A Wild And Crazy Guy Stands Up

Here’s a new book that’s on my holiday wish list: Born Standing Up by Steve Martin.
I still remember my older brother giggling and trying to imitate this wild and crazy guy on TV. In the mid-seventies, Martin exploded onto the comedy scene. By 1978 he was the biggest concert draw in the history of stand-up. [...]

Can You Believe the Deals Are This Good?

The throngs are pouring into River City Books’ bargain books area where they are frolicking about the tables and shelves gobbling up great gifts and saving money that can be spent on extra holiday cookies. They are picking up great books for the cost of a frappe-a-chocolate-half-caf-a-chino or whatever it is the kids are ordering [...]

A Hundy Notable Books

Hey, the New York Times has released its 100 Notable Books for 2007 and I figured you might like to know about the list as it might remind you of books you meant to read and/or provide you with a crucial gift idea. The list will be published in next Sunday’s edition. By the way, [...]

Music for the Season Ahead

Seems as soon as the stuffing has been stuffed into our bellies everyone turns on the stereo to listen to holiday music. I know in our nest Mrs. Raven gets excited every year as soon as she hears her first carol. And she’s hardly alone.
Well, if you’re among those who enjoy the jingle bells of [...]

T-day Weekend Store Hours

I don’t advocate eating birds of any kind (it’s ham in our nest, brother), but I know some of you are looking forward to Turkey Day (and the day after, the unofficial start of Shopping Season) so I thought I would give you an update on River City Books’ store hours for this holiday weekend:
Wednesday, [...]

A Read That Won’t Make You ‘Melancholy’

It’s been awhile since we thumbed through the Book Sense picks list. And that’s a shame. Think of all the great reads we’re missing! As always, you can pick up gratis copies of Book Sense lists at the old neighborhood bookstore. Or you can go online.
Here’s a title I have my eye on: The Melancholy [...]

Take the Test

A quiz: What is the clearest and surest sign that the holidays are coming?
Your choices:
a.    Decorations on houses
b.    Kids making wish lists
c.    Mom’s starting to bake more
d.    River City Books temporarily expands to provide hundreds of great books at bargain prices
I think we all know what the correct answer is. And if you want to [...]

Wonder Twin Powers Activate

Like superheroes who join forces for good, River City Books and the Contented Cow, I am pleased to report, are teaming up once again.
This time the night of literary fun features a collection of contributors to the popular new book “

Stardust and Fate: The Blueroad Reader,” who will read from and discuss their work at [...]

Club’s ‘Compass’ Pointed At Monday Night

It’s been awhile since I gave you an update about the River City Books young adult book club. So here goes: the club, which is free an open to all, will meet at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in the store’s downstairs meeting area. The book to be read is Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass. [...]

Kling Reads from ‘The Dog Says How’ (Audio)

You know, I enjoyed reading Kevin Kling’s The Dog Says How, and I fully expected to have a good time Wednesday night when Kling appeared at Great Hall on the Carleton College campus to discuss his book for the Northfield Reads! communitywide book club. But I have to admit I was quite surprised. Somehow, listening [...]