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Wellesley Books Newsletter
March 14th, 2018
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Events season is about to kick into high gear, and we have some truly exciting author events planned for the coming weeks. On April 6th, Cecile Richards, outgoing president of Planned Parenthood, will discuss her memoir Make Trouble in conversation with Boston City Councillor Michelle Wu. Join us this Friday for Chessy Prout, activist and sexual assault survivor, who will share with us her personal story as told in her book I Have The Right To. We have bestselling authors Meg Wolitzer, with her latest novel The Female Persuasion, and Madeline Miller, who will unveil Circe, her first since The Song of Achilles. We have great authors for young people, like Erin Dion
ne (Lights, Camera, Disaster) and Emily X.R. Pan (whose The Astonishing Color Of After is wonderful and highly recommended by William), as well as poetry readings, a picturebook fair, book clubs, and more. Check out the upcoming events area, just beneath this introduction, or click HERE to go to the Events section of our webpage for a complete list.
Mark your calendars! Independent Bookstore Day is on April 28th,and we are planning another exciting day filled with community fun! Watch this space for more details.
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All events are free to the public, unless otherwise noted.
Purchase the lead title
from Wellesley Books to enter the signing line!
Friday, March 16th, 7:00 PM.
In 2014, Chessy Prout was a freshman at St. Paul's, a prestigious boarding school in New Hampshire, when a senior boy sexually assaulted her as part of a ritualized game of conquest. Now, the young survivor tells her searing, visceral story of assault, justice, and healing in the gut-wrenching memoir,
I Have The Right To. Prepare to be inspired by this remarkable young woman.
Tuesday, April 3rd, 7:00 PM.
Middle school is not a movie. A budding filmmaker with executive function disorder figures out how to become the director of her own life in
Lights, Camera, Disaster, a very funny, engaging middle-grade book from Erin Dionne. Join the author as she reads from and signs her hilarious novel, and ask her about her favorite action movies and superheroes!
Wednesday, April 4th, 7:00 PM.
Kick off National Poetry Month with three exciting poets as they read selections from their newest publications. Heather Bryant, Catherine Stearns, and Lynne Viti will be presenting, and they promise to share their love for poetry and sign copies of their books.
Thursday, April 5th, 7:00 PM.
Meg Wolitzer wowed us with her best-selling novel
The Interestings, and now she unveils her epic new book
The Female Persuasion at a must-attend event. Greer Kadetsky is a shy college freshman when she meets the woman who will change her life, a dazzlingly persuasive and elegant pillar of the women's movement. Charming and wise, knowing and witty, Meg Wolitzer delivers a novel about power and influence, ego and loyalty, womanhood and ambition. Please note that this is a ticketed event. Tickets are $5 and can be used as a coupon off the price of the book.
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Friday, April 6th, 7:00 PM at Wilson Middle School, Natick.
Cecile Richards -- president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund for more than a decade, daughter of the late Governor Ann Richards, and featured speaker at the Women's March on Washington -- presents her memoir, Make Trouble, in conversation with Boston City Councillor Michelle Wu. Richards shines a light on the people and lessons that have gotten her through good times and bad, and encourages readers to take risks, make mistakes, and make trouble along the way. Please note that this is a ticketed event. Your $32 ticket includes a copy of the book.
Saturday, April 7th, 10:30 AM.
Join four terrific picture book authors -- Gaia Cornwall, Alison Goldberg, Jannie Ho, and Gina Perry -- for a combined author reading, signing, and story time. There will also be art projects and other fun activities for kids, so join the fun!
Saturday, April 7th, 7:00 PM.
Emily X.R Pan's first novel,
The Astonishing Color Of After, is being compared to the YA work of John Green and Lauren Oliver, but trust us, this is so good that adult fans of Celeste Ng and Isabel Allende will also love it. Presented in conversation with fellow author Julie Dao
(Forest Of A Thousand Lanterns), Pan will discuss her novel and it's autobiographical beginnings, and will sign copies afterward. Don't miss this evening of magical realism and fascinating cultural significance.
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Bill's Book Group For Guys
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by Moshin Hamid
In the Middle East, a desperate young couple abandons home and family, escaping a war-torn city by way of hidden doors in hopes of a better life.
Join Bill's Book Group for Guys for a relaxed evening in the store discussing a specially-chosen book while enjoying a beer, glass of wine, or select single-malt whiskey. $25 buys the book and a ticket to the event.
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Betty's Lunchtime Book Group
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by Colson Whitehead
Betty Sudarsky, unparalleled bookseller and experienced book club leader, chooses each book carefully and leads the discussion. Bring your own lunch if you like; Betty supplies snacks, drinks, and insight. No need to sign up; drop-ins are welcome.
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Bookseller Recommendations
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The Parking Lot Attendant by Nafkote Tamirat
This is the kind of debut novel authors dream of writing. When a mysterious Ethiopian man in Boston takes a young girl under his wing, she slowly falls victim to his schemes and dreams. In lush language, Tamirat explores this odd relationship, eventually leading to the shocking finale in which the parking lot attendant's final plans are revealed. Fans of Victor LaValle or Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will fall in love with this book.
Eternal Life by Dara Horn
Would you want to live forever? After reading this book, you may want to re-think your answer. Rachel has lived for 2000 years, and she has experienced hardships over and over again -- failing businesses, widowhood, problems with children. Now, with the rise of technology, Rachel may have to find a way out of her eternal life. This is thoughtful, beautifully-written fiction, and I am a big fan of Dara Horn.
When true-crime expert Michelle McNamara comes across the cold case of a prolific serial killer, she becomes fatally obsessed with catching him. It's no spoiler to say she never does. But her legacy is this fascinating, one-of-a-kind insider's account of the hunt, crafted with all the skill of a born writer/detective.
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Sally Recommends:
Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday
Alice is a young editor living in NYC and having an affair with an older Nobel awarded author. Amat is an economist being held at Heathrow airport on his way to visit his brother in Iraq. What is their connection? This unique, gorgeously written and thought provoking debut novel will leave you with so much to discuss!
Betty Recommends:
While 'scandal' has become a household word, the details are always fascinating. James Whitehouse, en route to high office in the British PM's cabinet has all the right credentials -- except he has had an in-office affair and is now being accused of rape. So we see how the Brits handle this kind of accusation -- the facts, the meaning of consent, and where truth draws the line. This book completely absorbed me (over barely two days)! The characters were great and the questions will resonate.
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Bookseller Recommendations For Kids
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Vera Brosgol, author/illustrator of the award-winning teen graphic novel
Anya's Ghost, has created a charming and wonderfully illustrated picturebook about a cantankerous granny who just wants to get her knitting done. Pay close attention to the background characters, who are sure to put a smile on your face!
Lorna Recommends: Islandborn by Junot Diaz Lola can't remember the island where she was born but her abuela tells her, "Just because you don't remember a place, doesn't mean it's not in you." Beautiful and amazing, this picturebook about family, community, and birthplace is just what I would expect from Junot Diaz -- brilliant in every way.
Rachael Recommends:
The Mad Wolf's Daughter by Diane Magras This one is full of adventure, danger at every turn, thieves, knights, and of course, magic. When Drest's father, the legendary Mad Wolf himself, and his fearsome warband are captured by invading knights, Drest is left utterly alone for the first time in her life. Armed with her wit, a sword much too big for a twelve year old girl, and her stalwart determination, Drest sets forth on a wild and dangerous rescue attempt to save her family before it's too late.
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New Books For Young Adults
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Here Comes Peter Cottontail!
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Easter is right around the corner, and our store is swarming with adorable bunnies and chicks! Pick out a soft and fuzzy rabbit from Jellycat or try one of our bunnies in a box. We have everything you need for dying Easter eggs -- other than good spots to hide them. We also have plenty of delicious chocolates for those Easter baskets, along with many beautiful and charming decorations to help set the table for your family gathering. We have all your Easter needs!
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What We're Reading Now...
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Bella
Bella is a thirteen year old Corgi / Sheltie / Pomeranian mix who visited us on a rainy day recently. She loves taking long walks and barking at all the people who pass her. Welcome to Wellesley Books, Bella!
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Do you love listening to your favorite books on the go? More and more people do -- and Libro.fm offers the best way to listen, with superior audio quality audiobooks (2x industry standard) -- and more than 70,000 to choose from!. The folks at Libro.fm are indies, just like us, and a portion of every sale goes to your favorite independent bookstore. It's the best way to "shop local" for digital audiobooks. Plus, Libro.fm now offers monthly memberships! For just $14.99 each month, choose one free audiobook, and get 30% off all additional purchases. To celebrate the launch, your first month's membership is just 99¢! All Libro.fm audiobooks are DRM-free -- you buy it, you own it -- and unused credits never expire. You'll get a great listening experience at a discounted price, along with a huge selection, and the satisfaction of supporting your local business. Visit
libro.fm/wellesleybooks
to start your membership and get your first month for just 99¢! (Have unused Audible credits? Come see us in the store -- we can help you convert up to two Audible credits over to Libro.fm!)
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Thank you for supporting your community
independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
William D. Carl
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