When my friend Joe got back from Germany, he had a new vocabulary that he eagerly shared with me. Not a lot of words, but some used universally. We were sixth-graders and the only bi-lingual cussers on the playground. It’s certainly a thing of wonder, the fact that I can remember those phrases after all this time, but have to look up the website password.

Thought about Joe when the Book of EVERYDAY WORDS in German came into the shop today. It’s a safe assumption that my old buddy’s words aren’t included in this book. And I’m sure it’s because I don’t get out enough, but some of the Everyday Words that are included in the book aren’t on my daily list of spoken words. (Joe’s German phrases don’t get used by me either…)

Das Krokodil. Really? Do the rest of you talk about crocodiles every day?

Despite my lack of German language skills, I can translate some of these without the little picture guide. Das Toilettenpapier, for example. Now, there’s an everyday word.

I could have figured that a bikini is a bikini in any language, and I’m not surprised that an orange is an orange and an avocado is just the same, both here and there. And in Hamburg, the hamburgers are cooked on Der Grill, just like in your own backyard.

Couldn’t find the word for book, naturally. But I’ve found plenty of new book titles.

Some of the recent arrivals have already departed. Michael Korda’s new biography of Robert E. Lee – Clouds of Glory – is out of stock, but on order. There are other new titles on the shelves, though.

Diana Gabaldon’s latest in the Outlander series was released this week, and Written in my Own Heart’s Blood catches up with Jamie and Claire shortly after the American Revolution. There is intrigue anew and secrets revealed in the latest installment, which already has a four-star review on Amazon. (Don’t know how folks could have already finished reading the thing – it’s an 848 pager.)

The title that has been flying off the shelf?

The Fault in our Stars, by John Green. Part of the sales have been driven by the release of the movie version, but it has been a steady seller for the past few months. Passionate fans, too. A young lady spotted it as she walked by, picked it up, and gave it a smooch before setting it back on its easel.

We also have a smooch-free copy, if you prefer.

The nice Dickens set has been sent home with a good family. 130-old volumes that were nicely kept and will look great on their bookshelf. You’ll find some new copies of older titles in stock too, like a Lord of the Rings anthology (the complete trilogy in a single book), the Hunger Games, a boxed set of the Ender’s Game series, and others.

They’re forecasting more showers. Makes for good reading.

Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 S. Main St. Broken Arrow OK! 74012