Wellesley Books Newsletter | May 25th, 2022
The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, the graduates are donning their caps and gowns, and our used book cart makes its triumphant return to the sidewalk in front of our store! All of these welcome harbingers of late spring appear as we head into June--traditionally, one of our busiest months at Wellesley Books.

Our tables are full of grad and teacher gifts, and local schools' summer reads will be appearing on our shelves within the next few weeks. Scroll down to find a small selection of slightly off-the-beaten-path books for grads, or come in to pick our brains--we'll send you away with a personal, heartfelt gift.
Upcoming Events
TONIGHT! Wednesday, May 25th at 7:00 PM (in-person)
Scott Stedman joins us to celebrate the release of Mouse, his new middle-grade/YA novel about a girl who uses computer code like magic.

"A creative, fast-paced tale that blends the magic and friendship of Harry Potter with the high-tech brilliance of Big Hero 6. A must for coders, hackers, and noobs alike."
–Henry Neff, author
Saturday, June 4th at 2:00 PM (in-person)
Kathy MacMillan, author of books for children and young adults, joins us for a meet-and-greet in front of the store from 2–3pm. Kathy's picture books include The Runaway Shirt, She Spoke, and Nita's First Signs, which Marlee Matlin calls "a wonderful introduction to the world of American Sign Language for children."

This is a free in-person event. Registration is not required, so don't hesitate to come by any time between 2 and 3 to say hi!
Monday, June 13th at 7:00 PM (in-person)
William Martin, author of Back Bay and Bound For Gold, presents December '41, a WWII thriller as intense as The Day of the Jackal and as gripping as The Eye of the Needle.

Called the “king of the historical thriller” by the Providence Journal, Martin has become synonymous with meticulously researched, edge-of-your-seat thrillers that transport the reader across time and place. December '41 is no different, and long-time readers and new fans alike will not be able to turn the pages fast enough this summer.

"Martin concocts a devilishly complex and lusciously detail-rich thriller."
–Booklist
Congratulations, Graduate!
Jason Reynolds



Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld
Marc Brown
ed. Suki Finn
Questlove
Angela Duckworth
Jonny Sun

Nikki McClure
Michaela Coel
Bookseller Recommendations
Colleen L. and Tracy recommend:
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
Colleen says: As her ailing father is at the end of his life’s journey, Alice is ruminating over the shallow and spotty relationship she and her dad have. Wanting to be able to ask him questions, share and create a stronger connection, she is not feeling content with her life as the eve of her 40th birthday descends. Things begin to change overnight when something crazy happens! Straub has created a beautiful testament to the bonds of fathers and daughters while providing a nostalgic throwback to the 1990s and time travel trivia. This is a touching novel which asks the age-old questions: “If you could go back in time, would you?” and “What would you change if you could?”

Tracy says: I loved this story of the love between a daughter and her father. Straub artfully uses time travel to help the main character navigate the grief she feels as her father nears the end of his life. This is a fun, heart-felt story. Readers who were coming of age in the late 90s will love all the pop culture references.
Eliza recommends:
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
Allow me to introduce you to your new favorite book in the romance canon. Izzy is stifled by her stagnant career in publishing where she spends her days crafting unanswered emails to arrogant prospective authors like Beau. Izzy hopes a house call might soften both Beau’s tough exterior and her boss's disapproval. As Izzy learns that things are not always as they seem, I found myself grinning alongside her, and my own cynicism for romance melting. As warm and radiant as they come and yet somehow free of the eye roll inducing cliches; my biggest qualm is that I cannot befriend these characters in real life.
Ashleigh recommends:
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
Just as brilliant and well-crafted as Black Sun, Fevered Star picks up in a world coming to terms with its violent history, bigotry, casteism, and corruption. The stakes are higher than ever for the stability of the Meridian: the plotters are more conniving and ruthless, and those drawn into their whirlpool are fighting their damnedest to swim amidst the sharks. Thrilling, wrenching, and completely captivating.
New In Hardcover
Natalie Jenner
B.A. Shapiro
Maggie Shipstead
Adrian McKinty
Elif Batuman
Candice Millard
Selma Blair
Robert Samuels & Toluse Olorunnipa
John Taylor Williams
Putsata Reang
Cleyvis Natera
Kitty & Al Tait
Katie Runde
New In Paperback
David Chang
Andrea Elliott
Melissa Febos
Amanda M. Fairbanks
Leigh Montville
Stacey Swann
Joshua Henkin
Louise Penny
Alex Michaelides
Sarah Gailey
T.J. Newman
Taylor Jenkins Reid
Bookseller Recommendations for Young Readers
Cassie recommends:
All the Bad Apples by Moïra Fowley-Doyle
Published three years ago, this prescient young adult novel should be read by everyone who can get their hands on a copy. Weaving in Irish folklore, historical and recent events surrounding reproductive rights, queer rights, and bodily autonomy, All the Bad Apples leaps from the page, grasps your hand, and invites you to scream along with it.
Colleen L. recommends:
The Golden Swift by Lev Grossman
As full-fledged conductors, Kate and Tom travel in the Silver Arrow along the Great Secret Intercontinental Railway (GSIR) all over the planet searching for their missing Uncle Herbert while still grappling with trying to bring back balance to the world. On this adventure, they come upon the Golden Swift, another train on the GSIR with its own agenda. Mysteries abound in this sequel to Grossman’s The Silver Arrow. There is plenty of drama both in Kate’s real world and her magical world accessed by her steam engine, gifted to her by her eccentric and mysterious uncle last year. The question plaguing Kate throughout this story is “when you are a human being fighting to save nature, are you the hero or the villain?” There are no simple answers. A fabulous read that takes the reader on another magnificent journey!
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 and school liaison Cassie 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. Click on the link below for FAQs about the program.

The May 2022 pick is Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao. 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 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 May 2022 pick is Mr. Darcy by Alex Field & Peter Carnavas. To find out more about our subscription service, click here.
New Books for Kids
Jennifer A. Nielsen
Chad Lucas
Sophie Anderson
Janet Key
New Books For Teens
Jennifer Dugan
In the Gift Department
Send your graduate off to their next adventure with a few words of encouragement!
What We're Reading Now...
Tracy K.
Betty
Caroline
Publishes May 31st
Peter
Gillian
Dog of the Week
Zora
Zora is a six-year-old Havapoo named after Zora Neale Hurston. Though she may be six, she still acts like a puppy. Her favorite things include hiking and her rainbow unicorn cat toy. Her dislikes, which are legion, include doors, stairs, air, the floor, sitting in the backseat by herself, and loud, sudden beeps. You can see her signature paint-dipped tail in this picture. May your days be full of less air and fewer floors, Zora.
Thank you for supporting your community independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Stimpson
82 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
781-431-1160