There’s big news at the bookstore–and we don’t mean the arrival of Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom, Suzanne Collins’ Mockingjay or Wolf Hall in paperback (though they have perked things up considerably in a month to which, usually, the adjective torpid barely does justice). No, we’re referring to the return of the mystery swap, a bookstore institution whose abrupt disappearance several months ago left Slope sleuths scratching their heads.

The solution, as in the best mysteries, was deceptively simple; as a clue, we’ll merely say spring cleaning got a bit out of hand. (Forty years ago, speaking for the older members of the staff, we would have skipped the cleaning and gone to Ft. Lauderdale, but one finds one’s fun where one can these days). Swap rules are simple: exchange one pre-read mystery for another and give us a dollar for each book swapped. Because we cleaned out most of our old stock we’re down to not much, so we will find some appropriate way to recompense anyone who brings in bagd of mysteries to replenish our shelves.

Speaking of Ft. Lauderdale, that cultural reference may be lost on most of you who tweet, but we’d like you to become followers of “CommunityBkstr” all the same. We’ll be tweeting about such things as hot new books, coming events and the rediscovery of forgotten gems–not unlike our risen-from-the-dead mystery swap.

It’s been a bit quiet of late at the old bookstore (celebrating its 39th year!) what with owner Catherine Bohne’s determination to park herself in one of the few remaining places on earth (Albania’s Valbona Valley) reachable by neither Internet nor cell phone. We are, however, regathering steam, energized by Catherine’s faith in us to run the store in her absence, and by the wonderful loyalty of our customers to our book-lined and somewhat Bohemian lair, as distant from a big box chain store as Brooklyn is from Bajrum Curri (the Albanian village where Catherine goes once a week to shop).

What better way to get things going again than with a reading this Wednesday, 7pm, by Brooklyn’s own Jennifer Egan? In its rave view of her newest book, A visit from the Goon Squad, The New York Times wondered “whether this tough, uncategorizable work of fiction is a novel, a collection of carefully arranged interlocking stories or simply a display of Ms. Egan’s extreme virtuosity.” You can ask the virtuoso yourself Wednesday evening, and hear a bit from what we think is one of the best-crafted, most intriguing and most readable books of the year.

More news coming soon!

Jennifer Egan reads from her acclaimed new novel, A Visit from the Goon Squad, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 7pm.

Dear Park Slope!

Hi – It’s Catherine, writing from an internet cafe in Bajrum Curri, Northern Albania — I’ve owed you all a long-promised email for a while now, but the longer I wait, the longer the story gets . . . . So now (typically) I’m writing to ask for your help.  As some of you know, since last July I’ve been spending a lot of time in Northern Albania.  It is the most beautiful, magical place, with some of the best people in the world (after Park Slope, of course!).  Also, typically, I’ve gotten involved in trying to help people here.  For the last 10 months that just consisted of basic stuff (websites, puttering), but in the last two weeks a situation has blown up here.  And of course I’ve sort of ended up in the middle of it.  The Valbona Valley where I’ve been half-living is traditionally one of the toughest places in Europe – they don’t call it these the Accursed Mountains for nothing!  Perhaps in order to survive the people have become both adapted to the land AND fiercely protective of each other — really GOOD to each other.  And to me!  Now the local government -  which, like most government in Albania, is very corrupt – is moving to grab land in Valbona.  And the Selimaj, my adopted family, are standing up to them.  This really is the little guy fighting against huge forces.  Will you help?

Here are the two videos I made so far which summarize the situation – I was up all night making the last one, so I’m sort of blotto right now, and I think the videos will be clearer than I will be.

Valbona Land Grab – Part 1 (5/9/10)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRH6zy7sYuE

Valbona Land Grab – Part 2 (5/10/10)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTdIr_-cgvIHi

And yes, in case you were wondering, it WAS me with the camera, so Islam Byberi was threatening old men and a smallish woman in a little pink sundress.  Nice, eh?  It’s worth pointing out two other facts:

1.  50% of the population of Valbona is under the age of 18, the highest percentage of young people in any village in the Margegaj Komun (local district).  So the old men you see fighting in these videos are not just protecting their own interests, they are fighting for the future of the children of Valbona.

2.  The Komun has published reports to various foreign investors promising over 80 infrastructure projects to benefit the people of Margegaj Komun and Valbona specifically, including really important things like bringing running water to the houses of Valbona village.  They were supposed to start work this summer.  They haven’t.  Instead, they’re rushing to build this tourism complex (with Ping Pong) which (you may have noticed) employs mainly members of the Head of the Komun’s family (who live in Shoshan, not Valbona).

I have more video from the protest at the work site that I’ll send as soon as I can.  It shows the police arriving on Saturday, May 8th, and declaring that all work should stop until a judgment is made by the local court on Tuesday (tomorrow).  You should probably also know that yesterday, while I was in town frantically uploading the first of these videos, the Selimaj returned to the work site, and met workers arriving to continue construction, against the police order.  They police actually came with them, and the Selimaj protested.  The police upheld the order to stop work, at the cost of three Selimaj volunteering for arrest – Zenel Ahmeti (45), Gent Ademi (35) and Naim Selimaj (29).  While in police custody, the Chief of Police entered their holding cell, asked “Which one of you is Gent?” and then hit him.  This is of course illegal.  And if you’re wondering who the Chief of Police is . . . yup.  Another Byberi.  (Gent’s out now and charges are being filed.)

Here’s what you can do:  Please write to the American Embassy in Tirana.  Here are the two addresses I could find online.  Maybe you have access to better addresses?

ACSTirana@state.gov

Tirana-Webcontact@usaid.gov

Phone: +(355) 4 2247 285

For good measure, you could cc the Albania media (and any other media you know):
fiksfare@top-channel.tv,
topstory@top-channel.tv,
shqip@top-channel.tv,

AND you could cc the two funders of the project:

Council for Europe Development Bank : info@coebank.org
Fondit Shqiptar i Zhvilliment: adf@albaniandf.org

You could say something like:
(although I’m certainly not the best expert on how to write these things)

Dear Ambassador Withers:

I am writing to urge you to use all possible pressure to encourage the Albanian Government to address the ongoing situation in Valbona, Tropoja.  I know the people of Northern Albania have a deep affection for the American people following the events in Kosovo and that they believe we can help them when no one else will.  In honor of this friendship I believe the American Embassy should take an interest in the unethical actions of the local government, particularly as threats appear to be being made to an American Citizen.

Here are two videos which give more information.
Valbona Land Grab – Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRH6zy7sYuE
Valbona Land Grab – Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTdIr_-cgvIHi

Thank you sincerely for your urgent attention.

That’s it!  Don’t worry about me though – the Selimaj won’t let anything happen to me, and I’m actually enjoying fighting a good fight.  (Alfred keeps trying to protect me, which I keep trying to point out is useless since although it’s very sweet, I really don’t know how to deal with it.)  I figure that if I get threatened, I must be doing something right!   Anyhow, I’ll be home soon and tell you all a lot more about it.  (Meanwhile I’ve got a baby rabbit in my hat and have to run down to the veterinary clinic to find out how to feed it . . . Eshte githmone dicka – “It’s always something”!)

The rest of the time, the valley really is the most peaceful place!  You should come visit!  (look at www.journeytovalbona.com)

Much THANKS, on behalf of the People of Valbona,
and from me too!

All Love,
Catherine

Thanks Katie for informing me of this recent news piece:

http://brooklynbased.net/everything/store-pets/

Be sure to check out the slide show! The pictures are priceless (especially of Marjorie and Karrthus).

Some books that have been next to my reading chair in a wee pile:

The Good Life: Helen and Scott Nearing Sixty Years of Self-Sufficient Living by Helen and Scott Nearing

A good read about this couple who absconded from New York during the Depression to escape the world of wage labor and start a sugaring farm in Vermont. Lots of information about how they built their stone house in a dell, what they did for power, why they did what they did.

Five Acres and Independence by M.G. Kains

Slightly outdated, but fascinating and still full of useful information. Kains’ practical discussions help to actually visualize what it takes to begin small scale farming, en route to becoming self-sufficient. A classic of the back to the land movement.

One Man’s Meat by E.B. White

White’s beautifully written musings during his time on a salt farm in Maine. Wonderful short essays about life in a small town, farming and what it means, as well as larger concerns like World War II, which was going on when these essays were written. What he writes here will resonate with anyone thinking of a simpler life, and probably anyone who’s not.

This is just the short stack that I’ve been dabbling in. There are surely more to come. Any suggestions?

The New York Times just published their list of the 10 best books of 2009. You can read their picks here.

Stay tuned for Community Bookstore’s own list of holiday gift suggestions, coming soon to a website and paper newsletter near you!

Congratulations to this year’s winners! Go here for more information. 

NONFICTION: T.J. Stiles, The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt

POETRY: Keith Waldrop, Transcendental Studies: A Trilogy

YOUNG PEOPLE’ S LITERATURE: Phillip Hoose, Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

Go to the New York Times website to read this interesting article about how some of the big chains sell books, and how it’s damaging to the industry as a whole:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/books/23price.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=wal%20mart%20grisham&st=cse