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July 6, 2007

Hope you had a Firecracker 4th! We spent the 4th in the mountains of North Carolina with my sister and her children. We had a great picnic at the house, saw great fireworks and built a really nice bonfire where we tossed a lot of sparklers to cap off the evening. My niece is an avid reader, and thus I brought her a few "books that girls love." I love giving her books that I know will not get raves from my sons. My nephew is not a reader, but I can see my younger son burying his nose in a book to try to convert him!

Early July 2007

When I say Harry, what do you think of? For your grandparents, Harry meant Harry Truman or Harry Houdini. For your parents, they may think Harry Connick, Jr. But for you, there's only one Harry and his last name is Potter. This month is all about him and his lightning bolt scar and signature glasses. He's the character who made wearing glasses cool for kids, and I have to wonder if J.K. Rowling was thinking of that when she wrote those specs into the storyline.

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July 2007

When I say Harry, what do you think of? For your grandparents, Harry meant Harry Truman or Harry Houdini. For us, we may think Harry Connick, Jr. But for children, there's only one Harry and his last name is Potter. This month is all about him and his lightning bolt scar and signature glasses. He's the character who made wearing glasses cool for kids, and I have to wonder if J.K. Rowling was thinking of that when she wrote those specs into the storyline.

 
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Crashing Through: A True Story of Risk, Adventure, and the Man Who Dared to See by Robert Kurson

July 2007

In his critically acclaimed bestseller SHADOW DIVERS, Robert Kurson explored the depths of history, friendship and compulsion. Now he returns with another thrilling adventure --- the stunning true story of one man's heroic odyssey from blindness into sight. 

Dog Days: Dispatches from Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz

July 2007

Jon Katz is one of America’s best-loved dog writers, and his keen insights into the animal world have earned him the title of Squire of Bedlam Farm. His new memoir, DOG DAYS, allows us to live our dreams of leaving the city for the country, and shares the unpredictable adventure of farm life.

Interview: John Flanagan, author of Ranger's Apprentice, Book 3: The Icebound Land

Jul 1, 2007

In this interview with Kidsreads.com’s Sarah Wood, John Flanagan --- author of the bestselling Ranger’s Apprentice series --- describes how he created these stories as a way of encouraging his young son to read and explains how his characters have evolved over the course of several novels. He also discusses his interest in history and mythology, from which he draws inspiration, and shares what readers can look forward to in future installments, following the recently-released THE ICEBOUND LAND.

July 2007

Greetings from Atlanta. I have spent the last week on the road for business and pleasure visiting both Atlanta and the mountains of North Carolina. Along the way I got to visit Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe in Asheville, North Carolina and Coffee Buy the Book in Roswell, Georgia. This afternoon we are touring the Margaret Mitchell House in Atlanta, giving this trip a true literary flavor. I hope that you too are finding some terrific places to read this summer.

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Would your group discuss any Harry Potter titles?

July 1, 2007, 418 voters

Interview: Anita Amirrezvani, author of The Blood of Flowers

Jun 29, 2007

June 29, 2007

Anita Amirrezvani’s debut work of fiction, THE BLOOD OF FLOWERS, chronicles the hardships a young girl faces in 17th-century Persia as she attempts to make a better life for herself after the untimely death of her father.

Interview: Adriana Bourgoin, author of Nine Months in August

Jun 29, 2007

June 29, 2007

Adriana Bourgoin's debut novel, NINE MONTHS IN AUGUST, captures the physical and emotional challenges one woman must experience after learning she is pregnant. In this interview with Bookreporter.com's Barbara Bamberger Scott, Bourgoin shares some of her own habits, practices and fears while carrying her two children, and makes comparisons between herself and her protagonist, Gretchen.