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Wellesley Books Newsletter
May 14th, 2020
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As we round out our first week with a small crew back in the store, we'd like to thank you for all of your calls, online orders and patience! Like everyone else, we're moving more cautiously these days, and the need to give everyone space, plus the reduced size of our team, means that everything takes a little longer than normal. But it's been a treat to hear familiar voices over the phone and to once again drive through the varied neighborhoods of Wellesley and surrounds with your bags of books. We've also been hard at work putting together a pretty fantastic line-up of online events through the end of May--check it out below!
We expect to have a browseable selection of puzzles, games and gifts on our website soon, but please call the store between 10 AM and 4 PM Monday through Saturday if you would like suggestions--book people have lots of opinions about board games--and 12 PM to 4 PM on Sunday. If your preferred method of self-care comes in the form of a book, rather than a thousand pieces, we've put together a list of some of our favorite titles here. While none of us knows what the next few weeks may hold, we're here to make your at-home days as enjoyable as we can. |
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TONIGHT! May 14th, 7:00 PM
Don't miss these two middle-grade all-stars! Laura Ruby presents the conclusion to her bestselling York trilogy, The Map of Stars, and Erin Entrada Kelly presents We Dream of Space, a pitch-perfect middle-grade novel about family, friendship, science, and exploration. To attend this free Zoom event, please register by clicking here. |
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Saturday, May 16th, 11:00 AM
What could be better than Saturday morning storytime? Join authors Keri Claiborne Boyle and Sarah S. Brannen as they read from their new picture books. Otis P. Oliver Protests is a funny story about standing up for your beliefs, and Uncle Bobby's Wedding tells the tale of a girl who's not sure how to feel about her favorite uncle's upcoming marriage. To attend this Zoom event, click here. |
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Monday, May 18th, 7:00 PM
Think ahead to summer on the Cape with Jamie Brenner, author of Summer Longing. Called "the gold standard of summertime escapism" by no less than Elin Hilderbrand, Summer Longing is the story of a baby left on the doorstep of a Provincetown house, and the group of women who risk all to raise and protect her. To attend this free event, which will take place through Zoom, click here. |
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Tuesday, May 19th, 7:00 PM
Calling all dog lovers! Snuggle up with your best friend and join W. Bruce Cameron for Bella's Story, a young-reader's adaptation of his bestselling A Dog's Way Home. Bruce will discuss this story of a dog's 400-mile journey home with local author Jennifer Blecher. There might even be a special (canine) guest appearance! To sign up for this Zoom event, please click here. |
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More upcoming online events:
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Bookseller Recommendations
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What an exquisite book of stories this is! Although varied in setting and voice, each vignette contains characters seeking explanations for phenomena they are grappling to understand. Whether exploring matters of science, faith, magic or merely survival, these elegant, almost Victorian, tales make captivating forays into the intricacies of human nature.
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Esther is the queen and the beautiful second wife of King Ahasueras in biblical Babylon. Vee is the wife of a senator in Washington DC during the time of Nixon. Lily is the second wife of Adam in contemporary Brooklyn. These times bump into each other in this fascinating story of womanhood, feminism, mothers, and daughters. It is structured like Michael Cunningham's novel The Hours following these three women in three different time periods. This unusual novel is thought-provoking, beautifully written and filled with both humor and humanity.
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The author's lifelong fascination with lighthouses bears rich fruit in this extended meditation on solitude, the collector's urge, and the lure of the beacon keeper's life. For Barrera, lighthouses are a source of solace against life's vicissitudes, and On Lighthouses is itself a balm, a book to keep near and return to. Beautifully done!
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Old Favorites & Comfort Reads
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Remembering back to that summer of 1961 in a small town in Minnesota--h
ow could all of these things happen? But they did.
A friend told me it is her favorite book ever. I think you will feel the same way.
I cannot forget the mother.
This author has a series, the Cork O'Connor mysteries, which are all really good stories--a
nd I'm not a mystery reader. His most recent book, This Tender Land, is also excellent!
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The intergalactic road trip-found family novel you didn't know you needed. If you, too, are still looking to fill the gap in your heart that Joss Whedon's Firefly left behind, this is for you. Ignore what the back cover summary says, this book is about an unforgettable motley cast of characters who just happen to be traveling through space together, punching wormholes to a distant planet. All the delightful tropes of a road trip book--engine troubles, passengers bickering, unexpected side of the road attractions, hijinks, and uncovered secrets abound--in space!
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Bookseller Recommendations For Kids
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With so much uncertainty, I like being able to make declarative statements. Here's one: The Boy in the Red Dress is my favorite YA of the year. No question. Veronica Mars meets Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Lambert's debut is a fun, enchanting mystery set in 1930 New Orleans that follows Millie, who helps her aunt run The Cloak and Dagger, a queer-friendly speakeasy. On New Year's Eve, when a young socialite is found dead in the club's courtyard, the police suspect the club's headliner and Millie's best friend, the titular character, Marion. And Millie is the only one willing to actually investigate what happened and clear her friend's name. It was so easy to fall in love with every character, so fully-realized, each with their own hopes and dreams and flaws, that with every scene I found myself hoping each new suspect wasn't the murderer. With all the glamour and grit of a Baz Luhrman film, Lambert's novel kept me guessing, kept me luxuriating in the ballrooms and back alleys. I didn't want to leave.
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The "one and only" Bob tells us in his own words: "I'm no saint, okay?" The tough, scrappy street dog is back in this sequel to the Newbery Medal Winner The One and Only Ivan. (There's no need to feel you must read Ivan's story before Bob's, however.) This tiny mutt has faced a lot of tough times in the past, yet still has his swagger. Bob now spends his time with Julia and her family, making frequent visits to see his best friends (Ivan, the gorilla, and Ruby, the elephant) who live happily at a zoological park and sanctuary. When a huge storm hits, Bob must muster the courage to face his greatest fears and deepest regret. His good-dog heart keeps him and the reader holding on tight while zooming through this canine's tale. This story is poignant, heartfelt and masterfully told (side note: Danny DeVito has aced the character Bob in the fantastic audiobook version). If you're not already a dog lover, you will be after reading Bob's story. Get your autographed signed copies while they last now and read along with the audiobook on Libro.fm.
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New Books For Young Adults
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What We're Reading Now...
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Bookseller Pet of the Week
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Banjo
Banjo has been the Kohli family's constant companion for 13 years. Somehow, a P
oodle, a Shih Tzu and a Bichon all came together to make this chill little dude who does not at all realize that he's small. Some of his favorite activities include motoring around on walks, playing with toys roughly his size, and making sure you don't drown if you happen to go for a swim while he's nearby. Disclaimer: he looks a bit bedraggled right now, but so do we all. Good boy, Banjo.
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Thank you for supporting your community
independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Stimpson
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