New Year’s Notes

I don’t know about you, but 2008 was a rough year. Seemed like every time I picked up the newspaper there was more bad news and I know every time I picked up my retirement account statements there was. But, thank goodness, we’re putting this one to bed right quick.
Before I ring it in, I [...]

Overheard Testimonials

A signed hardcover copy of a book written by a Minnesota author who has a National Book Award on his mantle … for $12.99? Plus they’ll take another 20 percent off that? The Star Tribune says of this Pete Hautman book: “Besides being a hilarious, fast-moving read. … Mrs. Million is a first-rate adventure yarn.” [...]

Breaking News: Sale In Progress

My sources have confirmed that River City Books will be engaged in a substantial after-Christmas Sale, beginning at 9 a.m. today. This sale will include, I am told, savings that many shoppers typically find agreeable. Savings such as:
• 50 percent off all calendars already in stock
• 30 percent off all holiday books
• 20 percent off [...]

Pretty Good Gift Idea: Heart By Way of Tummy

So you’re down to the wire and you have no idea what to give the hardest person in the world to shop for. But you just know it can’t be another gift card because you’ve given this person a gift card every year for umpteen years. Here’s one area where you can almost certainly not [...]

Pretty Good Gift Idea: For The Best Friend

Today’s pretty good gift idea is one you can give to your friend that he or she can in turn give to his or her best friend. Wait. I know what you must be thinking: this bird is batty! No, I am not really suggesting that on top of the shopping list, the cookie baking, [...]

Pretty Good Gift Idea: Mark the Days

Sometimes I need a gift to wow someone. I mean, really blow them away with my creativity and maybe even show them that my wallet does, in fact, open up. But quite often, especially in these economic times, I want to give a small gift that shows I am thinking of you but not going [...]

Open Later, Longer To Serve Holiday Shoppers

Attention. Attention! I have some critical information for holiday shoppers from our friends at River City Books. The store’s holiday hours begin today. Here’s the run-down between now and the start of twenty-o-nine:
Saturday, Dec. 20 — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21 — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 22 — 9 a.m. to [...]

Pretty Good Gift Idea: Beer

Perhaps there’s someone on your gift list that likes beer. It is, technically speaking, possible. I mean, some people, I have heard, do like a brew now and then. A little. Once in a while. But what do you give the beer aficionado? Slapping a bow on a sixpack and sliding it under the tree [...]

Pretty Good Gift Idea: Tunes for All

Well, actually, this post’s header lies. This isn’t one pretty gift idea — it’s several. And they all come courtesy of River City Books bookseller and music maven Kevin Krein. I have multiple music lovers on my shopping list and, um, I pretty much stopped knowing what was on the radio in 1989. Kevin’s the [...]

Pretty Good Gift Idea: Crafty Combo

This one comes from as reliable a source as they have down at the old neighborhood bookstore: Sue de Malignon (I call her Sue D. because my French isn’t so good), who has been there as long as there has been a there there. Not only is Sue the store’s clothing expert and moderator of [...]