In an effort to reach out to those serious-minded folks who read no fiction, Dog Ear Books is beginning a new Non-Fiction book club to begin Friday, January 15th. Topics and the format for book selection are still up in the air and I’d love to hear ideas from anyone interested. You can email me or call me at the store (dogearbooks@gmail.com 706-342-3460) with any questions or suggestions.
To get things going, though, we’re going to read Dave Eggers’ new book,Zeitoun, and we’ll be offering it up at a 30% discount for this inaugural book club meeting.

The book club is very much in the development phase and I’d love to hear feedback or questions from anyone who is interested in attending and has ideas for the format or book suggestions for the club. Let me hear from you if you’re interested!
(Here’s a blurb on the book…)
When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a prosperous Syrian-American and father of four, chose to stay through the storm to protect his house and contracting business. In the days after, he traveled the flooded streets in a secondhand canoe, passing on supplies and helping those he could. But, on September 6, 2005, Zeitoun abruptly disappeared. Eggers’s riveting nonfiction book, three years in the making, explores Zeitoun’s roots in Syria, his marriage to Kathy—an American who converted to Islam—and their children, and the surreal atmosphere (in New Orleans and the United States generally) in which what happened to Abdulrahman Zeitoun became possible. Like What Is the What, Zeitoun was written in close collaboration with its subjects and involved vast research—in this case, in the U.S., Spain, and Syria.

We’re very happy to welcome Madisonian Charles “Big Jake” McClain to the store Saturday for a special Storytime from 1-3 p.m. Big Jake has been a hit at all the local schools and is coming by to read from his new book Big Jake on the Farm. He’s promised to bring some cookies to eat and Dog Ear will provide free hot chocolate to everyone from 1-3 on Saturday. Bring the kids by for what is sure to be a fun event.

Join us this Saturday from 1-3 to welcome author Richard Rumbaugh from Between, GA as he signs copies of his inspirational novel Rivers of Life To the Ocean of Love.
Here’s some more information on Richard:
Richard Rumbaugh was born on February 10, 1928 in Fremont Michigan where he spent the first two weeks of his life. He spent his early childhood in Illinois then moved south to Florida then Georgia where he lives now in Between, Georgia with his wife Ursula.
He graduated from Georgia State University at the age of forty with a major in English Literature. He also studied Art at Georgia State University and under various instructors for the next several years.
This work is intended to demonstrate that one is never too old to achieve ones dreams and to be of value. It is also meant to show the love and sense of humor that people of all ages are capable of, regardless of their circumstances.
Here

Local artist and author Molly Lesnikowski will be signing copies of her book,How the Caboose Came to Rutledge (or, On Ed Hogan’s Train of Thought), this Saturday from 12-3. Come by and enjoy something sweet that Molly is bringing by and FREE hot chocolate throughout the book signing. The book is a wonderful gift for adults and children alike and an interesting little bit of local lore.