Wellesley Books Newsletter | December 6th, 2023 | |
It's December, and we know you may be pressed for time--we're here to help! Here's a quick run-down of our expanded holiday hours: beginning Monday, December 11th, we're open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, December 10th and Sunday, December 17th, we're open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. And on December 24th, we're ready to help with all of those last-minute gifts from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m.
We wouldn't be in the biz if we didn't think books made excellent gifts! But we're also pleased to offer two more experiential gifts in partnership with our friends at Many Graces and Libro.fm. Read on for more.
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TONIGHT! Wednesday, December 6th at 7 PM
Rebecca Shaw and Ben Kronengold, the youngest comedy writers ever for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, join us to discuss their new book of short stories, Naked in the Rideshare: Stories of Gross Miscalculations.
Showing off their trademark humor and writing chops that have made them a viral sensation, Shaw and Kronengold provide a collection of startlingly funny stories that will keep readers laughing. Irreverent, disturbing, and surprisingly hopeful, this book is not to be missed.
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Libro.fm is a fantastic, employee-owned alternative to Amazon-owned Audible that benefits your local indie bookstore. From now through December 7th, they're offering a great deal on credits for the audiobook fan on your list. Talk to any number of dedicated listeners on our staff, and they'll rave about their love of Libro!
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Many Graces Flower Subscriptions
Give the gift of fresh, locally-grown beauty with Many Graces' Spring 2024 flower subscriptions. Many Graces is a sustainable, 100 percent organic flower farm in Hadley, Massachusetts that specializes in unique arrangements for special occasions and for everyday enjoyment. A flower subscription reminds your loved ones of their importance to you every week. We're proud to once again serve as a pick-up location for subscriptions in 2024.
Click here to browse their Spring offerings, as well as evergreen wreaths and bouquets.
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Bookseller Recommendations | |
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Jerry recommends:
Blackouts by Justin Torres
A truly innovative novel in content, form and design, this novel breaks the mold for LGBTQI+ fiction. At its heart, the story focuses on the end of life of Juan Gay as he retells his story to Nene, the 27 year-old main character. Both are gay and met while institutionalized for behavior--oftentimes blackouts/seizures--10 years prior. The plot weaves around Juan’s connection to a scientific study from the 1930s focused on the real lives of LGBTQI+ people. With elements of storytelling and filmmaking used to retell both their histories, as well as mixing in the actual blacked-out scientific study, the plot touches on mental illness, homophobia, racism, sexism and ultimately both death and survival. Interestingly, the study and the author (Juan Gay) used in the story are real. A truly unique and thought-provoking story.
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Lorna recommends:
Normal Rules Don't Apply by Kate Atkinson
A brilliant collection of interconnected short stories from one of my favorite authors. Some are a little odd and a few are quirky-sad-disturbing, but, taken as a whole, these 11 stories are amazing. You must try this if you like Kate Atkinson's novels. You must try it even if you don't read short stories! The plots are inventive, characters are interesting and the connections are fantastic.
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Ria recommends:
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
I love love stories, and this one did not disappoint! Shark Heart tells the story of two newlyweds who are living happily until Lewis receives a fatal diagnosis: he is mutating into a great white shark. This book deals with the mixing of love and grief, and the person who is left behind.
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Bookseller Recommendations for Young Readers | |
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Ashleigh recommends:
Nightbane by Alex Aster
How infuriating that this remarkable book ties up so many plot points from Lightlark, and yet leaves you on an absolute "OMG" cliffhanger for Book 3!! I loved it; the narration was excellent; the pacing is perfect; and the time perspective shifts are really well crafted. Alex Aster has a real winner in this series. Perfect for fans of (less spicy) Sarah J Maas, Margaret Owen, Brigid Kemmerer, and Shelby Mahurin.
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New Books for Kids & Young Adults | |
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Tasty
Victoria Grace Elliott
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A Child's Library and Middle-Grade Monthly are our two book subscriptions for children aged 0-5 and 8-12, respectively. Each month, Lauren and Kali select a newly-published picture book or middle-grade novel. Subscriptions can be purchased on a month-to-month basis, or for a year, and may be shipped to the child's home or picked up in-store. They make a great gift! Our December selections are When Rubin Plays by Gracey Zhang, and Forsooth by Jimmy Matejek-Morris. Please click on the covers for more information. | |
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Don't let your friends or family get cold feet this winter. Tried-and-true Wellesley Books fave, Pudus--incredibly soft slipper socks, made with the fuzziest lining--are joined by plush axolotls, hedgehogs and more, in kids' and adult sizes. | |
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Kevin
Kevin is a three-year-old Corgi who arrived at the store in the most delightful Corgi conveyance system ever. It was hard to get a picture, but his backpack even says "Kevin" down the center. Don't be fooled into thinking he's too fancy for regular old dog stuff, though--his favorite toy is an empty Poland Springs water bottle. Follow him at Kevinstumps on Instagram.
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Thank you for supporting your community independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Stimpson
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