SUMMER HOLIDAY READING

There is nothing nicer than long lazy days 

when you can start a new series of books 

and hopefully reach the end before your holidays finish.

Most people read a little at night when they are tired and sleepy but holidays are a different matter. You can start the day slowly with a good book, read over lunch, laze away the afternoon in a hammock with a book and a box of chocs and then because there is nothing worth watching on tv most nights you can finish the day with a good read.

The Elm Creek series by Jennifer Chiaverini are a heartwarming, friendly 13 book series set around a quilting school and the friends who run it. Lots of historical quilting information is sewn into tales of close female friendships.

Another of the same warm, friendly type is the Ladybug farm series by Donna Ball. Four retired women friends buy and renovate a lovely old house then launch a catering business.

A good time to start the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series. 7 books (so far) of a long family historical saga that starts in Scotland and moves to America.

I really enjoy a good murder mystery and the best way to get to know the main characters is to read the books in sequence. The development or degeneration of the detective is clearly seen in this way. Henning Mankel with his Wallander set, Kate Ellis with Wesley Petersen and the archaeology series, Simon Beckett’s great forensic anthropologist quartet, all show the development of the police main character.

Happy summer reading.

Another idea for Christmas!

It's only occasional that someone comes up with a great idea that has to do with books.  Not writing or selling books but something that can enhance the bookreader's life.

A new product on the market, and available through the bookshop, is the Book Seat.  A great little invention, simple in concept, but has countless ways of making the life of a bookreader even more enjoyable.

This little but smart Book Seat supports books and magazines.   Be able to read - "hands-free".

Think along the lines of a craftsperson trying to follow a knitting or craft pattern and having to pick up the instruction book every few minutes to check what they're doing;  think along the lines of a person in hospital who loves reading heavy novels but the books are too thick and heavy to hold for lengthy periods;  think of someone cooking and again having to check the recipe book laying flat on the bench.   And for the young Mum trying to feed her Bub who decides to take his/her time in feeding, how can Mum hold even a paperback in one hand while holding the baby and feeding him/her in the other?  

There's never quite enough hands to do these simple jobs.

The Book Seat answers all these questions, and many more.   A child who is laid up in  bed with a cold perhaps but who wants to read their favourite book - the Book Seat is the answer here too.

It's available in a variety of colours, and has a special little device that will allow you to hold the pages in place but just as easily allow you to turn the pages, all without having to take the book out of it's little "seat".

A uniquely Australian invention.     Contact Meryll and have a chat about this lovely little gift idea.

The days are flying!

Books are high on the list of Christmas gifts this year, and orders are still being placed for favourite books for family and friends, and even for the regular customer who has found a new author to love.

Children's books are a specialty too.  A good stock of near new Children's Picture Books are now available so if your child has a special one in mind and lets you know in time for Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) to get in plenty of time, contact Meryll right away.   Hard to find and rare books are her speciality.

Already in December

The past few weeks have flown.   The weather has been contrary with many cold days when the shop is a welcome warm haven for shoppers eager to get in from the cold, but just as eager to look through the bookshop and to take time to see what may be new in the book shelves.

The first Christmas window display is just about complete and already has attracted people to come in and to have a chat - orders are being furiously made with the hope they'll arrive before Christmas and many of course will.

ONLY FOUR WEEKS TO GO!

I looked at the calendar this morning and realised it's only another four weeks until Christmas.   Have you made out your list of gifts as yet?   Have you decided on buying books for some of your family members and/or friends this year?


If you know their favourite authors or have some idea of the books these special people like, then email Meryll with requests and she'll do her best to get these books in as fast as she possibly can in time for Christmas.   She'll even give you the names of other authors who write in a similar way.   Don't leave it too long though, because time is at a premium.


For that matter, why not buy yourself a special book as a Christmas gift to yourself!  As the advertisement says, You're worth it!


I've just been introduced to a new author - Rebecca Tope who writes light, entertaining murder mysteries set in the beautiful Cotswolds (U.K.)   She's written a number in the series, and I first got to know her and her heroine Thea in book 4.   I'm now reading book 1, A Cotswold Killing.   They're easy to pick up and you don't necessarily have to start at book 1 - they're all deliciously self-contained!


Thea Osborne is the heroine, a 42 year old widow, who with her beloved cocker spaniel, goes house-sitting in one of many small villages.    Of course there's a body either in the garden, or in a pond, or in the house next door, but the secret is to find any clue that will lead you to the killer before the killer finds his/her way to Thea.

..... Rosemary (an avid reader and regular visitor to the bookshop)

BUILDING UP TO CHRISTMAS!

I love the build up to Christmas, for me the excitement and the planning are the best part of the time. I have been planning the shop display and collecting decorations that match together for a special window. 

There are also gifts other than books (though books do make the best presents). I have bone china mugs with lovely old book spines as decoration $10, a great new type of book mark that stays put in the book without getting lost $6 and nice book plates to stop the whole book from being lost when you loan them $3. My special trick for lending books is to write my name and phone number right after the end of the book in PENCIL. That way when my best friend finishes reading a special book I have loaned her she knows to return it promptly and stays my friend!

There are plenty of new books as gifts but I am sure that a carefully chosen pre-loved book can mean as much as a brand new book.

....... Meryll

Keep up to date with all my news

It's easy to follow my blogs, simply by "subscribing" through the "FOLLOW BY EMAIL" logo over on the right hand side of the blog.

In that way you'll always be kept up to date with the latest from Rainy Day Books, and you don't have to do a thing.  It's all automatic.   But without all the bells and whistles!
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Christmas Gift suggestion

Flying Over the Rainbow – Living in Australia 

- the Bird-Lover’s paradise 

by Liz Davies

A great book by a local author originally from the US. She is an avid bird fan of both wild and tamed birds and is totally in tune with her own birds and her bird visitors.

Lovely descriptions of the bush around her area and of her many contacts with the local bird life.

Many hilarious stories of encounters with cockatoos, parrots and also lyrebirds.

Her deep love of all birds and her sincere interest in wild life makes this very easy reading.

Would make a great Christmas gift

Book available now at Rainy Day Books $20

More on the surprises you find at Rainy Day Books!

This week's window display is of the Royal Family.  Not only books but some knick knacks including mugs and a beautiful limited edition plate of the (then) Princess Elizabeth.

But the main focus of the display is a 3D of Queen Victoria, Prince (later) King Edward VII and Princess (later) Queen Alexandra.   With a venetian blind effect, 1800s print draws the eye and then as quickly changes while you look at it and move your head.

Full on it shows Queen Victoria, move a little to the right and you see King Edward VII.  Move a little to the left and you see the beautiful Queen Alexandra.

So you see, there's always surprises at Rainy Day Books.  This is why people from interstate and overseas telephone and email, and others travel especially from other parts of the State to call in, browse and go away with books that they've been trying to find for ages.  Meryll will search and locate hard to find as well as rare books - as her many friends and customers will attest to.

There's always a surprise!

Following the recent visit of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, it seemed the right time to do a small "Royal" display in the windows of the bookshop.  

So it's not surprising what you find in Rainy Day Books - you'll come away with gift ideas for family and friends every time.

Mountains of Books Bookfest 2011

Well another Melbourne Cup Weekend is over and another Mountains of Books Bookfest has ended.

12 booksellers, thousands of books and hundreds of people all together in one place over a very wet weekend.

The hall and parklands looked lovely and the food supplied by the Kilsyth South Baptist Church was great but the stars of the fair were the books. So many lovely books in such a wide range of subjects. I saw many, many very happy buyers with armloads of special titles that they had long searched for.

The prices ranged from $5 to $500.

Robert Holden was the winner of the door prize – a big basket of books and a $50 voucher for book covering from www.thebookcoverco.com.au

Write it down in your diaries for next year and don’t miss this bookfair. Cup Weekend November 3rd and 4th 2012.

Spring has arrived!

With the sunshine comes the realisation that gardens need to be tidied up a little again - even if the garden patch is only as big as a postage stamp.

It's also the time when children can learn a lot about things that live in the garden as well as to experience the joy of sitting in a shaded spot reading their favourite book.  And it's not only children, but all ages, who enjoy sitting outdoors with a book.

The window display now has some pretty garden statues;  books for grown ups and children.   And of course there's always something to find on the shelves in the bookstore - you just have to let your eyes wander around and be pleasantly surprised at what you see and find.

Mountains of Books!

Don't forget this upcoming event

MOUNTAINS OF BOOKS

Used, rare & out-of-print book fair

Ferny Creek in the Yarra Ranges

Melbourne Cup Weekend – October 29 & 30, 2011

Mountains of Books, the annual bookfest organised by second-hand and specialist booksellers from the Yarra Ranges and beyond, will be held on Melbourne Cup weekend, October 29 and 30.

Since Mountains of Books was first held four years ago the book trade has undergone huge changes, with Kindles and Ipads now a large component of the new book market. However the thrill of a secondhand find is not part of the ebook revolution. Because of the paperless reading revolution, regional bookfairs continue to attract crowds of booklovers, enthused by the adventure of chasing an elusive title, reclaiming childhood favourites, or simply picking up holiday reading at a good price – books you don’t have to stop reading when the aircraft starts its descent.

With this in mind, Mountains of Books will continue to champion traditional bookselling by bringing together a dozen knowledgeable and friendly booksellers offering thousands of used and out-of-print titles, including an eclectic range of fiction and non-fiction titles including collectibles in genres such as children’s books, cookery, art, fashion, Australiana, gardening and militaria.

Mountains of Books will held in Ferny Creek, less than an hour east of the CBD, in a picturesque setting opposite Sherbrooke Forest, with ample parking, playground and picnic facilities on site. The tourist meccas of Sassafras and Olinda are a short drive away.

Further information: 

Meryll Williams         Rainy Day Books     03 9762 0862 

www.rangesbooktrail.com.au

In brief:

MOUNTAINS OF BOOKS 2011

4th annual used, rare & out-of-print book fair

Saturday October 29           10am – 4pm

Sunday October 30             10am – 4pm

Ferny Creek Recreational Reserve Hall, Cnr Hilton and Clarkmont Roads, Ferny Creek, 3786

(Melways map 75 D1).

Boxes of Books

You just never know when the book or books you've had sitting in a box at the back of the shop will suddenly "take off".

A customer came in yesterday and asked about some maritime journals. He'd recently been able to obtain 2 of the set and asked if he could put on order the balance, imagining that it would either take a long while to get them from overseas, or even that they would be scarce to find anywhere!

Imagine his surprise (and Meryll's) when he confirmed to her the author and the title of the series.  For Meryll had only to pop out of the back of the shop, pick up a box and bring it through to the surprised customer.   He was thrilled, because he was able to complete his set of 27 books all in one visit.

You just never know what you'll find in a box of books!

Ho there, me hearties!

Books come in all shapes, colours and forms.   Big, little, serious, funny.   Old, pre-loved and semi new.

The latest window display is already creating a lot of local interest.  It's not often you espy pirates in the local shopping centre.   But then, one can never predict what you'll see in the windows of Rainy Day Books, let alone the wonderful selection of books inside the shop.

Colourful, lots of small treasures hidden in amongst the display, and to top it off, books that will appeal to all ages.

Take time to visit the Window Display Pages.

Fathers Day 2011

What a busy time in the shop leading up to Fathers Day.

Lots of Dads would have woken up early on Fathers Day being presented with a gift especially chosen by their kids.   Many would have received a book from the selection with a focus on "bloke" interests.   Have a look at the special Windows Pages as well.

Time flies, and it's now Spring

A couple of weeks have sped by between "posts".   The cooler weather has brought out many book lovers who have stocked up on regular specials and new authors that they've discovered.   The bookshop has been very busy, and even moreso with Father's Day this coming weekend.   In between times, here's a couple of photos of the selection of books presently available.

It's not only "books"

If you thought that Rainy Day Books ONLY sold books, then expand your thoughts because this little bookshop is always well worth a visit.

You'll be pleasantly surprised at what is in this wonderful bookshop.

Firstly let's start with some "old and preloved" knitting books.   (Yes, knitting is popular at all times, and many of the older pattern books are quickly sold and even become part of "personal collections").  The following selection are Patons Knitting Books from around the late 1940s and 1950s.

© Rosemary (a regular visitor to Rainy Day Books)

 

New Window Display

This week's window display highlights the beauty of ferns, palms, mosses and .....   With a small selection of books on the subject, the window is looking particularly lovely.   Have a look at the Pages - Window Displays to see some more photos.

Mountains of Books!

MOUNTAINS OF BOOKS

Used, rare & out-of-print book fair

Ferny Creek in the Yarra Ranges

Melbourne Cup Weekend – October 29 & 30, 2011

Mountains of Books, the annual bookfest organised by second-hand and specialist booksellers from the Yarra Ranges and beyond, will be held on Melbourne Cup weekend, October 29 and 30.

Since Mountains of Books was first held four years ago the book trade has undergone huge changes, with Kindles and Ipads now a large component of the new book market. However the thrill of a secondhand find is not part of the ebook revolution. Because of the paperless reading revolution, regional bookfairs continue to attract crowds of booklovers, enthused by the adventure of chasing an elusive title, reclaiming childhood favourites, or simply picking up holiday reading at a good price – books you don’t have to stop reading when the aircraft starts its descent.

With this in mind, Mountains of Books will continue to champion traditional bookselling by bringing together a dozen knowledgeable and friendly booksellers offering thousands of used and out-of-print titles, including an eclectic range of fiction and non-fiction titles including collectibles in genres such as children’s books, cookery, art, fashion, Australiana, gardening and militaria.

Mountains of Books will held in Ferny Creek, less than an hour east of the CBD, in a picturesque setting opposite Sherbrooke Forest, with ample parking, playground and picnic facilities on site. The tourist meccas of Sassafras and Olinda are a short drive away.

Further information: 

Meryll Williams         Rainy Day Books     03 9762 0862 

www.rangesbooktrail.com.au

In brief:

MOUNTAINS OF BOOKS 2011

4th annual used, rare & out-of-print book fair

Saturday October 29           10am – 4pm

Sunday October 30             10am – 4pm

Ferny Creek Recreational Reserve Hall, Cnr Hilton and Clarkmont Roads, Ferny Creek, 3786

(Melways map 75 D1).

A good read!

Alys Clare   
Out of the Dawn Light (Severn House 2009) introduces Lassair, a 14-year-old girl in a Fenland village in 1087 England. Lassair has the gift of finding lost objects and dowsing for water, and is in training with her aunt to be a healer. But Lassair has more important things on her mind — will her friend Sibert ask her to dance even though her womanly shape refuses to emerge? William Rufus has just taken the throne after the death of William the Conqueror, and the common people are not happy with the harsh new regime. Lassair’s father is hard pressed to support his large family and comply with the demands of the Norman overlord. When Lassair’s older sister Goda, who delights in making everyone miserable, becomes pregnant with her first child, Lassair is sent to care for her. Sneaking out for the Midsummer Night festival, Lassair meets Romain, an attractive and wealthy stranger, who convinces her to set off on a quest with Sibert to find a mysterious object on the coast. Eager to escape Goda’s demands for a few days, and to finally see the ocean, Lassair agrees, though neither Romain nor Sibert will tell her anything about the object they are searching for. Treachery, murder, and the clash between the pagan gods and Christianity enliven this first in a series.

BOOKS of REAL INTEREST

Even though Rainy Day Books is predominantly second hand books I do also stock some special new titles usually local authors or books of real interest.

One of these is:

Acknowledgement to:   http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au

"Beyond the facade ; Flinders Street, 

more than just a railway station" – by Jenny Davies.

This is a recently released, privately published, comprehensive cover of the icon of stations, Flinders Street. “Under the clocks” is a favourite Melburnians meeting place and at some time the station would have touched the lives of nearly every person in Victoria.

This book covers not only the railways aspect but the social impact. The station was originally built to include the social, recreational and educational needs of the Victorian Railways employees and also commercial aspects were added.

The station soon became the focus of life for many Victorians. Opened on 22 January 1910 it has remained central to the life of Melbourne for 100 years.

Very well written and beautifully produced the book completely covers all facets of the stations history with many black and white photographs. 

Remember the Traveller’s Aid Society and The Man in Grey? There is even a section covering the well remembered toilets.

The shop has copies of this large paperback book for $60. Mail orders accepted with a charge for postage.

BOOK COLLECTORS CLUB

Recently we had a book collectors club meeting at the shop.

Just a small but enthusiastic group that collect and love the works of Elinor Brent-Dyer. They are called the Chalet Club after the main series this prolific author wrote. Wonderful girls school stories set in the Alps. She was a teacher and headmistress and the stories have an authenticity that show a deep understanding of schoolgirls. The nearly 100 books were written and published between 1922 and 1969 and recently talented local authors have added to the list with retrospective titles filling in gaps to the series.

These books evoke another time and another way of life but are still a “jolly good yarn” for old and young alike.

www.chaletschool.org.uk

A bookshop is more than .......

A bookshop is more than just a place to see and buy books.  It can be a wonderland of opportunity and challenge.

I've loved bookshops since I was a small child.   Opening the door and entering into a world where I could lose myself quite contentedly with Victorian and Edwardian story books as well as picture books, I found not only pleasurable, but a place where I could forget all the problems that children have - worrying about school exams - having had a disagreement with a teacher - not being able to comprehend certain subjects.  The bookshops were a world where I felt secure and comfortable.

And I learned the wonder of touching books with exquisite bindings, opening pages where the most beautiful illustrations leapt out at me, and transported me to imaginary and fantastic worlds.

In the years since (quite a few decades) my love of and for bookshops and books has constantly increased.

One of my early memories of visiting Rainy Day Books in The Basin, was to meet Meryll - so friendly and eager to help - her knowledge of books and authors is second to none.

I saw bookshelves crambed full of books by authors I knew by name, and others I'd never heard of - many of whom I have since been introduced to and who now sit in my vast list of favourite authors.  A large, wonderfully comfy sofa awaiting book-lovers to sit and relax and leaf through books before purchasing sits just inside the shop, and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere added to my experiences.

And I enjoy seeing Mums and/or Dads come into the shop with their children - who squeal with delight and make a beeline for the children's section.   Again bookshelves of brightly coloured books, in a small divided section with a coloured mat to sit on.   To see a child's face when he or she finds a book they like is well worth the visit.

Visitors to the Dandenongs who love books, can do no better than to make sure they include The Basin in their journeys.   The time spent at Rainy Day Books, meeting and talking with Meryll, and wandering around the bookstore choosing something special from the marvellous selection of books available, enhances any day.   You just never know what you'll find or discover.

....©2011 Rosemary

TODAY'S NEWS

Johanna Verweerd – THE WINTER GARDEN

Written by Holland’s most beloved Christian novelist.

After 15 years garden design artist, Ika receives a letter from her sister to say that her mother is dying. She moves back home to be with her and opens a Pandora’s box of memories and hurtful episodes. As her mother’s condition detiorates Ika tries to discover the secret of why she has always felt so unloved by her family.

 

THE BEE AND BEEKEEPING DISPLAY IN THE WINDOW looks lovely and bright with many interesting titles including:

Maya, the adventures of a bee – Waldemar Bonsels

The sweet life of bees – Sue Monk Kidd

Bee boles and bee houses – A M Foster  

The keeper of the bees – Gene Stratton-Porter

Bee season – Myla Goldberg

 

Looking forward to the new window we will be featuring gardening books about ferns and I am planning to bring from home a huge potted rabbit’s foot fern to show.

 

THE MAIN ITEM OF INTEREST in the shop at this time is an amazing rotating bookcase from the late 1800s complete with a 1877 ninth edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica. This is the final English edition before it transferred to the USA.

Two libraries have shown interest in this beautiful piece so come in quickly if you would like to see it.

Books can be so much fun!

Books open so much of the world around us!  I know of people who don't have one single book in their homes!  To me, books are friends to be taken from the bookshelf and enjoyed over and over again.

Someone said to me the other day that books are dull and too serious!

I don't agree.  I visited the Rainy Day Bookshop today just to see what the window display would be this week!   Bees and Bee Keeping.   In amongst all the books I could see Pooh Bear, some little "bees", a beautifully knitted Beehive Teacosy, cheeky sunflowers and all sorts of things that make a person smile.

And that's what we need sometimes.  Things to make us smile.

If there's one thing you find at Rainy Day Books it's an ample supply of books surrounded by plenty of smiles.

Have a look at the attached recent Window Displays Page to see some more.

© 2011 Rosemary - an avid bookreader and regular visitor to Rainy Day Books.

THIS WEEK!

Another busy week here, the recent Wildlife Rescue Centre day was a great success with lots of funds being raised for the local Possum Lady and her centre. The window display of stuffed Australian wildlife looked wonderful, the shop was full of local wildlife artwork and wild artists and plenty of kids (old and young) to pet Mordred the tawny frogmouth. Not an owl but a nightjar, so I can’t use that beautiful term “A parliament of owls”. I learnt this on the day along with more information than I needed about regurgitation, etc.

The window has now changed to a Graham Base book display with posters from Animalia and most of his other children’s titles for sale, but they won’t be there for long. Looking forward to an very early spring display it will be changed to bees and beekeeping as soon as I get the bees trained to sit still and look interesting.

I have added lots of new militaria to the shelves this week and also have received on consignment a very old family Holy Bible. It is a beautiful brass bound with brass catches, 1850s volume. It was published in Melbourne and is in excellent condition.  

Yesterday the shop was abuzz with a “stack of librarians” and we had a very D&M about the state of the reading world and it’s future.

Hope to see you soon at the Best Little Bookshop in the Hills.

Meryll’s latest reads!

Donna Ball

Keys to the castle

Light weight but satisfying romance set in a French chateau, with an English man and an American woman struggling over a complicated inheritance in a crumbling chateau. Written by the author of the Ladybug farm series.

 

Tony Kevin

Walking the Camino

A special interest of mine, I am fascinated by the Santiago pilgrimages, I will do this walk in another life. This interesting book covers the religious aspects, the solitude, the food and the travel descriptions. Written by an overweight, sedentary, 63 year old, former Australian diplomat.

Mountains of Books!

MOUNTAINS OF BOOKS

Used, rare & out-of-print book fair

Ferny Creek in the Yarra Ranges

Melbourne Cup Weekend – October 29 & 30, 2011

Mountains of Books, the annual bookfest organised by second-hand and specialist booksellers from the Yarra Ranges and beyond, will be held on Melbourne Cup weekend, October 29 and 30.

Since Mountains of Books was first held four years ago the book trade has undergone huge changes, with Kindles and Ipads now a large component of the new book market. However the thrill of a secondhand find is not part of the ebook revolution. Because of the paperless reading revolution, regional bookfairs continue to attract crowds of booklovers, enthused by the adventure of chasing an elusive title, reclaiming childhood favourites, or simply picking up holiday reading at a good price – books you don’t have to stop reading when the aircraft starts its descent.

With this in mind, Mountains of Books will continue to champion traditional bookselling by bringing together a dozen knowledgeable and friendly booksellers offering thousands of used and out-of-print titles, including an eclectic range of fiction and non-fiction titles including collectibles in genres such as children’s books, cookery, art, fashion, Australiana, gardening and militaria.

Mountains of Books will held in Ferny Creek, less than an hour east of the CBD, in a picturesque setting opposite Sherbrooke Forest, with ample parking, playground and picnic facilities on site. The tourist meccas of Sassafras and Olinda are a short drive away.

Further information: 

Meryll Williams         Rainy Day Books     03 9762 0862 

www.rangesbooktrail.com.au

In brief:

MOUNTAINS OF BOOKS 2011

4th annual used, rare & out-of-print book fair

Saturday October 29           10am – 4pm

Sunday October 30             10am – 4pm

Ferny Creek Recreational Reserve Hall, Cnr Hilton and Clarkmont Roads, Ferny Creek, 3786

(Melways map 75 D1).

Winter Time in the Dandenongs!

This is the time of the year when a good book can prove its worth many times over.   Shorter days, longer nights.  Frosty mornings, rainy days, and the need to find a favourite chair, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and get that book down from the bookcase that you've been promising yourself to start reading.  It's a time to relax and make the most of both the weather and the opportunity to expand your list of favourite authors and to venture out into new and fascinating areas of writing.