Books and Dogs in Maine? Kewel!

Earlier this week on my other site, I recommended three different blogs to visit for entertainment, inspiration, information, motivation, or a smattering of all three.

One of the blogs I mentioned was this one, of course.  I don't know of anywhere else where you can find as many different voices in a single forum.


I also recommended http://www.bariatricrenewal.blogspot.com/, by my friend, Marlena of Mohegan.  Marlena saw my blog and sent the following reply.  I'm posting it here because it's germaine to BWOB's whole modus operandi of supporting and endorsing Brick and Mortar bookstores...

Thanks for the good words Alan. I always wanted to have a bookstore like one I saw up in Maine. It had two fireplaces, a couple of comfy old sofas, a lazy sleeping dog and a couple of cats snoozing in the sunshine. I don't know how many books they sold but it looked like a great place to relax.

The Bruised Apple in Peekskill comes close to that one in comfort but has no animals or fireplace. I actually fell asleep on one of their sofas once but that was probably before I knew I had sleep apnea. Back then I could sleep anywhere. (I actually slept through my first root canal) Bruised Apple sells mostly used books but have some new books with local subjects or authors. They also have used vinyl records.

I've never been to The Bruised Apple, myself.  I don't get over to Peekskill as much as I used to, but the next time I do, if I've got time to kill, I'll definitely find it.  Here's their website, if you feel adventurous http://www.bruisedapplebooks.com/  I'm not endorsing them, I'm just relaying what I was told.  I'm also going to have to get Marlena to divulge the name and location of that bookstore she mentioned in Maine.  That sounds road-trip worthy.

Oh, as far as actual books go, I did finish The China Gambit by Allan Topol.  Mr. Topol was the guy I met at the B&N on 3rd Avenue in Mansquattin.  This was such a fun read.  You can go to my previous post to see the mini-review http://www.booksellerswithoutborders.blogspot.com/2012/02/basso-for-hire-china-gambit.html.

So I finished it.  It's good and exciting and things blow up and sometimes you're not sure who's a good guy and who's a bad guy.  I'm looking forward to Mr. Topol's next "Craig Page" novel with loins a-quiver.

Wait.  Scratch that.  Let's just say I'm eager...NO!  There's no eager quivering!  Um.  I liked this book.  I want to read more of Allan Topol's stuff.

Basso For Hire

Basso for Hire - The China Gambit

Today I was going to post a review on the latest book I've read, which is Elmore Leonard's "Raylan."  Those of you who follow the excellent FX Network series "Justified" know who Raylan is, and those of you who don't, need to do so.

But that's not why I called you here today.  Wednesday afternoon on my lunch break, I was browsing through the Barnes & Noble on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan, when a gentleman approached me and introduced himself as Allan Topol.  He then showed me a paperback edition of his latest novel, entitled, "The China Gambit."  Mr. Topol then gave me a little taste of what the book entails, and said if I had any interest in purchasing it that day, he would be happy to autograph it for me.

I had exactly $3.47 on me that day, and had left my plastic at home to avoid temptation.  I was not familiar with Mr. Topol or his works.  But he described a mystery/espionage/intrigue tale that now has me hooked, and I told him so.  He seems like such an excellent gentleman, too.

I then continued my browsing, and Mr. Topol continued on to his next prospective buyer.  I went upstairs and found another copy of his book, and for the next several minutes, yes, I did read through the first few chapters.

Oh, my goodness!  I will be purchasing this book after my next pay day.  The China Gambit is the first in a trilogy featuring ex-CIA officer Craig Page.  I'm not going to give you any more details now, but if you are remotely a fan of Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, or Frederick Forsythe, you need to acquaint yourself with this author's works.  His writing style is detailed, but not so much to drown you in it.  The prologue captured my attention right away, and it was with reluctance that I put the book back on the shelf when I had to go to work.

Allan Topol's website is http://www.allantopol.com/.  I encourage you to visit it to get more information on his titles, and then to go to your nearest brick and mortar bookstore and buy The China Gambit.

Alan Andrews