Revolution Books, a community driven indie bookstore, successfully raised more than their $30,000 fundraising goal over the summer, in a fight to keep its West 26th Street location in Manhattan. Their outreach efforts helped the store raise $32,299, and they raised it just before their deadline.
To raise the money, the store did a lot of outreach and fundraising including hosting a benefit author series called, “Hidden Lives, Human Possibilities: Authors Present to Save Revolution Books.” Authors Edwidge Danticat, Walter Mosley, and Henry Wiencek participated. The events brought in $1,800-$2,500 each. A book sale raised $1200.
Here is more from the store’s email newsletter:
But even with all that, by mid-September, the tally was still at $12,000 — with two weeks left till the deadline to raise $30,000. Where would the rest of it come from? The staff and volunteers stepped up calling, emailing, Face-booking and tweeting potential supporters and talking to everyone who came in the store. Right about then, a $10,000 donation came in from someone who had never contributed to the bookstore before. This put the goal well within range, brought in more donations, small and large, including one for almost $4000, which took the total to $32,299 by midnight on September 30.
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Mystery is not a genre I dive into very often, but I always make an exception for the well-written characters of Walter Mosley: Socrates Fortlow, Fearless Jones, Leonid McGill, and — my favorite — Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins. Over the course of 10 novels, spanning from 1948 to 1967, the L.A.-based black detective and World War [...]
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley
91 yr old, Ptolemy Grey suffers from dementia and lives alone in a small apartment. Reggie, the one family member who was looking after him hasn't been around in weeks. Soon 17 yr old Robyn, a family friend comes into Ptolemy's life. She helps bring order to his cluttered apartment. Ptolemy spends much of his time in his memories. The here and now is choppy at best.
With Robyn's around Ptolemy finds, he wants to seek help for his dementia. Ptolemy agrees to be a guinea pig for a doctor who is testing an experimental drug. The drug gives Ptolemy the mind he once had but he also knows it will kill him. In the time he has, Ptolemy wants to get his affairs in order.
Ptolemy Grey was very much real to me. I touched by and felt his fear and loneliness. As well as his desire to remember again. What I found most interesting was Ptomely's mind wandering into his memories. The disconnect from the now was very believable. Mosley takes the time to develop Robyn as well. The two offer each other something no one else can. This could've been a sad story, but somehow its not. What it is, is was well crafted and beautiful. I coudn't stop reading.
I loved this book too!
I loved reading your review and I have enjoyed Walter Mosley in the past; this goes on my list --thank you
This sounds like a very uplifting book, from your description. I think I want to read it now. thanks. :)
Jill - I can't wait to read your review. I was really surprised by how easily I lost myself in this one.
Diane and Mardel - I think you will enjoy it especially since my review didn't do the book justice.