Hey readers! We've got some really big news to share! We are delighted to announce that River Bend Bookshop is opening a second location this Fall in West Hartford! 

Opening this Bookshop was a dream come true, and thanks to the incredible support of our community throughout the last four years we have not only survived, but thrived. 

We will be located at 161 Park Road, just down the street from our friends at Playhouse on Park and across from Plan B. The West Hartford location will feature all the things you love about River Bend: a thoughtful selection of books for children and adults, gifts, games, stationery and toys, and our fabulous bookseller recommendations.  

We hope to bring more of you as much fun and "book-citement" as we had recently at our Author Stage event and our special author visits from Isaac Fitzgerald at Hops on the Hill and Sebastian Junger at the CT Historical Society. If you'd like to pick up a signed copy from them, nab them before they are gone.

We're looking forward to our next multi-author event October 16 at the Bookshop with children's authors Josh Funk, Rajani LaRocca and Elly Swartz who will be reading and sharing from their books as well as signing copies for kids — of all ages. (Take a look at all their titles here: riverbendbookshop.com/Oct16Event.)

By the way! If you haven't had a chance to stop by the shop during the week, we're now open again seven days a week, adding Sunday hours 10-4, as we head into the fall and coming holiday seasons.

We are extremely excited and looking forward to meeting you in both of our homes. Stop in and share in our joy!

— Meghan, Owner

River Bend Bookshop (x 2!)

Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono

Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds

Meghan: Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty

"Pick up this book now! Morgan Talty is a master in the making, and this debut will have you feeling all the feels.  

Set on the Penobscot Nation in Maine, the stories are intense, at times even devastating, but are also intelligent, funny, and beautifully authentic."

Winner of the New England Book Award for Fiction!

Audrey: Strangers to Ourselves by Rachel Aviv

"A highly important, highly readable work of nonfiction about mental illness and how it's treated through intimate, well-researched narratives, including the author's own. These accounts are so much more than clinical observations of 'the insane.' They are deeply human portraits of real people.

Great for fans Oliver Sacks' work or Malcolm Gladwell's Talking With Strangers."

Taryn: The Honeys

by Ryan La Sala

"Ryan La Sala wrote the book we needed when we were growing up. And I’m not saying this because we grew up together.

The Honeys explores gender fluidity and grief at an elite summer camp. Fall in love with Mars as they navigate the tragic unexpected loss of their twin sister while trying to find their way–and survive–during their sinister stay at Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy."

Ernio: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

"If you knew how to get Mario to the top of the flagpole, you’ll love this story of Sam and Sadie, who meet as kids and become quick friends over their mutual love of video games. A chance meeting brings them back together during college and they take their friendship to the next level — designing a game together. The story follows each of their lives and how their friendship evolves through success, relationships, tragedies and even :gasp: adulthood but always comes back to games."

Tess: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

"Attention Taylor Jenkins Reid fans! Reid’s newest book, from the same universe as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and the Six, and Malibu Rising (which you might remember Carrie from), follows tennis legend Carrie Soto through her extensive career from the 1960s until her retirement in 1989. After a brash upstart ties her record for the most Grand Slam titles, Carrie is determined to return to tennis and give a message to the world: Carrie Soto is BACK. An engaging read that I (along with all my family) couldn't put down."

Jade: Fairy Tale by Stephen King

"In one of King's less terrifying novels, he explores a mystery following Charlie Reade. He looks like an average high school kid, great at baseball and football, a decent student. But his life is in a bit of a twist. His mom was killed in a car accident and his dad consequently turned to alcohol to cope. He learned to take care of himself and his dad. But he seems to meet a mysterious dog and her old master where some odd sounds always seem to appear."

Kaitee: The Silence that Binds Us by Joanna Ho

"The Silence that Binds Us made me feel ALL. THE. THINGS. A timely exploration of when we should stand up and speak out, May’s drive to take back her narrative and fight against the wave of anti-Asian hate sweeping her community is an inspiration. This book had me laughing, crying, thinking… what more could you want? Truly a triumph."

Taryn: Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch

"Independent teenagers, red heads, witches, Salem, MA, and the discovery of a word I wish I knew earlier in life–fernweh. These are some of the reasons why I loved Spells for Lost Things so much. This book was a happy unputdownable escape for me. I was so satisfied with it that I cried when I finished reading!"

Audrey: Quest Kids and the Dragon Pants of Gold by Mark Leiknes

"Attention Big Nate fans! Join Ned and his rag-tag group of friends as they quest to find Ned’s missing parents…and maybe stop a village from getting burned down by a dragon this time. The start of a funny new series any kid is sure to love. My kiddo gave it two big thumbs up!"

Hours: Saturday, Sunday, Monday & Tuesday 10-4 and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10-6