HOURS: MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 10AM - 4PM |
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Welcome Readers,
Happy July everyone!
Summer reads are here in earnest, and most of our reviews below are pure escapism. The long days and extreme heat are a great reason and excuse to lay low and keep turning pages.
Let's get out into the community this month! We highlight a few events below- a book club, or two, and an author event- and the Rotary's Rubber Ducky Race on July 12 (click for tickets) in the Village Green. We are also hosting a "Where's Waldo Local" hunt right here in Downtown Northbrook.
This month, we received a very special and unexpected donation "in Memory of Norma Adler". In her friend's words, Norma "was so smitten with books." Thank you, Norma, for your love of books and inspiring your friends to donate to this small business!
We hope you enjoy our humble newsletter and our friendly store. We also want to take a moment to recognize the victims of the tragic event on July 4th. As always, you have a friend at 1151 Church Street to talk books with.
Kindly,
Alli & Amy
& Everyone at the Book Bin
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JUNE 2022
BESTSELLERS
Woman on Fire
by Lisa Barr
Sparring Partners
by John Grisham
Book Lovers
by Emily Henry
Two Nights in Lisbon
by Chris Pavone
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict &
Victoria Christopher Murray
The Plot
by Jean Hanff Korelitz
So Help Me Golf
by Rick Reilly
The Seven Husbands
of Evelyn Hugo
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus
Latecomers
by Jean Hanff Korelitz
The Paris Library
by Janet Skeslien Charles
Horse
by Geraldine Brooks
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Book Bin's Upcoming Events |
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Where's Waldo Local
comes to Downtown Northbrook
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There are so many places to find Waldo in Downtown Northbrook! We have hidden 6" mini Waldo figures in various places, and we'd love if you took a walk through our community to spot him hidden in small businesses.
Participants will take a photo of Waldo when they find him and save those photos on their phones.
Come by the store for a map of locations to begin your hunt!
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Friday, July 15
1:00 ~ 4:00 pm
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Celebrate Alli's 30 years in Bookselling |
Young Alli walked into the Book Bin on July 15 in 1992, her 16th birthday, and asked for a job. After an interview, she was hired that very day! 30 years have passed, and she is still as excited to be here as ever. Join us for her 46th birthday and a celebration of her 30 years with Northbrook's independent bookstore.
We'll also be handing out prizes for our WHERE'S WALDO in DOWNTOWN NORTHBROOK event. Bring the kids, both big and little, to this celebratory party!
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Mary Em wants nothing more than to end her anguish. Mosely is searching for the love he's been missing most of his life. And Mishigami--who fears he is dying from rampant pollution and overfishing--seeks a champion.
A story of friendship, survival, connection and the unquestioning power of nature told through three distinct voices, Speed of Dark affirms a love of humanity that transcends all else, including race and background.
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NORTHBROOK AUTHOR
PATRICIA RICKETTS'
LOCAL BOOK LAUNCH
The Book Bin is happy to host this event for Patricia, and we welcome anyone and everyone to come chat with us and the author and friends.
JOIN US!
JULY 14, 5:00 PM
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Next Month's Book Discussion Night
Please join us as we discuss The Searcher by Tana French
with Sheila Whalen as our discussion group leader.
Cal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a bucolic Irish village would be the perfect escape. After twenty-five years in the Chicago police force and a bruising divorce, he just wants to build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens. But when a local kid whose brother has gone missing arm-twists him into investigating, Cal uncovers layers of darkness beneath his picturesque retreat, and starts to realize that even small towns shelter dangerous secrets.
“The queen of crime returns with a thriller about a retired Chicago police officer who discovers the sinister underbelly of a seemingly quaint Irish town.”
—Entertainment Weekly
The date of the in-person discussion is Thursday, August 4 at 7:00 pm. Your RSVP helps us set up for the evening, so please call us or click below.
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Please join us as we discuss Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell with Sheila Whalen as our discussion group leader.
The date of the in-person discussion is Thursday, July 7 at 7:00 pm.
The Book Bin's Adult Book Discussion has a long history behind it of great questions, deep diving into the novels we select, and a general feeling of community. We'd love to have you here. If you know you'll be attending, we'd love to know; please RSVP if you're able.
“Of all the stories that argue and speculate about Shakespeare’s life, here is a novel so gorgeously written that it transports you to England in 1580."
-- The Boston Globe
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Mystery Book Club
Our next mystery book club discussion is of November Road by Lou Berney, and we hope you can join us.
The date for our next in-person Mystery Book Club will be Monday, July 18 at 7:00 pm.
Our discussion will be lead 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 if you are able.
“This superior novel from Edgar winner Lou Berney melds crime fiction with a tale about people reinventing themselves, played out during a cross-country automobile trip.… An emotional story about the power of love and redemption through sacrifice with the backdrop of a crucial historical moment.” — Associated Press
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Sparring Partners
Written by John Grisham
Published by Doubleday Books
Available in Hardcover Now
In Grisham's latest novel, you get 3-stories-in-1. These three shorter novellas are all quite satisfying on their own, though Grisham could never find a time to write a complete novel around them. The first story features the beloved character, lawyer Jake Brigance. Jake's friend has allegedly returned home after he skipped town five years ago. This causes a bit of a stir. In the second story, a 29-year-old has only a few hours to live before he is executed for murder. As you get to know him, though, you really do not want him to die, nor do you believe he deserves to. In the last story, we meet the title characters, brothers Kirk & Rusty Malloy. Their father has been sent to prison, and the brothers intend on keeping him there. Now if they can only get their hands on his fortune. Totally engrossing and just the right amount of plot, intrigue, and the law, Grisham has another bestseller on his hands.
Reviewed by Alli Gilley
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It All Comes Down To This
Written by Therese Anne Fowler
Published by St. Martin's
Available in Hardcover Now
I admit I might have a soft spot for stories about sisters, but this summer read hits all the right notes. When sisters Beck, Claire, and Sophie lose their mother, they should at least hold onto their Maine summer home, right? At least that is what Beck, the eldest, wants and envisions for her writing getaway. Unfortunately, youngest sister Sophie needs the money from the sale of the house to pay her overwhelming credit card debts. But this family saga is just warming up. There is one more secret that threatens to tear the family apart, but luckily sisterhood can withstand anything.
Reviewed by Alli Gilley
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Any Other Family
Written by Eleanor Brown
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons
Available in Hardcover July 12
Eleanor Brown's third novel is about three women who have become a family because they have adopted children from the same woman, Brianna. Phoebe is Brianna's first born. She lived with Brianna's mother for 7 years, but when she died, Phoebe chose Ginger to raise her. Ginger likes peace and quiet and dislikes change; Ginger is single. Tabitha and her husband adopted Brianna's twins; Tabitha has a good heart, lots of energy, and wants everyone involved to feel a strong family connection. Elizabeth and her husband John adopted Brianna's youngest, Violet. Elizabeth is having doubts about her ability to mother. When Tabitha arranges a two week get together for everyone at a vacation home in Aspen, conflict is bound to occur.
Reviewed by Nancy Randall
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The 6:20 Man
Written by David Baldacci
Published by Grand Central Publishing
Available in Hardcover July 12
Baldacci has again created interesting characters and intricate plots in The 6:20 Man. Every day, Travis Devine, ex-Army Ranger and newly coined MBA, takes the 6:20 commuter train into work as an entry-level analyst at a Manhattan investment firm. His routine is shattered the day he gets an email that his girlfriend has hung herself, and he becomes embroiled in non-stop action involving the NYPD, a clandestine government agency, financial corruption, money laundering and the odd hit man. Near comic relief comes in the form of his interactions with his three odd and driven roommates. A very enjoyable novel indeed and I suspect we will see more of Travis Devine in a future Baldacci series.
Reviewed by Rich Brown
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Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Written by Gabrielle Zevin
Published by Knopf
Available in Hardcover on July 5
If you love books and bookstores, you may have read a little book years ago called The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry; it's definitely on my list to reread as it will be coming out as a movie sometime soon. Ms. Zevin was just 36-years-old when the bestseller was published. She is back with an artful tale of three friends in their twenties: Sam, Sadie, and Marx, who have created a video game company together. Sam and Sadie met in a hospital when they were twelve, and though their friendship has ups and downs, it is the kind of close bond that cannot ever be truly broken. This may generally be a read for a younger crowd, as it deals with computer programming for gamers, but the characters are complex and fallible and completely lovable. I don't "game" and I loved every page, and even the video games come out feeling like "characters"
Reviewed by Alli Gilley
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Look Closer
Written by David Ellis
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons
Available in Hardcover on July 5
Simon and Vicky seem like a happily married couple. Simon is a law professor at the University of Chicago. They live comfortably on the outskirts of Chicago, a place similar to Oak Park. But looks can be deceiving. When a beautiful woman is found hanging in her home, in an adjacent suburb to the Tobias's, perhaps like River Forest, Simon's and Vicky's lives begin to unravel. An affair, a $20 million trust fund, and an unsolved murder, all lead the local police to ask, "who are these people really?" You must Look Closer to solve this mystery.
Reviewed by Marla Alexander
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Portrait of an Unknown Woman
Written by Daniel Silva
Published by Harper
Available in Hardcover on July 19
This is Daniel Silva's 22nd book featuring art restorer and spy for Israel, Gabriel Allon. Gabriel has retired as director-general of the Office and has moved with his family to Venice where he will be in charge of paintings at the newly formed Tiepolo Restoration Company. Venice is the only place Gabriel has known peace and while his twins are enrolled in school, he wanders the city to finally decompress and relax. But when eccentric London art dealer and friend Julian Isherwood asks for help in investigating the provenance from the sale of a painting that was attributed to Anthony van Dyck, Gabriel is once more drawn in to the dark world, this time the world of art forgery. The plot to find a mysterious forger and uncover a multibillion dollar fraud will take you on a wild and entertaining journey.
Reviewed by Marla Alexander
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James Patterson by James Patterson:
The Stories of My Life
Written by James Patterson
Published by Little, Brown and Company
Available in Hardcover now
James Patterson is an icon in the book world, and he has some great stories to tell about his life. He has had interesting jobs ranging from a mental hospital employee to an advertising executive. Written with the quick chapters and witty one-liners that characterize his mysteries, this autobiography moves through his life from the poorhouse to the rich house. As mentioned last month, if you are interested in listening to the book read by the author himself, please consider signing up for a monthly subscription to our audiobook partner, Libro.fm. Find the book on audio by clicking here.
Reviewed by Alli Gilley
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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
Our punch cards get punched leading to $10 off your next purchase.
Our Book Club
We meet on the first Thursday night of the month. RSVPs requested.
Book Bin Detective Club
Our mystery book club meets on a Monday night mid-month, with Monday July 18 set as our next meeting this year.
The Booklovers Club
Let us send a book each 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".
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Quick Question: How do you read our monthly e-newsletters?
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1. I read them on my computer for the full-screen experience.
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2. On my mobile device is how I prefer to read the e-newsletter.
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3. I like the ease of reading on a tablet for the best of both worlds.
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4. The printed word is what I like, so I print out the email to read.
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Last Month's "Quick Question" Results:
Do you have a reading goal for this summer?
"Read a Book a Month" was the winner,
receiving 42% of the votes;
"I'm trying for Over 10 Books" received 34% of the votes;
"Just a Few per Month" received 24% of the votes.
We received 41 responses.
Thanks for participating (:
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Come by our store to touch before you buy!
We’re here to assist you in any way ~~
in the store or an email
over the phone or online.
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Thank you for reading
and for shopping locally!
We appreciate your support.
Kindly,
The Book Bin Staff
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
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Our staff is vaccinated.
- Our hours are Monday to Saturday from 10am-4pm, and you can always request a Curbside Pick-up during those hours or even after hours.
- Everyone can choose for themselves whether or not to wear a mask in our store.
- Hand sanitizer is available throughout the store if desired.
- We ask that you keep a respectful distance between yourself and the staff and other customers.
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GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
We can text or email you a photo of the certificate for digital sharing. Gift Certificates can be used over the phone or the website by including the certificate number in the order comments.
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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!
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