SUMMER = READING

WELCOME TO SUMMER READING SEASON!

Hello readers, a warm welcome to the season for reading! (Which is, for most of us, one of four.)

If you have yet to stop by the shop and grab your next great read for the beach, the backyard bbq, the poolside lounger, the airplane, or your favorite summer spot in the shade, come see us and we'll get you a tome or two to get you started. Or sneak a peek below for what your neighbors are reading (Recent Best Sellers) and some of our current faves (Current Staff Picks).


If you haven't read one of our most favorite local mystery-thriller authors Megan Collins, we've got a great new pick for you: Thicker Than Water, a story of two sisters-in-law (who are best friends and also business partners) who find themselves suddenly at odds when the man who connects them becomes a murder suspect. How's that for summer heat! Join us as we launch the new book at Hops on the Hill Friday, July 7 — hear Megan chat about it and get your own signed copy (days before the book actually hits shelves!)


Speaking of outdoor events, we've got our Book Truck July lineup below - go check it out! AND if you're looking to have some fun with the kids, join us this July for the return search for Waldo — this year we're doing it on both sides of the river in Glastonbury and West Hartford, stop by the shop and grab your passports for where to find the little guy at local businesses.


More below: (Check it all out + find the hidden message to me)

  • Meghan & Jillian on TV (it's not a new sitcom... yet),
  • a great new local pre-order for middle grade readers,
  • and a summer sale on kids' audiobooks (going fast!) —


— Ernio, summer baby &

ShOperations Manager

River Bend Bookshop


River Bend Recent Best Sellers

What's everyone's reading? Here are the biggest Top Sellers at River Bend:

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Yellowface: A Novel: A Novel by R. F. Kuang


The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

The Possibility of Life of Life by Jaime Green

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Great New Local Pre-Order

River Bend is delighted to host the pre-order campaign for P. Djèlí Clark's forthcoming kids' book debut Abeni's Song.


The story is the enchanting beginning of an epic West African and African Diaspora-inspired fantasy adventure for middle-grade readers about a reluctant apprentice to magic and the stolen villagers she sets out to save.


Abeni's Song hits shelves on July 25 and River Bend will have signed & personalized copies by the local author.

Pre-Order Yours Today

Upcoming Off-Site Book Events

Join us in celebrating the launch of Megan Collins' latest thriller Thicker Than Water Friday, July 7 at Hops on the Hill. From the author of atmospheric psychological suspense novels The Winter Sister and Behind the Red Door as well as a true crime-obsessed family novel The Family Plot, comes a new tale of family drama with two sisters-in-law who find themselves at painful odds.


Reserve your tickets (VIP seating w drink tickets available) to this event today!

Reserve Your Tickets

You love our shops but have you yet to hop aboard our most mobile sales floor?Check out the feel of our shop on wheels at these upcoming outdoor events!

The search for Waldo is back! Join us in July for finding the beloved bespectacled blender-in across local businesses in Glastonbury & now in West Hartford too! 

Current Staff Picks

Audrey: Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

Deb: 100 Places to See After You Die by Ken Jennings

Tess: Pageboy by Elliot Page

Kaitee: The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

Grace: Happy Place by Emily Henry

Jillian: Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby

Veronica: Pity the Beast by Robin McLean

Nora: A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung

Ernio: The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks

Matteo: Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

Noah: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Mary: The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry

For more of our

Staff Picks,

follow us on Instagram!

Instagram

Did You Catch Meghan & Jillian on TV?

Great Day Connecticut visited the shop and spoke with owner Meghan and West Hartford Floor Manager Jillian about the new space across the river, as well as new books for the summer and more! If you missed the spot when it aired, check out the segment with our superstar book lovers online now.

LIBRO.FM 99¢ KIDS' AUDIOBOOK SALE

Our audiobook partners Libro.FM are running a 99¢ kids' audiobook sale through June! Stock up on your child's favorites, some Nutmeg Award nominees, local authors and more!

Buy Summer Sale NOW

Hours at Our Shops:

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-4pm (closed Monday)

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