Tickets go on sale for concert featuring author Jerry Burgan of We Five/'You Were on My Mind' fame

       When author/musician  Jerry Burgan first approached Best of Books about performing a concert in conjunction with a book signing, owner Joe Hight thought the idea was intriguing.
         However, the big question was where a bookstore would hold a concert. The bookstore itself? Out in the parking lot? Next door at the Bayou Bar and Grill where the recent "Oklahoma Poetry at the Bayou" event was held on its stage?
         None seemed big enough to accommodate Burgan, whose band  We Five performed the smash hit "You Were on My Mind" that is celebrating its 50th year since it was recorded in 1965. A video featuring the song being performed live at the Hollywood Palace and introduced by Fred Astaire has received more than 1.22 million views. You can see the performance by clicking here.
        

 Jerry has also written the book "Wounds to Bind: A Memoir of the Folk-Rock Revolution" on the era and the band's rise to fame.       

         Finally, back in Edmond, Joe received the opportunity to work with the UCO Jazz Lab and its Director Clint Rohr, with part of the proceeds going to the Donna Nigh Scholarship fund at UCO.
        

 The venue that seats 150 to 175 comfortably and also has refreshments provided by Hideaway Pizza seemed perfect. Thus, "The Burgans & Chan Songs & Stories Concert" will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at the jazz lab. It will feature We Five alums Jerry Burgan, lead singer Debbie Burgan, Jerry's wife, and bassist Tholow Chan. Tickets are only $20 each and go on sale today.

          Copies of Jerry Burgan's book also will be for sale before and after the concert, and Jerry will be available to sign them afterward.
          To learn more about the concert and the book and to buy tickets, click on this link at the Best of Books' website.
     

You're invited: Mike Turpen bringing his energy to BOB in special event for scholarship fund June 2!

        

 Mike Turpen has lots of energy, especially in raising money for good causes.

     That's why Mike will be giving away signed copies of his OKLAHOMA BESTSELLER book

 "Turpen Time" during a special signing/event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 2 at Best of Books. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Donna Nigh Scholarship at the University of Central Oklahoma. The UCO Foundation is working with Best of Books and Mike on the event.

      Mike said he has raised more than $20,000 in sponsorships thus far for the event and scholarship fund. He's also found a book sponsor so those attending will be able to receive a free copy of his signed book; supplies will be limited, however.

      Scheduled speakers at the event will include Mike, former Governor George Nigh and Donna Nigh, and UCO President Don Betz.

      "Mike's work on raising money for this scholarship fund has been simply incredible," said Joe Hight, president of Best of Books. "He approached me with the concept, and I thought this would be a wonderful way to honor Mike's work with his book as well as the Nighs. I can't tell you how impressed I am with what Mike has accomplished!"

       The public is invited to attend the event. A more formal announcement has been posted on Best of Books' website by clicking here. 

PBS Design Squad host, 'Alien in My Pocket' author, etc., etc., etc., coming to BOB on Wednesday!

     

 Nate Ball, who recently just turned 32, might wear out the average guy. He's already been a mechanical engineer, entrepreneur, TV host, children's author, All-American pole vaulter and a beatboxer.

       And he's the type of guy any small or big kid would love and want to spend some time with. Why? See this quote on his PBS website: “I like to push limits. I like to do stuff that’s big and fast and explodes.”

       The host of PBS Design Squad and Design Squad Nation has also written the wildly popular "Alien in My Pocket" series, with the No. 5 in the series

 "Ohm vs. Amp" just being released two days after his birthday on May 15.

        Nate is coming to Oklahoma on Wednesday to visit three schools and then to Best of Books for a "Meet the author" event at 4:30 p.m.

        Whether you're a big or small kid, you can have some fun and meet Nate by stopping by BOB, 1313 E. Danforth in Edmond's Kickingbird Squre Shopping Center. See more by going to Best of Books' website at www.bestofbooksok.com.

 

New OKC venue will serve as host for public event featuring Chris Harrison and his new book

       One of Oklahoma's newest venues will be the site for the debut of Chris Harrison's new book "The Perfect Letter" at a public event on Friday.
     

 Fassler Hall just opened in December in a modern new 30,000-square-foot building at 421 NW 10 in Oklahoma City. Chris will speak and do a Q&A at 8 p.m. before being available to sign copies of his book to those who buy them from a Best of Books table there.

       BOB is working with co-sponsor  Oklahoma City University on the public event. Part of the proceeds from the book sales will go to OCU.
        Harrison, the author and celebrity host of The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and now Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, also will be featured in a private reception at Best of Books in Edmond earlier in the day at 4 p.m. Proceeds from that event will benefit the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
        The later event at Fassler Hall is free and open to the public. Those who attend will be able to buy the hard-cover first edition of "The Perfect Letter" for $23.99 and then have Harrison sign it.
         Fassler Hall and its companion Dust Bowl Lanes are in a booming part of Oklahoma City. Its website say it is "a German-inspired beer hall located in OKC's Midtown neighborhood ... You can enjoy your food and drink inside or you can wander outside to Fassler's expansive beer garden, which has stunning views of the downtown skyline." OCU pinpointed Fassler Hall as the event venue in Oklahoma City.
          In case of rain, the open-air area is covered. Plenty of parking is available nearby.
          "The Perfect Letter" also can be preordered from Best of Books by calling 340-9202 or sending an email to bestofbooks@sbcglobal.net. You can read more on the public event and private event by going to www.bestofbooksok.com

Master storytellers named for Best of Books' STORY TIME at 11 a.m. every Saturday!

         After Story Time master storyteller Joyce Hamrick moved to Texas last fall, Best of Books missed her artwork  and her consistency every Saturday.
          New we think we have finally filled her void with our two Story Time master storytellers. Jean Northup and new storyteller Victoria Nelson will alternate in the role at 11 a.m. every other Saturday. Story Time will continue at 11 a.m. EVERY SATURDAY with the master storyteller reading two or three books and then doing an activity with the children. There will be treats occasionally and special activities on occasion, too.
           Best of Books also will invite a children's author on occasion, but Jean and Victoria will be doing most of the Story Times.
         

 Jean has been filling in at Story Time for at least two years and agreed to take more consistent role. She is known for her treats and activities, including children making Superman capes one Saturday.

            As for Victoria, she just joined Best of Books in the master storyteller role. She has been a pre-school teacher for about 25 years and is a certified fine arts teacher. Originally from Ohio, she has lived in Oklahoma for 34 years, been married for 46 years and has three children and grandchildren. She now works during the week at the First United Methodist Church.
          

 Victoria said she "loves children," which is shown in how she reads to the children and works with them on the activity.

            Story Time is free and open to the public. Most end before noon. Parents or grandparents are encouraged to stay in the store until Story Time has been completed.
             Please join our master storytellers at Best of Books!
           

           
         

      
          

'A Kim Jong-Il Production' provides fascinating look into North Korea and its quest for filmmaking power

      

 North Korea is often seen by us as a dictator-controlled, devious and ruthless country. Somewhat silly, too. "The Interview" and Dennis Rodman's trips there probably didn't help that perception

          However, during Kim Jong-Il's reign, it was also a country that committed kidnappings like a kid sneaking candy into his pockets at a local grocery store. At least that's what Kim did with South Korea's most famous actress and filmmaker so he could fulfill his dream of producing movies that could possibly rival others in the world.
           Paul Fischer's book "A Kim Jong-Il Production/The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power" provides a fascinating look into North Korea and its late dictator Kim Jong-Il. Through actress Madame Choi and her ex-husband filmmaker Shin Sang-Ok, readers are taken on a journey in the late '70s and early '80s behind the scenes in North Korea. This includes its pursuit of worldwide respectability through film and other means, and its harsh and inhumane methods of "re-educating" people it kidnaps from other countries, most notably South Korea.
          Shin's story is particularly compelling: After his second attempted escape, he was forced into a prison in which he had to sit cross-legged staring straight forward and silent for 16 hours a day with only a 10-minute break during it. He did this for two and one-half years.
          Fischer's books also shows the sad existence of average North Koreans, who are forced to bow to their dictators' pictures for their daily food even when they are starving and working six days a week. Kim and their leaders, however, live in extravagance and party late into the night.
          It also ultimately tells the love story of Madame Choi and Shin Sang-Ok, divorced before they are kidnapped, but who must unite and trust each other in order to survive and ultimately escape from their captivity. A strange twist is when Kim announces at a party that they are to be remarried, which actually reunited them for the rest of their lives.
           Fischer, who is film producer himself, does an exceptional job in his book debut. It's a book that will fascinate anyone who's interested in North Korea or the film industry outside of the United States.
           
          
Biography on Paul Fischer:

PAUL FISCHER is a film producer who studied social sciences at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques in Paris and film at the University of Southern California and the New York Film Academy. Paul's first feature film, the documentary "Radioman, " won the Grand Jury Prize at the Doc NYC festival and was released to critical and commercial acclaim. "A Kim Jong-Il Production" is his first book.

Barbara creates 'search-and-find' word puzzle for her Best of Books' signing that you can play, too!

   

Barbara Shepherd created a special puzzle when she recently participated in "An Afternoon With Oklahoma Authors" at Best of Books.

    Now you can work on it, too, thanks to our new blog.

    Here's the "search-and-find" word puzzle that Barbara created and handed out during the signing:

    

       

     "Barbara really provided an example of an author who reached out to her audience to attend the signing. She sent out postcards and reminded people she knew to attend. Her efforts showed because she had the largest turnout for the afternoon," said Joe Hight, president of Best of Books. "We greatly appreciated what she did for the signing and how she created this word puzzle that we could share."

     Barbara is an award-winning writer of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and screenplays. She is the American Christian Writer’s Writer of the Year (twice), a Woody Guthrie Poet, and a 2008 Nominee for Poet Laureate of Oklahoma. She is a former field editor for Taste of Home magazine and columnist for Edmond Outlook. Her work has also appeared in Oklahoma Woman and Edmond Life and Leisure and is featured in anthologies and literary journals. At the last "Afternoon," she was signing “Beads on a String – Peace, Joy, and Love,” “Imagination Turned Loose” and “A Centennial Celebration of Oklahoma Stories."

      The next "Afternoon With Oklahoma Authors" will be June 13. Perhaps we should ask Barbara (nicely) to create another puzzle for that one!

       

Thank you teachers! And to honor those who make reading a priority, BOB announces new award

     

 Best of Books is thankful for the many teachers who come to and support our bookstore. And, during PTA Teachers Appreciation Week, we're announcing a new award to honor efforts in reading leadership.

        Starting this fall, Best of Books will kick off a new program to honor those librarians, media specialists and teachers who make reading a priority in their schools. The BOB Reading Specialist Leadership Award will be presented monthly starting in September to an example of someone who excels in seeking reading opportunities and growth for students. Best of Books will be seeking nominations for the award from administrators, fellow teachers, students and parents. It can be for a body of work or an individual effort that makes a difference in the reading lives of students.
         The first award will be given during our second Teacher Appreciation Week this fall.
        As always, Best of Books offers teachers a 20 percent discount as well as seeks to help them and PTAs with fund-raisers at their school.
        For now, we just have two words to say to all of the great teachers in Edmond, the Oklahoma City area and Oklahoma: THANK YOU! 
      

More than 75 new titles being released Tuesday at BOB; 15 percent off of them Tuesday/Wednesday!

       

As Star Wars Day Jedis, princesses and Darth Vaders were creating crafts, origami and light sabers while eating their Woogie treats, Yoda Ears and Ewok Food, Andrea Pflughoft was busy in the back of Best of Books.

           Andrea was processing the more than 75 titles that will be on display and on sale starting on Tuesday. All of them also will be available to you for 15 percent off their regular prices Tuesday and Wednesday, said BOB General Manager Elena Hight.
           The Tuesday releases will feature a number of high-profile authors such as James Patterson, Anne Hillerman, David McCullough, Sarah Dressen and Dave Barry. The book Disney Storybook Collections is another one being released on Tuesday.
           Mondays are usually a busy day because of the new releases on Tuesday, but this one was particularly hectic because of the releases, as well as the "May the Fourth Be With You" Day party up front.
            One of the releases will be "The Wright Brothers" by David McCullough. McCullough and the book were featured on this week's CBS Sunday Morning.
             Others being released on Tuesday include:
             The Heir by Kiera Cass
             Rock With Wings by Anne Hillerman
             It's a Long Story/My Life by Willie Nelson.
             14 Deadly Sins by James Patterson
             Galactic Hot Dogs by Max Brallier
             The Worst Class Ever by Dave Barry
             The Recess King! by Ellray Jakes
            
               There also will be signed first editions of Sarah Dessen's new book Saint Everything.

                If we sell out of any of the new releases, we will order your copy on Tuesday and Wednesday at 15 percent off, too, and you can pick it up later. Check out our website at www.bestofbooksok.com to search for your favorite book, or stop by your Best of Books.
                The reason for all the new releases: It's the beginning of May, the summer season, vacations, end of school and more.
                 It's also time for Andrea to take a break until next week's releases, too!

A short record-breaking blog post with a simple message: THERE'S A COUPON ON OUR WEBSITE!

      World records exist for the shortest. There are blogs touting themselves as the shortest. We decided to seek a record for the shortest blog post.
       Our message is simple: Best of Books' website at www.bestofbooksok.com has a 20-percent-off coupon. Click on the site, print the coupon out and bring it to BOB. Or, show it to us on your cell phone.
        It starts on Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday and continues through May. It's there. We promise.
        (P.S. We know the Guinness Book of World Records will be contacting us soon. You're our witness to this record-breaking achievement!)