September 30, 2008
After two hundred and five years of doing business in downtown Farmington, Howard's Rexall, one of the last remaining independent pharmacies in Maine, was bought out by The Rite Aid Corporation. Things to note in the photo are first, the door. This was Rexall's back door, a familiar site to us since our rear entrances were only five feet apart, and we popped over to Rexall's for drinks or scotch tape, or a yogurt, several times a day. On the door is a sign, pictured more closely to the left. The sign is, unnervingly, a kind of form letter. It reads, "Pharmacy Closed. If you like us now you'll love where we're going." That sentiment doesn't quite capture the moment for me.  I do not love where they're going, nor does the
woman on the poster bear much of a resemblance to either of the
Witt Brothers, who owned Rexall's. The next thing to notice in
the photo is the dumpster, which pretty much speaks for
itself.Is the corporate takeover of independent businesses, and the homogenization of long standing local economies, really something to be excited about. It is true that independent businesses give their resources, their money, time, goods, taxes, and services back to the community, but it is also true that in our current state of unregulated corporate expansion and consolidation, independent pharmacies, music stores, bookstores, and health food stores don't grow back. Locally owned stores give back to the community because they are an integral part of the community. The less independent businesses we have the less community we have. How melancholy it is to walk out our back door this morning, and how much that melancholy makes us appreciate the support of our customers, and the ongoing opportunity to make the literary life of Farmington as dynamic and enjoyable as possible by partnering with area libraries, schools, and our beloved customers. Here they are! Our weekly picks for the two best: two hardcover, two paperback, and two children's books. The very best new arrivals to leap out of the box and onto our shelves this week. Call or email us if you want more information on any of these titles, or to have us hold you a copy. Or stop in and check them out in person. We'd love to see you. Thanks as always for sharing your reading with us! |
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Holidays on Ice: Featuring Six New Stories
By Sedaris, David 2008/10 - Little Brown and Company 9780316035903 - Hardcover List Price $16.99 - Your Price: $13.59
Reissued with six new stories Holidays On Ice is twice the book it was before. Literally. The original edition only had six. It also has a funny new cover, though I must say that the simple elegance of the old cover, a photo of a glass of scotch on the rocks, had its charm too. If you never bought the original you can feel good about having waited. And if you did buy the original, ummmm....More
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South
By McDonnell, Patrick 2008/09 - Little, Brown Young Readers 9780316005098 - Hardcover List Price $14.99 - Your Price: $11.99
One would have to be heartless not to love this wordless book by Mutts author Patrick McDonnell. Even if you do happen to be heartless, South is still worth checking out as you will probably at least like it. ...More
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The Chess Machine
By Lohr, Robert Bell, Anthea 2008/10 - Penguin Books 9780143114369 - Trade Paper List Price $15.00 - Your Price: $12.00
The Chess Machine is a fascinating and well told novel built around an historical element, an 18th century mechanical chess machine which beat all comers. The secret of the machine is just one of many points of interest in this multi-dimensional story....More
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Porius
By Powys, John Cowper 2008/10 - Overlook Press 9781585679959 - Trade Paper List Price $27.95 - Your Price: $22.36
Powys' masterpiece Porius has been published in a fully unabridged form for the first time in this excellent edition by Overlook Press, which hired Powys scholars Morine Krissdottir and Judith Bond to restore the manuscript. Powys' evocation of fifth century Wales is a literary achievement of the first order, and one feels grateful to Overlook for undoing more than a half century of hateful abridgments.
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Speaking of fresh editions of medieval related material Nokter the Stammer fans will be cheered by Penguins fresh translation of his
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There's a Wolf at the Door
By Alley, Zo'e B. Alley, R. W. 2008/09 - Roaring Brook Press 9781596432758 - Hardcover List Price $19.95 - Your Price: $15.96
There is a great deal to be said for over sized books, and two heavyweights in the picture book division came out this week. In this corner There's a Wolf at the Door weighing in at 17'' by 12'' and featuring a playful retelling of five classic nursery tales. Its dual narrative structure, with character captions alongside the central story, will keep young listeners laughing and engaged. And in the far corner, weighing in at an even larger 18'' by 12'', is the extremely cool Lincoln Shot: A President's Life Remembered.
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This book, put together by a team from the National News staff, is layed out like a period newspaper, and includes a treasure trove of interesting historical photos and news clippings, worked around a very strong running commentary.
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Best Bear
By Dodd, Emma 2008/10 - Good Books 9781561486380 - Hardcover List Price $16.95 - Your Price: $13.56
This is a picture book for toddlers about being brave in the dark because your Best Bear is being brave too. And it is just the thing for the job at hand. Dodd's rhymes are a delight to read. For example...
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