The Secret Wisdom of the Earth

After witnessing the death of his younger brother in a terrible home accident, 14-year-old Kevin and his grieving mother are sent for the summer to live with Kevin's grandfather. In this peeled-paint coal town deep in Appalachia, Kevin quickly falls in with a half-wild hollow kid named Buzzy Fink who schools him in the mysteries and magnificence of the woods. The events of this fateful summer will affect the entire town of Medgar, Kentucky.

Medgar is beset by a massive Mountaintop Removal operation that is blowing up the hills and back filling the hollows. Kevin's grandfather and others in town attempt to rally the citizens against the 'company' and its powerful owner to stop the plunder of their mountain heritage. When Buzzy witnesses the brutal murder of the opposition leader, a sequence is set in play which tests Buzzy and Kevin to their absolute limits in an epic struggle for survival in the Kentucky mountains.

Redemptive and emotionally resonant, The Secret Wisdom of the Earth is narrated by an adult Kevin looking back on the summer when he sloughed the coverings of a boy and took his first faltering steps as a man among a rich cast of characters and an ambitious effort to reclaim a once great community.

The Wizard of Oz Crochet [With Crochet Hook/Yarn]

Do you like to knit, crochet, quilt, or sew? From My Shelf Books is having a sale on all our books involving these activities. Sale starts today January 2nd and runs through January 18th 2015. You can save even save on books with these words in the title—such as Cast On, Kill Off by Maggie Sefton.

We all loved the movie as children, and most of us still love it as adults. A classic film coupled with a classic craft provides all the warm fuzzies anyone needs to end up with lovable, huggable creations. Embrace your inner child and follow the step-by-step instructions to create your very own characters from Oz, including Dorothy, Toto, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion, a flying monkey, the good witch, the wicked witch, and more!
- Beautiful photography along with step-by-step instructions.
- Perfect for film buffs, crafters, yarn enthusiasts, and lovers of all things Oz.
"The Wizard of Oz Crochet" brings a whole new life to a classic favorite!

The Big Book of Knitted Monsters: Mischievous, Lovable Toys

Do you like to knit, crochet, quilt, or sew? From My Shelf Books is having a sale on all our books involving these activities. Sale starts today January 2nd and runs through January 18th 2015. You can save even save on books with these words in the title—such as The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

They're hiding under the bed. And in the closet. And anywhere else you've stashed yarn. They're friendly little monsters, and they're ready to come out and play

Popular designer Rebecca Danger presents 20 patterns for the most adorable monsters ever to climb off a pair of knitting needles. All are shown in two colorways, and most are done in two yarn weights, to help you pick the perfect yarn to suit your monster's personality.

Hell's Angels: The True Story of the 303rd Bomb Group in World War II

During the air battles that destroyed Nazi Germany’s ability to wage war, one bomb group was especially distinguished.
The Hell’s Angels.

At the outbreak of World War II, the United States was in no way prepared to wage war. Although the U.S declared war against Germany in December 1941, the country lacked the manpower, the equipment, and the experience it needed to fight. Even had an invasion force been ready, a successful assault on Nazi-occupied Europe could not happen until Germany’s industrial and military might were crippled.

Because no invasion could happen without air superiority, the first target was the Luftwaffe—the most powerful and battle-hardened air force in the world. To this end, the United States Army Air Forces joined with Great Britain’s already-engaged Royal Air Force to launch a strategic air campaign that ultimately brought the Luftwaffe to its knees. One of the standout units of this campaign was the legendary 303rd Bomb Group—Hell’s Angels.

This is the 303rd’s story, as told by the men who made it what it was. Taking their name from their B-17 of the same name, they became one of the most distinguished and important air combat units in history. The dramatic and terrible air battles they fought against Germany changed the course of the war.

First Book of January

It's into January, and I've already finished my first book. OK, I cheated a little. It's the graphic novel Bad Blood written by Jonathan Maberry and illustrated by Tyler Cook. I grew up loving comics, and still read a graphic novel or two every month. I finished Krampus right before New Year's Eve.

Jonathan Maberry is a New York Times best-selling and multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning horror and thriller author, editor, comic book writer. I first started reading Maberry's Rot & Ruin series for young adults. It's a delightful mix of meaning and mayhem. A zombie coming of age story with brains and heart. The first book in the series has a place on my shelf of recommendations in the bookstore.

I was reading a post of my Facebook Friend, Nick Sharps who reviews books and is the social media manager for several small presses. He posted that he had finished his first book of the year, Terms of Enlistment by Marko Kloos. Marko's book just happens to be on my shelf, and I shared a photo with Nick.

Nick also noticed I had the James Lovegrove book Age of Odin. James Lovegrove is a British writer who has carved a nice niche for himself. He basically invented the genre godpunk. Godpunk is a form of military-Science Fiction adventure combining high-tech adventure and ancient gods. I chose Age of Odin, because I enjoy Norse mythology, but there are several books in the series including Age of Shiva, Age of Zeus, or Age of Ra.

Nick and I continued to have a Facebook conversation about James Lovegrove and how we loved his books and it was hard to go wrong with any of them. Like most writers, he's been writing for several years, and his Pantheon series(godpunk) isn't the only thing he writes. Be sure to check out is Redlaw series.

Well, Nick is also Facebook friends with James Lovegrove, and James was happy to see that I hand sell his books, which is one my favorite parts of working in a bookstore. I love introducing a writer that I'm sure someone will love to read.James Lovegrove posted to my wall that we need more booksellers like me. I say. We need more writers like James Lovegrove...

Tunisian Crochet Encore: New Stitches, New Techniques, New Patterns

Do you like to knit, crochet, quilt, or sew? From My Shelf Books is having a sale on all our books involving these activities. Sale starts today January 2nd and runs through January 18th 2015. You can save even save on books with these words in the title--such as The Half-Stiched Amish Quilting Club by Wanda Brunstetter.

Top-selling author Sheryl Thies presents an exciting encore to "Get Hooked on Tunisian Crochet" In this volume, she reviews the basics of Tunisian Crochet, which any confident beginner can master, and then shares a variety of advanced techniques.Get excellent value with 16 all-new crochet patterns for women's garments and accessoriesLearn in-depth techniques, including double-ended Tunisian crochet, short-row shaping using Tunisian crochet, and mitered Tunisian crochetDiscover a wide range of stylish projects that don't require fitting.

Knitting Scandinavian Slippers and Socks

Do you like to knit, crochet, quilt, or sew? From My Shelf Books is having a sale on all our books involving these activities. Sale starts today January 2nd and runs through January 18th. You can save even save on books with quilt in the title—such as "The Healing Quilt" by Wanda Brunstetter.

Here's one of the great knitting books we have in stock, Knitting Scandinavian Slippers and Socks. Discover beautiful knitting patterns that incorporate both twined and stranded knitting.Instructions are given for casting on at the heel and working toward the toe for excellent fit; options include removable felted insoles for even greater comfortBoth women's and men's knitting patterns included--perfect for giftsPatterns feature a mix of traditional Scandinavian designs and modern variations

60 More Quick Baby Knits: Adorable Projects for Newborns to Tots in 220 Superwash Sport from Cascade Yarns

Do you like to knit, crochet, quilt, or sew? From My Shelf Books is having a sale on all our books involving these activities. Sale starts today January 2nd and runs through January 18th 2015. You can save even save on books with quilt in the title—such as "The Wedding Quilt” by Jennifer Chiaverini.

Here's one of the many knit books we have in stock, 60 More Quick Baby Knits. State-of-the-art yarn! Innovative styles! Irresistible projects! This follow-up to 60 Quick Baby Knits gives budget-minded knitters 60 more inexpensive, time-saving ways to create fabulous baby fashions. Fans of the wildly popular “60 Knits” series are already into the lighter sportweight wool, exclusively from Cascade Yarns-and new readers will welcome its many advantages. Projects include the Paris Cardigan and Birdhouse Sweater from Pat Olski, Amy Barht's Bunny Blanket, and Veronica Manno's Smart Striped Vest.

Where's the Zombie?

The fight for survival against zombies has begun A thriller of a search book that is not for the faint of heart. Readers will be amused, entertained, and terrified as they hunt for the family of zombies among the crowds. The virus is spreading and nowhere is safe. It's a scramble for survival as the number of zombies grows with every turn of the page. From a hospital under quarantine and an underground bunker, to a White House evacuation and full-scale battle in the streets, zombie fans will love this scary and supernatural search book. With 10 specific zombies to spot in every scene, readers can follow the story from outbreak to apocalypse, with tons of dark detail and gruesomely funny illustrations on every packed page.

The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History

OVER THE LAST HALF-BILLION YEARS, there have been Five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists around the world are currently monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. This time around, the cataclysm is us. In prose that is at once frank, entertaining, and deeply informed, New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert tells us why and how human beings have altered life on the planet in a way no species has before. Interweaving research in half a dozen disciplines, descriptions of the fascinating species that have already been lost, and the history of extinction as a concept, Kolbert provides a moving and comprehensive account of the disappearances occurring before our very eyes. She shows that the sixth extinction is likely to be mankind’s most lasting legacy, compelling us to rethink the fundamental question of what it means to be human.