Help Wanted at The English Major Bookstore!

Well, I guess they weren't kidding about this icy rain and snow. I listened to Drake and Zeke at night last night and they were speculating that we might not get anything at all, bad weather wise. But there is snow and ice all over the place. Another thing I wanted to note today was that I finished my first John Grisham novel, The Brethren, and really enjoyed it. I am reading a book now called Man is The Prey by James Clark about how vulnerable (wo)man is to he animal kingdom. It was written in 1969, but, for instance, Mr. Clarke claims that before 1966, 50% of all deaths in Vietnam were from insect bites and that over 40,000 people every year are killed by snake bites. I have been wanting to read this book for a while, but am finally getting a chance to.
Not sure if I have mentioned this yet ( I am pretty sure I haven't), but the store is going to be open late starting sometime in February. I am shooting for Thur- Sun, noon till 9 or 10 p.m. In that same vein, I am officially putting out a Help Wanted sign, although I am doing it via the Internet, so I am not sure how official that is, but you get the point. I need people from about 4-9, all four nights and if you are not available all the time, maybe you want to sign on for every other Friday night or something. I am very open to time sharing. Please give me a call if interested or know someone who is.
That's all I've got, folks. That and the night off, thanks to the weather. Third weekend in a row that we carriage drivers have gotten the short end of the stick. I believe we have angered the Carriage Gods somehow, but am unsure exactly how. Will be at home, tonight, contemplating that very issue. Take care all.

"English majors in college show up in my writing workshops years later, after trying a career in another field, because a dream was born in them back in school when they read Dostoevsky, Thomas Mann and Virginia Wolf, and they can't get it out of their heads. So after a few years as computer programmers, they see it doesn't give them that kind of hard rain in the afternoon outside the window. They know there is something else and that it's in their own brain. I honor English majors. It's a dumb thing to major in. It leads nowhere. It's good to be dumb, it allows us to love something for no reason. That's the best kind of love."
-Natalie Goldberg, Wild Mind - Living the Writer's Life, p. 140

Writing Workshop Tonight!!!

WRITING WORKSHOP TONIGHT

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19 FROM 6:30 TO 8:30

Hosted by The Mid-South Writer's Group

$20 (Student Discount- $15)

Call for more information

(901) 833-3099

Life is full of challenges, eh? I have been reading a book called Your Freedom To Be about how people's lives can change when they see reality for what it is; namely, that we are all a part of One Presence, One God, etc. With my head in said cloud, happy, calm, content, I have fallen behind on my AT&T bill. As such, I have been temporarily cast out from the Internet community and, as such, am having to use my Carriage Driving Boss' Wifi ( I think that is what I am using to connect on my laptop). I debated revealing this little piece of information, as it is a little embarrassing, but am divulging in order that no one wonder," Why doesn't Karin ever blog anymore? Does she think no one cares, that perhaps no one reads the blog for The English Major Bookstore? Phooey!" No, I am just a lowly carriage driver with a bookstore and it is Winter and these things happen. I will be back up and running in no time. And, things being what they are, I can't remember the name of the writer's group my friend Valentine runs but she has a Phd. in Philosophy and runs an 8-week long workshop from her home several times a year. This group is for those who don't want to sign up for the whole course, but just for one night. You have probably seen her group's book for sale in coffeeshops around town- it's called 'Mais Oui'- Valentine is awesome and I'm sure her workshop will be spectacular. Call me at the store for more information directly from her flyer. (901) 833-3099. See you on Tuesday!

Lending Library at The English Major Bookstore

So many people have been coming in lately saying that they have been meaning to come in but that it has taken them until now to do it. To all, I say, Come On In!! If it is after 2 p.m., you can park in Old Zinnie's parking lot, across the street from the laundromat. I am also available by appointment, so, say you have a few free minutes, but the store is closed, feel free to call me and it is very easy for me to open for you.

Hope Christmas and all it's glory is sitting well with all of you. Personally, I've been reading a ton of good books; it seems the more I read, the more I read (actually, the inverse is true, too, the less I read, the less I seem to read!) Presently, though, I am watching a BBC movie called Fingersmith- it's awesome. Anyway, Happy Wet, Cold and Windy Holidays!!

Lending Library Up and Running- Come Sign Up!

Lending Library Up and Running! Definitely come sign up - lots of people are really excited about this- it's a great service to the community! I think one of the best deals is the three month plan- for $50, you can come into the bookstore anytime you want and take out up to $25 worth of books for the next three months! Even month to month is a bargain- it comes to $20.70/month, about $5 a week to come in and take out three books at a time. Jump on this!! This is a great deal- no more books clogging up your bookshelves, no more being stuck with books you thought for sure you would read but never did, no more neglected books! Every book you have will either be read or returned- everyone wins!!

By the way, I got to go to The Raw Food Potluck last night and it was beyond awesome. Had a great time and highly encourage anyone interested in The Raw Food Lifestyle to come to the potlucks on the second Thursday of every month at the Whole Foods on Poplar at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 or bring a dish ( you can usually buy a raw food entree in the deli on those nights- very tasty stuff!!) The people are great, the food will blow your mind and the company is sparkling!!
Have a good and warm weekend!
Miss Karin

The Lending Library Here at The English Major Bookstore

The All New Lending Library is now up and running here at the Bookstore. Firstly, however, I hope everyone reading this had as good a Thanksgiving as I did- I got to meet my nephew, Colin, and hang out with my brother, Mike and his wife, Amy- we played dominoes and Trivial Pursuit and I swear, if one more person tells me dominoes is a prison game- it's not!! (Or, more succinctly, if it is, it also makes a great Thanksgiving game as well.) It was a lot of fun and the whole visit did me more good than I realized. It was really, really nice to see my brother and his family, and of course my Mom and John, but I see them a lot.
Anyhoo, there is now a program at the Bookstore whereby, for a nominal and customizable fee, you can rent books for the month. There are several different plans, one of the most basic being $18.95/ month + tax to rent three books at a time. Or, if you wanted to avail yourself of the discounts that come with a multi-month plan, you could sign up for three months, three books at a time, for just $50!! (plus tax).
I tried to copy the whole plan on here, but my computer wasn't into it, at all (?!), but it is very simple. You borrow my books and bring them back on time and in like condition as when they left the bookstore and we will all be happy. If the books come back late or in bad condition, you are not allowed to be a part of the Lending Library anymore- unless you can make it up to me by paying for the book. Also, should you borrow a book and decide you cannot live without it, you can buy it for one-third off it's marked price ( The English Major Bookstore price).

How cool is all this??? I am excited about it and hope you are to. If it is not a problem, please tell your mother and father about The Lending Library at The English Major Bookstore as well as any brothers or sisters you may have and also, please let all your neighbors, coworkers, friends and acquaintances know as well. Thanks.

A Superb, Revealing, Three Page Typed Letter, Signed

Superb, Revealing, Three Page Typed Letter, Signed by Jack London,

for sale on Abebooks, for a mere $15,000.

I have just begun reading Jack London and am fascinated. Read a biography called Sailor on Horseback and could not put it down. This is an excerpt from this letter that is for sale on Abebooks. I found it very interesting- enjoy!

On March 19, 1900, Maitland LeRoy Osborne of Boston's National Magazine wrote to London proposing to review his soon to be published first book, The Son of the Wolf, and requesting information. Printing of the book did not begin until March 27, and it was not published until sometime in mid or late April. London replies on March 24, 1900, ".Find herewith a couple of clippings which may be of use to you; also, I shall supplement them where I imagine it to be essential.I was born in San Francisco and am a Californian by birth as well as residence.I lived on Californian ranches until my tenth year when my family removed to Oakland.By fits and starts I acquired a grammar school education, but rough life always called to me, my whole ancestry was nomadic (its destiny apparently to multiply and spread over the earth), so at fifteen I, too, struck out into the world. I did not run away. My people knew the strain in my blood, so I went with consent. I first went faring amongst the scum marine population of San Francisco Bay, where I got down close to the naked facts of life. It was a most adventurous experience, and one (like all the rest), which I have never regretted.I there learned the rudiments of seamanship.til, the month I was seventeen, I was fitted to ship before the mast as an able seaman. Went to Japan, seal-hunting on the Russian side of the Bering Sea, etc. It was the longest voyage I ever took (seven months); life was to [sic] short to admit of more.When I was turned eighteen, having taken an interest in economics and sociology, I went tramping (to the manor born).Since then have continued those studies, but in a more conventional and theoretical way.I dabbled at high school, took a brief fling at the State University.and hurried away with the first rush into the Klondike. Having mined and camped through the Sierras and other places.Never having been unwise enough to learn a trade, I have worked at all sorts of hard labor.When in the Klondike my father died, and I returned to take charge of the family.I resolved to make the fight of my life by making my living wit with my pen. This was precarious, for my assets were nil and my liabilities legion. I was also a beginner, knew nothing of markets, methods of editors, needs, or how to furnish those needs. My literary life is thus about fourteen months old, during which time I have striven to find myself, from the writings of triolets to blank verse.to really ambitious short stories.I have turned out a vast deal of hack work. And little ambitious work. Nor have I yet been so financially situated that I could try anything long.The 'Son of the Wolf', as you will discover, is a collection of short stories. These were written to supply a pressing need for cash.and submitted successfully to Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Co."

Vintage Yoder Show Cart For Sale!

Vintage Yoder Show Cart For Sale! This is a classic show cart built by Monroe Yoder, in like-new condition- used twice in parades, been in storage ever since! In 98% new shape- this great-looking carriage has a black lacquer body with white filigree and red shafts, crossbar, singletree and circle bar. It has a red leather seat and backrest with a flipup seat for storage. It is custom made with 48" wheels and is available to be seen by appointment Downtown. $1500. Please call Chris Mabry, a very good friend of mine, at (901) 282-2945 or email me!