DeVa Gantt Author Event - 2 weeks from today

This weekend is the perfect time to begin this trilogy if you haven't already. The weather sounds like we'll all need to stay indoors - so come by this afternoon and pick up a copy.

Book 1 - Silent Ocean Away
Book 2 - Decision and Destiny
Book 3 - Forever Waiting

You won't be able to put them down until you've read all three! DeVa (Deb and Val) Gantt, co-authors and sisters, will be visiting our area on Friday, February 12th. Click here to see information about a Coffee and Conversation event in Darlington and a Meet and Greet event in Hartsville http://www.burrybookstore.com/scroll6.html .

Soundtracks Now Available!

We now carry Christian soundtracks in our store.

Come in and check out our new display.

Greenville's great independent bookstore - The Open Book - is closing its doors. Shopping at your local independents has never been more important!

Greenville's great independent bookstore The Open Book is closing its doors.

The importance of supporting local independent businesses can't be emphasized enough.

After four decades in business in Greenville, The Open Book is closing.

The independent bookstore first opened in August 1971, in what was then the Bell Tower Shopping Center, now County Square, long before the era of large national chain bookstores, big-box retailers selling books at deeply discounted prices or online book sales.

Tom Gower at age 48 left a successful corporate job to become a bookstore owner. He went on to make the Gower name "synonymous with local bookselling," as a Greenville Piedmont newspaper story put it in 1987. The Open Book has remained a locally owned family business to this day.

Through the decades, the bookstore attracted and kept devoted customers like Anne Howson and her husband, Art. "We have relied on Duff for at least 25 years to make recommendations" about what to read, Howson said Saturday. Every Christmas, Howson's husband would call for suggestions for the five or six books he always gives his wife. When he came to the store later, Bruce would have a list ready. Howson said she was sad to learn the bookstore is closing, "but not at all surprised. I know what a struggle this has been (to keep it going). It's been a labor of love for them." For her, "It's more than just a business closing its doors." A sense of community will be lost.

The year The Open Book consolidated, in 1993, there were about 4,700 independent bookstores in the United States, according to the American Booksellers Association, The New York Times reported. By 2007, there were about 2,500.

The plight of the independents was portrayed in the 1998 film, "You've Got Mail."

The independent bookstore The Happy Bookseller in Columbia, founded in 1974, closed in 2008.

But the Bruces said a combination of factors beyond large chain bookstores, some of which are also feeling pressure, have made it tough for independents. For example, some big-box retailers and online booksellers discount books to below cost, Bruce said. In October, the American Booksellers Association sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice asking for an investigation of the price war between Amazon.com, Wal-Mart and Target.

When the store closes, the book clubs, writers groups and nonprofit boards that meet in The Open Book's back room will have to find another place. Some schools will have to seek another advertiser for their yearbooks and another donor. A small pool of local businesses, such as office suppliers, will be in need of another client. And local starting-out authors, as Nicholas Sparks was at one time, will have to look for another spot willing to host a signing for someone not yet widely known.

Howson, a librarian as well as a longtime customer, said, "It goes beyond economics. It makes me sad to think that to save a few dollars we give up so much more."

Support Your Community From the Convenience of Your Home Anytime - Day or Night!

Have you taken advantage of the online shopping we offer? Visit our website today and see how easy it is to support your local businesses, even in the convenience of your own home!

http://www.burrybookstore.com/contact.html

Here are 10 Good Reasons to Play with Your Food

Melissa and Doug Company's
"Sandwich Stacking Game" !

These unique activities use 4 bread-shaped gloves, which can self-stick to 14 sandwich filling layers, and 20 sandwich cards. 10 different games can be played with this set. Race to match the sandwich on the picture card in Fast Food or try to toss a sandwich filling onto a bread glove in Service on the Fly. Inspiring children to burn calories while improving memory and matching skills will put fun on the menu every time. Instructions include variations on many of the games to extend the fun.

Watch this trailer about The Little Known

Janice Daugharty's The Little Known on sale now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RxKPqXANjA

A good-hearted boy. A segregated town. A stolen fortune. A coming-of-age story full of hope and forgiveness When twelve-year-old Knot Crews, an African American boy growing up in the segregated south Georgia town of Statenville, discovers a bag of bank-robbed cash in an alley, he is nearly overcome with happiness and terror. All that money-a hundred thousand dollars-could be the ticket to everything he's ever wanted, but he knows he can't spend it, not only because his conscience won't let him, but for fear of being caught. He decides to do what he can for his needy neighbors, both black and white, and begins mailing them hundred dollar bills anonymously, but it irks Knot daily to discover that most of them squander it and don't use the money as he had intended, and that the money doesn't change their lives for the better. It turns out that the weight of Knot's world can't be lifted by cold hard cash alone. Set during the turbulent 1960's, The Little Known is a coming-of-age story full of hope and forgiveness.

New Bernard Cornwell for our Historical Fiction Fans

The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell

In a clash of heroes, the kingdom is born.

At the end of the ninth century, King Alfred of Wessex is in ill health; his heir, an untested youth. His enemy, the Danes, having failed to conquer Wessex, now see their chance for victory. Led by the sword of savage warrior Harald Bloodhair, the Viking hordes attack. But Uhtred, Alfred's reluctant warlord, proves his worth, outwitting Harald and handing the Vikings one of their greatest defeats.

For Uhtred, the sweetness of victory is soon overshadowed by tragedy. Breaking with Alfred, he joins the Vikings, swearing never again to serve the Saxon king. Instead, he will reclaim his ancestral fortress on the Northumbrian coast. Allied with his old friend Ragnar--and his old foe Haesten--he aims to invade and conquer Wessex itself.

Yet fate has different plans. The Danes of East Anglia and the Vikings of Northumbria are plotting the conquest of all Britain. When Alfred's daughter pleads with Uhtred for help, he cannot refuse her request. In a desperate gamble, he takes command of a demoralized Mercian army, leading them in an unforgettable battle on a blood-soaked field beside the Thames.

In The Burning Land Bernard Cornwell delivers a rousing saga of Anglo-Saxon England--an irresistible new chapter in his thrilling Saxon Tales, the epic story of the birth of England and the legendary king who made it possible.

How Deep Do You Dig?

New book by Joshua Harris - Dug Down Deep

What will you build your life on?

With startling transparency, Joshua Harris shares how we can rediscover the relevance and power of Christian truth. This is book shows a young man who rose quickly to success in the Christian evangelical world before he realized his spirituality lacked a foundation--it rested more on tradition and morality than on an informed knowledge of God.

For the indifferent or spiritually numb, Harris' humorous and engaging reflections on Christian beliefs show that orthodoxy isn't just for scholars--it is for anyone who longs to know the living Jesus Christ. As Harris writes, "I've come to learn that theology matters. It matters not because we want to impress people, but because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. Theology matters because if we get it wrong then our whole life will be wrong."

Whether you are just exploring Christianity or you are a veteran believer finding yourself overly familiar and cold-hearted, Dug Down Deep will help you rediscover the timeless truths of Scripture. As Harris challenges you to root your faith and feelings about God in the person, work, and words of Jesus, he answers questions such as: What is God like and how does he speak to me? What difference does it make that Jesus was both human and divine? How does Jesus' death on the cross pay for my sins? Who is the Holy Spirit and how does he work in my life?

With grace and wisdom, Harris will inspire you to revel in the truth that has captured his own mind and heart. He will ask you to dig deep into a faith so solid you can build your life on it. He will point you to something to believe in again.

Who's Knocking at the Door?

Jack Higgins new book The Wolf at the Door is out!

On Long Island, a trusted operative for the president nudges his boat up to a pier, when a man materializes out of the rain and shoots him. In London, General Charles Ferguson, adviser to the prime minister, approaches his car on a side street, when there is a flash and the car explodes. In New York, a former British soldier, who is also a bit more than that, takes a short walk in Central Park to stretch his legs, when a man comes up fast behind him, a pistol in his hand.


And that is only the beginning. Someone is targeting the members of the elite intelligence unit known as "the Prime Minister's private army" and all those who work with them, and whoever is doing it has a lot of resources at his command. Sean Dillon has an idea of who it may be, an old nemesis who has clearly gotten tired of their interference in his schemes. But proving it is going to be a difficult task.

Newbery and Caldecott Award Winners Announced

The top books and media for children and young adults were announced this morning at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston. Rebecca Stead took home the John Newbery Medal for When You Reach Me and The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney won the Randolph Caldecott Medal.

When You Reach Me - Four mysterious letters change Miranda's world forever. By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner. But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper: "I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own. I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter." The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.

The Lion and the Mouse - In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney's wordless adaption of one of Aesop's most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. After a ferocious lion spares a cowering mouse that he'd planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher's trap. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling, and his stunning pictures speak volumes.

Author Coffee and Conversation in February

On Friday, February 12, 2010 Burry Bookstore and Birds of a Feather Art Gallery in Darlington are co-hosting an author coffee and conversation from 10:30 until 11:30 am.

Authors and sisters Deb and Val Gantt (DeVa Gantt) will be speaking, reading, and signing copies of Forever Waiting, the third book in their Colette Trilogy.

This is a ticketed event, please see details below.


Deb and Val will also be onsite at Burry Bookstore
that afternoon from 1:00 until 5:00 pm.

This event is free and open to the public.

Forever Waiting by DeVa Gantt is the final book in the Duvoisin family saga, an epic story teeming with intrigue, passion, and betrayal that will appeal to fans of Sarah Donati. Following A Silent Ocean Away and Decision and Destiny, this riveting concluding volume reveals shocking secrets about wealthy shipping magnate Frederic Duvoisin, his wives and children, in the wake of tragedy, as observed by the young governess whose destiny has become inextricably entwined with the powerful, enigmatic clan. The waiting is over. Forever Waiting brings the addictive chronicles of the Duvoisins to an exciting and satisfying end.

"DeVa Gantt" is a pseudonym for co-author sisters Deb and Val Gantt. Debra has a Bachelor's degree in French and a Master's degree in Business; Valerie has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Social Sciences. Valerie and Debra were born and raised in New Jersey, where the Colette Trilogy - commencing with A Silent Ocean Away - was conceived. Presently, they live in New York. Both women are married, have children, and maintain full-time careers. Deb is a manager in a major pharmaceutical company, and Val is a teacher and artist. They began writing nearly 30 years ago and completed the Colette Trilogy after a long hiatus. Please visit their website at http://web.mac.com/devagantt/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html.

Deb and Val visited Hartsville in November of 2008 when the first book in the trilogy, A Silent Ocean Away was released. They spoke to a sellout crowd of over 70 guests. Don't miss the opportunity to see them when they return to the area.

The author coffee and conversation will be held in the Gallery at Birds of a Feather, 106 Siskron Street, Darlington. Tickets are $20 and include a copy of Forever Waiting, light refreshments and coffee, and the opportunity to hear Deb and Val speak, read and have them personalize your book. Tickets may be purchased at Burry Bookstore and Birds of a Feather. Please make checks payable to Burry Bookstore.

Classics for Young Readers

Sterling Publishing's Classic Starts are a great way to introduce your young readers to the classics.

They can experience the wonder of timeless stories from an early age.

Abridged for easier reading and carefully rewritten, each classic book is filled with all the magic and excitement that made the original story a beloved favorite.

Their two newest titles are Great Expectations and Moby Dick.

These are beautiful hardback books at a great price - $5.95 each.

Jenny Sanford book will be released early

The release date for Jenny Sanford's book Staying True has been moved up from April 2010 to February 5, 2010. We are already taking special orders, so if you'd like to make sure you get a copy please call or email today (843-332-2511 or burrybooks@msn.com).

In this candid and compelling memoir, the first lady of South Carolina reveals the private ordeal behind her very public betrayal--and offers inspiration for anyone struggling to keep faith during life's most trying times.

She's been a successful investment banker, a mother of four, and the campaign manager for one of American politics' rising stars--her husband, Mark Sanford of South Carolina, once widely hailed as a possible candidate for president in 2012. Yet to most Americans, Jenny Sanford is best known for the one role she refused to play--that of conventional political spouse standing silently by while her husband went before the media and confessed his infidelity. Instead, she stayed true--to herself, to her faith, and to her highest ideals of parenthood and public service. She chose to let Mark Sanford deal with the embarrassment and political fallout from his own actions while focusing her own efforts privately on raising their children to be men of character, even in the face of the lies their father has told.

In Staying True, Jenny Sanford recalls her shock and anguish upon discovering that her husband was having an affair with a woman in Argentina, and the further pain when she learned--just a day ahead of most Americans--that he had not ended the affair when she believed he had. She reveals the source of her determination to be honest and forthright instead of the victim in the tabloid passion play that gripped the nation in June 2009.

But her story neither begins nor ends with Mark Sanford's astounding fall from grace. Writing with uncommon candor from a deep well of spiritual strength, Sanford shares personal stories and life lessons from before and after she stepped into the public realm. She recounts the many stresses--as well as the myriad joys--that she experienced on a daily basis while living in the governmental spotlight. (Just try keeping four young boys out of mischief in the governor's mansion!) And she describes the many ways that the seductions of power can drive apart even the most committed couples.

At every step along her journey, Jenny Sanford has made choices: She gave up her career and moved far from her home state of Illinois. Every choice was a glad concession to harmonious married life and, in some cases, to the support of her husband's political aspirations. But the one thing she never gave up was her sense of self, her inner moral compass. Her remarkable poise and decency make her a role model for men and women alike. Her story will empower anyone who has fought to maintain independence and integrity--within a marriage or elsewhere in life.

Do You Have a Fancy Nancy at Your House?

Maybe your Fancy Nancy needs a Fancy Nancy doll?

Madame Alexander has a beautiful 18 inch cloth Fancy Nancy Doll available. We still have a few in stock.

Fancy Nancy loves being Fancy, Fancy, Fancy!

Famous Storybook Character from popular children's book, Fancy Nancy.

She comes dressed as a Ballerina in her Pink Sparkle Tutu with Ribbon Streamers, Faux Fur Ballet Shoes, Sunglasses, and Gold Tiara.

Fancy makes a great play doll soft and lightweight with removeable clothes, only her ballet shoes are stitched on.

Every Little Girl wants a Fancy Nancy Doll!

Size: 18" Madame Alexander Doll
Body: Cloth
Hair: Red Yarn with Purple Yarn Streaks and Felt Butterflies
Eyes: Painted

Newest Magic Tree House book will be released tomorrow

Magic Tree House #43 Leprechaun in Late Winter by Mary Pope Osborne will be released tomorrow. Jack and Annie meet an Irish girl and go on a magical adventure that changes the girl's life--she grows up to be Lady Gregory, who helps to bring back the Irish legends, starts a theater, and helps her people regain both their heritage and their pride.

See one of Osborne's past interviews in which she shares how she develops the ideas for her popular series of books here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7kFwGLLW9Q .

This Will Keep Them Busy!

Have you ever seen the World Almanac and Book of Facts for Kids?

The 2010 edition is available and has so many interesting facts it will keep your kids busy for hours.

There’s a lot of new material this year, including a Harry Potter retrospective, a Spanish language lesson, and information about notorious criminals in history—along with thousands of fascinating, up-to-date facts in dozens of homework-friendly (and just plain fun) topics.

Need a Jump Start?

Need a new devotion to start the year? Joyce Meyer has a new book Hearing From God Each Morning: 365 Daily Devotions.

In the hustle and bustle of today's busy world, sometimes it's hard enough to hear yourself think, much less take a minute to stop and listen for the voice of God. But learning to recognize God's voice and the many ways in which He speaks is vital for following His plan. This devotional; drawing from How to Hear From God, Knowing God Intimately, and The Power Of Simple Prayer shows the reader through a daily reminder, how God speaks through their own thoughts and feelings, and the words of other people. Joyce Meyer reveals the ways in which God delivers His word and the benefits of asking God for the sensitivity to hear His voice. Joyce asks the question, "Are you listening?" and shares how to do just that...on a daily basis.

Cold weather - bored kids?

Do your kids need a special project to work on since it's too cold to play outside? Melissa and Doug craft kits are a fun way to pass the time.

Shown here is their "Decorate Your Own Wooden Jet Plane Kit".

Get ready to take off for aerial adventures with this simple wooden jet plane model. Your young pilot will enjoy assembling this jet with the tube of glue included and then personalizing it using the paintbrush, 4 pots of paint and aviation-themed stickers.

Are you pulling your hair out?

Can't get your children to brush their hair, brush their teeth, wash their hands, take a bath?

Maggie McNair Has a Spider in Her Hair by Sheila Booth-Alberstadt is a book every parent needs!

Maggie McNair, like many other children, doesn’t want her hair brushed. After much persuasion and struggle, Maggie’s mother gives up and decides to let Maggie learn a lesson the hard way. Ironically, threats turn to reality when Maggie McNair discovers a spider in her hair.

In this humorously, entertaining story, Sheila Booth-Alberstadt tells a “slightly” exaggerated tale that will keep both children and adults amused to the very last page. While attempting to help her own child with hair brushing issues, Sheila has ingeniously solved a daily challenge she and many others have experienced with other children alike.

Through vibrant illustrations, Maggie McNair is set to become a much-loved and favorite character in everyone’s life.

Anne Tyler Fans - This One Looks Really Good!

Anne Tyler's new novel - Noah's Compass - will be released tomorrow.

From the incomparable Tyler comes a wise, gently humorous, and deeply compassionate novel about a schoolteacher who has been forced to retire at age 61, who must suddenly come to terms with the final phase of his life.

Liam Pennywell, who set out to be a philosopher and ended up teaching fifth grade, never much liked the job at that run-down private school, so early retirement doesn't bother him. But he is troubled by his inability to remember anything about the first night that he moved into his new, spare, and efficient condominium on the outskirts of Baltimore. All he knows when he wakes up the next day in the hospital is that his head is sore and bandaged.

His effort to recover the moments of his life that have been stolen from him leads him on an unexpected detour. What he needs is someone who can do the remembering for him. What he gets is--well, something quite different.

We all know a Liam. In fact, there may be a little of Liam in each of us. Which is why Anne Tyler's lovely novel resonates so deeply.