“Reading is a conversation. All books talk. But a good book listens as well.”

― Mark Haddon

There’s that moment when a friend mentions their favorite series. Their eyes bounce between manic and gazing far away. They chatter on, then pause, unable to capture the exact wow, then chatter again, and you know that behind their eyes is a reel of favorite scenes and lines, characters that, you suspect, they may feel a closer friendship with than they do with you...

Since you’re reading this, it’s also very likely that you are that friend, too. There’s something to be said about series that inspire such manic devotion; even if they’re not great, they’re doing something right for a certain audience. 

When I think of grade school, each year is defined by a series or author I was obsessed with, though I was less a kid who gushed about books and more of one to arch a brow and say, “Of course I’ve read it. Multiple times.” But there was also a joy in it. I remember waking into a bookstore, seeing Trickster’s Choice by Tamora Pierce, and gasping. Then, reading the flap copy, realizing it was about Alanna’s daughter, and bursting into happy tears. 

I was reminded of this recently while watching Apple TV’s Central Park. The particular episode opened with the 10-year-old character bursting into a song, "Nuts, Nuts, Nuts" about his favorite series of books: The Squirrel Quarrels. I’ve rewatched the video a dozen times this week because I find joy in it. The animators have captured the dance moves of a joyous kid, pumped to meet his favorite author. He rattles off his favorite scenes, talks about characters, and fanboys in an adorable way, while his family attempts to eat their meal. Occasional backdrops of book scenes (think Redwall) flash behind him. It’s a delight of book-love. 

One of the joys of bookselling is getting to see people delight at getting their hands on the new book they desperately wanted. (The kids are the best, and generally disappear to a corner to read, or have to be told to stop reading while walking -- I get this. I once walked into a lamp post coming out of the library while reading The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce. My mom and brother laughed at me.) Since I can’t see your book delight these days, what series have you crushed over? What books have you giddy with anticipation? 

Thanks to all our friends who've visited so far -- it's been wonderful to see everyone's face (well, the top half above the mask anyway) and we're so grateful to everyone who has been so respectful of our policies!

Curbside Pick Up: Daily, 3PM-7PM

Register to join the event on Crowdcast here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/dontaskme

In Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, first-generation American LatinX Liliana Cruz does what it takes to fit in at her new nearly all-white school. But when family secrets spill out and racism at school ramps up, she must decide what she believes in and take a stand. 

Former Boston Public School teacher and debut author Jennifer De Leon has a goal: she wants to put a free copy of her book in the hands of every ninth grade student at the O'Bryant High School in Boston. Help us reach this goal by donating a copy to a student! Porter Square Books will gather all donations and bring them over to the O'Bryant School once we've reached our goal.

Aimee Nezhukumatathil with Hanif Abdurraqib, World of Wonders

Register to join the event on Crowdcast here: www.crowdcast.io/e/worldofwonders 

From beloved, award-winning poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil comes a debut work of nonfiction--a collection of essays about the natural world, and the way its inhabitants can teach, support, and inspire us, gorgeously illustrated by Fumi Nakamura.

As a child, Nezhukumatathil called many places home: the grounds of a Kansas mental institution, where her Filipina mother was a doctor; the open skies and tall mountains of Arizona, where she hiked with her Indian father; and the chillier climes of western New York and Ohio. But no matter where she was transplanted--no matter how awkward the fit or forbidding the landscape--she was able to turn to our world's fierce and funny creatures for guidance.

"What the peacock can do," she tells us, "is remind you of a home you will run away from and run back to all your life." The axolotl teaches us to smile, even in the face of unkindness; the touch-me-not plant shows us how to shake off unwanted advances; the narwhal demonstrates how to survive in hostile environments. For it is this way with wonder: it requires that we are curious enough to look past the distractions in order to fully appreciate the world's gifts.

This weekend cooled off, it felt a little like fall, and we at the bookstore came down with a case of the creeps. Are you looking to jumpstart Scary Season with some chilling reads? Have we got some recommendations for you!

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne

Poesy the Monster Slayer by Cory Doctorow

When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin

Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alan Schwartz

Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe

Our "get 3 paperbacks" bundle options have expanded to include Caleb, Meaghan, Shana, and Sarah! Get 3 paperbacks handpicked by the bookseller that fit in with their theme. You can find all bundles.

Rose Byrne reads The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.

They're our family, and they could use a hand. If you are able, please considering donating to the Cafe Zing GoFundMe; 100% of proceeds go to baristas. What might you have spent at Zing over the past weeks if it we were in normal times? If that $10 is still in your wallet, consider putting it in their tip jar. We love you, Zing!

New month, new discounts! Check out what our booksellers are loving this summer.

And don't forget to subscribe to our Events Newsletter for the full line up of events coming up, and our Kids Newsletter for all the latest on events, new books, reviews, and more for young and young-at-heart readers.