August - News from Pearl Street Books

July 2023 | Rooted in Community

Bits from Beth

Greetings from Pearl Street Books!

Did you know that over 1,000 years ago, the epic story of 11th-Century Japan, TheTale of Genji, was written by Murasaki Shikibu, a woman? This Japanese epic is often called the world's first novel. While women have been writing across the globe since the beginning, we still remain often under-represented on shelves and on reading lists.

August offers us Women In Translation month as a chance to help rectify this imbalance in world literature by showcasing women* ( *and transgender and nonbinary and intersex individuals) from all over the world who do not write in English.

At Pearl Street Books we intentionally try to amplify women authors each day. But this month, we're raising our efforts, ordering even more titles that we think you'll love. I've been reading Mieko Kawakami, Sayaka Murata, and Yuko Tsushima. These three Japanese authors raise the global chorus of women's voices; their stories about every day life coupled with dark, shadowy undertones will leave you longing for more. I am looking forward to reading some of our new arrivals next!

Happy Reading! ~ Beth

[Below image of a sample of some of the Works In Translation by women authors on display at Pearl Street Books.]

Tsundoku

Tsundoku is Japanese for the act of acquiring reading materials and letting them pile up in one’s home. We thought it a perfect heading for this section, as we’ll feature books that are new or popular in the store. If you’re like us, tsundoku is a constant state of being.

Undrowned, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, $15

From the Emergent Strategy series published through AK Press (a series and a press that are both good to track) comes this compact, provocative, and awe-filled meditation on marine mammals from Alexis Pauline Gumbs. Gumbs entwines science, activism, and poetry with seamless ease while also holding steady on fierce love; the ripple effect of some of her passages has the power to reach to the furthest depths and distances of the sea mammals she writes about. Glorious.

God Is Red, Vine Deloria, Jr., $25.95

Since we're on the subject of interconnectedness, let's talk about Fulcrum Publishing's recent release of the 50th Anniversary edition of God Is Red by Vine Deloria Jr. This comprehensive book is a modern classic on the subject of religion from a Native perspective, offering a necessary contrast to Western religious points of view. Deloria remains a vital and eminent voice in the context of this American land and the spirituality of place.

Two Wheels Good, Jody Rosen, $19.00

Summer is great for riding a bike, so why not accentuate the experience with Two Wheels Good: The History and Mystery of the Bicycle. According to the blurb on the back of the book, more people travel by bike than any other means of transport, which is a wild, beautiful thought in this age of bigger and bigger vehicles. This book will take you on a ride through time and across the globe, so go on, start your roll.

Crook Manifesto, Colson Whitehead, $29.00

Hot off the press as of late July, Crook Manifesto is the latest novel from this two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author, the second book in his Harlem Shuffle trilogy. Crook Manifesto continues Whitehead's kaleidoscopic portrait of Harlem in the 1970s, following Ray Carney and his attempt to shake loose of his criminal life. Told in the smooth grace of Whitehead's sardonic, intelligent voice, this is a noir-filled romp of a novel.

Ask a Booktender

Our goal for this section is to have a regular dialogue amongst our booksellers (booktenders, if you will) and our customers. Feel free to send us a message via email, Facebook, or Instagram asking about books, genres, plots, characters, anything (within reason).

Hello, I’m Bella! I’ve been working at the bookstore for a little over a year, and it is one of my favorite places to be. I love the people that I meet and hearing their interesting stories. Mostly every time I’m here I discover a new book or leave with another thing learned. Some of my favorite things to do are read books (obviously), discover new music, take long bike rides, and enjoy time with my friends and family.

My favorite section in the store is the Works in Translation; I like their story plots better than American ones! If I had to pick a favorite book it would probably be Circe by Madeline Miller, which is an amazing re-telling of a Greek Mythology story. The book gives an amazing point of view from a character that is usually a villain. Also Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, because I love a good classic romance story.

Image: Bella and the Books

Monthly Pearl

Featuring our Community

Here’s our chance to play Mr. Rogers and be a good neighbor. This month we're featuring Jules.

We've previously mentioned our affinity for the pairing of coffee and books, so we're dedicating this month to our closest neighbor, Jules. We hear it all the time: "it smells so good in here" (the coffee/book smell is a fragrance we'd all bottle if we could), and "there's a door here!" And truly: it is one of the coolest doors of all time--a direct portal between the best of worlds.

And while the bookstore and the coffee shop have both been La Crosse staples for some time (Jules is the oldest coffee shop downtown, established in 1993), ownership is still relatively new in both places. You'll likely find at least one member of the Fisher family behind the counter on any given day, serving up a mix of Jules' classics and new creations. The Fishers have owned Jules since February of 2021, and the whole family works there, all 6 of them, along with an entire staff of their friends. Such a convivial atmosphere infuses the space with positive energy, along with all the delicious smells.

And we're not saying you have to try the banana bread, but...

Customer Corner: Jean

At 91-years-young, Jean Ryan Ferris is definitely one of our more "experienced" readers. Born in Puritan, Michigan, she believes her memory of her mother reading stories and poetry to her started her on her life-long journey of loving to read. She also has fond memories of her mother gifting her books as a young girl.

As a mother of eleven children, she noted that she didn't have a lot of time to read to her own children. However, she did encourage them to participate in the summer reading program at the Northside Community Library; she credits the public library as an essential neighborhood space to support children, families, and learning. She still gets a lot of her books from the public library.

Jean has read over 85 books in 2023. Yes, 85. She enjoys reading a wide range of non-fiction and the education that comes with it. With limited mobility, she appreciates how books occupy her time and mind.

Jean wasn't able to tell us which of the 85 books was her favorite, but based on her face as she discussed books, we think she loves whatever book is in her hand at that moment. Who can relate to that? Happy Reading Jean! And thank you for sharing your story with us.

[Below image of Jean celebrating her 91st birthday in July 2023.]

Happy Reading!

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