Holiday Sale!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE!

The season of good cheer and GREAT food is finally back! Mmmmmmm....I love the crinkley sound of tin foil...that means that something good for me is coming out of the fridge. :)

Sarah wanted me to let you all know a few things about the store this week. So here it is:

Thanksgiving Sale:
Up to 40% off all hardcover books
Up to 50% off all CDs (new and used)
10% off all new DVDs

Thanksgiving Hours:

Sun-Tues., 10-5
Wed, 10-2
Thurs, Closed
Fri-Sun., 10-5

Drop by this week to say hi and pick up a few cool gifts!!

Love,
Finn

Great Gift Ideas!

Hi again,

Sarah and I have been having fun pulling out some books that would make really fun gifts for everyone in the family this holiday season! Here's a short recap and just ask us if you're looking for more ideas!

• Fiction: The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters (Gordon Dahlquist)
• Science: Einstein (Walter Isaacson)
• Science: This is Your Brain on Music
  
• Fantasy: The Tawny Man Trilogy (Robin Hobb)
• Mystery: Murder at Whalehead (Joe Ellis)
• Memoir: Three Cups of Tea (G. Mortenson)
• Action/Adventure: Battle Royale (K. Takami)
• Paranormal Romance: The Dark Brotherhood Series (JR Ward)
• Contemporary Romance: Tall, Dark, & Dead (Tate Halloway)
• Teens: Twilight Series (Stephenie Meyer)
• Teens: Cirque due Freak Series (Daren Shan)
• Chapter Books: Holiday Inn (James Howe)
• Chapter Books: The Sister's Grimm Series (Michael Buckley)

Read these BEFORE you see the movie! :)
(Yes, the books are ALWAYS better...)

• Alex Rider Series (Anthony Horowitz "Stormbreaker")
• Inkheart Series (Cornelia Funke "Inkheart")
• **The Dark is Rising Series (Susan Cooper "The Seeker")
• The Chronicles of Narnia Series (CS Lewis "Prince Caspian")
• Inheritance Series (Christopher Paolini "Eragon")
• His Dark Materials Series (Phillip Pullman "The Golden Compass")
• The Black Cauldron Series (Lloyd Alexander "The Black Cauldron")

Love and slobbers,
Finn

Music Notes: Great Gifts!

Hi folks!

Sarah and I have been driving to-and-from Manteo a lot this week, and we've made a list of some of the incredible CDs that are coming out this fall. Here are the ones that we're most excited about!

The Beatles "Across the Universe" (Soundtrack, 9/11)
Lyle Lovett "It's Not Big, It's Large" (Country, 9/11)

Paul Potts "One Chance" (Classical, 9/18)
KT Tunstall "Drastic Fantastic" (Rock, 9/18)

Herbie Hancock "River--The Joni Letters" (Jazz, 9/25)
Foo Fighers "Echoes, Silence, Patience, and Grace" (Rock, 9/25)

Bruce Springsteen "Magic" (Rock, 10/2)

LeAnn Rimes "Family" (Country, 10/9)

AC/DC "Plug Me In" (Rock, 10/16)
Jimmy Eat World "Chase This Light" (Pop, 10/16)

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant "Raising Sand" (Bluegrass, 10/23)
Carrie Underwood "Carnival Ride" (Country, 10/23)

Jimmy Buffet "Live in Anguilla" (Pop, 11/6)

Fall on Carova Beach

Hi everyone!

Fall has come to the Outer Banks and it is gorgeous! Bright, warm, clear days and cool nights. AHHHHHHHH.....

This weekend Ken, Sarah, and I drove up to Carova Beach at the north end of Corolla. That's where the wild horses live and is usually filled with fishermen and shell seekers. It's also a beach that you can drive on --- pretty bumpy, but totally awesome!

The next time you're in Corolla, rent a Jeep or take a tour up to Carova. It's really fun and a very different experience than the rest of the Outer Banks Beaches.

Love, Finn

Pick of the Week!

OK...look up everyone and wave....BYE MICHAEL!

Michael worked with us here at the store this summer and did a great job. This week he's headed back to Russia. Thanks again for your great work this summer and say "Hi!" to your family :)

PICKS OF THE WEEK: Focus on Fantasy
In honor of Michael's favorite genre, here are a few of his (and our!) fantasy favorites...

Myth Adventures Series (Robert Asprin):
When an apprentice wizard meets a demon, it's hate as first sight. Unfortunately (or fortunately for us!) they need each other and learn to work together to defeat armies, kings, and even medieval mobs. These books are FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY! (Ages: Young Adult through Adult)

Magic Kingdom for Sale--Sold! (Terry Brooks):
The first in the Kingdom of Landover series, this follows the adventures of reluctant lawyer, Ben Holiday who tries to make a positive change in his life by buying a magic kingdom. Then all hell breaks loose. :) Humorous fantasy. (Ages: Teen through Adult)

Magician: Apprentice (Raymond Feist):
The first book in the Riftwar Saga, this fantastic series features some of Mr. Feist's best work. It follows the development of a young magician and his warrior friend as their homeworld is invaded by alien intruders. Exciting fantasy adventure. (Ages: Teen through Adult)

Hood (Stephen Lawhead):
This new take on the story of Robin Hood takes place in 13th century Wales and is filled with political intrigue and great battles. Excellent, excellent, excellent. The second book in the series, "Scarlett" was released in late August. Fantasy adventure. (Ages: Teen through Adult)

Pick of the Week!

Summer is slowly winding down and we finally have some time to READ again! :) So this fall, Sarah and I have decided to start a special weekly book column called "Picks of the Week".

Sarah will be doing most of the reading, but I'll throw in my two cents as well. I'm catching up on all the books that were written before I was born! Check out "Finn's Classic Spotlight" for my favorites!

Enjoy and let us know if YOU have any recommendations.

PICKS OF THE WEEK: August 27, 2007

Loving Frank (Nancy Horan): Historical fiction from the perspective of the architect Frank Llloyd Wright's mistress. (Historical Fiction)

Einstein (Walter Isaacson): Biography of the brilliant physist Albert Einstein. Based on documents just released from the family archives, this biography is full of wit and great energy. (Biography)

New England White (Stephen Carter): Suspenseful mystery that takes place at a New England University and decends into Washington politics. (Mystery)

Wolf of the Deep (Stephen Fox): True account of the CSS Alabama and a fascinating account of civil war naval warfare. (History)

Finn's Classic Spotlight:
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Jules Verne): Awesome undersea adventure for all ages written in 1869 follows the story of Captain Nemo and the passengers of the submarine, Nautilus. (Children/Teen)

WOOF!
Finn

Summer Potions Classes at Beach Bag Books & Music!

Check it out! Sarah just showed me (and a bunch of my friends) how to make a magic potion that creates TROLL BOOGERS...how gross is that!

I love it!

Sarah says that it's not actually a magic potion...it's more of a science potion :) If anyone's interested in grossing out their friends, here are a few simple experiments to try!

Potion Experiment 1: Troll Boogers
Ingredients: PAM Viscosifier, test tube with cap, protective gloves, cauldron, wand, polyacrylamide crystals, measuring scoop, green food coloring, water

Instructions:
1. Put on protective gloves.
2. Pour 15 ml of water into the test tube. Add 2 drops of spit up from a 3 month old baby (blue food coloring) and add 2 drops of spit up from a 9 month old baby (yellow food coloring) to the cauldron.
3. Add 1 scoop of bowtruckle droppings (PAM viscosifier) to the test tube.
4. Add 1 scoop of crystallized pineapple (polyacrylamide) to the test tube.
5. Shake the test tube for 30 seconds. Allow it to sit quietly for 45 seconds.
6. Tap the test tube with your wand.
7. Open the test tube and use your wand to show off the troll boogers.

Potion Experiment 2: The Foaming Cauldron
Ingredients: Cauldron, wand, measuring scoop, protective gloves, liquid dishwashing soap, green food coloring, water, baking soda, vinegar

Instructions:
1. Put on protective gloves and place the cauldron in the middle of the table.
2. Add 2 scoops hippogriff toenail filings (baking soda) to the cauldron.
3. Fill the cauldron ½ full with water.
4. Add 1 scoop yak spit (liquid soap) to the cauldron.
5. Add 3 drops spit up from a 6 month old baby (green food coloring) to the cauldron.
6. Add three scoops of sweat from an 8 year old boy (vinegar) to the cauldron (a splash).

Potion Experiment 3: Disappearing Water
Ingredients: Potassium Polyacrylate (3 scoops), protective gloves, cauldron, wand, measuring scoop, salt, water

Instructions:
1. Put on protective gloves and place the cauldron in the middle of the table.
2. Add 3 scoops troll dandruff (Potassium Polyacrylate) to the cauldron.
3. Fill cauldron ¾ full of water.
4. Wait 10 seconds, then tap the cauldron with your wand.
5. Turn over cauldron to show that water has disappeared.

Potion Experiment 4: Yellow Goo
Ingredients:Protective gloves, cauldron, cornstarch, food coloring, water

Instructions:
1. Put on protective gloves and place the cauldron in the middle of the table.
2. Fill the cauldron half full of skin flakes from a Blast Ended Skrewet (cornstarch). Add 2 drops of spit up from a 9 month old baby (yellow food coloring) to the cauldron.
3. Use your fingers to slowly mix in the water until all the powder is wet. When it’s “just right” the Goo will feel hard when you push it.
4. Tap the cauldron with your wand.
5. Pour the goo into your hands and play with it.

Too Darn Hot!

OK--this is crazy.

We're entering Day Two of a heat advisory...WOOF! It's really, really uncomforable for this furry Newfie! 100+ degrees is actually too hot for anyone--dog or human!

Keep to the air conditioning today, folks. Drop by if you're getting ice cream next door!

(pant, pant, pant)

I'm going back to sleep...
Finn

Eclipse Party--Thanks for Coming!

Last night Sarah and Ken hosted a great launch event for the new book, "Eclipse". Plus, the author Stephenie was intereviewed on NBC this morning! Whoo Hoo!

Drop by Beach Bag Books & Music to pick up your copy today!

Love, Finn

PS: Sarah's hiding behind the register reading it now. And I have to do all the work! Hufff....

Harry Potter Party Pictures

Check this out, everyone!

We have just received a ton of fantastic photos from our Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Corolla Countdown Party (7/20/07) from Ms. Hollis Swift. She's quite a photographer and really captured all the excitement of the event.

Take a look and see if you can spot yourself!

Thanks, Hollis!
--Finn