Wellesley Books Newsletter | August 4th, 2021
The dog days of summer are upon us--or, rather, they've been upon us, but something about the beginning of August feels like their peak, or trough. Lazy, hazy, lounging days--perhaps in the hammock, with a new mystery? The slightly wacky publishing schedule of 2021 continues apace, and we've been gifted with yet another midsummer bumper crop of choice new releases. (This might sound like familiar language to regular readers of the newsletter, but it's true.) There are more new beachy thrillers, in particular, than could comfortably fit in this newsletter. What is it about being increasingly on edge with each flip of the page, on a hot summer day, that's so delicious?
Upcoming Events
In-person! Wednesday, October 6th at 7:00 PM
Anthony Doerr, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of All the Light We Cannot See joins us in-person this October to discuss his hauntingly beautiful new novel, Cloud Cuckoo Land.

The heroes of Cloud Cuckoo Land are trying to figure out the world around them: Anna and Omeir, on opposite sides of the city walls during the 1453 siege of Constantinople; teenage idealist Seymour in an attack on a public library in present day Idaho; and Konstance, on an interstellar ship bound for an exoplanet, decades from now. Like Marie-Laure and Werner in All the Light We Cannot See, Anna, Omeir, Seymour, and Konstance are dreamers and outsiders who find resourcefulness and hope in the midst of peril.

This is a ticketed event. Your admission ticket includes a copy of Cloud Cuckoo Land. The first 300 ticket buyers will receive a signed copy of the book.
Bookseller Recommendations
Lorna recommends:
Helen Ellis is a southerner who lives in NYC; her frank, open and funny essays are about friendship, family and the wide cast of interesting characters she considers "her kind of people." You will laugh and cry along with her, and maybe, like me, you will think of her as your new best friend.
Jane recommends:
Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette
Claire Luchette's debut novel is a sensitive portrayal of a young nun at life's crossroads. After their convent is abruptly closed, Agatha and her fellow nuns find themselves running a halfway house in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. There, Agatha confronts the complexities of its residents' lives. With writing as quiet and delicate as Agatha herself, Luchette unfurls Agatha's awakening to the possibilities around her.
Ashleigh recommends:
The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee
This may be one of the most important, well-researched, take-it-to-family-dinner and discuss books I've read. It is profoundly personal--McGhee takes the reader on her own journey from student to young adult and scholar facing more and less diverse communities and circumstances. It is also deeply and broadly researched to demonstrate that inequality and segregation in housing, education, health care, public works, and communities results in loss and detriment for all. I can already see how this book has changed my perspective on my town, workplaces, social groups, and view on my world. I find the pace of the book and the research enjoyable, although deeply unsettling; and I appreciate that McGhee veers towards actionable steps in her poignant conclusion.
New in Hardcover
Stephen King
Anna Bailey
Mona Awad
Charlotte McConaghy
Christy Lefteri
Anthony Veasna So
Dolly Alderton
Joyce Carol Oates
Sandie Jones
Sarah Ferguson
Chandler Baker
James Rebanks
Alexander S. Vindman
Megan Abbott
New in Paperback
Lucy Foley
Charlotte Wood
Margot Livesey
Stephen Spotswood
Susie Yang
Peace Adzo Medie
Ann Cleeves
N.K. Jemisin
Ben Macintyre
Martha Ackmann
Bookseller Recommendations for Kids and Teens
Everyone recommends:
What If, Pig? by Linzie Hunter
Rebecca says: I'm not saying that all booksellers have an anxiety problem, necessarily...but many of us have certain nervous tendencies. This book about an anxious pig owns a little piece of my heart.

Eliza says: If you have ever worried or wondered "what if," this silly, colorful, heartwarming book is a perfect pick! For all the little worriers, this "nervous Nellie" of a pig understands.
Sofia recommends:
After being reprimanded for a too-short skirt on her first day of middle school, Margie Kelly begins to notice the sexism and unfairness around her. Girls are called on less than boys in class, and are the only ones who ever seem to be dress coded. So, Margie decides to do something about it!

Through Margie's introduction to feminism and intersectionality, this book does an excellent job of breaking down such large and important topics for middle grade readers. I love that Margie learns about her white privilege as well as the importance of intersectional feminism--I wasn't even introduced to the concepts until college!
Middle-Grade Monthly: A Subscription Club
Middle-Grade Monthly is our new subscription service for kids ages 8-12! Each month our children's book buyer Lauren and school liaison Cassie will select a newly-released chapter book. Get your hands on the newest and soon-to-be coveted books of the year. We offer monthly and yearly subscriptions, and you can pick up your book at the store or have it mailed to you. Click on the link below for FAQs about the program.

The August 2021 pick is The Many Meanings of Meilan by Andrea Wang. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.
Picture Book Subscription Club: A Perfect Gift!
A Child's Library is a subscription service for children ages 0-5! Lauren and Cassie select one newly-released picture book each month to be sent or picked-up from the store. The goal of A Child's Library is to help foster a love for books within the child's home. It makes a great baby shower gift!

The August 2021 pick is A Song of Frutas by Margarita Engle and Sara Palacios. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.
School Stories
Debbi Michiko Florence
Donna Barba Higuera
Jules Machias
Lisa Moore Ramée
M. Evan Wolkenstein
John David Anderson
New Releases for Kids & Teens
ed. Kwame Mbalia
John David Anderson
Christina Uss
Jerry Spinelli
Heather Kassner
Emma Kress
Courtney Gould
Nafiza Azad
In the Gift Department
Our new, late-summer-appropriate line of ceramic containers and bowls are even prettier in person--come see for yourself!
What We're Reading
Colleen L.
Ashleigh
Dog of the Week
Boomer
Boomer is a delightful, two-year-old Bull Mastiff who charmed the entire store when he stopped by. Don't worry, he's not sad--he's just drawn that way. In actuality, he's a welcoming, playful-yet-gentle boy who loves to sleep in the sun while snoring and is drawn to all people and dogs. Visit us anytime, Boomer!
Thank you for supporting your community independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Stimpson
82 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
781-431-1160