Some Really Great Books For Gift-Giving

Some years I make lists upon lists of books for all ages. This year I have one list. And it’s a good one. In no special order.

Edison

EDISON by Edmund Morris  is the perfect book to give this holiday season.  Historians will need it for their libraries. Florida residents will want it for their Florida bookshelves.  And since Edmund Morris is a Pulitzer-winning biographer, everyone else on your list is going to want this book too. Boom!

The Women of the Copper Country

THE WOMEN OF THE COPPER COUNTRY by Mary Doria Russell is a story after my own heart.  It’s for all women. History in a novel. Love it!

The Starless Sea

I loved Erin Morgenstern’s first novel, THE NIGHT CIRCUS. Now she’s back with another blockbuster that will be great all wrapped up and under the tree.  Good for guys and ladies, young adult. Step out of your usual zone and into the magical world of this compelling novel.

Christmas In Vermont

CHRISTMAS IN VERMONT by Anita Hughes is the perfect little novel to brighten up your holiday craziness.  This one is her newest. I fell in love with CHRISTMAS IN PARIS a few years ago and have eagerly awaited each holiday book. A plus is that they are always trade paper. I usually save it for Christmas week.

Our Better Angels

The holidays tend to bring out the best qualities in  most people. OUR BETTER ANGELS is all about kindness and it’s a wonderful gift…

Biblio-Style

Each holiday I ask for one book. This is it this year. I could so totally move into these homes. This for the book lover on your list.

Tell Me A Story

Everyone loved Pat Conroy. And everyone is going to fall in love with TELL ME A STORY written by his widow, Cassandra King Conroy.  She shares with us parts of their life together and it is a force.

Giver of Stars

Just when I was actually growing weary of Jojo Moyes, along she comes with a fabulous new novel that is based on history and is about books and real people. A great book to find under the Christmas tree.

Most of these books are available at Copperfish Books.  The new hardcovers are discounted 20%.  One gift that is always wildly appreciated is a Copperfish Gift Certificate. They are available in any denomination you choose.  Great gifts for the kids to give their teachers, too.

Copperfish G/C

This is but a sample of the great books of the season. There truly are books for everyone.

Maurice’s December Musings

SBS Copperfish Gals

For me, Small Business Saturday truly kicks off the holiday season. This past Saturday was a stellar day for us at Copperfish Books. Our loyal customers were eagerly waiting for us to open the doors. Such a rush of happiness and joy to have a store filled with book-loving shoppers  eager to participate in the biggest holiday shopping day of the year.  They came from near and far. Barbara from Naples, it was such a pleasure to see your radiant smile in the crowd. You truly snagged some of the season’s best books.  Thank you for spending your day with us!

literary candles

December is usually all about the holidays and family.  However, since we’re moving into our new house at the end of the month, December is a lot different for us this year. For one thing we are not putting up any decorations, nor are we having a tree. I will miss the tree and look forward to having a real tree in our new house next year. The other big thing is that we will be on a cruise during the week of Christmas. Will not be with family. This is a first. But this year we needed to do something special just for us. Since our anniversary cruise over the summer was cancelled due to the new travel restrictions on cruise ships in Cuba, we decided to go all out and so I booked this cruise never dreaming we would be buying a new house so soon. Man oh man. But we are looking forward to relaxing and having someone else pamper us. We’ve booked massages and special dinners and plan to spend Christmas Day on St. John exploring the island.

In the midst of all this excitement, I’m working diligently on my winter Book Talks. I have some fabulous books to present and am looking forward to seeing all my book friends. January is going to be a HUGE month for me. And for books. Some of my favorites are coming out in January. Can’t wait.

As I pack up the house and all the books, I have a helper: the Fabulous Miss Mimi.

Fabulous Miss Mimi

And Kiki is making sure all her favorite stuffed mice get packed. Every time I turn around I am finding another mouse in the bottom of a big box. So cute.

Edison

I want to mention a big book that just came out.

EDISON is the perfect book for gift-giving this year! It’s great for everyone. Thomas Edison lived here in our backyard. So much in this part of Florida is dedicated to this brilliant man who gave us so much technology. We have copies of EDISON at Copperfish and they are 20% off.  You need this book!

I hope you get the chance to visit us at Copperfish this holiday season. We have such unique and fun gifts and books. And we have the best booksellers  who can personally recommend books just for you.  And don’t forget that there are unique little shops right next to us as well as great little eateries. If I don’t see you during the holidays I hope to see you when I visit your club this winter.

Book Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. And, as always, I wish you all a good book!

Shop Small Business Saturday at Copperfish Books

Copperfish Books

Come in and shop local at Copperfish Books. This is by far my favorite day of the year at the store. This is one of the reasons I work at an Independent Bookstore. We’ll be serving champagne mimosas and treats. We have gifts to give way. Look at this great coupon you’ll  want to take advantage of.

Great Coupon

 

We have unique and bookish gift items for everyone on your list.

Bookish stuff

This is a great time to get started on your holiday purchases. And to have fun. We know how to have fun!

Edison

I’m looking forward to showing off my favorite books of the seasons.

I have a book for everyone.  All of us have our favorites to talk about. But we have much more than books. We even have sox. Literary sox; great stocking stuffers, pardon the pun:)

literary candles

Small business Saturday is the perfect way to support local businesses and get your personal recommendations for gift-gifting. We have convenient parking located directly behind our store. You’ll find us on the corner of U.S. 41 North and West Marion Ave. Hope to see you tomorrow. Oh, and by the way, there are other unique gift shops right next door.

 

Capiz boxes & ornaments

Party Coasters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crisp Creperie is the New Kid in Town!

So inviting!

I’ve been wanting to have lunch at this new place in Cape Coral.  The festive bright orange umbrellas out front of the cafe beckoned.

This is the scene that greeted us as we approached this oh-so-atmospheric little cafe. So bright, so cheerful, and I immediately began to smile.

Great outdoor seating.

 

Upon entering, I loved that everything was so pristine. Not only that but everything is so welcoming, from the cheerful staff to the warm setting. We spotted the stools at the counter and immediately gravitated to them so that we could watch Chef Debi work her magic.

amuse-bouche

 

Alex, our very knowledgeable server,  explained  that everything on the menu is made from scratch.  By then we wanted one of each crepe.  Alex brought out this amuse-bouche complimentary to start with.  Liquid delight. Served cold, melon soup with a balsamic reduction that lit up our palate just as intended. Great start.

 

 

We  split an order of Herb Gougeres. These puffs of deliciousness were infused with manchego cheese sauce that exploded in my mouth. These were a new food for me and I absolutely loved them.

Herb Gougeres with Manchego Cheese Sauce.

 

We each chose a different crepe and decided to share.  I opted for the Seafood Crepe while Jack decided on The Arti. The Seafood Crepe

Seafood Crepe

was filled with fresh seafood and finished with a mushroom and tarragon sauce. There is also mozzarella and parmesan.  The Arti includes artichoke tapenade, turkey, red peppers and spinach. We both would have licked our plates if we were not in public. Truly.

Alex delivers our crepes.

We had talked about NOT having dessert before we got started. That quickly became a non-event once I spotted the Lemon Crepe. We decided to share. We did not have the homemade ice cream but it’s available and I’m told is amazing like everything else. Do not forget the sweet crepes.

Chef Debi with the Lemon Crepe

 

Crisp  Creperie opened  in The Coralwood Mall two doors from the theater this past summer.  Chef Debi  Hernandez is a classically trained French Chef from Seattle who’s already well-known and successful  through her Food Truck business in that region. We are so lucky she’s decided to bring her uniqueness to our area!

Food Truck

 

Jean Le Boeuf visited Crisp Creperie in July and gave them a three star rating. She loved everything.  And so did we.

News-Press Review

The business is available for catering. They will come to you or, you can book at the restaurant. It’s a unique and delicious way to celebrate a special event in your life or to jazz up an everyday affair.

Dining at the Creperie is more than merely having a meal.  I know I felt transported to another level and with the atmosphere, the music, and the fabulous food, well, it was more of an experience than just going out to lunch. Really cool to sit at the counter and watch Chef doing her magic creating the crepes on the three crepe makers. You can’t see that just anywhere.

I’m always looking for a new dining experience, and this one was fun and delicious.  Thank you Chef Debi and your friendly crew. See you again soon!

 

 

Maurice’s November Musings

It’s November already. Tomorrow is opening day for Maurice On The Move.  My first stop will be in Estero where I’ll be visiting the great readers at  the Estero Newcomer’s Annual Book Lecture. I’m excited to show and tell all about my favorite books of the season.  And to see all my book friends and hear what they’ve been reading.

There’s a lot going on in my life right now and it’s not just about the books. We’ve bought a new house and are preparing to move. We will begin the new year in our new home. Still on the Cape, just moving to the SW Cape from the SE Cape. Still, all the books and pets have to be packed up along with all the “stuff.”  We are downsizing somewhat. The house is smaller. But not tiny. And it’s still a house. Looking forward to spending time on the porches that are on the front and back of the home. The kitties are going to love it.

We’re also preparing for a big vacation. We’re cruising the week of Christmas. Our anniversary cruise to Cuba was cancelled due to new sanctions about cruise ships in Cuba. So, I found this amazing holiday cruise with Princess and we booked it.  We really need this getaway. And are looking forward to some big R&R. Once we are back on dry land we will be hitting the ground running so we can make sure to get into the new house before Jan. 1.

A little update about our

Woeful Wyatt

Wyatt. He’s been dealing with IBD. Even had a kitty cat colonoscopy. Ugh. It’s something he will have all of his life. It’s challenging to say the least. But we have discovered a diffuser that we plug into the wall in the room he spends the most time in. True to its word it helps calm him and that is helping so much.

I’m looking forward to being able to finally sell AMERICAN DIRT

American Dirt

by Jeanine Cummins. The publisher still has not announced the tour dates and locations. It’s very frustrating. But we are still hoping to be included at Copperfish Books.  You will see a big post when we find out. Pub date is set firmly at January 21.  Mark  your calendars.

Copperfish Books

Copperfish Books is offering some amazing gift items this season. I will be posting pictures of some of my favorites. Also, you don’t want to forget Small Business Saturday which is Saturday, November 30. I will be working until almost two and hope to see you  at the store. We will be serving special drinks and treats and it is going to be very festive. I hope you will come in to visit.  We have specialty gifts you can’t find anywhere else.

I’m working on gift-giving lists and will have those ready for the December newsletter. Until then , Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tell Me A Story by Cassandra King Conroy

Tell Me A Story

Those of you who’ve been reading my blog for any length of time already know that Pat Conroy is my all-time favorite author. Meeting him a few years ago is one of the greatest moments of my literary life.  Now his wife, Cassandra King Conroy, has honored us by sharing  the story of their married life. I feel both humbled and very grateful.

Cassandra King Conroy is an established and best-selling novelist in her own right. She’s written several award-winning novels that include THE SUNDAY WIFE which is my personal favorite.  Cassandra was actually married to a preacher at one time. So she certainly knows of what she writes.

Cassandra King Conroy

Cassandra King met Pat Conroy in 1995 at a literary event in Alabama where Cassandra lived.  Their relationship was almost strictly by phone for a while. They actually began dating in 1997 but the traveling between South Carolina where Pat lived to Alabama quickly became old.  So in 1998 they married, both were divorced and over fifty.  Cassandra moved to South Carolina and has been living there ever since.  They were married for eighteen years before Pat succumbed to pancreatic cancer a few years ago.  Between them they each wrote five books during their marriage.

When asked recently by Suzanne Van Atten of Atlanta Magazine about how she is coping with life after Pat’s death, Cassandra says,
 ” I keep thinking, okay, one of these days, this is going to get better. I never want to tell recent widows, but, it’s been three years since Pat died, and it seems like yesterday. I think maybe it’s because I’m still here, where he was. I see him walk in the house. I see him where he would usually be waiting. He would come down the stairs to greet me when I’d been out of town, or he’d be back in his room. And I’d stick my head in to tell him I was back. I see him everywhere. We have this beautiful creek here, and it looks like the cover of a Pat Conroy novel. Everyday, there are reminders. “

Those words  speak volumes about the relationship between Pat and Cassandra. I loved hearing about their passion for food, books, literature and the Lowcountry.  Pat Conroy led a  pretty tumultuous life before marrying Cassandra.  He definitely found peace with his King Ray. (his pet name for Cassandra)

Rick Bragg says  TELL ME A STORY is deep and moving and funny.

Mary Alice Monroe says,  TELL ME A STORY is the best memoir she’s read.

This book is her tribute to her larger-than-life Prince of Tides, her husband, Pat Conroy.  He passed away from the horrors of pancreatic cancer in 2016 at the age of seventy. It’s hard to believe there will be no more wonderful novels from Pat.

I met Pat Conroy one night in Miami when he spoke to a large audience of around 1000 avid readers and fans. He made all of us laugh and cry with his stories about his family.  And he stayed and signed his books until every last book was signed.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Cassandra King Conroy, for allowing us into the inner circle of your amazing life with Pat Conroy!

Cassandra King Conroy still lives in Beaufort, South Carolina where she is honorary chair of the Pat Conroy Literary Center. I look forward to reading her next novel.

My review copy of TELL ME A STORY was provided by William Morrow, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers. What a great gift for the holidays. I loved it!

I have wonderful  news! Copperfish Books will be hosting an afternoon with Cassandra King Conroy on Monday, January 13th between 3 and 5. We are thrilled. You will have a rare chance to meet the author at Twin Isles Country Club in Punta Gorda and enjoy a glass of wine or tea and delicious appetizers. Truly an enchanting opportunity.  Of course your ticket price includes a copy of TELL ME A STORY.

You can purchase your ticket online  or at Copperfish Books. Don’t diddle daddle because these tickets are for the hottest event of the season.  You can also just call the store at 941-205-2560. Hope to see you there.

Copperfish Books

We have copies at Copperfish Books. Come on in and get yours now. They are discounted 20%. I hope to see you soon.

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday From Rosy Tomorrow’s Heritage Farm Restaurant

 

Very happy ducks

I wanted to go somewhere unique for my birthday.  I remembered that a few months ago Tyler Florence had visited Rosy Tomorrow’s Heritage Farm while in Fort Myers for the big food truck race. Bingo! North Fort Myers here we come.

The farm is not far off the beaten path at all. In fact, we drove from Cape Coral down Del Prado extension and across 41 and we were in farm land. It was lovely. The driveway to the farm is long and lined with green pastures. In the distance you can see the cows lazily enjoying the  lush grass.  We were greeted by a bevy of pristine ducks that were so obviously happy that they even appeared to be grinning.  And we laughed along with them.  A bunch of turkeys were lurking but decided they really didn’t want to be photographed since it’s so close to Thanksgiving….

We were warmly greeted at the door by the colorful  host. The servers were friendly and knowledgeable.  It’s a very homey atmosphere. This place is filled with kindness and you can feel how much love goes into this venture.

Iced Kenyan Black Tea

I began my lunch with a lovely, refreshing  glass of Kenyan Black Iced Tea finished with a splash of lemonade. Such a treat.  And the table decorations are all fresh and made with food from the farm.

Homemade bread

 

 

I had read about the homemade bread served with farm churned butter topped with mangrove salt. Of course we HAD to have this. It arrived piping hot from the oven and was enjoyed by all.

Nicoise Salad With Shrimp

I  had to have the Nicoise salad when I read that the organic  long beans came from Worden Farm in Punta Gorda.  The Worden’s are longtime customers at Copperfish Books.  Not only was the salad delicious and healthy, it was finished with a Meyer lemon vinaigrette that was plate-licking worthy.

Jack and my friend Kit were not disappointed with their shrimp and grits topped with a gorgeous duck egg.

Shrimp and Grits with Sunny Duck Egg

 

 

Salted Caramel Beignets

I had decided before we even arrived that I had to save room for the Salted Caramel Beignets. I’m so glad I did. The others made oohing and aahing noises over their homemade pumpkin ice cream.

Rosy Tomorrow’s

 

Go for the food, but stay and  enjoy the surroundings. This is the real deal. What a great spot for a celebration! You can visit the animals and feel far from the urban population although you are so very close.  Don’t forget to make reservations. These people do it up right and they want to be prepared for you. You will not be disappointed.

 

Darling Baby Piglets