Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Perry Mason Pulp



I haven't over analysed what it is about these pocket book mysteries that I seem to love, but I do love them. Maybe they just remind me of old photographs of my mother and my aunt decked out in their glam 60's attire?

In many ways these books, that I picked up a couple of weeks ago from a used bookstore, yet another used bookstore that is going out of business, delight me for their covers alone. I can't say that I've ever finished an Erle Stanley Gardner novel, and I do admit the titles are shockingly politically incorrect, but I like these little paperbacks anyway. Little pieces of pocketbook history. Small items of beauty like costume jewellry.

My home from work, sickish husband just walked by one of the books, read the title out loud and laughed. See, they're awesome!

I also like the line I just read in wikipedia discussing the rigid plot patterns that states,

"...a study of Gardner’s novels by critic Russel B. Nye did expose a pattern. Nye called Gardner’s novels as formal as Japanese Noh drama." Funny.

So. There are a bunch of these beauties at the studio now, along with some other new paperback children's novels I've acquired. Come on by and see them.

We have selected our opening times so if you would like to stop by the studio and see some of Annette's work and/or pick up a quick read come see us:

wednesday to friday 11 - 6
weekends and any other time by appointment.
Email: thestorybookrobin@hotmail.com  
We are located in Portsmouth Village in 'the little white house' @ 55 Mowat Ave. Kingston, ON Canada 



Tuesday, October 23, 2012



i wanted to talk about my mission for the storybook robin. Where did this idea come from, and why oh why am I doing this and where is this going? maybe it doesn't matter to you (then i'd suggest you read no more,) but maybe you'd be interested in this little bit of history. 
i like story, so maybe you do too?

this year has been a strange year where i've had a bit of a curse with my health and in the end a blessing. the blessing is that i've been given time to do some of the things that i absolutely love. one is writing, and two is collecting old books. 

both are born in the blood. 

re: writing. i don't think there is one member of my fathers side of the family that doesn't write - hasn't attempted it anyway. we write. all of us. 
re: old books - on that same side of the family we all like old things - maybe because we are becoming 'old thangs.' but all of us seem to be collectors of some sort - maybe a little OCD? as long as it's managed it is wonderful though, right? if it's not, it can just become a bad case of hoarding. :) 

in the storybook robin case i can assure you it is an art form that will be organized nicely and will offer a wide variety of books from escape reads to vintage beauties.

i'll tell you about the storybook robin now. 

to begin with i live in an absolute gem of a community. we have it all. good neighbours, the lake, an eclectic array of homes where no two are alike, we have a tavern, a walking trail, a post office... it goes on and on. but the one thing we do not have is a library or a book store. so that is where the storybook robin emerges.

it emerges from a passion for books, especially old tattered books - admittedly children's being my favourite. it will be built on the desire to give community a meeting hub to re-energize in the gentle art of reading and perhaps, just perhaps, the thrill of discovering an affordable gem. i believe that where quality literacy exists, people have the resources they need to build imagination, grow culturally and build a rich and vibrant community.

so i reclaim books. i pick them like golden apples.... from flea markets, yard sales and auctions and i now offer them to you. that's what i've been doing. and i now offer this to the community with pleasure.






Saturday, October 20, 2012







last sunday the doors opened to the little white house. signs were set out and the flag was waving. we endeavoured to welcome our neighbours and friends, and some brand new people we met for the first time. inside we had treats and all sorts of lovlies.

it was a lot of fun. there really was an excitement that built from the idea of a book boutique. there were all sorts of ideas around book exchanges, book clubs and themes that people would like to see. who knows maybe readings?? 

three books were even purchased! i was so excited to see my vintage pop-up goldilocks go into the hands of a proud grandma who was going to take it to her granddaughter on an upcoming visit. the week previous, my 1970's jumbo sized Poky Little Puppy board book went to another woman who purchased a pair of baby bloomers from Annette and the Poky book thinking they would go together perfectly. what a great idea! books and quilts (or hand-made baby apparel in this case.)  

how about that for cozy?

we haven't set a date for our next opening, but we will be setting up regular opening times soon, esp. in time for all the holidays on the way. as soon as this is figured out we will announce when our opening times will be. 

inside the studio there are all sorts of things such as greeting cards, hand-made quilts in an assortment of sizes, with colours that will make you swoon, table linens, collage, paintings and of course my books.
and just because i find it very exciting, i have to add that i have just landed a whole bunch of pocket paperback perry mason mysteries which just sort of tickle me somehow with their naughty covers - i hope to have some pics up of them soon.

come visit us. we want to meet you!