Ghosts of Penn's Woods

"Those who enjoy tales of ghosts and the places they haunt will enjoy this volume of ghostly encounters. Particularly since the charm of the stories included ... is enhanced by the fact that most of them come directly from those who experienced them, rather than from a second-hand source. Moreover, the accounts are centered in and around Pennsylvania's State Parks and historic sites, which in and by themselves offer attractions of their own for lovers of the outdoors and the state's historical heritage."

For Friends of From My Shelf Books Vs. The Evil Empire

Have you heard about the new web series From My Shelf Books Vs. The Evil Empire? It's set in Wellsboro Pennsylvania and focuses on a small, independent bookstore and the surrounding community.

It's a passion project that started with Kevin Coolidge, owner of From My Shelf Books and his friend Bill Robertson, back from California. Kevin knows about working in a bookstore and Bill knows how to write a script, and together the show came to life.

There isn't much of a budget for the show. Kevin jokes that the first two episodes were down for under $20, with most of that being spent on black, spray paint and the figure that would become the bibliofiend. Of course, it's not completely true. There was a lot of local talent to tap into.

Patricia Ritter already had experience with a camera, and more importantly she had one. We have a cheap microphone that we turned into a boom mike, and Marie Leddy Andrews is a makeup consultant and has skill with the brush(she's responsible for the dark circles under Kevin's eyes) So, though our cash flow is low, we don't lack resources.

We could, however, deliver a better quality show with your help.

Your donation of

$5 will show your love and appreciation and buy our cast and crew some creative-fueling coffee

$10 will bring some light to the subjects and give us some lighting support

$15 Will make us sound better and help provide better audio support

$20-25 will help us obtain better lighting equipment.

35$ will give us a studio lighting kit for a professional and clear picture

60$ Will give us equipment to fight white noise, wind sounds, and annoying garble.

We hope you are enjoying the show. We appreciate your support, and if times are a little tight, hey just share us with your friends.

Remember, this is a community based show. If you, or your business wants to be a part of the action, just let us know. There are parts in front of the camera or behind the scenes. If you are uncomfortable speaking on camera, you can always be an extra.

You can stop the store and donate in person, send a donation through Paypal using the email from_my_shelf@yahoo.com, call the store with your credit card information(we don't keep credit card information) at (570)724-5793, or send a check to:

From My Shelf Books
25 Main St
Wellsboro PA 16901

Preparing the Ghost: An Essay Concerning the Giant Squid and Its First Photographer

Moses Harvey was the eccentric Newfoundland reverend and amateur naturalist who first photographed the near-mythic giant squid in 1874, draping it over a shower curtain rod to display its magnitude. In Preparing the Ghost, what begins as Moses s story becomes much more, as fellow squid-enthusiast Matthew Gavin Frank boldly winds his narrative tentacles around history, creative nonfiction, science, memoir, and meditations about the interrelated nature of them all.

In a full-hearted, lyrical style reminiscent of Geoff Dyer, Frank weaves in playful forays about his research trip to Moses s Newfoundland home, Frank s own childhood and family history, and a catalog of bizarre facts and lists that recall Melville s story of obsession with another deep-sea dwelling leviathan. Though Frank is armed with impressive research, what he can t know about Harvey he fictionalizes, quite explicitly, as a way of both illuminating the scene and exploring his central theme: the big, beautiful human impulse to obsess."

The Faces of From My Shelf Books Vs. The Evil Empire: Monique Canniere

We are focused on community here at From My Shelf Books. My wife and I have strived to grow the type of bookstore that we wish were here when we were growing up. That’s one reason I’m so excited about our new web series “From My Shelf Books Vs. The Evil Empire”

I love watching or reading about a place I’ve visited personally, and there is nowhere I know better than Wellsboro. The show is set right here in Wellsboro, using local talent from the writing to the makeup to the music. Speaking of music, I want to talk about the hometown woman who scored the show.

Monique Canniere currently lives in the city of brotherly love (that’s Philadelphia, of course), but she’s from Gaines, PA. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of her heart and you can hear it in her music.

Monique Canniere has established herself as an active performing artist and composer in many styles and genres in the Philadelphia area since moving there from Gaines in 2004. She holds her BM in Violin/Voice Performance from Mansfield University, and her MM in Performance/Jazz Studies from University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Primarily known as a singer, violinist, and pianist, Monique has appeared in several of Philadelphia's most prestigious venues, and has toured various places along the East Coast with different projects. Monique is finishing her first full-length solo album, "Preachin' to the Choir," to be followed by a multimedia/theatrical performance project titled, "About Time."

Monique is a featured soprano in the chancel choir of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, and is principal "vocalinist" and a composer for The Divine Hand Ensemble. She also performs regularly with the Jim Stephens Full Tilt Boogie Band (a funk band) and Vox Ama Deus (a classical chamber orchestra).

Monique has also had extensive training and experience in theater, dance, and film, and has appeared in lead and supporting roles for several musicals, plays, and film projects. As a composer, one of her favorite genres is film music, and she has let us know that she “is very excited and honored to be a part of "From My Shelf vs. The Evil Empire." Monique is always ready for a new adventure, and that's one of the many reasons we are excited to have her as part of the show.

Monique Canniere
www.moniquecanniere.com
Videos: www.youtube.com/Vocalinist
Audio: www.myspace.com/moniquecanniere
Divine Hand Ensemble: www.DivineHand.net

The Big Book of Pennsylvania Ghost Stories

A treasury of 125 ghost stories from the Keystone State makes up this huge volume. Each region of Pennsylvania is represented by an assortment of eerie tales, gathered by two of the state's best-known authors on the subject, including:

Tragic specters of Gettysburg Pittsburgh's legendary Green Man Revolutionary spirits in Philadelphia Foreboding Ax Hollow near Erie Mysterious mountain tales of the Scotia Barrens, Captain Phillips's murdered rangers, and the Lost Children of the Alleghenies

Wildlife of Pennsylvania: And the Northeast

Natural history narratives for more than 300 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians found in Pennsylvania and throughout the northeastern United States-written in an engaging, straightforward style.

An invaluable addition to any nature-lover's library. Each narrative offers a species description as well as up-to-date information on habitat, breeding behavior, feeding habits, biology, migration, and current population status, as well as the author's personal observations of the animal's life in the wild. Includes game and nongame mammals, birds of prey, songbirds, waterfowl, snakes, turtles, frogs, toads, and more.

From My Shelf Books Vs. The Evil Empire Season One, Episode Two "Down to...

Find Waldo In Wellsboro!

Elusive Book Character Creates Summertime Fun
to Support the Shop Local Movement

Newly added challenge for searchers and dog lovers alike in 2014;
Waldo’s faithful dog Woof joins the hunt.

Where's Waldo? In Wellsboro Pennsylvania, of course. The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting twenty-five different local businesses throughout our community this July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including buttons, book coupons and more. From Cafe 1905 at 45 Main St.to Country Ski & Sports at 81 Main Street, from The Frog Hut at 29 Tioga Street to Garrison's Men's Shop at 89-91 Main Street. Waldo and newly added for 2014, faithful dog Woof, figures will be well hidden in local business establishments. Find Waldo is a great summer vacation activity, and a wonderful way for residents to support local business and the Shop Local movement.

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Wellsboro Pennsylvania!” passport with the names of all the participating sites, and get their passport stamped or signed for each Waldo they spot. The first 100 Waldo seekers to get their passports stamped or signed at ten or more sites can bring their passports back to From My Shelf Books & Gifts to collect prizes. Collecting store stamps or signatures at twenty or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers to enter in a grand prize drawing on July 31, with the top prize being a 6-volume deluxe set of Waldo books.

Where’s Waldo is the creation of Martin Handford, whose entertaining drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in the late eighties. Since then, the Where’s Waldo books have held a cherished spot on bookstore shelves the world over. There are now over 61 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they’ve been translated into over 30 languages. An entire generation has grown up searching for Waldo and his cast of wandering companions.

In celebration of Waldo's longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is once again teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 250 independent bookstores all across the country, including From My Shelf Books & Gifts here in Wellsboro Pennsylvania, for some hide and seek fun as well as to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses. There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July. For more information about hunting for Waldo and Woof in Wellsboro Pennsylvania, call Kasey of From My Shelf Books at 570-724-5793.

Monster Hunter: Nemesis

Kevin Coolidge

I'm thrilled to be able to say that Larry Correia's new book Monster Hunter: Nemesis comes out today. It's the 5th in the series. It's just a couple years ago I discovered Monster Hunter International, the first in this series.

It turns out that monsters are real, and that's why I found myself devouring Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia. Creatures from myth, legend, and B-movies are out there. Lurking in the shadows, seeking our destruction, or just plain hungry. Monster Hunter International is the number one agency for eradication of evil.

Larry went from self-publishing his first book, being picked up by Baen publishing, to being a best selling author, and this year he has been nominated for a Hugo, one of the best known prizes in science fiction and fantasy. Larry is a great writer and he's a great guy. I'm looking forward to reading the next adrenalin fueled fun read...

From My Shelf Books Vs. The Evil Empire Season One, Episode One "Shades ...