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News from The Book Stall
August 6, 2025
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Monday - Thursday: 9:30 am - 6:30 pm
Friday: 9:30 am - 5 pm
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm
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We have some great events coming up, including Romance Day on August 9. Stop by and enjoy discounts and prizes to celebrate this increasingly popular genre. And make sure to chat with Kari Patch, our children’s buyer, who reads lots of romance titles and would love to offer up her ideas! (In fact, see her suggestions right below!)
And as the beginning of school approaches, staffers have selected a few titles to get the kids ready. And finally, our very own Jon Grand has an important review for our non-fiction readers.
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Bookstore Romance Day
Saturday, August 9
ADRIENNE GUNN
2 - 3:30 pm
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Join us at The Book Stall to celebrate the seventh annual Bookstore Romance Day! See our special guest, Adrienne Gunn at the store between 2 - 3:30 pm. She''ll be signing her new book, Fan Favorite.
All day long we will be showcasing romance novels and hosting giveaways. All romance books will be 20% off. Bookstore Romance Day is designed to bring together romance readers, writers, and booksellers in celebration of romance fiction books. Have fun browsing the shelves or look out for some of our recent favorites!
For the contemporary romance reader:
Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee ($19 in paperback). Here's a contemporary K-drama retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion.
All’s Fair in Love and Pickleball by Kate Spencer ($17.99 in paperback). We have fake dating with a side of high-stakes pickleball!
Books about books (and the people who make them):
Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady ($19 in paperback). A rivals-to-lovers story set in neighboring bookstores.
Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver ($18 in paperback). A former actress plays the part of a romance author. Will she find her own love story?
With some magic:
Time Loops & Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau ($18.99 in paperback). What if you met your soulmate dozens of times, only for him to never remember your name?
Her Knight at the Museum by Bryn Donovan ($19 in paperback). A medieval knight is brought to life in modern-day at the Chicago Art Institute.
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna ($19 in paperback). The follow-up to The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. More cozy magic and romance in contemporary Britain.
For the historical romance reader:
A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera ($18.99 in paperback). Set in 1889 Paris during the World’s Fair.
A Showgirl’s Rules for Falling in Love by Alice Murphy ($18.99 in paperback). A vaudeville romance set in 1890’s New York City with a contemporary frame story.
For the Romantasy/Monster lover:
I Think I’m In Love with an Alien by Ann Aguirre ($16.99 in paperback) is exactly as advertised by the title.
The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley ($30 in hardcover) is the start of an enemies-to-lovers romantasy series.
Zomromcom by Olivia Dade ($19 in paperback). A lso exactly as implied by the title: a zombie romcom, but also vampires!
Whether you love a steamy romance or a slow burn relationship, join us for the fun and we’ll help find the right book for you!
| | How We All Remember Our 'Back to School' Days! | | We all--as kids, parents, and grandparents--remember our thoughts as we anticipated going back to school, whether it was kindergarten, or first grade, or high school, or college. Our seasoned staffers have picked out their favorite back-to-school books for kids: | | |
Betsy Balyeat's books:
Embarrassed Ferret by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough ($17.99). Ferret strolled to school in style, all silky fur and cheerful smile, until she tripped on someone's duffel and caused herself a slight kerfuffle! Pencils spilled, stubborn glue and toilet paper on her shoe. The first day is not off to a good start for the ferret, but with the kindness of others her disastrous day was soon forgotten. Ages 3 - 7
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Narwhal vs. Kindergarten by Vanessa Roeder ($18). Hugo's first week of kindergarten does not go swimmingly. His tusk is too tall for the school bus and he pops all the balloons in art class. He wishes he could make his tusk disappear! But during a baseball game in gym class, he discovers he is not the only one struggling and just maybe if they all work together, they can solve their problems. There is nothing like getting a little help from friends. Ages 3 - 7
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Fish Don't Go To School by Deb Pilutti ($18.99). Henry loves the way he feels in his sparkly fish costume. He wears it everywhere he goes, even when taking his fish, Marigold, for a walk. On his first day of school, he is feeling anxious and he wishes he could take Marigold with him, but his mom says, fish don't go to school. But Henry has an idea--he knows just what to wear to make him feel better. A heartwarming story as we watch Henry make new friends. Ages 3 - 5
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Linda Diekman's Books:
Tiny T. Rex and the First Day Oopsies by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Jay Fleck ($16.99). With a moment we all can relate to, Tiny T. Rex is having a hard time adjusting to being in school! If it can go wrong, it does! Until things start to go right! -- Ages 3 - 5 . Fleck will be in the store on Saturday, August 16 for Saturday Storytime at 10:30 am!
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What Will I Do If I Miss You? by Melissa Shultz, illustrated by Lilia Miceli ($17.99).
A touching way to ease back to school anxiety for kids and the adults who love them! Alex is starting day school, but thinking about being away from his mom for so long makes him feel worried! So he and his mom devise a plan to use their magical connection—heart to heart—to feel close to one another even if they cannot be together. Ages 3 - 5
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Get Ready for School by Janet Nolan, illustrated by Maria Neradova ($18.99). So much happens to get ready for school! Here's a look at what's going on at your school while students are gathering their school supplies! The custodian turns on the lights and sweeps the hallways. The cafeteria workers wash tables and stack lunch trays. Teachers unpack supplies and organize their classrooms. Is it time for school? Ages 4 - 8
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Staffer Jon Grand takes a somber look at what happened in Japan 80 years ago today--and what could happen in the future.
Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen ($30). This month, 80 years ago, on August 6, 1945, the world’s first nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. That event, followed by a second detonation at Nagasaki, effectively ended the war in the Pacific…and changed the world forever. Since then, mankind has built bigger and “better” nuclear weapons with more sophisticated and deadly delivery systems. Today Russia has 5,500+ nuclear warheads, with the U.S. not far behind with 5,044. The rationale for such stockpiles is deterrence through mutually assured destruction (MAD). But that worked when only Russia and the U.S. had nuclear capability. Today, the Doomsday clock is set at 89 minutes to midnight.
So what if the unimaginable happened? Based on extensive interviews with government and military personnel, and comprehensive review of declassified documents, Jacobsen reconstructs minute by minute the unfolding of nuclear war. Imagining a nuclear armed missile launched against the U.S. from North Korea, there is less than 30 minutes to confirm the threat and respond. Lacking a reliable anti-missile defense system, America launches her counterattack. Other nuclear powers weigh in and the result is horrific. Surviving will be of little or no consolation. It is as Nikita Khrushchev noted: “The living will envy the dead.” And we are reminded that there is no winner in nuclear war. This is a difficult but important book. I am grateful to my friend Jim for recommending it.
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JAMES BAISLEY
A Grandfather's Advice on How to Succeed in Business
Thursday, August 14, 6 pm
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Join us for a discussion and book signing featuring James Baisley, author of A Grandfather's Advice on How to Succeed in Business. In a world where business decisions are often driven by profit alone, Baisley offers a refreshing and powerful reminder: doing what is right is not only ethical — it's essential for long-term success. Drawing on over four decades of experience as a corporate lawyer and General Counsel, James Baisley distills a lifetime of wisdom into 12 practical, principle-based guidelines for navigating the business world with integrity.
Please contact the store (847) 446-8880 to order your copy.
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A Storytime with Illustrator
JAY FLECK
Tiny T. Rex and the First Day Oopsies
Saturday, August 16, 10:30 am
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Every Saturday from 10:30 - 11 am, we host our Saturday Storytime hosted by staffer Linda Diekman, who features our store's best picture books--some brand new, some old favorites! It's perfect for picture book fans of all ages!
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People Like Us by Jason Mott ($30)
Two Black writers are trying to find peace and belonging in a world that is riven with gun violence. One is on a global book tour after a big prize win; the other is set to give a speech at a school that has suffered a shooting. And as their two storylines merge, truths and antics abound in equal measure.
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The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar ($30)
Long ago and far away (and somewhere south of France) lies the kingdom of Esquaveta. There, Princess Tullia is in nearly as much peril as her struggling kingdom. Esquaveta desperately needs to forge an alliance, and to that end, Tullia's father has arranged a marriage between her and an odious prince. However, one month before the "wedding of the century," Tullia falls in love with a lowly apprentice scribe.
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Indian Country by Shobha Roa ($30)
A couple from India—so different from generations of white colonialists who came before them—move to Montana, only to discover how brutal and unforgiving hubris can be.
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Songs for Other People’s Weddings by David Levithan, songs by Jens Lekman ($28)
An unlucky-in-love wedding singer tries to find the right words to save his relationship. He writes an original song for every couple—his way of finding out about the small, strange things that brought them together and the hopeful, vulnerable feelings they’re experiencing. But his own love life is in a state of flux. His girlfriend is off to New York for work, and as her life grows bigger and busier without him in it, he finds it harder to stick to a happy tune. He doesn’t know whether to encourage the soon-to-be-wed couples or warn them.
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Sheepdogs by Eliot Ackerman ($29)
Two Misfits. One Mission. Zero Back-Up. When a high-stakes heist goes wrong, an ex-CIA operative and a special operations pilot find themselves in the middle of a game of espionage and survival as they navigate a treacherous web of deception and shifting loyalties in a globe-spanning thriller.
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The Broken King: A Memoir by Michael Thomas ($30)
In 2007, Thomas launched into the literary world with his award-winning first novel Man Gone Down, a beautiful and devastating story of a Black father trying to claim a piece of the American Dream. In his long-awaited encore and first work of nonfiction, Thomas explores fathers and sons, lovers and the beloved, trauma and recovery, success and failure in a unique, urgent, and timeless memoir.
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Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America by Robert Reich ($30)
From political economist, cabinet member, beloved professor, media presence, and bestselling author, comes this compelling memoir of growing up in a baby-boom America that made progress in certain areas, fell short in so many important ways, and still has lots of work to do.
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The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs by Mamiko Shiotani, translated by Polly Lawson ($18.99)
A little ghost lives in the attic of a big house. All alone: just how he likes it. Until one day a curious girl disturbs his peace and quiet. Why won't the annoying and slightly scary child go away? So he decides to do what ghosts do best... Ages 3 - 6
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I Am Strong! by Todd Paar ($18.99)
With his colorful illustrations, playful humor, and inclusive storytelling, beloved author Parr has long been a favorite among young readers and caregivers. His books promote an essential message of love and acceptance that is inspiring, empowering, and accessible. Ages 3 -6
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Bob the Vampire Snail by Andrea Zuill ($18.99)
Join Bob the vampire snail as he embraces his unique love of tomatoes, discovers new and peculiar sleeping talents, and forms an unexpected friendship. Ages 4 - 8
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The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall, illustrated by Matt Phelan ($17.99)
Gwen's not upset at all when she's foisted onto her never-before-seen Uncle Matthew for two weeks. Things take a turn for the weird when Gwen makes a discovery in the local library that involves tiny creatures with wings. And no, they're not birds. They're called Lahdukan. But why can only Gwen and the youngest children, gathered for storytime, see them? Ages 8 - 12
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Sugar Shack by Lucy Knisely ($13.99)
In the final volume of the bestselling Peapod Farm series, a city kid turned country girl whose life has been changing nonstop is settling into her new place in the family—only for unexpected drama to strike between sisters. Ages 8 - 12
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The Book Stall's Bestsellers
for the week ending August 3
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Six to Carry the Casket and One to Say the Mass by Bill Hulseman
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The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
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Culpability by Bruce Holsinger
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Soul of Shadow by Emma Noyes
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These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
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Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
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An Inside Job by Daniel Silva
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The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb
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The Wedding People by Alison Espach
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Indie Bestsellers Across the Country
Every week, independent booksellers across America report their bestsellers, providing the most current snapshot of what's selling in indie bookstores nationwide. Click here to reach the American Booksellers Association (ABA) website, where the latest lists are posted every Wednesday afternoon.
New York Times Bestsellers, August 10
Click here for an advance look at the hardcover fiction and here for the hardcover nonfiction bestsellers that will appear in the New York Times book section on August 10. You can see these NYT fiction bestsellers and nonfiction bestsellers on our website, where you can order them directly from The Book Stall.
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Our Literary Community Bulletin Board
The Book Stall is pleased to host this Literary Community Bulletin Board. Any news of interest to readers and writers? Send your information to events@thebookstall.com with "Literary Community Bulletin Board" in the subject line. Note: The Book Stall reserves editorial privilege.
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Be sure to check our website for the latest Book Stall information.
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