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L.E. Rose (left) of Princeton, autographing her book published by Open Door Publications of Yardley

Bucks County publishers, authors and bookstores converged on New York last month for the Bookexpo America (BEA). BEA is an annual event where the literary world meets to bring books to the masses. There are huge names, like John Green who wrote “The Fault in Our Stars” and mile high banners promoting Jodi Piccoult’s latest works alongside local names and authors. Bucks county was well represented in each arena. Read on to meet a few local authors and see what the Doylestown Bookshop picked up that we might be reading in 2014.

Local Author’s and Publishers:

“Happy@Work” 60 Simple Ways to Stay Engaged and Be Successful” – By Jim Donovan of Upper Black Eddy. His book is about how to find job satisfaction even in a tight economy. Jim Donovan, a small-business owner, consultant, and speaker, has worked with employees and employers for twenty-five years. In that time he has tested and honed these shift-producing strategies on everything from managing time, making decisions, and marking milestones to breaking patterns, bouncing back, and becoming exceptional. Each tip’s method and rationale are clearly explained. Real workplace vignettes demonstrate the benefits and results that can be gleaned from simple shifts and actions. These tools will empower you with the knowledge that no matter the circumstance, you can think, act, and feel in ways that create purpose, success, and, yes, happiness.

“Pushing the Limits” – Was written by Levittown resident and former editor for the Bucks County Courier Carl LaVO. It was published by the U.S. Naval Institute Press. LaVO is a naval historian who recounts the story of Vice Admiral Allan Rockwell McCann’s contributions to submarine development and strategy. Among his many accomplishments McCann was on board one of the first submarines to navigate under the polar ice in 1947.

“Mirage of Truth” – Yardley based publishing company Open Door Publications hosted a book signing for their author L.E. Rose of Princeton, New Jersey. The book Mirage of Truth is a work of contemporary fiction with themes like women’s rights and is set in many local locations like a New Jersey casino.

Bookstore recommendations:

Krisy Parades, Marketing Director from the Doylestown Bookshop discussed the gems that she discovered at the expo.

“Why Not? Fifteen Reasons to Live” by Ray Robertson – It has been featured on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. I am almost done reading this and LOVE it. At first it seems as if it is a self help book, I quickly discovered that it was anything but. Shortly after completing his sixth novel, Ray Robertson suffered a depression of suicidal intensity. Soon after his recover, he decided to try and answer two of the biggest questions we can ask. What makes humans happy? And what makes a life worth living?

His answers aren’t what you might expect from a mental illness memoir—but they’re exactly what you’d expect from Ray Robertson. With the vitality of Nick Hornby and brashness all his own, Robertson runs his hands over life, death, intoxication, and art. Unashamedly working-class and unabashedly literary, Why Not? is a rolling, rocking, anti-Sisyphean odyssey.

Ray Robertson is the celebrated author of eight books and six novels, including What Happened Later, about Jack Kerouac's last years. He lives and writes in Toronto, Ontario.

“Unbroken” (The Young Adult Adaptation) by Lauran Hillenbrand – I was pleased to see a young adult edition of this award winning book which is due to be released in November of 2014. This edition is 320 pages long, with more than 100 black and white photos. The regular edition is 496 pages, which to a young reader might be a bit much. The stories of our grandfathers will be lost with future generations if we do not share them in a way that works for young readers. I'd like to see more books of this nature adapted into a young adult format so we can share our history with them in a reader friendly format.

In this captivating new young adult edition of her award-winning #1 New York Times bestseller, Laura Hillenbrand tells the story of a man’s breathtaking odyssey and the courage, cunning, and fortitude he found to endure and overcome. Lavishly illustrated with more than one hundred photographs and featuring an exclusive interview with Zamperini, this gripping narrative will introduce a new generation to one of history’s most thrilling survival epics.

“Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book” by Diane Muldrow – There is a follow-up coming out September 2014 titled “Everything I Need to Know About Christmas I Learned From a Little Golden Book”.The Poky Little Puppy, the Gingerbread Man, and many other classic Golden Books characters help illustrate this wise and witty guide to the holidays! Delightfully retro yet utterly of the moment book, will delight fans of those gold foil-spined treasures. Featuring iconic art from Golden Books luminaries including Eloise Wilkin, Richard Scarry, J.P. Miller, Garth Williams, and more — this collection is a must for maintaining ever-important holiday cheer!

 

This entry received contributions from Erin McNelis and Krisy Parades of the Doylestown Bookshop on Saturday. Nicole Loughan is a professional writer and author. She loves mystery, humor and a little romance. Her books are packed with what she loves and are available through her website www.littlespotforstories.com.

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