Today is Small Business Saturday — sandwiched between big businesses’ Brown Thursday and Black Friday on one side and big businesses’ Cyber Monday on the other. Yes in the midst of the marketing and promotion at large corporations and big box stores, Saturday is a quieter, gentler event that shines the spotlight on entrepreneurs.
So today, on Small Business Saturday, I’d like to remind everyone that books and music make for excellent gifts, and with Christmas less than a month away, books and music would be wonderful gifts for friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances.
For young readers between the ages of 8 and 12, there’s the Missy Barrett Adventure series that debuted this past summer. Missy Barrett is an amazing child who has a knack for being at just the right place when adventures and mysteries break out. Check out “Guess Where I Am, Mommy” and “Houston, We Have No Problem” for the inquisitive child in your life!
If you have a young adult reader that’s looking for something interesting to sink his or her teeth into, then “Grand Theft: Cookie” is a great choice! Adult justice and television show reality collide with childhood innocence in ways that will have readers crying and laughing at how society can impact on children raised in today’s world.
If the someone you’re buying books for loves quick reads with a message and lots of fun getting to the message, then you should pick up a copy of “Barracudas and Impalas” where readers are caught up in the excitement of Missy Barrett’s telephone conversation with her grandfather about the Classic Car Show she attended. Part of the Missy Barrett Conversation series, watch for new titles in 2014!
Sometimes people like to read short stories, “A Summer Of Somebodies: Cautionary Tales For Modern Times” is a collection of nine cautionary tales for modern times that gives readers a glimpse into the future that all of us are hurtling towards at an alarming rate. Starting with “FluxInTime and the Batman Blacklist Boogie Band” and right through to the last story, readers will enjoy the spectrum of stories in this collection!
“Glass On A Stick” is the story of Jenna Barrett (and the book where Missy Barrett makes her first appearance) — a single parent of three children, some who are diagnosed with serious health conditions. When people in the autism community start contacting her about a group of advocates, she can’t begin to imagine the degree to which some will bully and harass others just to make a name for themselves. With 374 pages spread across 24 chapters, this book is guaranteed to keep readers turning pages just to find out what happens next.
Idiomation: Historically Speaking is a blog I’ve owned and authored since January 2010. That first month, there were 16 hits to the blog … and all of them from my teenage son. Nearly four years later, the blog gets hundreds of hits every day and has been linked to by such esteemed places as The Smithsonian! Earlier this year, I published 75 of the most popular idioms from my blog in a resource book entitled, “Idiomation: Book 1.” Whether you’re buying for a literature or history buff, or someone for whom English is a second language, for a friend who is a literal thinker or a someone with learning disabilities, this first book in a series of Idiomation books is a great way to show that you care about what interests them.
And for the audiophiles on your list, there are these three CDs to choose from. “Countdown To Midnight” was released on November 29, 2007 with 12 songs. “Armistice Day” climbed to #3 on the World: Native American song charts and quickly became a favorite of those who support the Idle No More movement. The beautiful ballad “Infinity Squared” reached #16 on the Adult Contemporary Pop chart and “How Do I Begin To Believe” made it to #7 on the Southern Rock chart.
If it’s instrumental music you’re looking for, then you may find “Quietudes” released in June of 2005 or “Dreamtime” released in August of 2011 to be just right! “Quietudes” is a steal at just under $6 USD for 6 extended play instrumental compositions.
Meanwhile, the critically acclaimed “Dreamtime” CD is priced at just under $9 USD for 9 extended play instrumental compositions. Beginning with “Moon Chimes” and ending with “Such Splendor” the CD is a journey through emotions that leave the listener feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Whether you’re visiting this page on Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday or any of the other 363 days in a year, be sure to click through and add these books and CDs to your shopping cart. You’ll be glad you did.
Elyse Bruce
Historically Speaking 