Ringing In The New
Another page in the calendar has turned and a new year is underway, hopefully one that brings positive change while retaining the best elements of the old one. That's what we're always trying to do here--offer you new books and new ways of interacting with us without altering the essence of our store.
Our first author event of the year happens on Friday, January 6th, as Julie Marie Wade visits the store to read from her lyrical essay collection Small Fires. Mother and daughter parse reconciliation and celebration, all in an attempt to answer the question--what have you given up to become who you are?
Speaking of calendars as we were above, all 2012 calendars are currently 50% off, and all holiday-themed books and cards are also discounted 50% while they last. This is the time those commendable people who are more organized than most plan ahead, stock up, and save. We hereby resolve to become people like that. As soon as we get through this pile of reading we're working on, that is.
The Greatest Gift Is A Passion For Reading
It's the season of glad tidings and warm hearts, but also of inclement skies and cold temperatures. The barometer and the thermometer may be falling, but our store is always warm and dry, and the activity level is rising. New books are arriving every day, along with a surprising variety of toys, games, housewares, and other items. Check out our gift page or better yet, drop in and see everything that's on the shelves.
In our ongoing attempt to recreate at least a bit of the real-world Island Books on our website, we're launching a new feature. Something we take a good deal of pride in is our ability to find the right book for the right person. Collectively we have over 100 years of bookselling experience (we suspect it may be more than 150 years, but saying that makes us feel old) that we can bring to bear when recommendations are needed, and we're giving you the opportunity to ask for our help online. Visit our Ask the Booksellers page, make a post on our Facebook wall, or just send us an email to ask us tough questions about books for tough customers.
Giving Thanks and Giving Back
Big doings this time of year--it's book fair season! Each year we help raise funds for schools across the island and beyond, pre-K to high school and everything in between. Over the years we've given back almost $300,000 to the community, and we couldn't do it without your help, so check the schedule and drop in to do some shopping (and enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres, perhaps) when the time is right. It's a great opportunity to take care of holiday necessities and luxuries.
Speaking of holidays, we've got your culinary interests covered, too. Check out some seasonal cookbook highlights and don't forget there are hundreds more to choose from on our shelves, virtual and otherwise.
The Frost is on the Pumpkin
All manner of events are cropping up on the calendar in October, including our Reading Group Book Night on October 18th. $10 paperbacks that evening only! We've also got Sharon and Julie Kramis on tap with their latest Cast Iron Skillet cookbook, and Kim Allison is in town with her new memoir.
We'd also like to remind you to sign up for our new eNewsletter, which is debuting this month. We respect your email privacy and hope to keep you updated on book news, store happenings, and our quirky tastes.
In even more high-tech news, we're now offering eBooks on our site. This is a very exciting development that lets you read anywhere you go on almost any platform, whether it's a desktop, smart phone, or dedicated reading device. You'll be surprised how easy they are to use, and how inexpensive they are. Find out more here.
Dear Old Golden Rule Days . . .
The academic year is getting underway, but don't tell Mother Nature. We may still get a month of summer out of her before she's through. Whatever she may decide, this is definitely the time to pick up one of our ever-popular August to August organizers in the bright color of your choice.
September 22nd features a great off-site author event with Naseem Rakha, author of The Crying Tree. Details are here. We've also got memoirist Suzanne Morrison, author of Yoga Bitch, coming to the store on the 30th.
And did you notice the new tab on the menu above? We're always interested in conversation with our friends and neighbors, so we've recently launched a blog that gives us one more way to talk to you. Even more importantly, it gives you one more way to talk to us, and to each other. The door is always open--let us know what you think.
Dog Days
The sultry days of summer are supposed to be a time of torpor and indolence, but we're not sitting still here at Island Books. All sorts of projects are afoot, and you'll be hearing about them soon. Right after we finish this pitcher of mai tais . . . .
Sumer is icumen in, Lhude sing cuccu!
We've got a great author event coming up this week: Robert Rosell, author of the forthcoming novel Virtually Yours, Jonathan Newman, will be here on Wednesday, August 3rd. This is something of a sneak preview, as Island Books will be the very first place his book will be available. Although we'll shortly be adding the title to our web catalog, for the moment the only way to order it if you can't visit the store is to give us a call or drop us an email. Remember, US shipping is free when you order from us directly.
And of course, we have lots of brand-new hardcovers to read this summer, whether you're out on a lounge chair or stuck indoors. What is it with this weather?
Shameless huckstering
It's an honor just being nominated. But we'd still like to win.
Spring at Island Books
It's gone again as we put this page together, but at least we know spring exists. We saw it in all its glory last week. Fingers crossed that it comes back soon.
Whatever the weather, there's a lot of new growth. Our new neighbors have finally opened their doors officially. Drop in for a meal or a cup of coffee when you pay us a visit, and vice versa.
Our PJ Story Time continues even though the school year is coming to an end. Check out the Story Time link under our Children's tab and our Events calendar over on the right side for all the details.
And of course, the crop of new books is always in season. See you soon!
Welcome to Our New Site!
We're whisking away the curtain to unveil the all-new website representing Island Books. The first thing you should notice is that it doesn't look all that much different from our old one, at least if we've done things right. There's a good bit behind the scenes that's new, but we hope the look and feel will be as familiar and friendly as you've come to expect from us.
The most noticeable change is that you can now search for books and order them right on the site. We're still delighted to hear from you personally, here in the store or by phone or email, but if you need an instant internet fix, we can now accommodate you. And coming soon, e-books!
A Note About Shipping
Our longtime customers know that we've always provided free shipping for the orders we take directly, but things are a little more complicated for web orders. The price of
automation, you might say.
- You can order online for in-store pickup—that's still free.
- You can order online for shipment anywhere in the US. If your total is more than $50, ground shipping is free. If not, shipping charges will apply, depending on where your order is going, what's in it, and how fast you want it to get there.
- If you're patient enough to contact us when the store is open by phone or email (and we'd love to hear from you) we're happy to waive the charges and send your books for free to any US address.
