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Hello readers,
If you only subscribe to our newsletter and don’t also follow us on Instagram, you may have missed our Ariel Lawhon giveaway. I’m drawing the winner this Sunday, September 13 so head over there to enter to win The Pirate Queen swag box.
And now you get to hear me blab about some books!
If you like Netflix documentaries about wacky-to-psychotic people doing improbable-to-illegal things, you will LOVE Jon Ronson’s newest The Castle: Adventures in a World of Unraveling Men. Compulsively readable, the main investigation looks at a truly nutty man named Chris Mark who gets away with everything on the continuum from creepiness to crimes because he’s white and rich (quel surprise). Ronson further profiles a disgraced YouTube influencer, tells a history of a utopian factory town literally blown up by the company’s plant, and relates a catch up coffee date with Armie Hammer(!?). His writing is witty and brisk and the book is wholly entertaining.
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I briefly mentioned Emily St. John Mandel’s Exit Party in our last newsletter and it comes out this Tuesday! If you’re thinking “I don’t really go for sci-fi” I assure you this is not robots and spaceships sci-fi. This is a stunning piece of literature that investigates what it means to be human in the face of inhumanity - war, violence, state surveillance - and our capacity for multitudes over the course of our lives.
In 2031, Ari and Gloria go to a party at Kareem’s house, a joyous event marking the departure of troops from Los Angeles and the lift of the city-wide curfew. Ari sees a woman who looks nearly identical to Gloria acting strangely and by the end of the night, Kareem has disappeared. Across countries and continents, we journey through the decades of Ari’s life - or, as is quickly revealed, her other life. While labeled scifi, this is a vast character study in parallel.
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 | | I also want to tell you more about the wonderful upcoming book by Julie Orringer, Luna, Phoenix, Queen. Barr is a celebrated novelist whose professor wife Dava suffers from early onset dementia. But his acclaimed novel is built on the scaffolding of a story Dava wrote, chronicling her years-long affair with her colleague Svetlana. His greed and guilt and grief are tempered when he unexpectedly bonds with a shelter dog. This singular and perceptive dog ends up deeply impacting the lives of Barr, his research assistant Evie, his children Milo and James, Svetlana, and the rapidly-declining Dava herself. Julie Orringer weaves a web with these characters to explore trust, betrayal, truth, connection, obligation, and devotion, with the throughline of this astonishing dog tying all of their experiences together. As soon as we started passing the ARC around, the staff started hounding (dog pun, sorry) Craig to book her for an event. With so many major titles coming out this fall, I sincerely encourage you to add this one to the top of your list and join us at the launch event on October 13th.
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I may put down my books for a couple of hours this weekend to take myself to the new Practical Magic movie, but you can always check out the newest Alice Hoffman The Witches Of Cambridge, on our shelves now! Or you can browse Yvette's wonderful horror/Halloween table up by the registers. Scroll down for other new titles, ticket and registration links for our in-store events, plus a slew of new partner events around Darien. It will be a bookishly busy fall!
- Mallory
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Julie Orringer Book Launch with guest Sloane Crosley
Award-winning writer Julie Orringer is celebrating the publication of her Kirkus Prize shortlisted new novel, LUNA, PHOENIX, QUEEN with us at Barrett! Julie will be joined by Sloane Crosley, author of GRIEF IS FOR PEOPLE. Please purchase your ticket today to join us at the store on October 13th for this can't-miss conversation with two remarkable talents, followed by a Q&A and signing. Your ticket includes a copy of LUNA, PHOENIX, QUEEN and refreshments.
Tickets on sale now!
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The River Runs Black Book Launch
Friend of the store Tessa Wegert has a new book coming out! Join us Wednesday, October 7th to hear about THE RIVER RUNS BLACK, the second installation in her North Country series. This twisty mystery takes place in small town on the water where things aren't as perfect as they look. Save your seat by signing up at this link.
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ACOTAR 6 Midnight Release Party!
Sarah J. Maas fans, spread the word! Barrett is hosting a midnight release party for A Court of Splintered Harmony, the 6th installment in the wildly popular A Court Of Thorns And Roses series. Doors open at 11 pm on Monday, October 26th for refreshments and swag and fun. When the clock strikes midnight, you get your book and go - whether you start reading it in the wee hours is entirely up to you.
Tickets on sale now!
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Fall Poetry Night
Join us for a evening featuring a trio of local poets: B. Fulton Jennes, Katherine E. Schneider, and Laurel S. Peterson. The evening includes refreshments, readings from the featured poets, audience Q&A, and signings. Save your seat to hear from this poetic panel!
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Join us around town at these Partner Events
Browse our entire event calendar here
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