Monthly Archives: August 2014

Back-to-School Reading List 2014

Posted on by under The Reading Life

It seems like just yesterday Bas Bleu was firing up the grill for Memorial Day, yet kids across the country already are heading back to school. While we don’t envy them their math tests, history papers, or gym classes, we are a little jealous thinking about all of the amazing books they’ll discover this year.

But never fear! Just because you aren’t packing fresh pencils and a new Trapper Keeper into your bag this week doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a pile of amazing new books at your fingertips. Continue reading →

Q&A: Gloriæ Dei Cantores

Posted on by under Q & A
Gloriæ Dei Cantores (Photo credit Steve J. Sherman)

Gloriæ Dei Cantores (Photo credit Steve J. Sherman)

Among the bevy of exciting new items in our forthcoming Autumn 2014 catalog you’ll find The Chants of Christmas, a collection of holiday music performed by Massachusetts’s famed Gloriæ Dei Cantores choir. This CD is just the latest in a series of the choir’s recordings to be offered by Bas Bleu, and we think you’ll love it as every bit as much as The Chants of Angels and Mozart: Rare Choral Works.

As the choir has gained something of a following among our readers—er, listeners?—we decided it was high time we learned more about this inspiring organization. Continue reading →

Best Book Characteristics: Cast Your Vote!

Posted on by under Q & A

They say variety is the spice of life. We say that certainly applies to the bluestocking life! When it comes to books, we’re always on the lookout for something new. And yet we all have our “triggers,” details we take into consideration—sometimes subconsciously—when determining if a novel is worthy of our time and favor. This week as we sort through the towering stacks of review copies perched on (and under and alllllll the way around) our desks in the Bas Bleu editorial office, we thought it would be fun to hear what qualities are most important to you when selecting your next read.

If you can’t choose just one, yes, you can vote multiple times. And rest assured these polls are anonymous, so…be honest!




 

Did we miss something? Tell us about it in the comments below!

August Book a Month: Ten Trees and a Truffle Dog

Posted on by under 2014 Book a Month

TenTreesAs part of our 2014 Book a Month program, each month we’re offering discussion questions about the featured work—for book clubs as well as thoughtful individuals. You may use the questions to reflect back on each book once you’ve finished it or to guide you as you read. Either way, we hope these features will enrich your reading experience. (We’ll do our best to avoid plot spoilers, but you should proceed with caution!)

For our August Book a Month feature we’re taking a different tack than usual. This month’s selection, Ten Trees and a Truffle Dog: Sniffing Out the Perfect Plot in Provence, is the entertaining real-life account of British ex-pats Jamie and Tanya Ivey, who set out to find their own little corner of heaven among the picturesque vistas of Provence. Continue reading →