Shelf Stable: August 17th
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“Reading is a conversation. All books talk. But a good book listens as well.”
― Mark Haddon
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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.
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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?
--Marika
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Read our reopen policies and updated hours!
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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!
Updated In-Store Shopping Hours:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday-Friday: 3PM-7PM
Saturday: 9AM-6PM, with 9AM-11AM set aside for vulnerable customers
Sunday: 3PM-7PM
Curbside Pick Up: Daily, 3PM-7PM
We really appreciate your support!
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Join our next virtual events!
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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.
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Aimee Nezhukumatathil with Hanif Abdurraqib, World of Wonders
Wednesday, August 18 at 7:00PM
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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.
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Want to show your love of Porter Square Books? Order your very own Porter Square Books T-shirt!
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Visit your friends at Cafe Zing!
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Did you know our beloved Cafe Zing is open for customers? Now you know!
Open Wednesday-Saturday, 8AM-2PM! See you and your extra-shot, biggest-size-you-have iced latte at the cafe.
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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!
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Porter Square Books is proud to partner with the Prison Book Program to help provide access to books to people in prison. Order any title off this wish list and select the "Curbside Pick Up" shipping option and we'll give to the Prison Book Program to distribute.
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Antiracism Books: A Place to Start
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Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline, read by Michelle St. John
A bold and brilliant new indigenous voice in contemporary literature makes her American debut with this kinetic, imaginative, and sensuous fable inspired by the traditional Canadian Métis legend of the Rogarou—a werewolf-like creature that haunts the roads and woods of native people’s communities.
“Cherie Dimaline’s latest novel packs a wallop of a story. Absolutely stunning in every way, this latest offering follows the story of Joan, whose husband has disappeared, and her courage when confronted with truths and lies. She and her husband, Victor, live in a Métis community, close and tight knit. As Joan deals with the fallout of her emotions after Victor disappears, she comes across another man, Eugene Wolff, who bears her husband’s face. He does not carry Victor’s memories and insists he has no idea who Joan’s husband is. Turning over rocks to find the truth, Joan reaches out to whomever she can in her community for help. What waits for her at the end of her quest is incredible. This novel will have you at the edge of your seat!” --Annie Carl, The Neverending Bookshop
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Digital Audio Books:
A terrific way to support local indies!
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Want book recommendations, personalized just for you?
Fill out our form with your likes and dislikes, genres and favorites, and we'll crowdsource a bunch of great picks for you with our crack team of real life booksellers. Give it a whirl!
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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.
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EXPANDED OPTIONS:
Journals, Stationery & Crafts
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Sometimes a new notebook is what it takes to get the juices flowing!
We have now made a much wider variety of notebooks, journals, and even calendars available for order from our website, like this classic Moleskin. Now, along with items with an inventory status of "On Our Shelves Now," you can order journals, notebooks, diaries, calendars, planners, and more with an inventory status of "Available at Warehouses."
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Face Masks
Face coverings are going to be with us for a while, so we’re now offering non-medical grade cloth masks (including kid size) from a variety of makers. Right now quantities are limited, but additional styles are on the way. We’ll keep you posted!
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Additional Book Bundle Offerings
Make your shopping easy by buying bundles, handpicked by our expert booksellers!
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Rose Byrne reads The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.
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Support Cafe Zing Baristas!
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Although Cafe Zing is its own business separate from ours, we really don't see it that way: Zing workers are part of the Porter Square Books family. They keep us well supplied - very well supplied - with caffeine, kindness, and some great tunes. Sometimes they give us staff picks; sometimes we give them exact change because we've bought the same, perfect, comforting, delicious beverage twice a day five days a week for how long, now?
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New month, new discounts! Check out what our booksellers are loving this summer.
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Featured Staff Pick for Children
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Author, Brandy Colbert, does such a wonderful job at getting at the importance of voting, the barriers that get in the way, and navigating difficult racial conversations that needs to be addressed at any age. Marva Sheridan was the best friend I needed in high school because the importance of voting was lost on me as a teenager!
-Sinny
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Featured Staff Pick for Adults
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Real Life begins when Wallace, a graduate student at a predominantly white Midwestern University, decides to join his friends for an outing at the lake. Hyperobservant, intelligent, and depressed, Wallace has entered academia to earn a PhD in biochemistry—and to erase his past as a queer, black child in the rural south. Instead, over the course of a weekend, Wallace’s life unravels with the urgency and horror of a social thriller. Told with precision and nuance, Real Life, portrays the looming forces of racism and academic isolation alongside the sharpness of hidden personal trauma.
-Justin, Writer in Residence for Adults
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See you next time here at Shelf Stable!
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Did you miss an installment, or want to share with a friend? The Shelf Stable Archive has all our past issues!
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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.
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25 White St. Cambridge, MA 02140
617-491-2220
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