Sunday, July 12 at 5:00 p.m.

Glass Grapes and Other Stories (BOA Editions) by Ronk; Drift: Stories (Mariner Books) by Patterson

Glass Grapes and Other Stories is the first full-length collection of short stories by distinguished poet and fiction writer Martha Ronk. Ronk's work has garnered critical accolades and numerous awards, including, most recently, a 2005 PEN USA Award in poetry, a 2007 NEA Fellowship, and a 2007 National Poetry Series Award. Glass Grapes is a collection of short, experimental stories, usually dominated by an object imbued with fetishistic qualities by an obsessive.

Through the lives of waiters and waitresses, divorced and single parents, and alienated teens, Victoria Patterson's Drift offers a rare and rewarding view into the real life of glittering Newport Beach, all the while plumbing the depths of female friendship and what it means to be an outsider.

More info...

[...] I got to meet the authors of two of my staff picks, Eduardo Galeano and Wafaa Bilal, and I got to eat at one of Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio's restaurants on Ingram's dollar. Despite my interest in the publishing side of things, my favorite part by far is talking with other booksellers from around the country. Each time I go to one of these big events, I just feel like they are "my people." DORK! I know... One cool thing about talking with publishers at the booths, however, was that they all seemed to know who we are: they would glance at my badge and say "Ah, Skylight Books." And then they would tell some anecdote of visiting, or of an event that we did, or of the BEA party with City Lights that we threw last year. We all work and/or shop in a very cool place, you all know that already, but it was cool to hear it from publishers and booksellers from elsewhere as well.

 
It's time for summer vacation, and even if your plans don't include a trip abroad this year, that doesn't mean you can't experience some international flavor. Have your book club try one of these novels, set in a country far far away. These book group picks come from our resident translated literature expert Monica, so you know they're good!

April in Paris by Michael Wallner
Set in occupied France during World War II, Wallner's first novel recounts the impossible romance between a German soldier and a French resistance fighter. The New York Times Book Review describes it as"bittersweet, resonant....[Wallner] evokes war-ravaged Paris with a deft touch."

Memory by Philippe Grimbert
A colossal bestseller in Europe, this French novel is the story of a family haunted by the secret of their past: an illicit love affair, a lost child, and a devastating betrayal dating back to the Second World War. It's "powerful and gripping," according to Publishers Weekly.

The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante
Leda, a middle-aged Italian divorce, is alone for the first time in years when her daughters leave home to live with their father. Her initial, unexpected sense of liberty turns to ferocious introspection following a seemingly trivial occurrence. "Elena Ferrante will blow you away," says Alice Sebold, author of The Lovely Bones,

The Post-Office Girl by Stefan Zweig
Christine is a provincial postal worker in Austria whose wealthy aunt invites her to a luxurious alpine resort. But Christine's aunt drops her as abruptly as she picked her up, and soon the young woman is back at the post office, consumed with disappointment and bitterness. Zweig, who died in 1942, was considered a master of the psychological novel.

If you have a book group but you're not registered with the store, remember that book groups that do register get 15% off their pick each month. E-mail Emily at emily@skylightbooks.com now to find out how to register your book group! You can check out our registered book groups here.

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