Wellesley Books Newsletter | November 23rd, 2022
It's a busy week for everyone, so we'll keep it short and sweet--thank you for all of your support in 2022. The mood in the store is happy as the holiday season begins in earnest; we're looking forward to "friends and family weekend", our lower-key alternative to Black Friday, when relatives from near and far head to bookstore while they're in town for Thanksgiving. 'Tis the season when the more niche and quirky titles that have been waiting on our shelves since the summer begin to find their homes. The year-end best-of lists are coming out, and you know we're on top of it. Throw on a coat and walk off that post-prandial sleepiness on your way to the bookstore this weekend!
An update on used book trade-ins
In contrast to years past, we will continue to accept used books for trade-in over the holiday season. Bring your gently read paperbacks between 1pm and 4pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays for the opportunity to earn credit that can be spent on anything in the store. For more information, click here.
Upcoming Events
Please note that we are now featuring a mixture of online and-in-person events.
For further details about each event, please click the author photos below.
Tuesday, November 29th at 4 PM (online)
John Boyne, author of The Heart's Invisible Furies, presents All the Broken Places, his beautiful and devastating new novel.

Ninety-one-year-old Gretel Fernsby has been trying to escape the specter of her childhood in Nazi Germany and grim post-war years in France. Back then, she denied her own complicity, but now, faced with a chance to interrogate her guilt, grief, and remorse, she can make a different choice—whatever the cost to herself.

"You can’t prepare yourself for the magnitude and emotional impact of this powerful novel."
–John Irving, author

The author will be in conversation with Donal Ryan, author of The Queen of Dirt Island.
Sunday, December 4th from 2-3 PM (in-person)
Author Gig Babson and illustrator Katherine Macdonald join us for a meet-and-greet at the store from 2–3pm to sign copies of their book, Tails with Gig.

In Tails with Gig, "Author" Pippi Babson, a Black Lab, details her escapades during the pandemic as she grows from a puppy to a young dog. A delight for adults and kids 8+ alike, this book would make a great holiday gift for your dog-lover friends and family!

Net proceeds will be donated to Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
Thursday, December 8th at 7 PM (in-person)
Disaster relief doctor Kwan Kew Lai presents The Girl Who Taught Herself to Fly.

"This poignant memoir, beautifully written and filled with humor and pathos, portrays a world few of us can imagine. That such an incredible doctor and writer could emerge from such challenging beginnings is a testament to the human spirit, or perhaps to her unique spirit. I could not put this memoir down."
–Abraham Verghese, author

The author will be in conversation with E.B. Bartels, author of Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter.
Tuesday, December 13th at 10 AM (in-person)
Author Megan Litwin joins us to read her new picture book that is absolutely perfect for this time of year, Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night. Celebrate winter with this magical twist on a beloved nursery rhyme that brings the shimmering season of lights to life.
Bookseller Recommendations
Lorna recommends:
Breaking Bread by Deborah Joy Corey & Debra Spark
This collection of essays about food and family have been gathered from nearly seventy writers throughout New England. Once I started reading them I could not stop. They are everything--funny, charming, appealing, entertaining, heart-wrenching and powerful. Each author has shared something unique from their lives and yet you will surley find something like your own story here, just as you will glimpse inside families and communities much different from your own.

Profits from this collection will benefit Blue Angel, a nonprofit in Maine combating food insecurity by delivering healthy food from local farmers to those in need created by one of the editors, Debra Spark.
Tracy A. recommends:
Solito by Javier Zamora
A beautifully written migrant story from the perspective of a nine year old boy. Solito traces the author's journey from El Salvador to the United States and is filled with keen observations and heart-breaking moments. This page-turner is equal parts harrowing and hopeful. It will leave you wanting more and hoping the author has plans for a part two.
Colleen L. recommends:
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell
Gripping! Page-turning! I love how Maggie O'Farrell can take a little-known piece of history and build a complex story around and about it. Once again, she has created a masterful novel containing all the flavors of Renaissance Italy entwined with multifaceted characters. A young girl, married off from the House of Medici in 1561, is dead less than a year later. Who killed her and why? I found the roles and responsibilities of each person's place in a family, royal kingdom and marriage to be constantly under scrutiny as I devoured this novel, racing to its end. FANTASTIC!
New In Hardcover
Billy Collins
Anthony Horowitz
Michelle Obama



Steve Martin & Harry Bliss


Patti Smith
Andrew Morton
signed copies available
Misty Copeland
Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Neal Gabler
Jennifer Homans
Fred Kaplan
New In Paperback
Kathryn Schulz
Debby Applegate
Rachel Trethewey
Ashley Herring Blake
Rachel Hawkins
Jan-Philipp Sendker
Bookseller Recommendations for Young Readers
Lia recommends:
The Flamingo by Guojing
A wonderful tale of adventure, imagination and intergenerational friendship. The joyful story (almost wordless) behind a found flamingo father is sure to enchant any creative child (and their grandparent who may live at a distance). Absolutely glorious art.
Ashleigh recommends:
The Vermilion Emporium by Jamie Pacton
This story is damn near perfect for me. Two weary souls, both broken and sharpened by sadness and loss, meet outside a mysterious shop. Together, they follow threads of starlight from a whimsical store (hello portal stories! I love you); into the libraries of a castle; across oceans; and through time. They gently fall--or climb--in love; and I am a puddle. All of the stars, especially if you love The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, grumpy queer girls, big dreaming boys, any book by Margaret Owen, fairy tales, found family, daring rescues, and timeless love stories.
Middle-Grade Monthly: A Subscription Club
Middle-Grade Monthly is our subscription service for kids ages 8-12! Each month our children's book buyer Lauren selects 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 November 2022 pick is Superworld: Save Noah by Yarrow & Carrie Cheney. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.
Picture Book Subscription Club: A Perfect Gift!
A Child's Library is our subscription service for children ages 0-5! Lauren selects 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 November 2022 pick is Too Early by Nora Ericson and Elly MacKay. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.
New Books for Kids
Duncan Tonatiuh
Jan Brett
Stuart Gibbs & Stacy Curtis
Jacqueline Davies
New Books For Teens
Charity Alyse
Dahlia Adler
In the Gift Department
Men can be tricky to shop for. May we suggest stopping by our "guy stuff" table? In addition to games, trivia and useful tools, we also sell snacks and cocktail mixes for stuffing those stockings.
What We're Reading Now...
Lorna
Caroline
Kali
Dog of the Week
Milo
Milo is an eight year-old "super mutt," as his humans describe him, who visited us all the way from San Francisco. (He's a super mutt/super mutt/he's super mutty...) Fortunately for his family, he's an excellent flyer. He likes cuddles, cheese and kisses, which sounds very sensible of him. "Under the bed" is his happy place--hopefully the bookstore is a close second!
Thank you for supporting your community independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Stimpson
82 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
781-431-1160