release alone in a rural cabin. When those spare tapes were finished, bandmate and producer with Josh Ritter added some deep studio wizardry.  Recommended if you like: Ani DiFranco, Catie CurtisHear samples at allmusic.com
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James McMurtry $16.95
Genre: Pop/Folk
McMurtry is one of Americana's most respected songwriters. In his plain Texas drawl, he addresses the current state of the nation with songs such as "Cheney's Toy" and "Hurricane Party." Recommended if you like: Ray Wylie Hubbard, Todd SniderHear samples at allmusic.com
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Marilyn Mazur $17.95
Genre: Classical
Mazur is percussionist who is best known for her work with Miles Davis and saxophonist Jan Garbarek. In this series of "miniature improvisations," Mazur plays marimba, bowed vibraphone, waterphone, hang , bells, gongs, cymbals, magic, log , udu drum, and more. Garbarek joins her on some pieces. Hear samples at allmusic.com
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Hilary McRae $14.95
Genre: Pop/Folk
McRae's style and melodies echo the vintage pop/rock of the '60s and '70s while blazing into territory all her own. The 21-year old pianist and vocalist penned all of the songs on this album! This is fine retro-pop. Hear samples at allmusic.com
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Justin Nozuka $11.95
Genre: Pop/Folk
Not yet 20 years old, Nozuka blends soulful R&B with contemporary singer-songwriter folk. "The arrangements are absolutely inspired, and range from spare to lavish. All are blues based, but incorporate pop, folk, nods to the Bristol sound, even flamenco. A stunning debut." — All Music Guide Recommended if you like: Jack Johnson, Paolo NutiniHear samples at allmusic.com
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| Special Events
| | | | | A special Earth Day presentation with Jonathan Carroll and James SneedSunday April 20th, 12:00 – 2:00pm, Grass Roots Jonathan seeks innovative ways towards green living. He's a contributor to Home Power magazine and has been featured in Oregon Home Green Living. James is a visionary organic farmer at Sunbow Farm, and gives workshops focused on turning lawns into food.
On the Road with the LBCC Poetry Club: What's Pop About Poetry?Tuesday April 29, 3:00pm, Grass Roots
LBCC poets perform in a range of performance styles, from spoken word to rap to slam. Join us for a poetry performance as we make connections to American Pop Culture and to each other.
Melissa Haggins, Patchwork of the Soul: A Quilt of Healing and Wholeness
Sunday May 10, time TBD
Using the quilt as a symbol and metaphor has historical roots across many cultures. In Patchwork of the Soul, the authors (the book is co-authored by Jennifer Gaye) create a quilt of their own lives through personal reflections that reveal their life lessons. They offer paths to guide readers through individual healing processes. Melissa will also be offering a workshop on creating a quilt based on the principles discussed in her book.
Larry Weinstein, Grammar for the Soul: Using Language for Personal Change
Saturday May 17, time TBD
Weinstein shows that simple grammar such as syntax and punctuation can be tools for change and growth, just as yoga and the martial arts are used for self-improvement. He compares the realm of grammar to a kind of psycho-social gymnasium, where — instead of weights, a treadmill, mats, and a balance beam — one finds active verbs, passive verbs, periods, apostrophes, dashes, and a thousand other pieces of linguistic equipment. He suggests that we change who we are when we change our verbal conduct.
David Barsamian
Friday, May 16th or Sunday May 18, Oddfellows Hall
David Barsamian is the award winning founder and director of Alternative Radio, the independent weekly series based in Boulder, Colorado. He is a radio producer, journalist, author and lecturer. He has been working in radio since 1978. His interviews and articles appear regularly in The Progressive and Z Magazine.
Jo Dereske, author of the Miss Zukas mysteries
Saturday May 24, details TBD
Molly Gloss, The Hearts of Horses
Wednesday June 4, Corvallis Arts Center, details TBD
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| | Reading Group News
| | | | | Next meeting: Tuesday May 6, 6:30-8:00 pm, in the Grass Roots loft.
Book: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak No experience or membership necessary: first-timers always welcome!
Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence by stealing until she encounters something she can’t resist – books. With the help of her foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors and with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.  Paperback, $11.99
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
ISBN-13: 9780375842207
On sale for $10.19 until May 6.
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| On Our Nightstands
| | | | |  Here's what we've been reading this week.
Jack:
The Color of a Dog Running Away
Richard Gwyn
Paperback, $ 13.95
Sandy:
Ten Poems to Change Your Life Again and Again
Roger Housden
Hardcover, $16.95
Tiffany:
Origin
Diana Abu-Jaber
Paperback, $13.95
Melody:
The Society of S
Susan Hubbard
Paperback, $14.00
Linda:
The Voice, the Word, the Books: The Sacred Scripture of the Jews, Christians, and Muslims
F.E. Peters
Hardcover, $29.95
 Anna:
The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story
Diane Ackerman
Hardcover, $ 23.95
Corrine:
: The Odyssey: A Dramatic Retelling of Homer's Epic
Simon Armitage
Paperback, $14.95
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