Open for Shipped Orders!
Our physical store is closed, but you can still get many books shipped to you directly from our warehouse. Here's how:  
1. Only order titles with an inventory status of "Available at the Warehouse" 
2. Select the " UPS/USPS Ground Shipping" option
3. Five or fewer books per order if possible.

We are happy to fulfill other orders, but will not be able to process them until at least May 18. Other options: try  Indiebound.org  or  Bookshop.org - keep it indie!
Shelf Stable: May 12
 Place in pets. / Night town. / Night town a glass. / Color mahogany. / Color mahogany center. / Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose. / Loveliness extreme. ” – Gertrude Stein
Rosé is a Rosé is a Rosé is a Rosé

It has been interpreted that in 1913 when Gertrude Stein wrote the poem  Sacred Emily  and used the line “rose is a rose is a rose is a rose,” that she meant that things are basically the same/what you see is what you get/life is what it is and nothing more.  However, I choose to believe that she simply forgot to put the accent  aigu  atop the “es”. Thus, in my opinion what she was really writing about was wine.

The Greeks were the first to produce rosé bringing grape vines to Southern France; eventually the Romans began to make “light” wine (the distinctive color comes from the skins of the grapes).  In France, Provence in the south and Burgundy in the east central part of the country became the home to most rosé production.

There was a time when rosé was considered a second cousin to the more sophisticated whites and reds; however,  rosé has exploded in the US recently, especially in the spring and summer. Some claim in France, rosé has now become more popular than white wine.  Mon Dieu!
 
Perfect for sipping in the backyard, or on your porch on a slow summer day, a glass of cold pink rosé will take all your cares and woes away and you can transport yourself to 27 rue de Fleurus in the heart of Paris where Gertrude Stein often sat smelling her roses and sipping rosé. 

Á Votre Santé, Nathan

To learn more about rosé I found a few very helpful books:

This book, by Rutherford Winn, tells you everything you need to know about the history of wine and much more. 
This is a comprehensive guide to all things oenological.
Described as “the most single useful volume on wine ever,” The World Atlas of Wine 8th Edition  is by Hugh Johnson and Francis Robinson and a very popular title.
Join our next virtual event!
The S-Files: On the Road Again with Shana Doing Deliveries
Heading Here
Thank you all for letting us bring you books, being lovely, and keeping Somerville and Cambridge beautiful places to live. Here's a look at a 50-ish book delivery run.

(Center: Feline Friends)
(Right: Shana can't resist pictures of tulips)
First things first: disturbing the cat's peaceful slumber, picking a Red, White and Royal Blue inspired playlist, getting caffeinated at Flour (goodness do we all miss Zing!!!!)
Headed to pick up the deliveries from the store (with fun new mask to boot).
You all have so many beautiful flowers, trees, gardens, homes!
Deep, velvety tulips, flowers that remind Shana of Miss Rumphius, Shana's favorite: fragrant lilacs, and a wonderful door
Need Some Inspiration?
On the Occasion of a 33rd Birthday

Today is my birthday! I am 33 and have learned over the past few years that I enjoy making my own birthday cake (maybe chalk this up to a control over flavor rather than a mad love of baking). Today I’m making the Milk and Honey cake (with lavender) from Simple Cake by Odette Williams. I especially love this book because her recipes aren’t for occasions, but rather cake at any time, and who doesn’t love that! If there’s any good day to bake and eat cake, it’s definitely a random Tuesday in May (or maybe Wednesday by the time you read this). So join me! If you don’t have this book, the recipe I’m using is also available in the New York Times Cooking online.

-- Heather
Bedtime Stories
Not only is Shana busy doing deliveries, they're doing bedtime stories too! Here's last night's reading from Spindle's End :
And of course, don't forget to meet us over at our Instagram story at 8:45pm for tonight's live bedtime reading!
Support Cafe Zing Baristas!
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?

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!
Featured Staff Pick For Kids
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

It's rare that I find a book that so perfectly balances the drama of middle school and family problems with the drama of being able to break through the fabric of reality. Add to that the brilliant humor, a fascinating mix of characters, and the mouth-watering descriptions of Cuban food, and you've got this gem of a book. You won't soon forget it. -- Shana
A Porter Square Books Choose Your Own Adventure!
You pocket it - it must be some magic rum for the recipe. Back to the book!

You flip the book open and decide to read the first poem you see. Since only one is in any intelligible writing at the moment, there's not much choice. "Like a coconut, round the sand / Find the monkey, hold his hand / A tip of the hat, a flip of the phone / round and round you'll make it home." "This is the clearest one yet," you think to yourself. As if reading your thoughts, Summit says "Ah, most clear! Come, brethren, we must circle the island!" You and your new friends loop the island and pause. "But...where's the monkey?" you ask. Suddenly one of the other pirates lights up, "ah! yes, but of course! The monkey statue we acquired and hid amongst the brush!" You're all off running to the center of the island, stopping when you reach the location of the said statue. Summit clears away the brush, and nods. You grab the monkey's paw, thinking briefly about how many ways this feels cursed. You look down at your phone. It's not a flip phone, so you give it a quick toss in the air. Summit tips his hat, and the world slides apart.

Existence slowly starts to re-materialize, and you see that you're back in the witch's kitchen. "Um. I've got the rum?" You posit with trepidation. "FINALLY," they shriek. The cloaked figure turns but stops abruptly.
"You brought the pirates. And worse yet, YOU BROUGHT THE MONKEY! Useless! I should have left you where I found you!" they say sullenly, and then, "Give me the rum already!"
Do you...
Give the cloaked figure the rum and ask for some cake (you're hungry).
Ask what they meant by leaving you where they found you...
Try and throw the monkey at the cloaked figure.
Hope that Summit will interject with something pithy.
Audio Book Of The Month
The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson

Fatima is a concubine of the sultan of the last emirate in the Iberian Peninsula to submit to the Spanish Inquisition. When her dearest friend, Hassan, a mapmaker who can map places he has never seen (and that do not always exist), is singled out by the Inquisition, she flees with him and a jinn, following the trail of the elusive and mythical Bird King, who may or may not be able to grant them sanctuary. Wilson’s latest novel is rich with the historical detail, lush description, and fantastical elements that we have come to know and love from her. A story of resistance, freedom, seeking, and strength, and a true fable for our times.
--Anna Elkund, University Bookstore
See you next time here at Shelf Stable!
We'll get out our next issue as soon as we can. In the meantime, don't forget about all the other places you can catch up with us from afar, on
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