Hello River Bend Readers. Audrey here. As I’m sure many of you are feeling, words seem too small in light of the massacre that took place at an elementary school in Uvalde, TX on Tuesday. At the same time, it feels wrong not to pause and reflect. So, I’ll borrow a thought from the brilliant writer, comedian, and activist, Baratunde Thurston: 

"When we ban books in schools before we ban guns, we admit we are more afraid of our children learning than we are of them dying."

Along those lines, my staff picks for this month are all challenged books. Read them. Think freely. Learn from the lived, real experiences of marginalized voices. They are not the threat.

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On a much lighter note, there is a lot to be joyful about coming up at River Bend. In June we’re hitting the road once more with the River Bend Book Truck. Check out the calendar here. We’re also thrilled to partner again with our friends in West Hartford at Playhouse on Park for their production of The Agitators. Stop by our pop-up shop in their lobby. Finally, make sure you stop by the shop for all your gifting needs over these next few weeks. We’ve got just the right thing from Dads to grads to end-of-year gifts for teachers. 

Thank you so much for being part of this beautiful community of readers and thinkers. As always, we’re honored to be your independent bookstore.

— Audrey, Manager

River Bend Bookshop

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel

Melissa by Alex Gino

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Stamped by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi

Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Laura Cornell

Meghan: This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

Tess: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Noah: November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Audrey: Time is a Mother by Ocean Vuong

Ernio: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Anzal: Vicious by V.E. Schwab

Taryn: Love That Story by Jonathan Van Ness

Deb: Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach

Matteo: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

Hours: Monday-Tuesday 10-4, Wednesday-Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-4, closed Sunday