The Learned Owl Book Shop, May 4, 2016

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Kate's Corner

Happy May! A huge thank you to everyone that was able to make it out for Independent Bookstore Day this past weekend. We had a very fun day celebrating with longtime friends and meeting lots of new friends, too.

Congratulations to Karen Hicks for winning our gift card raffle, and to the adventurous folks that made it to all 9 stops on the IBD passport. We still have some passports in the store if you are looking to visit the wide variety of Indie Bookstores in the Cleveland/Akron area. They are a great reference for any day of the year.

We are starting to talk about ways to improve and make it an even better day next year. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please contact us and we will do our best to make it happen.

Lots more great events coming up this month as we transition into summer - and don't forget about those summer reading lists!

As always, thank you for your support, and happy reading!

- Kate

Reach Out & Read book drive

Children's Book Week, May 2-8

Help Akron Children's Hospital and The Learned Owl put books in the hands of young readers! Purchase a children's book at The Owl (for ages 6 months to 5 years), or bring in a new book to donate. Books purchased from us for the book drive will receive a 20% discount.

Read more about Reach Out and Read

Library events

The Learned Owl will provide books for purchase and signing at these events hosted by our local libraries. Click the title for more information, or the button to register online.

Thurs., May 5, 6:30 PM (at the Hudson Library)

Carla Snyder will cook and highlight recipes from her cookbooks Sweet and Tart and One Pan Two Plates.

Mon., May 9, 7 PM

(at the Hudson Library)

Dr. Brandy Schillace with Death's Summer Coat: What the History of Death and Dying Teaches Us About Life and Living

Tues., May 10, 7 PM

(at the Hudson Library)

One Tank Trips author Neil Zurcher will discuss the latest book in his well-known road trip series.

Mon., May 16, 7 PM

(at the Hudson Library)

Howard Means with 67 Shots: Kent State and the End of American Innocence

Tues., May 17, 6:30 PM (Stow-Munroe Falls Library)

Join author and columnist Bob Dyer at the Friends of the Library Annual Meeting.

[read more]

Tues., May 17, 7 PM

(at the Hudson Library)

Peggy Orenstein with Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape

Quick Links

The Hudson Players present:

April 29, 30; May 6, 7, 13, 14, 15*, 20 & 21

Curtain Time: 8 p.m.

*2 p.m. matinee

Order tickets here

We recommend: Great new fiction

We have signed copies!

Redemption Road by John Hart

[Thomas Dunne Books, $27.99; available May 3]

Kate says: A detective under investigation for double homicide, an abused teen who needs protection, an innocent convict just out of prison, corrupt lawmen, and a reverend - what more could you ask for? On top of it all, a heart-pounding, keep-you-up-all-night reading pace. A first rate thriller well worth the wait!

And Linda says: This tightly woven novel draws us into the lives of the characters as they try to rid themselves of their demons, and leads us into the deep, dark secrets of the town and its residents.

The Atomic Weight of Love

by Elizabeth J. Church

[Algonquin Books, $25.95; available May 3]

Kate says: A captivating debut, Los Alamos in a whole new light, and a woman who never loses sight of her true self: The Atomic Weight of Love has it all. Meridian is a character equal parts infuriating and admirable, and I enjoyed every moment shared with her.

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

[Random House, $28.00]

Kate says: I'm a sucker for a good Pride and Prejudice retelling and this one definitely fits the bill. Pure entertainment! [read more]

City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong

[Minotaur Books, $25.99; available May 3]

Linda says: This standalone mystery/thriller is well worth your time. Casey Duncan is a strong and independent woman detective who hears about a city in Northern Canada set up exclusively for people who need to disappear for a few years. Rockton is off the grid, a tiny town surrounded by a forest and natural beauty; but it doesn't take long for Casey to learn that it is not the idyllic enclave she imagined. Several people have been found dead, and she has been accepted into the town due to her homicide experience. This is a big old beefy bear of a book, and you will find yourself picturing it on your nightstand and hurrying through your to-do list to get back to it. A must read!

Author & book group events

Saturday, May 7, 1 PM (at The Owl)

Kids, join us for our first annual Book Scavenger Hunt! [read more]

Saturday, May 7, 1-3 PM (at The Owl)

Akron author and historian Jeri Holland with Cuyahoga Falls

Monday, May 9, 1 PM OR Tuesday, May 10, 7 PM (at The Owl)

Join us as our Learned Owl Book Club discusses A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding.

Saturday, May 14, 1-3 PM (at The Owl)

Paul Gaston with Ohio's Craft Beers: Discovering the Variety, Enjoying the Quality, Relishing the Experience

Saturday, May 14, 1-3 PM (at The Owl)

Vince McKee with Cleveland's Finest: Sports Heroes from the Greatest Location in the Nation

Sunday, May 15, 2 PM (at The Owl)

The topic of our May History Book Club meeting will be Communal Living. Read any book on the subject and join us!

Our teen reviewers recommend

Whisper to Me by Nick Lake

[Bloomsbury USA, $17.99; available May 3]

"This is a young adult contemporary book about Cassie, a teenage girl who is writing an extremely long email to a boy whose heart she broke. She is telling everything in this email - why she disappears at night, why she broke down, what happened to her mother in the pizza shop. She is begging for his forgiveness, and hopes that he will understand. This was an amazing book!"

The Way Back to You by Michelle Andreani and Mindi Scott

[Katherine Tegen Books, $17.99; available May 3]

"Six months ago, Cloudy and Kyle lost Ashlyn, Cloudy's best friend and Kyle's girlfriend. Cloudy finds out that Ashlyn had her organs donated to people in need, and she and Kyle go on a road trip to meet the recipients... An overall great read!"

We recommend: New storybooks

Herman's Vacation

by Tom Percival

[Bloomsbury USA, $17.99]

Kate says: Herman and Henry are best friends; however, they like very different things. When their camping trip doesn't go exactly as planned, Herman jumps into action. Filled with fun illustrations and lift-the-flap postcards, this is a must for any first camping trip!