There's Snow Better Time for Books

Book Shop at Your Service

Hope you are all hunkered down with a good book! You can certainly still do some shopping safe at home (prep for the next storm) on our website — riverbendbookshop.com — to keep Ernio's fingers busy & save him from frostbite.

While we're all cozy and warm, we'd thought we'd let you know about a few services you may not know your friendly, neighborhood bookshop provides!


So you've seen and love our shops, and visited us at pop-ups, Apple Fest, Farmer's Markets, and more, but did you know we do Book Fairs, too? Submit a Book Fair Inquiry or reach out to us at [email protected] and we'll get your school set up.


You may have seen our Staff Picks and even snuck a peek at some Book Club Picks, but did you know you can register your book club with Jillian, our Book Club Concierge and receive 10% off your group's monthly selection, suggestions from our well-read staff, special event invitations, and other exclusive access. Check in today!


Also ask your company or business to reach out to us about Corporate Gifts and Bulk Orders. If they (or you!) are looking to order a bulk quantity of books for clients, employees or patrons, River Bend Bookshop does offer B2B book sales with volume discounts, easy click-to-pay invoicing, and we can arrange for pickup at either of our locations or offer free drop-shipping.


We aim to be your one-stop neighborhood bookshop (make that two-stop), so whatever your book needs, give us a call or stop by and chat us up. We're always happy to get more books into more hands.


— Ernio, snow lover &

ShOperations Manager

River Bend Bookshop

Vote for Us!

River Bend Bookshop is currently in the running for two local honors, and we hope you'll consider voting for us!

Connecticut Magazine'

Best of Connecticut 2023 — Independent Bookstore —

Voting open through April 9.

Vote Now

Hartford Courant's

Best of Hartford 2023

— Book Store —

Vote daily through March 19.

Vote Now


River Bend Recent Best Sellers

What's on everyone's reading list? Here are last month's Top Sellers at River Bend:

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

Spare by The Duke of Sussex Prince Harry

The Light We Carry by MIchelle Obama

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

Great New Local Pre-Orders

Pacey Packer Unicorn Tracker 4: Dragon Rider by JC Phillipps

— out March 21!


Calling all unicorn lovers! Pacey and Slasher (world's grumpiest unicorn) are flying high with dragons in this series with plenty of attitude, humor, and heart!

When Giants Burn by Beth Vrabel


— coming in June!


In this riveting middle grade novel, two unlikely friends fly off on an adventure they hope will set them free—only to learn the value of what they left behind.

Upcoming Off-Site Book Events

The Land Heritage Society will host author Doug Tallamy at the Welles-Turner Memorial Library in Glastonbury March 15 at 7pm.

Real Art Ways will present author Jennifer Homans discussing Mr. B: George Balanchine's 20th Century in Hartford March 26 at 4pm.

February Staff Picks

Audrey: The World and All It Holds by Aleksandar Hemon 

Meghan: Brotherless Night by V. V. Ganeshananthan

Jillian: What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J A. Chancy

Taryn: Dear Sophie, Love Sophie by Sophie Lucido Johnson

Kaitee: The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew

Tess: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Deb: One: Simple One-Pan Wonders by Jamie Oliver

Olivia: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Veronica: Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

Grace: My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

Ernio: The Wild Robot / The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown

David: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Note our Winter Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-4pm (closed Monday)

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