River City Books

A few months ago, Mrs. Raven and I acquired a puppy. Never mind that dogs are typically larger than birds; he’s our pet — not the other way around. Anyway, this bundle of joy has created some challenges primarily because, well, we have a bit of a language barrier. But, alas! I was browsing down at the old neighborhood bookstore and I spotted a new book I think is really going to help us raise a healthful and happy four-legged friend: The Well-Adjusted Dog by Nicholas Dodman.

Since I know many others in Northfield have beloved dogs in the family, here’s a summary of the book:

From a world-renowned animal behaviorist and leading authority in the veterinary field comes this comprehensive, holistic seven-step approach to caring for your adult dog, including health, behavior, and environment.

In this essential new book, Dodman draws on some twenty-five years of clinical experience to bring together the art — and science — of dog ownership. Forty-two percent of dog owners in this country report problems managing their dogs’ behavior. But it doesn’t have to be this way. As Dr. Dodman points out, almost every dog problem can be either treated or, better yet, prevented. His book shows you how, offering what he calls “continuing education” for dogs and their owners. A comprehensive, seven-step approach takes on the whole dog — his health, behavior, and environment — and lays the groundwork for the proper care and training of our best friends, for life.

You will discover:

• how much exercise your dog really needs (and why)
• how diet can affect behavior
• how to communicate clearly with your dog
• how to lead your dog, not dominate him
• how to prevent or deal with your dog’s fears

They have their so-called Great Wall over there on the other side of the world not too far from where they’re holding the Olympics (by the way, why isn’t bird watching an Olympic sport?) in a couple of weeks. So! I know a pretty darn good wall or two myself and, wouldn’t you know it, I spotted said wall inside the old neighborhood bookstore.

Store manager Jon Lee really has a knack for arranging book in an enticing way — I say that of my own accord, I swear; the fact that they give me a discount for writing this here blog has nothing whatsoever to do with it (or at least very little to do with it) — and I really like the way he uses the walls just inside the front door.

I snapped this photo a week or two ago so some of these titles may have shifted spots, but all are available. See if you can find something good to read on more renowned walls. I bet you a gold medal you can’t.

If you haven’t heard of this book yet, let me be the first to say, “I’m glad you just learned how to read.” The Last Lecture, which is based on the extraordinary final lecture by Carnegie Mellon University professor Randy Pausch, is at or near the top of nearly every bestseller list I have seen during the last several weeks. The book is an outgrowth of a lecture Mr. Pausch gave after he discovered he had pancreatic cancer. This slim volume is an eminently moving meditation that has begun to inspire readers to live each day with renewed purpose and joy. Usually, I don’t like being lectured to, but I made an exception in this case. If you haven’t done so already, consider submitting as well.

I just heard an interview of Salman Rushie, who is on tour promoting his new novel, The Enchantress of Florence, and I really enjoy listening him to talk. His tongue is almost as sharp and witty as his prose. He thinks well on his toes, which not all writers do (including those who use wings instead). In a coincidence, the interview was recorded a week or so ago, Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children just won the Best of the Booker award after being judged — through an online public vote that drew more than 7,800 responses — to be the greatest book ever to win the Booker Prize. The award was created to mark the Booker’s 40th anniversary.

“I have to say this is just a marvelous moment for me and for ‘Midnight’s Children,’ ” said Rushdie in published reports. “I’m slightly lost for words which usually I’m not.” Referring to the fact that his sons Zafar and Milan accepted the trophy on his behalf, he added, “I think there’s something rather wonderful about my real children accepting a prize for my imaginary children.”

These and other Rushdie novels are available you know where.

Maybe you’re on your way to the lake place. Or packing up the car for a trip across country. Of course, you might be one of many Northfield area residents who commutes regularly to the Twin Cities. Point is, if you’re in your car for any length of time you know what it’s like to stare at the road without anything stimulating to listen to. Ah, ha! I have just the answer: Stop by River City Books and check out the store’s fine collection of audio books. The reasonably priced selection expands, too, if you want it to. If they don’t already have it in stock, RCB booksellers are more than happy to order the audio book of your choice and, if that’s the case, you don’t have a to pay a penny in shipping charges. Happy and safe driving this summer!

It’s hump day and I figured you might need a bargain to get you through the rest of the week. Of course, books are on sale every day at River City Books and right now they have some titles you can’t find in many other stores. “Minnesota: Shaped by the Land” by Deborah Gelbach is one that just caught my eye — for the obvious reason that I always love learning about God’s State. The book is a straightforward examination of Minnesota’s history, which includes its record of agricultural productivity, industrial output, political innovation, and intellectual achievement. This large, well-designed book retails for $34.95 but down at RCB they have ‘em on sale for just $11.98. When I said bargain I meant it.

The other night I saw fireworks in the sky. Some people tried to convince me they were on account of the Fourth of July but I am not as easily fooled as you think I am. I know the celebration was timed to commemorate a fresh batch of monthly River City Books staff picks.

The July edition is now on display — both in the store and online. For those who are hearing about River City Books for the very first time while reading this post, staff picks (books, DVDs and CDs) are made each month by RCB booksellers. Each item is put on sale for a deep discount — 25 percent off books and 15 percent off movies and music — and left on sale for the full calendar month.

If that’s not justification for lighting a sparkler and dancing around silly for 38 seconds I don’t know what is.

I always let you know about upcoming meetings of the River City Books fiction book club but sometimes I don’t mention the next meeting in time for you to read the next book. If you think that’s one of my greatest flaws, you should see me try to negotiate a keyboard with these wings.

Anyway, the fun and engaging group will next meet a month from today — at 7 p.m., Tuesday, August 5, in the store’s downstairs meeting area. The book to be discussed is Montana 1948 by Larry Watson, which won the Milkweed National Fiction Prize and has been called “a literary page-turner” by Kirkus Reviews.

The boilerplate: The club is open to the public and new members are welcome. As always, participants receive big discounts on selected books.

Author William Gibson is credited with having coined the term “cyberspace,” and having envisioned both the Internet and virtual reality before either existed. While I was in the old neighborhood bookstore yesterday I performed a bit of clairvoyance myself: Gibson’s latest book, Spook Country, is going to be a big seller this summer.

Pictured is River City Books’ display of the latest effort by one of the country’s top science fiction writers. “Spook Country” is now available in paperback.

The reviews so far are terrific. Says the Washington Post Book World, one of several leading bookish authorities to offer praise: “A devastatingly precise reflection of the American zeitgeist.”

Not sure if I will post again before the holiday commences. I hope you and yours have a safe, fun one. If you need a read before the long weekend you know where to go!

I always like reading local books and when I was in Carleton College-owned River City Books yesterday I found a new book that is as local as they come. “Coach Jack: The Life and Times of Carleton’s Jack Thurnblad” by David G. Lavender is about one of Carleton’s most beloved coaches and alums that anyone with a tie to the college will want to check out.

Says Stephen R. Lewis, Jr., Carleton’s ninth president: “Jack and Jinny Thurnblad are a great Carleton story spanning remarkably different eras in the College’s history from the 1940s to the present day. Campus leaders as students, ‘glue’ in the alumni body for fifty-five years, respected and effective coach from 1960 to 1984, ambassadors to Northfield, to collegiate athletics, and to young athletes outside the U.S. — what joy they have given to all who have known them. This thoroughly researched and well written account of their lives by Dave Lavender is a welcome addition to Carleton’s historical record.”

I am not going to fib you. The River City Books fiction book club will meet at 7 p.m., tomorrow (Tuesday, July 1), in the store’s downstairs meeting area. The book to be read is The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett.

As always, the club is free and open to the public. New members are welcome. If you join you receive 20 percent off every title the club selects.

Patchett, of course, is the critically acclaimed author of Bel Canto, Run, and others. Here’s a summary of “Liars,” her first book (and one people tell me is her best — honest):

St. Elizabeth’s is a home for unwed mothers in the 1960s. Life there is not unpleasant, and for most, it is temporary. Not so for Rose, a beautiful, mysterious woman who comes to the home pregnant but not unwed. She plans to give up her baby because she knows she cannot be the mother it needs. But St. Elizabeth’s is near a healing spring, and when Rose’s time draws near, she cannot go through with her plans, not all of them. And she cannot remain forever untouched by what she has left behind … and who she has become in the leaving.

River City Books manager Jon Lee asked me to make an announcement that may or may not come into play: On Monday, June 30, the store will conduct its annual review of inventory. The checking will begin well before the store is scheduled to open and the hope is that when the clock strikes 10 a.m. RCB will open as usual. However, inventory is not always as seamless and quick as desired and so it’s possible the store will be slow to open that day. Just letting you know in advance. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Such sad news about George Carlin’s passing. I really enjoyed listening to his routine. He seemed like a humble, good guy, too. Best known for his “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” Carlin was a fine writer who used his skills as a concise assembler of words to craft several milk-out-the-nostrils-funny books.

A summary for those who might like to pick one up (most would need to be special ordered, which the old neighborhood bookstore can surely do):

When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?

“Brain Droppings”

“Napalm & Silly Putty”

“Three Times Carlin: An Orgy of George”

My sources at River City Books have informed me of some news you’re going to want to hear: The store is having a huge four-day sale. From today, Monday, June 23, through Thursday, June 26 they’ll take:

• 30 percent off all bargain books

• 30 percent off all clothing

• 20 percent off all regularly priced books

• 15 percent off all CDs and DVDs

River City Books is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each of those days. Ready … set … go!

I’ve been writing quite a bit about books for kids of late because it’s that time of the year when students on break have a lot of time on their hands. Summer’s about soccer, dancing, softball, baseball, and running around town with friends. It’s also a season when there is time to read books just for the love of them. I was in the old neighborhood bookstore the other day and I spotted a more options for kids. I’ll keep them coming as we go along. This first one, pictured, is great in part because it’s affordable. Buy three cheaply priced paperbacks — good reads, too — and you receive a free gift!