1151 Church Street, Northbrook IL (847) 498-4999
"Open" 24 hours a day at BookBinNorthbrook.com
September 2022 E-Newsletter
Welcome Readers,

Hello, September!

Although it is always sad to see the summer months go, autumn has its own benefits and blessings... like a chance for a perfectly warm day when you don't expect it! Some, like the yellow jackets, may argue that this month has the best weather of the year. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on who you ask, the kids are back in school and aren't able to enjoy it... but we are!

We are beyond proud to be voted the Best Bookstore of the Suburbs of Chicago for 2022! It is our 6th consecutive year receiving this title, and what makes us most happy is that we have made you so happy to be in the Book Bin each and every time you visit. We hope to see you soon!

Kindly,
Alli & Amy & Everyone at the Book Bin


Share with us a few moments to view this month's
Hours:
Monday through Saturday
Open 10:00am to 4:00pm
Closed Sundays

Closed on September 5 for Labor Day

Last Month's Bestsellers
August 1 through August 31


Horse
by Geraldine Brooks


The Seven Husbands
of Evelyn Hugo
by Taylor Jenkins Reid


Remarkably Bright Creatures
by Shelby Van Pelt


Woman on Fire
by Lisa Barr


Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus


Portrait of an Unknown Woman
by Daniel Silva


Autumn
by Ali Smith


The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict
and Victoria Christopher Murray


The Plot
by Jean Hanff Korelitz


Two Nights in Lisbon
by Chris Pavone


Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens


Book Bin's Upcoming Events
Join us in welcoming home Francie Dekker who is now a published author!

Her book OUR WORLD OF DUMPLINGS is a delicious story celebrating the​ many different types of dumplings in our world and​ how food brings people and cultures together!

We'd love to have you come and listen to the story at 9:30am; a book signing will follow at 10:00am.

Saturday, September 3
9:30am Storytime
10:00am Book Signing
Illinois Libraries Present Marlee Matlin on September 14
7:00 PM via Zoom; register with this link

In celebration of Deaf Awareness Month, Marlee Matlin joins Illinois Libraries Present to share the highs and lows of her Hollywood career and journeys as an activist. The youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar, Matlin’s acting career recently achieved another milestone as her 2021 film CODA swept every category it was nominated in at the 2022 Academy Awards. A longtime advocate for deaf rights, Matlin continues to break down barriers for herself and others through her acting, awareness, and writing. As she has so aptly stated, “The only thing I can’t do is hear. The rest is there for the taking.”

This program will be offered in ASL and translated through an interpreter. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering high-quality events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Our Adult Book Discussion group is very welcoming! Please join us as we discuss Women Talking by Miriam Toews with Sheila Whalen as our discussion group leader.

One evening, eight Mennonite women climb into a hay loft to conduct a secret meeting. For the past two years, each of these women, and more than a hundred other girls in their colony, has been repeatedly violated in the night by demons coming to punish them for their sins. Now that the women have learned they were in fact drugged and attacked by a group of men from their own community, they are determined to protect themselves and their daughters from future harm.

The date of the in-person discussion is Thursday, October 6 at 7:00 pm. Your RSVP helps us set up for the evening, so please call us or click below.
Mystery Book Club

The date for our next in-person Mystery Book Club will be Monday, September 12 at 7:00 pm.

In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees in Sussex when a young fifteen year old woman literally stumbles onto him on the Sussex Downs. Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern, twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective. Full of brilliant deduction, disguises, and danger, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, the first book of the Mary Russell–Sherlock Holmes mysteries, is "remarkably beguiling" (The Boston Globe).

Our discussion of The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King, will be led by Alli Gilley & Ron Oberman. Detective Ron and Detective Alli are excited to get to the heart of this mystery with you as our partners! Please rsvp below.
November's Book Discussion Night

Please join us for our last book club of 2022 as we discuss Silverview by John Le Carre with Sheila Whalen as our discussion group leader. 

Julian Lawndsley has renounced his high-flying job in the city for a simpler life running a bookshop in a small English seaside town. But only a couple of months into his new career, Julian’s evening is disrupted by a visitor. Edward, a Polish émigré living in Silverview, the big house on the edge of town, seems to know a lot about Julian’s family and is rather too interested in the inner workings of his modest new enterprise. When a letter turns up at the door of a spy chief in London warning him of a dangerous leak, the investigations lead him to this quiet town by the sea . . .

The date of the in-person discussion is Thursday, November 3 at 7:00 pm. Your RSVP helps us set up for the evening, so please call us at (847) 498-4999 or click below to email us; your rsvp helps us to set up our chairs for the discussion.
Upcoming Fiction Releases
Click on the book cover to read more and place a preorder.
Coming September 6
Coming September 6
Coming September 13
Coming September 13
Coming September 20
Coming September 20
Coming September 27
Coming September 27
Coming September 27
Carrie Soto is Back
Written by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Published by Ballantine Books
 Available in Hardcover Now 

Taylor Jenkins Reid, popular author of some of the hottest books out there (The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six), released her highly anticipated new novel this week. Since the age of 2, Carrie Soto has trained to become the best tennis player in the world and although her goal was achieved and she retired at the top, was it worth the costs paid along the way? This novel is about the bond between Carrie and her father/coach as well as her focused determination’s impact on her relationships with everyone else. When young tennis phenom, Nicki Chan, threatens to beat Carrie’s Grand Slam record, Carrie decides to come out of retirement to defend her spot in tennis history. But at 37 years old, Carrie still has a lot to learn about life, relationships and the game of tennis. Is it too late for Carrie to learn new tricks? What about passing on those lessons to others? Reid has taken what appears to be a very one-dimensional story of sports ambition and turned it into a multi-dimensional relationship saga and exploration of personal growth. While some of the tennis strategies were lost on me, the relationship lessons were not. Taylor Jenkins Reid has become well known through the TikTok phenomenon and there is a good reason for it: she’s a fantastic story teller. We have a limited quantity of Signed Copies; come in for one today!

Reviewed by Julie Harms-Muth
Other Birds
Written by Sarah Addison Allen
Published by St. Martin's Press
Available in Hardcover Now

On an island outside of Charleston, there is a small condominium complex filled with secrets, ghosts and mischievous birds. 18 year old Zoe moves into her late mother’s condo and begins to unravel more than one mystery as she makes herself a new home. We learn the stories of the other residents of the condo as the building mysteriously helps to bring them all together. Other Birds brings us a cast of interesting characters looking to right the wrongs of their pasts and find a little happiness, closure, and even love.
“Birds are supposed to be messengers between heaven and earth.”

Reviewed by Andrea Fossier
Fellowship Point
Written by Alice Elliot Dark
Published by Scribner
Available in Hardcover Now

Agnes and Polly have been friends forever. Both are Quakers in their early 80's who spend their winters in Philadelphia and summers on Fellowship Point in Maine. Agnes is single, head- strong, independent, and earns a living as an author. Polly is married to a domineering husband, is the mother of three sons, and tries her hardest to get along with everyone. When money hungry relatives want to develop Fellowship Point, Polly and Agnes work together to try to stop them. Alice Elliott Dark's work of fiction is a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Agnes and Polly; it's about time someone wrote a novel about friendships among the elderly. Fellowship Point is well-written, yet an easy read. After finishing it, I wanted to go to rural Maine, take a look at the beautiful scenery and meet the wonderful cast of characters.

Reviewed by Nancy Randall
The Marriage Portrait
Written by Maggie O'Farrell
Published by Knopf
Available in Hardcover on September 6

Lucrezia di Cosimo de'Medici was born in Florence, Italy to Italian nobility in 1545. When she was 15, she married an Italian Duke, a man she had only seen once when he was engaged to her late sister. Lucrezia was a bright, stubborn, talented girl who was an expert at making herself almost invisible and listening in on conversations. After being married for almost a year, her husband takes her to a remote fortress-like country home where Lucrezia believes he is going to murder her. This is an interesting well-written work of historical fiction, however in my opinion it is not Farrell's best.

Reviewed by Nancy Randall
An Affair of Spies
Written by Ron Balson
Published by St. Martin's Press
Available in Hardcover on September 13

Fans of Ron Balson’s look forward to a new novel each fall. I’m here to tell you that a new one is coming, and I wasn’t disappointed. Nathan Silverman grew up in Berlin in the 1920's. His mother was a homemaker and his father a physicist. With increasing levels of bigotry against the Jewish community, Nathan is urged to travel to New York to continue his schooling with only his mother's wedding ring to sell. While attending Columbia in 1942, Nathan noticed a recruitment poster and decided to enlist in the military and fight the Nazi regime. However, with his German background and his father's connections, Nathan is selected for a special project, trained as a spy and told to report to the Manhattan Project. There he learns that the Americans are trying to develop a nuclear weapon before the Nazis. Nathan is needed to return to Germany, learn how advanced the Germans are in their building of a bomb and extract a physicist who is hoping to defect. The physicist was a friend of his father's. Nathan is to be accompanied by a brilliant young scientist who will accompany Nathan. After a crash course in nuclear physics, Dr. Allison Fisher and Nathan embark on the adventure of their lives. Their harrowing mission will have you on the edge of your seat.

Reviewed by Marla Alexander
Marple: Twelve New Mysteries
Written by Twelve Esteemed Writers
Published by William Morrow
Available in Hardcover on September 13

Are you an Agatha Christie reader? Do you like clever short stories?​ Well, this book is for you. Twelve authors including Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley​ and Val McDermid have each written a clever mystery ala Agatha Christie.​ They all have the charm of St.Mary Meads's most famous resident, Jane​ Marple, along with a host of characters who have names like Cuthbert and​ Elspeth. Miss Marple travels to weddings, the Far East, New York City, and​ even takes a cruise complimentary of her nephew Raymond. Most importantly,​ Miss Marple manages to solve all 12 mysteries. These are charming with​ an afternoon cup of tea, but don't let the quiet demeanor of an old lady​ fool you.....Jane is just as sharp as always.

Reviewed by Marla Alexander
Lucy By The Sea
Written by Elizabeth Strout
Published by Random House
Available in Hardcover on September 20

Elizabeth Strout's newest work focuses on Lucy Barton and her ex-husband William during the pandemic. It is March of 2020, and William, because he is a scientist, knows before most that the world will be turned upside down very soon. He finds a house in rural Maine and strongly urges Lucy to leave her New York apartment and move with him. Lucy By the Sea describes Lucy's experiences, thoughts, flashbacks, and insights during this traumatic time period. Elizabeth Strout's writing style is not for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoy most of her novels. For me, reading Lucy By the Sea was like chatting with a good friend. Like a good friend, Lucy is caring, thoughtful, and honest.

Reviewed by Nancy Randall
Upcoming Nonfiction Releases
Coming September 13
Coming September 13
Coming September 13
Coming September 20
Coming September 27
Coming September 27
September's Upcoming Paperbacks
Coming September 6
Coming September 6
Coming September 27
Our "Clubs"!

We pride ourselves on our friendliness and our service to our customers and community. As we pondered everything we offer, we came up with this list of "clubs" available to you at the Book Bin. Invite your friends!

Frequent Reader Club
We punch holes for each $10 you spend working towards $10 off your next purchase.

Our Book Club
We meet on the first Thursday night of the month to discuss an enthralling paperback book, with our next meetings on Thursday, October 6 and Thursday, November 3.

Book Bin Detective Club
We read a new paperback mystery novel and meet on a Monday night mid-to-late month to discuss it, with Monday September 12 set as our next meeting.

The Booklovers Club
We'll send a book a month to a recipient of your choosing, such as a new baby, a voracious middle-grade or teen reader, or an adult, for a birthday gift that "keeps giving" for example.
Quick Question: What is your favorite autumn activity?
Raking leaves
Curling up with a book
Taking walks
Watching football
Last Month's "Quick Question" Results:
What is your favorite beverage?

"Water" was the winner, receiving 37% of the votes (31 votes);
"Coffee" was a close second with 31% of the votes (26 votes);
"Tea" received 25% of the votes (21 votes);
and "Beer/Wine" received 7% of the votes (6 votes).

We received 84 responses.
Thanks so much for participating (:

Book Bin's Staff 2022​
From Left to Right:
(Standing) Marla Alexander, Linda Wesselink, Simona Bernfeld, Erika McCoy, Julie Harms-Muth, and Andrea Fossier
(Seated) Nancy Randall, Amy Morrison, Alli Gilley, and Carol Pickering
If you can't "see" the book for you,
we’re here to help!
Reach us in the store, over the phone,
in an email, or online​.​

Thank you for reading and for shopping locally.
We appreciate your support!

Kindly,
The Book Bin Staff
Why Shopping Local Matters

Buying local boosts the local economy.
When you buy local, more of the money you spend stays in the community. Local businesses like us, are more likely to use other local businesses and services to support our operations.

Book Bin Services
1. Free gift wrapping, cards, and gold stickers on your purchases
2. Easy shipping available on any purchases via the USPS
3. Contactless Curbside Pick-ups from our bench
4.  Fast order fulfillment of any book in print
5. Friendly people to recommend your next great read

Not a Superstore... just a Super Store!
Hardcover Jay
Lily Pad
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