Fall 2008 Events
Can’t make this week’s event? Email or phone us with your name and credit card info and we’ll happily have a book signed and personalized for you to pick up at your convenience.
Brunonia Barry: The Lace Reader, Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7:00 pm
Barry’s first novel, The Lace Reader, caused a bidding war among publishers for millions of dollars. Towner, its heroine, is descended from a long line of mind readers and fortune telling women who “read” lace. She returns home to Salem to recover after numerous traumas, and her tale becomes a mystery, a love story, and a return to the legacy of generations of women.
Andre Dubus III: The Garden of Last Days · September 18
From the author of The House of Sand and Fog, comes the gritty psychological portrait of three characters associated with a seedy strip club in Florida. The wrenching plot weaves together one story of the abduction of a child with another tale of a man about to carry out his part in the terrorist plot of 9/11.
Suzanne Strempek Shea: Sundays in America:
A Year-Long Road Trip in Search of Christian Faith · Sept. 25
Suzanne Strempek Shea spent a year attending services at a different church each week. Her quest took all across the country, and into a surprising variety of Christian churches.
Shea poignantly shares her journeys, both physical and spiritual. The result is a powerful, wonderful book.
Randall Peffer: Old School Bones · October 2
Peffer teaches at Phillips Academy, and his latest mystery takes place in a multicultural prep school. When a student dies in an apparent suicide, there are suspicions of foul play and rumors of secret societies. Sabina Murray, another Phillips writer says, “Peffer charts a rocky course through the world of privilege, desire, murder and blame.”
Benjamin Wallace: Billionaire’s Vinegar · October 9
A bottle of wine allegedly owned by Thomas Jefferson set a record price when auctioned in 1985. Was it authentic? Was it part of a Nazi hoard? This lively read is part wine history and part mystery. One reviewer says, “The cast of characters is like something out of Fawlty Towers meets The Departed.”
Stephanie Schorow: The Crime of the Century: How the Brinks
Robbers Stole Millions and the Hearts of Boston · October 16
The tale of a brazen, multi-million dollar robbery from an “impenetrable” security company — accomplished bloodlessly — continues to capture the imaginations of Bostonians nearly 60 years after the crime. Schorow’s book is a thorough and highly readable story of the legendary Brink’s crime.
Brian Jacques: Doomwyte: A Novel of Redwall
Saturday, October 18 at 2:00 pm at the Andover Town Hall
Tickets available at the Bookstore
Jacques is a master storyteller who lives in Liverpool, England. He has created a whole world of animal heroes and villains who live in his magical series of chapter books. Several years ago he visited our store and was an enormous hit. Several of his historical novels including Castaways of the Flying Dutchman are also grand adventures.
Kate Larson: Assassin’s Accomplice:
Mary Surratt & the Plot to Kill Lincoln · October 23
Mary Surratt was the first woman to be executed by the Federal government, having been found guilty of conspiring to murder Abraham Lincoln. Surratt’s fascinating story is brilliantly told by historian Kate Larson. Her informative book is a compelling read.
Betsy Williams: Mrs. Thrift’s Cookbook · October 30
Join us for an evening of delectable fun. Andover’s own Betsy Williams is a well known herbalist and florist. She’s also an entertaining speaker who weaves stories throughout her talks. Her new cookbook is a collection of family friendly recipes using herbal vinegars, butters and mustards. Savory samples will be served.
John Hanson Mitchell: The Paradise of All These Parts:
A Natural History of Boston · November 13
“There are many published works on the human history of Boston, as well as any number of guide books to its architecture, street, and parks, but in spite of Boston’s inherent connection to the natural world, there has yet to be a book that deals with the deeper story — a history of its rocks and rivers, its hills and hollows, tree and shrubs, and the wild animals that once inhabited these shores.” Mitchell’s many fans, and those new to his talent, will love his guided tour of Boston’s natural past.
Julia Glass: I See You Everywhere · November 6
Julia is the author of Three Junes and the winner of the National Book Award. In this new double portrait she alternates between the voices of two sisters over a period of 25 years. Through the voice of Louisa, the older responsible sister, and Clem, the charming younger rebel, we step into a world of the bonds and rivalries of sisterhood.
Author & Illustrator Afternoon · Saturday, November 15
Kathleen Benner Duble (author) The Story of the Samson · Alexander Farquharson (illustrator)
Sam and his grandfather relive the Samson’s adventures on the high seas. The ship witnessed the Titanic’s demise, rescued Shackelton’s crew, and appeared at the 1933 World’s Fair.
Anne Broyles (author) Priscilla and the Hollyhocks · Anne Alter (illustrator)
Priscilla was only four when her mother was sold to another master. All she has to remember her are the hollyhocks she planted, and in remembrance she plants them everywhere.
Jenna Blum: Those Who Save Us · November 20
In this dark and powerful story of remembrance, Trudy, a professor of German studies, searches for her early history. An old family photo shows her as a child standing between her mother and a Nazi officer. After their village was liberated by the American army her mother became the wife of an American soldier. Over many long years her mother has never spoken of their past in Germany.
Andrew Grilz: Andover, Images of America by Arcadia Press
(Date in December to be announced)
Andrew is curator at the Andover Historical Society. He has been working on this wonderful book to chronicle the history of our community with vintage photographs and historical captions. Our town has such a rich history that we are all looking forward to the arrival of this new title.
| Fall 2008 Events | |
|---|---|
| All events are at 7:00 pm on Thursday unless otherwise noted. | |
| Thurs., Sept. 4 | Brunonia Barry: The Lace Reader |
| Thurs., Sept. 18 | Andre Dubus III: The Garden of Last Days |
| Thurs., Sept. 25 | Suzanne Strempek Shea: Sundays in America: A Year-Long Road Trip in Search of Christian Faith |
| Thurs., October 2 | Randall Peffer: Old School Bones |
| Thurs., October 9 | Benjamin Wallace: Billionaire’s Vinegar |
| Thurs., October 16 | Stephanie Schorow: The Crime of the Century: How the Brinks Robbers Stole Millions and the Hearts of Boston |
| Saturday, October 18 | Brian Jacques: Doomwyte: A Novel of Redwall |
| Thurs., October 23 | Kate Larson: Assassin’s Accomplice: Mary Surratt & the Plot to Kill Lincoln |
| Thurs., October 30 | Betsy Williams: Mrs. Thrift’s Cookbook |
| Thurs., Nov. 6 | Julia Glass: I See You Everywhere |
| Thurs., Nov. 13 | John Hanson Mitchell: The Paradise of All These Parts: A Natural History of Boston |
| Saturday, Nov. 15 | Author & Illustrator Afternoon |
| Thurs., Nov. 20 | Jenna Blum: Those Who Save Us |
| (Date in December TBA) | Andrew Grilz: Andover, Images of America (Arcadia Press) |
