Hello to all of my happy readers!!!

Wow, I feel as though I was just writing about June.  Where is the time going?!?  My birthday was lovely.  I had a small group of friends over, and we laughed and had so much fun.  The comedy show was brilliant, and Amberly and I ended up taking a weekend trip to Portland.  We had such a wonderful time.  We went to Powell's Books and we went to Rose City Book Pub.  A beer place with books... I was pretty happy.  

This month is starting off wonderfully--two of my three boys are back in town for a visit for the month of July, and I am thrilled to have this time with them.  We don't have any major plans, but if you don't see me in the shop on Fridays, it is because I am soaking them up.  Cooking and cleaning are now my extra curricular activities- hahaha! I have a 4-day weekend this weekend because of the holiday, so there will be bicycling and reading and snuggling in my future.  

I finished listening to The Lincoln Highway, and it was absolutely wonderful.  Now I know what all the hub-blub around Amor Towles is about.  It is a story about nothing and also about everything.  It is about human nature and how some people are just inherently good.  He just does such a terrific job of writing each character.  I LOVED all of the characters.  I tried to read The Book Woman's Daughter, by Kim Michele Richardson.  I loved the first book--it was sooooooo good.  I did not personally feel the same about the second book.  I gave myself permission to stop.  I felt the writing was not strong enough for me.  I also read What's theT?, by Juno Dawson, and it was so informative and I am so appreciative for this human.  The book was all about transgender and non-binary individuals.  I learned so much.  

I am about halfway through Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt, and it is such a beautifully written book. The book is told through alternating views between the characters and the octopus.  I will give a full report next month.  I am listening to The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman, and what a hoot this book is: octogenarians behaving badly and I am here for it.  The writing is so smart and fun.  I also am going to read Dead of Night: A Zombie Novel, by Jonathan Maberry, and I am so excited. The only thing I love more than vampires is zombies.  This is proof that I really do read just about everything.    

Please stay safe, happy, and healthy...Happy Reading!!

Brandy~

Author Events and Book Signings

What a cool author event! We had so much fun selling books at Jane Billinghurst's forest walk. We have SIGNED copies of Jane's newest book here in shop--pick up a copy today to learn how to be a more observant forest walker.

Please take a look at our calendar of upcoming events featured later in this newsletter, or you can check the Event Calendar on our website here--we have so much fun coming up over the next couple of months. 

Some Housekeeping...NEW Card Machine Policy

Going forward, on purchases under $10.00, we will be implementing a surcharge for credit and debit card transactions. We have decided as a team that this is the best decision for the store--we are so grateful for your understanding and your continued support. Shop local, and love your local businesses!!!

This Just In

New from Workman's Flow Collection: the Everything Is Magic Collection!

Come check out new gift wrap, stationery sets, sticker books, and journals.

They're so cute, they're nearly magical.

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We have the newest of the popular Paint by Sticker activity books!

Pick one up today to watch stickers turn into beautiful flower arrangements.

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This Just In for Kids

We have a fresh round of Gloplay Glow-in-the-Dark sticker sets,

including new themes and old favorites. 

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It's Travel Season!

Whether you're flying, road tripping, or day tripping close to home, you are going to need guides and activities to prepare your group! Come stock up on the essentials for a fun and stress-free trip.

Outdoor cookbooks, travel guides, and games will help you plan and enjoy your trip. 

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Keep the kiddos entertained with activities and guide books that are made just for them!

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July

Monday, July 4th--Independence Day

CLOSED

We will be CLOSED on Independence Day. Have a safe and fun holiday.

Saturday, July 9th

Kids R Best Fest

This FREE annual event is put on by the City of Anacortes, and it hosts a number of activities and games for kids and families to participate in.

We are so grateful that our local Kiwanis has chosen to buy books from their local bookshop for kiddos to take home.

Tuesday, July 12th--1pm

Author Event 

The Anacortes Public Library is hosting Nikki McClure for an author event, and we will be there selling books! Join us at the Heart of Anacortes at 1:00pm--don't miss this opportunity to meet an awesome writer and illustrator! 

Saturday, July 16th

Shipwreck Fest-OPEN

It's time for the annual Shipwreck Fest! We will be OPEN our regular hours during the event. While you're wandering through the festival and finding treasures, don't forget to stop into your favorite local book shop. 

**Date Change!**

Friday, July 22nd--2-5pm

Book Signing

Local author Kathleen Kaska will be HERE for a book signing event to celebrate her latest mystery novel, Murder at the Menger! Join us any time from 2:00-5:00pm to meet the author, ask your questions, and get your books signed. 

August

Friday, August 5th-Sunday, August 7th

Anacortes Arts Festival

We are so excited for the Arts Festival! We will be OPEN over the weekend--

while you're out admiring the art and enjoying the food, stop in and visit us!

Saturday, August 20th--12-3pm

Book Signing Event 

Rachel Linden is BACK on Saturday, August 20th from 12:00-3:00pm. She will be here at Watermark signing copies of her newest book, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. Come by the shop to meet Rachel, this is her fourth book and we will have copies of all of her titles.  Do NOT miss out on supporting this awesome local author. 

Watermark Book Club is on hiatus! We will send a call for new members in the winter, and we will resume our book club in January. In the meantime, we'd love to share with you some of the books we are "book-clubbing" as a team. This month, per Diane's suggestion, Brandy and Amberly are listening to The Thursday Murder Club. Here's a bit about it...

This book is so much fun--smart, hilarious, and dark! It centers on four octogenarians living in a retirement community who meet for a weekly "murder club." When a murder occurs close to home, they decide to take matters into their own hands, and it is totally brilliant the way that they involve themselves with the investigation. We are both about half way into it...we'll let you know what we think of the ending!