Author: Lou Wassel

This weekend at the Friends of the Troy Public Library Book Shop, we solemnly mark the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks.  Our Center Table features a poignant collection of photo documentary volumes that capture the events and aftermath of that fateful day.  Join us in honoring the memory of those we lost while reflecting on the enduring resilience of the human spirit. In addition, our Center Table is showcasing books celebrating the rich history and picturesque glory of Detroit and Michigan.  Delight in pages filled with stunning photographs and fascinating stories that highlight the essence of our beloved city and state.  Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a recent newcomer, these books offer a captivating glimpse into what makes the Motor City and The…

The Friends of the Troy Public Library are thrilled to celebrate the arrival of our brand-new Bookmobile!  This library-on-wheels is set to roll through your neighborhoods, parks, schools, and events, bringing over 1,000 books and other materials as well as wealth of library services right to your doorstep. We are incredibly proud to have contributed $25,000 towards this fantastic Bibliobus, thanks to a generous grant from the Michigan Nonprofit Relief Fund.  Huge shoutouts to the Michigan Nonprofit Association, Troy Chamber of Commerce, and Advancing Macomb Nonprofit Roundtable for their invaluable assistance in guiding us through the process.  It was truly a team triumph, and we couldn’t have done it without you! Oh!  And one more thing: The Friends also pitched in an additional $10,000 to stock the Bookmobile…

Hey, Friends! 📚 Just a quick note that both the Troy Public Library and our Book Shops will be taking a short break from August 31 – September 2 in observance of Labor Day.  We hope you enjoy the long weekend and stay safe! 🎉 Meanwhile, a heartfelt thanks to the entire Friends team! 🙌  As an all-volunteer nonprofit, your dedication and hard work are the backbone of everything we do.  From sorting donations to stocking shelves to ringing up sales, your efforts make all the difference. We appreciate you more than words from Generative AI can ever express! 😍 As you relax over the long weekend, take a moment to browse through your home library and other media items.  If you come across any gently-used books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, games, or puzzles that…

When life’s little things get you down, remember the rather cheesy, but memorable 1976 Detroit Institute of Arts TV commercial, “You Gotta have Art!” 📺🧀🗣 🎶 (Click on this link to watch commercial – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G535ixpwQso) This weekend, the Friends Book Shop is your ultimate destination for books about art and artists.  Check out the worlds of Impressionism, Renaissance, and more with our Center Table selections showcasing the likes of Leonardo DaVinci, Michelangelo, Vincent Van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, and Claude Monet. (Manet and Monet – sound so similar you’d think they were separated at birth! 👨🏻‍🎨🪚👨🏻‍🎨 lol) These books not only cover the histories of these legendary artists but are also lavishly illustrated with examples of their stunning work. Oh, and one more thing! Head over to our…

It’s time to celebrate the 2024 Woodward Dream Cruise.  This weekend, our Center Table is tuned up with richly illustrated Coffee Table books that will make your heart race faster than a Pontiac GTO hitting the quarter mile at Pomona Dragstrip. From Ford to GM to Chrysler, Sports Cars to Muscle Cars to Concept Cars – we’ve got it all!  Step back to the golden era of the 1950s and 60s when styling and horsepower were king.  Relive the glory days when chrome, tailfins, and two-tone paint jobs ruled the roads, and every gear shift gave you whiplash. Woodward Avenue was the test track for Detroit Iron, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a pit stop at our Book Shop.  Whether you’re a fan…

This weekend, our Center Table is featuring stunning Coffee Table books that celebrate the beauty and brilliance of Sculpture and Architecture.  Each volume is lavishly illustrated with breathtaking photographs that will immerse you in the intricate creativity behind each masterpiece.  Uncover the stories behind historical works from the 15th to the 20th Century.  Delve into the brilliant artistry of the Ancient Greeks and marvel at the monumental creations of Henry Moore.  Plus, explore the wonders of Modern Architecture, including a comprehensive guide to the trailblazing works of Frank Lloyd Wright! 🏛️🏫 Our special carts of ex-Library collection are a book lover’s dream come true.  Ever spotted a book on the Library shelves and wished it could be yours?  Now’s your chance—grab it for just $1  📖💸  And…

So, the calendar flips from July to August, and as legendary Detroit weathercaster, Sonny Eliot might have quipped, “It’s been so hot and humid that even the mosquitoes are dropping like flies!” 🦟🔥  Hope everyone is coping with this sauna.  Just remember, cooler weather 🌬🍁 and pumpkin spice everything 🎃☕️ will be here before you know it! 😜 This weekend, our Center Table is a Dream-Come-True for Harry Potter fans.  We have a few of JK Rowling’s well-known novels along with several volumes from the Film Vault collection that unveil the filmmaking secrets and visionary artistry behind the Harry Potter films. 🧙‍♂️📖  In keeping with the Fantasy genre, we also have some enchanting books about witches and the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ film series. 🐉✨ But if Fantasy isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry!  Our Center…

👸🤴🏼For starters, we invite you into the enchanting world of Princess Diana and the Royal Family with our spectacular Center Table showcase.  Unveil the glamour, bravery, secrets and scandals 🤫 of the “People’s Princess.”  These majestic coffee table volumes, adorned with stunning photographs, will whisk you through the grand halls (and secret stairways) of Buckingham Palace! 🏰🌹 📚 @JamesPatterson fans, prepare for a treat fit for both Kings and Queens!  Our entire cart of hardcover ex-library books is up for grabs at just $1 each.  Enjoy his thrilling mysteries and gripping tales without emptying the royal treasury. 🏦🔎 🌍 Fancy vintage National Geographic magazines?  We’ve got bags full of these timeless treasures for just $5!  Embark on global adventures from the comfort of your royal chambers. 🎩🧳 🎬 And for the little princes…

At the Book Shop Center Table, we’re celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing! 🌚🌝  While Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” won’t be playing (he had his moment in the sun last weekend 😆), we’ve got something even better 👉🏻 Books about the actual July 1969 space mission that took astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time! 🌠📖  In addition to the journey of Columbia and Eagle, we’ve got books about telescopes and other stellar subjects that are perfect for stargazers of all ages!  So, whether you’re a budding astronomer or just curious about the mysteries of the universe … “Houston, we have a solution.” 🌌🔭 🧵🪡 One More Thing!  You’ll also want to orbit around our special carts loaded with books about sewing and…

We hope everyone has dried out from the deluge brought on by Hurricane Beryl. 🌧️☔️   Don’t worry, Friends of the Troy Public Library are here to brighten your weekend with some fabulous promotions at our Book Shop! 🌞📚 🎸 For the upbeat, our Center Table is Rockin’ & Rollin’ with Coffee Table books about pop music icons Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and The Beatles!  Imagine yourself flipping through their glossy pages while singing “Love Me Tender,” “Strangers in the Night,” or “Hey Jude.”  Get ready to be “All Shook Up,” as you are carried away by the “Summer Wind” on your very own “Magical Mystery Tour!” 🎤🎶 📸 On the ‘Flip Side’ of the Center Table, explore Photography books by legendary lensmen from the New York Times, Life Magazine, and Ansel…