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In the last few months, we've welcomed some terrific new staff members --all greatly experienced booksellers, and said goodbye to a few. 

 

Hannis Brown has moved to NYC, to continue his work as an emerging - but increasingly hot - young composer.  Our jill-of-all-tasks Katrina Thek and poetry guy Jade Shames are also moving to the Big Apple.

 

But we're fortunate to welcome the return of several former staffers -- Brandon Spradling (who's returned from 4 years  in Portland) has just designed snazzy new bookmarks for us as well as a brand new gift card;

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Dario Castanheira, returning after an absence of a year and a half, knows a lot about photography and architecture from his Sci-Arc training and his own photography work.  Former staffer Amy Skorheim is also dropping in after 4 years away to do an occasional event hosting for us.

 

...and new to us, but not to bookselling... are Jenn Witte, direct from Green Apple Books in San Francisco (she's the 'chalker' behind the fabulous blackboard drawings on our sidewalk A-frame sign) and T.C. Strickland, who joins us after many years at our esteemed L.A.bookselling colleague, EsoWon Bookstore.  You'll soon see portrait drawings of them on our website and in the store (done for us by artist Rama Hughes).

 

So drop in and say hello.

 

Kerry Slattery, General Manager and Co-Owner

 (be sure to use the code:  "Beat Amazon" in the Comment field)

Did you know that you can order books on our website and pick them up in the store?  Well, you can!  Our website is fast, easy, secure, and open 24/7.

And now, for a limited time, it's cheaper than ever!  From August 6 through August 13, you can take 20% off your whole purchase when you order online through skylightbooks.com. In-store pickup or shipping available for all online purchases (for in-store pickup, fill out your shipping info first, then select "in-store pickup" from the delivery options).

Now you can support your local bookstore without ever having to leave your home (although we do recommend exercising at least 3 times a week, but no pressure).

Just enter the promo code, "Beat Amazon," in the Comments field when you place your order.  We'll take the discount off your total before we process your credit card.  Happy shopping!

 
With the turn of the calendar from July to August, it's safe to say that we're entering the "dog days" of summer.  With that in mind, consider pouring yourself a tall iced tea and recommending one of these novels to your book group; they all take place over a long, hot summer.

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead
Described as "a kind of black Brighton Beach Memoirs" (The Washington Post), this new-in-paperback novel is set during the summer of '85 in the Hamptons, where one teenage boy endures a lopsided haircut, New Coke, and other disasters.

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
Based on the author's memories of growing up in Waukegan, IL, this novel isn't Bradbury's usual sci-fi/fantasy, but its nostalgia feels magical, nonetheless.  Set in 1928 and filled with the pleasures and sorrows of a childhood in a sleepy town, this is often assigned in schools but definitely worth revisiting.

Little Children by Tom Perrotta
You might have seen the excellent movie based on this book, but it's definitely worth reading anyway, and not just because the ending is different. Perrotta is a master at crafting smart books that can't be put down, and his characters' foibles are both funny and poignant. A must read!

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.

www.skylightbooks.com