Spanning over three decades, these deeply felt personal essays sprinkle humor and pathos in equal measure on such topics as heroism, aging, racism, family life, the romance of fishing and baseball, grieving, guilt, personal redemption, preserving memories – and most of all, magic: the magical acts of everyday living that we perform for each other.

Sheedy will be in conversation with David Leff, poet, novelist, environmentalist.


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Two sisters in love with the same man -- one engaged to him and the other about to sabotage the wedding -- struggle to reconcile in this delicious novel from the bestselling author of The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Café. 

The Wedding Thief, set in Connecticut, is a perfect New England summer read!

Simses will be in conversation with House of Books' general manager, Benjamin Rybeck.


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Join Alison Farrell on our Instagram as she reads The Hike, a plucky and sweet adventure story about three intrepid young female explorers set out to conquer the outdoors in their local forest! Perfect for little ones ages 3-7.

This book tells the story of three girls' friendship—and their tribulations and triumphs in the great outdoors. Here is the best and worst of any hike: from picnics to puffing and panting, deer-sighting to detours. Featuring a glossary, a sketchbook by one of the characters, abundant labels throughout, and scientific backmatter.

THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON ZOOM: REGISTER HERE

Pandemics have killed at least a half billion people over the past two millennia. Today a new plague, COVID-19, is stalking humanity. But in the age of biotechnology, humanity is no longer defenseless. Biotechnology in the Time of COVID-19 is a collection of stories about the biotechnology industry—its purpose, its people and how it has risen to battle the COVID-19 virus—told by forty-seven leaders of that industry in their own words.

The contributors to this book offer inside views of this seminal industry, historical and personal perspectives, lessons learned, and looks into the future. Diverse as these leaders are, they are united by their conviction that science and medicine will light humanity’s way to greater health and longevity than it has ever known.

Join local Connecticut author Paul Meisel on our Instagram as he reads My Stinky Summer by S. Bug, a hilarious and scientifically accurate bug's-eye-view of the life cycle of a stinkbug! Perfect for little ones ages 3-7.

From the day he is born, S. Bug hears the same refrain--"Ew! Stinkbug!" The stinkbug's odor is powerful protection against predators. Perhaps too powerful. Readers will also learn about the challenges that arise when an ecosystem is pushed off-balance.

Co-presented with Kent Memorial Library

"Musical Chairs is one of those books I did not want to end. Bridget Stratton is a single mom, cellist, co-founder of the trio Forsythe, with her best friend Will, and the daughter of the world- renowned composer Edward Stratton. She is looking forward to leaving the city for the summer and spending time at her Connecticut home but the best laid plans go awry. Her twin twenty-something children show up unannounced, her ninety-year-old father is getting married, her house is in desperate need of repairs, the trio has lost their violinist and her boyfriend dumps her via email! The characters in Musical Chairs become like old friends and their stories cleverly weave together with joy, resentment, secrets and above all humor. It's a welcome comfort in these most unusual times."

—Mary

Poeppel will be in conversation with novelist, short story writer, and essayist Elinor Lipman.

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Co-presented by Kent Memorial Library and Cornwall Library!


Join us for a conversation between two wonderful authors discussing their recent books, Roxana Robinson (Dawson's Fall) and Honor Moore (Our Revolution). Both books, the first one fiction and the second one a memoir, reckon with the ghosts of history and family.


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Join Carrie Finison on our Instagram as she reads Dozens of Doughnuts, a delightful debut picture book about counting, sharing, and being a good friend.

LouAnn (a bear) is making a doughnut feast in preparation for her long winter's nap. But just before she takes the first bite, DING DONG! Her friend Woodrow (a woodchuck) drops by. LouAnn is happy to share her doughnuts, but as soon as she and Woodrow sit down to eat, DING DING! Clyde (a raccoon) is at the door. One by one, LouAnn's friends come over--Topsy (an opossum) and then Moufette (a skunk) and then Chip and Chomp (chipmunks)--until it's one big party. Louann welcomes her surprise guests and makes batch after batch of doughnuts, always dividing them equally among her friends. But she makes one BIG miscalculation. Soon LouAnn's kitchen is bare, winter is near, and she's had nothing to eat at all!

Join us for a discussion of The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, a tale of revenge, cultural identity, and the cost of breaking from tradition.

 
Seamlessly blending classic horror and a dramatic narrative with sharp social commentary, The Only Good Indians follows four American Indian men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.


Author Stephen Graham Jones will be joining our book club meeting for an exclusive book talk and Q&A! 
 
As always, our virtual book club is fun, casual, and free. Tell your friends! And please RSVP to bookclub@houseofbooksct.com for the Zoom link.