This month Rainy Day Books has gone PURPLE.

There is no other theme to the window except a glorious explosion of colour.

The book featured cover children’s, fiction and non fiction but all are a wonderful shade of bluey-purple.

Lulu and the purple pebble, The truth about cats and The dusk fairy are all great children’s picture books, 101 poems to get you through the day (and night) is beautiful poetry and Edward Rutherfords – The forest is one of his best historical books. Set in the New Forest from the time of the Norman conquest to present day this blockbuster saga has witches, wars, smuggling and sea battles. http://www.edwardrutherfurd.com/the-forest.html

Stephanie Alexander’s great work – Stephanie’s journal is included along with several purple and silver copies of the Guinness book of records.

Taking star place is one of my favourite authors – Louise Penny. How the light gets in is her 9th book in the critically acclaimed series featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du  Quebec, however I refuse to sell this book to anyone until they have read the other 8 in the series. This is just one of those books that has to be read in sequence.

There is also a comprehensive guide to the collecting of Rocking horses.

Do call in and admire this lovely window and enjoy the artistry as well as the books themselves. Local artist in The Basin Janette Bird has done a wonderful job of pulling together a delightful display. http://studio4artists.com/?page_id=32

MKR = Meryll's Kitchen Reads

Rainy Day Books has gone cooking mad and the window is full of brand new cookery books all at half the marked price.

Two fat ladies, Jamie Oliver, 4 Ingredients, Culina Mundi, Juliegh Robins, Monty Don, Rosemary Stanton and Gary Rhodes are a just a few of the cooks displayed.

Cook books (And gardening books) are one of my favourite ways to while away a wet afternoon. I may never use all of the recipes but it is a pleasure to just browse through.

I am having a great time now I have rediscovered the joy of jam and relish making. My kitchen smells wonderful for the day and my pantry is full of glowing jars. Quince jelly, preserved quinces, lemon/lime butter, rhubarb relish, nectarine jam are some of my latest creations.

...... © Meryll Williams Rainy Day Books  1301 Mountain Hwy, The Basin

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.

PUT THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARY

MOUNTAINS OF BOOKS 

Used, rare & out-of-print book fair 

Ferny Creek in the Yarra Ranges

Melbourne Cup Weekend – November 3rd and 4th, 2012

The 5th annual Mountains of Books, organised by second-hand and specialist booksellers from the Yarra Ranges and beyond, will be held on Melbourne Cup weekend, November 3rd and 4th, 2012.

This special weekend has proved popular with booklovers – locals, Melburnians and visitors to the State – escaping the city’s frenetic activity to enjoy the cool tranquility of spring in “The Dandenongs”.

The fair will have over 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 plus collectible genres such as vintage children’s books, cookery, art, fashion, gardening and militaria.

Local identity Donna Williams, autism counsellor, cancer survivor and all-round hilarious person will be in attendance.   

Mountains of Books will be 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 Book:  (03) 9762 0862 www.rangesbooktrail.com.au 

MOUNTAINS OF BOOKS 2012 5th annual used, rare & out-of-print book fair Saturday November 3rd 10am – 5pm, Sunday November 4th 10am – 4pm Ferny Creek Recreational Reserve Hall, Hilton Rd, Ferny Creek, 3786 (Melways map 45E1).