My mind is full to bursting after a weekend spent at The Nantucket Project, the fourth year of this incredible ideas conference for which we are proud to be the bookselling partner. The calibre of speakers is always remarkable and this year was no exception. Secretary of State John Kerry, Julian Assange via hologram, Larry Summers, etc. etc. For this literary crowd though, let me just say two words: Billy Collins. 

U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins turns out to be hilarious. He won the crowd over completely reading poems from his new book AIMLESS LOVE, the title poem of which is The Nantucket Project's "Nantucket Poetry Project" poem of the year. (This year's poem was Robert Pinsky's "The Shirt.")

Other author highlights included Kelly Corrigan, Dan Harris, Chris Matthews, and more. Click here for the collection. I plan to blog about the whole thing in depth soon.

The other Big Thing of the week is scary. It's a total renovation of Bookworks that we need to undertake this winter. (There's an article in this week's Inquirer & Mirror - sorry I couldn't find an link. I also was on Channel 22 discussing it with Libby Gibson.) The plan is to add a second story and basement--which will be a major undertaking--so we will be closed from late December until June. Yipes. The hope is to retain as much of the original feel and fixtures as possible, while at the same time making adaptations to make the store even more relevant. (Sales are dipping considerably each year.) This winter we will roll as much of Bookworks' inventory as we can fit into Mitchell's so you will have a great place to go 7 days a week. 

As for the remodel, what would you like to see? We invite all thoughts to help us make the new improved version the best it can possibly be.

I'll be hosting coffee upstairs at Mitchell's periodically this fall, beginning this morning (Monday Sept. 29th) at 10am. Join me if you can and bring questions and ideas. 

From here on I turn this newsletter over to our ever-enthusiastic book lover Tim Ehrenberg. I can't thank him enough for his help spreading the words. 

Thank you always and especially in advance of this winter's disruption,

Wendy H.

There are so many great mysteries to solve right now.  Tana French's newest The Secret Place and Louise Penny's 10th Three Pines mystery The Long Way Home are a couple excellent page turners we really recommend you pick up this season. You won't be able to put them down until you're done.

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A new Nantucket book is always cause for a celebration.

On This Day in Nantucket History by the Nantucket Atheneum's own Amy Jenness. Photographs throughout and a great value at $16.99, it belongs in every Nantucket literature collection.  Find it here

We also offer a great selection of Nantucket Ghost Stories at both stores. Come in to read some hauntingly good books this month!

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"What's on the Books?" in October.

I had the pleasure to read an advanced copy of Jodi's newest novel and it was truly amazing!  I can't wait for it to be released so I can talk about it with others. 

DECK THE SHELVES with brand-new Christmas novels by two beloved Nantucket authors! The perfect stocking stuffers,

Pre-order these books from the island that inspired the stories:

It's never too early to start thinking about Holiday shopping, and this CD would make another great gift for the stockings:

With 40 songs and over 150 Nantucket musicians, this CD is the perfect gift for that island music lover!

Renovating Bookworks 

READiscover the Joy.

Our goal as booksellers, and most importantly, Nantucket booksellers, is to provide the island with book stores for many generations to come, while at the same time, keeping the charm and coziness the iconic stores have always had.  

Bookworks is getting a little make-over this off-season and will hopefully be ready to be back open as soon as the summer season begins.  For the full story, pick up a copy of The Inquirer and the Mirror this week to read an interview with Wendy by John Stanton:

-WH

While all the specifics have yet to be decided, we promise to keep you up-to-date as the plans progress.

As a thank you for such a great 2014 season and with the excitement of all the things coming in 2015, bring in a book buck for a dollar off any book this month!

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Have a great October and as always, 

Happy Reading!