Local Author Offering Free Kindle Books

Boerne's own author Elena Tucker is offering a free Kindle copy of one of her books!

All you need to do is come by The Bookshop Under the Windmill and register your email address. She will then send you details about how to download your free copy of either Vesssel of Fire or West About: A Novel of Magellan's World Voyage. If you prefer to to purchase one immediately, take a look at www.elenatucker.com or www.westabout.com 

If you can't make it to the bookshop - no problem! - email me at clp1958@gvtc.com and I'll add your name to the list.

Vessel of Fire/Vessel of Strength/Vessel of Hope
This trilogy of books are historically-based novels that explore what life was like in 2nd Century Israel. Far from empty remnants, Tucker's "vessels" brim with imagination, soul and period experiences. Breaking away from traditional Christian fiction, Vessel of Fire, Vessel of Strength and Vessel of Hope follow humanity's ongoing spiritual quest - as examined by characters from Ancient Israel and by the archaeologist who sifts through their ruins.

West About: A Novel of Magellan's World Voyage
In 1519, believing the world to be far smaller than it actually is, Ferdinand Magellan set forth with a sizable fleet from the Spanish port of Seville. Three years later, a single vessel crewed by less than 20 starving men limped back into Seville. Told from the perspective of the explorer's actual slave, West About is a chronicling of one man's foolhardiness and daring; it is a tale of triumph and disaster and an exploration of personal destiny.

Your Book Donations Make a HUGE Difference

When you donate books to The Bookshop Under the Windmill, we sell them at very low prices to our customers, providing funds we donate back to the Boerne Public Library. But, sometimes, those books get donated AGAIN to make an even bigger impact:

One of our local shoppers buys used children's books from us on a routine basis. She donates them again, making "Birthday Bags" for local children and their families who receive assistance from Hill Country Daily Bread, the local food bank. Her Birthday Bags contain a birthday cake mix, icing, small gifts AND a book from the Bookshop Under the Windmill. For a family struggling to put food on their table, these birthday gifts are truly a blessing during a trying time in their lives.

What a wonderful idea and an inspiration for us all. PLEASE check your bookshelves at home and work and bring us those items you would like to donate! You never know where they will make a difference.

Thursday, March 14: Irish Storytelling

Irish Storyteller Jane McDaniel

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, the FOBPL are presenting an evening of Irish Storytelling on Thursday, March 14, at 7:00pm. Irish-born Jane McDaniel is our host! Born in Limerick, Ireland, Jane started telling stories at the age of ten, thanks in part to a rich family storytelling tradition. In her early career, she worked as a print journalist, radio news reporter and anchor in Germany and then moved to the U.S. in 1993.

Jane first told stories to large audiences while hosting annual St. Patrick’s Day specials for AFN Forces Radio Network in Frankfurt, Germany (1978-1982).  She was a featured Rising Star at the annual Texas State Storytelling Festival in Denton, 2002. She also held the title of US National Irish Storytelling Champion for four years (2004-2007), and was voted The Biggest Irish Liar in Texas in 2006. She's been to the Folklife Festivals in Natchitoches, LA. (2008), Corpus Christi (1996-2006), San Antonio (1997-2003), The Potomac Irish Festival, Washington, DC. (2009), at the North Texas Irish Festival (NTIF) in Dallas (2004-2012), the Milwaukee, WI. Irish Festival (2009, 2011), and the US National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN. (2005-2010). Jane also tells stories at schools, retirement homes, the San Antonio Institute for Texan Cultures, at private and corporate events, children’s festivals and birthdays, vineyards, and social clubs.

February 21: Vintage Camera Night with Special Guest

Orville Anderson and his F2 Banner

Grab your vintage camera and join enthusiasts at 6:00pm on Thursday, February 21, at The Bookshop Under the Windmill (formerly called The FriendShop) as we talk about our love of antique imagery! Valerie Townsend, the eldest daughter of Photographer, Inventor and WWII Veteran Orville Anderson, will be there to talk about her father's illustrious photography career. This wonderful event is free of charge. For more information, please contact via email FOBPL President Cheryl Perz at clp1958@gvtc.com.

Orville Anderson, born in Decatur, Illinois, bought his first camera, an F2 Banner, at age 16 with the income he earned from his paper route and doing yard work. When he bought it in 1938, he became the fourth owner of this twist film camera. He began taking bridal portraits and soon opened his first studio in 1940. Orville enlisted during WWII and used his photography expertise for the military, taking photos of officers while he was serving in France. He met his lovely wife, Pamela, on a park bench in London.

He retired from taking photos about ten years ago. During his 22 years of service at Wilford Hall at Brook Army Medical Center, he was a photomicrographer and took pictures for the Atlas of Zoo Animal Pathology, and he invented the Anderson Dioframatic Enlarging Meter.

Big Group of "Little Listeners" Enjoy Day at the Bookshop

On Wednesday, February 6, over forty children gathered at The Bookshop Under the Windmill as "Little Listeners!" Miss Constance, the Boerne Public Library Children's Librarian, read stories about groundhogs and the kids used flashlights to find their own shadows. So cute!

Little Listeners come to the Bookshop on the first Wednesday of every month: the next gathering will be on Wednesday, March 6. Please join us!

Event with Susan Garrett Baker a Huge Success



Fifty people gathered at the FriendShop on Thursday, January 31, to meet author Susan Garrett Baker. She talked about her book, Passing It On, and signed them for attendees. Delicious food was prepared for the event by Lauren Moore, owner of the Boerne Cooking Cottage: www.boernecookingcottage.com. Mrs. Baker was lovely and shared wonderful stories of her time in Washington, D.C., as the wife of former Secretary of State James Baker and the mother of a large family. Check our blog daily to find out about upcoming author events!


Ann Liebner, Judith Umberger, Susan Garrett Baker,
Cheryl Perz & Diana Naylor Knox