Hibernation-Worthy New Books at Barrett

Happy Friday! And what a freezing cold Friday it is. I hope you’re feeling back on track after last weekend’s snowstorm. I enjoyed the slower pace of our storm hibernation, drifting between a jigsaw puzzle, board games, hot tea and cocoa, and reading by the fireplace. Sunday night had us all cozied up with Percy Jackson for Luke (can you spot his Barrett bookmark?), Heartwood Hotel for Eamon, and Kat Rosenfield’s How To Survive In The Woods for me. I could not put it down. It had twist after twist, but not in a sloppy way, as each jaw-drop was strategically and smartly introduced. Having enjoyed the ARC I’m now even more excited to host her at the store in March!

You subscribe to this newsletter for book recommendations, but for any audiobook and/or podcast listeners, I want to recommend the latest episode of Anne Helen Petersen’s Culture Study called “How an Audiobook Gets Made”. She had a fascinating conversation with Julia Whelan, a prolific audiobook narrator and novelist of titles like My Oxford Year and Thank You For Listening. The conversation covers how she got into the work, whether some books offer a “better” reading experience in the audio format, pronunciation idiosyncrasies, synthetic voice and AI, and the financial realities of audiobook narrators. Whelan shares her bewilderment in saying, “I don't understand how we can be at the crossroads of acting where you get residuals, and publishing where you get royalties and yet somehow [audiobook narrators] don't get either.” You can download the episode on your preferred podcast player or you can find a transcript of the episode here.

While we still have single digit temperatures ahead of us, there's really no better time than to pick up a new book and stay indoors. You're also welcome to come by to browse our Valentine's Day offerings, including classroom packs of valentines! I hope you have a wonderful and warm weekend.

- Mallory

New Fiction Releases

New Non Fiction Releases

Events at Barrett Bookstore

Deborah Goodrich Royce's next gripping psychological thriller is coming! Join us on Tuesday, February 24th to celebrate the publication of Best Boy, a tale that teeters precariously between memory and identity when the arrival of a shocking letter threatens the carefully constructed life of a woman desperate to outrun her past. Click here to save yourself a seat.

We are thrilled to welcome Norwalk-based Kat Rosenfield's to the store in celebration of her new book How To Survive In The Woods. Set in Maine's Hundred Mile Wilderness - the treacherous final stretch of the Appalachian Trail - this is an addictive tale of passion, betrayal, control, and what it means to survive. Join us on Thursday, March 12th to hear Kat Rosenfield, in conversation with Tessa Wegert, discuss and consider what it means to be a survivor - and what, or who, you would sacrifice to stay alive. Click here to RSVP.

In partnership with India Cultural Center, we are thrilled to host Darien author Sharbari Ahmed to explore her short story collection, The Strangest Of Fruit. Edwidge Danticat says this "stunning and remarkable collection is as emotionally resonant as it is unforgettable." Ahmed will be in conversation with local writer Nalini Jones, author of Unbroken Coast. Click here to save yourself a seat.

Join us for an afternoon author chat on Sunday, April 12 to celebrate Deborah Levison's newest book, A Novel Crime, a darkly funny tale that asks just how far an aspiring writer will go to see her name on a book jacket. She will be discussing this darkly funny tale with Greg Wands, author of Trust Issues. Please click here to RSVP.