We all know you want to know what the "face" of Books on First Proprietor/Manager Larry Dunphy's doing.

First off, he's finishing a purchase order for books to show and sell at the Renewable Energy Fair next Sat & Sun (8-9 Aug) at the Ogle County Fairgrounds. Let him know (815.285.2665 or chin@booksonfirst.com) if you'll be there and if there's anything you particularly want to see to buy (popular subjects are Gaia, permaculture, sustainable living, log cabins, renewable resources, how to save money, windmills, native plants, gardening for fun & profit and applesauce (just kidding)).

Speaking of apples, though, some people are growing a few trees to get their own great apples. We have ours to be hospitable to Japanese beetles. Do you have that problem, too? If so, what have you all been doing about them? A good customer of Books on First told me once that as horrible as he feels about doing it, spraying insecticide seems to be the most viable (ironically) solution. A relative of ours would respond, "Better Living through Chemicals." But, this discussion is for another day.

Speaking of sustainable living, Larry is reading Making the Good Life Last. Author Michael Schuler will be speaking about and signing copies of his book tomorrow. Larry already lives a fairly pastoral existence, give or take the bookstore happenings. He says reading the book has given him greater appreciation of it and desire to keep it so. We are going to have copies of this book at the Fair, but maybe not enough! Give us a call if you want to reserve a copy for pick-up at the Fair (or store).

Looking Forward to Saturday

Good Afternoon!

This Saturday, Aug. 1^st will be a busy day at Books on First.

First of all, at 11am, Dixon native Pastor Michael A. Schuler will be speaking & signing his book, “Making the Good Life Last: Four Keys to Sustainable Living.”

Then, from 7-9 pm Saturday evening, Flying Fish sighting predicted. The duo of Todd Lorenc & Jeff Kagay returns to bring us back to bopping times of The Beatles, The Monkees, The Turtles and many others.

Don’t forget to sign up for our Melissa & Doug plush dog giveaway. Drawing will extend through August. Retail price is $29.99.

Have a great day!

Live Music

Tonight we have great porch music by Andy Holm. He has a new CD out, on sale for $13 (normally $15) right here at Books on First. Come by starting 7pm for the best pass-the-hat music of Sauk Valley in a coffeehouse setting.

See our entire live music schedule on our website www.booksonfirst.com.

Sign up for e-mails about our promotions and future events and mention you've read our blog for a free beverage (blender drinks excluded).

First Post: a Dual Review

The proprietor/manager of Books on First recommends the book, Fool.
Christopher Moore's wit is singular and not universally appreciated. But, if you get it, you'll really have a fun time, and you won't even have to have read or seen the play.

(recommended to him by his wife Carolyn!) In the afterword ("You Cheeky Git -- Author's Note"), Moore tells how he was persuaded to write in the voice of Lear's fool and all the research he conducted in order to do so properly. That is an interesting story unto itself. But, we digress.

Fool is a masterly, tongue-in-cheek (to name one body part) re-telling of the tale of King Lear, but not simply the most famously known one being Shakespeare's, but basically the very English play about this really out-of-touch king giving away his kingdom to the two daughters who love him least and living not simply to regret the act but to rage and lament (and lament) about it. I find I have always been at one with Moore on Lear's "whining" and the great desire to reach into the written word (or to leap upon the stage) and "kill the old man myself." With irreverent nods (or tosses) to Hamlet, Macbeth, Green Eggs and Ham, and more, Moore's version, in his inimitable style, is at least as reasonable and original as Shakespeare's, but so much more fun! As with Lamb, there is just enough adherence to historical allusions to stimulate questions and a consideration of, if not actual, re-reading of "The Great Works."

For more recommendations, check out our "Staff Picks" For our most popular books, go to our "Best Sellers." Otherwise, simply contact us if you need help finding a book.