Wellesley Books Newsletter | August 19th, 2021
We may be in what is, traditionally, the sleepiest part of the bookselling year...but since September is so packed with new releases, we figured we'd get the word out early and devote most of this newsletter to them! As always, you can pre-order any of these books from us and we will contact you as soon as they're ready to be picked up or shipped. Many staff favorites are featured among the titles below--a perk of bookselling being, of course, advance access to new books--so come in and talk to us if you'd like to learn what we're truly excited about.
Upcoming Online Events
Friday, August 27th at 7:00 PM
Kids, don your jammies and join us for a Bedtime Story with the author AND illustrator themselves! Author Sarah Thomas and illustrator Jo Kosmides Edwards read Kalamata's Kitchen, their charming story about food, facing fears, and overcoming back-to-school jitters.
Staff Recommendations
Peter recommends:
Paradise by Lizzie Johnson
Expanding on her award-winning reporting on the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California, Johnson focuses on the near total destruction of the town of Paradise amid the desperate evacuation efforts of its inhabitants. Visceral accounts of overwhelmed first responders, parents struggling to save their families, and everyday citizens fighting against the odds, alternate with damning evidence of the fire’s origins in aging, poorly-maintained infrastructure. As the Dixie Fire is showing, these threats to our communities are becoming a terrifying and heartbreaking norm. This book is a must-read.
Jane recommends:
Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson
Ash Davidson’s dazzling debut is set deep in the redwood forests of Northern California. It follows the fortunes of a logging community buffeted by economic pressures and the threat of environmental contamination. A raw study of people tied to the land and a way of life that is both back-breakingly difficult and incredibly beautiful. What a striking and devastating book this is.
Ashleigh recommends:
Wildwood Whispers by Willa Reece
Wisewomen. Midwives. Healers. Warriors. Sisters. These women are the center of Willa Reece’s debut novel, Wildwood Whispers. This book is an homage to nature, the family you find, and the connections you inexplicably know in your bones. It is beautifully rendered and cleverly plotted; it delights in the splendor of a quiet Appalachian mountain town, and it celebrates the magic that comes from finding your village and honoring our Earth. Wildwood Whispers speaks to the power of those who will unite against destruction and who will find deliverance when they believe in powers greater than themselves. Fans of Jules Watson and Barbara Kingsolver will be enchanted with this story.
For Your Future Shelf: Adults Edition
(Available 8/24/21)
Louise Penny
(Available 9/7/21)
Lauren Groff
(Available 9/7/21)
Maggie Nelson
(Available 9/7/21)
Sally Rooney
(Available 9/7/21)
Colm Toibin
(Available 9/14/21)
Colson Whitehead
(Available 9/14/21)
Mary Roach
(Available 9/14/21)
Liane Moriarty
(Available 9/21/21)
TJ Klune
(Available 9/22/21)
Richard Powers
(Available 9/28/21)
Anthony Doerr
(Available 9/14/21)
Tarana Burke
New in Hardcover
Sylvia Moreno-Garcia
Leila Slimani
Kotaro Isaka
Zoje Stage
AJ Pearce
Yoon Choi
Billie Jean King
Mary L. Trump
New in Paperback
Graham Swift
Cecily Von Ziegesar
Nicholas Sparks
Bookseller Recommendations for Kids and Teens
Lucy recommends:
The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould
The darkness lurking at the edges of rural Snakebite, Oregon is alive, and it’s hungry. But when newcomer Logan rolls into town — along with her fathers, Snakebite natives who once swore never to return to their small-minded hometown — the Dark may have finally met its match. Teaming up with local Ashley to investigate the disappearances of several Snakebite teens, Logan finds herself dangerously close to uncovering the dark secret at the heart of Snakebite, and her own family history — and falling for Ashley in the process. Beautifully written and addictively scary; think Stephen King, but for queer girls. I could not put it down!
Sofia recommends:
Tides of Mutiny by Rebecca Rode (coming out September 7th)
This book had such well written characters, immersive description, and a fantastically exciting plot that kept me hooked throughout the entire novel. I could almost feel the salty air of the sea on my face as I read it. Lane is a fierce and compelling protagonist with Katniss Everdeen vibes: she's 16 and she WILL save the world if it's the last thing she does. A little Pirates of the Caribbean plus a little Princess Bride equals one hell of a fun adventure!
Middle-Grade Monthly: A Subscription Club
Middle-Grade Monthly is our new subscription service for kids ages 8-12! Each month our children's book buyer Lauren and school liaison Cassie will select a newly-released chapter book. Get your hands on the newest and soon-to-be coveted books of the year. We offer monthly and yearly subscriptions, and you can pick up your book at the store or have it mailed to you.

The August 2021 pick is The Many Meanings of Meilan by Andrea Wang. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.
Picture Book Subscription Club: A Perfect Gift!
A Child's Library is a subscription service for children ages 0-5! Lauren and Cassie select one newly-released picture book each month to be sent or picked-up from the store. The goal of A Child's Library is to help foster a love for books within the child's home. It makes a great baby shower gift!

The August 2021 pick is A Song of Frutas by Margarita Engle and Sara Palacios. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.
For Your Future Shelf: Kids Edition
(Available 8/31/21)
Stuart Gibbs
(Available 9/7/21)
Sara Pennypacker
(Available 9/7/21)
Katherine Applegate
(Available 9/21/21)
Ann Clare LeZotte
(Available 9/21/21)
Kelly Yang
(Available 9/21/21)
Soman Chainani
(Available 9/14/21)
Jewell Parker Rhodes
(Available 9/7/21)
Ryan T. Higgins
(Available 9/14/21)
Janae Marks
(Available 9/21/21)
Brian Selznick
(Available 9/28/21)
R.J. Palacio
(Available 9/7/21)
Bethany C. Morrow
New Releases
Dusti Bowling & Gina Perry
Patrick Ochieng
Jordan Ifueko
Amber McBride
Shannon Price
In the Gift Department
Stay tuned: our End of Summer Gift Clearance Sale is on its way soon. We're making way for a great lineup of fall and holiday gifts, and you'll find great prices on a great selection of items. Watch your email for more news!
What We're Reading
Geoff
Eliza
Gillian
Sally
Cassie
Dogs of the Week
Rosie and Betty

Rosie is a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel from Albany, and Betty--named after the Golden Girl--is a rescue pup. She's sometimes called Betty Boots because of her white paws. This was their first time in any store, but they're now "bookstore dogs" for sure. Come by any time, ladies!
Thank you for supporting your community independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Stimpson
82 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
781-431-1160