Barack Obama was recently spotted carrying a book by Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott. Walcott, a West Indian poet, is quoted in yesterday’s Washington Post and has written an Obama poem (listen to Walcott here).

That our new President-Elect reads is a great source of encouragement to many (especially booksellers), as is his recent selection of Elizabeth Alexander as the Inaugural Poet. As you have no doubt read, Elizabeth is a DC native and Yale professor who grew up amidst our area’s vibrant poetry scene. The poem published by the Post, includes a hat-tip to this tradition with its reference to Sterling Brown, a seminal figure for Washington area poets. (more…)

At Vertigo we try to be as green as possible. We try to reduce our impact through recycling, donating galleys and books, reusing boxes and packing material through several small businesses and our customers. But bags…well, bags are a problem. We try to ask if people need bags and while many do not take one, we still are using plastic. With Chico Bags, we could cut down even more and you might cross a few things off your shopping list.

Virtues of the Chico Bag include:
*teensy size with clip
*very lightweight but carries 20 lbs.
*washable
*very affordable at 5.00
*the perfect size for stockings
*many colors
*recyclable when worn
Just return the bag to Chico Bags and it will be reused or perhaps woven into a rug. Give one and keep one in your purse or car.

 
Some of you have long bought our book buyer’s recommendations (a.k.a. Todd’s picks). It is is rare that he expresses unabashed admiration for a publisher’s full list. But he has long been a fan of New York Review Books. He has said lovely things about their books for adults and children. Their titles are especially gift-worthy due to fine design and careful craftsmanship. But you may feel the need to buy one or two yourself–these are books you’ll want to hang onto.

If you share our admiration, we’re offering free buttons, bookmarks and a chance to win one of their nifty totes filled with galleys. Just purchase one or more of their great titles to enter. Enter by 12/22/08, winners will be notified shortly thereafter.

or PTA Moms (& Dads) Night Out–Complete with Vodka Raffle
Thursday, December 4 7 pm

UPDATE: Thanks to all who attended last night. It was a pleasure to host Sandra and the East Coast Burning Moms. Congrats to our raffle winners: Kate, Christine and Rebecca. Here’s the school Q & A site Sandra mentioned. If you missed the event, signed copies are available at the store.

Join us this Thursday to hear Sandra Tsing Loh discuss parenting, public schools, democracy and what have you. Like us, she thinks a little sense of humor can make almost anything both bearable and doable. Listen, laugh, buy a book and win a chance at a fine bottle of vodka.

While you may know her as a voice on NPR or as a writer, Sandra is also a leader in the Los Angeles public school reform movement and argues persuasively for public education.  Besides writing the Scandalously Informal Guide to the LAUSD,she and other yentas now answer public school questions at martini-fueled events in LA.