Welcome to your monthly update from Watermark Book Company!

Below, you'll find what's new in the store, upcoming events,

book reviews, and more!

Hello to all of my happy readers!!!

I simply can NOT believe that I was on vacation last month. It sustained me for a week, and now I am exhausted again. Hahahaha! What a lovely trip we had. The Dominican Republic is a very beautiful place and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We ate and swam and read and then repeated. It was a great deal warmer than I anticipated—it was 95 degrees and 85% humidity. It took me a couple of days to fully adjust. The people were one of my favorite parts of our trip—every encounter was lovely. And they were so willing to help me work on my Spanish. I was grateful for their patience. 

Above Left:

Are we wearing matching lemons for our flight? YES! We are.

Above Right:

A snorkeling excursion to a reef and then a private island where we drank fresh coconuts.

I am so nervous and excited for this upcoming season. When I order this many items, I experience a very major moment of pure panic. I am aware that it happens every year. I can clock it on a timer. I just need to be kind to myself and very much trust the process.

Every year I typically participate in a catalog campaign put out by the PNBA (Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association) where they pick titles and feature them, and then create a sales catalog for us to purchase and send out. I have not loved the title choices for a couple of years; they are a little too activism based, and I wanted to have more control over what my customers got to see and choose from. This year I decided to create my own online catalog—apparently because I absolutely despise my free time. This year was hard because we built it from scratch, but, if it is successful, subsequent years should be much easier to redesign. I worked with my team and we selected titles and categories that make sense for our readership. I am so happy with it. By the time you read this - it should be LIVE! There will be a link, but you will also be able to find it on the homepage of our website.

Please RSVP to our Anniversary event! I know there is so much going on in town that night, but I promise we have worked so hard to have so many fun things for you. We will have six authors at Sugar Mama Cafe and so much here in the shop. I can NOT wait for that night.

I know there is some controversy around bags, prices, and fees. As a team we have decided that we need to start charging for the handled paper bags. So many hard decisions, but we buy them in bulk and they cost us $.33 each. We have tried cheaper versions and different varieties but with no success—the last bag we got was great looking and a better price, but as soon as you put a book in it, the handle tore at the handle. We were able to get a full refund on those bags, so we donated them to the Salvation Army for porch drops, etc. We have really just discovered a good bag is a good bag. This is the best that we could come up with. Please work with us, please don't yell at us. Flat bags are still free.

I did not read as much as I would have desired. I did not get to read during my lunch breaks, and I pretty much collapsed when I hit the bed—these are long days. What I did read, I enjoyed. I read Beholder, by Ryan La Sala, while I was on vacation, and it was pretty awesome. Definitely a young adult novel, with some younger themes. A very interesting book about how we can get inside of the minds of others and how someone could use that for evil...and what if they used wallpaper to do it? Some really cool ideas. I was going to read Everyone but Myself, by Julie Chavez, but I left my copy on an airplane...boo! Woman, Captain, Rebel: The Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain, by Margaret Wilson—I am mostly through with it, and it is very good so far. It is a rather big book. I will say that it is non-fiction and I love that. I have read several translated books, and they are so good but they are a little trickier to read at times, and this reads that way. I am learning so much about Iceland. So much research was done for this book. I listened to Not Forever, but For Now, by Chuck Palahniuk. I will say this book is NOT for everyone. I really like his dark and twisted mind. Parts of this book were disturbing. Like his other titles, I think it was well written. I also listened to

The Twenty-One: The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the US Government Over Climate Change, by Elizabeth Rusch. I really enjoyed this non-fiction title. There were some inconsistent elements with the voice of the youth and portrayal and recall of events—however, overall I really did like it. I would recommend this title; it is really such an important topic and these kids are amazing.

This month I will read Cinderella Evidence, by Bruce Rolfe. I didn't have time to read it last month. I look forward to hosting him on Black Friday. I am also going to read Family Family, by Laurie Frankel. I have so enjoyed her other titles, and I believe this one is about adoption. I am going to listen to Nineteen Steps, by Millie Bobby Brown. I also want to listen to The Five Family Money Conversations, by Taylor and Megan Kovar. I also want to listen to Spy School Goes North, by Stuart Gibbs, with Janet—this is a wildly popular series.

Happy Reading and Stay Safe!

Brandy~

Author Events, Book Signings, and Shop Events

Happy Halloween from all of us Pete the Cat girlies.

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New Charge on Handle Bags

Starting November 1st, we will implement a $0.10 surcharge on our handle bags.

Don't worry—for the time being, our flat bags will remain complimentary.

Thank you for your continued support and bringing your reusable bags.

Watermark Book Company's First Official Holiday Catalog!

For the first time, we have created our own digital Holiday Catalog!

Brandy worked long and hard to curate this catalog of gift ideas

based on the reading of our community, our customers, and our team.

Follow this link to the catalog start planning your holiday shopping.

Watermark Book Company's 34th Anniversary Celebration

Monday, November 13th—Sunday, November 19th

Watermark Book Company's 34th Anniversary Celebration

Our 34th Anniversary Celebration is THIS month!

We have so many fun things planned...

Wednesday, Nov. 15th, we will offer a special 20% off sale! You must pay using cash or check to take advantage of this sale, and few exclusions apply. 

Saturday, November 18th from 5:00–8:00pm...a celebration so big, we needed TWO locations...

• Author Takeover at Sugar Mama Cafe—we will host SIX local authors!

**There will be two time slots: one at 5:00pm and one at 6:00pm, and, if you RSVP for either time slot, we will give you a coupon to take back to Watermark for that evening.

👉Tele Aadsen - What Water Holds

👉Rachel Linden - The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie &

The Enlightenment of Bees

👉Susan Meissner - Pumpkin Day at the Zoo (children’s book),

Only the Beautiful, & The Nature of Fragile Things

👉Christian Murillo - Soul of the Skagit

👉Shannon Page - The Chameleon Chronicles mystery series set on Orcas

👉Essea White - I Wonder (children’s book)

• Back at the bookshop—we're throwing a party!

👉We will have an awesome photo booth with Dunraven Photo, and email you your pictures!

👉Custom macarons from Frankie's Bakery.

👉Mary Gold Tales Illustration will be here making 5" by 5" original watercolor keepsakes.

👉Tarot Card readings by Dyanna Marshall—15-minute readings, 12 spots available for $30.00/reading. Respond to this email or call the shop at 360-293-4277 to RSVP.

This event is NOT to miss.

For the week of Monday, Nov. 13th–Sunday, Nov. 19th, we will be running our raffle basket special: when you spend $100+, you may enter to win the basket of your choice! We will have five baskets to choose from, with at LEAST a $300 value each. Check out these awesome baskets...

The Fun Reader Basket

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The Serious Reader Basket

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Fun for the Whole Family Basket

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The Nature Lover Basket

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The Foodie Basket

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Thanksgiving Is November 23rd

Send a card to let your loved ones know you're thankful for them.

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Read a good book to celebrate!

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Winter Is Coming

Get your holiday cards written and ready to mail!

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Holiday puzzles to get you in the spirit of the season.

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Advent Calendars are a great way to get excited for the holidays.

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This Just In

New Reading Lights

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New Planters

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I-clips magnetic page markers.

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Handmade, fair-trade leather journals from Earthbound.

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Bushell and Peck donates a book to children in need for each journal sold!

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New Peter Pauper journals are gorgeous. 😍

This Just In for Kids

Yarn Art kits let you create different animals.

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These board books with sliders and flaps are cute and interactive!

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New wood puzzles from Peter Pauper Press make great gifts.

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📙 New in Paperback📙

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📗 New in Hardcover📗

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Upcoming Events

November

Wednesday, November 1st at 6:00pm

Days for Girls Event at the Anacortes Public Library

We are partnering with the Anacortes Public Library for this author event with

Celeste Mergens, founder of Days for Girls International.

We will be there selling copies of her book,

The Power of Days:

A Story of Resilience, Dignity, and the Fight for Women's Equity,

which is about her journey creating a grassroots organization meant to provide

menstrual products to girls in need around the world.

Friday, November 3rd–Open Late Until 8:00 pm

Art Walk

We will stay open late for the November Art Walk! Come see us!

Wednesday, November 8th at 6:00pm

Wednesday Night Programs at the Anacortes Public Library

Watermark Writing Company Presents: Writing Your Memoir

Did you know that there are more than eight styles of memoir writing?

Watermark Writing Company will be holding a class on these different types

and how to start your own story. 

Saturday, November 11th

Veterans Day–OPEN

We will be open for our regular hours on Veterans Day.

Anniversary Week

Monday, November 13–Sunday, November 19th

We'll see you then!

Thursday, November 23rd

Thanksgiving–CLOSED

We will be closed Thanksgiving Day! Please come see us for

"Book" Friday and Small Business Saturday!

Friday, November 24th–Saturday, November 25th

Book Friday and Small Business Saturday

Sale: 20% Off When You Use Cash or Check

We're celebrating the start of the holiday shopping season with a special sale:

20% off your purchase when you pay using cash or check!

Few exclusions apply. Take advantage of this rare sale and get ready for the holidays!

Friday, November 24th–12:00pm-5:00pm

Book Friday Author Meet-and-Greet with Bruce Rolfe

We're kicking off the first day of the holiday shopping season with a meet-and-greet

with local author Bruce Rolfe! Bruce will join us from 12:00–5:00pm to celebrate the release of his new book covers and his latest book, Cinderella Evidence.

Come meet the author, get your books signed,

and get started on your holiday shopping!

Saturday, November 25th–12:00pm-3:00pm

Small Business Saturday Author Meet-and-Greet

with Matthew Sullivan, Mia Rogers, and Stephen D. Orsini

We're celebrating Small Business Saturday with three local authors:

Matthew Sullivan with his mystery novel, Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore;

Stephen D. Orsini with his memoir, Nightmare on the Scottie;

and Mia Rogers (a middle school student) with her novel, Nightshadow.

Our authors will be here from 12:00pm–3:00pm

to sign copies of their books and chat with YOU!

December

Friday, December 1st 5:00pm-8:00pm

Art Walk–Artist/Author Takeover at Blackbird Wine Bar

We're taking over Blackbird Wine Bar! On the evening of December Art Walk—

Friday, December 1st from 5:00pm-8:00pm—we are happy to host two local authors and one local artist! Kylie Fair Anderson will be there with her lovely cards and paintings,

Samantha Ferraro with her One-Pot Mediterranean cookbook,

and Susan Specht Oram with her mystery series!

The bookshop will also be open late for Art Walk for your holiday shopping needs!

Thursday, December 7th-Friday, December 15th

Hanukkah

We will be open our regular hours during the week of Hanukkah!

Come shop our selection of Hanukkah books and cards.

Sunday, December 24th–Christmas Eve

OPEN 11:00am-4:00pm

We will be open on Christmas Eve for our regular Sunday hours, 11:00am-4:00pm,

for all of your gift-giving needs!

Monday, December 25th–Christmas Day

CLOSED

We will be CLOSED Christmas Day, but we will be back in business on

Monday, December 26th. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Watermark Book Club

Watermark Book Club is on hiatus!

In the meantime, we'd like to feature some of the books the team members are reading!

Diane just read Starter Villain, by John Scalzi. Here's what she thought:

"An out-of-work journalist inherits a villainous shadow empire from his mysterious uncle – complete with a secret undersea lair, foul-mouthed dolphin sentries trying to unionize, and cats that type (and spy, but in the most benevolent way…). This funny, breezy read is what the words “rollicking romp” were invented for. I give STARTER VILLAIN five ninja throwing-stars."