da Shop: A Reader's Blog

When I was in college, my ex and I used to have lots of long conversations about our feelings. Too long. I’m talking three or four hours. Looking back, I can see that we probably didn’t understand each other...

“Good artists copy; great artists steal.” - Steve Jobs Wait. It was Picasso who said “Lesser artists borrow; great artists steal.” Or maybe Hemingway? “Immature artists copy; great artists steal.” No, no. It was Igor Stravinsky. “A good composer does not imitate; he steals.” Steal, indeed. 

I’m not a New Years resolution person. Maybe it’s because to me January 1 is just the day after December 31. Maybe it’s because 80% of people break their resolutions within two months. But I think it’s mainl...

In 2015, Oliver Sacks got unexpected news, he had terminal cancer. Despite his diagnosis and the difficult months that followed, Sacks was, more than anything else, grateful. Grateful and inspired. So much s...

For babies to middle grade readers, here are books from diverse voices & perspectives. Books about adventure, friendship, and books that seem to be written for a specific moment or challenge.  Plus, lin...

It's no secret that we love to read and share our favorite books with you.  With the increase of online shopping, we miss some of the in-person chats we used to have over a new release or a classic childhoo...

A da Shop bestseller and staff favorite, Sharks in the Time of Saviors, is set on the Hamakua coast of Hawai‘i Island, where author Kawai Strong Washburn was born and raised.  The novel chronicles the saga ...

This guest post is written by yoga teacher and writer Michelle Regan: What’s your favorite scary story? I grew up on the Goosebumps series and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. I loved horror until adulthood when movies and books actually became scary.

Mika Song is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books and young graphic novels.  We love her energetic, expressive illustration style and her dedication to telling stories about "sweetly...

This guest post is written by yoga teacher and writer Michelle Regan: A student told me recently that everyone has at least one book in them. I didn’t want to squash his spirit, but I disagree. He certainly...

When bookseller Kristen told me her idea for making book maps, I reacted with an almost embarrassing amount of excitement. Books and Mind Mapping! Two things I LOVE. I immediately started listing and connecting all the books I’ve read in recent memory. The map that grew the most was this one. These are all books related in my mind to Making - creating things with the hands. Want a quick tour?

"Running and writing have a lot in common. The rhythm of feet on pavement, the tapping of fingers on keys. Both feed a need to get what’s inside out. They require commitment and focus. They teach us about ourselves. They take us to our limits and back."