Words have Power. That is why books are still being banned and challenged today, attempting to remove or restrict materials based upon the objections of certain people or groups. While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, community members, and bookstores who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read. Come into the bookstore during banned books week and express your power to read what you want!

The light went off as I watched a proud grandson selling honey from his sidewalk stand that he had collected from his dad’s hive. Figuring that creating my own hive might ramp me up in his eyes, I turned to this book. If a guy living on a houseboat in the Fraser River just south of Vancouver who knew nothing about anything beyond the ability to tell a good story could succeed as a beekeeper, so could I. Even if you have no interest in scratching your inner apiarist, read this book to learn about the fascinating world of bees from Doroghy’s keen eye, or just to enjoy the absurd adventures of living with thousands of bees on a houseboat. ~ Dave

A wedding invitation you definitely might want to decline! Foley follows in the footsteps of Agatha Christie with a remote setting of an island off the coast of Ireland and explosive secrets between spouses, siblings, and guests you can’t wait to discover. With lives and reputations at stake, who doesn’t want a front row seat? ~ Sarah

Madeline Miller shapes the mythology of Circe into a heartbreaking, at times joyful, and all together moving novel. She chronicles the life of Circe, daughter of the Titan Helios, that evolves from her birth to eventual banishment on her new and lonely island home. Circe has appeared in countless Greek mythologies but Miller flips the script and creates a story filled with magic and fantasy, centered solely around her. As other famous myths happen in the background, Circe’s story remains the most captivating. This is beautifully written literary fantasy for fans of Greek mythology, adventure, magic, and complex heroines. ~ Jillian

This book was definitely one of those that I was sad to finish. Drawing from her background as Irish immigrant, Power approaches her rise in politics - serving on Obama’s administration, eventually becoming the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. - with captivating introspection. As she likes to remind her young kids as they experience a life of luxury for the first time, “This is not normal!” Her honesty and self-deprecating humor won me over, and I can’t wait to reread this book!

This eloquent and spare novel about boys unjustly incarcerated and criminally mistreated in a reform school in the early 1960s (based on a real life institution) will break your heart. The cruelty and sadism inflicted on the children, particularly the black inmates, is out of a horror tale. And yet the humanity of the young people is even more heart wrenching, as it does not earn them any reprieve. An important book when considering our country’s troubled history on race and incarceration. ~ Victoria

One of few pleasures of the 2020 pandemic was the opportunity to try a vegetable garden, a staple in my parents' and grandparents' yards growing up. After years of urban living, I lacked a green thumb. But following the simple and cheerful guidelines of the enthusiastic Bartholomew, I finally nailed it -- with carrots, peppers, kale, Brussel sprouts and more! An A+ road map for beginning and reluctant gardeners. ~ Victoria

Gabriel Allon and his wife Chiara are in Venice on holiday when the news breaks that the Pope is dead. The young Swiss Guard assigned to the Pope on the night of his death is missing, as is the letter he had been writing… to Allon! And this is only the beginning of this meticulously detailed and breathtakingly fast passed story. From Rome to Venice, to Assisi, to Florence the chase is on to find a missing gospel, and to protect the historic passing of the Keys of St. Peter to the duly elected new Pope. It is hard to imagine this is the 20^th in the Gabriel Allon series! Daniel Silva certainly has not lost his touch and Gabriel is as charming and crafty as ever! ~ Susan

Our island is home to an amazingly diverse collection of small businesses which support and provide for the Bainbridge community. They are owned and operated by our family, friends, and neighbors and currently facing an unprecedented challenge. Help your favorite local business survive this difficult time with the purchase of a special Bainbridge Strong t-shirt or hoodie. For each item sold, a $10 donation goes directly to the business, organization, or non-profit of your choice - no additional work on their part, just a little help to show our love.