I first read “Home from the Vinyl Cafe” a few years ago. It was one of those books that looked iteresting from afar, and once I read the descrption on the back cover I knew it had to come home with me. “Meet Dave, the owner of the world’s smallest record store. Meet his pal, Kenny Wong, who runs Wong’s Scottish Meat Pies. Meet Dave’s wife and their children who, along with everyone else in town, bump and stumble through a hilarious year of mistakes, miscues, misunderstandings, and muddle.” Humor Hilarity, and maybe someone embarrasses themselves in public, count me in. I couldn’t put this book down. I got my hands on a few of his other books as well, they all kept me giggling out loud, and trust me that makes for some strange looks on the subway.

Lately I have been feeling a little down, unsure of myself and where I am headed in my career. I’ve been feeling a little bit in a funk and needed something lighthearted to lift my spirits a bit. Well, it turns out good ol’ Stuart just released a new book this month; “Secrets From The Vinyl Cafe.” A quick press of a button, it is available for the Kindle, and there it was the book that I hoped would cheer me up. Needless to say, it did. The short stories, or rather anecdotes, in this book seem to be a little more heartfelt. Sure there is still hi-jinx and missteps that happen along the way, but there is always an undertone of love, family and friends. It made me laugh, and made me thankful for those that I have around me. I have to say if you are looking for a quick and light read, with a whole lot of fun, pick one of these up. I’m still smiling.

Even though I have been reading more and more on my Kindle, there is nothing quite like a real book. Of course when your eyes start to get tired, or it’s time to just put that book down and go outside for a bit, you will need something to keep your place. Check out these fun bookmarks from Stippee. These translucent guys sit atop your book and turn it into the great outdoors. I love that they have different sets, flowers, woodland creatures and even an african safari. Check them out over at spoonsisters.

Yesterday when I returned from the bookstore (with a new Penguin Classic) I spent a few moments bookmarking books for my too read list. I also discovered that Neil Gaiman has a new book that is being released tomorrow. Instructions is a picture book collaboration with illustrator Charles Vess which reads as a how-to-survive-a-fairytale manual. Check out this animated trailer for the book from Harper Collins. I think this would make a great graduation gift instead of Oh the Places You’ll Go.

I’ve actually been plowing through the book Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms for the last few weeks. If you have ever watched all the Lord of the Rings movies back to back, or showed up at the local bookstore at midnight to get the latest Harry Potter book, or maybe you played World of Warcraft a couple times, then this book is for you. The book takes a look at escapism in many forms, from Dungeons and Dragons to Wizard Rock (Think Harry and the Potters).

We follow the author (Ethan Gilsdorf) on his personal journey across continents to reconnect with his inner geek and along the way discover that being a “nerd” isn’t so bad. Ethan’s has shed some light onto this gaming and fantasy culture and has been able to share the stories of all the people he met along his voyage. This book is the perfect mix of astounding facts and a comical glimpse into the lives of ordinary people, who just might live next door to you