December Events and Updates
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Dear Reader,
First of all, a great big holiday hug to everyone who came out on Small Business Saturday--and all weekend long--to go gift-hunting and show support for local shopping at the same time! You helped us get our most important shopping season off to a great start!
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And so did this:
A
bout a week ago, we got a surprise visit from a customer who walked in and announced that he wanted to spend $500 on children’s books to donate to the Mayor of Evanston’s Holiday Food, Book, and Toy Drive. He told us that he and his wife had been through some tough times this year and when the community rallied with an outpouring of help, money, and food to get them through, it made him start thinking about ways that he could pass that spirit of support along. Through our tears—
because when does that kind of thing happen except in holiday movies?
—we had the best time picking out dozens of books that are going to find happy homes with Evanston’s kids this holiday season. You can see them proudly displayed in our header image by Mr. Snowman, Mr. Sheep, and Peter Rabbit, proud co-chairs of the Selection Committee. (And if you look closely, you can see the other chairs, too)
As we approach the shortest, darkest days of the year—but also the holidays that celebrate light—let’s take a moment to remember the ways that “creating community” can be a thing in the Real World, not just a Virtual Thing, And there are lots of concrete ways we can choose to do more of it. For instance:
- Support the Mayor's Food, Book, and Toy Drive! You'll get 20% off books you buy from us for the Drive, and we're a collection point, so you can also bring in gently used kids' books from home. (Through December 14)
- Support all the wonderful indie bookstores of the Chicago area, and all our fellow brick-and-mortar retailers who continue to make Downtown Evanston a unique and compelling place to be.
- Spend Quality Time Offline, Alone, and With Loved Ones. We hope you make some time in the midst of all that holiday merrymaking (and stressmaking) to curl up in a chair by yourself with a good book! And we're spotlighting games as a great way to bond with friends and family of all ages--so if you can't get to our Games Night on December 20th, ask us for a one-on-one demo next time you're in the store.
Read on for other ways we hope to help keep your Holiday Spirits up this season.
And, as always, read on!
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December Events
HOLIDAY HOURS:
We are open until 8 on Thursdays throughout December
December 24 10 am - 4 pm
December 25 & 26 CLOSED
December 31 & January 1 CLOSED
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In an alternate New Orleans caught in the tangle of the American Civil War, the wall-scaling girl named Creeper yearns to escape the streets for the air--in particular, by earning a spot on-board the airship Midnight Robber. Creeper plans to earn Captain Ann-Marie’s trust with information she discovers about a Haitian scientist and a mysterious weapon he calls
The Black God’s Drums.
But Creeper also has a secret herself...
Anyone is welcome to join our Science Fiction Book Club, led by Brooke, who is excited to share her passion for diverse science fiction books. If you haven't looked at the science fiction or fantasy shelves in a while, you may be surprised at the influx of talented women, POC, and LGBTQ+ writers that are writing some of the most interesting and compelling works in the genres. Brooke's goal is to highlight these traditionally underrepresented groups. Each month, we'll explore a new read from a diverse SF/F author. So if you came last month, bring a friend, and if you weren't able to make it last time, here's your chance!
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Thursday, December 5, 5 - 8 pm
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Sip and shop your way throug downtown Evanston during the 5th Annual Warm Bevvy Walk--and Bookends & Beginnings is one of the stops! Enjoy an evening stroll with friends and family, stopping at stores to try tasty beverages and shop for the holidays. Bring your ID if you want to enjoy spiked beverages!
This event is FREE and open to all ages but please
RSVP via Eventbrite
so the organizers can get an approximate head count. Commemorative mugs will be available for a suggested donation of $5 or more; all proceeds benefit
Connections for the Homeless
. For more information, click
here
.
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(Enter at StoryStudio’s address: 4043 N. Ravenswood)
Friday, December 6, 6 - 10 pm
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Newly this year, for the fourth annual CHIRBy Awards, the
Chicago Review of Books
is teaming up with StoryStudio Chicago to host a fundraising ceremony honoring the “literary gold” writers of Chicago. This night of cocktails and refreshments with Chicago's literary gliterati features special guest host Peter Sagal of NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!"
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Sunday, December 8, 11 am - 2:30 pm
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For the fifth year in a row, we're hosting this annual book fair and fundraiser for Nichols Middle School. We'll have student musical performances—instrumental and choral—and 15% of our profits from the event go to support the Nichols library. We're still open for public shopping, and if you want to contribute to the cause, just tell us when you check out!
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Friday, December 13, 6 - 8 pm
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Take the stress out of your quest to find the perfect gift for everyone by sipping a relaxing beverage while listening to store owner Nina Barrett give lots of suggestions for the kids and grown-ups on your list. And we'll wrap them too! The presentation begins at 6:30, but you're welcome to start shopping earlier!
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Are you interested in this event?
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DATE AND TIME
12/13/19
6:00pm -
12/13/19
8:00pm
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Saturday, December 14, noon - 5 pm
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As part of another annual B&B holiday tradition, we'll have members of The League of Women Voters on hand volunteering to wrap your holiday purchases. Come say hi and find out more about the League's ongoing work to encourage informed and active participation in government, increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy.
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Wednesday, December 18, 6 - 7:30 pm
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"A few months after my mother died, I changed my name to Elyria. It was a rite of passage suggested by a dear friend who had lost a parent some years earlier. I wish my mother could read these poems. I know some of them would have made her cry, and sometimes that would have been what she needed. But more than that, I want you to read these poems. I know some of them will make you cry, and sometimes that will be what you need. I want you to read them, remember how to heal, learn to live with the hurts and the losses you carry -- take a deep breath -- and go on living. We are all alone in our grief, sometimes. But other times, we can take comfort in sharing our sorrow with those who understand loss. We come away stronger for it. That is my hope for you. all my love, Elyria"
Our Mortality Book Club reads and discusses books having to do with the important but frequently avoided issues we confront at the end of our lives. Regular book club members include hospital and hospice workers, but also the adult children of aging parents, or just anyone who wonders about the many questions—medical, emotional, social, and philosophical—raised by human mortality. The book club facilitator is Jasmin Tomlins, a practicing death doula.
**Please note, this book selection must be special-ordered through the store at least a week in advance. Call us at 224-999-7722 or place your pre-paid special order
online here
.
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Friday, December 20, 6 - 8 pm
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Come play with us! We’re inviting you to stop by, enjoy some light refreshments, and try playing some of the many wonderful games we’re featuring this holiday season, including: TENZI, PAIRZI, Paint Chip Poetry, Autocomplete, Foodie Fight, Haikubes, and more! We promise, this is much more than a sales pitch, it’s a chance to chill out (or rev up, if you’re that kind of competitive personality!) and have fun with friends and family or meet some new folks on a Friday evening.
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Are you interested in this event?
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DATE AND TIME
12/20/19
6:00pm -
12/20/19
8:00pm
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Saturday, December 21, 11 am - 3 pm
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If you're still looking for a gorgeous, unique gift for that special someone (maybe yourself?), join us for a display and sale of Deana Rose’s entire collection. Her jewelry is comprised of hand-picked semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, and precious metals from around the world. Her sense of color and simple design shine through her earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
Her new collections are “earth” “fire” and “water.” Each are inspired by the woods, the autumn colors and the stormy sea. Deana Rose has also created a new “End of the Day” collection inspired by the artisans on the Venetian island of Murano. Their millifiore (thousand flowers) glass paperweights and vases were created from the scraps of cane at the end of the day to create one-of-a-kind creations.
And remember: We carry a limited selection of Deana’s work in the store, so you don't have to wait for the trunk show to pick out something wonderful!.
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We are closing at 4 pm on Christmas Eve, and we'll be closed for Christmas Day (the 25th) AND Boxing Day (the 26th)
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Happy New Year from Bookends & Beginnings!
We'll be closed on New Year's Eve (the 31st) and New Year's Day (Jan 1)
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Our annual holiday catalog is available in the store and is packed with great suggestions for everyone on your list! You can pick up a copy any time or if you normally get home delivery of the Evanston RoundTable, you should have found a copy bundled into your November 14 issue. Now there's an
online version
that links directly to the books in our online store. And remember, you can ALWAYS choose us as your preferred online bookseller!
Our website
gives you access to everything currently in the store, plus millions of additional titles that we can usually obtain in a day or two. No shipping charges when you select "store pick-up" as your delivery method!
AND WE OFFER FREE DELIVERY TO THE MATHER AND THE MERION!
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Storytime Every Saturday Morning at 10:30 am
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For children ages 2 through 6, Storytime at Bookends & Beginnings is always fun! Our alternating storytellers are Nina Barrett (our store owner), Brooke Williams, and elementary school teacher Chris Kennelly! Also, look out for our Special Storytimes, listed in our events! These extra-special mornings often include a craft and activity to accompany our stories!
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Bookends & Beginnings
is a community-centered and community-sustained, full-service, general-interest independent bookstore, now in our sixth calendar year. We are a member of the Chicago Independent Bookstore Alliance (
ChIBA
), the Great Lakes Independent Bookstore Association (
GLIBA
), and the American Booksellers Association (
ABA
). Show your support by shopping in our store (and
other Chicago-area independent bookstores
), by trading in or donating books of quality and in good condition, by bringing your local and out-of-town friends and family to shop with us, by attending our events, and by "liking" us on
Facebook
and posting reviews on other social media. Remember that you can always see event photos and news updates on
our Facebook page
, which is updated almost daily. There you can also subscribe to our events feed with a single click.
Above all, keep reading good books!
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Bookends & Beginnings
224-999-7722
RSVP for events to
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