Wellesley Books Newsletter | July 22nd, 2020
And now, for something a little different. For most of March, April and May--our distance-bookselling months--books were our bread and butter, but we love our gifts too! So, in the spirit of showcasing our many sides, this week's newsletter highlights some recent additions to our gift department. A new assortment of bandanas, outdoor games and tabletop decorations are making it feel positively summery in here. If you'd like to take a closer look at anything, just give us a call and we can set you up with an appointment to browse the store--we're open to walk-ins as well.

Meanwhile, our online event series is going strong, with special appearances from Laurie Halse Anderson, Mikel Jollett and many more. These Zoom discussions with writers from all over the world have truly been 2020's silver lining, and we're fortunate to virtually host some of our very favorite people this year. If you've always been curious about our online author visits, now's the time to join in!
Upcoming Events
Thursday, July 23rd at 7:00 PM
Caldecott Honor-winner Brendan Wenzel joins us at bedtime to read his latest picture book, A Stone Sat Still. A Stone Sat Still tells the story of a seemingly ordinary rock—but to the animals that use it, it is a resting place, a kitchen, a safe haven...even an entire world. Click below to register for this online event.
Friday, July 24th at 7:00 PM
Laurie Halse Anderson, YA author extraordinaire, presents her new graphic novel, Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed. Anderson and artist Leila del Duca reimagine Wonder Woman’s origins in this timely story about the refugee experience, teenage activism, and finding the love and strength to create change. This is a ticketed online event. Register with the link below or by calling Wellesley Books.
Monday, July 27th at 7:00 PM
Join us for an evening of adventure! Sarah Henning presents The Princess Will Save You, a YA fantasy adventure inspired by The Princess Bride, in which a princess must rescue her stable boy true love. Sarah will be in conversation with Elizabeth Lim, author of Unravel the Dusk. Click below to register for this online event.
Wednesday, July 29th at 7:00 PM
Mikel Jollett, musician and erstwhile on-air columnist for NPR's All Things Considered, presents Hollywood Park, a remarkable memoir of a tumultuous life and a childhood marked by an infamous cult. Ultimately, Hollywood Park is a story of fierce love and family loyalty. Mikel will be in conversation with Adrienne Brodeur, author of Wild Game: My Mother, Her Secret, and Me. Click below to register for this online event.
Thursday, July 30th at 7:00 PM
Molly Howes, clinical psychologist and award-winning writer, presents A Good Apology: Four Steps to Make Things Right. Dr. Howes uses her experiences with patients in her practice, research findings, and news stories to illustrate the power and importance of a thorough apology. Molly will be in conversation with Michelle Seaton, journalist, NPR reporter, and co-author of several fitness and health books. Click below to register for this online event.
Friday, July 31st at 7:00 PM
Kids, don your jammies and get ready for a bedtime story read by the author himself! Grant Snider, cartoonist, illustrator, and author, presents his new picture book, What Sound Is Morning?, a beautiful companion to What Color Is Night? that helps children explore and celebrate their morning routines. Click below to register for this online event.
Monday, August 3rd at 7:00 PM
Jill McCorkle presents Hieroglyphics, a deeply layered and masterful novel that deconstructs and reconstructs what it means to be a father or a mother, and what it means to be a child piecing together the world around us. Jill will be in conversation with Jessica Shattuck, author of The Women in the Castle. Click below to register for this online event.
In the Gift Department
Set a table that echoes the garden...
...or the ocean.
These newly-arrived bandanas from Hemlock Goods...
...add a bit of beauty to a summer outfit.
Whether you're on the beach or in the backyard, get moving...
...or take a break from long, involved board games with these irreverent picks.
Bookseller Recommendations
Peter recommends:
Love by Roddy Doyle
Two old friends meet for a night out in the pubs. Joe has left his wife, but can’t really explain why, since he clearly still loves her. Davy is back in Dublin to care for his dying father, and hasn’t much sympathy for Joe’s predicament. Over countless pints they revisit the glory days of their youth. Old resentments flare up; several times, Davy almost leaves. But through the fits and starts of drunken conversation, Roddy Doyle reveals the beating heart of what binds these two aging souls, even after years apart, and rewards the reader with a rich and deeply felt story of male friendship.
Rachael recommends:
The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
If you're a fan of gothic lit, tales of cult-like religion, examinations of race and misogyny, and powerful witches, then I guarantee you'll love The Year of the Witching. Alexis Henderson has crafted a terrifying, heart-pounding and surprisingly romantic debut that you'll devour in a day.
Colleen L. recommends:
All Adults Here by Emma Straub
A coming-of-age story for every age! A mother, her grown children and their children navigate secrets and struggles, both large and small, in a quaint town where everyone knows everything about their neighbors. Engaging and captivating!
New In Hardcover
Maggie O'Farrell
David Mitchell
Daniel Silva
Molly Howes, PhD
Katherine Center
New In Paperback
Tamsyn Muir
Marie Benedict
Cara Wall
Bill Geist
Richard Russo
Karl Marlantes
Bookseller Recommendations for Young Readers
Cassie recommends:
Camp by L.C. Rosen
I devoured Camp. The exuberance of the main character, Randy, leaps off the page even as he tries to quiet himself to win the heart of his crush, Hudson. Camp is a summer full of theater, misadventure, drag, hiking, friendship in all its forms, toxic masculinity in safe spaces, team-building obstacle courses, and the obstacle courses we build for ourselves.
Lauren recommends:
The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune
Nick Bell wants to be Extraordinary. He’s not a superhero--yet--but he writes popular epic fanfiction about Nova City’s finest superhero (and his biggest crush), Shadow Star, and that’s a good start, right? After being saved by Shadow Star, Nick is more determined than ever to become a hero. The true heart of the story lies in the relationships. Klune perfectly captures the depth and complexities of these characters that I’ve come to adore. The dialogue is near perfection; it is, at turns, hilarious, heartwarming, and heartbreaking. Full of snark and charm, this fresh take on the often overdone superhero genre was completely delightful and I can’t wait to read what’s next!
Wellesley Books is happy to present A Child's Library: a subscription service for children ages 0-5 (or anyone who loves picture books)! Each month, our children's book buyer, Lauren, will select one newly released picture book to be sent or picked-up from the store. The purpose 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 selection is Oliver the Curious Owl by Chad Otis. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.
New Books For Kids
Lisa Moore Ramée
Gordon Korman
Julie Lee

Hana Tooke
Act
Kayla Miller
Ryan T. Higgins
New Books For Young Adults
Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Travis McElroy, Justin McElroy & Carey Pietsch
Faith Erin Hicks
Erin Hahn
Natalia Sylvester
Wellesley Square Sunset Sale
Local merchants in Wellesley are banding together to bring you some fun this summer. It's called the Sunset Sale and it happens every Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m. starting mid-July. For details and a list of participating merchants (including us!) click here.
What We're Reading Now...
Sally
Colleen L.
Pete
Cassie
Rachael
Andy
Peter
Jane
Lorna
Dog of the Week
Fraulein is a three-year-old Schnauzer who thinks with her stomach. Since she's so food-motivated, it's easy to teach her tricks like the one she's demonstrating here. (She also showed us "sit pretty" but was a little too quick for a photograph.) When she's not chowing down, she loves to play Frisbee and to take a dip in the creek near her home. Good job, Fraulein.
Thank you for supporting your community independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Stimpson
82 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
781-431-1160