The Noticer

I just read The Noticer, newest book by Andy Andrews.  I did have to hurry up to get to the ending, although it is not a typical novel.  This fiction/inspirational easy-read is loosely based on Andrews’ own life and what motivated him as a young man,  like the power great biographies.  There are  two constants throughout the book: Andy, who is the narrator, and Jones, the suitcase carrying, casually dressed, flip-flop walking old fellow he meets at a low point in life.  Jones is one of those warm, knowing persons  who has      just the right thing to say.  It’s also a little mysterious that even his approximate age is not known by anyone and that he is also known as Garcia to some young Mexicans and as Chen to a young Asian woman.

One of my favorite chapters is when Jones meets Willow, an older widow who feels she is is too old to make any difference anymore.  He treats her graciously, but gently teases her, especially about her life being finished:  “If you’re still alive, you’re still here…still here, then you have not completed what you were put on earth to do.  If you have not completed what you were put on earth to do… that means your very purpose has not yet been fulfilled.  If your purpose has not yet been fulfilled, then the most important part of your life has not yet been lived….this is proof of hope…for more.”  He reminded her that Harlan Sanders was 65 when he began to make his family fried chicken recipe famous – with his social security check.  Ben Franklin invented the bifocals at age 78.  Same age for Winston Churchill when he won the Nobel Prize for literature.  Grandma Moses sold her first painting at age 90.  Jones traced back the saving of two billion people from George Washington Carver’s “adopted” parents to Norman Bourlag – you just have to read it!

Jones continues to wander around an Alabama coastal community and show up just the right time – because he is a “noticer?”- to connect with various people during their greatest pint of need.  Here’s a couple more of his wisdom nuggets:    *Remember, what you focus on increases. ”     *Wisdom is the ability to see the consequences of our choices.”

Even though I cannot agree with some who’ve said this is the best book they’ve ever read,  it is definitely worth reading and helps bring a new perspective.   The handy-size, hard-cover book with the little brown suitcase on the dust-jacket cover would be a worthwhile and welcome gift for anyone.

Bambi

Keeping good classic and current books in stock as well as ordering what my customers want is only one aspect of the full service offered by Stone Bridge Books & Gifts. The store also has a used book section that includes vintage and rare books.  Recently I carefully picked up a soft grayish Bambi, by Felix Salten, to look inside its cover, not only to check out its 1929,1931 copyright date, but just to enjoy the feel and sight of this special aged thing probably loved by many people – who knows who!    I didn’t care to read it, not only because I knew its sad ending, but I didn’t want to disturb the condition of this nice soft copy.  But after I read (the 1928) John Galsworthy’s word “delicious” to describe the story, I couldn’t help but start the first chapter. I was easily transported deep into a cool green forest floor with all its sounds, smells,  and soft touches of spring life.
I could see this new little baby deer as Salten – with credit due to Whittaker Chambers who translated the story from German into English – tenderly and poetlcally brings Bambi into the world.  I experienced the wonder of things seen for the first time, including other living creatures, as Bambi asks his mom about his new surroundings.

After reading several chapters I remembered that so many of the stories used to make Disney films and other movies and Golden books (Like The Secret Garden and Heidi) need to be read in the original.   They were favorites for good reason – not only the story itself, but for the way these older authors could creatively weave our language to draw us into other worlds.

If you want this particular vintage book (Bambi, by Felix Salten, ill. by Kurt Weise, – 1928,1931),   I think I could part with it for $100.

I can always order new copies of any book, but I don’t find any of these (Bambi books) easily available -  not the Disney abridgements, but the original English editions.  I’ll have to look around some more.

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

This simple little book by by Sally Lloyd-Jones decries its depth.  And, no matter what your age,  you’ll know these stories aren’t just stories – they’re true.  And they all tell the truth of Jesus, who was there in the very beginning, was with Abraham, Moses… all through the Bible, His name is whispered.  This book shows the key to understanding the Bible – Jesus!

I’ve read a few critical remarks about this book.  My response is that this is not a translation of the Bible. It is a book that joyfully, poetically relates the truths of the Bible clearly so that little (as well as we bigger) kids can understand.

After reading Sally Lloyd-Jones “Sallys” blog (with a lot of art references and images) I’ll be buying more of her books to sell in the store.