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Wellesley Books Newsletter
May 9th, 2018
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Mother's Day is just around the corner (Sunday, to be exact), and time is running out to find Mom that perfect gift. May we suggest a ticket to our event with Paula McLain on Monday, May 21st at the Wellesley Community Center? McLain, author of The Paris Wife, returns to the subject of Ernest Hemingway in Love And Ruin, a novel about his passionate, stormy marriage to Martha Gellhorn -- a fiercely independent, ambitious young woman who would become one of the greatest war correspondents of the twentieth century. It's certain to be a memorable night with a best-selling author, and Mom is sure to have a wonderful evening. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets online; or you may stop into the store to buy them. While you are visiting with us, be sure to have a look at all the other new books as well as our great selection of graduation and Mother's Day gifts. Make Mom happy this year with a delightful gift and a ticket to see one of our best-selling authors, Paula McLain!
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Do you love shopping at our store? Do you enjoy staying current with the worlds of books and gifts and sharing your favorites? We are looking for a part-time bookseller for evenings and weekends, as well as a part-time giftseller for day shifts and occasional weekends. If you would like to learn more about either of these opportunities, please stop by the store for a job application, or send your resume to peter@wellesleybooks.com.
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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
TOMORROW! Thursday, May 10th, 7:00 PM. Perfect for fans of David Arnold and Robyn Schneider, Samuel Miller's stunning debut, A Lite Too Bright, follows a young man as he embarks on a journey to chase the secrets of his namesake grandfather, a famous Salinger-esque novelist. Eager to escape his own demons, he embarks on a cross-country train ride, guided only by cryptic clues left in his grandfather's dementia-influenced writing. Meet this hot new YA author and have your book autographed.
Monday, May 21st, 7:00 PM.
Paula McLain expands upon her novel The Paris Wife in her new book Love And Ruin, exposing the hidden story of Ernest Hemingway's third wife. An award-winning war journalist in her own right, Martha Gellhorn found herself making a choice: surrender to the confining demands of being a famous man's wife or risk losing Ernest by forging a path as her own woman and writer. This event will take place at the Wellesley Community Center. Please note that this is a ticketed event. Your $5 ticket can be used as a coupon off the price of Love And Ruin.
Sunday, June 3rd, 3:00 PM.
From Picture Books To YA: Seven Children's Authors Discuss the Wide World of Children's Literature. Kid-lit authors extraordinare Megan Frazer Blakemore, Julie Dao, Erin Dionne, Debbi Michiko Florence, Cordelia Jensen, Jarrett Lerner, and Anna Staniszewski will hold a panel discussion on the wide world of children's literature, with a book signing to follow. This is certain to be a lively conversation about their various viewpoints on children's books and how to write with many different audiences in mind. Copies of the authors' books will be available for purchase at the event.
Tuesday, June 5th, 7:00 PM.
This funny and uplifting novel is about two very different strangers who meet when they help an old man who falls in front of them -- but can they help each other? Tickets for this event are $5 and can be used as a coupon off the price of the book.
Thursday, June 7th, 7:00 PM.
Get ready for How Hard Can It Be, the hilarious and poignant new adventures of Kate Reddy, the beleaguered heroine of Allison Pearson's groundbreaking bestseller I Don't Know How She Does It (the basis for the film). Meet Allison and laugh along as Kate experiences workplace ageism, teenage daughter selfie angst, and a husband who has become a MAMIL (Middle Aged Man In Lycra). This is a free event; however, we ask that you RSVP.
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Bill's Book Group For Guys
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by Samanta Schweblin
This horror/thriller just won the 2018 Tournament of Books, knocking out some heavyweights along the way (including George Saunders) in both the opening round and then again by popular vote in the final.
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 Shirley Hazzard
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 Mars Room by Rachel Kushner
Romy Hall is serving two life terms for murdering her stalker. Her story and those of her fellow inmates, including a teacher in the prison who teaches a GED class and offers literature to the inmates, describe the inequalities of our prison system and the powerlessness of those inside. Written with grace, and wit, and humility, this is a beautiful and fascinating novel.
My Ex-Life by Stephen McCauley
Stephen McCauley has brought us a gift -- a smart, funny, sharply observant novel in a time when we desperately need to escape with people we love. When a gay man hits rock bottom, he decides to run to the other Coast and help his ex-wife (oh, is that ever complicated!) fix up her illegal B'N'B in Massachusetts and get her daughter into a college -- any college! As the two try to rebuild their worlds, a family of sorts emerges, and comic and heart-warming scenarios abound.
Broder nails mid-30s drifting, academic burnout, depression, and hot merman sex all in one book (written before The Shape of Water, by the way -- its closest antecedent is probably Mrs. Caliban, which you should also read). I'm glad that someone is writing so smartly and sensitively about that vulnerable moment when youth turns into something else, and all those vaunted life goals (marriage, children, etc.) suddenly feel especially urgent.
The Mercy Seat tells the haunting story of a sweltering summer weekend in a small Louisiana township, where a young man awaits execution in his jail cell and a traveling electric chair wends its way down the highway toward him. Short, exquisitely-drawn chapters describe the impact of this harrowing event on various members of the community. In her sparse, perfectly crafted prose, Winthrop conveys a powerful sense of place permeated with the dreams, tensions, disappointments, and secrets of the imperfect characters it contains.
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Bookseller Recommendations For Kids
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William Recommends: Red by Jed Alexander
You think you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood? Think again! In this wordless picture book, Red meets the gigantic wolf on the way to Grandma's house . . . but there's a delightful surprise ending in store for the reader. The artwork is charming in this sweet book that kids of all ages will enjoy.
Rebecca Recommends: Here, George! by Sandra Boynton and George Booth
George Booth's understated illustrations pair perfectly with Sandra Boynton's wry humor. For those of us who've ever wondered what our slow old dogs get up to when we're not at home -- we finally have our answer.
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Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead |
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New Books For Young Adults
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Need a perfect gift for a graduate? We have a great assortment of cards, frames, and Wellesley-themed gifts. Shown here are leather goods made in the USA and sporting zip codes from Wellesley, along with tech organizers, bookmarks, travel kits, and more!
Don't forget Mom! Mother's Day is this Sunday, and we have everything you need for Mom (or Grandma). From lovely scented soaps to fragrances, from locally created jewelry to delightful soy candles, from the perfect card for Mom to handbags and totes -- we have exactly what you need to help Mom feel appreciated on her special day.
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What We're Reading Now...
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Molly
Molly the Magnificent Morky (half Maltese, half Yorkie) visited us recently. Molly will be five years young on Memorial Day, and she loves attention and treats. Her owner informs us she is also a very good soccer player. Welcome to Wellesley Books, Molly!
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Thank you for supporting your community
independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
William D. Carl
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