Speaking of great legs Peter Mayle’s newest novel The Vintage Caper (Vintage Books $14.95) has all the right reasons to swirl with bated breathe. What could be more fun than tracking down a world class wine thief with a charming, handsome lawyer and gourmand with a lovely long legged companion by his side feasting and drinking their way from LA to Bordeaux and Provence. Savor and Enjoy!

And, what is wine without art! There is nothing subtle about this next book Priceless: How I went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures by Robert Wittman a former FBI Agent Art Crimes Unit (Crown $25) – more Shiraz than Merlot! Think Robert Parker meets Sam Spade meets Dragnet meets Antiques Roadshow (read about that infamous fraud during the first season) This is an excellent read-it is an exciting and very informative peak into the world of art as well the art and crime of stolen and priceless treasures (including the Gardner Heist, Old and New Masters, Civil War artifacts, Geronimo’s headdress and the Bill of Rights!) This is a must read for stolen art and mystery aficionados.

Next up, on my bedside nearly collapsing bookshelf is Provenance: How a Con Man and Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art by Salisbury & Suju. (Penguin $16) Another great recommendation for you non-fiction readers – very hard to resist, according to some of our discerning art-reading customers – you won’t want to put it down once you’ve started. Worth a look!

So settle down with a full glass of your choice and an audacious fun adventure in the fine and heady world of wine and art. Enjoy! - Molly

He writes, “Once upon a time I was a slow reader, in the best sense of the concept. I lingered over pages, paragraphs and sentences.” When he became a bookseller he had to “learn how to read faster without sacrificing concentration, comprehension and pleasure”. Like Robert, I, too “have three, four or five books going at once, and continue to cast my eyes with longing at the endless stream of new, tempting titles that come across my desk.” Having previously confessed to not finishing everything I start, I, like Robert, don’t “like this feeding frenzy mentality, but it’s what we work with in our profession. We’re expected to know a little something about a lot of books; a little more about several key books; and a lot about a chosen few. We do our best to oblige.” He’s right – that’s how we help you find the perfect book whatever the season.

But, I want that perfect summer read, too – something to totally take me away. You’d think with all the books that surround me, that would be easy right? Wrong! It can make it even more difficult to choose! But so far this summer I’ve read three books that have hit the nail right on the head.

How? I got recommendations from the fabulous booksellers at Island Books, that’s how!

More often than not I read different books than Pat, Molly and Jenny – not because our tastes differ that much but because there are so many new books coming in every day and this way we can cover more territory. We talk about what we’ve each read and can then help you all find just the right book. But, like I said, sometimes I want that perfect book that I just know is going to take me away . . .

Pat read The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman and made it sound so great I had to dive in. She was right. Goodman easily combines the stories of two sisters with high-tech IPOs, environmentalists, foodies, books and booklovers plus three love stories in an engrossing novel that captures the quirks of human nature. Wonderfully satisfying! (The Dial Press $26.00)

I don’t read a lot of mysteries but when Molly told me about The Scent of Lightning and Rain by Nancy Pickard I had to give it a try. Set in Kansas on a cattle ranch, the town’s most influential family suffered a great tragedy 20 years ago with the murder of two family members. But life went on as the mystery had been solved long ago – or was it? At times sultry and slow but always filled with tension, Pickard keeps the surprises coming. A beautifully written and carefully crafted novel that I could not put down. (Ballantine Books $25.00)

And, last but not least, this past holiday weekend I read The Nobodies Album by Carolyn Parkhurst after Pat raved about it. It was great! I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end! Successful literary author Octavia Frost has just submitted her most revolutionary manuscript to date – one in which she rewrites the endings to all of her previous novels when she learns that her estranged son Milo stands accused of murdering his girl friend. As Milo’s story unfolds, these last chapters and their revisions are interspersed throughout the book revealing much of Octavia’s and Milo’s past together. It is a wonderfully “complex Russian doll of a novel” that kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more. I loved it! (Doubleday $25.95)

So, if you’re looking for that perfect summer read – you know where to come and who to ask! And, if you have a great read you’d like to share with us please leave a comment.

Happy reading! – Judy

Kjell Eriksson (Sweden) Demon of Dakar

Karin Fossum (Norway) Black Seconds

Arnaldur indridason (Iceland) Draining Lake

Henning Mankell (Sweden) Pyramid

Jo Nesbo (Norway) Redbreast

Hakan Nesser (Sweden) Woman with Birthmark

Sjowall/Wahloo (Sweden) Locked Room

Helen Tursten (Sweden) Glass Devil

Or you can chose from some great mysterys set in Africa, Canada, India, Italy, Ireland, Saudia Arabia, The West Bank and, of course, the US of A.

It’s going to be a long hot summer, so cool off with some ice cold crime!

Lisbeth Salander—the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels—lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she will plot revenge—against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life. Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Salander is fighting back.

Another big book out today is the new novel for young readers by John Grisham, Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer. Read on for more info!

In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he’s only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he’s one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk-and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom. But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much-maybe too much-he is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth. The stakes are high, but Theo won’t stop until justice is served.

Brimming with the intrigue and suspense that made John Grisham a #1 international bestseller and the undisputed master of the legal thriller, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer will keep readers guessing and pages turning. (For ages 8-13)

Happy Reading! - Judy

Not only that but The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is now a major motion picture AND we have two FREE pairs of tickets to see the film at the lovely Jane Pickens Theater to raffle off! All you have to do is reply to this post to enter to win the tickets – it’s that simple – just reply to the post and we’ll draw the winners this weekend!

To add even more to the Stieg Larsson frenzy – if you bring in your Jane Pickens ticket stub from seeing the movie we’ll give you 20% OFF the paperback of The Girl Who Played with Fire AND if you reserve your copy of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest at ISLAND BOOKS, we’ll give you a coupon for 20% OFF a purchase in June. What’s not to like about deals like this!

My other new author this year is Jonathon Dee and his new novel The Privileges.  I wish I knew someone else who has read this book (besides the reviewers) because I am dying to talk to someone about it.  I read this one fast – wide eyed, appalled, intrigued, and yes, even a little jealous.  Come in to the store and I’ll tell you more!

Next on my list is Stitches by David Small – a graphic novel that Judy hand picked for me.

Wish me luck! - Pat

8 months earlier on my 35th birthday I came home exhausted from yet another unfulfilling day at work (I had been commuting to Providence to a corporate job 5 days a week for over 3 years) and my dear husband Gary said, “Quit. Just quit. We’ll work it out,” and that’s what we did. Thank you, Gary.

2 years earlier my mother was up visiting and had with her a copy of Working Woman magazine. It had a piece on the best franchises for women – among them was Little Professor Bookstores. A seed was planted. Thanks, Mom!

I spent those next 2 years researching the ins and outs of the book business. Dreaming about opening a store of my own. I had had other business ideas in mind and did extensive research on them as well, but when I looked at the day to day of them, I couldn’t see myself going to work day in and day out. But with books, the answer was a resounding Yes! New books coming in every day, great customers to talk books with, a connection to my community and the freedom of being my own boss. But how?

I spent the 8 months figuring it out. I visited bookstores, crunched numbers, read publishers catalogs and I borrowed lots of money. Thanks, Dad! And, when I was caught peering into a window in Wyatt Square by owner John Nunes he said, “tell me when you’re ready and we’ll work it out.” Thanks, John.

Then it was count down time. Carpet was laid, shelving delivered, computers bought and books ordered. Then they came – boxes and boxes and boxes of beautiful books! I had the best helpers to shelve them, too! We had planned to open the store on their 13th birthday but were a week late. Thanks, Robin and Eric – you’re the best!

And, I’ve spent these last 17 years loving every minute of it – thanks to all of you!

Join us in our celebrating this Friday, Saturday and Sunday

when we have our 17th Anniversary SALE!

20% OFF STOREWIDE !

Hope to see you soon!   - Judy

To be honest I am reading 2 mysteries right now.  The first one is The Broken Teaglass by Emily Arsenault; a wonderfully charming witty wordy mystery set in a dictionary publishing company.  Two young lexicographers find strange disjointed clues about the possibility of an old unsolved murder within their word citations files at Samuleson Dictionary Publishing Company – the citations came from a novel called The Broken Teaglass.  Does the novel actually exist?  Was it written by one of the older editors who may or may not have witnessed a murder or perhaps been the killer themselves?  It is really, really fun and very clever.  Try it!  You will never read a dictionary the same way.  (Hardcover $25.00 and worth every word)

The other mystery is very different.  A Beautiful Place to Die by Malla Nunn is set in South Africa in 1950’s at the beginning of apartheid.  It is a rich full novel about race and politics and power and relationships but it’s also a good classic detective story.  You get a sense of what it must have felt like to be in South Africa at that time period and from all perspectives (and there are a lot of perspectives!).  And you are drawn to the characters who slowly reveal secrets and truths.  So, not only is it a good story but it also a great mystery.  (Paperback $15.00)

Rest in Peace- Robert Parker.  I thought his earlier Spenser mystery Looking for Rachel Wallace was one of his finest.

- Molly

I tend to skip around a lot, always intending to finish what I start – I want to finish them, (Lacuna and The Children’s Book to name two!) truly I do –  but I’m always tempted by something new, and then something new and again something new – its an occupational hazard I suppose. Now, that’s not to say that I don’t finish books because I do, lots, but like Margaret Atwood, I “must stop reading with one eye” and I resolve to try. I also resolve to reduce the pile on my nightstand before adding more. I made headway this weekend by reading (beginning to end!) Dan Chaon’s Await Your Reply (thanks to a recommendation from Michael Kindness of Books on the Nightstand) that’s been there since April – it was a real treat! I also resolve to make more sense of my books at home – we have books here, there and everywhere with no rhyme or reason as to organization so I can never find what I’m looking for! Oh, and I want to remember to write down what a read. I start doing this every year but . . . . alas, mine are not ambitious goals  - for some of those, read on!

Pat reads mostly fiction (as many of you know from her great recommendations!) but resolves to go out on a literary limb several times this year by reading some new authors and maybe even a new genre or two (like graphic novels or self-help), even if its scary for her.  She also plans to work in more non-fiction, especially a biography or two to give her some inspiration.  And, I’ll quote her here – “I resolve to go back in time to a man I once loved spending leisure time with – Charles Dickens.”

Molly our mystery maven is a self-described ’dipper’, dipping into this book then that book, often without finishing and resolves to get all the way through more of what she dips into. She also says that she slips into the comfort of mysteries too easily (you mystery lovers who rely on her recommendations will undoubtedly disagree!) and intends to vary her reading more – especially with more literary fiction. “I do love good, literary fiction and get so much out of it when I read a great novel, but mysteries, they are my favorite!”

Jenny has a few RRR for 2010. As the children books buyer she reads many books for children and young adults but one thing she’s personally resisted has been books about vampires. “I hope to read AND enjoy one vampire related book this year (that is NOT Twilight). I am always open to suggestions from teens and adults!” She also wants to start a parent/child book group. “My daughters are 9 and almost 7 and are certainly old enough to experience the joys of a good book group. Please let me know if you too might be interested.” Her last RRR is a more personal one – it is to read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and to implement and live many of the topics discussed in the book. “The author has an incredible blog www.happiness-project.com complete with a toolbox for living what you learn. I have already started the book and am learning so much about my self and my relationships but the real trick will be continuing the project all the way through the year!”

Marilyn, booklover and bookkeeper extraordinaire, says she wants to learn when to stop reading a book she isn’t really enjoying. She feels she needs to finish every one she starts but after working in the bookstore she realizes that there are too many books she’s certain to love so maybe she shouldn’t spend so much time with something that isn’t working for her once she’s given it a good go. She also wants to stop judging books by their cover – she says she’s often turned off by a cover so won’t pick up that book. And finally, something I think we all can understand, Marilyn wants to accept the fact that she can’t read everything – “There are just too darn many books out there that I want to get to but I need to learn to be satisfied with what I do have the opportunity to read.”

So, what are your reading-related resolutions? Post your resolutions here and, like the NYTimes, we promise not to follow-up next year to see how you made out AND we’ll give you a FREE 2010 Eat, Sleep, Read Page-A-Day Calendar with tons of interesting literary trivia and lots of great ideas about what to read in the coming year.

Now that we’ve told you ours, tell us your RRR and let’s get a conversation started!

Happy Reading!

- Judy