It's Summer! And we hope that means plenty more time for you to read. We've got some fresh new displays in the shop featuring the latest new hardcover and paperback releases, grab-n-go beach reads, and a brilliant rainbow of LGBTQIA+ voices and stories to celebrate Pride month. Stop by and enjoy browsing our shelves.

The River Bend Book Truck is going strong, bringing a little book love to farmers markets and events all around our area. Pop in to get a look at our newest book tote that converts from an over-the-shoulder bag to an on-the-go backpack. See where we're headed on the calendar here.

Lastly, we are SO excited to bring back the Where's Waldo fun, kicking off July 1st with loads of our fellow local businesses and the amazing Glastonbury community! Grab the official passport at the shop to join in (available the last week of June).

Enjoy your summer wherever it takes you! Hopefully, it's with a book (or two) on hand and time enough to read them!

— Meghan, Owner

River Bend Bookshop

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

An unlikely friendship develops between a grieving widow and the octopus she meets while working at the local aquarium.  A beautiful and hopeful story.

Dirtbag, Massachusetts: A Confessional by Isaac Fitzgerald

The best memoir of the year is coming from River Bend favorite Isaac Fitzgerald on July 19 PREORDER NOW!

Flying Solo by Linda Holmes

From the author of Evvie Drake Starts Over comes another funny and charming story of small town life in New England. Take this with you to the coast!

The Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker

The heiress to a Connecticut-based firearms fortune is haunted by victims of Chapel weapons in this gothic-style novel.

A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow

The second in the Fractured Fairytales series takes on Snow White's Evil Queen, because princesses aren't the only ones stuck in a story they didn't write.

Audrey: Cult Classic by Sloane Crosley

"Cult Classic tells the story of Lola, a young engaged woman in NYC, who, while out to dinner with friends, happens to run into an ex-boyfriend she hasn’t seen in years, then another…and another.

This book is bursting with wry humor that will bring to mind greats like Nora Ephron. I laughed. I cringed. I found myself genuinely moved."

Taryn: The Mutual Friend by Carter Bays

"This book about connection — both on and offline — gave me chills when I first had it in my hands. Yes, it’s another New York City love story, but this one spans continents as well.

Fans of the television series 'How I Met Your Mother' will love co-creator Carter Bay’s novel debut."

Kaitee: This When The Emperor Was Divine 

by Julie Otsuka

"As the grandchild of Japanese American incarcerees, the book pulled at all of me. The way Otsuka weaves this story sets you into the hearts of each member of this unnamed family, forever changed by Executive Order 9066.

This book is a beautiful gut punch, especially the chapter where they return home. We need more books like this."

Jade: Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood (out Aug. 23, preorder today!)

"This is a cute, charming book about a stereotypical nerd and bad boy. When Bee’s science equipment starts going missing and the staff is ignoring her, she has no one to turn to. Her career is at risk and so she shakes hands with Levi. This story develops to surpass the societal expectations of a “nerd” and ends up being endearing and sweet."

Ernio: TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo

"When popular Indian TJ finds herself and her debate partner Sikh cousin at the center of a body-shaming meme, she takes matters into her own hands and fight back.

A raw, fun and honest spin for a school-set, brown girl, rom-com story that may just start a body image revolution."

Sophia: Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals

by Alexis Gumbs

"This is the most intimate piece of nonfiction I’ve ever read. It takes every stereotype about scientific writing and flips it on its head. Gumbs honors different marine mammals and shows how their natural instincts offer valuable insights into our own lives. Topics of race and resilience make this such an eye-opening read!"

Anzal: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

"Belly’s visited Cousins Beach every summer, enjoying the water, the activities, and the Fischer boys. This love triangle had me on the edge of my seat and I read all three books in this trilogy incredibly quickly." Just adapted into a show!

Deb: This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

"An aching love letter to the 1990s, our teenage years and where (and when!) we find our truest selves. Both tender and hilarious in turns, Straub’s novel reminds us our parents were young once, too–and that our connection to family and friends can outlast any choice we make."

Tess: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

"A great example of Reid’s signature features: fame, secrets, and one catalytic moment that reveals too much too soon. Follow the children of Mick Riva (seen in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo) as they learn more about themselves and each other after they reunite."

Hours: Monday-Tuesday 10-4, Wednesday-Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-4, closed Sunday