Wellesley Books Newsletter  
June 5th, 2019
   Events      Book Clubs       Bookseller Picks      New Releases      For Kids      Gifts 
Ah, June--arguably the best month in New England.  That brief span of warm-but-not-sticky days, the end of the school year, the beginning of summer reading season, the longest evenings of the year, Pride Month: all are reasons to celebrate. We're fortunate to have some excellent events at the beginning of the month with two local luminaries, Erin Dionne and Jason Santos, as well as an essayist named David Sedaris whom you may have heard of. (Spots in the signing line are still available.)

We'll also have Pride-themed goings-on throughout June--check out the children's desk for a rotating selection of books, with an emphasis on #ownvoices, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or on our YA Twitter account to keep up with us from afar.  Hold on tight; we've almost made it to summer.
Upcoming Eventsevents

 
All events are free to the public, unless otherwise noted.
 Purchase the lead title  from Wellesley Books to enter the signing line .
 
 
 
TONIGHT! Wednesday, June 5th, 7:00 PM
Local kid-lit author extraordinaire Erin Dionne presents her new middle-grade novel, Secrets of a Fangirl. Sarah Anne must hide her geeky interest in a series of books from her popular friends--until a once-in-a-lifetime fan contest forces her to take a hard look at who she really is. Come spend an evening with an expert in writing for middle-schoolers and a true force in the local children's literature community. 
 
 
 
 
 
Thursday, June 6th, 7:00 PM
Come meet local celebrity chef and huge personality Jason Santos--of Buttermilk & Bourbon, Abby Lane, and Citrus & Salt--and taste New Orleans-inspired recipes from his new cookbook Buttermilk & Bourbon. This event is ticketed. Your $10 ticket includes a food tasting at the event featuring recipes from the book. Buy tickets in-store at Wellesley Books, by phone, or online by clicking the image of Jason at the left.  
 
 
 
 
Monday, June 10th, 7:00 PM**SIGNING LINE TICKETS AVAILABLE**
Did you miss out on tickets to our event with David Sedaris but would still like to meet him and get a book signed? You're in luck! Signing line tickets are now available. Click the link to see both ticketing options.  You can also call the store or click here to order signed and personalized copies of Calypso without waiting in line.
 
 
 
And coming later in the season...  
Rachael's Book Club For Kidsbookclubs
 
Kenneth Oppel

Rachael Conrad carefully curates choices for children ages 8-12 who love to read.  Join her for a lively discussion about a new book every month.   Parents, if your child would like to attend please e-mail [email protected] to reserve your spot!
Betty's Lunchtime Book Group
 

by Luis Alberto Urrea
 
 
Betty Sudarsky, unparalleled bookseller and experienced book club leader, chooses each book carefully and leads the discussion.  Bring your own lunch if you like; Betty supplies snacks, drinks, and insight.  No need to sign up; drop-ins are welcome.  
Bill's Book Group For Guys
 

by Anna Burns


Middle sister navigates the rumors, gossip, codes, and hidden meanings of daily life during civil war in Northern Ireland. Her unique voice fills Milkman with character, intelligence, and sly wit. Anna Burns' third novel, her first to be published in the U.S., was a deserving winner of this year's Man Booker prize.

Join Bill's Book Group for Guys for a relaxed evening in the store discussing a specially-chosen book while enjoying a beer, glass of wine, or select single-malt whiskey.  $25 buys the book and a ticket to the event.
Bookseller Recommendationsrecs
Peter recommends:
Furious Hours by Casey Cep
Casey Cep's hybrid true crime/biography hits the mark in every way. Not only does she corral multiple narratives--the stories of "the Reverend" Willie Maxwell, the lawyer/politician Tom Radney, and of course the enigmatic Harper Lee--into a single text that works (no mean feat), but she does so with style and panache. The result is an example of narrative non-fiction at its best. There's no doubt Furious Hours will be on more than one best-of-the-year list for 2019.
Sally recommends:
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
In the words of a poet we read a letter from Little Dog to his mother Lan, who cannot read. The story of their lives in Vietnam and Connecticut evolve with questions of war, race, politics, immigration, sexuality and addiction. It is raw and brutal, yet filled with so much beauty.
Rachael recommends:
Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered by Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark
SS&DGM is as much a self-help book as it is a joint memoir, and it is every bit as charming, acerbic and unflinchingly honest as the true-crime podcast ( My Favorite Murder) that preceded it.
New In Hardcovernewreleases

City of Girls
 Elizabeth Gilbert

Patsy
Nicole Dennis-Benn

The Friends We Keep
Jane Green

The Flatshare
 Beth O'Leary

The Sentence is Death
Anthony Horowitz

How Not to Die Alone
 Richard Roper

Range
David Epstein

Underland
Robert Macfarlane

The Conservative Sensibility
George F. Will
New In Paperback

The Outsider
Stephen King

Calypso
David Sedaris

The Great Believers
Rebecca Makkai

Ohio
Stephen Markey

Lake Success
Gary Shteyngart
 
Small Fry
Lisa Brennan-Jobs

Northland
Porter Fox

In the Hurricane's Eye
Nathaniel Philbrick

The Secret Token
Andrew Lawler
Bookseller Recommendations For Young Readerskids
Colleen L. recommends:
Out of Place by Jennifer Blecher
This book has all the feels! It perfectly captures life in middle school-- the push and pull of growing up, the pangs of peer pressure, the courage to try new things, to be your authentic self (even if it's not the popular choice), to reach out to others, the heartbreak of separation, the comfort of forever friends. Blecher has woven a tapestry of modern day core values with societal conventions, pop culture and the contrast of island living with city dwelling around the themes of friendship and relationships. Those who love realistic fiction will devour this middle-grade read. I finished this book with "a smile that came from behind my eyes and spread across my cheeks."
New Books For Kids


Batting Order
Mike Lupica

Other Words for Home
Jasmine Warga

Secrets of a Fangirl
Erin Dionne

New Books For Young Adults

This Time Will Be Different
Misa Sugiura

Sorcery of Thorns
Margaret Rogerson

Sorry For Your Loss
Jessie Ann Foley
New in the Gift Department gifts

Our school liaison and kids' book club leader Rachael models our latest sun-savvy summer fashions.

What We're Reading Now...
Colleen L.
Gillian
Sally
Peter
Cassie
Melinda
Kieva
Rebecca
Jess
Prison Book Program
 
The Prison Book Program believes in the life-changing power of literature. Books give people the chance to learn, grow, and explore the worlds of their choosing. Since 1972, the Prison Book Program has been sending free books to individuals in prisons. Along with each hand-selected package, volunteers send personalized notes to each reader--because everyone deserves the freedom to read.

Click here for the Prison Book Program wishlist.

Dog of the Week
Papi 

Here to demonstrate his unique sitting technique is Papi (as in Big), a three year-old English Lab.  He's a very social boy who loves both dogs and people, and was exceedingly patient while waiting for his biscuit.  He's not the first Papi to appear in our newsletter, and he probably won't be the last, though he may be the most handsome. (If you're getting a puppy or adopting a dog soon, your newsletter editor would like to suggest "Mookie" or "Tuukka.")
 

Thank you for supporting your community
independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Stimpson

Contact us:
newsletter @wellesleybooks.com
82 Central Street,
Wellesley, Ma. 02482
781-431-1160

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