Wellesley Books Newsletter |
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 All of us at Wellesley Books send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to those hurt or lost on Monday.
As we share in the joy of the runners going past our store each Patriot's Day -- from the elite runners at the beginning to the woman in the pink knee socks and pink plaid kilt, the guy with the ZZ Top beard, and the soldiers running in full gear -- today we also share the sadness of all those affected by the violence at the finish line.
 We can't wait to serve up delicious food and good conversation with 2012 James Beard Award winning food blogger, Elissa Altman on Saturday, April 20th at 4:00pm for our kick-off event in our Cooking the Books Event series. With tender and often hilarious honesty (plus 27 delicious recipes), Elissa's book, Poor Man's Feast, is a universal tale of finding peace in a world of excess and inauthenticity, and it shows us how all of our stories are inextricably tied to how we feed ourselves and those we love. Tickets are $10 and include an intimate discussion with the author, Q&A, food samples, and refreshments.
 On Sunday, April 21st at 11:00am, author and Boston radio legend Howie Carr will be at the store signing his new book, Rifleman: The Untold Story of Stevie Flemmi, Whitey Bulger's Partner. Howie is a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame, and consistently ranked by Talkers Magazine, as one of America's top radio talk show hosts. He is also an award winning front-page columnist for the Boston Herald. In addition to being on WRKO, Howie is syndicated across New England. He's interviewed numerous politicians, authors, and celebrities, and is not afraid to ask those "no comment"questions.
 We are so excited to welcome bestselling author Ann Hood to Wellesley Books Thursday, April 25th at 7:00pm at the store. Her new novel, The Obituary Writer is already a store bestseller and an Oprah magazine Best Books New Books to Get Lost In for April. Ann is engaging and funny in person, along with being an incredible writer. You won't want to miss this event!
 Bill's Book Group for Guys is going to Australia! Join him on Tuesday, May 21st at 7:00 pm for a discussion of Cooper's Creek by Alan Moorehead, accompanied by a glass of Mclaren Vale Shiraz, a can of Foster's, or a select single malt whisky. One of the greatest adventure stories of all time, Cooper's Creek recounts the celebrated 1860 expedition of explorers Burke and Wills who set out to traverse the vast Australian continent from top to bottom in search of a "Great Inland Sea." Tickets to this event are available in the store or on our website.
 Congratulations to Adam Johnson, author of The Orphan Master's Son for winning the Pulitzer Prize for fiction! This book has been a favorite of Bill's and the first book chosen for his book group.
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Contact Us
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Wellesley Books
82 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
781.431.1160
www.wellesleybooks.com
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Upcoming Events
| | Elissa Altman - Saturday, 4/20
Howie Carr - Sunday, 4/21
Lunchtime Book Group - Tuesday, 4/23
Ann Hood - Thursday, 4/25
Mo Willems - Saturday, 4/27
Katie Smith Milway - Wednesday, 5/1
Valerie Gates - Wednesday, 5/1
Selena Coppock - Thursday, 5/2
Dan Shaughnessy - Saturday, 5/4
Patti Moreno - Sunday, 5/5
Elinor Lipman - Wednesday, 5/8
Bob Spitz - Thursday, 5/9
Matt Tavares & David Kelly - Tuesday, 5/14
Amy Brill - Wednesday, 5/15
Terry Walters - Thursday, 5/16
Bill's Book Group for Guys - Tuesday, 5/21
B.A. Shapiro - Thursday, 5/30
Joanne Chang - Tuesday, 6/4
Barton Seaver - Saturday, 6/15
Marina Marchese - Sunday, 6/23
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 We still have a limited number of tickets available to our
MO WILLEMS event on Saturday, April 27th at 3:00pm at MassBay Community College - but they are going fast! You can purchase tickets online or in the store. Watch the book trailer for Mo's new book, That is NOT a Good Idea! (Attending this event is a VERY good idea!)
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Everyone is held together with stories. That is all that is holding us together; stories and compassion." --Barry Lopez (via Anne Lamott)
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Recommendations from our booksellers...
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 This Close: Stories
by Jessica Francis Kane
Short stories are all the rage now. I loved these for their simplicity depicting the poignant moments in the lives of people we recognize. Two groups of families are introduced and their familial traumas are explored. These stories are quiet and powerful and beautifully portrayed.
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 Me Before You
by Jojo Moyes
Me Before You is a funny, poignant, heartbreaking story of a quadriplegic former "master of the universe" and his working class female caretaker. You will continue thinking about the characters and the ethical dilemma at the center of their relationship long after you have finished reading - and crying.
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- Bill & Rebecca both recommend
 The Patrick Melrose Novels
by Edward St. Aubyn
Reads like Evelyn Waugh joined Hunter S. Thompson to write Downton Abbey episodes for the next generation. The collection of novels is graphic and sensational and that rare guilty pleasure that's also exceedingly well written. I found myself underlining choice bits of sharp dialogue only to realize half the book was highlighted.
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 Rage Against the Dying
by Becky Masterman
This is a well-written psychological thriller. If Clarice from Silence of the Lambs left the FBI after a long illustrious but difficult career, this could be the story of her life.
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New to our shelves...
 Rump
by Liesl Shurtliff
recommended by Taylor, age 9
Everyone makes fun of Rump. That isn't even his full name really. All of a sudden, his grandma finds his mother's spinning wheel. That just leads to more surprises. Rump can spin straw into gold! He finds himself trapped in magic and bargains, bargains, bargains. This was a really good book, but a little scary, too. If you like books with some scary parts, you should read this one. Best of all, Rump just might triumph in the end
 manicpixiedreamgirl
by Tom Leveen
recommended by Katie, age 13
Manicpixiedreamgirl, is a complicated teen romance between a writer with an unrequited love and an ignored girl whose silence and actions circulate unwanted rumors. Tyler, a 17 year old who- ever since freshman year- has been in love from afar with beautiful, quiet Becky Web, expressing his regards through stories. Through years of trying and with much help from his girlfriend, Tyler develops a friendship with Becky, and one fateful night finds their relationship tested and far more intense than before. Rumors, one understanding girlfriend and several years of mounting affection boils over into an emotional, raw confrontation in which much truth is revealed. Told in flashbacks, so to speak, intermittent between scenes from the present, author Tom Leveen weaves an enchanting, fragile and undeniably realistic romance. I really enjoyed reading and highly recommend this book, as it makes one think and question several key concepts used. It also stands as proof that while relationships and people aren?t perfect, nor always what you think they are, one can learn to adapt to a situation and happiness can find itself in the oddest of places.
New in paperback...
 The Hero's Guide to Saving the Kingdom
by Christopher Healy
recommended by Connor, age 11
4 princes, all with regular names (Frederic, Gustav, Duncan, and Liam) are all called Prince Charming in their stories (Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty). They meet, and set off on a quest to stop a witch and get their names in their stories. Filled with action, adventure, humor, and fairy-tale romance, this book is a great summer read for anyone 10+
 Summer of the Gypsy Moths
by Sara Pennypacker
recommended by Caroline, age 11
This book is about a girl named Stella's life-changing friendship.Stella lives with her Great Aunt Louise because Stella's mom is "unreliable", so to speak. Stella finds that living with Great Aunt Louise would be perfect if it weren't for Angel. Angel is the foster child that Louise took in. She is the opposite of her name. She is stiff and tough. When tragedy strikes, Stella and Angel are forced to work together. Honestly, I wish this book was a little less sad, but it just shows how not all things in life are "happy-go-lucky". Full of detail, feeling, and humor, this book is an interesting, yet exciting read. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a serious and sad yet somewhat humorous read.
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Brand new to the store are these super-cool Scrabble letter mugs. K-Y-M is 12 points. Pretty good! They are the perfect gift for just about anyone. On the top shelf are A-to-Z bookends, keeping to the alphabet theme. If hot beverages are your thing, there is a Scrabble thermos for your joe on the go!
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I can't believe the gems that are just down the stairs! Here is a sample of what's new in used:
Emperor Mollusk Versus the Sinister Brain by A. Lee Martinez
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Tumbleweeds by Leila Meacham
What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank by Nathan Englander
Spoon Fed by Kim Severson
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
The Dukan Diet by Dr. Pierre Dukan
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman
Trade Your Used Books:
Saturdays from 11am - 3pm
Always open for browsing during regular store hours. Please note: The Used Book Cellar will not be open for browsing during author events. We will be happy to look for a title after the event and place it on hold for you. |
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 Rebecca is on a roll with the doggie pictures! This adorable fluffball is Dino, a 4(ish) year-old Havanese. Try as I might, I cannot find his eyes (that white bit on the right is a lock of fur). He is apparently due for his springtime shave, according to his owner. Dino is super sweet, greeting Rebecca with a kiss on the hand, and had a good time hanging out in the kids section. I hope to meet Dino next time he comes in to visit!
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What We're Reading Now...
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 | | Deb |
 | | Melinda |
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 | | Bill |
 | | Allison |
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Thank you for supporting your community
independent bookstore!
Sincerely,
Kym Havens Wellesley Books Go to top of the page
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