Movie director/bestselling children's author Holly Goldberg Sloan coming to Best of Books on Oct. 5

       She's been a movie director and writer. She's a New York Times bestselling author. And now she is coming to Best of Books.
        Holly Goldberg Sloan will be at Best of Books from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 5 to sign and talk about her new book Appleblossom the Possom, which was just released by Dial Books.
         Holly has many creative credits to her resume, including writing and directing family feature films such as Angels in the Outfield and Made in America. Her first novel Counting by 7s became a national bestseller.
           Appleblossom is about the youngest and most timid member of her opossum family who becomes fascinated with a human family and their dog when she's out on her own.
           The book is illustrated by Holly's husband, who has quite of resume of his own even though this is his first book illustration. Gary Rosen is a TV and movie writer, director and producer with credits such as 21 Jump Street, Beverly Hills 90210 and the movie Major Payne.

           Holly will start at Best of Books at 4:30 and is scheduled to talk about her book at 5 p.m. Her appearance is free and open to the public.
           Appleblossum the Possom has already received several positive reviews. School Library Journal writes: "Sloan has masterfully created an intensely satisfying and humorous tale that makes possums seem utterly adorable. Rosen’s charming illustrations pair beautifully with the text, as he draws the possums with intertwined tails, pink noses, and vivid expressions.”


    

Was an Oklahoman a CIA agent in Iran? It's part of 'Off the Radar,' featured on NPR's Diane Rehm Show

               Imagine having a father who you thought might be a CIA agent. Imagine having a father who was the “other hostage” taken during the Iranian hostage crisis. Imagine having a mother who is defending your father in a court where execution is the usual verdict.
                All of this actually happened during the childhood of Cyrus M. Copeland, who has written the recent book “Off the Radar: A Father’s Secret, A Mother’s Heroism, and a Son’s Quest.”
               The book traces Cyrus' childhood while growing up in Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis and then his investigation into whether his father, Max, was actually a CIA agent working there.
               There's also an Oklahoma connection to this intriguing story: Max is originally from Grove. Cyrus recounts in the book how he returned to Oklahoma to trace how his father grew up here and why he eventually left the state and the country.
                 "Max Copeland is a quiet, academic-minded corporate executive who has been seized by Revolutionary Guards and charged with a capital crime: espionage," the book's promotion says. "Max is a laconic Okie who might be more than the studious administrator he seems."
                 Cyrus recently was recently interviewed on NPR's Diane Rehm Show and also has written about his book for the Huffington Post. He also promised to come to Best of Books when he visits the state again.
                  The author wrote to Best of Books that the Rehm show was "great exposure, that -- more than anything else --- ... helped the book *not* to live up to its title." The subject of radars actually plays an integral part of the story and his father's work.
                   Max is the only Iranian hostage who's not part of the U.S. embassy crisis in which 66 other Americans are held hostage. He is alone, with only one person who seems to be able to help him. Max's wife and Cyrus' mother, Shanin, is an Iranian who faces the changing and challenging times in her home country while launching her own covert operation and ultimately defending her husband in court to save his life.
                  "My mother has been fairly delighted with the response to the book, but truth be told doesn't really understand why everyone is making such a fuss about her," Cyrus wrote in an email.
                  The book is a fascinating look into Iran at the time of immense change. It has several great stories within the book, including Max's attempted escape from the country, the trial and Cyrus' decision to return there despite the danger. It is even more interesting now considering the U.S.'s recent diplomatic moves there.
                  And, for Oklahomans, it's one in which you'll ask: Can one of our own become a CIA agent? You'll find out in "Off the Radar."

 

Even Sam-I-am will like this Saturday's Storytime at Best of Books with Dr. Seuss, Seussian creatures and storyteller Victoria!

        

       

       It’ll be Dr. Seuss Time at Best of Books’ Storytime at 11 a.m. Saturday!

       Our master storyteller Victoria Nelson will read the recently found and published “What Pet Should I Get?” book. It quickly shot up to No. 1 in Fiction on this week’s OKLAHOMA BESTSELLERS list, edging out Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman."

        Victoria will read “What Pet” and other Dr. Seuss books, and she is planning a Dr. Seuss activity. And there will be a Dr. Seuss costume contest. Dress up as your favorite Dr. Seuss character or “Seussian creature,” as they're called. Prizes will be given to the best-dressed ones.

         Demand for "What Pet Should I Get?" was so high that Best of Books sold out immediately, and suppliers were struggling to refill orders. However, BOB just received a new supply of books today.

           Random House has been promoting “What Pet Should I Get?” as a “never-ever-before-seen picture book by Dr. Seuss about making up one's mind is the literary equivalent of buried treasure! What happens when a brother and sister visit a pet store to pick a pet? Naturally, they can't choose just one! The tale captures a classic childhood moment -- choosing a pet -- and uses it to illuminate a life lesson: that it is hard to make up your mind, but sometimes you just have to do it!”

            And, of course, with any Dr. Seuss book, there are plenty of exclamation marks in the promotion.

             Whether you’re young or older, join us for this fun hour with Victoria and Dr. Seuss on Saturday. You'll need to bring extra exclamation marks for this one.

BOB the bookstore launches presidential campaign on Twitter, begins search for vice presidential candidates

             

                Twitter's BOB the bookstore officially launched an Indie campaign for president this week. BOB's first platform statement: "Reading more makes you smarter."
                 BOB will be tweeting occasionally about the platform and the need for more reading and literacy in our society, a topic that many candidates don't seem to address in their campaigns.
                  Tweets this week have included:
                  -- "In my campaign to be the 1st bookstore president, BOB would be willing to debate Donald Trump on any topic involving #books."
                   -- "As the only bookstore running for president, BOB will be true to my Indie roots & support #smallbiz, especially in #Edmond."
                   The campaign will have both tongue-in-cheek and serious statements. And, of course, all will be in 140 characters or less.
                   BOB is still searching for a candidate to run for vice president on the Indie ticket. Know of any possibilities?
                
                

It's official: Laura Maple becomes the new general manager of Best of Books!

     

      Laura Maple won't be reporting to school this fall, but she'll still be going to school.
      For the first time in seven years, Laura will not be working for a school, her last being as a librarian at Edmond Memorial High School.
        However, Laura will now be working with schools as general manager/main book buyer for Best of Books.
        Her first day as GM was this week, and her first task was organizing all of the book sales for the Edmond high schools. Those are ones that are required reading at Edmond Memorial, Edmond North and Edmond Santa Fe, and Laura will be among those going to the schools this week. Next week, she and Best of Books' staff members will be taking books o the Edmond middle schools.
         "Schools are very important part of what we do at Best of Books," said Best of Books president Joe Hight. "We feel fortunate in having someone of Laura's caliber leading in these efforts as well as other areas."
          Laura is succeeding Elena Hight, who became Best of Books' director of marketing and author events. Elena is stepping in the new role after being the general manager since the Hights bought Best of Books last October. Elena, who has worked at BOB, for more than a year has decided to return to school in the fall.
          "We're excited that Elena is moving in this new post. She did an outstanding job as GM, but needed more time so she could attend school," Joe said. "We think Laura and Elena will be a great team in leading Best of Books into the future."