Mea Culpa

or, My Fault

It's incredibly frustrating for me to have so much news to share and so little time to do it. Whether you know it or not (and this Web log hasn't been much help), the new books are pouring in the door.

Biographies and histories of Teddy Roosevelt, J. Robert Oppenheimer, George Washington, and Frank Sinatra lead the way, but the most compelling book I've seen this week is The Pirate Coast, the tale of President Thomas Jefferson and the first U.S. Marine secret mission.

Harlen Coben has been out for a couple of weeks with his fourth bestselling novel; David Sedaris' latest unspools in paperback this week; and Larry McMurtry tells a tale of Buffalo Bill Cody and Annie Oakley.

I'm packing frantically for a four-day jaunt to New York, but it's a working trip. BookExpo America returns to Manhattan this weekend, and you can catch a lot of it this weekend on BookTV, your C-SPAN2 channel. Tens of thousands of booksellers join with the entire publishing world in a frenzy of deal-making, author appearances, and swag!

That's right, swag!

When I return, I'll be loaded down with good stuff, including advance copies of many of this year's fall books. And the following Sunday, Patron Passport members can stake their claim to some of the best galleys, proofs, and other advance reading copies across the spectrum of publishing. They're made available to us to help us make our selections for the fall season, but there's no way we can evaluate them all. Help us make our picks and pick up one of your rewards.

We'll also be calculating your earned rebates this summer. We've decided that this will be the time to reward you for your loyalty each year.

Mark Sunday, June 12, on your calendar now. As an added bonus, the Main Street Preservation Association will be holding their inaugural Mansion Row Garden Stroll that afternoon just two blocks from the store. Park here, come in for presentations on the hour, then explore Main Street's architectural, arborial, and heirloom gardens. We'll keep the store open long enough for you to do a little extra shopping after your stroll, or you can stop by our tent in the 500 block of East Main.

Finally, I keep hearing a rumor that while I'm away, Ann has something big planned, but when I ask her, she just says "What you don't know won't hurt you." Hmmm.

A Room With a View

It's not quite the silver screen, but the "main stage" of the store will become a theater on Monday evening with two showings of the documentary, Blue Vinyl.

The City of New Albany's Historic Preservation Commission (President, Ted Fulmore) and the Historic Landmarks Foundation (Director, Greg Sekula) are joining us as we wrap up our direct participation in Preservation Month. Thanks to the folks at Circuit City in Clarksville, we'll be able to show the film on a 52" screen.

In response to frequent and ongoing requests, we've scheduled two showings. The 5 p.m. show is for those of you who have been avoiding events at the store because they end too late. A second show will follow shortly after 7 p.m. Hot beverage service is available at our coffee and tea bar - bring your own cold drinks and popcorn.

This independent film examines the PVC industry with humor and solid research to spotlight a blight on civilization - polyvinyl chloride, the stuff they make vinyl siding out of. The environmental and occupational hazards, not to mention the danger to neighbors and emergency workers, far outweigh the aesthetic objections to vinyl. Besides, we'll have experts on hand to show how the application of vinyl siding to your home can actually degrade and devalue the underlying character of your exteriors.

Everyone is invited to these free showings.

Honored to Host

This has been an incredible two weeks for the store and for Ann and I personally.

Last Wednesday's Spring Public Affairs Symposium, "A Preservation Conversation," was a tremendous demonstration of public support for preserving our neighborhoods. Earlier in the day, I was privileged to receive the "Hoosier Hospitality Award" from Lt. Gov. Becky Skilling in the rotunda of the state capitol.

Sunday's booksigning with David C. Barksdale and Robyn Davis Sekula exceeded all expectations and the sales of their new book, New Albany in Vintage Postcards, have been phenomenal.

This Friday at 6 p.m., we are honored to host author Alan McPherson for a book-signing for his Temples of Knowledge: Andrew Carnegie's Gift to Indiana. This will immediately follow the dedication of a historical marker at New Albany's Carnegie Center.

This is a one-time event and we encourage you all to come out and honor this singular achievement in documentary history. After the book-signing, many of the attendees will share a dinner presentation at The Parthenon, but dinner isn't a requirement to meet and talk with this eminent historian of Indiana.

Join us at 6, or wander down to the Carnegie for the marker dedication and reception at 4:30.

Preserving History

We're in full historical roar at the store heading into week three of Preservation Month.

Our book-signing with authors David C. Barksdale and Robyn Davis Sekula was a tremendous success, and I'm projecting we'll run out of New Albany in Vintage Postcards before week's end.

Speaking of week's end, we'll be hosting historian Alan McPherson for a book-signing on Friday at 6. His book, Temples of Knowledge: Andrew Carnegie's Gift to Indiana, features many of the state's Carnegie libraries. After a reception at our own Carnegie Center and the dedication of a historic marker, McPherson will greet patrons and autograph copies of the book. A dinner will follow at The Parthenon.

National Exposure

New Albany High School's drama program literally takes over the New York Times Arts & Leisure section today. Did you know Destinations Booksellers is the only retail location in Southern Indiana where you can purchase a copy of this long-form illustrated article?

We're open today just to sell the Sunday New York Times, but if you stop by, you'll also want to pick up your copies of New Albany in Vintage Postcards, by David Barksdale and Robyn Sekula. It came in Friday afternoon and is simply flying off the shelves. Get one for yourself and several as gifts for your out-of-town family and friends.

And finally, New Albany's Scribner House is featured in this month's American Spirit magazine. The May-June edition of this national heritage publication includes a sidebar on New Albany's preservation mindset, perfectly appropriate for Preservation Month.

Schedule of Events

Through May — On exhibit: Zalewa Image Designers’ photographic retrospective of Southern Indiana.

Sunday, May 8 — The store will be closed to celebrate Mother’s Day. A special New York Times feature on NAHS' drama program is expected that day and the store will open on a limited basis to meet the anticipated demand.

Monday, May 9 — The Serge Storms Historical Research & Debating Society (Tim Dorsey book club) meets at
7 pm to discuss Hammerhead Ranch Motel.

Tuesday, May 10 — First meeting of the literary fiction book club at 7 pm. There will be a discussion of
The Solace of Leaving Early, by Haven Kimmel.

Wednesday, May 11 — Quarterly Public Affairs Symposium. Preserve New Albany’s Older and Historic
Neighborhoods: A Forum for Discussion and Action, 7 pm. Destinations Booksellers partners with Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana to provide a forum to discuss preservation activities in New Albany.

Saturday, May 14 — Rhyme and Reason Blow-Out at 6 pm. Writers, try out your work on an audience.
Readers, come find out what exciting things our talented local authors are working on.

Sunday, May 15 — Author reception and book signing for New Albany in Vintage Postcards,
by David Barksdale and Robyn Sekula, noon until 3 pm.

Friday, May 20 — Book signing for Temples of Knowledge: Andrew Carnegie’s Gift to Indiana,
by Alan McPherson, 6 pm.

Monday, May 23 — Showing of the film, Blue Vinyl, at 5 and 7 pm., in cooperation with Historic Landmarks
Foundation of Indiana. While vinyl siding may seem like a quick and cost-effective way to spruce up a house this documentary film reveals the hidden costs.

June 2-5 — BookExpo America. Randy will be in New York for the largest book industry event in the world. He’ll be bringing back all kinds of goodies, including the fall book lists.

June 6-30 — Come in and answer Booktastic trivia questions to win book discounts.

June 10 — Destinations Booksellers will be at the Carnegie Center for Art & History from 6 to 8 pm to host a book-signing during the opening of “Preserving Place: Reflections of Indiana.” Featured photographers Christopher Jordan and Ron Leonetti will sign copies of Unexpected Indiana.

June 12, 2005 — Book Preview party for Patron Passport members, noon until 3 pm. If you are not a Patron Passport member, join now! You won’t want to miss this celebration of new books. There will be lots of
giveaways and goodies for Passport patrons.

June 25, 2005 — Personal finance seminar and program by Brian Miller, author of Jelly Jar Finance: Power Over Your Money.