Stephanie has understood the magic of books since her father gave her Little House in the Big Woods at age 8.
She is a career bookseller who can't quite believe her good luck.
She believes in people and stories but not always in that order.
She knows that bookstores are cultural institutions meant to serve at the pleasure of their communities.
She dreams of a world where everyone is happy because they only read books that make their hearts sing.
Do you remember the last time you received a note in the mail from someone you love? Do you remember how special it made you feel? HOW TO WRITE A LETTER makes the art of handwritten communication easy with charming tips and prompts. It will help you write everything from a thoughtful birthday card to a thank you note after a job interview. I implore you to pick up this book and send letters to everyone in your life. Let's make humanity less digital! ~Stephanie
This collection immerses you in O'Connor's Southern Gothic tales, where characters grapple with redemption, morality, and the peculiarities of human nature. With sharp wit and unflinching insight, O'Connor's stories challenge and captivate, leaving an indelible mark on American literature. There is nobody else like her. ~Stephanie
EUPHORIA immerses readers in the passionate world of 1930's New Guinea, where three anthropologists grapple with desire, ambition, and intellectual discovery. Inspired by Margaret Mead's life, this captivating novel is a haunting exploration of love and knowledge, intricately woven into a gripping narrative. There is a very good reason why Lily King is perpetually on my Staff Favorites shelf. ~Stephanie
STONER is the great American novel that you probably have not read. It is quiet and, yes, painful at times but it glorious in its truth. Read this book when you want to think about life, the world, and your place in it. ~Stephanie
Have you read PERSUASION? If not, you should. It is a captivating tale of longing and hope. Follow Anne Elliot's journey through love's twists and turns, where second chances and rekindled emotions take center stage. It beautifully explores the enduring power of hope in matters of the heart. This is my favorite Jane Austen book and it will be yours too. ~Stephanie
I gave myself the gift of reading 84, Charing Cross over the course of a single evening. This charming collection of letters between Helene and an antiquarian bookshop in London put an indelible smile on my face. On the surface these letters are a series of book orders, but, beneath the surface, we see the lives of those who wrote them. Salivate as Helene's new treasures arrive. Laugh at her audacious book reviews. Cheer as Helene adopts the whole bookshop. ~Stephanie
Read this book when you need a bit of hope and a good hug because sometimes only Kate DiCamillo will do. ~Stephanie
Aggie says I read weird things, and this book probably qualifies. Dark, compulsive, and poetic. I could not put down this wonderful debut novel. ~Stephanie
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Hollywood’s golden couple is faking it. Or are they? The View is romantic escapism in its most delicious form: think the south of France, yachts, and young love. But Win and Leo’s story is deeper than your typical romance; it’s steamy, smart and sparkling. The perfect millennial romance! --Stephanie
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Mrs. March is one of those novels in which you have no idea what is going on, or who to trust, and yet you cannot put the book down. Part crime drama, part psychological thriller, completely engrossing. --Stephanie
Yotam Ottolenghi has never steered me wrong, and his newest cookbook is no different. This time he works his Middle Eastern-infused magic on our pantries and freezers. Test Kitchen recipes deliver the flavor of Ottolenghi with minimal stress and no extra trips to the grocery store. Sign me up! --Stephanie
How did she get inside my head? How could she know exactly what I felt as a teenager? Elena Ferrante is know for unflinching honesty in coming of age stories and Lying Life of Adults pulls no punches. Giovanna is left grappling with her identity after overhearing her father say she's ugly. Her story is intimate, profound and slightly brutal. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time. --Stephanie
After returning to Athens after the death of her parents, Mia connects with the Captain - a mysterious seaman no longer at sea - sharing stories and intimacies before ever meeting face to face. Haunting, transporting, and bittersweet. My favorite book of the summer. --Stephanie
Hi Friend, do you need a mental trip to the beach? Well, here it is in book form! Emily Henry strikes the perfect balance between lighthearted and soul satisfying in this breezy summer romance. --Stephanie
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Casey is a struggling young writer, living in a shed and waiting tables to pay her bills. She's grappling with the death of her mother and a bad breakup. But our Casey is strong - she keeps her hopes, her dreams, and her writing alive through struggles and heartbreak. This book is a celebration of writing and King is a masterful writer. --Stephanie
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This gorgeous collection of letters and responses has made me laugh, and made me cry, and seen me through some of the worst and best times in my life. I love this book and I promise you will too. --Stephanie
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The country has been decimated by a brutal civil war, and the population wiped out by a deadly fever. Our heroine ekes out her living by bartering her letter-writing skills to those who no longer know how, until the day a man comes to her door asking her to write and deliver his letter, and her life is forever changed.
Hagy’s writing is visceral and unsettling (in the best possible way) and the last 10 pages made my heart sing. --Stephanie
Welcome to a world where smart women are looking for the love of a good man. But what does a good man look like? These witty stories perfectly capture the rawness longing and the power of love. Do not be fooled by the title, Huston’s short fiction top tier. --Stephanie
Sure, you’ve read Ann Patchett, but have you read her non-fiction?
Her top-notch writing is on full display in essays on writing, dogs, bookstores, familys, the LAPD, and yes, marriage. Patchett is truly one of our best writers and every piece in this book is an absolute pleasure. --Stephanie
Welcome to the world of the American Housewife. "Retro-Feminist ladies who lunch" perfectly captures this short story collection. It is sharp, acerbic, and somewhat Gothic through and through. Love this book! ~Stephanie