Summer Fun Still to Come
Don't count summer out just yet! Get in all your summer reading days ahead (nab our Summer Reading for Grown Ups books for your last chance at a beachy, bookish giveaway), join us on our lawn for summer story times, get out to the theatre for our pop-up shop at Connecticut Shakespeare Festival, find us at the Farmers Market, and fall in love with some great Bookstore Romance Day events. — Before you start thinking about getting ready for school and the chill of fall.

Speaking of school though, we're lining up some great authors for exciting virtual visits to make going back to class all the more fun. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your summer and keep on reading!

— the River Bend booksellers
Get Outside and Shine
There's still plenty of time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors before the chill of autumn brings us inside. Get out there and soak up the sunshine and take some of these great books to throw in your go bag and inspire you!
Book Events
River Bend is booking your calendar with great virtual and pop-up events at the shop and around the area:

– Danger! Bang! - 11am
– A Little Bit Gothic - 12pm
– Love is Queer - 5pm
Stay tuned for more news, reading fun, book events and more! See us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

If you'd like to book the River Bend Book Truck
for your event, fill out a request form today!
New Candlelight Writers Workshops begin soon with River Bend! Join in:

Sign up for one of our upcoming fall writing workshops presented by Candlelight Writing Workshops. Space is limited so grab your spot today!

• Food Writing – acclaimed food writer Beth Hillson leads this four-week workshop exploring a smorgasbord of ways to incorporate food into writing, from recipes to essays, to memoir and food blogging. — Mondays from Sept. 27

• Creative Writing – CWW founder Jane Gordon Julien leads this six-week workshop for writers who wish to advance their skills. — Wednesdays starting Sept. 15

• Advanced Creative Writing – Jane also leads this five-week workshop for experienced writers working on a particular story. — Thursdays starting Oct. 21
Story Event for Kids!
Thursday mornings, August 12–September 2
Bookseller Lauren will read some great new picture books to the little ones out on our lawn (weather-permitting) or inside with masks on to keep your family safe.

  
New Virtual Event!
Thursday evening, September 9 at 7pm
Kristin Harmel, author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars, joins Patti Callahan Henry for a virtual book chat presented by East Granby Public Library with River Bend Bookshop.

  
Celebrating Local Authors
River Bend will be highlighting local authors with a new venture coming this September. Author's Stage at the Glastonbury Art Festival on the Green will feature readings from books, short stories, essays, and poetry at the Literary Arts Stage at Hubbard Green. Writers from our abundantly talented community will be on hand to discuss and sign their books. Come celebrate with us!
Meet Our Booksellers
River Bend Bookseller:

Audrey —

Manager and
Book Vivant

• Last book you read: Matrix by Lauren Groff - out Sept. 7!
The highly acclaimed author of Fates and Furies and the short story collection Florida wows with the new historical fiction inspired by the mysterious life of Marie de France. Pre-order now. You don't want to miss this book!
• Book you're currently reading: Fight Night by Miriam Toews - out Oct. 5. A compassionate, darkly humorous story about three generations of women all living—and fighting—under one roof. The story is told by the youngest of the three to delightful effect. Pre-order and get a signed copy!
 
• Author you always enjoy reading: Jonathan Safran Foer. I love his novels and though his more recent work is non-fiction (We Are the Weather came out in 2019), his voice is instantly recognizable and always engaging.

• About yourself in 3 adjectives: effervescent, effusive, and empathetic ;)

• Favorite thing to do besides read: Write. I've participated in nearly every Candlelight Writing Workshop.

• Your best shop section: Lit Fic all the way!

• Reading goal for 2021: Read more middle grade books.

• Why did you apply to River Bend? I needed a job to supplement my family's income and heard a nice lady was opening a book shop in town. I read Meghan's mission statement for the shop and knew I had to be a part of what she had planned. I interviewed in the shop before the shelves had even been installed. The rest is history!

• Best part about being a bookseller? I can't choose one thing! Having the opportunity to read pre-release books. Being empowered to actually have a say in the direction of the business. Meeting so SO many friends. I was looking for a job when I started working at River Bend 2.5 years ago and found a career I love. Who could ask for more?
River Bend will be extending some of our shop hours after Labor Day! Enjoy visiting us a little later Wednesdays through Fridays until 6pm.
 Libro.fm Listen:
Audiobook Pick
If you missed River Bend's author discussion celebrating the release of Creatures of Passage by Morowa Yejidé earlier this year, the event is now available as an audiobook through our audio partners at Libro.fm for free!

Listen to Yejidé and fellow author Tananarive Due in conversation with moderator Mary Kay Zuravleff in a great discussion of magical realism, horror, and contemporary Black literature.
Book to Look for:
Pre-order Pick
Louise Penny's latest novel, The Madness of Crowds comes out August 24 and River Bend has got your copy and preorder goodies (while they last).

Return to Three Pines with Chief Inspector Armand Gamache as the crime-solver finds his holiday with his family interrupted by a request to provide security for a visiting Professor of Statistics, who is giving a lecture at the nearby university.

For a limited time, grab your pre-order copy with a fun gift set.
What We're Currently Reading
In case you missed it, author/book lover Barack Obama selected some of his favorite recent reads. See the Obama 2021 Summer Reading List and call the shop for some of our favorites!