Jenn raves about China Mieville and THE CITY & THE CITY to Unshelved.com’s Gene Ambaum! (from last year’s Book Expo America conference)

The book industry is changing rapidly, as many of you have noticed, and one of the most talked-about changes is the switch from print to digital books. What you may not know is that here at breathe, we’re not only thinking about it, we’re actively taking steps to be a part of this shift!

Some of you have already confessed to having Kindles — and no, we’re not mad at  you! Although we do wish you had a Sony Reader instead (see below for why). We also know that the books you read on your Kindle or other e-reader are books that you might not have bought from breathe anyway (although don’t forget, we can order just about anything!). In fact, most  of the New Age, spirituality, and other esoteric titles we carry are not available in digital format, or even at most bookstores. We are proud to be able to provide books that help you continue on your practice and journey, and will continue to do so! But as more and more books are published in digital format, and as more and more of you switch to reading e-books, we want you to know that we’d love to talk to you about what you’re reading, how you’re reading it, and why.

There are a lot of things still being ironed out with digital books, not least of which is which device to pick! The Kindle is probably the most well-known, but also the most harmful to independent bookstores. Unlike other e-readers, a Kindle will only allow you to read books purchased from Amazon.com. On the other hand, devices like the Sony Reader will let you read any compatible e-book — and many bookstores can now sell you these e-books on their websites! Check out the wonderful Powell’s Books website for not only e-books, but a list of readers they work with.

Just recently, digital publishing took a major step forward with the adoption of the ePub format. What it boils down to is that publishers and manufacturers have established the ePub format as a baseline for e-books, a format that all digital readers can access, except for those, like Amazon, that choose to create their own proprietary format, and lock out any other format. Many devices can also read PDFs, but again — proprietary devices like the Kindle may not allow you to read those, either. A list of devices that work with ePub and PDF digital books is available here, on Adobe’s website.

This issue, which e-readers will let you read which e-books, is an important one for independent bookstores. As more players get into the game (Barnes & Noble just recently announced their own device, the Nook) and as the holidays approach, we hope that before you buy, you’ll add one more question to your list of considerations (Which should you buy? What does it cost?): Who will you be able to support?

Right now, breathe books is thinking about all of the ways we hope to adapt to the changes in publishing and the economy — selling books (and e-books) online is one of the things on our list. But most of all, we want to make sure that we stay in touch with you, the way we have for the past five years. What are you reading? How are you reading it? Why? And most of all, how can we help you get it?

Happy reading (e- or otherwise),

Jenn
shopgirl

New books are published all the time, but this fall is a banner year. There are probably at least adozen books that booksellers across the country are excited about (including us!) but for now, here are three in particular that you won’t want to miss!

The Lacuna, by Barbara Kingsolver, is my top pick for the month of November. Reminiscent of her fantastic previous novel, The Poisonwood Bible, Lacuna is a dense and beautiful novel revolving around the artistic and political scene in Mexico that encompassed Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Lev Trotsky. A gripping, absorbing read, highly recommended!

Margaret Atwood has written a companion piece to Oryx & Crake, The Year of the Flood. It takes characters who lurk in the shadows of Oryx & Crake and brings them to light, filling out the story of the end of the world as we knew it and the start of the new one. A must-read for fans of Atwood, as well as fans of dystopias and apocalyptic fiction.

And, in an interesting twist, novelist Jonathan Safran Foer (author of Everything Is Illuminated) has written a nonfiction book on parenthood, vegetarianism, and the food industry, Eating Animals! Check out this great review from Shelf Awareness for more details.

All the books are here in the store — stop on by and take a look!

~ Jenn, shopgirl

Recently I felt some fear around a certain situation. I didn’t know it was fear, of course. Only later did I realize that. But while the emotion was sorting itself out I found myself engaging in an isolating manner. I craved being alone and didn’t want anyone to intrude in my pity party.

When I became fed up with myself I finally journaled about it and lo and behold I saw what I had done. Instead of allowing myself to be one with the situation, I retreated and created separation. I tricked myself into thinking that we are all really separate from each other. Oh that old wall comes up and along with, it old behaviors. Fascinating.

But than I remembered that we are all one. And no amount of separation from the source can really hide that. As soon as I realized what I had done, the emotions and the story dropped and I was one again with all. Separation only causes fear and uncertainty. Diving deep into the source dispels fear and anxiety and encourages love. It was amazing.

I clearly saw how the act was separating me and if I dropped the limiting behavior, I would again find myself in harmony and balance, one again with source and present with all those around me. I’m so happy I came back. It was a short diversion, but in the past could have lasted for months. Now it was only weeks. It was only me tricking myself. Silly me. It’s all here. It’s all one.

Lake Titicaca

Back from Peru. We arrived home Friday night – at least I think we did. Some part of me is still floating above Lake Titicaca. While we were visiting this magical lake, we met with the hotel and tour company owner Jorge Luis Delgado. Jorge is also the author of the book The Andean Awakening.

Jorge and our guide and Shaman, Amaru Li, are very old friends. Amaru asked Jorge to meet with us, so he joined our group as we sat outside in the brilliant Andean sun on the shores of Lake Titicaca. His hotel, the Taypikala Puno, is designed so that you can see the lake from practically every angle. (I was able to just roll over in bed at 5:30 in the morning and watch the sun rise over the lake. Spectacular.)

So, meeting with Jorge…he told us the most incredible stories about Lake Titicaca and it’s energetic connections to the other planetary ley lines and high vibrational centers on our planet. He also told us about supposed tunnels under the lake which connect to other portals. He spoke about our “space brothers” and their visits to the lake and the region. Jorge spoke with such clarity and integrity. He is a great Shaman and teacher and it was an honor to spend time with him.

Jorge is hosting a gathering of masters and teachers at the Taypikala Puno on February 14, 2010. I woke up the day after our talk and went down to the front desk and made my reservations for February. I don’t want to miss this.

This trip to Peru was profound. It seems like it’s taken me to another level, another state of awareness. This heightened state began in earnest in February 2007 when I went to Glastonbury, Avebury and Stonehenge to prepare for the trip I would take with a group in July of that year. Since then I’ve been on some incredible trajectory which has included visiting India for the second time, and my deep immersion into Ayurveda. I’ve traveled some of the most powerful ley lines on the planet, spent time in crop circles, and ventured into the depths of my own being. Somehow it’s all lining up in an astonishing way.

I know this is a lot to share, but I want you to know what traveling the world’s energy lines and chakra sites can do to you. Just be open to the possibilities and receive, receive, receive. I have a favorite line from the Borg…resistance in futile.

Receive.

see photos from the trip at: www.facebook.com/susan.l.weis.

Our day at Machu Picchu ended with a train ride to Ollantaytambo and a bus ride to Cusco. But on the way we had what Melissa described as a Bollywood moment –when a normal scene suddenly erupts into song and dance and just as quickly all goes back to normal again.

While on the train — and chatting with some lovely people who work in Antarctica “on the ice” — suddenly the lights came up and a man dressed as a Peruvian clown, carrying a stuffed baby llama, began dancing down the isle, tickling or maybe threatening people with the llama! After his dance we were treated to an alpaca fashion show! Two of the train attendants took turns strolling down the isle in beautiful alpaca wool clothes, to the sounds of Abba and others. It was alternatively hysterical and delightful! A totally unexpected experience.

What was even more fun was watching a parallel universe unfold as the same show (with different models but the same clothes) was unfolding at exactly the same time in the car in front of ours. It was so bizarre! Then just a quickly it was over…clothes folded and brought down the isle for sale and then back to normal, as we had not just witnessed a fashion show on the train from Aguas Calliente to Ollantaytambo.

So today, Sunday, we are spending a free day exploring Cusco before flying to Puno tomorrow morning. Then we will spend three days at the worlds highest lake, Lake Titicaca.

We have all been so taken by the stars in the Southern Hemisphere that I cannot even begin to imagine the star show we will receive at Lake Titicaca.  Everything here is so beautiful and experiences are heightened by the subtle and not so subtle energies running through this country.

More soon…(forgive typos! typing on a spnish keyboard…can{t find all the signs and symbols!)

Mother Earth

First of all I have to say that this post will be full of typos and other errors because I´m typing on a keyboard with half the letters rubbed off, and it´s in Spanish. ) If it wasn´t for the Conquistadors I´d be writing in Qatchua.) So please forgive me!
I´m sitting in our lovely hotel in Machu Piccu. We spent the day climbing among the ruins here. It was magnificent. Our group of 7 has already taken in so much of Peru and we still have a 6 days to go!
I just keep using the word ¨stunning¨reálizing that I´ve got to come up with another word to describe what we have seen, but I´m hard pressed to do so. Each day is more beautiful than the one before.
We arrived last Sunday night June 7 and it was quickly on to Cusco from Lima. When we stepped out of the airplane in Cusco the air had a stillness to it I´ve never experienced. At 12,500 feet, the altitude was up there! But it didn´t effect me in a negativeve way. Rather I think I felt a little high. I don´t know if it was the air or the beauty.
Cusco is said to be the old spiritual center of the country. It has a feel of Nepal or Tibet in the way the energy moves. Stunning. Unfortunatly, all the major Incan sites were destroyed by the Spanish who, in turn, built Catholic Churches over the ruins of the Incan Temples. At least they knew were the spiritual energy was…

But I digress…
One really funny thing…hot stone massage Incan style. Fellow travelers Ann, Melissa and I decided to try this out. Three of us in one room with three young Peruvian girls. I was face down on my table listening to the lilting sounds of Enya when suddenly my girl hopped up on my table and planted her feet on my butt and began some sort of introduction to the massage with her hands and feet alternatively walking on me and squatting over me. I hadn´t even seen her face! It was just so hysterical to me I began laughing with my face down in a hole in the table. It was one of those uncontrollable laughing fits. Melissa and Ann couldn´t see me as their faces were buried in the their holes too. I was laughing too hard to explain what was going on , but they soon found out! Finally she hopped down and I was able to see the face of the sweet young thing, Marie, who introduced herself to me by walking on my back.

This had to be the deepest massage I´ve ever had. As I didn´t know how to say ‘ not so hard,¨ I would say ¨no mas forte¨ — sounded good to me! She would just look at me and say, ¨mas forte?¨ oy….it was so funny. And actually a really good massage!

Oh now back to the trip! Pisac. Wonderful market. Bumped into a past life soul mate named Jose Luis. (I love when this happens!) and on to the amazing (and, ok, stunning) Sacred Valley. As soon as I can I´ll post photos and more comments.

But before this we had seen the ruins at Saxxywaman – yes, stunning. You see, everything here is so overwhelmingly gorgeous and moving that it´s hard to keep track of. I could have spent three days in each spot so far and still not have seen or felt enough. There is so much to take in and so much to appreciate.

I fell in love with a rock at the ruins of Olataytambo. I do believe it is the sister of another rock I love so much in Avebury. Somehow they were separated at birth and one landed in England and the other in Peru. Not so far fetched when you see these sites.

Our guide, Amaru Li, has arranged the most beautiful trip for us, down to the very last detail. The hotels are the best in the country, including a place called The Bountiful Lodge in Olataytambo. It´s run by a fantastic guy named Emillio who is half Chinese and half Peruvian and 100 percent awesome. The Lodge in on a rushing river with those enormous rocks and the Andes for a backdrop. Um…stunning.

So, tomorrow morning we will arrive back to Machu Piccu for sunrise around 6:30 a.m. I know a few hundred others will be there too, but I am so honored to be among them. When we arrived at Machu Piccu this morning  thought to myself, well, now I´ve seen everything. At 46 I have seen so much — of this world — and others.  I can´t even begin to understand how blessed I am.

More soon…adios. Buenas noche. (please forgive typos!!)

susan

I just got back from New York and Book Expo America. The show felt very different this year. It was quieter. Booksellers were all asking each other how things were going with true concern. For the most part the answer seemed to be that it felt kind of unpredictable. Some days were great. Others not so great. It seems to be a question of balance and figuring out how best to serve the public while serving ourselves as well.

At Book Expo the American Booksellers Association (the ABA) offers a day of educational programming geared toward booksellers. The classes are always well-attended and informative. We are all looking for ways to be be successful in this new economy. Looking at all the angles. Looking into the deep, dark corners. Planning for the long run. The ABA is a great support for us.

Besides bookseller and publisher angst there were plenty of high moments. For me it was practically sitting at the feet of Richard Russo and John Irving as they were being interviewed for a small group that gathered on the trade show floor. Oh that was amazing! To be so close to two of my favorite writers and to hear their candid thoughts on writing, reading and publishing.

Both of them now write screenplays almost as much as they write their novels. John Irving said he does them both at the same time. I’m not sure if that takes away from the novel — they both agreed that books are better than the movies! Russo said what movies show you, a writer needs to describe, so he always feels that challenge to “show” what he is talking about.

They both spoke about the structure of their novels. John Irving joked that they always involved a single mother, a dead child, and a town in New England. Both said they needed that drama to grab the writer. Russo said he often cringes when he gets to the point where he needs to describe some terrible scene, but it’s so key to the narrative.

It was such a revealing conversation. It’s moments like these that make me so so happy to sell books. To get the inside scoop from an author and pass it on to a reader. I love this.

ah. processing panchakarma. Ayurvedic detox and rejuvenation. I just returned from a week at the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque — Dr. Vasant Lad and Ed Danaher. Slathered in oil for days from head to toe. Treatments with ghee and herbs. No TV, no radio, no computer, no facebook! Just me, the therapists, the oil, Muktananda and Mararishi Mahesh Yogi (books, not in person – but maybe spiritually present!) I’m writing in these weird, incomplete sentences because I can’t really form the thoughts just yet. All I know is that this was my third panchakarma in a year and a half, and the effects build up one upon the other and it’s deeply — and simply — profound.

more to come.

Monday morning I was watching all the neighbors shovel snow off the walks, and Sunday evening I was watching neighbors in shorts and t-shirts grilling outside (not exactly a vegetarian’s delight). How weird. On Monday I came down with my second cold in a month. And by Sunday it was gone. I just don’t understand!

I’ve written about time accelerating, but this is ridiculous! It’s accelerates and we lose an hour, the weather goes from 10 degrees to 80 degrees and people seem to come a go with a greater rapidity as well.

So I’m confused.