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Our Community: Customer Spotlights
Every month or so we will draw for a $20 gift
certificate & the opportunity to share your passion for
books as our "spotlighted" customer.
If you are
interested in being in our Customer Spotlight, please
email here.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The following is a Customer Spotlight on:
Erik Waiss
I've
been an avid reader since as long as I can remember. I
remember becoming rather bored with the books available at
my elementary school pretty early on and spent my 4th-8th
grade years in the reference section. It didn't take long to
figure out that an overnight checkout on Friday meant you
had all weekend to read that World Almanac or Guinness Book
of World Records before it had to be back on Monday. I take
after my grandfather Frank Waiss, formerly of Valparaiso,
who had quite a large library when I was younger. He would
let me borrow as many books as I wanted whenever I visited,
and on several occasions loaded up my parents' car with many
years' back issues of National Geographic. I started with
those Nat Geos and just a few books in high school, but as
soon as I got to college I started collecting. I have
officially reached the point that I just renewed my lease
rather than try to move them all.
I spent some time at UNL earning my BS and MS, and now earn
my wage as a Geologist for a small local Environmental
Company. My library continues to grow and spread, as I now
have several shelves of "reference" material behind my desk
at the office. I find I spend way too much time online in
general, and the untimely death of my home computer recently
has given me the much needed time to catch up on my reading.
Though it seems no matter how many pages I consume I still
have a whole shelf worth of "to be read". A Novel Idea
Bookstore does not exactly help me in that regard... Like
every good bibliophile I live with two cats, Clive and
Schrodinger, and they are ever so eager to "help" me when
I'm reading.
Q:
What are your favorite sections in our store?
A:
I spend most of my time split between Sci-Fi/Fantasy section
and the "Nook of Knowledge" in the Southwest corner of the
basement, wherein lies all the Natural History, Physics,
Geology and so on. I will admit I was personally devastated
by the basement flood of years past, mostly because the
Geology section was on the bottom shelf. Other than that I
always glance through the Horror, First Edition/Signed
copies, Gaming, Comics - and the New Arrivals shelf is good
for random discoveries.
Q:
Who are your favorite authors?
A:
H.P. Lovecraft, Glen Cook, Michael Moorcock, Tolkien, Jim
Butcher, Robert A Heinlein, Frank Herbert and Stephen King
dominate my fiction section. I also have nearly everything
published by Stephen J. Gould, lots of Stephen Hawking, some
John McPhee, and several by David Quammen slipped in among
the non-fiction/reference material.
Q:
What are five
books you've particularly enjoyed?
A:
Several leap to mind: House of Leaves by Mark Z.
Danielewski, Watchmen by Alan Moore, The Moon is a
Harsh Mistress by Robert A Heinlein, Monster of God
by David Quammen, and for useful hobby knowledge How to
Brew by John Palmer.
Q:
What has been your best book find in our shop?
A:
I am a real sucker for any old book, even if the subject
matter is odd. I've picked up several 100+ year old books
from the freebie bin on Toasts, Czech songs, and even 500
collected sermons. But my best find by far was at the
Brownville shop in the discounted bin, when I picked up an
1870's edition of the Adventures of Baron Munchausen
for next to nothing. I don't even care if it ends up being
worthless to collectors, I think it's a great old book that
I plan to read it to my nieces as soon as I think they'll
appreciate it.
Q:
What is your
fondest memory or favorite thing about A Novel Idea
Bookstore?
A:
Before the flood there was a nice cushioned chair down by
the "Nook of Knowledge". Often, Silas would lead me down to
the basement and insist in his own cat way that I sit and
pet him for awhile. After 5 or 10 minutes, he'd get up to
show he'd had enough, so I'd get up and he would immediately
jump back into the warmed chair. I fell for this ruse many,
many times. I miss Silas and Okay, but I'm happy to see that Padric and Eddy are keeping their memory alive and making us
create new ones about them. Other than the cats, I am always
pleasantly surprised when Cinnamon or Katherine calls me up
to say they found a book for me. It's a great feeling to
have a place that knows you well enough they'll find books
you didn't even know you wanted!
The following is a Customer Spotlight on:
Walter McDowell
I
have not always enjoyed reading. In fact, I use
to avoid any lengthy reading all together - which, much to
the annoyance of any English teachers I had in junior high
or high school, served me well until I was about 15 or so.
17 years later, I read more than enough to make most
people's heads spin. I currently read about a book a week
and sometimes that number can jump up to two or three and
sometimes even more.
I grew up in Lincoln and have called this town home for most
of my life. I currently work for a company that does
contracted work for the Nebraska Lottery. I've been there
three years and it is really not want I want to be doing. I
would much rather be acting, or creating art, or even
reading more. All things in good time, all things in good
time.
Q:
What are your favorite sections in our store?
A:
I love the whole store - but you know what I really get a
kick out of is looking at the New Arrivals section. You
never know what you are going to find on that shelf.
Q:
Who are your favorite authors?
A:
Walter Mosley, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Bentley Little,
J.K. Rowling, Sherman Alexie,
Kurt Vonnegut, Charlaine Harris, Fannie Flagg, John Grisham,
Chuck Palahniuk and Sarah Vowell. I should probably include
a few more but names escape me at the moment.
Q:
What are five
books you've particularly enjoyed?
A:
Futureland: Nine Stories of an Imminent World by
Walter Mosley, Different Seasons by Stephen King
(more specifically the story The Breathing Method),
The Godfather by Mario Puzo, The Giver by Lois
Lowry, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K.
Rowling (really the whole series...the last book is only
named because there is hope for the future).
Q:
What has been your best book find in our shop?
A:
There have been a couple. Most notably would problem be the
art books that I have found on Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jacob
Lawrence and Keith Haring. I am still kicking myself in the
butt for not buying the dual set of Frieda Kahlo and Diego
Rivera works.
Q:
What is your
fondest memory or favorite thing about A Novel Idea
Bookstore?
A:
Really, how can I pick only one? I love the store, and will
continue to love it well into the future. Some people would
argue that a library card would be cheaper, but I wouldn't
get the same satisfaction from my finds, if I had to return
them.
The following is a Customer Spotlight on:
Lora Black
I
have always loved books. I grew up on a farm in the
southeast corner of the state.
While in High School I used to bicycle all over the section,
and my favorite place to "haunt" was an abandoned farmhouse.
I discovered a covey of books hidden in a cupboard under the
stairs. Some were stamped with the Clifton library stamp (an
old country school long gone). Others were stamped with the
Aldrich name. Soon, I realized this old house was letting
moisture and mice in to slowly destroy these old books. I
drove over one day, and loaded them all up, and took them
back home. I schlepped them around on my travels for a
few years, out to Colorado and Texas, and then back to
Nebraska. I finally donated them to the Nemaha County
Historical Society. Years later, I learned that some of
those books belonged to Benton Aldrich, who started the
first lending library in the state. Cool.
I have been an announcer at NETRadio for 19 years, and love
presenting classical music to the state. A favorite project
of mine during this tenure was to do live and taped readings
of Nebraska authors for air. I also am invited to book clubs
to do readings, as well. I love to garden, bike, read, see
movies and do yoga, and enjoy traveling and being with
friends. I have 3 grown children and one granddaughter who
make life very special. Oh, and I have 3 cats, Tink, Gus-Gus
and Mowgli.
Q:
What are your favorite sections in our store?
A:
Fiction, travel, historical fiction, special leather bound
books that I use for gifts. Actually, the whole
store...wherever the Cat leads me...
Q:
Who are your favorite authors?
A:
Jean Auel and Dan Brown
Q:
What are five
books you've particularly enjoyed?
A:
The Art of Racing in the Rain, The Secret Life of
Bees/The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (
TIE), Lost Symbol, The Book Thief, Shadow of the Wind
Q:
What has been your best book find in our shop?
A:
Shadow of the Wind
Q:
What is your
fondest memory or favorite thing about A Novel Idea
Bookstore?
A:
It isn't just one memory
for me. I always leave the store with a smile on my face,
even if I didn't find the book I was looking for. The
reason? The great customer service. Everyone who has waited
on me, is really interested in helping me find the book.
Plus, you can tell they enjoy their job. So, between them
making me feel welcome, as well as the cats, it is a very
pleasant shopping experience!
The following is a Customer Spotlight on:
Janice Jillson
I'm
proud to say I'm a baby boomer and two-time breast cancer
survivor. I love life and am happy to be alive. Facing
serious health issues has helped me appreciate the good
things in life - laughter, music, books, good friends and
family. I have had a book addiction since childhood; it's
genetic. My mother and father are/were serious book-a-holics.
Mother took me to the library in Clarinda, IA, where we
climbed the steps of the old Carnegie Library, then went
separate directions to search for literary treasures. Mom
went upstairs to the adult library; I went down to the
children's library. After I checked out my selections, I
went upstairs and waited for Mom in the old, weathered
leather chairs. To this day, I still love the smell of old
books, bookstores and libraries. I am an administrative
assistant for a non-profit developing affordable housing. My
husband and I are musicians and members of the Burnt Biskits
Band. We play bluegrass, oldies, gospel and comedy tunes.
Q:
What are your favorite sections in our store?
A:
Spirituality, Art, Biography, Adventure/Travel, Nature,
Health
Q:
Who are your favorite authors?
A:
May Sarton, Bill Bryson, Elizabeth Berg, Thich Nhat Hanh,
William Least Heat Moon, many adventure writers.
Q:
What are five
books you've particularly enjoyed?
A:
Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words
by Peace Pilgrim;
Polar Dream: The First Solo Expedition by a Woman and Her
Dog to the Magnetic North Pole
by Helen Thayer and Sir Edmund Hillary; Tasha Tudor's
Garden, by Tovah Martin;
Grayson, by Lynne Cox;
Having Our Say: The Delaney Sisters' First 100 Years,
by Sarah L. Delaney, A. Elizabeth Delaney & Amy Hill
Hearth.
Q:
What has been your best book find in our shop?
A:
Griffin and Sabine: An Extraordinary Correspondence
by
Nick Bantock.
Katherine told me about this book and also helped me find
the rest of the Griffin and Sabine trilogy.
Q:
What is your
fondest memory or favorite thing about A Novel Idea
Bookstore?
A:
I was once having a particularly low day while at work. I
walked from my office to A Novel Idea. My legs felt like
lead; my head was foggy. Katherine and Cinnamon treated me
like I was the best customer to walk through the door (like
they treat all customers); Katherine gave me a hug; Cinnamon
gave me that sweet, sunshine smile and showered me with
kindness; I spent some quality time with the cats and books.
About an hour and a half later, I walked back to work with a
bag full of books and a smile on my face. What's better than
a place where you can count on finding genuinely loving
people, two cute cats and being surrounded by books? I walk
through the door of A Novel Idea and I get that same cozy
feeling I had as a child at the Clarinda Public Library. I'm
home again.
The following is a Customer Spotlight on:
Cliff Bridges
I've
haunted A Novel Idea Bookstore for more years than I care to
remember. I was born in the illustrious state of Mississippi
two or three days after the Earth's crust cooled. As a small
boy, my Aunt read The Iliad to me and gave me a love
for the classics. (I believed I was Achilles during that
time.) I studied European History at Millsaps College in
Jackson and Military History at UNL. I've taught at UNL and
Nebraska Wesleyan, leaving my students with little or no
damage from the encounter.
Q:
What are your favorite sections in our store?
A:
My
favorite sections are History, Mythology & Folklore and
Science Fiction.
Q:
Who are your favorite authors?
A:
John
Keegan, Louise Erdrich, David Weber, Christopher Moore, Dan
Chaon and Nadine Gordimer.
Q:
What are five
books you've particularly enjoyed?
A:
Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence, The
Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, The Anabasis
by Xenophon, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, and
Lamb by Christopher Moore.
Q:
What has been your best book find in our shop?
A:
The Thirty Years War by C. V. Wedgwood
Q:
What is your
fondest memory or favorite thing about A Novel Idea
Bookstore?
A:
The day I found the store sixteen years ago!
The following is a Customer Spotlight on:
Ladd Wendelin
I'm
28 years old, and originally from Oberlin, Kansas; proud
home of the Last Indian Raid on Kansas Soil in 1878. Not
much has happened there since, except maybe the time I
accidentally rammed my Dad's SUV into a support wire that
upheld the Christian radio station tower. Ah, memories. I
graduated from Concordia University in 2004 in Seward, NE
with a B.A. in Interpersonal Communications. I've lived in
Lincoln since graduating and always within walking distance
of Novel Idea, of course. In October, I'm going back to
school to get my graduate teaching degree and become a high
school English and drama teacher. From there, sky's the
limit.
Q:
What are your favorite sections in our store?
A:
Drama, Fiction, Graphic Novels, New Arrivals...although
you'll probably find me perusing just about every corner of
Novel Idea.
Q:
Who are your favorite authors?
A:
David Sedaris. Sarah Vowell. Alan Moore. James Kochalka.
Kurt Vonnegut. J.R.R. Tolkien. Franz Kafka. F. Scott
Fitzgerald. William Shakespeare.
Q:
What are five
books you've particularly enjoyed?
A:
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. On
The Road by Jack Kerouac. Illuminations/A Season in
Hell by Arthur Rimbaud. Angels in America by Tony
Kushner. Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut.
Q:
What has been your best book find in our shop?
A:
The Necronomicon. No joke. It was a mass market
paperback that I found snuggled in a shelf, and my first
thought was to recite a few choice passages from it and
unleash armies of the evil dead on downtown Lincoln. Nah...
Q:
What is your
fondest memory or favorite thing about A Novel Idea
Bookstore?
A:
I've been a Novel Idea addict for almost 10 years now. It's
hard to believe, but I can still remember visiting the store
those first few times and just being in total awe at Novel
Idea's selection. I remember Silas and O.K. The cats have
always been such an integral part of Novel Idea, and it's so
nice to see the new cats on the block greeting customers or
sleeping in the windows after hours, twitching and jerking
while they dream of balls of string or mouse pate. Nothing
compares to finding that elusive copy of whatever book I had
my sights set on and walking home with a world famous Novel
Idea bookmark tucked in between the pages. I'd say about
10/6th of my library is composed of books
purchased over the years from Novel Idea - one of my
favorite shops in sunny downtown Lincoln.
The following is a Customer Spotlight on:
Charlotte Kyriss
I
am a lifelong Lincoln resident, and work as a librarian at
Bennett Martin Public Library in the reference dept. I have
a BA in Business from Doane College and am working (at a
snail's pace) on my Masters in Library Science. I'll be
married for 15 years this Sept and have one daughter
starting second grade.
Q:
What are your favorite sections in our store?
A:
Quilting, cookbooks, and history.
Q:
Who are your favorite authors?
A:
David McCullough, Ellery Queen, Bob Schieffer, Rex Stout;
quilt books published by That Patchwork Place. I also follow
these series: Aunt Dimity, Bishop/FBI Special Crimes Unit,
The Cat Who..., Charlotte Adams, Kinsey Millhone, Mrs.
Murphy, The Psychic Eye, Stephanie Plum, Turing Hopper.
Q:
What are five
books you've particularly enjoyed?
A:
The Illearth War by Stephen R. Donaldson (second book
of the Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series), Dune
by Frank Herbert, The Martian Chronicles by Ray
Bradbury, On the Night of the Seventh Moon by
Victoria Holt, Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy L.
Sayers.
Q:
What has been your best book find in our shop?
A:
The D-Day Atlas: The Definitive Account of the Allied
Invasion of Normandy by John Man
Q:
What is your
fondest memory or favorite thing about A Novel Idea
Bookstore?
A:
I walk by the shop daily on my lunch hour and must stop to
browse through the FREE box(es), and then the shop just
seems to suck me on in through the front door. I can run
down to the basement and do a quick browse to see if there
are any new quilting books I just can't live without. I
never have enough time to look through the WWII, World
History, Biography, and Cookbook sections. When running
errands on weekends, my daughter always asks to visit the
kitties' bookstore - we are temporarily cat-less and it's
nice to have fuzzy, purring critters to pet. The staff at
the shop are always welcoming and listen politely while I
inflict upon them a two-minute review of my latest read!
The following is a Customer Spotlight on:
Rob Tobin
I am a 50+ year-old AARP member. I have a PhD in Geosciences
and work as a Technical Writer. I serve as a Major in the US
Army Reserves and was wounded in Iraq. I've been married for
27 years and my wife and I have 3 daughters and 1 grandson.
Q:
What are your favorite sections in our store?
A:
Classics, Anthropology & History
Q:
Who are your favorite authors?
A:
Homer, Tolkien, Ernst Mayr, Tolstoy & G.G. Simpson
Q:
What are five
books you've particularly enjoyed?
A:
The Iliad, War & Peace, The Lord of
the Rings Trilogy, The Meaning of Evolution and
Popular Species & Evolution
Q:
What has been your best book find in our shop?
A:
The Biology of Ground-Dwelling Squirrels
Q:
What is your
fondest memory or favorite thing about A Novel Idea
Bookstore?
A:
I have frequented the shop since it opened in it's
old location east of the Federal Building, and came home to
tell my wife about the "Hippie Bookstore" that I'd found. My
wife shops here, and our daughters have all grown up coming
here. I've known the proprietors and staff well over some 18
years. They sent me books when I was in Iraq. Good people!
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