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The frost is almost on the pumpkins as we welcome October and all of its corn mazes, books, pumpkin carving, books, fall festivals, books, books and more books. Yes, if you've been in the bookstore lately you'll notice we've stocked up on kids' Halloween books and horror books for adults. 5 MORE SLEEPS 'TIL HALLOWEEN is the latest kids' book from late night show host Jimmy Fallon with illustrations by Rich Deas. It's the story of a boy and his loyal dog Gary. The boy is counting down the days until Trick or Treat and the big Halloween parade. The illustrations are colorful and filled with fun. I really enjoyed FAIRY TALE from horror master Stephen King. It's an ode to fairy tales with the scary King touch. It was a great page-turner also with a dog (but his name isn't Gary).
This month I've chosen four novels that you might think about for your reading group. Or just read them for your enjoyment.
Happy Reading!
Ken
kenbksco@gmail.com
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LADY TAN'S CIRCLE OF WOMEN
by Lisa See
Lisa See's exhaustive research and beautiful prose combine to present the story of Tan Yunxian and her life during China's Ming dynasty from the mid 1400s to 1500s. Orphaned at an early age, she lived with her grandparents and learned the pillars of Chinese medicine as it pertained to the treatment of women. Promised in marriage, she went to live in her husband's house overseen by her unbearable mother-in-law who was against Yunxian practicing medicine. She is to act like a proper wife and obey her husband but, most importantly, give him a son to carry on the family legacy. Yunxian spends her life trying to both please her family and break free of the constraints they impose upon her. Lisa See shows us the importance of other women to Yunxian and the strength she receives from them. Throughout the novel we learn about foot binding, concubines, eunuchs, marriage practices, the role of midwifery and the overall customs of China. We chose the novel for our Afternoon Reading Group last month and had a wonderful discussion.
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THE FOUR WINDS
by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah's THE WOMEN has been on our bestseller list for months. THE FOUR WINDS is one of her earlier books and certainly well-received by our booksellers and customers. Set during the 1930s, this is the story of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl that turned the wheat belt in middle America to a vast wasteland. Farmers prayed for rain, but only received huge dust storms. In this uncertain and dangerous time, Elsa Martinelli -- like so many of her neighbors--must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or go west to California, in search of a better life. THE FOUR WINDS is an indelible portrait of America and the American Dream, seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation. Bookseller Toni has been urging me to read the novel since I really enjoy good historical fiction, and I believe this entertaining and informative novel fits the bill. You might want to watch the Ken Burns documentary "The Dust Bowl" for further information about the period.
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THE EVOLUTION OF
ANNABEL CRAIG
by Lisa Grunwald
Lisa Grunwald's latest novel is set in Dayton, Tennessee during the infamous Scopes Trial over the teaching of evolution in school. Annabel Hayes---born, baptized and orphaned in the conservative town of Dayton---is delighted with her impending marriage to George Craig, an attorney from Knoxville. But before the end of their first year together, their lives are filled with losses. And the strain only intensifies when John T. Scopes is arrested for teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution at the local high school. The once sleepy town is bombarded by reporters, camera men and curiosity seekers when it's announced that beloved political figure William Jennings Bryan will serve as the prosecutor and lawyer Clarence Darrow will serve on the defense team on the trial.. Annabel will soon discover that the path to her own evolution begins with the courage to think for herself. Author Fiona Davis says, "Lisa Grunwald has created a luminous heroine in Annabel Craig; a woman finding her way in a fast-changing world and forced to question everything she loves and stands for, from her choice of a husband to her spiritual beliefs. Eerily resonant in today's troubled times, this is a magnificent page-turning story full of heart and bursting with empathy."
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THE REFORMATORY
by Tananarive Due
In June 1950, twelve-year-old African American Robbie Stevens Jr. is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys for kicking the son of one of the largest landowners in town in defense of his older sister, Gloria. So begins Robbie's journey further into the terrors of the Jim Crow South and the very real horror of the school they call the Reformatory. Robbie has a talent for seeing ghosts, or haints. But what was once a comfort to him after the loss of his mother has become a window into the truth of what happens at the Reformatory. Due based the Reformatory on the Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, Florida where one of her relatives died in 1937 from a stab wound. Library Journal says of the novel, "The writing here is spectacular; the pacing, engrossing; the setting, heartbreaking but honest; and the characters are given a nuance and depth rarely seen... A masterpiece of fiction." Colson Whitehead also used the Dozier School as background for his novel THE NICKEL BOYS. At the end of the novel Due gives us a list of books for further reading about the Dozier School.
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BOOKS & COMPANY BOOK GROUPS
Open to the Public
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Wednesday, October 23rd
1:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
Israel
by Noa Tishby
Registration required-
contact Books & Co. to register
Wednesday, November 20th*
1:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
The Caretaker
by Ron Rash
Registration required-
limited seating available
click here to register
*date change due to Thanksgiving
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Wednesday, October 16th
6:30 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
Stalking Jack the Ripper
by Kerri Mansicalco
No registration required for PRADAS book group meetings.
Wednesday, November 20th
6:30 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
Iron Widow #1
by Xiran Jay Zhao
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Tuesday, October 15th
6:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
Bone Broth
by Lyndsey Ellis
No registration required for Reading Wisconsin book group meetings.
Meetings are every other month.
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Tuesday, October 22nd
4:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp
by Leonie Swann
No registration required for Mystery book group meetings.
Tuesday, November 26th
4:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Co.
Killingly
by Katharine Beutner
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NEW BOOK CLUB ALERT!
Now announcing our Romance Book Group!
Thursday, October 24th
6:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Company
The Love of My Afterlife
by Kirsty Green
Thursday, November 21st
6:00 p.m.
in person at Books & Company
The Ex Vows
by Jessica Jo
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We support over 50 private book groups with their monthly selection available on the Book Group shelf in store. If your book group is registered with us, we offer 15% off of the book group title each month. To register your book group, just let us know what your book group name is and what you're reading, as well as a contact name for the group. As long as we have an updated list of your books, we will have them on the book group shelf in the store and listed on our website. | |
Books & Company
1039 Summit Ave Oconomowoc, WI
262-567-0106
www.booksco.com
HOURS
Mon-Fri 9:00-7:00
Sat-Sun 9:00-5:00
2024 Holiday Hours (November 1st- December 30th):
Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 8:00pm
Saturday - Sunday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
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