Moving on to Bigger things (stores)

My last day at the small store was last Saturday. I spent the day stripping books (about the most painful process there is in a bookstore: you take an otherwise perfectly fine book and strip off the cover and throw away the book, returning the cover to the publisher) and packing books. I only worked 4 hours, but I was sore the next day. Afterwards, all the employees and the manager and assistant manager had dinner together and went to see the new Pirates movie. I didn't really realize until that moment, how really few of us there were. Granted 2 people were missing, but only 8 of us sat around the table. I am still depressed and still in denial.

So I move onto the bigger store, probably this Sunday for training. The good news is that one of the employees from the small store is moving along to this store as well. So I won't be totally friend-less. :-) The irony is that I am moving into a store that just lost its manager. Yep, the person that interviewed with gave their 2-week notice about a week after I spoke with them. I called and left a message and no word from them. Asked the interim store manager at the small store and that's when I found out the manager was leaving. So I suppose the title of this blog really should be "Management's Revolving Doors- part 3". Does it never end? The assistant manager at the small store suggested that our manager put in for the position, but doesn't think that will happen as the commute would be horrendous. Bummer.

But now, finally, onto books. I have read so many, obviously, I don't even know where to begin. I suppose the best place is that I found a new author that I like. I read "Poison Study" by Maria V. Snyder and then took Magic Study with me to Europe. The book reminded me of "Warprize" by Elizabeth Vaughn. Its in first person with the female heroine being the narrator. The world in which the heroince lived I was easily sucked into. I ask myself why there are certain sci-fi books that I have no desire to read or are more challenging to read? Is it because you have different, semi-human beings running around and they take a bit of getting used to? I don't know, but this work only contained humans, some with magic, some with not.

I also have read the entire J.R. Ward "Brotherhood of the Black Dagger" series recently. Started one at the suggestion of the small store's assistant manager and couldn't put it down and devoured the rest. They are an interesting combination of a series that continues the story into the next book yet also manages to focus on the main story that is also happening. Some of the things that happen are a bit out there for me, but they don't seen to detract from the story even if the add to the story. You have to check them out.


Two books that I have read, "The Taste of Innocence" by Stephanie Laurens and "The Warrior Trainer" by Geri Russell were okay. Nothing that I will probably pick up again. Stephanie keeps going back to the same theme of convincing a woman that she is the one for the man by seducing her over and over again. And I had such hopes for the "The Warrior Trainer" based on the synopsis. In the end the heroine came across strong phsically but very wishy-washy in making life decisions. It didn't fit.


Having said all that, my last book to comment on is "Sugar Daddy" by Lisa Kleypas. When I read the synopsis, I felt personally betrayed that she wrote a contemporary novel rather than her fabulous historicals, and had my doubts. But I couldn't put the dang thing down once I started reading. It was just like her other novels, irresistible. Really, too be honest, its more of a novel than a romance. Yes, there is romance but not til practically the end of the book. Its more about the heroine growing up than anything else. Plus there is a twist in the story that you really don't see coming until its right there in front of your face, so, I begrudgingly say this is a great book. Why bedgrudgingly? Because I don't want to encourage Lisa too much and let her thinkg that writing nothing but contemporary is okay. There are so few great historical writers out there, that I will fight tooth and nail for that ones that I have now. Just so were clear, hmm?

All Things Must Come to an End (But Not This Blog!)

So much has happened. I have been busy going to Lisbon and London for my other job. Reading tons of books. Oh, yeah, and I just found out that my little bookstore where I work is closing at the end of the month. Ugh.

Apparently this was supposed to happen last month, but no one told us, so we went on our merry little way selling books. Now the store is on sale and people are asking questions, which we answer and each and every answer pounds home that in a few weeks I will not be working in the little store anymore. I have been offered a job at a big store near to where my everyday job is. Its a nice store, but I want my downtown store. All the people whom I have become friends with are moving onto other stores. I will have to make friends all over again. Double ugh.

This explains so much though. Why they haven't been actively seeking a new manager. If the store is going to close down, you don't need a manager do you?

On a risky front, I have written to the mayor and the redevelopment agency hoping they will intervene. But I am realistic. We are a tiny little guppy in a sea full of whales. If either of them take notice of me, I will be shocked. I consider this risky because if the corporate office were to find out what I have done, they may not agree that interferring with a business decision is a good employee decision. But I have to try for my own sanity.

So, my adventures will continue. Just not at the little store anymore. :-(