Wellesley Books

05/29/2026

The wonderful Kate DiCammillo’s thoughts on Summer Reading.

I'm a year-round reader, but I still love to think of summer reading.
When I was a kid, I went to the public library's summer reading programming.
And I spent a lot of time in a tree fort in our backyard, happily lost in books.
I hope (for kids and adults) that you all have a hammock, a tree fort, a library or a quiet nook where you can give yourself over to summer reading.
P.S. Every book is better if you read with a dog (or (okay!) a cat) at your side.

Here are a few books I have been reading and recommending:

Noodles on a Bicycle, by Kyo Maclear and Illustrated by Gracey Zhang
This is a fantastic read-aloud and also features mesmerizing, kinetic art. The impossible happens right before our eyes. Plus, it begins and ends with noodles.

Fireworks written by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Cátia Chien
Winner of the Caldecott Medal and a love letter to summer. Radiant, beguiling, timeless.

The Peter Rabbit Library by Beatrix Potter
These books charmed me as a kid, and I find them just as beguiling as an adult.
Perfect for curling up and reading in a tree house, or on a front porch.

Birdy by N. West Moss
This novel about Birdy and her brother Mouse is a book about loving the world, and learning to let yourself be loved in return.

For adults:
Whistler by Ann Patchett
What can I say? Ann is the best there is. This book will make you believe in the world again.

Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler
Published in 1982, I remember reading it on the beach in Florida. I revisited it early this summer for the first time, and I realized I have carried the book in my heart for all of those years. Definitely worth revisiting.

05/27/2026

Local authors Mia Wenjen, Alison Goldberg and Kathleen Choi dropped by to autograph copies of their books- many of which are being featured on our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month displays.

05/23/2026

Books for the Long Weekend

05/22/2026

Holiday Weekend Hours
Sunday 5/24 11am - 6pm
Monday 5/25 11am - 6pm

We are here for you rain or shine ☀️📖☔️

05/21/2026

Make a statement with your morning beverage with these fun mugs from Sugerboo & Co. They are handmade- microwave and dishwasher safe.

05/19/2026

The Flavia de Luce mystery series by Alan Bradley is a movie, though it's not available in the US. Start reading the books now if you love a charming British mystery.

Flavia de Luce is officially in production, bringing Alan Bradley’s beloved mystery novels to the big screen.

The story follows young sleuth Flavia de Luce as she investigates a mysterious death after her father becomes the prime suspect. Known for her sharp intelligence, fascination with chemistry, and fearless curiosity, Flavia has become one of modern mystery fiction’s most distinctive young detectives.

The adaptation stars Martin Freeman alongside Molly Belle Wright, with supporting performances from Toby Jones, Annette Badland, and Jonathan Pryce. The ensemble brings together a strong mix of dramatic talent for a story balancing wit, suspense, eccentricity, and emotional depth.

Filming is expected to wrap in November, moving the adaptation closer toward release. Fans of the novels can expect a faithful cinematic interpretation that aims to preserve the clever intrigue, dark humour, and charming atmosphere that helped make the Flavia de Luce series so widely loved.

05/18/2026

Upcoming Events

Don’t miss our event with Laura Zigman in conversation with J. Courtney Sullivan TONIGHT 5/19 at 7pm

Details on our website wellesleybooks.com/events/calendar

05/12/2026

We have placed a QR code that gives readers access to the extra material accidentally left out of the Indie Edition. We will have printed booklets with the missing material as soon as it is available.

So, this has happened…there’s a printer error in the special edition of THE LAST MANDARIN, created especially for independent bookstores!! Ugh. Mellissa and I wrote a note and, most fun, we also wrote a bonus chapter, for this edition. We were horrified when we opened the book and realized much of that extra content never made it in!!

So if you have bought the book through your independent bookstore, you are getting an imperfect book.

We realize you might be disappointed. We feel awful, and are also very disappointed. Not to put too fine a point on it, it sucks. Mellissa and I and the publishers have worked so hard on THE LAST MANDARIN, and the extra content for the Indie edition. We are, as you know, huge supporters of independent bookstores. If they didn’t exist, hand selling the Gamache books to you, I would not still be writing.

Since the printer's error was discovered, our publishers have been scrambling to find a solution that did not involve delaying getting the book into your hands today. The solution is to have the extra content printed and bound separately, then get it to you, via your bookstore. Is this a perfect solution? No. But honestly, it is the best we can do.

The good news is that the novel itself is complete. And, happily, you were not charged extra for the special edition. And you will be getting the added content as soon as possible. Independent booksellers will also have a QR code to share that leads to a digital version of the exclusive chapter.

As Leonard Cohen wrote:

Ring the bells that still can ring,
Forget your perfect offering.
There’s a crack in everything,
It’s how the light gets in.

We have an imperfect offering, but we hope maybe some light will get in, in the form of understanding.

Louise and Mellissa

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms!

Happy Mother's Day!

Illustration for “Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?”, published in 2007.

05/08/2026

Author Amanda Sellet stopped by to sign copies of her new funny, teen, romantic mystery FLIRTING WITH MURDER. According to School Library Journal it's "A cozy mystery that readers will delight in and devour." We've added the close up so you can check out her book cover earrings.

05/06/2026

Douglas Stuart's new novel JOHN OF JOHN has a staff recommendation from Jerry and is this month's First Edition Book Club pick.

Like a number of his characters, Booker Prize-winning novelist Douglas Stuart grew up working class and q***r in Glasgow. He went on to have a career in fashion, which plays into his latest novel. Listen: https://tinyurl.com/42c853ab