Inspiration

Conor Grennan, Inspiration, Little Princes

Little Princes

Marilyn and Conor

In search of adventure, twenty-nine-year-old Conor Grennan traded his day job for a year-long trip around the globe, a journey that began with a three-month stint volunteering at the Little Princes Children’s Home, an orphanage in war-torn Nepal.  Hopefully you got the chance to meet Conor Grennan at ALA Midwinter, where he signed copies of Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal, and discussed the series of events that lead him to found Next Generation Nepal.  For that story, in his own words, check out his column on the Huffington Post. 

Reuters also ran a fantastic piece on Conor's work, with the best headline I've seen in a while: U.S. author's pickup line becomes crusade in Nepal. Still curious? Got a question for Conor? Log on to CNN and ask away.  And no, unfortunately, he's not still single…    

-Kayleigh 

365 Thank Yous, American Library Association, Book Buzz, Book Clubs, Books, CBS Evening News, Collection Development, Family, Happiness, HarperCollins Publishers, Hyperion, Inspiration, John Kralik, Katie Couric, Libraries, Memoir, Relationships, Thank You

365 Thank Yous

Kralik We at HarperLibrary are very excited about the buzz surrounding an extremely fascinating book entitled, 365 Thank Yous by John Kralik.  Kralik's book, published by Hyperion (on sale now), is an amazing story of how John turned his life around simply by learning the importance of two simple words…Thank you.

John Kralik tells how his life was on a downward spiral, and by simply writing thank you notes to those he interacted with changed his perspective and his life overall.  John was recently featured on the CBS Evening News.  If you missed the interview, you can watch it here!

If you haven't picked up 365 Thank Yous, what are you waiting for?  I know you'll be glad you did…and you can say "thank you" later (hahaha!).

Enjoy!

-Bobby

BEA, Books, Collection Development, Family, Family Lineage, Grandparents, HarperCollins Publishers, Inspiration, Libraries, Library of Congress, Memoir, The House at the End of the Road

BEA Fun!

House at the end hc c If you attended Book Expo America last week, I'm sure your schedule was just like ours…jam-packed!  While we were extremely busy and productive, we did manage to have some fun along the way.  One of my biggest challenges to date has been mastering the art of tying a bow-tie.  I love them, however tying one can be a bit of a problem. 

One of our authors, W. Ralph Eubanks (The House at the End of the Road) took time out of his day to show me the fine art of tying a bow-tie.  Ralph makes it look SO easy.  In fact, he can accomplish this WITHOUT looking in a mirror.  Check out both videos…one where he ties the bow-tie on me and the other where he demonstrates on himself.


In between mastering this fine art if you haven't picked up his book, The House at the End of the Road, PLEASE do yourself a favor and check it out.  You will not be disappointed.  I have to give a special thank you to W. Ralph Eubanks…a true inspiration and a great person!  If I had a Brother, it would be him!

Enjoy!

-Bobby

A Pearl in the Storm, Books, HarperCollins Publishers, Inspiration, Libraries, Memoir, Tori Murden McClure

A Pearl in the Storm

PearlintheStorm pb c We are still very excited about A Pearl in Storm by Tori Murden McClure. A Pearl in the Storm, new in paperback this month, is the fascinating memoir of the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.  This story will leave you mesmerized and it will stay on your mind and in your heart.  It is truly a story of survival, adventure and having the guts to accomplish any goal, big or small.  If you haven't read this book, I urge you to do so!

Enjoy!

-Bobby

Grandparents, Happiness, Inspiration, Life Lessons, Making Toast, Memoir

Review Round-Up: Making Toast

9780061825934 We love getting your feedback on our books, almost as much as we enjoy reading them! With that in mind, here are three new reviews of Roger Rosenblatt's Making Toast from our trusty readers.  And while you're here, don't miss Virginia's review. 

Our first comes from 20something Lauren Gibaldi, who blogs on halfdesertedstreets.com.  Lauren calls the book "an absolute beautiful read, a truly wonderful tribute." Her full review can be found here. 

Next up is Diane LaRue. of LaRue Marketing & Public Relations.  She writes: "Their story will touch (and sometimes break) your heart."  Her review is here. 

Nancy Renfro, director of the Watauga Regional Library, writes:

There never can be too many books on the subject of the death of a loved one.  We all mourn in different ways, and each memoir about death has its own perspective that lends credence to our own unique ways of suffering.  When faced with death, we need reassurance that others have made it through the first numbing days of sorrow, survived, and even created beauty out of their suffering.  Making Toast is a sad, but welcome addition to the growing list of titles of regular humans going about their lives with the people they love and then, unexpectedly, tragically, having the specter of death thrust upon them.  Some of the most readable, poignant and noteworthy of these memoirs are from already published authors.  They already are adept at writing, and thus can explain the emotional tangle they experience in a coherent way.  There have been several over the years  from well-known women authors: Isabel Allende ‘s moving tribute to her daughter “Paula”, Joan Didion’s heart wrenching “The Year of Magical Thinking”, where she deals not only with the death of her beloved husband John Gregory Dunne, but the continued care for her daughter in critical condition in the hospital.  But this memoir is different.  From the perspective of a father, it is less emotional and inward looking, and more a chronicle of how he, his wife, and extended family get through the day to day living that must go on after the death of a vital, healthy wife, mother, and career woman.  How does a parent bury a child in the prime of her life, and then continue to live and find meaning in the life that is left?  Rosenblatt answers that question through his own life and the lives of the family members left behind.  This book is highly recommended.

…

Review Round-Up: Making ToastRead More »

Inspiration, Making Toast, Memoir, Roger Rosenblatt, Shelf Awareness

Making Toast

9780061825934 I have been talking about this book since I read it in manuscript form last year. It has never left me.  This is the true story – told through the eyes of a father – about the sudden loss of his 38 year old daughter and how he and his wife step in to help their son-in-law care for their 3 young grandchildren.

This is not a maudlin tale. Yes, it’s sad.  But it’s also inspiring, hopeful and even humorous at times.  If you want to meet a family who will stay with you long after you’ve read the last page of their story, read Making Toast.  For more coverage on the book, including a fantastic interview with Roger Rosenblatt, check out yesterday's dedicated issue of Shelf Awareness. 

I’ll send a copy to you if you send a review to me at librarylovefest atharpercollins dot com.  Really, I’d love to hear what you think.

Many thanks.

-Virginia

Airplane, Airport, Books, Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger, Current Affairs, Highest Duty, Inspiration, Memoir, Television, TLC

Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger

9780061924682 The Learning Channel has produced a documentary, Brace for Impact, in which Captain “Sully” Sullenberger retraces how he skillfully glided US Airways Flight 1549 onto the surface of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard.  The documentary airs this Sunday, January 10th at 9pm.  Brace for Impact also follows Sully's personal story leading up to that fateful moment.  Captain Sullenberger is the author of Highest Duty: My Search For What Really Matters.

-Virginia

Books, Death Row, Family, Foster Care System, Inspiration, Jarvis Jay Masters, Libraries, Memoir, Prison, Relationships

That Bird Has My Wings

That Bird has my Wings hc c Earlier in the year, I blogged about a book entitled, That Bird Has My Wings: the Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row, by Jarvis Jay Masters.  That Bird Has My Wings is a compelling memoir about a man who endured an extremely hard life and is now on death row.  Check out my article.

We received a great review from Zandra Blake, Teen and Public Services Librarian for the Capital Area District Library.  Here is the link.

Many thanks to Zandra and everyone at the Capital Area District Library for featuring That Bird Has My Wings on your blog!  I hope you add That Bird Has My Wings to your reading list.

Enjoy!

-Bobby

Barbara Graham, Books, Eye of My Heart, Family, Grandparents, Happiness, Inspiration, Libraries, Life Lessons, Relationships

Tune-in to Author Barbara Graham on Good Morning America! (New date and time)

EyeOfMyHeart hc c Yesterday, I posted about author Barbara Graham and her book, Eye of My Heart: 27 Writers Reveal the Hidden Pleasures and Perils of Bring a Grandmother. 

Barbara Graham's segment on ABC's Good Morning America, has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 2009. This is definitely something you don't want to miss!

Enjoy!

-Bobby

Barbara Graham, Books, Eye of My Heart, Family, Grandparents, Happiness, Inspiration, Libraries, Life Lessons

Author Barbara Graham to be Featured on Good Morning America!

EyeOfMyHeart hc c Earlier this year, Virginia wrote a post and added a video from HarperCollins author Barbara Graham, talking about her book Eye of My Heart: 27 Writers Reveal the Hidden Pleasures and Perils of Being a Grandmother.  Check out Virginia’s post and the author video here.

Make sure you tune in tomorrow morning (November 13) to ABC’s Good Morning America as Barbara Graham will be interviewed by Annie Pleshette Murphy, the parenting expert on the show.  Barbara will be talking about difficult relationships between grandmothers on the parental side and their daughter-in-laws as well as her book Eye of My Heart.  Don’t miss it!

Enjoy!

-Bobby

American Library Association, Books, Celebrities, Diahann Carroll, Family, Happiness, Inspiration, Libraries, Marriage, Memoir, Race, Relationships, Television, The Legs Are The Last to Go, Wendy Williams Show, Women

The Legs Are The Last to Go!

LegsAreTheLast hc c We at HarperCollins were thrilled to publish The Legs Are The Last to Go: Aging, Acting, Marrying and Other Things I Learned the Hard Way by the legendary Diahann Carroll.  Some of you may have had the opportunity to see her at the Closing Session of the 2008 ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California.  In her book, she gives us a candid look at her life and everything she has had to overcome to be the success that she still remains today…a true inspiration for us all!  The buzz on Ms. Carroll (what I like to call her) continues!  Make sure you tune in tomorrow (November 13) to The Wendy Williams Show for Wendy's interview with Diahann Carroll.  Please check your local listings for time and channel.  This is definitely something you will not want to miss!

Enjoy!

-Bobby

Airplane, Books, Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger, Current Affairs, Highest Duty, Inspiration, Libraries, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Memoir, New York

Highest Duty, Amazing Video

9780061924682 By now just about everyone has seen the surreal footage of the US Airways plane that glided into the icy waters of the Hudson River in New York City last January in an emergency landing.   We saw the passengers standing on the wings of the plane – knee deep in water – waiting to be pulled into the boats that immediately converged on the scene.  It’s hard not to imagine what it must’ve been like for the passengers on that plane.   Harder still would be to imagine what it was like to be the man at the controls of that plane.

In his new book Highest Duty, Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, the pilot of US Airways flight 1549, details not only the events of that unforgettable day, but he also reveals the inner workings of his life: where he comes from, his military background, and the important people, places, and events that have shaped him. Sully has a very strong work ethic and has always pushed himself to achieve excellence in every endeavor.

FYI…a few weeks after the crash, Sully discovered that he’d lost a library book about professional ethics, Just Culture: Balancing Safety and Accountability, in the downed plane’s cargo hold. When he called the library to notify them, they waived the usual fees. Mayor Michael Bloomberg replaced the book when he gave Sully the Key to the City in a New York ceremony.  Check out this great video and fasten your seatbelts.  This is quite the story…

-Virginia

Africa, Books, Current Affairs, Inspiration, Libraries, Life Lessons, Malawi, Memoir, Readers Advisory Book/Review Swap, TED Conference, Television, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, The Daily Show, William Kamkwamba

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind on The Daily Show!

We’ve been talking about The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind for months – telling everyone who’d listen how inspiring and downright unbelievable this story is.  A boy from a village in Africa – too poor to attend school – is inspired by a librarian to read.  He picks up a book on windmills and figures out how to build one out of scraps found in a junkheap.  He generates electricity and changes the trajectory of his life and the lives of his community.  From Malawi to the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.  What a difference a windmill makes.  Here's a link to our previous posts.  Take a look…

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
William Kamkwamba
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes		 Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

-Virginia

Barack Obama, Books, Family, First Couple, First Family, Happiness, Inspiration, Libraries, Marriage, Michelle Obama, Politics, Relationships

Barack and Michelle

BarackandMichelleHC c

I am so excited about this new book that I had to share it with everyone.  Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage, by Christopher Andersen is a fascinating book into the lives of "America's First Couple".

Barack and Michelle, (on sale now) gives us an inside look into their marriage and how they are making it a successful one.  Given everything they have to handle, whether it is trying to "save the country", raising a family or facing the reality of public scrutiny, they carry themselves with their heads held high, while never forgetting the love they have for one another.  Barack and Michelle also takes us back to their respective lives before they met and how despite the odds, progressed into very successful individuals.

In today's society where couples are getting divorced faster than we can blink, it is so refreshing to see an example of a marriage that does work.  Barack and Michelle gives those of us that are single hope that a marriage can survive the trials, tribulations and successes of life.  It also serves as a benchmark for married couples to remind them of why they got married and hopefully how they can stay that way.

Enjoy!

-Bobby

Africa, AIDS, Collection Development, Current Affairs, Inspiration, Libraries, Life Lessons, Malawi, Memoir, Readers Advisory Book/Review Swap, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, William Kamkwamba

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

9780061730320

Librarians, we want to hear from you!  As you can see here, here, and here, we're wild about this book and we hope you will be, too.  Send an email to librarylovefest at harpercollins.com.  We'll send a copy of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind to you with our compliments.  The only thing ask for in return is a review of the book which we would then post on our blog. We know how busy everyone is these days so don't get hung up on the length of the review.  We just want to get the word out to readers about a book that has everyone buzzing in house.  Now we want the buzz to be outside the house! Thanks so much.

Now send us an email! (Please note, this particular offer is for librarians only.) Thanks!

Virginia Stanley
Director
Library Marketing
HarperCollinsPublishers
(212) 207-7592
virginia.stanley at harpercollins.com
www.librarylovefest.com

Africa, AIDS, Books, Collection Development, Inspiration, Libraries, Malawi, Memoir, Readers Advisory Book/Review Swap, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, William Kamkwamba

Readers Advisory Book/Review Swap

9780061730320 We send you a book and you send us your review.  Sometimes this offer will be open to the general readership and other times it will be open to librarians only.  Either way, we’ll keep your name on our list for future reviews! We’d like to kick this off with a book we’re extremely excited about. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba is a terrific book about a young boy in South Africa who discovers a book in the library and learns how to build a windmill and generates electricity.
We hope you enjoy this book as much as we do.  Check out Marketing Director Tavia Kowalchuk's guest blog on the book, as well as our original post.  Let us know if you’d like to review it on our blog by emailing your name, mailing address and library affiliation to librarylovefest@harpercollins.com. Again, this one’s for librarians only. Thanks!

-Virginia

Books, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Family, Family Lineage, Inspiration, Long Past Stopping, Memoir, Oran Canfield

Long Past Stopping

Everyone is buzzing about Long Past Stopping (9780061450754), Oran Canfield's hotly anticipated memoir, on sale everywhere! Oran is the son of Jack Canfield, creator of the phenomenal bestselling self-help series Chicken Soup for the Soul.  His memoir is hilarious and wry, loaded with oddball characters and stories that have to be read to be believed.   Check out the e-card, browse inside the book, or order a copy. 

LPS jpg new

-Kayleigh

Books, Death Row, Family, Foster Care System, Inspiration, Jarvis Jay Masters, Libraries, Memoir, Prison

That Bird Has My Wings

Earlier in the year, I blogged about a forthcoming book entitled, That Bird Has My Wings, by Jarvis Jay Masters.  Check out my article:

http://tinyurl.com/n2o3s7

That Bird Has My Wings, on sale September 22nd is the compelling memoir of Jarvis Jay Masters which chronicles his early life, growing up with his four siblings and being surrounded by drugs at the hands of his mother and stepfather.  He also shares how he survived violence at the hands of his biological father.  They were left home alone days and weeks at a time, with no food or even the proper basic care.  After he and his siblings were taken out of the home by social services, they were put in the foster care system where his life became extremely unstable.  He was sentenced to prison at 19 for armed robbery and was put on death row at age 23 for being named an accessory in the death of a prison guard.  Since being in prison, he has written one book and several articles.  He also won a PEN Award for one of his poems.  What is even more amazing is that he does all of his writing with ball point pen filler, as that is the only writing instrument available to those in maximum security prison.

I hope you add That Bird Has My Wings to your reading list.

Enjoy!

-Bobby 

Africa, AIDS, American Library Association, Books, Family, Happiness, Inspiration, Libraries, Malawi, Memoir, TED Conference, William Kamkwamba

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind

We are so thrilled to have Tavia Kowalchuk, Marketing Director for William Morrow, Eos and Cookbooks (imprints of HarperCollins Publishers) as a guest blogger today.  Tavia is excited about the publication of the forthcoming title, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.

Enjoy!

-Bobby 
—————————————————————————————————————

BoyWhoHarnessed hc c The buzz is building for the soon-to-be-released THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND –the inspirational true story about an enterprising teenager in Malawi who built a windmill from scraps found around his village and brought electricity—and a future—to himself and his family.

William Kamkwamba, grew up poor in Malawi, Africa, a country suffering from poverty, famine, AIDS and lack of basic services like plumbing and electricity. When William was 14 and unable to attend school because his family couldn’t afford the $80 tuition, he began thinking a lot about electricity. After being given a book about windmills by his local librarian, he decided to build his own using scrap metal, tractor parts, and blue-gum trees, which grew near his village. William’s home-made contraption succeeded in supplying electricity to his family’s compound. You can click here to read an excerpt from his memoir before the book is on sale (September 29th), but in the meantime, here is an exclusive interview with the librarian in Malawi who gave William the book that changed his life.

Meet librarian Edith Sikelo.  Mrs. Sikelo was sitting behind her desk at the library when William first walked in.
Mrs. Edith Sikelo William Kamkwamba's Community Librarian

Wimbe Community Lending Library pic 2 (not as good)

She quickly noticed his interest in science books and encouraged him to keep reading. His library card soon grew to several pages, which Sikelo now keeps to show visitors, and to brandish to younger students as an example of success.
William's library card part 1 
Mrs. Sikelo was recently interviewed by Tom Rielly, Community Director of the TED Conference, a major party in promoting William’s story throughout the world.

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The Boy Who Harnessed The WindRead More »

Books, Business, Family, Happiness, Inspiration, Libraries, New York Times

HarperCollins Author Gary Vaynerchuk profiled in the New York Times!

9780061914171 Congratulations to HarperCollins author Gary Vaynerchuk!  He is featured in an amazing article in today's New York Times.  Check out this fabulous profile.

Gary Vaynerchuk's upcoming book entitled, Crush It!:  Why NOW is the Time to Cash in on Your Passion (on sale in October 2009), tells how he grew his family's wine business from four million to sixty million in five years using the internet!  Gary also shows readers how to discover their passion and turn it into a successful and profitable business. 

The Crush It! Tour Contest – Win a Trip on the Crush It! Cruise
At every book signing location, turn in your receipt to be entered for a chance to win a cabin for two on the Crush It! Cruise.  Sailing from Fort Lauderdale, FL throughout the Caribbean from March 20 – 27, 2010, the cruise will allow you to go "beyond the book" with a week's worth of interactive business seminars led by Gary, plus entertaining wine events and much, much more!  Learn more at http://crushitcruise.com.

At the conclusion of the book tour, Gary will draw one receipt for the grand prize winner who will accompany Gary on the cruise.  Drawing to be conducted live on ustream.tv on Thursday, November 19th!

*Please note, you must purchase a book at a book tour location and give your receipt to Gary during a book signing event to be entered in the contest.  One entry per receipt.  Prize winner receives a standard interior stateroom for 2 valued at $899 per person.  Winner is responsible for travel to and from Fort Lauderdale and any and all taxes, fees, on-board expenses, and gratuity.
 
TOUR DATES (More to follow. Check you local bookstore)

Tuesday, October 13       
BORDERS
7:00 PM       
10 Columbus Circle
New York, NY
         
Friday, October 16       
BOSTON UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE
1:00 PM       
660 Beacon Street
Boston, MA       
        
Monday, October 19       
POWELL’S BOOKS
7:30 PM       
1005 W. Burnside
Portland, OR 
                

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HarperCollins Author Gary Vaynerchuk profiled in the New York Times!Read More »

Books, Inspiration, Libraries, Life Lessons, Reinvention, Relationships, Women

Tune-in to Author Claire Cook on the Today Show! (New date and time)

Wildwater Previously, I posted about author Claire Cook and her new book, The Wildwater Walking Club.  For those who may have missed it, here’s the link to the article:

http://tinyurl.com/qnsuea

Claire Cook's segment on NBC-TV's "Today" Show, has been re-scheduled for Monday, September 7th in the 8 o'clock hour. This is definitely something you wont want to miss!

Enjoy!

-Bobby

Airplane, Airport, Book Amnesty, Books, Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger, Inspiration, Late Fees, Libraries, Memoir, Publishers Weekly

Captain Sullenberger gets a Starred Review!

HighestDutyHC c Congratulations to HarperCollins author Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.  His forthcoming book, Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters just received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.  Check out this wonderful review:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6678556.html

We all know Captain Sullenberger for his heroism in skillfully gliding US Airways Flight 1549 onto the Hudson River, saving the lives of all the passengers aboard.  Highest Duty, on sale in October of 2009 is his inspirational autobiography, with his thoughts on family, leadership, responsibility and service. 

Also, here is Kayleigh’s earlier post which includes a video of Captain Sullenberger talking about book amnesty at the San Francisco Public Library:

http://harperlibrary.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/05/sully-talks-about-book-amnesty-at-library.html

Please make sure you remember Highest Duty in October.  I’m sure you will agree that he is truly a hero and an inspiration to us all.

Enjoy!

-Bobby

Beach, Books, Inspiration, Libraries, Life Lessons, Reinvention, Relationships, Women

Tune-in to Author Claire Cook on the Today Show!

Wildwater Claire Cook, author of The Wildwater Walking Club, (on sale now) will be featured on NBC-TV's "Today" Show.  Claire Cook's segment is scheduled for Monday, August 17th in the 8 o'clock hour. 

The Wildwater Walking Club is a hilarious and heartwarming story of three very different women, all living in the same beach suburban town, whose walks take them in new and surprising directions.

On Monday, June 29, NBC-TV’s “Today” show taped a home visit with Claire Cook, while she and correspondent Amy Robach went for a walk on the beach.  “Today” also filmed Claire giving a talk and doing a signing at her local store, Front Street Bookstore in Scituate, MA. 

The “Today” Show is filming Claire as part of a story on reinvention – and who is more perfect to discuss this than Claire? – who wrote her first book (at age 45) while sitting in her minivan outside her daughter’s swim practices.  Claire literally reinvented herself as a novelist in mid-life and this theme factors in all of Claire’s novels, which will be mentioned on air. Claire gave her workshop on reinvention at the bookstore that evening, so this segment should fit nicely into their story about how to tap into your creativity if you are out of work in this terrible economy.

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