'The circle is now complete' with special guests for Star Wars Day MONDAY at Best of Books



Kimberly and Michael Cross

      "Now, witness the power of this fully armed and operational battle station."-- Quotation from Star Wars' movie

      With the addition of four special guardians of peace, Best of Books is now fully operational and ready for our special Star Wars "May the Fourth Be With You" Day on Monday.

      Michael and Kimberly Cross will be helping us during our Stars Wars Party from 3 to 7 p.m. They are also organizing the Star Wars Scavenger Hunt for prizes starting at 5 p.m. Monday. You may know Michael as the host for KOSU's Morning Edition.

You could win these posters!

      Then Bri-El Mays and his assistant Cal-El Mays, who just returned from the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, Calif., will be leading the Star Wars Jedi Training Camp at 6 p.m. They are also known as Brian and Calvin when they're not training Jedis. They will be giving posters from the celebration, too. Brian Mays of Brian Mays Art also will be offering to sell illustrations of your Jedis.

One of Star Wars displays

       "It's so great to have these dedicated Star Wars' fans helping us with the day and party," said BOB General Manager Elena Hight, who is organizing the event. "It's going to make it even more fun!"
       Best of Books has two storefronts of books and items that will be offered to fans who visit during the day. All Star Wars books and related items will be 20 percent off.
        There also will be free prizes and giveways, too. Penquin/Random House awarded BOB with a special Stars Wars package for the event.
       "We would be honored if you would join us," said Elena, using a quote from one of the movies. "Really, we would! Bring yourself and your Jedis for this event!"
        Here are the times for the events:

• Costume Contest -- Post pictures of your Star Wars costumes to Best of Books' Facebook page at facebook.com/bobinok, and the person who gets the most "likes" wins a Star Wars basket. It will start at 9 a.m. Monday.
• Door prizes will be given throughout the day.

• 11 a.m. to noon: Special Star Wars Story Hour with Craft.
• 3 - 7 p.m.:  Star Wars Party
• 3 p.m.:  Star Wars Crafts for the Younger Jedis.
• 4 p.m.: Star Wars Origami
• 5 p.m.:  Star Wars Scavenger Hunt
• 6 p.m.:  Star Wars Jedi Training Camp with a special trainer and his assistant.

Best of Books' new website is easy for online ordering; orders $50 or more receive free shipping!

STEP No. 1. No. 2 below

           Best of Books recently received an online order for two books from a customer in Indiana. It received another online order from a customer who walked into our store and picked up her book. Both are now easy to do on BOB's website.
            We love to see our customers in the store, but, if you don't live in the metro area or want it delivered to you, you can place an order online. AND, for orders of $50 or more, you receive free shipping, too!







                  It's easy to order or just to browse our large database for your favorite books.
                  Here's how:

             1. Go to Best of Books website at www.bestofbooksok.com and go to the upper-right-hand corner. (See STEP 1.)
              2. Type in the title of the book, author or a keyword to help you search for a book. (See STEP 2.) For a preorder such as "Go Set a Watchman," we will ensure that you receive your order when the book arrives in July 2015.
              3. Click on the "Add to Cart" button. You can continue to shop for other books, too.
              4.  When you're finished, click on the "CHECKOUT" key.

STEP 5

          5. It will ask you for information that you would usually fill out when ordering online. Then it will prompt you to click on give you an option to "CLICK TO CALCULATE SHIPPING." Simply click on the button and choose the option. (See STEP 5.)
            6. Best of Books will then fulfill your order as quickly as possible so you can either pick it up or have it sent to your preferred address.
            One other option for you is to call the store at 405-340-9202 or send an email to bestofbooks@sbcglobal.net, and we'll also take care of your orders. Call us or send an email if you have any questions.





       



 

 

 

 



UPDATED MAY 9: Chris Harrison coming to Best of Books, OCU to debut novel 'The Perfect Letter'!

     
      



 

Chris Harrison will be in Oklahoma May 22



       

         Chris Harrison, the popular host of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette as well as the new host of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, will be coming to Oklahoma and Best of Books to debut his new novel The Perfect Letter on Friday, May 22.

         His appearances also will be used as fund-raisers for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and Oklahoma City University.

         Chris will be at Best of Books for a reception starting at 4 p.m. The cost of $50 will allow customers to receive a copy of his book, meet Chris, have the book signed and snap a photo with him. All proceeds from the reception will go to the national memorial and museum. (Call Best of Books at 340-9202 in advance to reserve your spot at the reception and copy of his book because the places will be limited.)

         He will then go to Fassler Hall, 421 NW 10 in Oklahoma City, for a bigger public event in conjunction with Oklahoma City University and starting at 8 p.m. Chris will speak at the free event, and then fans will have the opportunity to buy a book or books that he can sign. (Best of Books will also take preorders for his book.) Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

         Part of the proceeds from the book sales will go to Oklahoma City University. Donations also will be accepted for the bombing memorial.

          "We are thrilled Chris Harrison chose Oklahoma for his new book! We were told he feels deeply about the bombing memorial and Oklahoma City University, where he graduated, so we wanted to do events that benefit both," said Joe Hight, president of Best of Books. "This will give our Edmond customers a chance to see him and help the memorial, as well as for his fans to attend a more public event at OCU."

          Here is more information on Chris and his book:

         

          -- CHRIS HARRISON has been the host of ABC’s hit series The Bachelor since it began in 2002. He’s also the host of The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, and The Miss America Pageant. Chris has had the honor of officiating several Bachelor weddings and has spent his career counseling men and women navigating their journeys to love. He also was recently announced as the host of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. He lives in Southern California with his two children. This is his first novel.

THE PERFECT LETTER

     As the longtime host of ABC's The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, Chris Harrison has learned a thing or two about romance. Now, in his debut novel, Chris draws on his unique insights and wisdom to explore the exhilarating experience of risking it all in the name of love.    "The truth was something Jake said they should keep, always, between the two of them . . . "    Leigh Merrill had spent ten years running away from her past. A talented young book editor on the fast track at a major publishing house, Leigh had been determined to build a life for herself in New York City--a life far from the hay-filled barns, swimming holes, and rolling hills of her grandfather's horse farm in Texas. And for the most part, she'd succeeded. This new life, one filled with books and parties and romance, was everything she'd dreamt of as a girl. Complete. Happy even, if Leigh considered the future she was building with Joseph, a brilliant, generous man who adored the very ground she walked on. Still, when the invitation arrived asking her to be the keynote speaker at the Austin Writer's Conference, Leigh couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that Texas, with all of its tangled secrets, was calling her home.       Out of reasons to say no to a free trip, Leigh sees the conference as a perfectly timed escape--just a few days away to catch up with old friends, meet a few potential authors, and clear her mind. But Leigh's plans for a quiet retreat quickly dissolve when a stack of deeply personal letters from the past are left in her hotel room. After all these years of running, Leigh has nowhere to hide. In her hands she holds the letters that bare her soul and her secrets, the letters she wrote to one man, the love of her life--Jake. With her past and present crashing in around her, Leigh must decide just how much she's willing to risk for love.      A remarkable debut by a modern-day love expert, The Perfect Letter is a must-read for Bachelor fans, and hopeless romantics, everywhere.



Star Wars fans: 'May the Fourth Be With You' Day and party coming to Best of Books!

      

Star Wars and their fans will be coming to Best of Books in early May with BOB's "May the Fourth Be With You" Day.

 

       The day of activities will include a costume contest, Jedi training and prizes throughout the day on Monday, May 4. There also will be a party from 3 to 6 p.m.
        BOB General Manager Elena Hight organized the event. Penquin/Random House awarded Best of Books with a special party kit and books for the event as a preview for the Star Wars movie that will be released in December. 
         "We want this to be a fun day for Star Wars fans, young and old," she said.
         Plans for the day include:

• Costume Contest -- Post pictures of your Star Wars costumes to Best of Books' Facebook page at facebook.com/bobinok, and the person who gets the most likes gets a Star Wars basket. It will start at 9 a.m. May 4.
• Door prizes will be given throughout the day.

       Besides the start of the costume contest, here are other times for events during the day:

• 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Special Star Wars Story Hour with Craft
• 3 - 6 p.m.:  Star Wars Party
• 3 - 4 p.m.:  Star Wars Craft for the Younger Jedi
• 4 - 5 p.m.: Star Wars Origami
• 5 - 6 p.m.:  Star Wars Scavenger Hunt
• 6 p.m.:  Star Wars Jedi Training Camp with special trainer Bri-El Mays and his assistant Cal-El Mays.

       Go to our website at www.bestofbooksok.com for additional announcements next week.

What do you think? Question sparks Best of Books' quick quest for uplifting children's books

         What books would you recommend for young children in a hospital?
       

 That question was asked when Best of Books brought children's books to Touchmark retirement community in Edmond to help with its book drive for Children's Hospital. BOB also gave residents 20 percent off the books so they could donate new ones to the hospital.

          After the question was asked, we went on a quick quest to find some uplifting children's books that were well-illustrated, well-written, funny or had a feel-good ending. These are among a large number of books that would be good for children.
          Here are eight we would recommend with a brief insight into why we think they are great for young children:
           -- Wherever You Go by Pat Zietlow ($17 hardcover): We can all go on the road filled with adventure.
           -- Berlioz the Bear by Jan Brett ($6.99 paperback): It takes a team to overcome this musical challenge.
           -- Nugget & Fang by Tammi Sauer ($6.99 paperback): A well-told yarn about how the minnows are scared of the friendly shark with big teeth until ... .
           -- Dogzilla by Dav Pilkey ($5.95 paperback): Mousopolis's First Annual Barbecue Cook-Off is invaded by a stinky dog. Hilarious ending!
           -- Field-Trip Fiasco by Julie Danneberg ($6.95 paperback): How can the creative Mrs. Hartwell save the day?
           -- Twister by Darleen Bailey Beard ($8.99 paperback): Captivates until the end, even with a scary subject.
           -- Miss Martin is a Martian by Colleen Murray Fisher ($7.95 paperback): My teacher must be an alien for a number of great reasons.
          -- A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell ($17 hardcover): The Mutts' creator creates a hilarious story that, well, is messed up by someone reading it.

 

           Any other books that you would recommend to answer the question?

         

           

Authors Haught, Anderson, both with state connections, visiting Best of Books this week

        
        Two authors with state connections will be making Oklahoma debuts of their books this week at Best of Books.

         The first will be Robert L. Haught on Tuesday, followed by Mo Anderson on Thursday.
         Former columnist and political aide Haught will be signing his new novel Here's Clare from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Copies of his other two books, including his humor book POTUS Chronicle: Bubba Between the Bushes, also will be available. He will speak at 6 p.m.
          Haught is the former Washington-based editorial writer and columnist for The Oklahoman. He also was a top aide for Henry Bellmon and Dewey Bartlett, among others.
            You can read more about Robert and his books on Best of Books' website.
            Then on Thursday, former Keller Williams CEO Anderson will be at BOB for the Oklahoma debut of A Joy-Filled Life: Lessons of a Tenant Farmer's Daughter who became a CEO.  She will do the signing from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with a talk about her book at 6 p.m.
            Anderson taught music for 14 years before entering real estate. She rose through the ranks until being named president, chief executive officer and partner of Keller Williams Realty in 1995; she remained in that role for seven years. She now serves as vice chairman of the board.
             Her biography and more details about her book are available by clicking on Mo Anderson's signing on Thursday.
             The public is invited to both author events.

Best of Books displaying art from Edmond school

       Central Middle School adds an artistic touch when an author visits students there.
       Art students at the Edmond school most recently created artwork for children's authors Peter Lerangis and Wendelin Van Draanen.
       During BOB's recent Children's Literature Week, both Peter and Wendelin spoke at Central Middle School as well as do a signing and talk at Best of Books. Both were also greeted with artwork that filled the hallways.
       Examples of the artwork are now on display at Best of Books, including one that was recently especially created in honor of Wendelin.
        Angela Smith, an eighth-grader at Central, needed three weeks during her art and library assistant classes to create the artwork now displayed with Wendelin's books in the front area of the children's section. The work is a painting of Wendelin's final Sammy Keyes mystery novel Sammy Keys and the Kiss Goodbye. 
        Caradith Craven, media specialist at Central, said Angela used a photo of Wendelin while the author was at the school in March for a luncheon and presentation to sixth-graders.
         "Angela's love of reading and art came together ... ," Caradith wrote. "for her lovely poster board portrayal of Wendelin waving (as Sammy does) beside the cover of her final Sammy Keyes book."
          Angela is the third student to create artwork now displayed at Best of Books. Sepideh Faramarzi and Starr Gravitt also created artwork of Peter Lerangis and his "Seven Wonders" and "39 Clues" books.
           "Making the poster for Wendelin Van Draanen was a true pleasure.  The way she brings Sammy to life in her books is incredible.  I love all of her books, and having Best of Books display my (work) in their store is unbelievable," Angela said. "I could never in a million years have thought I would get a God-given chance like that.  Thank you Wendelin and Best of Books."

            You can see the artwork at Best of Books or by going to BOB's Facebook page.

Bestseller list going from 'Local' to Oklahoma!

       The LOCAL BEST-SELLERS list that appears in The Oklahoman's Sunday Life section will become the OKLAHOMA BEST-SELLERS after the state's third independent bookstore joined in releasing their weekly bestsellers.
        Brace Books in Ponca City will join Best of Books in Edmond and Full Circle in Oklahoma City in submitting their bestsellers in Fiction and Nonfiction that will be compiled and tabulated for the overall list. The first one is scheduled to begin this Sunday in The Oklahoman.
        Best of Books wants to extend its sincere thanks to Brace Books, Full Circle and The Oklahoman for working together to show Oklahomans what they are buying most. All three of Oklahoma's independent bookstores are now involved in this effort.
        You can check out the list by either seeing it in The Oklahoman or posted weekly in Best of Books or on BOB's Facebook page.

Poet laureate will MC 'Oklahoma Poetry at the Bayou' to celebrate National Poetry Month on April 28

 

Oklahoma Poet Laureate Benjamin Myers will be featured among at least five poets and student poets at a special event during National Poetry Month in April.

“Oklahoma Poetry at the Bayou/A Celebration of National Poetry Month” will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28. Best of Books and the next-door Bayou Grill & Bakery are combining to do the evening event. Poets will begin by signing their books starting at 5:30 p.m. at Best of Books and then do public readings from 6 to 7 p.m. on the Bayou Grill’s stage. They will finish the evening at Best of Books.

 Other poets will include Jessica Isaacs, the most recent 2015 Oklahoma Book Award winner in Poetry, James Coburn, a finalist for the award, and poet Dorothy Alexander of Village Books Press. The evening will include a reading from past poet laureate Nathan Brown’s new book “To Sing Hallucinated/First Thoughts on Last Words,” with all poems based on a person’s last words or gestures. 

 Students, including Jill Hawkins of Oklahoma City University’s Red Earth Creative Writing MFA program, also will be involved. Other poets may be invited.

 “Ben and the other poets are continuing a tradition of outstanding poets from this state,” said Joe Hight, president of Best of Books. “This will be a great way to celebrate their work.”

 Myers, the master of ceremonies for the evening, is an author of two books, a past Oklahoma Book Award winner and the Crouch-Mathis Associate Professor of Literature at Oklahoma Baptist University.

  Isaacs just won the Oklahoma Book Award medal for “Deep August.”

  The event will be free, but seating will be limited at the Bayou Grill, so call Best of Books at 340-9202 to reserve a seat or seats. The Bayou Grill will have drinks and a menu for those who attend.                 
               (Best of Books is at 1313 E. Danforth in Edmond’s Kickingbird Square Shopping Center. The Bayou Grill & Bakery is next door at 1315 E. Danforth.)

Kathy keeps reading, recommends seven new books

      Former Best of Books owner Kathy Kinasewitz continues to keep in touch with us and read many books, so we asked her for some of her recent favorites.
      Here they are, with Kathy's quick reviews:
      Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova
      Heart-wrenching story of the O'Brien family facing the diagnosis of Huntington's disease. Huntington's is a genetic neurodegenerative disease with no treatment and no cure. It is passed on from the parent. Each child has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene. This is the story how each of the O'Brien's face and deal with this devastating disease. (By the author of Still Alice and Left Neglected.)

      Lacy Eye by Jessica Treadway
      A gripping psychological novel that tears a family apart . Joe and Hanna are savagely attacked in their home. Hanna survives. Joe does not. When Dawn Hanna's daughter returns home, it becomes apparent that she may have been involved. Who to believe? Could a daughter so loved actually have been a part of the event?

    (Reading now, the Young Adult title) Better than Perfect by Melissa Kanto (Author of Maybe One Day)
     Juliet Newman seems to have the perfect life. A high school senior headed toward an ivy league education, Juliet and her world totally falls apart when her parents divorce. Life isn't what she expected.
    
     Here are others that she recommends:
     -- A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
     -- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
     -- Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty  
     -- The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank
    
     You can read more about these books by going to BOB's searchable database of books on our website.

BOB approved to join the great downtown Edmond celebration Heard on Hurd in April!

  

 Best of Books will be joining the other cool vendors and performers at the monthly Heard on Hurd in downtown Edmond.

        The Heard on Hurd committee, which coordinates the free public event on the third Saturday of every month, approved the application and notified BOB this week. Best of Books will be at the next one on April 18.

        Bridget Jaime, vice president and communications officer of event founder Citizens Bank of Edmond, wrote: "We are truly excited to have you join us in rocking the streets of Edmond!"

        Best of Books plans to offer sale books and children's and adult gifts and stationery, said Nan Hight of Best of Books. She also said BOB plans special giveaways during the evening from 6 to 10 p.m.

        "We're thrilled to join this downtown event," Nan said. "We feel like we're part of downtown anyway, and this makes it even more so."

        Nan added she appreciates the work that Bridget, Citizens Bank President Jill Castilla and others have done to make Heard on Hurd such a success. The Hights attended the first 2015 one in March and even ran into Jill during the evening.

         "Jill and Citizens have been so welcoming to us," she said. "We felt like Best of Books needed to be part of this great event."

         BOB doesn't know its exact location yet, so look for us when you visit the next Heard on Hurd.

 

 

New logos, bookmark unveiled for Best of Books!

       An Oklahoma graphic designer/artist has created new logos and bookmark for Best of Books that will be used in the future.
       The logos were designed by Brian Mays of Brian Mays Art and will be used starting soon for all of BOB's bookmarks and branding. Brian worked with Best of Books President Joe Hight to create logos that could appeal to the many children and adults who visit the bookstore.
        "Brian has exceptional talent at creating portrait illustrations and graphic designs," Joe said. "After we bought Best of Books last year, I talked to him about creating new logos for us. I'm thrilled he agreed to do it and has done such a great job."
        Brian used photos of Best of Books' mascot Nathaniel "Blazer" Hawthorne to create an inviting new bookmark, Joe said. The new bookmark is now in production at Reid Printing in Edmond and will be used in the near future. Joe said he estimates the bookmarks will be in use within the next couple of weeks.
         Besides the new bookmark, Brian also created four separate logos that Best of Books will be using in various capacities. One uses books, two others "Blazer' and another is a circular one without the mascot.
         The logos are needed to incorporate the new look of Best of Books as well as update its logo image, Joe said.
         "Besides the new website and improving the store experience, the new logos were among our priorities. We're glad Best of Books has reached the point we can officially unveil them, thanks to Brian."
         Joe said he hopes to work with Brian on other projects in the future.
        

MORE ABOUT BRIAN:

 

Brian Mays is a professional graphic designer, creative coach and trainer, as well as being an artist.

     The motto for his work is "Leading a Creative Life as a Daddy, Husband, Designer and Friend. Be Nice, Have Fun. Silliness Required."

     "My work is primarily digital, using techniques I learned when doing traditional artwork such as pen and ink, watercolor, pastels, and color pencil. I consider it a challenge to create digital work that doesn’t look digital." he says on his website. "All my work is done using a drawing tablet and stylus. My primary software is Adobe Photoshop. I draw and paint from a photograph, with no filters involved."

     Besides Brian Mays Art, you can see his graphic design work at Brian Mays' Portfolio.

         
       

Oscar winner contacts 'Little Moe' about movie

      Academy Award winner Barry Morrow, who has "Rain Man" among his credits, has contacted author/golf professional Todd Graves about the possibility of a movie on legendary golfer Moe Norman.
     

Todd recently signed and talked about his new book The Single Plane Golf Swing: Play Better Golf the Moe Norman Way. In a discussion with BOB afterward, Todd revealed the possibility of a movie with Morrow and another movie project on Moe Norman. Todd is also known as "Little Moe" and is reported to have been recommended by Norman to Morrow because of how he had perfected the swing.

         Todd said production of a movie could begin at the end of the year and take six months to shoot. He doesn't know whether any of it would be shot in Oklahoma, as "Rain Man" was here.

          Brown Books of Dallas, which published The Single Plane Golf Swing  has also discussed the possibility of republishing The Feeling of Greatness: The Moe Norman Story, Todd said. Todd edited the book.

           When Todd is not writing or editing books (or working on movies), the Edmond resident heads the successful Graves Golf Academy that he co-founded in 2000. Signed copies of The Single Plane Golf Swing are still available while they last at Best of Books.

Best of Books part of Oklahoma Book Awards again!

     Best of Books is the official bookstore for the 2015 Oklahoma Book Awards.
     The 26th annual awards will be this Saturday in Oklahoma City. Best of Books will once again provide the books for all of the authors who have confirmed for the evening.
      BOB has worked with Bill Young and Connie Armstrong of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries since late last year on the 2015 event.
       "We're proud of our relationship with the Oklahoma Center for the Book in helping with the Oklahoma Book Awards," said Joe Hight, Best of Books president. "It's also great to see that many of the finalists also have held signings and talks at our store."
       BOB has a display in one of its front windows to honor the finalists.

        

        It also will have the back cover of the annual program.

        You can read more about the finalists by going to the Oklahoma Center for the Book or by reading a story that appeared in The Oklahoman/NewsOK.com.
    

What Nadia liked, didn't like about 'Alice in Zombieland' and its 'very different zombies'

     BOB NOTE: Best of Books loves for its younger readers to write occasional reviews that we will share with you in this blog. Here is the first one from Nadia Arain about Alice in Zombieland

 

By Nadia Arain    

     The book Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter was overall an amazing book.

      It was different than what I usually read.

      The part where her family died was a bit rushed, and I would have put it later in the book.

      The character of Alice Bell was very emotional at times, and I think that made the character more realistic. My favorite character was Kat because she was so carefree, and she was living life to the fullest.

       The zombies were very different than what I thought they would be, with them being infected spirits. I really liked that the author made these zombies so different.

       The only thing I didn't like about the book is that is barely related to Alice in Wonderland. But, overall, this was a very good book.

       

        

 

BOB's Bestsellers in March full of 'Seven Wonders'

              

             

 

               Peter Lerangis' recent visit to Oklahoma and Best of Books had an impact as his "Seven Wonders" books were No. 1 on BOB's Bestsellers in March.
               The list is dominated by fiction in March with authors Harper Lee, Darla Bailey Beard, Wendelin Van Draanen, Tammi Sauer and Nikki Loftin also making the list.
               "Peter's visit created a new culture of those reading his books in Oklahoma; there were great demand for his books just before, during and immediately after his visit to Oklahoma," said Joe Hight, Best of Books president. "The list also shows that an author who takes the time to visit a school or schools and Best of Books create more demand for their books."
                Three nonfiction books, including Bob Dotson's "American Story," made the list. Bob also visited the University of Oklahoma and Best of Books. "Dead Wake," by Erik Larson, came close to making the  list in March and continues to sell well in April, Joe said.
               The list provides some combined titles that are reflective of the authors' average total sales at Best of Books as compared to individual books, so more authors make the overall list and are emphasized more on it. All four of Peter's "Seven Wonders" books ranked in the top of 10 individually during the month.
                Here are the top 10:
                1. "Seven Wonders" (No. 1-4, including the new "Curse of the King") by Peter Lerangis.
                2. "The Irish Cinderlad" by Shirley Climo.
                3. "The Flimflam Man" and "Twister" by Darleen Bailey Beard.
                4. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
                5. "Better & Faster: The Proven Path to Unstoppable Ideas" by Jeremy Gutsche.
                6. "The Book Whisperer" by Donalyn Miller.
                7. "American Story" by Bob Dotson.
                8. "XYZ Factor: The Dosomething Guide to Create a Culture of Impact" by Nancy Lublin.
                9. "Princess in Training" by Tammi Sauer.
                10. (TIE) "Flipped," "Running Dream" and "Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief" by Wendelin Van Draanen.
                 10. (TIE) "Wish Girl" by Nikki Loftin.
                You can see those who visited BOB by going to Best of Books' website. Signed copies of most of the authors on the top 10 list also are still available at BOB.

         

Secret of 'Sandman' revealed at BOB signing/talk

     Every signing at Best of Books seems to bring a surprise or two, even from those who come to see an author.
      It happened again this week when famed forensic artist Harvey Pratt arrived to support Jo Ann Kessel, who was signing "Piavinnia: The Bent-Guerrier Connection," a 2015 Oklahoma Book Award finalist, and "Barney Kessel: A Jazz Legend" about her late husband. Pratt's ancestor, Ann Guerrier Pratt Shadlow, is featured in the book.
      During the question-and=answer after Kessel's talk, Pratt told about his reconstruction of the face of "Sandman," a Cheyenne warrior who was killed in 1837 at the Battle of Wolf Creek. The battle was during the war between the Cheyenne/Arapaho tribes and the Comanche/Kiowa tribes. Sandman's body was found by a homeowner in a sand bed near Woodward in 1973.
     Pratt said the warrior was buried with enough items and personal effects that it was determined Sandman was probably named "Horse's Voice" in real life. Most likely, his voice was raspy like a horse and, thus, the name.
         According Pratt's website, the reconstruction was completed in 2001.
    Horse's Voice probably was an individual of importance in the tribe. Due to Pratt, his importance and face will continue to live with us in the future.
          If you want to read more about this important discovery and what happened to Horse's Voice, you can go Harvey Pratt's website. Best of Books also has signed copies of "Piavinnia" and "Barney Kessel" by Jo Ann Kessel.
          

Author Kent Frates discusses relationship to character in 'Oklahoma's Most Notorious'

    Kent Frates, author of "Oklahoma's Most Notorious Cases," told Best of Books Book Club members that one of the characters in his book was actually related to him: Charles Urschel was his uncle.
     

     Urschel, shown in the photo, was kidnapped by George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Albert Bates while playing bridge at his Oklahoma City home on July 22, 1933. The case is one of those that Kent profiles in his book, which was recently named a 2015 Oklahoma Book Award finalist.
      The Oklahoma oilman was released on July 30, 1933, after the family paid $200,000 in documented bills. Kelly and others, including his wife, Kathryn, were convicted of the crime.
       Kent spoke to book club members about the most infamous crimes in Oklahoma history that he featured in the book, which took him 1 1/2 years to complete. "Most Notorious" was either No. 1 or in the top five of LOCAL BESTSELLERS for three months.
       You can still buy signed copies of the book and learn more about the Urschel case and others. There's also a photo of Urschel and others of Kent's family in it. Learn more about the book by going to Oklahoma's Most Notorious