Wellesley Books Newsletter

November 11th, 2026

 
 

It's 11/11—make a wish! You're apparently not supposed to share your wishes, in case it jinxes them, but none of these are terribly outlandish. As we push into the holiday season, we wish for timely deliveries of those important new releases, and safe travels for our hardworking delivery drivers. We wish for just enough snow to remind us that it's winter, but not so much that it keeps us inside for days. We wish for solo moments to recharge, time to bond with our closest friends and relatives, and healthy boundaries with everyone else.


Maybe these aren't really wishes after all—except for the weather thing—so much as statements of intent. Maybe you can fulfill a wish that a friend didn't even know they had by sending a thinking-of-you holiday card, or leaving a pre-loved paperback on their doorstep, with the intent to connect on a calmer day.

Upcoming Events

 
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New Release Book Club


Angelique Tung, writer, instructor, and Wellesley Books' event coordinator, helms the New Release Book Club. Enjoy a lively discussion about a recently published book! The New Release Book Club is itself a new addition to our book club lineup, and, with your support, we're thrilled to read American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee in November. We will meet to discuss American Hagwon on Monday, December 7th at 7 PM. Click the link or visit the store to sign up.

Don't forget about our other longstanding book clubs!


Betty, our longtime Lunchtime Book Group leader, and Bill, co-owner of Wellesley Books and leader of Bill's Book Group for Guys, have selected titles and led discussions for well over a decade! Betty's group is currently reading Buckeye by Patrick Ryan, while Bill's group revisits JM Coetzee's Disgrace. Call or visit Wellesley Books to sign up!

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Click here for more upcoming events

Bookseller recommendations for adults

 
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Karen recommends: The Radiance by Ayad Akhtar


A near-fatal accident elevates the author-protagonist of this auto-fiction to an altered state of perception that resembles mystical, radiant epiphany. His pursuit of a rational explanation for the affliction converges with a campus scandal, resulting in a most lucid, and even-handed diagnosis on the state of higher education in our country. 

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Jerry recommends: Etna by Paul Yoon


A story of an odyssey to find home as told by a military service dog. Having survived a brutal war, Etna dreams of his life and home by the sea before he was taken for the military. Taking an opportunity, he escapes his handlers and his journey home begins. A truly original, heartfelt and compelling read. You will root for Etna on his journey. 

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Fitch recommends: The Rouse by China Miéville


Ambitious readers looking for a big book to sink their teeth into will not be disappointed by The Rouse. Miéville’s sometimes oblique style and unusual vocabulary fit his newest work perfectly. This intoxicating and unsettling novel is a blend of a tale of a spy novel, a mother’s love for her son, a critique of British imperialism, and, yes, a ghost story.

 

New in Hardcover

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Stations

Louise Kennedy

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Solace in Winter

Mary Lawson

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Annie Proulx

Stories: New & Selected

Annie Proulx

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Aristocracy, American Style

Nancy Isenberg

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Peregrine Hill

Nina de Gramont

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O Now!

Niall Williams

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Take My Word For It

LeVar Burton

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Look At Me

Dustin Hoffman

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Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?

Judi Dench

New in Paperback

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Wild Thing

Sue Prideaux

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The Everlasting

Alix E. Harrow

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The Death of Socrates

Emily Wilson

Bookseller recommendations for kids and teens

 
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Kali recommends: I Will Eat You In the End by David Duff & Marianna Coppo (picture book)


This book chronicles the unlikely friendship between an earthworm and a dinosaur. Follow along with the two as they ponder questions about nature and existence. A thoughtful introduction to the cycle of life that will leave you laughing through your tears. You’ll gain a new outlook on death and life, and an appreciation for the natural world. Adorable illustrations — just look at the little hat he’s wearing!

 

New in Kids' & YA

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Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time

Dav Pilkey

(first chapter book)

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The Toast of the Town

Jory John & Pete Oswald

(picture book)

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Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: The Web of War

Nathan Hale

(middle grade)

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A Conspiracy of Charming Monsters

Holly Black

(young adult)

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Dangerous Impulses

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

(young adult)

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The Last King of Faerie

Cassandra Clare

(young adult)

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The Hunger Games: Collector's Edition

Suzanne Collins

(young adult)

In the Gift Department

We aim to be your go-to source for stylish analogue communication every holiday season. Whether you're celebrating a religious holiday, the winter solstice, or simply wishing for peace on earth, send your glad tidings to all with an assist from Wellesley Books and the USPS.

What We're Reading Now

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The Only Good Indians

Stephen Graham Jones

Jerry

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Grim Tidings

B.K Borison

Alison

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American Hagwon

Min Jin Lee

Shanna

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The Pirate Queen

Ariel Lawhon

Catherine

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Witch Hat Atelier

Kamome Shirahama

Shebati

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May We Feed the King

Rebecca Perry

Peter

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Blood Dawn

Hans van de Ven

Karen

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The Brightness

Chad Harbach

Lorna

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Fallow

Sarah Anderson

Rebecca

Dog of the Week

 
 

Rosie

Booksellers Karen and Owen collaborated on this week's DotW! Karen supplied the blurb, and Owen took the excellent photograph. In Karen's words:


"Rosie is a three-year old Golden Retriever. She loves to put her chin on people and any other welcoming surface she finds. She is a service dog who lives in an inn in Vermont (The Inn on Putney Road, Brattleboro) and visits our store with her family when they're in the area. Her family says that she is the most laid-back, gentlest, sweetest, loving dog they've ever known."

Thank you for supporting your community independent bookstore!

Sincerely,

Rebecca Stimpson

Wellesley Books

82 Central Street

Wellesley, MA 02482

781-431-1160

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