Wellesley Books Newsletter  
January 8th, 2020 
   Events      Book Clubs       Bookseller Picks      New Releases      For Kids      Gifts 
Ah, January. Party season's over, life's getting back to normal, and we're entering prime reading season. There's time to catch up on the year-end best-of lists, to make your way through that stack of books you hopefully got in December (or to spend your gift card), or to finally get to a classic novel you haven't read, maybe before you see the movie. Keep an eye on our social media for our booksellers' favorite reads from the past year--narrowing our choices down to just a handful per person is always a labor of love, and the source of much in-store discussion. We're also hard at work compiling the lists for our annual Top 25 bookmark. These may be the shortest days, but, for staying in with a good book, they're undoubtedly the best.
Upcoming Eventsevents

 
Events are free to the public unless otherwise noted. 
Friday, January 17th, 7:00 PM
Join New Yorker humorists extraordinaire Roz Chast and Patty Marx as they present You Can Only Yell at Me for One Thing at a Time: Rules for Couples, just in time for Valentine's Day. Roz Chast and Patty Marx dispense with old, clichéd relationship advice and present offbeat tips for sustaining romance in their own, inimitable way. Please call the store to add your name to the event waitlist.

Book Clubs & Workshopsbookgroups
 
Rachael's Book Club for Kids

Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo

Rachael Conrad carefully curates choices for children aged 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 contact Rachael to reserve your spot!
 
 
Highly Educated: A Book Club for Teachers & Librarians

Laura Ruby

Highly Educated, a new book club for teachers and librarians, will meet once a month to discuss a middle-grade or Young Adult book. Please contact our School Liaison Rachael Conrad to join!
 
Teen Writers' Workshop

Join writing instructor (and children's book expert) Cassie Duncanson for a 90-minute workshop aimed at writers aged 14 to 18. Classes began in September and will run monthly through June. To sign up, please contact Cassie.


 
Bill's Book Group for Guys

Peter Carey
 
 
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.

 
Betty's Lunchtime Book Group

Barbara Kingsolver
 
 
Betty Sudarsky, unparalleled bookseller emerita 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.
Bookseller Recommendationsrecs
Sally recommends:
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
Kacey and Mickey are sisters, living in Philadelphia, on opposite sides of the law. Thirty-something Mickey is a police officer and younger sister Kacey is a drug user living on the streets. This is a story of sisterhood, secrets, and belonging, as well as a taut police procedural that will keep you guessing until the end.

Colleen L. recommends:
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
This is an intricately woven fantasy full of magic and mystery. You will travel through many doors and sail upon a sea of golden honey, crossing through different dimensions of time, unable to stop turning the pages until you come to the very end! Highly recommended!!!

New In Hardcovernewreleases


Such A Fun Age
Kiley Reid

Lady Clementine
Marie Benedict

Dear Edward
Ann Napolitano


Mr. Nobody
Catherine Steadman

They Said This Day Would Never Come
Chris Liddell-Westefeld

Tiny Habits
BJ Fogg


The God Game
Danny Tobey

Successful Aging
Daniel J. Levitin

The Journey to the Mayflower
Stephen Tomkins
New In Paperback

The Lost Man
Jane Harper

The Night Tiger
Yangsze Choo

The Girl He Used to Know
Tracey Garvis Graves

Working
Robert A. Caro

We Must Be Brave
Frances Liardet

On the Bright Side
Hendrik Groen

Daughter of Moloka'i
Alan Brennert

The Daughter's Tale
Armando Lucas Correa

Frederick Douglass
David W. Blight
Bookseller Picks for Young Adultskids
Rachael recommends:
Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean
A small group of men and boys arrive at an isolated sea stack in the Scottish St. Kilda archipelago, during the summer of 1727, on a seasonal fowling expedition. When no one returns to the stack to collect them at the end of their three-week stint, their faith in God and in each other is tested as they face abandonment, devastating storms, and starvation. McCaughrean has crafted a brutal and emotionally tumultuous tale of friendship and survival. It is stunningly visualized, ultimately heartbreaking, and the kind of story that will stick with you long after you've finished reading it.

New Books For Kids



A Flicker of Courage
Deb Caletti

Notorious
Gordon Korman

Martin McLean, Middle School Queen
Alyssa Zaczek
New Books For Young Adults

One of Us Is Next
Karen M. McManus

19 Love Songs
David Levithan

You Too?
Janet Gurtler
New in the Gift Department gifts

Clear off your living room table--it's puzzle season.

Available for Pre-Order Now
Jeanine Cummins
 
"Already my favorite book of 2020." - Gillian 


What We're Reading Now...
Lorna
Melinda
Geoff
Gillian
Peter
Rebecca
Prison Book Program
  For over half a year, we've been partnering with the Prison Book Program to send books to people in prison. Thanks to your generosity, we've filled five large boxes and counting! We've added some new books in different genres for the holidays; please check out our expanded wishlist here.

Dog of the Week
Gretel
 
Gretel (as in Hansel and) is a 3-and-a-half month-old Catahoula/Shepherd mix rescued from Mississippi. She came in during a busy December day and did an excellent job with "sit," a new concept to her. She also loves to snack on her dad's fingers. Hopefully we'll see her again when she's a big girl.  
 

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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