2009 April | Better World Books

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Books on the Big Screen: My Sister’s Keeper

Posted by Dana on 04.27.2009 at 8:28 am

If you’re a huge Jodi Picoult fan – you surely already know that MY SISTER’S KEEPER is about to be a feature film starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin and Alec Baldwin.

The story is about a young girl who sues her parents for emancipation because she no longer wants to be used as an organ and tissue farm for her older, sickly sister.

If you haven’t already read the book — I recommend reading it before you see the movie. For no other reason than I rarely want to read the book after I’ve seen the movie!

As with all Jodi Picoult books the ending of this one was a shocker and if I’m being honest, one that I didn’t like. But here’s a little insider info for you: Read more…

Have your say » | Tagged Books on the Big Screen, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Cameron Diaz, Handle with Care, Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper Movie, Spoiler

Better World Books Podcast: Dr. Helen Fisher

Posted by Dana on 04.24.2009 at 7:46 am

Why do you fall in love with one person rather than another? In her new book Dr. Helen Fisher identifies four biological personality styles generated by brain chemistry; then using her study of 28,000 people, she shows who is naturally drawn to whom.

Dr. Fisher is the chief scientific advisor for CHEMISTRY.COM and her personality type test has already been taken by millions! She has been seen on 20/20, The Early Show on CBS and even The Colbert Report, so I was especially excited that she was able to take the time to sit down with me.

Once you read this book (and listen to the podcast!) you’ll never look at people (or more importantly, yourself) the same way.

Do you know what it means if your ring finger is longer than your pointer finger? How ’bout who should pay for dinner and why? (Scientifically speaking, of course). helen4 Read more…

Interview with Dr. Helen Fisher [24:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (150)

2 Comments » | Tagged Author Podcast, Author Interview, Author Podcast, better world books, Chemistry.com, dana barrett, Dr. Helen Fisher, Helen Fisher book, Helen Fisher interview, personality test, soul mate, Why Him? Why Her?

Earth Day at BWB: Save 20% on Used Books

Posted by Dana on 04.22.2009 at 7:51 am

tree_w_bookerflies Happy Earth Day!

Are you still wondering what you can do to celebrate Earth Day?

Well for starters, you can buy used books at www.BetterWorldBooks.com AND save 20%! Just use the coupon code EARTHDAY09 at checkout. And on Earth Day, we’re doubling all carbon offsets! In addition to being a great deal, by shopping Better World Books our customers have (as of today):

diverted 24.4 million pounds of books from landfills

saved 284,500 trees from being cut down

saved 12.2 million pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere

and saved 58 million Kwh of electricity from being used

Need some good green reading? Check out the great deal on Daniel Goleman’s new book: ECOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE and learn how knowing the hidden impact of what you buy can change everything.

Need more? Check out all of our Earth Day recommendations from green books and podcasts to our Earth Day Reader’s checklist and more!

You can also help by voting for Better World Books for the Business Week Social Entrepreneurship Award!

Have your say » | Tagged Dispatches from the Green House, Week In Review, boook coupon, business week, Daniel Goleman, earth day, Earth Day 2009, Ecological Intelligence, green books, used books

April 22 is Earth Day – How will you celebrate?

Posted by Dana on 04.20.2009 at 5:47 pm

earthday If you’re a (sometimes) cynic like me, wondering if Earth Day is just another “Hallmark Holiday” launched to serve some person or company’s bottom line, you can rest easy.

First of all Earth Day is not about buying gifts or spending money. Just the opposite, it’s about sustainability and conservation and just general environmental awareness. Also if you think all this green stuff is new, think again. I did a little research and found out that the first Earth Day was in 1970. It was founded by Senator Gaylord Wilson (D-Wisconsin) who called for an environmental teach-in to be held on April 22nd of that year in response to widespread environmental degradation. That year over 20 million people participated. Now Earth Day is observed each year on April 22 by more than 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries.

Better World Books will be celebrating Earth Day with a one day special when you reuse first and buy used books. On April 22 only, all used books bought on www.BetterWorldBooks.com will be 20% off. You’ll just enter coupon code EARTHDAY09 during checkout to receive this discount. (Of course shipping will still be free AND Carbon Neutral as always!)

We’ll also have lots of suggestions on how you can go green and celebrate!

Check back on Wednesday for BWB’s Earth Day Celebration and in the mean time let us know how you plan to honor the day!

2 Comments » | Tagged Dispatches from the Green House, better world books, earth day, Earth Day 2009, ReUse First, Senator Gaylord Wilson

Better World Book Club: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Posted by Dana on 04.20.2009 at 5:35 pm

Still not signed up for the Better World Book Club Newsletter? Our monthly book club email includes a synopsis of the book, discussion questions and even a great recipe. You can sign up by going to manage subscriptions now.

You can also catch the selections AND discuss the book here on the blog.

Our Latest Pick

HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford

As you can imagine, I love books and authors and love to do what I can to help promote them. It’s not just my current and former life as a bookseller that makes me feel this way — I have always loved books. So, when I come across a debut novel like this one, I am especially happy to be able to help get the word out.

Jamie Ford’s HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER & SWEET has officially become one of my new favorite books. Ford paints a personal picture of race, culture, family, love and loyalty in the 1940s in America. He shows us, through the eyes of children, a time we, as Americans, would rather forget; when Japanese Americans were rounded up and forced to live in internment camps. It is a politically important story for sure, but it is the personal story that sweeps you up and makes you unable to stop turning pages.

I loved Henry, both as a child and as a man. He is loyal, brave and young Henry seems wise beyond his years. What did you think of his quiet disobedience of his father? What about his father’s rule that he could only speak English at home when his parents only spoke Cantonese? Keiko and her family were so very American and worldly and open. Read more…

1 Comment » | Tagged Better World Book Club, Better World Book Club, book club, dana barrett, fiction, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jamie Ford, Japanese internment camps, World War II

Better World Books Podcast: Summer Rayne Oakes

Posted by Dana on 04.14.2009 at 7:51 am

Ever hear of a bug loving, Cornell educated “Eco-Model”? I hadn’t — not until I heard about Summer Rayne Oakes. She’s the real deal – a talented, smart environmental activist who is also a fashion and beauty industry insider. I had the chance to sit down with Summer Rayne to talk about her new book STYLE, NATURALLY where she details the best way to shop with sustainability in mind.

The book doesn’t choose a cause but gives you options whether you prefer fair trade, organic, all natural or buying local. Read more…

Interview with Summer Rayne Oakes [24:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (58)

1 Comment » | Tagged Author Podcast, Dispatches from the Green House, Better World Books Podcast, dana barrett, Style Naturally, Summer Rayne Oakes, sustainable fashion

Books for Africa’s First-Ever Shipment to Mozambique

Posted by John on 04.09.2009 at 6:00 am

What do you make possible when you shop Better World Books? These photos just came in from Mozambique where Books for Africa shipped a container-load of books funded by your purchases from Better World Books (container = those big metal boxes you see on trains and cargo ships).

The students pictured here attend the Ray of Light School where some of those books went. This container was shipped to the Baptist Convention of Mozambique. It was the first-ever shipment Books for Africa has sent to that country.