Playing, Having Fun

    Has this ever happened to you? You're in the final pages of a novel and you start to feel a sort of melancholy fall over you. You've become attached to the world, the characters, the story itself, and you're not ready to let that go. You almost wish you could walk around in the world for yourself.

    Well, I've got good news! There is a fix for this (besides, perhaps, reading a sequel or something like that), and it's known as Role Playing. One of the most popular forms of Role Playing nowadays is through video games, but what these offer in visualization and accessibility they can lack in player freedom and general accessibility. Some prefer to get their role playing on in real life, examples of which can range for the renaissance fair to historical re-enactments, but the outfits can be costly to acquire and intensive to upkeep.

    But what if I told you there was a third option? One that can take you anywhere and lets you do anything. One that doesn't require any hardware or elaborate costumes, just a book, some friends, and a handful of dice. 

    Table Top Role-Playing games, or TTRPGs for short, hit the scene in 1974 with the release of Dungeons & Dragons, and have been capturing the hearts and minds of players for the past 50 years. But how exactly do they work?

     The first thing you're going to have to do is figure out exactly which game you want to play. If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of a beloved series, you can check if there's a licensed table top version of it. Dune, the  Blade Runner and Cosmere all have game books, though there are also gamified versions of more obscure IPs, like 2008's Leverage (which is, unfortunately, out of print). If you've already invested in a Dungeons and Dragons book and don't feel like shelling out any more cash, though, there's still hope. You can build your own custom setting using the book you've already got as a framework. 

    After you've picked a game, the next step is to learn the rules. These usually detail how encounters are organized and what exactly a player character should be capable of. Initially, learning all the rules can be pretty daunting, but luckily you don't actually have to follow the rules to a tee. Ultimately, this is your role-playing experience, and as Marie Kondo famously suggests: if it doesn't spark joy, get rid of it (though playing with restrictions can provide a more rewarding experience).

    Once you've got everything figured about what and how you'll be playing, the only thing left is to figure out who you'll be role playing alongside.  A playgroup usually consists of two roles: the Guild Master (or GM), who pulls all the strings of the game world, and the Players. Being a GM requires a pretty exhaustive knowledge of the rules, so for new players it can be better to start as just a player. Once you've assembled a group, all that's left is to play the game... but what exactly does that look like?

    While some games come with a game board, most of the time you'll be using your imagination to visualize what's going on. 90% of game play is talking, whether that be through interacting with non-player characters or hatching a plan with your party members. This aspect of the gaming experience can also make it a great avenue for socializing, not just because you are playing alongside other people, but that you're also having to actively engage with what their characters are doing and playing off it yourself. Everyone doesn't have an outlet to "play pretend" with others, and TTRPGs provide an excellent one because you can pretty much do whatever you want and the stakes are quite low (if you keep murdering imaginary townsfolk that might get on your friends' nerves).

    Now that we've covered what TTRPGs are, its time to go out and pick one up. As a fledgling roleplayer, I've had a great time with Dungeons & Dragons. It's position as the originator of the genre may lead you to believe it could be outdated, but they update the rules pretty often to keep the game play balanced. In fact, the newest edition just recently released so now is a great time to get in. Bob, Eagle Eye's patron saint of bookselling, recommends Paranoia, a game where you play as a group of clones living in a world controlled by artificial intelligence. As a group you must complete a series of mysterious tasks, though you'll come to find that everything is not as it seems.

Authors of Happy Wife visit Eagle Eye Book Shop

Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores, authors of the new novel Happy Wife, stopped by Eagle Eye Book Shop to sign copies of their book on June 24. Earlier that morning, Jenna Bush Hager announced Happy Wife as the coveted July 2025 Read with Jenna Book Club pick. Hager made the announcement on the Today Show, where she’s an anchor 

"This is such an honor," Shores said, about the debut novel being Hagar’s July pick. "It's such a gift. She's so supportive of writers and she really champions them in a way I don't think a lot of other people in her position would do...She picked us, and I feel like today we got confirmation that it's really real."

Lavender, with a background in film and television, and Shores, with a background in corporate communications, met while attending a function at their children's school, and eventually they became friends. It was during a walk together in a local park when Shores first mentioned her ideas for a story to Lavender. 

According to the authors, Happy Wife, is about the main character, Nora Davies, who becomes the second wife of Will Somerset, a lawyer. Once married, Nora finds herself navigating unforeseen challenges when she’s confronted with the reality that not everyone is going to be as happy for her as she is. Ultimately, she finds herself in circumstances where she has to figure out a way to save herself. The novel is set in the affluent community of Winter Park.

Shores said early on she knew she wanted the point of view to be from the second wife’s perspective, and she also knew she wanted the book to be a mystery. 

“I had all these pieces, but I didn’t know how to get past some of the barriers,” she said.

That’s where Lavender came in. 

"My brain immediately went into hyper-drive, and I could see it," Lavender said, talking about the discussion in the park when Shores shared her ideas about the novel. "I couldn't see the whole thing, obviously. We had to find that together."

And leaning on their previous collaborative professional experience in media and communications, they found it.

At its kernel core, Lavender said the story is about learning to stand your own two feet, relying on yourself, and finding your true north. But both authors agree that above all, they just want readers to have fun and enjoy the story.

Lavender and Shores said they were excited to get the phone call asking them to come to Eagle Eye Book Shop and talk about their debut novel. Shores recalled years ago when she lived in the area and shopped in the bookstore. Now she’s returned to sign copies of her own book.

"It’s a tremendous honor,” she said.

Shores also added that you never know where life is going to take you, and she shared the following advice.

“Don’t be afraid to lean into a good or even a bad idea. You’re going to learn something from it. Just put in your hours however you can,” she said.“I think we’re the luckiest example of how that can work out.”

What’s next for the authors? In July, Lavender and Shores plan to travel to New York City to speak with Jenna Bush Hager on the Today Show. And readers will be happy to know another book is already in the works.

If you missed this event, Eagle Eye Book Shop has more events planned. For details on upcoming events and tickets, visit the Events page on the Eagle Eye Book Shop website. 

Happy Wife by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores is published by Bantam Books, a subsidiary Penguin Random House, and is available for purchase at Eagle Eye Book Shop.

Eagle Eye Birthday Party

    Eagle Eye was abuzz on Saturday, April 26th, when we celebrated both Independent Bookstore Day and our 22nd Birthday. 

    We pulled out all the stops to celebrate, from exclusive merchandise to activities throughout the store. Shoppers were greeted by a Prize Wheel, which they could spin to win anything from an in-store discount to a chocolate bar. There were also Eagle Eye themed bingo cards, which could be filled out for a chance at another prize or just to get more familiar with the store.

     Publishers joined in on the fun too, sending us special editions of books and indie exclusive merchandise. Highlights included a signed edition of the newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid entry, complete with faux-moldy cheese, and some pretty swanky tote bags. There were also snacks o'plenty, including a cookie cake, and the Eagle Eye staff have been happily enjoying the leftovers.

     Other bookstores around the city joined in on the celebration too, and there was even a city-wide bingo to encourage readers to visit multiple stores. The bingo items included "Bookstore near a college," "Bookstore that sells used books," and "Bookstore with a pet." The last one ended up being a surprise favorite of Eagle Eye shoppers who had never met Bonnie Ann, our bookshop dog, before, as she was around the store greeting shoppers throughout the day.

    Bonnie was not the only dog around the bookstore on the 26th, though. People brought in their dogs to come shop with them, something we are always happy to oblige as a dog friendly store. One gentleman even carried his furry friend around with him in a shopping cart!

    Eagle Eye did had over 280 unique sales on the 26th, so it's not a stretch to say it was a great celebration. We couldn't have done it without all of the wonderful shoppers who came to visit, so we'd like to extend an extra special thanks to everyone who came out!

A Traveler's Guide to Packing a Book

     With life happening all around us, it can be difficult to find the time to relax. And as responsibilities pile up, it can feel like that precious free time is shrinking by the day. Everything ebbs and flows, though, so hopefully more relaxation is on the horizon. But even when things are looking dark, we've still got one last bastion of rest: time off.

     Whether you're trotting the globe or choosing to see just how deep you can make that groove on your couch this weekend, taking some time for yourself can be both a restful and rewarding experience. It can also allow you to spend more time with interests you may have been neglecting, such as reading. As many of you probably already know, doing the reading is only half the battle and finding the perfect book can prove to be the more difficult task. Luckily for you, dear reader, booksellers happen to be perfectly equipped to find you just the book you need for any of your vacation endeavors, no matter where they take you.

    The first question I always ask myself when traveling is how many books I want to take. To answer this question one must consider many factors, such as duration of the trip, time spent traveling, and how much free time to read you're going to have. You should also consider how much space you're willing to allocate to books in your luggage, and whether or not you plan on shopping for books wherever you're going. (I always end up coming home with a couple more than I left with).

     Next, you should consider how you'd like your books bound. This part doesn't have anything to do with a book's content, but whether a book is hardcover or softback can be a deal breaker. Many travelers refuse to fly with a rigid hardcover, opting instead for a smaller and more flexible paperback. Others prefer the hardcover, citing its inflexibility as a plus that will keep it from being damaged. Some people don't really have a preference, which is also totally reasonable.

    Now that you know how many books you want and which books you're automatically not taking (sorry to that interesting looking 600 page hardcover that's been waiting on your to be read pile), it's time to figure out the actual books you'll be bringing with you. Some of you may already be compiling a list in your head, but don't start packing them just yet! Are you sure you want to bring that horror novel that's going to keep you up all night when you've got a travel itinerary that'll keep you busy all day? And do you really need to bring all four of those books with you for your long weekend at the lake? If you do, then more power to you, but it's always good to think about what books will pair well with your trip & the specific needs that may arise.

    And that about sums it up! Now that you've figured out what kind of books to look for it's just a matter of getting out and picking the books. Of course, if you need any recommendations or other assistance your friendly neighborhood bookseller should be happy to help!

Taiwan Travelogue

     Summer is just around the corner, and for many this seasonal transition tends to bring a vacation with it. Taking a trip is historically one of the best ways to unwind, whether you're kicking back on the beach or secluding yourself in some sort of cabin. A change of location can also bring with it a flood of new experiences & offers a change of pace from the potential tedium of daily life. 

    If a vacation isn't in the cards for you this summer, however, there are still plenty of books that can take you somewhere far away, such as Yang Shuang-Zi's Taiwan Travelogue. In it we follow Aoyama Chizuko, a young Japanese novelist, as she embarks on a year-long trip to Taiwan to give talks about her novel and its newly released film-adaptation. During her stay she is accompanied by Chizuru, an enigmatic interpreter and Taiwan native, who shows Aoyama around the island. 

    Vacationing isn't always fun and games, though, and I'm not just talking about drama with one's travel companions. Tourism as an industry can be incredibly taxing on a location and the people who call it home, whether that be through overcrowding, rising costs of living, or environmental degradation. Just look at Venice.

    Taiwan Travelogue explores the tension brought upon by unwanted guests, though in the novel its not so much tourism as colonial occupation that is breaking down the local culture & environment (though tourism still plays a part). Despite opposing Japan's occupation of Taiwan, Aoyama still takes a government sponsored vacation to Taiwan. To show her defiance, she spends her time writing articles about local Taiwanese cuisine, history, and culture thanks to all the insight she's able to glean from Chizuru.

    What really stands out about Taiwan Travelogue is its focus on the little details. Aoyama has something of a bottomless appetite, so she's constantly sampling the local fare while she tours the country.  From decadent banquets to simple rice dishes, every meal is described with such precision that you can almost taste it. Oftentimes I would put the book down to realize that my own stomach was grumbling.

    This eye for detail isn't just aimed at the food, though. From the history of the railroads to the inner workings of traditional family structures, Shuang-Zi wastes no opportunity to provide more background. This abundance of information never feels overwhelming, though. This is in part due to the context of the conversations being between a traveling writer and her interpreter, but also because much of the information is delivered through footnotes, allowing the reader to go as deep into it as they want.

     Everyone knows that a scenic vacation isn't complete without some drama, and Taiwan Travelogue has that on deck too. Our two travel companions may have become fast friends, but Aoyama can't help but notice that Chizuru pulls back from time to time, almost as if she were wearing some porcelain mask. I won't be spoiling anymore, but I can confirm that watching the two's relationship unfold is sweeter than the fresh pineapple juice that brings them together.

    As the world seems to be edging closer and closer to the brink, it's important to take things slow every now and then to acknowledge the things in life that bring you joy. Taiwan Travelogue serves the dual purpose of being a great book, for those of you who enjoy that kind of thing, and being a story about finding those nuggets of joy in what can otherwise be a dreadful situation.

Big Changes for Little Readers

      It's time for spring cleaning, and over at Eagle Eye we are here for it. Specifically, we're taking this time to clean up things over in our Kids & Young Adult section. 

    "We want to simplify the shopping experience and make it easier for people to find things they're looking for," said Cassandra Hamilton, who's been heading up the reorganization efforts with Diana Robinson.

    When asked how we'd be simplifying, Hamilton said that we'd be more actively separating challenging young adult books from simpler titles for younger readers. We'll also be creating a mid-grade section, for readers who looking for a more challenging read that deals with simpler themes. Books that will end up in this categories include series like Dog Man, Dork Diaries, and Wings of Fire.

     Besides mid-grade fiction, we've also created a number of new sections in children's nonfiction. These include "Cool Skills," where you can find books about subjects from skateboarding to knitting, and "LGBTQIA+," but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

    "It's really important to get kids engaged with reading early, and this redesign will help shoppers find books to do just that," said Hamilton.

    All of the reorganizing has also cleared up a lot of space for us, which we'll be filling with more books! Specifically, children's classics, mid-grade, graphic novels, young adult, and new releases will be seeing a surge of new titles. Per Cassandra's recommendation, we will be getting in "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase," while Diana is more excited about reinvigorating the children's classics.

    "The kids need the classics!" said Diana in our interview.

    So if you've ever felt a little lost in the kid's section, come on down and check out the changes for yourself. The book you've been looking for might have been under your nose the whole time.

Bookselling & Sustainability

    Did you know it takes about 4.5 kWh of energy to print, bind, and ship a single paperback? That's according to David Reay of the University of Edinburgh. In contrast, it takes zero additional energy for a used or recycled book to sit on our shelves. So besides saving on cost, shopping used books helps to keep your carbon footprint low too. 

 

    Trading in books here also keeps them out of the landfill, though we're not the only operation that can boast this. There are, of course, other used bookstores, but there are also places like the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (or CHaRM) where you can recycle more than just your books.

 

    Our environmentally friendly practices don't end with book trade-ins, though, because here at Eagle Eye make use of sustainability in all facets of bookselling. When we receive inventory, we save all usable packing paper & sturdy cartons for future use. This means we never have to purchase packing paper for when we ship out books, and only rarely do we have to buy shipping boxes.

    Besides our environmentally conscious practices, we also host events throughout the year with local & national nature writers and conservationists. One author we often feature is Douglas Tallamy, who's new book "How Can I Help?" just released, and to celebrate we'll be offering at a discounted price of $19.97. If you're looking for a more energy sensitive option, though, we've got a great selection of used books in our Nature section.