Greetings!
Did you know that October is the new December? In terms of the book industry, this is certainly true. There has never been more uncertainty than we've had this year. From the pandemic, to severe printing supply shortages, the growing concerns for the USPS operations, election drama, and a possible resurge of the virus, we have no idea what December will be like. For our best service, our best selection, and our best opportunity to get you the exact perfect book for everyone on your list, and to get it there on time, we urge you to plan your holiday shopping earlier than normal this year.
Your ongoing investment in the bookstore has been the ray of light carrying us through this eventful year. We are now working hard to help you plan ahead for the holidays. To get things started, we will offer two Cyber Mondays (20% savings for online purchases) each month through December. Pre-orders are strongly recommended, and of course gift cards are always a great choice. Shopping online with us has never been easier, and contactless pick-ups are the new norm. Our booksellers are available in person or by phone to help you with the perfect selections for your friends and family.
Follow our social media posts for featured products and additional promotions. Together we'll make this a great holiday season.
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Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell
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1967: Imagine a rock band—a woman and three men—forming in London under the guidance of a perceptive manager. They earn their chops playing seedy venues, and their fortunes rise to include successful albums and tours of Europe and America. Along the way, numerous encounters with famous musicians and artists include advice from the Stones’ Brian Jones and a remarkable evening with the painter Francis Bacon. This novel is a huge treat for anyone raised on 60s rock music, and, thanks to Mitchell’s great gifts for characterization and addictive storytelling, is more fun than I’ve had reading a novel in a long time! ~ John
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Owls of the Eastern Ice, by Jonathan C. Slaght |
This is just the kind of book I love: a literate and scientific look at natural history — in this case the little-studied Blakiston’s Fish Owl of far Eastern Russia, the world’s largest owl. It also offers a thrilling dollop of arm-chair travel to a rugged, nearly forgotten corner of the world, filled with suspicion, ingenuity, and strong, loyal friendships made over bottles of vodka and cups of tea. Drop in as we watch an American doctoral candidate work with Russian ornithologists and fieldworkers with little formal education (but great skills). Their goal? To create a conservation plan for the Blakiston’s future, while also protecting habitat and the wild salmon that make up most of its diet. ~ Victoria
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So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo
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Oluo, a Seattle-based writer, has written an important, compelling and timely introduction to a wide range of issues concerning racism in America. Some of Oluo’s most powerful points concern racial disparities in treatment by the police. Consider the following: “My fear, as a black driver, is real. The fact that black drivers are 23 percent more likely to be pulled over than white drivers . . . and more likely to be ticketed and arrested in those stops . . . also leads to a 3.5-4 times higher probability that black people will be killed by cops. . . .” You may not agree with all of Oluo’s arguments, but you will probably feel some of your assumptions challenged, and you'll come away with many insights relevant to your daily thoughts and actions. ~ David
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The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
by Grady Hendrix
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This novel exemplifies that tricky balance between humor and horror. Set in the 1980s in Charleston, South Carolina, Hendrix creatively re-imagines his own mother’s life: this time with a handsome vampire who moves to town and turns her book club’s world upside down and inside out. There is friendship! Gore! 1980s fashion! You’ll laugh! You’ll cringe! You’ll never look at trash bags the same way again! Most impressive, however, is Hendrix’s ability to weave complex issues of racism, failing marriages, and obsession over socioeconomic status seamlessly into this wacky masterpiece. ~ Cappy
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House Lessons: Renovating a Life by Erica Bauermeister |
Part memoir, part meditation on the meaning of home, this thoroughly wonderful book is the story of Bauermeister’s love affair with a 100-year-old Port Townsend Victorian. Nearing the empty nest period of her life, Erica and her husband Ben come upon a rundown Victorian while on a visit to Port Townsend. In a series of essays, Bauermeister leads us from dumpsters of rubbish to the elegance of a well-restored old lady as she and her family scrape, peel, hammer and plaster. Just see if you can tell which Victorian is hers next time you wander through ort Townsend! ~ Susan
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The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America's Enemies by Jason Fagone |
I cannot stop talking about this book! If you like historical accounts with adventure, don’t miss it. Elizebeth Friedman may not be a household name—her work was classified until recently—but she played a critical role as a code breaker during WWII, without getting much of the credit. What made this book one of the most fascinating I’ve read is the second part, in which Fagone describes the historical goose chase he undertook as he went from discovering Friedman’s story, to telling the world about it. If you have any interest in history, code breaking, or simply the thrill of discovery, this book is for you! ~ Megan
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There There by Tommy Orange |
This 2018 National Book Award Longlist title offers a character study of an indigenous community where the lives of all the figures converge at a Pow Wow outside of Oakland, California. A chilling debut novel that shares the “realities of our [indigenous peoples] histories and current state as a people.” I was riveted to the pages by the emotions locked within the dialogue, and left with many questions about moving forward in our nation. ~ Laura Kay
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Diamond Doris, by Doris Payne, with Zelda Lockhart |
Born in 1930 Doris Payne learned early that opportunities were limited for a little black girl in the Depression-era South. But she was filled with a spunk that would carry her through an astonishing 60-year career as an international jewel thief. Beginning in Chicago in 1952, Doris and her married Jewish boyfriend started small, hitting local jewelry shops. This enabled her to buy a house, upgrade her wardrobe and begin to charm the socks off salespeople at Tiffany and others from New York to Rome to Monte Carlo. Defying society’s conventions and racial bigotry, Doris’ life of crime is a joy to behold. Her amazingly crafted persona got her everywhere! Written in a charmingly conversational style, Doris’ memoir is like chatting with her over a cup of coffee. I loved it! ~ Susan
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Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed, by Lori Gottlieb |
Gottlieb's honesty abates any reservations you might have about reading a “self-help” book, so you should definitely take the time to read this one! The therapy sessions discussed here remind us that we are not alone. You can find me picking this book up to read again soon. ~ Laura Kay
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New In Paperback Nonfiction |
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Grumpy Monkey
Up All Night
by Suzanne Lang
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Bunheads
by Misty Copeland
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The Little Ghost Who
Was a Quilt
by Riel Nason
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InvestiGators Take the Plunge
by John Patrick Green
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A Tale of Witchcraft
by Chris Colfer
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The Tower of Nero
The Trials of Apollo, Book Five
by Rick Riordan
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Tristan Strong
Destroys the World
by Kwame Mbalia
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Spy School Revolution
by Stuart Gibbs
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New Books For Young Adults |
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To Sleep in a Sea of Stars
by Christopher Paolini
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Furia
by Yamile Saied Méndez
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Punching the Air
by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam
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The Inheritance Games
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
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All This Time
by Mikki Daughtry
& Rachael Lippincott
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You are welcome!
All Store Book Group titles are discounted 15% up until the date of discussion
Reader's Circle Book Group
October 6, 7:00 pm
Mystery Book Group
October 27, 7:00 pm
Our popular in-store book groups are now meeting virtually by zoom!
Contact us for the meeting links.
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A Small Business Community Fundraiser |
Our island is home to an amazingly diverse collection of small businesses which support and provide for the Bainbridge community. They are owned and operated by our family, friends, and neighbors and currently facing an unprecedented challenge. Help your favorite local business survive this difficult time with the purchase of special Bainbridge Strong merchandise. For each item sold, a donation goes directly to the business, organization, or non-profit of your choice - no additional work on their part, just a little help to show our love. |
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Thank You For Supporting The Island's Independent Bookstore |
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157 Winslow Way E
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
206.842.533
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