News from the Page - October is National Book Month

Well, we just returned from the SIBA (Southern Independent Booksellers Association) Trade show in Atlanta - what a fantastic trip - we met many an author - including Charles Frazier, Amy Sedaris, Mary Kay Andrews, Margaret Sartor, Charles Shields and Jeff Lindsay - to name a few - We brought back many signed copies of their books for you and some from the new and upcoming southern authors as well!!

We also met with our many fellow booksellers, shared ideas and bookselling tails - you will see new ideas implemented in the store - one is our Staff reads board - details are below. We also met with our publishers and distributors - there is nothing like putting a face to the voice you deal with on a daily basis - it was so much fun!! Stop in for a chat - we will fill you in on our trip details!!
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Recommended Reads
We have added a new display to the store - Staff Reads - check out our ever changing display of what our staff is reading now!!! Ask our staff and we can always suggest a good book or two!!

Soul Catcher by Michael White - This is a very interesting and important read about a 'Soul Catcher', the term used for the bounty hunters who brought back runaway slaves - important part of civil war history.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay - This is an exciting Thriller!!! The Showtime series was taken from his books.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker - If you feel like hopeless, this will give you strength.

Coal Black Horse by Robert Olmstead - Civil war novel that is so good - you can't put it down!! Beware - it will make you late!

Electric Church by Jeff Somers - Awesome read - Blade Runner meets the Matrix! Exciting action/adventure/sci-fi book!

The Choice by Nicolas Sparks - Classic Spark style, a story about two neighbors ... their relationship - and the heart wrenching question of all: How far should you go to keep the hope of love alive? Very fast paced read. Excellent!!
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ENCOURAGE YOUR TEEN TO READ - PARTICIPATE IN

Teen Read Week -- October 14th - October 20th

Monthly Group meetings:
(no need to pre-register, just show up!)

Writing Group -

Tuesday November 13th, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Knitting Group -

Thursday November 8th, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Adult Reading Groups -

Tuesday November 6th, 11:00 am - 12:30 am
Thursday November 8th, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
November's read - A long way gone: Memoirs of a boy soldier by Ishmael Beah

December!!! Jingle your bells with us! - Eat, Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Come to the reading group meetings and have an open discussion on any book that you have read - we are always listening!!!

For more information about Page After Page Bookstore please call 252-335-PAGE (7243) or go to their website.

Amanda Brown

Amanda Brown
My Daughter – My Hero

This is about my beautiful 14 year old daughter; Amanda that fell off her bike on May 10th, 2007 lost her footing and fell. After falling she rode her bike home and only complained of her left side which she had scraped when falling. Approx. 40 minutes later she began to scream in a very shrill voice, at that time she was rushed by her Father (JJ) and I her Mother (Sandra) following behind because at that time we didn't know how very serious her condition was - - we took her to Albemarle Hospital in Elizabeth City, NC and then the Doctors advised approximately 30 minutes later that Amanda was being airlifted to CHKD-Norfolk, VA. Amanda had immediate brain surgery suffering a fracture and blood clot. Two days after the surgery Amanda suffered a stroke. On Saturday, May 12, 2007 we were told Amanda was a very very sick girl and they were giving her a 40% chance of living. On two other occasions we almost lost her again once due to an infection and the other due to respiratory issues. She was at CHKD-Norfolk, VA spending most of her days in the Pediatric ICU Unit until July 25th at that time Amanda was transferred to the Regional Rehab at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC.
Amanda's eyes are open but she is still in a semi-conscious state. While in ICU she had surgery for a trach and feeding tube. During her stay at the rehab she received 3 ½ hours of rehab per day, this included physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy and speech therapy. Plus 30-45 minutes per day of school during Monday through Friday. During her stay in rehab the trach was removed and Amanda tried so very hard to communicate. From all reports from the Therapist and Resident Doctor we were told Amanda was making progress but sometime during the week of September 3, 2007 – Dr. Crawl the Doctor in charge of Amanda’s case decided Amanda’s progress was not quick enough and refused to make the pier to pier call to Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC that was required for BCBS NC to consider approving additional time at the rehab unit so therefore BCBS NC denied any further approval of this rehab I was advised my only choice was to bring my daughter home. Which on August 28th BCBSNC had verbally told the Case Manager at Pitt County Rehab that BCBSNC was no longer going to approve additional time for Amanda after that week but on August 30, 2007 the Case Worker, Kim Baker, of BCBSNC advised me to stay until the next Thursday at which time BCBSNC would reassess her progress and decide if they would continue approval. A call was received at 7:30 a.m. on September 6, 2007 advising BCBSNC had denied further rehab at Pitt County so we drove to Greenville, NC that morning to pick-up my Daughter. We left with my Amanda, 2 large bags with 24 hours of medications and 14 scripts to have filled by the next day. My husband and I have become rehab specialist doctors and nurses within a very short period of time. We love having Amanda home but we are so very scared without the proper training or knowledge we could do something gravely wrong. Since we have been home we were supplied with an RN Nurse 1 time per week - Physical and Occupational Therapy a total of 30 visits between them for the entire incident. Also 3- visits for the Speech Therapist. We live in a very rural community so therefore we do not have access to what is required for my daughter to get the best therapy and a chance at life.
While in ICU at CHKD Norfolk, VA and Regional Rehab in Greenville, NC a formal request was done for approval of the Cumberland Hospital in New Kent County, VA. Cumberland Hospital has approved Amanda and really wants to help her but Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC will not approve her for additional assistance. Also, Medicaid which Amanda has been approved for has advised due to Federal Regulation 42 CFR 433.139(b)(1) they can’t override a decision of location of treatment but In the event that Amanda exhausts her benefits through BCBSNC, Medicaid will become the primary payer and will reevaluate her request.
This entire fight for the help that my daughter is entitled to and desperately needs has been unbelievable. We also have a 6 year old son that we are trying to maintain stability and normalcy in his life. Our home is not equipped or large enough for the equipment that is required – therefore my husband has to lift my daughter at 118 lbs to and from rooms. We did receive a Hoyer Lift until this past Friday, September 14, 2007 but it will not fit through the bathroom door or throughout her bedroom. As Amanda’s Mother and Advocate I have begged and pleaded to many people but thus far BCBSNC and Medicaid will not approve the help that Amanda needs to become the 14 year old teenager and a chance at life. Her Neurologist, Dr. Jerry Pinix with CHKD Norfolk, VA advised us that to fight for intense rehabilitation so Amanda could have the opportunity at life with the most potential possible.
Amanda is a very special person to so many people and always had a smile on her face that would light up the world. My daughter went through life always wanting people to like her - - she just never knew how much she is loved. Our family, friends and community have been such a wonderful support system. Unless you have ever been through this experience or one similar you just don't realize how life changing it can be. We all pray every day for Amanda to wake up and return to us, we miss her so very much and this world is just missing something so precious without Amanda in it.
As Amanda Brown’s Mother I am begging and pleading that someone will read this letter and help us to achieve the assistance that should be given without such a huge fight. My daughter is so very alert and with the right therapy we feel she could achieve a better chance that a 14 year old deserves in this world.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to view this letter.
Sincerely,
Sandra Brown – Proud Parent of Amanda Nicole Brown
#252-619-1248 Address: 306 Holland Drive, Camden, NC 27921


Click on the following flyer to see a bigger image of it:

Elizabeth City, North Carolina and the Civil War: A History of Battle and Occupation

On or around November 15, 2007 a new book will be released by Alex Christopher Meekins entitled: Elizabeth City, North Carolina and the Civil War: A History of Battle and Occupation. It is "An account of a little-known theater of the Civil War. In February of 1862, a Union naval force captured Elizabeth City. This fascinating history characterizes the overall situation in the northeastern North Carolina, where secessionists and Union sympathizers tangled right up until the Battle of Appomattox." (Taken from Amazon.com) So, if you are interested in the Civil War and Elizabeth City's impact with it, then please read this book!




Found this information through Andrew Wagenhoffer's blog.

Cemetery Walk

The Museum of the Albemarle will hold a Cemetery Walk in the Episcopal Cemetery on Saturday, October 20 from 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Costumed Junior Docents will portray past Albemarle residents who are buried in the cemetery. Hear from a Civil War soldier, a famous teacher, and the only Albemarle resident to ever become governor. Free and open to the public. The Junior Docents are sponsored by Perry Auto Group.

BOO!!!

Calling all ghosts and goblins! Museum of the Albemarle Presents “Boo!” on October 19, 2007 from 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm. Come carve your very own jack-o-lantern and learn the true facts surrounding Halloween. The program is open to students from fourth through eighth grade. Pre-registration and payment is required by: October 15, 2007. Admission: $10.00 per person or $8.00 for FOMOA Members