Into the Archive: Library Bookstore Gleanings

Robert Louis Stevenson: His Best Pacific Writings Paperback – January 1, 2003

by Roger Robinson (Author), Robert Louis Stevenson (Author)

Robert Louis Stevenson, author of "Treasure Island" and "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde", traveled and lived in the Pacific from 1888 until his death in Samoa in 1894. He wrote fiction, history, travel journals, poetry and prayers about these Pacific experiences. All were popular when first published, but some of these writings are now little known. This attractive edition of the best of these writings coincides perfectly with the upsurge of interest in the Pacific and writings sympathetic to indigenous cultures. - Amazon.

The Dark Is Rising Sequence (5V.in 1V Paperback) – January 1, 1984

by Susan Cooper (Author)

This spellbinding volume brings together the five novels from Susan Cooper's classic fantasy sequence: "Over Sea", "Under Stone"; "The Dark is Rising"; "Greenwitch"; "The Grey King"; and "Silver on the Tree". Here Barney, Jane and Simon discover an ancient map in Cornwall; the mysterious Merriman reveals his secret purpose; and Will Stanton realizes that he is not just an ordinary boy but has a far greater role in fulfilling his destiny. Creating a magical world where the everyday mingles with the supernatural, "The Dark is Rising Sequence" weaves a story of secret codes, strange prophecies, the legend of King Arthur and a centuries-old conflict between the power of good and the forces of evil. - Amazon

It would be hard to calculate just how much this series was influential on me from when I was 11 years-old to the end of middle school. I discovered it only a little after I read The Hobbit, and it seemed to fit right in with stuff like Bedknobs and Broomsticks, but more contemporary (at the time) and more ... well, cosmic. This nostalgia might help explain why I bought this well-bound Puffin edition, even though I already have a creaky hard cover edition. That, and it was only 50 cents.