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April 1, 2015     

It's that time of year again -- I'm going to guess that your inbox is flooded with pranks today.  So, true to our independent (OK, and sometimes contrarian) spirit, we present the Giving It to You Completely Straight edition of our April Fools' Day newsletter.  We're privileged to be hosting a bunch of exciting authors this month. As if our April events weren't enough, we're also working hard to make sure that our first-ever Independent Bookstore Day on May 2 is a memorable one -- see the sidebar for further details.  No joking, you may even see a few of us dressed up as Dr. Seuss characters...

Gretchen Rubin author photo credit Elena SeibertHurry -- tickets are still available for tonight's event at MassBay Community College with Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. Gretchen will introduce her new book, Better Than Before in which she examines habits -- how to create new ones and end bad ones. Ms. Rubin separates hype from helpful advice with her usual unassuming brilliance. Tickets are on sale now in the store and on our website and include a signed copy of Better Than Before.



 
Terry WaltersOn Thursday, April 9 at 7:00pm, join us for a talk and demonstration with Terry Walters as she introduces her new cookbook, Eat Clean Live Well. Ms. Walters is at the forefront of the clean-eating lifestyle movement. Season by season, she takes us on a journey to sustain good health for our body, home and environment. In addition to delicious recipes, this gluten-free, vegan cookbook includes tips on how to preserve the seasonal harvest. Tickets are available in the store or on our website.
 

Better After 50  For anyone who thinks that turning 50 is something to cry about, we'll give you a reason to smile instead on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00pm during our event with Ronna Benjamin and Felice Shapiro, local authors of the hysterical new book, "We Are Better After 50 Because..."  Join Ronna and Felice, publishers of BetterAfter50.com and laugh as we learn about the benefits of this awesome decade. Stay for suggestions from the experts at Wellesley Books for our favorite BA50 book club reads. 


 

Marcia DeSanctis On Wednesday, April 15 at 7:00pm, Marcia DeSanctis guides us through vineyards, architectural treasures, fabled gardens and contemplative hikes in her new book, 100 Places in France Every Woman Should Go. Told in a series of stylish, original essays, 100 Places in France Every Woman Should Go combines advice, memoir and meditations on the glories of travel. A must-have in your carry-on when flying to Paris!  (And doesn't she look impeccably chic in this photograph?)  

 


 


 

Mary Louise Kelly On Thursday, April 16 at 7:00pm, former NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly shares her new thriller, The Bullet,
a heart-pounding story about fear and family secrets. Doctors discover a bullet at the base of Caroline Cashion's skull. She has never been shot; she has no scar. Come hear Ms. Kelly discuss how Caroline learns the truth about her disturbing past and what she needs to do to keep herself alive.
 

Contact Us

Wellesley Books

82 Central Street

 Wellesley, MA 02482

 781.431.1160

www.wellesleybooks.com

In This Newsletter...
Bookseller recommendations
New in Hardcover
New in Paperback
In the Kids Section
In the Gift Aisle
Used Book Cellar
Dog of the Week
What We Are Reading...

Upcoming Events

Gretchen Rubin - Wednesday, 4/1
Bill's Book Group for Guys - Wednesday, 4/8
Terry Walters - Thursday, 4/9
Lunchtime Book Group - Tuesday, 4/14
Ronna Benjamin & Felice Shapiro - Tuesday, 4/14
Marcia DeSanctis - Wednesday, 4/15
Mary Louise Kelly - Thursday 4/16
Ann Packer & Sue Miller - Tuesday, 4/28
Rita Williams Garcia - Thursday, 4/30
Independent Bookstore Day - Saturday, 5/2
Kiera Cass - Friday, 5/8

Independent Bookstore Day
On Saturday, May 2nd, independent bookstores across the country, including Wellesley Books, will be celebrating with an all-day party! Independent bookstores are more than just stores -- we're community centers and local gathering places run by passionate readers. Join us for a kids' party in the morning, an afternoon tea and an evening shindig!  We'll also be hosting a literary trivia contest throughout the day.  We'll be selling some very cool Independent Bookstore Day gear, including a Roz Chast tote bag, a literary map and onesies for the smallest book lovers.

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"the joy at the coming of spring
is like the clarion of a flute that plays the life of everyone
trembling   rare flowers along the path
a single tone that spreads in the heavy rain-wet air"

Sakutarō Hagiwara, "The Feeling of Spring," from Cat Town 

Bill's Book Group for Guys A Quiet Flame
by Philip Kerr
Bill's Book Group for Guys is a relaxed evening in the store discussing a great book while enjoying a beer, glass of wine, or a select single malt whisky. $25 buys the book and a ticket to the event, including libations. 
 

Lunchtime BookgroupBetty's Lunchtime Book Group Dissendent Gardens
by Jonathan Lethem
Come to Wellesley Books' lunchtime book group. Betty Sudarsky, unparalleled bookseller and experienced book club leader
,chooses each book carefully and leads the discussion. Bring your own lunch if you like; Betty supplies snacks, drinks, and insight. No need to sign up; drop-ins are welcome.   

Bookseller Recommendations 

A darker Shade of Magic A Darker Shade of Magic   
by
V.E. Schwab
Parallel universes, wise-cracking pirates, and royal intrigue -- sound weird? Well, it is! But this unusual adventure definitely delivers. The story centers around Kell, a court official in London who can walk between dimensions. Mid-transport, he comes into contact with a mystical item that sets off a chain reaction throughout the worlds. With its eerie storytelling, fans of Neil Gaiman will appreciate the dark humor, though the fast-paced action will keep any reader riveted.
A Philosophy of Walking A Philosophy of Walking  
by Frederic Gros
Preaching to the choir here, but Gros' book on the joys of walking and history's great walkers makes you feel as though you are walking through a peaceful forest on a spring day.  My rhythm was: read a chapter, hike for three hours, repeat.
The Siege Winter The Siege Winter
by Ariana Franklin
and Samantha Norman
All of us who have loved Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death mystery series will find a bittersweet pleasure in this final book, which she was writing at the time of her death. Nimbly completed by her daughter, The Siege Winter takes place before the time period of her mystery series, during the fierce wars of succession between King Stephen and Empress Maud in 12th century England. Franklin interweaves the stories of a disillusioned mercenary, a young noblewoman trying to protect her castle and her people, and a child who is assaulted and left for dead. Between them they hold the key to a deadly secret. Part historical novel, part mystery, this book is totally fascinating.
1000 Foods to Eat Before You Die 1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die: A Food Lover's Life List 
by Mimi Sheraton

I can't say that I've been a great fan of the lately popular "to do before you die" genre. I don't want anyone telling me what I have to do before I die (it's bad enough being told what I have to do today or tomorrow). But I am a long-time fan of Mimi Sheraton, who has been one of America's most knowledgeable and entertaining food writers since around the time that Anthony Bourdain had his first taste of Gerber baby food. This beautifully produced 990-page volume is, to my mind, maybe the coolest browsing book for food lovers ever published (with the possible exception of the Oxford Companion to Food, which costs $40 more).

It doesn't matter whether Sheraton is writing about quenelles de brochet (pike dumplings) or about toasted marshmallows -- turn to any page in this book and you'll know within seconds that a consummate professional is your guide.

 

New in Hardcover

The Stranger What Comes Next and How to Like It   The World Before Us   So You've Been Publicly Shamed  At the Water's Edge Heretic   The Precious One  

The Stranger by Harlan Coben
What Comes Next and How to Like It by Abigail Thomas
The World Before Us by Aislinn Hunter
So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson   

At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen  

Heretic by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
The Precious One by Marisa de los Santos 

 

New in Paperback 

   Can't and Won't Flah Boys To Rise Again at a Decent Hour A Fighting Chance   One Plus One How To Write a Thesis   The One and Only   

 Can't and Won't by Lydia Davis
Flash Boys by Michael Lewis
To Rise Again at a Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris
A Fighting Chance by Elizabeth Warren 

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
How to Write a Thesis by Umberto Eco
The One & Only by Emily Giffin 

In the Kids Section

  • Books to Celebrate National Poetry Month
"Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words." - Robert Frost

To welcome in April and National Poetry Month, and help you prepare for National Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 30, we share with you these new collections that have just hit our shelves.

The Popcorn Astronauts The Popcorn Astronauts and Other Biteable Rhymes by Deborah Ruddell and illustrated by Joan Rankin
The Popcorn Astronauts and Other Biteable Rhymes is one of those poetry collections that just begs to be read aloud.  From summer watermelons to winter cocoa, this delicious assortment takes you through the seasons with food-themed poetry, and the whimsical and humorous illustrations add to the fun.
The Death of the Hat
The Death of the Hat: A Brief History of Poetry in 50 Objects selected by Paul B. Janeczko and illustrated by Chris Raschka
The creators of A Poke in the I, A Kick in the Head and A Foot in the Mouth are back at it and have created another terrific poetry anthology.  Through the ages poems have been written about many objects and this collection touches on how the objects and poetry continue to change and evolve.

The Maine Coon's Haiku The Maine Coon's Haiku and Other Poems for Cat Lovers by Michael J. Rosen and illustrated by Lee White
Imaginative haiku poetry and lively illustrations highlight the characteristics of 20 different breeds of cats. The Maine Coon's Haiku and Other Poems for Cat Lovers would make a purrfect gift for cat lovers, big and small.Please Excuse This Poem


Please Excuse This Poem: 100 New Poets for the Next Generation edited by Brett Fletcher Lauer and Lynn Melnick
This diverse anthology contains works from one hundred poets in their twenties and thirties.  It covers many topics important to today's teens and young adults including race, drug use, war and love.

In the Gift Aisle

  • The Birds and the Bees (and the Bunnies)
Birds! Bunnies! Has Easter taken you by surprise this year?  (It seems like we've barely had time to clear away the snow.)  Don't worry -- give us five minutes and we'll load your basket full of books, gifts and munchies, wrap it and do the Easter Bunny proud.  If you don't celebrate Easter, or if you're just feeling a little overwhelmed by all things rabbity and pastel-colored, we have a lovely display of bird-themed tea towels, trays, notecards and more, all of which would make beautiful hostess gifts.  For young people -- or really for anyone who needs something whispery-soft and huggable -- we still have a great selection of stuffed rabbits.  I like how this one seems to be checking out his likeness on this fetching bunny tote bag.

Downstairs at Wellesley Books 

  • New Adult Remainders
Remainders
Lorna and Lisa have been hard at work selecting interesting and unexpected remainders as we expand our stock. A couple that caught my eye this week were Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh and this excellent Passover Haggadah as commented upon by Elie Wiesel.  

Other titles include:
The Wife by Meg Wolitzer
The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek
A Short History of Women by Kate Walbert
The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner
Poems That Make Grown Men Cry edited by Anthony Holden
The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure
Reporting America by Alistair Cooke
Deadline Artists edited by John Avlon, Jesse Angelo and Errol Louis

Trade Your Used Books:

Saturdays from 11am - 3pm
Downstairs at Wellesley Books is always open for browsing during regular store hours except during author events.
We will be happy to look for a title after the event and place it on hold for you. 

Dog of the Week 

  • Freebie
Freebie Freebie is a totally charming four-year-old Terrier mix, so named because her owners found her on Freecycle. (Unfortunately, however, her vet bills have not been free.)  It was hard to get a non-blurry picture as she seemed to be understandably thrilled at the prospect of becoming Dog of the Week. Eventually she posed for me and even did a little twirling dance on her hind legs. Future Youtube star in the making?

What We're Reading Now...

The Master Thieves
Jane
All the Old Knives
Sally
Dissident Gardens
Betty
Girl in a Band
Rebecca
The Beautiful Mystery
Lorna
Delicious Foods
Phyllis
 

Thank you for supporting your community

independent bookstore!

 

As this is my first-ever e-newsletter, I wanted to say a proper "hello."  So: hello, I'm Rebecca and I've been a bookseller at Wellesley Books for eight years. You may know me as the short, curly-haired woman who gave your dog a treat and a tummy rub in the evening, or who told you to read a weird music biography.  I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity to chat with you via our newsletter!

Best wishes,

Rebecca Stimpson
Wellesley Books
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