May 2021... News, Events and What We are Reading
Dedicated To Mothers Everywhere
As you may or may not know, my bookstore is dedicated to my mother. I hold her entirely responsible. She was an avid and fearless reader and she instilled the same passion in me as a young child. Off we’d go to the Palo Alto Children’s library every week; and every week, I left with my arms piled high with books. I devoured every single one in days. Note to current day parents: growing up, my brothers and I were not allowed to watch television (even if we’d finished our homework). It was better to read a book we were told. And so it was.
I became a voracious reader and so loved words I even read the dictionary with glee. My fondness for books evolved into what could be called a fault I suppose because I seem incapable of ever letting go of one. Yes. You could call it hoarding. I’m out of space. Thus, my inspiration for opening a bookstore some may argue. But really my mother is to blame. Thank you, Mom. I wish you were here to see what I’ve done. It’s in your honor. - Cheryl
Mother's Day Sunday May 9th
From favorite books, to luscious lotions, gourmet olive oil, handcrafted Annie Glass, a crystal votive or a classy Addison Ross frame for a picture of you and mom, we have loads of great gifts to make her feel special. We also have a great selection of Mother’s Day cards.
Favorite New Cookbooks
Independent Bookstore Day
Upcoming Events
May 5th
Cinco de Mayo
In addition to a great excuse for margaritas, guac & chips, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5,1862.
May 9th
Mothers Day
Mom, Mama, Madre, Mere... any way you say Mother it means someone who loves you dearly and has no doubt sacrificed much in her own life to help make your dreams come true.
Virtual Book Launch Celebration
May 15th, 11am
Elizabeth Shreeve
Mill Valley author Elizabeth Shreeve comes from a family of writers and scientists and loves penning books that teach kids about the natural world. Out of the Blue traces the evolution of life on earth with stories and illustrations to captivate the young at heart (ages 6-9).
Wines of The Month
In celebration of mothers everywhere we thought some bubbly would be nice this month. We have three outstanding bottles to choose from that pair well with Mother’s Day brunch or sipping before that dinner that SOMEONE other than Mom is going to cook! Pair a bottle with a good book and mom can sip while she reads!
Schramsburg Blanc de Blanc (splits)
Domaine Carneros Brut
Veuve Cliquot Brut
What We're Reading
The Elephant of Belfast
S. Kirk Walsh
Belfast, Ireland, 1940. Zookeeper Hettie Quin takes charge of an orphaned three-year old Indian elephant named Violet. Enter the Luftwaffe and devastation. A portrait of hope & resilience and the amazing bond between mankind and animals. Cheryl P.
Hour of the Witch
Chris Bohjalian
In 1662, Mary Deerfield is the second wife of powerful and cruel Thomas in the Puritan community of Boston. Thomas is prone to violent rages after he has been drinking and one night stabs Mary’s hand with a three-tined fork. Mary resolves to divorce Thomas but faces community scrutiny when a wronged neighbor can accuse one of being a witch and send a woman to the gallows. Full of suspense and twists, this historical thriller will keep you turning the pages until the very end. Angela K.
Eternal
Lisa Scottoline
Another WWII saga, but set in Italy which hasn’t had as much agency as France in WWII novels of recent. Tracking the rise of Fascism in Rome and the journey of three childhood friends, Eternal is both a love story and a tale of war. The author has taught the Italian Holocaust in her “Justice and Fiction” class at the University of Pennsylvania Law School so this is well researched historical fiction that is amazingly relevant today addressing issues of tyranny and loyalty. Cheryl P.
Honey Girl
Morgan Rogers
Fiercely hardworking and responsible, Grace Porter is a newly graduated Ph.D. struggling to continue on the path she planned out for herself. She is more surprised than anyone when she marries a complete stranger on a trip to Vegas, but her mysterious new wife Yuki might be just the voice that she needed to hear. This book is an exploration of relationships, featuring an array of captivating characters (none more so than the monster-hunting radio host Yuki Yamamoto). The novel also discusses the way stories shape and reflect our lives, and explores issues of mental health and racism in academia. Matthew K.
Nation
Terry Pratchett
A small island nation in the South Pacific gets wiped out by a tsunami, leaving the ragtag survivors to build a new settlement and start again. The story centers on Mau, a soulless boy whose rite of passage was interrupted in the destruction, and Daphne, an English girl who was shipwrecked in the storm after fleeing the horrors of a plague. The novel places a great deal of focus on belief and storytelling, exploring the fictional gods and legends that defined culture on the island. There's a rich cast of offbeat characters and two protagonists with very relatable inner voices. Pratchett's wry humor is on point throughout. Matthew K.
The Golem and the Jinni
Helene Wecker
The Golem and the Jinni follows two mythical creatures disguised as humans and living as immigrants in New York City, both of them newly released from a master's subjugation. They have very different backgrounds and opposing outlooks on the idea of freedom, but they share a deep curiosity, and a desire to come to terms with humanity and their own sinister origins. An intricate story with some very surprising twists, the novel also gives a captivating portrait of New York's Hebrew and Syrian communities at the turn of the 20th century. Keep your eyes peeled for the new sequel coming in June! Matthew K.
When Harry Met Minnie
Martha Teichner
A touching memoir of love and loss by renowned CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Martha Teichner. As heartwarming as it is tear-jerking, about a fairytale romance between two amazing Bull Terriers who come together unexpectedly, the book is as much about the dog’s owners and a tribute to friendship and opening our hearts. Cheryl P.
City Lights Pocket Poets Anthology
(60th Anniversary Edition)
Edited by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
If one were to try to engage with Lawrence F., who passed two months ago, one could read any of his famous books, but reading this anthology would be to understand what Lawrence thought. Lawrence may have published the "Beats," but didn't consider himself one of them, and his editorial vision encompassed all that was revolutionary over more than three decades, from Picasso, Prevert, Pasolini, and Mayakovsky, to the countercultural icons of the Sixties and Seventies. If I come across as overly-familiar with Lawrence, it is because I was a part of his bookshop for more than twenty years, and have only the best memories of him. Jeff B.
In Search of a Kingdom
Laurence Bergreen
This is on my to-read list, but I am recommending it on the basis of customer reviews, and of similar books the author has written, one of which is among the best books I've ever read: Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe. Two of his other highly-acclaimed books cover the voyages of Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo. Jeff B.
Growing Up In Belvedere-Tiburon
Paige Peterson
Written in conjunction with the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society this wonderful walk down memory lane is a nostalgic curated collection of photography and memoir for anyone who grew up there in the 50’s and 60’s. But it is also captures the spirit, the character, and the aura of this special place and will resonate with you whether you grew up there or not. The narrative, the images and the history are a joy to experience. Cheryl P.
La Cocina
Caleb Zigas
La Cocina is a global organization that functions as a kitchen incubator, supporting the development and recognition of good food worldwide. This book was published in 2019 but is getting a lot of traction today because La Cocina is a powerful force for social justice, inclusion and equity for entrepreneurial woman of color and recent immigrants. More than 150 photographs with stories of chefs, restaurants and their delicious recipes. Where to start?! Maybe with Mole Verde con Puerco for Cinco de Mayo by Isabel Caudillo and El Buen Comer in San Francisco. Cheryl P.
Firekeeper's Daughter
Angeline Boulley
In this debut YA novel, 18 year old Daunis is busy getting ready for college while straddling the white world of her mother’s family and her Ojibwe relatives. When she is witness to a shocking crime, she becomes involved with the FBI trying to find the source of drug crime in her community - who is involved, who is lying. Steeped in Ojibwe language and traditions with an exploration of Native experience, this story touches on very adult themes of alcohol and drug abuse as well as violence against women. This “electrifying thriller” is not to be missed. Angela K.
The Imaginaries
Emily Winfield Martin
New York Times best selling author Emily Winfield Martin as released another delightful book, good for young and old alike. The book contains paintings she has made during the past ten years, each captioned with one sentence to inspire the reader to imagine a story. This lovely book would make a beautiful Mother’s Day gift for any women in your life. Angela K.
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“Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.
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