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Powell's Q&A, Q&A | June 24, 2009
By Colum McCann
"'Why do writers write? Because it isn't there.'"
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 We recommend turning this newsletter into homemade stocking stuffers! Our interview with Annie Leibovitz can be printed out, cut into strips, and sewn into a lovely coat full of fun information — the perfect complement to signed first editions of Annie Leibovitz at Work. Give the gift of our original essays from Tilar Mazzeo ( The Widow Clicquot) and Alan Cheuse ( To Catch the Lightning), all wrapped up with literary journals from our latest Indiespensable package. While our INK Q&As with Jasper Rees ( A Devil to Play), Keith Lee Morris ( The Dart League King), and Mac Montandon ( Jetpack Dreams) are more than delightful in and of themselves, they're even better when folded into a variety of paper airplanes and tossed into the air for breathtaking dog fights! To top it off, guest bloggers Nelson George ( Best Music Writing 2008) and Steve Fainaru ( Big Boy Rules) make great holiday reading beside a crackling fire with the whole family gathered about. (Just make sure you order in time for the holidays; click here for our shipping deadlines.)
SIGNED EDITIONS
 Of course At Work features many of Annie Leibovitz's famous photographs. But for the first time, fans will hear the stories behind those images, whether it's Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, a surgeon in Kosovo, or the Rolling Stones on tour. Booklist promises, "As [Leibovitz] reflects with humility and gratitude on all that she has observed, and shares what she has learned as an artist and a human being, her photographs, so lusciously reproduced, take on new dimension."
 more signed editions
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FEATURED INTERVIEW
 In case it wasn't enough to photograph Nixon's resignation, Annie Leibovitz covered the story alongside Hunter S. Thompson. And while you may know that many of her celebrity portraits were shot for American Express campaigns, you probably wouldn't have guessed that Amex didn't approve her for a credit card until after she left an envelope with thousands of dollars in cash at a pay phone following one of those shoots. Leibovitz recently visited Portland to discuss At Work, a career-spanning retrospective of her photos and the remarkable stories behind them.
more author interviews |
HARDCOVER
 The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
Rich with historical fact, humorous insight, and social commentary by one of America's celebrated voices, The Wordy Shipmates is an examination of the Puritans, their covenant communities and deep-rooted idealism, their political and cultural relevance in today's world, and their myriad oddities.
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Sale $18.16 | Hardcover
List Price: $25.95 (You Save: $7.79) |
 Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt by H. W. Brands
"FDR is considered one of our finest presidents, and the events that defined his presidency are in our daily headlines. This is an enjoyable, readable, and intense look at the man, the office, and the policies that shaped America." —Recommended by Beth, Powells.com
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Sale $24.50 | Hardcover
List Price: $35.00 (You Save: $10.50) |
 Wall-E
The geniuses at Pixar transport you to a galaxy not so far away for an animated adventure about a determined robot named Wall-E. The Village Voice calls Wall-E "a film that's both breathtakingly majestic and heartbreakingly intimate," while the Boston Globe proclaims, "The best American film of the year to date." And remember: all DVDs ship for free from Powells.com!
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Sale $26.28 | DVD
List Price: $29.99 (You Save: $3.71) |
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PAPERBACK
 Our Dumb World by the Editors of the Onion
"The folks at the Onion are up to their usual shenanigans, this time bringing us an informative and wildly inaccurate atlas that fans will love." —Recommended by Chandler, Powells.com
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Sale $12.59 | Trade Paper
List Price: $17.99 (You Save: $5.40) |
 The Children of Húrin by J. R. R. Tolkien
"The best thing any Lord of the Rings fanatic can ask for — save having Tolkien himself appear beside you with a giant bag of pipe-weed and a quest to retrieve a dragon's treasure — The Children of Húrin is a love letter to fantasy fans." —Recommended by Hank, Powells.com
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Sale $10.46 | Trade Paper
List Price: $14.95 (You Save: $4.49) |
 Just after Sunset by Stephen King
Following his two recent critically acclaimed bestsellers, Duma Key and Lisey's Story, celebrated author Stephen King delivers Just after Sunset, a stunning collection of short stories, his first in six years. "[A] testament to the literary merits of the well-told macabre tale," cheers Publishers Weekly (starred review).
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Sale $15.97 | Microsoft eBook
List Price: $17.99 (You Save: $2.02) |
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November 19, 2008:
What Would Wilsey Say?
State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America co-editor Sean Wilsey had a chance to meet President-elect Barack Obama in person, press the flesh, and hand him a copy of his book!
As you can see in the photo, Wilsey is saying something to the future leader of our country. But what?
Put your imagination to work and give us your suggestion by noon PST, Friday, December 5.
We'll pick our favorite and send the winner a free State by State set, which includes a copy of the book our President-elect is reading and a DVD of the film, Out of the Book, Volume 3: State by State.
Click here to add your comment — and while you're at it, check out our regular guest bloggers, daily Book News and Review-a-Day features, Read It Before They Screen It, and more!
| From the Authors |
SAVE 30% |
ALAN CHEUSE: ORIGINAL ESSAY
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The story of a forgotten America, NPR commentator Alan Cheuse's To Catch the Lightning explores the intertwined plights of Edward Curtis, a real-life frontier photographer, and those of the American Indian. "Vivid and poignant," raves Booklist. "Cheuse's ambitious historical novel illuminates one man's heroic obsession and the perpetual dichotomies of duty and dream, discovery and loss." Read Cheuse's original essay for Powells.com and save 30% on To Catch the Lightning. |
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To Catch the Lightning: A Novel of American Dreaming
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Sale $18.16
Hardcover
List Price: $25.95
You Save: $7.79
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KEITH LEE MORRIS: INK Q&A
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An intriguing tale of darts, drugs, and death, The Dart League King is an "absorbing and intelligent novel" about "how even the most banal choices we make...can have a life-altering impact" (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Read Keith Lee Morris's INK Q&A and save 30% on The Dart League King. |
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The Dart League King
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Sale $10.46
Trade Paper
List Price: $14.95
You Save: $4.49
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NELSON GEORGE: GUEST BLOGGER
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Guest-edited by Hip Hop America author Nelson George, Best Music Writing 2008 celebrates the best writing on every style of music, from rock to hip hop, R&B to jazz, pop to blues, and more, with entries from Greil Marcus, Sarah Vowell, Dave Eggers, and others. This week we're pleased to have Nelson George as our guest blogger! Check out his posts every day and save 30% on Best Music Writing 2008. |
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Best Music Writing 2008
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Sale $11.16
Trade Paper
List Price: $15.95
You Save: $4.79
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in our stores
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A Billy Collins poem is instantly recognizable. Using simple, understandable language, notes USA Today, the two-term U.S. Poet Laureate captures ordinary life — its pleasure, its discontents, its moments of sadness and of joy. His everyman approach to writing resonates with readers everywhere and generates fans who would otherwise never give a poem a second glance... (read more) |
2. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (Children's)
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DECEMBER 3:
Philip Gourevitch of the Paris Review
 Since it was founded in 1953, the Paris Review has offered uncommon candor, depth, and wit in interviews that have become the gold standard of the literary Q&A. Edited by Philip Gourevitch, The Paris Review Interviews, Volume III presents another eclectic lineup, including Raymond Carver, Norman Mailer, and Joyce Carol Oates. "The interviews are literary landmarks, and the gossip, humor, ideas, and practical advice dispensed are bracing," hails the San Francisco Chronicle.
(Click here to read the Powells.com interview with Gourevitch for Vol. I.) |
DECEMBER 6:
Kids' Concert: One Night in Frogtown
 Nominated for the 2008 Oregon Book Award for Children's Literature, Philip Pelletier's One Night in Frogtown is a critically acclaimed story of cultural diversity told through music. This special event features performances by Linda Hornbuckle, Devin Phillips, and Oregon Symphony soloists, making for an afternoon of family-friendly fun! The story will be narrated by Victor Morris, award-winning actor (Sleepless in Seattle) and Portland Opera soloist. The Frogtown costume contest encourages fans to dress as their favorite creature from the pond!
Please note: this ticketed event takes place at the Bagdad Theater; see calendar for details. |
view all events
preorder signed editions by authors coming to Powell's |
IN OUR NEXT EDITION:
An interview with Natasha Wimmer (translator of Roberto Bolaño's 2666) 
It was good to be back in Portland, in the Park blocks, relaxing under
some rare but welcome sunshine.
Then suddenly Chester bolted toward 8th Avenue. Beside a tall tree, he stopped. And barked and barked and barked. The others tracked his attention to a pair of squirrels, chasing each other in the branches.
Zooey and friends joined him near the trunk.
"Not our squirrel," Bear told them. "Either one of those."
Chester barked again, unconvinced.
"What makes you so sure?" Oreo wanted to know.
On the basketball court, two blocks north, a crowd has gathered. Not so unusual. Except, wait, why are people clustered in front of one of the backboards? The rim is missing its net. On the bare iron ring, a squirrel appears to be doing chin-ups.
Send questions, comments, suggestions, and stockings to newsletter@powells.com.
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