It's Beginning to Feel Like Christmas!

December has come around so quickly.

Christmas gift buying is suddenly becoming the main focus in people's thoughts.   This is the time for choosing something really special for those we love.  And what is more special than a book.

It may be a special author, it may be a book on a subject that you know will fascinate someone special. Perhaps a set of collectible Dickens?     What about Enid Blyton's Noddy?    Stephanie Alexanders "The Cook's Companion"?   Gardening Books?   Fiction?  Non-fiction?   There's a book for everybody!

When you visit the bookshop, do take time to have a look at the beautiful hand-folded Christmas Tree in the Window with a small angel sitting on top.   This hand-folded Christmas Tree is the work of Meryll in her spare time!   It's amazing just what you can make from old books!

TAKE TIME TO VISIT THE BOOKSHOP AND BROWSE.

YOU'LL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AT WHAT YOU FIND

IN THE BOOKSHELVES AT RAINY DAY BOOKS.

M C ESCHER - Graphic Artist

Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972) is one of the world's most famous graphic artists. His art is enjoyed by millions of people all over the world, as can be seen on the many web sites on the internet.

He is most famous for his so-called impossible structures, such as Ascending and Descending, Relativity and his Transformation Prints.

M.C. Escher, during his lifetime, made 448 lithographs, woodcuts and wood engravings and over 2000 drawings and sketches. Like some of his famous predecessors, - Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dürer and Holbein-, M.C. Escher was left-handed.

He played with architecture, perspective and impossible spaces. His art continues to amaze and wonder millions of people all over the world. In his work we recognize his keen observation of the world around us and the expressions of his own fantasies. M.C. Escher shows us that reality is wondrous, comprehensible and fascinating.

Rainy Day Books is a treasure trove of surprises, and books about people such as M C Escher are to be found on the shelves of the best little bookshop in the hills.

MARY'S MYSTERY BOOKSHOP

Mary Fisher has found the perfect place to retire - right where she started.  She's moved back to Cape Cod to open Mary's Mystery Bookshop in Ivy Bay, a quaint coastal village flanked by meandering marshes and silvery beaches.  It's the perfect place to relax with a good book on a summer day.  But Mary soon discovers that this small town is full of secrets.  Escape to a charming seaside town, get to know the lively characters who call this community home, and discover the mysteries in Mary's Bookshop.

(Secrets of Mary's Mystery Bookshop is a trademark of Guideposts, New York, USA.  www.Guideposts.org)

The ENJOYMENT of a LATE NIGHT KNITTER!

Starting the day in the very early hours then spending all day in the shop, it must be nice for Meryll to put up her feet after the evening news just to relax.

Now there are some who will say that even picking up knitting needles takes too much energy.  But those who know Meryll also know that she is almost a workaholic.  So that means her "leisure" time is just as busy as her normal working day.

As a tea-lover, a few weeks back Meryll came across a book called, aptly, "Tea Cozies".  This particular book has a variety of tea cosies, some very funky indeed.

So believing that  there's nothing better than to dress up a favourite teapot with a coat of its very own,  Meryll began to knit.
 
Meryll's  multicoloured "Funky Fish" was entered into the Mareeba (Queensland) Small Farm Day Tea Cosy Competition in October and ran away with two prizes.  Firstly the Organiser's Choice Prize and the Public Choice Prize.

Then with a vivid imagination, Meryll decided to make the most unusual tea cosy she could think of.  Hence another prize.  "The World's Most Useless Tea Cosy", made from barbed wire.  

There's no doubt that one can have fun, at any age, by reading, and then making things.  

Why not start a new hobby?   Visit the bookshop and browse through the many shelves of craft books - you're sure to find something that appeals to you.

COUNTDOWN to the CUP!

The Mountains of Books Fair has been a great success again this year, and already book dealers have their names down for next year's Fair.  Make sure you put the Melbourne Cup Weekend into your new 2014 Diary!

The Spring Racing Carnival here in Melbourne is in full swing.  The fillies are ready for the great day.   Fashions on the Field have been chosen following lots of considerations and the jockey's satins are hanging up waiting for the big event.   Melbourne Cup is the race that stops a nation and if the weather experts are right in their forecasts, it should be an exceptional day.

But every day is an exceptional day at Rainy Day Books, for no matter what your favourite author or book might be, it will be found especially for you.  






The window display at present covers the Spring Racing Carnival and here are a few of the books on display.  

MOUNTAINS of BOOKS FAIR, 2013

Once again everything is gearing up for the Mountains of Books Book Fair to be held at the Ferny Creek Recreation Hall.  This is the 6th year of the Fair, and we are expecting thousands of visitors making the most of the Melbourne Cup Weekend by driving up into the hills to enjoy the wonders and delights of the area, as well as to pick up fantastic bargains at the Book Fair.  Bring plenty of bags and cartons to take home your prizes.

Keep an eye out for the signages as well as the bright red flags with the word "BOOKS".   Then follow your nose and the crowds.

FICTION - MEDICAL/HOSPITAL (HOPE HAVEN)

Fiction - CRIME

UP, UP and AWAY!

KITES:

Rainy Day Books isn’t flying away this week, it’s just that the window is full of kites and books about kites.

Kite making and flying is a wonderful school holiday pastime and what’s more it is very cheap and they don't need batteries or power.

Make or buy a kite, ($2.50 at discount shops) find a hill to run down and whoosh - off they fly.

Children have been playing with kites for centuries and kite flying competitions are still conducted in Asian countries.

If you get a chance to look at the window can anyone tell me what the green thing is in the middle. Peacock??

PS.   The shop isn’t flying away but Meryll will be away from 10-20 October. Call in and chat to Clive for a change.

THE NEW WINDOW and a NEW THEME

Springtime has arrived and the repaired window has been finished.   This is just the right time to have a new window display with a Spring theme.

For boys of all ages who love trains this is an opportunity to add to your collection of books and even if you have a favourite book that is not in stock, then Meryll will gladly do a search on your behalf throughout her network of contact worldwide.  It's always the right time to get a great book.

PACKING FOR A HOLIDAY

The following article appeared in the Melbourne Sun-Herald last week.  

"Books beat e-readers when it comes to literature to take on holiday, a survey of 2000 readers has found.

As much as 71 per cent of travellers prefer a real book to an electronic version.  Most said they enjoyed the feel of a real book.

Sixty-seven per cent said they turn to friends and family for book recommendations".

So it seems that "real" books are a must when it comes to packing the suitcase for a holiday.  

In fact "real" books are a must for any occasion and any season as far as many of us are concerned.

It was also interesting to read that 67 per cent of respondents to the survey said they turn to friends and family for book recommendations.  

What a good idea to make a "wish-list" of authors and book titles and provide them to all your friends and family members as suggestions for gifts at any time of the year.   Then you'll always be sure of getting the book that you want!   Whatever season.

....... 2013 R'mary, regular visitor to Rainy Day Books

ALMOST THERE!

It's taken a while, but work has started on the replacement window and repairs to the front wall of the shop, following the accident when a motorist inadvertently accelerated instead of reversing and landed up crashing through the wall.  

The shop has been operating during this time of confusion and Meryll is looking forward to presenting a special window display in anticipation of Father's Day.  Keep tuned!

BOOK CRASH!

Rainy Day Books in The Basin had a disaster recently. A man driving a 4 wheel car drove up over the gutter, across the footpath and straight through the window.

Quite a shock for Meryll and her favourite postman, who was delivering to the shop.

It will take some time to sort out the mess and the lovely fairy window that has looked so good for the last few weeks is totally wrecked. Hopefully is it all covered by insurance.

You can look forward to a whole new window in the near future.

(PS  Apologies for the quality of the photos - hands shaking and a little out of focus!!)