Blogs

Soman Chainani is the man behind the New York Times-bestselling series The School for Good & Evil. The six-piece fairytale saga has already been translated into 25 languages, and the fourth installment isn't even out yet. Better still, the first book will soon hit the silver screen, courtesy of Universal Pictures. Lest you think that the movie will be worse than the book (they usually are), worry not—Soman is co-writing the screenplay and has an MFA in film. SGE is in good hands.

We were delighted at the opportunity to ask Soman a few questions about his work. Read his answers below, then pre-order your copy of Quests for Glory on our website. (Or wait until it comes out on September 19, and pick it up in person.) Most importantly, mark your calendars for September 26—that's when Soman is visiting the store. He'll chat, answer questions, and sign copies of his new book. You don't want to miss it.

Alex Bracken grew up in Arizona going to Star Wars conventions and discovering the "inherent magic in books." Now, she writes magical books – about Star Wars, among other things! Her latest effort, The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding, is a genuine delight. It's funny, it's spooky, and it's sure to take its place on the shelf alongside the works of Roald Dahl, Tamora Pierce, or Cornelia Funke. We're already looking forward to the sequel.

We were lucky enough to chat with Alex last month – read her Q&A below, then stop by the store for your copy of Prosper or order one online. And be sure to join us for a chance to meet Alex and have your book signed on September 19!

Mac Barnett has charmed kids and adults alike with his whimsical picture books. (And adults again with his wonderful TED Talk.) We can't wait to host Mr. Barnett in the store on September 19 – he's one of our favorite authors, and we absolutely love his new book. We caught up with Mr. Barnett for a quick Q&A earlier this month. Read on to wet your whistle, then pre-order Mac's new book, I Love You Like a Pig, before our event.

Well, friends, it's been a wet and windy week at the shop. We hope you're all staying safe and dry, and that you've stocked up on water and other essentials. Like books. It's perfect weather for reading, assuming the power doesn't go out. Batten down the hatches and curl up with one of these wonderful new staff recommendations

You've heard of Gabrielle Zevin. She wrote The Storied Life of AJ Fikry, a runaway best-seller and Blue Willow staff favorite, plus a host of other well-loved novels for teens and adults. Her new book, Young Jane Young, is whip-smart and seriously funny. It's also the perfect book club choice – much to consider lies within these pages.

We can't wait to welcome Ms. Zevin back to our store on September 9. She's a frequent visitor. This will be her fourth stop over the last four years, and we're utterly delighted to be the only bookstore to host Ms. Zevin on all four of her book tours.  

We caught up with Ms. Zevin earlier this month for a short Q&A about her new book. Read her thoughtful answers below, then swing by the store or place an online order for your own copy of Young Jane Young. After all, you'll need something good to read when Harvey hits us this weekend.

On August 26th, beloved Paleo blogger (Nom Nom Paleo) and cookbook author Michelle Tam will be rolling into the shop to conduct a signing of her latest (fabulous!) cookbook, READY OR NOT! This shiny new book is chock-full of great recipes, information, and unique cartoons created by her husband, Henry Fong. Whether you're new to Paleo or an avid Nomster, READY OR NOT! is an awesome addition to your kitchen.

The secret's out: Our staff loves to read, and we always count down the days 'til we can recommend our favorite books. Starting this month, we're publishing recent staff reviews on our blog. Somebody has to fill the void left by Michiko Kakutani, right? Consider it a fortnightly roundup of some of the best new books around. 

In 2016, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Gene Luen Yang issued a challenge, and he called it Reading Without Walls – it helps you get out of your comfort zone and explore the world through reading!

On Tuesday, July 25th, our reps Liz Sullivan (Random House) and Brian Contine (Penguin) came to the shop to present some of their favorite current and upcoming reads (and pass out cat-hair-covered giveaways). 

With over 60 attendees, we had an unbelievable turnout. At staff meeting the next morning, we pondered the “why”… Was it Liz’s snarky comedy that attracted the crowds? Or Brian’s dad charm? Perhaps the promise of witty banter and books? Whatever it was, it was infectious, and we hope everyone had the best time.

If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry — we compiled blurbs (equal parts funny and informative) on the books (25+!) that Liz and Brian presented.