|
|
Open for Shipping, Delivery, & Curbside Pickup!
Our physical store is closed, but you can still shop online!
DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF SALES & THE LIMITED NUMBER OF BOOKSELLERS THAT CAN SAFELY BE IN THE STORE WE ARE RUNNING SEVERAL DAYS BEHIND IN PROCESSING ONLINE ORDERS.
This is a wonderful problem to have and we are so thankful for your support. Please see the website for more details.
|
|
“Writing can be a lifeline, especially when your existence has been denied, especially when you have been left on the margins, especially when your life and process of growth have been subjected to attempts at strangulation.”
―
Micere Githae Mugo
|
|
We all have books that we loved as children but as we got older, maybe we saw flaws in them, like fatphobia and racism and general lack of diversity. Maybe the authors used their twitter to
spout anti-trans rhetoric
or reveal that
wizards just pooped themselves
before muggle plumbing was invented. I'm not thinking of any specific examples, of course. Just saying that as you get older, you might still love the books that had a long lasting effect on you as a child, but that maybe going forward, you might want to read some books about magical schools where the characters are queer from the beginning, where people of color exist both in on and off the page, where there are gender neutral bathrooms and that's all we need to know about them.
Anyway. Rather than dwell on how some authors should really stop using twitter, I'm going to take this opportunity to make some recommendations.
The protagonist of this book is a snarky Jewish bisexual pacifist. He's at a magic school for humans who defend the magical Borderlands, but he keeps questioning whether they actually
need
defending or if maybe they should try just talking to all the cool magical creatures humans keep fighting. He keeps making friends despite his best effort to be as unpleasant as possible and discovers his own sexuality and that he is worthy of love along the way. It's simultaneously a critique of magic school and portal fantasy tropes as well as a loving celebration of them. And it's filled with queer characters.
|
|
While Culeco Academy is an art school, not a magic school, I'm still putting it on this list. The school and its inhabitants have an offbeat charm that makes it practically its own character, which is one of the things I look for in a good magic school book. Plus, Sal is training to be a magician, that has to count for something, right? Even if it's stage magic, not actual wand waving. Students and faculty wear costumes to school, and the mascot is a superhero egg. And this is all before Sal starts ripping holes in the multiverse and Gabi starts trying to figure out how he does his tricks.
Imagine if Harry Potter had been about Petunia Durlsey, only instead of getting married she'd become a private eye and now she has to investigate a murder at Hogwarts and reconnect with her sister who she hasn't spoken to in years. Also? A whole lot of the students and faculty are queer. Sarah Gailey is nombinary, so they always make a point of including lots of queer characters in their books. They've become one of my favorite writers very quickly.
|
|
You know how high school was weird and awkward and terrible? This is the magic school book that does the best at depicting that. I mean, it's still magic. There are kids with animal heads and laser eyes and magical spells. But they're also having crushes on their friends and playing dungeons and dragons and making weird statement art pieces. It's confusing and doesn't always make sense and that's what makes it so perfect.
You know how you read history books sometimes and think "wow, any history period could be improved if EVERYONE RODE DINOSAURS." Magdalys and her friends live in New York while the Civil War rages on in the South. They have to learn to ride dactylback to take down an evil racist magistrate and rescue their friends. Older tackles the realities of racism and the fantasy of dinosaurs with equal grace, making for a unique and wonderful book. And yes, the dinosaurs do have feathers.
None of these books can replace the books from my youth, the books that, for all their problems, still are important strands in my literary DNA. But there's always room for new books, and always room for books that will reflect and shape the world to come. I've talked before about the power of seeing yourself reflected in a character. Getting to see that character being the hero in an adventure is its own sort of magic. It's well worth making sure as many kids as possible get that opportunity.
-- Shana
|
|
Join our next virtual event!
|
|
Jamie Pacton and Jennifer Dugan,
The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly
-- June 24th at 7PM
|
|
Moxie meets
A Knight’s Tale as Kit Sweetly slays sexism, bad bosses, and bad luck to become a knight at a medieval-themed restaurant.
|
|
 |
Digital Audio Books:
A terrific way to support local indies!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Want book recommendations, personalized
just for you?
Fill out our form with your likes and dislikes, genres and favorites, and we'll crowdsource a bunch of great picks for you with our crack team of
real life
booksellers. Give it a whirl!
|
|
|
|
Old Hollywood: From Page to Screen
1970s
|
|
The new decade sounded the death knell of the old studio system and now many films were shot on location rather than in studio and most actors were no longer under long-term contracts and were independent contractors.
Love Story
was the smash hit of 1970. Based on the sappy bestseller by Erich Segal, this film, savaged by the critics, was the highest grossing film of the year. The black comedy
M*A*S*H
, from the novel by Richard Hooker, came in third that year with stellar reviews and boffo box-office.
The French Connection
(1971), based on the book by Robin Moore won Best Picture and Best Actor for Gene Hackman Oscars while
Fiddler on the Roof
(1971) based on the stories by Sholem Aleichem soared at the box office. Robert Altman’s brilliant revisionist Western,
McCabe & Mrs. Miller
(1971
)
written by Brian McKay is considered one of Altman’s masterpieces.
|
|
In 1972 Mario Puzo’s gritty crime novel
The Godfather
became the hit of the season and two years later
The Godfather Part II
was released to similar acclaim. Both films won the Best Picture Oscar. Interesting trivia: Laurence Olivier, George C. Scott, Anthony Quinn and Orson Welles were all considered for the role of Vito Corleone, but it was Marlon Brando who got the role and the Oscar.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
(1975) based on the novel by Ken Kesey starred Michael Douglas and Louise Fletcher – both Academy Award winners.
Jaws
(1975) written by Peter Benchley, was released in June and became the number one moneymaker of the year. The next year Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s bestseller
All the President’s Men
(1976) came to the screen starring Robert Redford.
Interesting trivia: In 1977 Charlie Chaplin, aged 88, died in Switzerland and three months later his body was stolen and held for ransom; it was found in a cornfield five weeks later.
|
|
The year 1977 brought
Star Wars
to the screen – although not based on a book or short story, the film was written by George Lucas and it has become an iconic franchise (with its many prequels and sequels). In 1979 the first sequel,
The Empire Strikes Back
began shooting at England’s famed Elstree Studios.
The Best Picture Oscar of 1978 went to
The Deer Hunter
with a screenplay by Deric Washburn (et al.) from his story. Starring Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep, this haunting film won five Oscars, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.
There were many acclaimed films made during this decade that were not adapted from books, short stories or plays –
Chinatown
(1974) was an original screenplay and the hugely popular
Grease
(1978) was based on the stage musical. Interesting trivia: In March 2019 it was announced that a prequel entitled
Summer Loving
was in development. And for all the
Grease
lovers, last evening CBS television replaced the annual Tony Awards presentation with a
Grease Singalong
. Really?
-- Nathan
Next Up: Les Français écrivains
|
|
|
|
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
by Kwame Mbalia, narrated by Amir Abdullah
Rick Riordan presents Kwame Mbalia's epic fantasy, a middle grade
American Gods set in a richly-imagined world populated with African American folk heroes and West African gods.
"Tristan Strong is a book about memory & storytelling, a clever reimagining of African & black American mythology, & a fun, fast-paced ride! Boxer Tristan feels he's failed his best friend & let down his family. When he accidentally punches a hole to another world, he'll have to rediscover his strength as he fights alongside legends like John Henry, Brer Rabbit, & Anansi. Tristan's voice is tough, tender, & hilarious; his story will appeal to adventure lovers of all ages."
-- Kate about the hardcover version
|
|
|
Sinny Cooks the Easiest Sesame Noodles
|
|
Hello readers,
Burnout is real, so I'm really into easy recipes right now. Today we have
Simple Sesame Noodles
by
Ree Drummond (check out her cookbook here)
. This is one of my favorite sesame noodle recipes to make because of how time friendly and easy it is. Bonus: all ingredients can be found in your local grocers. If you want a
more traditional recipe
, I highly recommend this recipe by The Woks of Life which is also a time saver and super delicious (see picture below for deliciousness).
-- Sinny
|
|
Ingredients
- 12 ounces, fluid Thin Noodles, Cooked And Drained
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar (I use honey instead)
- 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
- 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons Pure Sesame Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Hot Chili Oil
- 4 Tablespoons Canola Oil
- 4 whole Green Onions, Sliced Thin
Directions
- Whisk all ingredients (except noodles and green onions) together in a bowl. Taste and adjust ingredients as needed.
- Pour sauce over warm noodles and toss to coat.
- Add choice of protein if desired
- Sprinkle with green onions and toss.
- Serve right away and enjoy!
|
|
|
New!
Father's Day Gifts
Father's Day approaches! We've come up with a great list of gifts for you to browse from - socks, puzzles, books, joke books, oven mitts - all your favorites from the store! Remember to place your order early in order for us to have it ready for you in time for the holiday itself. Hope your dad or the guardian in your life loves it!
|
|
|
|
Journals, Stationery & Crafts
|
Sometimes a new notebook is what it takes to get the juices flowing! Browse our new online selection of journals, diaries, coloring books, and pen sets.
|
Make your shopping easy by buying bundles, handpicked by our expert booksellers!
|
|
|
|
Face Masks
Face coverings are going to be with us for a while, so
we’re now offering non-medical grade cloth masks (including kid size) from a variety of makers. Right now quantities are limited, but additional styles are on the way. We’ll keep you posted!
|
|
|
|
Support Cafe Zing Baristas!
|
|
Although Cafe Zing is its own business separate from ours, we really don't see it that way: Zing workers are part of the Porter Square Books family. They keep us well supplied - very well supplied - with caffeine, kindness, and some great tunes. Sometimes they give us staff picks; sometimes we give them exact change because we've bought the same, perfect, comforting, delicious beverage twice a day five days a week for how long, now?
|
|
June staff picks are now live! Please note that many of these staff picks were chosen prior to recent current events.
|
|
|
HIV-positive teens in Brazil deal with all the challenges of young love plus a few more -- and learn that revenge is best served with the help of a group of drag queens.
--Sarah
|
|
|
|
Everything you ever wanted to know about street addresses -- where they came from, why they matter, and how they can change the world.
--Sarah
|
|
|
|
We want to hear from you!
|
|
Our Virtual Grown Up Book Fair (
https://www.portersquarebooks.com/event/virtual-grown-book-fair-summer-reading) is scheduled for Monday June 15, but with everything going on, we're not sure this is an appropriate event for the times. But with the store still closed it is also one of the few times in the near future our booksellers will be able to interact with your community. So we decided to reach out to you and see what you would like us to do.
|
|
|
Cancel/reschedule the event
|
|
|
|
|
Go forward as planned (I could use a break from all this)
|
|
|
|
|
Go forward but spend some time on racial justice
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See you next time here at Shelf Stable!
|
|
Did you miss an installment, or want to share with a friend? The Shelf Stable Archive has all our past issues!
|
|
And don't forget to subscribe to our Events Newsletter for the full line up of events coming up, and our Kids Newsletter for
all the latest on events, new books, reviews, and more for young and young-at-heart readers.
|
|
Looking for other ways to keep up with us? Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube:
|
|
25 White St. Cambridge, MA 02140
617-491-2220
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
