Wellesley Books Newsletter | February 1st, 2023
It's Top 25 season! Our eagerly awaited bestseller bookmarks landed on our doorstep yesterday afternoon. They're collected and traded year after year--and sometimes even shipped to former Wellesleyites living out of state--and it's fun to watch these bookmarks spark discussion at the register. Stop in to get a physical copy while they last, or you may browse our lists for adults, young readers, and kids and teens on our website.
Upcoming Events
Please note that we are now featuring a mixture of online and-in-person events.
For further details about each event, please click the author photos below.
Sunday, February 5th at 4 PM (online)
Natalie Haynes, author of A Thousand Ships and Pandora's Jar, joins Novel Neighbor and Wellesley Books online to discuss Stone Blind, her fresh and stunningly perceptive take on the story of Medusa, the original monstered woman.

"Haynes is master of her trade . . . She succeeds in breathing warm life into some of our oldest stories."
–Telegraph
Thursday, February 9th at 7 PM (in-person)
Laura Zigman, author of Separation Anxiety, presents Small World, a heartfelt novel about two offbeat and newly divorced sisters who move in together as adults—and are finally forced to reckon with their childhood.

"Small World is a treasure: a family story that is wistful one moment, witty and wry the next. Few novelists write as beautifully about the damaged heart and the wounded soul as Laura Zigman, or understand the emotional bonds of siblings and sisters. I loved this novel."
–Chris Bohjalian author

Laura will be in conversation with Joanna Rakoff, author of My Salinger Year and the forthcoming memoir, The Fifth Passenger.
Sunday, February 12th at 2 PM (in-person)
Marie Benedict, author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie and co-author of The Personal Librarian, joins us to discuss her latest book, The Mitford Affair.

"An in-depth exploration of the complications and bonds of sisterhood. Benedict perfectly captures the anxiety and uncertainty of England's interwar years and serves as a timely reminder of the dangers of enigmatic autocrats. Fast-paced and eye-opening." ―Fiona Davis, author

Please note that this Wellesley Books event will likely take place at an off-site venue. We will keep ticket-holders updated when we know the location.
Tuesday, February 14th at 10 AM (in-person)
Author Deborah Farmer Kris joins us to read two books in her All the Time series, I Love You All the Time and You Have Feelings All the Time. Deborah will also bring some arts and crafts!

This is a free event but we ask that you RSVP with the link below. Thanks!
Tuesday, February 28th at 7 PM (in-person)
Rupert Holmes, Edgar Award-winning mystery author and writer/singer of Escape (The Piña Colada Song), joins us to discuss his new novel, Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide.

This devilish thriller has a killer concept: The McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts is a luxurious, clandestine college dedicated to the fine art of murder where earnest students study how best to “delete” their most deserving victim. A delightful mix of witty wordplay, breathtaking twists, and genuine intrigue, Murder Your Employer will gain you admission into a wholly original world, cocooned within the most entertaining book about well-intentioned would-be murderers you’ll ever read.
Bookseller Recommendations
Tracy A. recommends:
Maame by Jessica George
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Maddie, a mid-twenties British Ghanaian woman who is trying to find just the right balance of independence while caring for her sick father and dealing with an overbearing while simultaneously absent mother. Maddie is deeply introverted and reflective, qualities that at times can make it uncomfortable to interact with new flatmates, new colleagues, and new potential love interests. She handles all of the above with as much grace as any 25-year-old and I loved her all the more for it.
Ashleigh recommends:
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
Fans of Alex, Dawes, Turner and Darlington--get ready. This is an emotional, intense, I-need-Dawes's-comfort-food ride, but it will be worth it! We get more Mercy and Tripp, several ill-advised journeys to hell, vengeance by Alex, and loads more monsters to keep the ride going. Better buckle up!
Lorna recommends:
Ms. Demeanor by Elinor Lipman
Art, food, family, NYC, twins and home confinement--leave it to Elinor Lipman to create another fun novel that you will dive into, shutting off the world until you finish the last entertaining and satisfying page!
New In Hardcover
Hanna Pylväinen
Paul Harding
Jane Harper
Jay Shetty
Eleanor Shearer
New In Paperback
Colleen Hoover
Isabel Allende
Julie Otsuka
Miriam Toews
Danya Kukafka
Ibram X. Kendi
Delia Ephron
Ann-Helén Laestadius
Chuck Klosterman
Johann Hari
Julia May Jonas
Bookseller Recommendations for Young Readers
Colleen L. recommends:
What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski
Anna is the new girl in town. She can't seem to figure out why one girl, Rachel Riley, has been ostracized by everyone--not only in the eighth grade, but the whole school. Eager to solve this mystery and complete her application to a very special podcasting camp in Chicago, Anna digs deep and uncovers a lot about herself, her new town, and the people in it. #socialmediasavvy #metoo #stronggirls
Amy recommends:
The Circles in the Sky by Karl James Mountford
Another tear-jerker, although I think this one is universal, not just specific to me! It is a book about death. Straight up. I was drawn to the cover initially—the colors are “my colors” and I loved the blockprint look of the illustrations. I read it while at work, at the back register, and was fanning my eyes with my hands and sniffling by the end because it just hit me hard. The main character is a fox and the deceased is a blackbird but the feelings are raw human.
Middle-Grade Monthly: A Subscription Club
Middle-Grade Monthly is our subscription service for kids ages 8-12! Each month our children's book buyer Lauren selects 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. Click on the link below for FAQs about the program.

The February 2023 pick is Opportunity Knocks by Sara Farizan. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.
Picture Book Subscription Club: A Perfect Gift!
A Child's Library is our subscription service for children ages 0-5! Lauren selects 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 February 2023 pick is In Every Life by Marla Frazee. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.
New Biographies for Black History Month
Angela Dalton & Lauren Semmer
Carole Boston Weatherford, Sob Sanders & Byron McCray
Frank Murphy, Surya Bonaly & Anastasia Magloire Williams
Glenda Armand, Kim Freeman & Keith Mallett
Sandra Neil Wallace & Bryan Collier
Traci N. Todd & Shannon Wright
Jerry Pinkney
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara & Olivia Daisy Coles
Tonya Bolden & Eric Velasquez
New Books for Kids & Teens
Jeff Miller
Amy Zhang
Melissa De La Cruz
In the Gift Department
Truly your full-service bookstore--we now sell these adorable ukuleles from Amahi! The ukulele is a fun and relatively easy instrument to learn; ours come in a variety of cheerful patterns, with soft nylon strings that are gentle on fingertips.
What We're Reading Now...
Elle
publishes February 21st
Tracy A.



Jerry
Catherine
Dog of the Week
Ziggy
Meet Ziggy! This good boy, who turns nine in February, is blessed with a distinguished grey muzzle and the ideal wonky ear configuration. But he doesn't get by on looks alone--a popular and friendly fellow, he loves to go on walks through his neighborhood and to socialize with all and sundry. He was adopted from Save a Dog, where, to quote his mom, it was "love at first sight" for this "amazing boy." Walk this way any time, friend.
Thank you for supporting your community independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Stimpson
82 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
781-431-1160