Wellesley Booooks Newsletter October 25th, 2023 | |
No bones about it--our shelves are scary-full of new books. And we're never running a skeleton crew, so stop by for suggestions! Okay, that's enough of that, but, seriously, things are heating up in the store these days. The first Tuesday in November continues this season's streak of red-hot New Book Tuesdays, with eagerly-anticipated titles from Barbra Streisand and Rebecca Yarros. It truly feels like publishers are hitting us with All Of The Books this year--and though the world may feel heavy these days, there is still, always, a place for reading. | | |
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Wednesday, October 25th at 6 PM
More Than Just Responsible — Deeply Responsible
Corporate social responsibility has entered the mainstream, but what does it take to run a successful, purpose-driven business? Geoffrey Jones, Harvard Business School professor, examines leaders who put values alongside profits to showcase the challenges and upsides of deeply responsible business.
"Jones makes a strong case for re-imagining capitalism and posits that the first step in this process is to re-conceptualize business and its social purpose."
–Badrinath Rao, Wire India
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Thursday, November 2nd at 7 PM
Gary Braver, author of mysteries and thrillers such as Elixir and Flashback, joins us to discuss his new novel, Rumor of Evil.
After a 16-year-old exchange student is accused of witchcraft, dark circumstances and sick rumors lead to her brutal death, a cover-up, and more murders two decades later.
“Suspenseful and fast paced, with unexpected and shocking twists, this dark story is filled with flawed, all-too-human characters, tense family relationships, and a haunting conclusion. Highly recommended.” –Booklist
Gary will be in conversation with William Martin, author of Back Bay and December '41.
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Saturday, November 4th at 2 PM
Elly Swartz, author of Finding Perfect, Smart Cookie, Give and Take, and Dear Student, joins us for the launch of her new middle-grade novel, Hidden Truths.
How far would you go to keep a promise? Told from alternating points of view, Hidden Truths is a story of changing friendships, the lies we tell, the secrets we keep, and the healing power of forgiveness.
"Suspense, humor, and so much heart. Swartz perfectly captures the joys and pressures of being twelve."
–Jennifer Ziegler, author
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Wednesday, November 8th at 6:30 PM
Susan Lubner, co-author of Noises at Night, joins us for the launch of her new picture book, Drag and Rex: Forever Friends.
"[An] appealing, humorous charmer, the first in a winning new series about a pair of endearing BFFs. . . . Young readers will be delighted by these two and will clamor to join them for forthcoming adventures. The cozy, lively illustrations portray Rex and Drag’s tight bond."–Kirkus
Susan will be in conversation with Anna Staniszewski, author of Beast in Show and Dogosaurus Rex.
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Bookseller Recommendations | |
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Jerry recommends:
Family Meal by Bryan Washington
A story of love, loss, grief and finding home which is told by three gay men, two living and one dead. Their stories are told individually as major sections of the book but also interconnected as the plot moves between past and present. Their lives are explored with brutal, uncomfortable honesty and touch on issues such as eating disorders, promiscuity, anxiety and being HIV positive. Ultimately the true meaning of family, friendship and the love that binds is explored with fantastic writing and a theme that all will be well in the end. “With every single person we touch, we’re leaving parts of ourselves. We live through them."
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Shanna recommends:
Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon
This debut is one part cozy mystery and one part heart-warming family drama. The three generations of Rubicon women are thrown together in a small house and must learn to navigate around each other… while solving a murder! Nina wrote the book to entertain her mother while she was going through cancer treatments, and there is a trigger warning for cancer, but she handles it beautifully. The mystery keeps you guessing, there is a quirky cast of locals in the sleepy coastal town in Northern California, and the writing is fast-paced. Pick this one up if you are looking for a fun, fast-moving mystery without a lot of suspense.
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Ashleigh recommends:
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
I think this just might be Adrienne Young's best work yet. If you loved The Time Traveler's Wife, (but don't want to ugly cry); Outlander (but don't want to commit to thousands of pages); or romance-mystery (romanstery?) stories that cross the bounds of time, this is for you. Young writes spectacular ambience, and the mountains of North Carolina serve beautifully as the setting for this novel. The Farrow women are compelling, imperfect, and able to cross time, but at a cost. Brittany Pressley delivers an entrancing vocal performance; she easily captures the soft-spoken but steel-spined Farrow women and the townspeople surrounding them. This is the perfect book to accompany your cuppa tea, warm blanket, and porch rocking chair.
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Bookseller Recommendations for Young Readers | |
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Ashleigh recommends:
Our Divine Mischief by Hanna C. Howard
What a lovely story! If you love Scottish folklore, history, and landscape, this is the cozy historical fantasy you need. When Aila LacInis finds a mysterious puppy instead of her predicted apprenticeship during her coming-of-age ritual, she finds herself on a collision course with the Gods, political turmoil, adventure, and finding herself. With the help of Hew, another who "failed" his Goddess Trial, and Orail, the mysterious talking dog, Aila must find her way to the answers she so desperately desires. Evocatively written and impossible to put down, this is ideal for fans of Rebecca Ross, Adrienne Young, Rachel Griffin, and Jamie Pacton.
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New Books for Young Adults | | |
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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 October selections are Zander Stays by Maureen Fergus & Scot Ritchie, and Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling. Please click on the covers for more information. | |
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We're newly restocked on sassy (and classy) socks. They're the perfect "something extra" to go with a book or a cozy gift. | |
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Day
Jerry
publishes November 14th
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Bode (as in Miller) is a distinguished thirteen-and-a-half year-old Portuguese Water Dog who is, to quote his dog-mom, "the biggest love in all the land." This ride-or-die car trip copilot still sports more pepper than salt in his hair, and is always up for a walk or a game of Frisbee. Here's to many more walks to come! | | |
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Thank you for supporting your community independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Stimpson
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