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Maureen HarrerMaureen teaches middle & high school art at Brookwood School. While preparing her multitude of students for art competitions, she also lends her skills to teaching an occasional class at Studio 209. Maureen has passed on her amazing talents in painting, photography, sculpture, watercolor, and sketching to years of promising students at the school and continues to add an artistically creative flare to the Thomasville community.

How long have you lived in Thomasville? It will be seventeen years in September that I have lived in Thomasville.

Do you enjoy teaching? What else to you do for Brookwood besides teach? I love what I do; I love teaching art, and love working with middle school and high school students. I’m in charge of anything that has to do with art, so any competitions, and exhibits. Also, the auction and with anything art related, I help out.

What is your favorite memory involving art? Any while you've lived in Thomasville? Before I started teaching full time, I did a painting ‘en plein aire’ of the Farmers' Market. I spent about sixty hours on the painting, but I would set up my easel for several weeks at the same time in the day and pain in the open air market. At that time, it was open air. But now, it's closed in. Just capturing all the colors. And what was interesting was hearing all the conversations of people. I didn't realize how far people came to visit our local Farmer's Market. Retired people would take day trips from Florida to come up. I thought that was interesting.

Is there any local store you can't live without? I can't just choose one favorite local store. I would say Grassroots and Sweet Grass would be my favorite places to visit in Thomasville.

- Catharine F.

Whispers

Psst… we know Rose’s is moving… but what’s next?

One Book is coming… and this year’s author is kind of a big deal…

shhhh…

Moonspin’s got itself some new owners… we’ll miss seeing you behind the counter, Lee…

june 5 - 18

Don’t be fooled when we tell you that the Sweet & Savory Sisters’ new restaurant is in the old train depot—it’s not the same depot as before Suzette and Amy came to town.

When we walk in the front {actually, the back} door, we’re hit with a feeling of homecoming. Music by The Temptations accompanies the bustle and a chorus of “we’re so glad to have y’all!” that comes from inside. Colorful bottles rest on the windowsill, reflecting the sun that streams in from wide windows on all sides. The only real reminder that we’re at the old depot comes when the train thunders through as we chat with the newest, and perhaps sassiest sisters in town.

Suzette Dupuy Wagner and Amy Dupuy Martin are the lovely and effervescent ladies behind Thomasville’s latest culinary venture. Like their longtime friend Paula Deen, they are full of kindness, electricity and pure Southern hospitality. “I’m the sweet one,” jokes Suzette almost immediately, “and she’s the savory one.” Throughout the interview, they frequently finish each other’s sentences.

Though they’re open already for lunch, dinner and brunch, tickets are on sale now for SASS' grand opening event, a June 27th low-country boil with an open beer and wine bar featuring Paula Deen herself. Tickets are $50 and part of the proceeds will benefit the Easter Seals.

Amy first landed in Thomasville while working for Easter Seals; she fell in love with the town and decided to bring her mother and Suzette to show them—downtown, especially. One day Amy told them she was going to run down to the train depot and ended up on top of a bucket, peering through the window to see if it was vacant. A railroad worker noticed her and said she needed to call Betty Tucker.

The PlazaSteaks, Seafood & Southern Cuisine

217 South Broad St., Thomasville(229) 226-5153

WWW.THOMASVILLEPLAZA.COM

(229) 226-1631 · www.SignatureSmiles.com

Is Your Smile Ready for Life’s Special Occasions?

Thomas E. OppenheimDMD • AFAACD229-226-1631

TRADITION. KNOWLEDGE. VISION.

Assisting Real Estate Buyers and SellersIn Thomasville For Over 30 Years.

CHUBB REALTY

TRADITION.KNOWLEDGE.

VISION.

chubbrealty.com | 229.226.7916

Don’t miss our weekly specials!www.mimisthelook.com

106 West Jackson StreetDowntown Thomasville

#mimisthelook

401 E Jackson Street229-226-3911

june 5 - 18

It was Gary Tucker who answered the call, saying he’d be happy to help answer her questions about the train depot. “The minute we met [Betty and Gary],” Amy said, “we just had a connection. They became like our family here. You make sure you put that in the article!” she mockingly commands before settling into laughter. “Really, it was everyone,” she adds, “absolutely anyone in Thomasville who had a hand in helping us, just made us feel like they genuinely wanted to see us succeed.”

The Sweet & Savory Sisters began as a catering business on the side, employing a mixture of Suzette and Amy’s Cajun {Father’s side} and Southern {Mother’s side} culinary favorites. Suzette jokes that if they’d had their way, the menu would be a book, rather than a two-pager. With selections including their sweet tea-brined fried chicken, Daddy Dupuy’s Shrimp Etoufee and an out-of-this-world bread pudding, you can’t and won’t go wrong.

Of course, we couldn’t leave without asking these foodies what they’d choose for their hypothetical last meal on earth. Without hesitation, Suzette says, “Nothing but junk! Every Little Debbie that has ever been made: Swiss Cake Rolls, Star Crunches… and potato chips with dip.” Amy’s: “Prime rib, my mom’s shrimp casserole, rice consommé, layered salad… and strawberry trifle for dessert.”

SASS is located in the old train depot at 420 West Jackson Street. They’re open Tuesday – Saturday 11a – 9p, and Sunday 11a – 2:30p. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday. Find them on Facebook, visit thesweetandsavorysisters.com or call 236-6006 for more information, including how to nab one of the few remaining tickets to the grand opening event featuring Paula Deen.

- Madison H. & Jennifer W.

SASS Comes to the Train Depot: Meet Suzette & Amy

Townie's Design to Land in OrvisSitting on her porch, within an eyeshot of St. Thomas Episcopal's gothic steeple, Mallory Jones sips jasmine infused green tea in an old-fashioned china cup. The matching cups are set on a clear acrylic tray with a similarly mod-looking teapot crafted so that you can see the tiny tea leaves slowly diffusing their essence into the surrounding water. Mallory cradles a teacup in her hands, while three scarves of her own design rest in her lap.

“Scarves are works of art in a wearable medium,” she explains, telling us about each of them: an original prototype, second prototype and final finished product (known as the "Master Piece"), all with variations of a graceful watercolor painting of magnolias intermingled with quails. She'll sell the final design through Orvis, her website and select other boutiques from her brand, “Fly,” beginning in October.

Mallory begins to explain the passion for design {and persistent, unsolicited phone calls to clothing company executives} that eventually led to her scarf being picked up by Orvis. Taught by her grandmother in the art of sewing and knitting, Mallory began her craft early on; during her first year as an Art History major at Wofford College, she would design and sew dorm room bedcovers. When she later landed in Clemson's MBA program, she'd already figured out that she wanted to pursue a career in business that was led by design and creativity.

Throughout her endeavors, Mallory's support system has always been her family and friends. For four generations, her family has maintained the entrepreneurial spirit that has inspired her interest in business. Her parents accompanied her on trips to Como, Italy, the silk capital of the world, in order to secure a production facility for her scarves.

In Como, she found that many of the designer-brand scarves found in Vogue magazine were also produced in the facility she chose.

Mallory says that the inspiration for this particular scarf design came from growing up in an outdoors-oriented family. From being out in the fields to hunting in the woods, Mallory’s eye for artistic creativity found many patterns and inspirations in nature.

While nature has inspired her first major scarf production, Mallory explains that what she’s working on now will be something that follows the more colorful, abstract styles found in Harper’s Bazaar. Although her scarf business has an incredibly promising future, Mallory plans to continue working as the Development Manager for the Center for the Arts, under "the incredible leadership and mentorship of Michele Arwood," while keeping the scarf business “manageable.” We cannot wait to see what the future holds for this young, southern lady and how amazing her new scarves will look!

Keep your eyes on flyformal.com for news and look for Mallory's scarf through Orvis later this year.

- Catharine F.

FLAUNT 2015: Get Ready to Rock

Returning to Thomasville’s Creative District September 11th – 30th, FLAUNT 2015 is ready to rock!

Thomasville Center for the Arts is on the hunt for artists – painters, bands, musicians, rock concert photographers and more!

Back by popular demand from last year’s FLAUNT, we are bringing larger-than-life murals to West Jackson Street. The 5th annual FLAUNT public art experience will pay homage to Rock & Roll icons of the 70’s with pop art inspired murals, band battles, and exhibitions.

TCA is looking for thirty mural artists {youth and adult}, bands for battle {youth and adult} and five concert photographers. A winner in each division will be chosen and awarded a cash prize of $1000 {adult} and $750 {youth}. The application deadline is June 19th – head to thomasvillearts.org to sign up and learn more!

- Callie S.

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Meet the Guest Writers townie takeover campers Catharine Fennell & Madison Hooks

The basics:

CF: My name is actually Emma Fennell, but I go by my middle name, Catharine. It sounds like Cath-a-rine, not Cath-er-ine. People almost never spell it right. I’m 16, in the 11th grade, and have attended Brookwood School since Pre-K.

MH: My full name is Madison Page Hooks, but I usually either go by Madison or Madi. I’m 16, and in August will be in 11th grade at Brookwood School.

Area(s) of interest:

CF: I am really interested in photography, and I am trying to work more on my writing skills. I love that this camp is a great opportunity to practice both.

MH: I’ve always wanted to become a writer, whether that means I write books or I write blog posts online. I also love to act and sing a little bit. Music has always touched me in a way that nothing else has, so it has a very special place in my heart.

Why the interest?

CF: I’ve always been interested in photography. It’s just an easier way of expressing myself.

MH: I became interested in writing when I realized that writing was one of the few things that calms me down.

Favorite spot in the ‘Ville:

CF: My favorite spot in the ‘Ville is most definitely Grassroots. Hot Chai Tea is what gets me through the day!

MH: Rose City Park, definitely. I have a lot of childhood memories in that park so it’s more of a sentimental place to me.

Fave Thomasville grub:

CF: Thomasville food that I can’t live without is probably Sweet Grass Dairy’s Brie. That stuff is amazing!

MH: Jonah's. Jonah's absolutely. Those hushpuppies are to die for!

Favorite film:

CF: I love filmmaking and watching movies. My favorite is always changing, but right now it would most likely be either The Lord of the Rings series or The Great Gatsby {both new and old versions} because they each have great directors and are beautiful pictures.

MH: Oh my goodness… I think that my favorite movie would have to be Legally Blonde. I actually think that I can quote that movie in my sleep!

Favorite Music:

CF: Again, another hard one. I like almost every kind of music from Classical to Electronic, although I can’t stand country. For my favorite, there’s a tie between, ‘Give Me A Sign’ by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, ‘Down the Road’ by C2C, and ‘Midnight’ by Coldplay.

MH: Honestly I don’t really have a favorite song due to me being what I call “genre-polar.” I love any kind of music really so let’s just say favorite songs. To be honest I love anything One Direction sings, I love April Showers by ProleteR, I love anything from the 60's, 80's, and 90's, and I love anything by Grouplove.

College plans:

CF: Right now, my ‘desired’ college would either be Tulane University because it’s in New Orleans {one of my favorite places on Earth} or Wake Forest; although, it would be awesome to go to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland to study at its College of Art. Honestly, I don’t have a really planned career path; but, I want to be able to travel all over the world and make a decent living.

MH: I would love to get into University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. To be completely honest here, I have no idea what I’m going to do with my life. I’ve always wanted to do something in the fashion industry or become an actress. I also love writing so maybe I could get a career where I can write. I may not know what I want to do but at least I’ve got some options.

Ideal place to live after college:

CF: Don’t get me wrong, I love Thomasville and the South but my ideal place to live would most definitely be Switzerland, in either Lucerne or Zurich. I went there last summer and fell in love with Switzerland because it has everything I love about life and nature. It’s got mountains, giant lakes, green pastures, clean cities; a photographer’s paradise {or at least mine}. I drive my family and friends crazy talking about it so much and how I want to eventually move there.

MH: England, England, England! I fell in love with England so quickly after watching a few of my favorite YouTubers video their everyday activities. I fell in love with London and Brighton so much that I have at least four places picked out that I want to live in {even if they cost $500,000 to buy}.

branding / logo design / graphic designphotography / video

Clay Byarsdesigner - creator - owner

byarsclay@gmail.com229 977-4615

tri-bstudio.com

Give. Join. Volunteer. And So Much More.

WE’RE MORE THAN A GYMWE’RE A CAUSE

THOMASVILLE YMCA www.ymca-thomasville.org

229.226.3446

We Care in so Many Ways

graphic design • marketing consultingbranding & identity • promotional products

event planning

Phone 229.403.1741 • ktcreative@me.com • www.ktcreative.net

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Top to Bottom: The Printing Press by Madison Hooks, The Business Exchange Bulding {front} by Catharine Fennell, The Business Exchange Building {side} by Catharine Fennell The Old Courthouse by Madison Hooks.

509 Gordon Avenue • Thomasville, GA 31799 • 226-7544

Amy A. Cooper, M.D., Stephanie S. Fennell, M.D., Stacey W. Johnson, M.D., Timothy A. Jones, M.D.,

Jose M. Peralta, M.D., Natalie Y. Royal, P.N.P., Kimberly Nix, PA-C

The Pediatric Center L.L.C.

980 4th Street Southeast • Cairo, GA 39828 • 377-8560

Our StaffPublisher

+Editor in ChiefJennifer Westfield

Social MediaDara BarwickDenise Purvis

ColumnistsJ. David Bray, Jr.

Sarah Esra Chef Matt Hagel

Denise PurvisKelly Samek

Contributing WritersChaise Bishop

Clay Byars Catharine FennellBenjamin Gardner

Didi Hoffman Madison Hooks

Annie JonesNatalie Kirbo

Emily McKennaDenise Purvis Callie Sewell

Jennifer Westfield

Contributing ArtistsCatharine Fennell Madison Hooks

Advertising Design Katie Reeves

Distribution Devae Duncan

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The Art of the BrandFontaine Maury

When it’s not in front of you, what lives in your mind about a commercial product or service? This is its brand. Haile McCollum of Fontaine Maury credits Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com with this working definition. From her vantage, a third floor view from 125 North Broad Street, Haile can study a vibrant downtown business district, but anywhere around the Red Hills region, the test will be the same. For at Fontaine Maury, the desire is to elevate this work being done in Thomasville.

Their branding process breaks down into four phases. First comes the exploration and brand audit. Time is spent with the client and stakeholders identifying mission and defining vision. Next, development answers what is the market, who is the target consumer and where is the niche? Then, they turn loose the juices and create. The team—Haile, Lizzie and Carson—develop a Brand Book: logos, colors, themes, visual style, key words and phrases, and

photography. Last comes the extend phase, in brainstorming PR, events, printed materials, flyers, website design {or redesign}, as well as any additional services such as a social media presence.

Blackberry Patch is a recent example of Fontaine Maury’s branding genius. Before, the brand was too corporate in a saturated marketplace. Now, the natural seller of juices, jams, jellies, sauces, salsas, soups and dressings is branded as smaller, more local, and accessible. Which is to say, more niche can be more nice. Haile and team’s current project: Sweet Grass Dairy.

Fontaine Maury: www.fontainemaury.com on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, B to B.

- Benjamin G.

Farm to Table Hoppin’ John

Traditionally served on New Years Eve, Hoppin’ John is a Low Country staple that can be plated year-round. This dish is rumored to bring prosperity and it can be accompanied by cornbread. Stop by Lewis produce and pick up the okra, a Bradley’s Sausage link, some collards or turnips, an onion, and then let’s cook. For the rice, I recommend Anson Mills Carolina Gold rice but Basmati will work fine.

@ 1 cup raw rice

@ 1/2 lb. okra

@ 1 Bradley’s Country Store mild sausage link

@ Chopped collard or turnip greens about 1 cup

@ 1 diced onion

Cook rice ahead: first, wash rice, use 1 ½ part water to rice, boil, then simmer until done. Fluff rice and reserve. Cut okra into small rings. Dice onion. Dice or slice sausage.

Sautee sausage, okra, and onion until okra is slimy, onions are opaque, and sausage is rendered. Then add your collards and rice, about ½ cup of water or stock, one tablespoon butter, salt and pepper. Stir until greens are soft and all ingredients are cooked down together. Serve as a side dish or as a main dish with cornbread and a nice IPA or a glass of Pinot Gris. Enjoy.

- Chef Matt Hagel is co-owner of Chop House on the Bricks

Mommy & Me... and More!Mommy & Me: Stories and Songs featuring Annie Burke

June 16, 2015 • 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. • JK/K BuildingFree and open to the public • Ages 6 and under

Refreshments to be served

Mommy & Me: Fun with Fingers featuring Rena CarneyJune 23, 2015 • 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. • JK/K Building

Free and open to the public • Ages 6 and under • Refreshments

Wee Warrior Summer Day Camp July 13 - 16 , or July 20 - 23, 2015

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. JK/K Building

Supplies & snacks includedOpen to all rising JK - 2nd Graders

$125/sessionRegister online at brookwoodschool.org

Presented by Brookwood School

301 Cardinal Ridge Road Thomasville, GA 31792 • (229) 226-8070 • www.brookwoodschool.org

The Chamber Welcomes

The Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce welcomes new members: Rite-Aid, Chop House on the Bricks, Relish, Dash, Livi & Company, and Klassic Katering.

Maureen Egan

Harrer

“The Farmers Market” color giclee print, matted

11 x 14: $75

16 x 20: $125

229.200.9366

BBQ with the 100 BGT The 100 Black Men of Brooks-Grady-and-Thomas Counties, Inc. will hold its first annual Barbeque Cook-off from 6:30a until 5:00p on Saturday, June 27th at the Thomas County Board of Education parking lot.

The BBQ Cook-off will be a regional one open to BBQ Pitmasters throughout South Georgia and North Florida. It will have two categories: [1] pulled pork (butt or shoul-der), and [2] ribs.

The entry fee of $200.00 per person covers both catego-ries and is payable by cash, check, or money order. The deadline for registration is June 6th; registration fees paid after June 6th must be paid via money order or cash.

Registration forms are available by email request at: 100BGTsecretary@gmail.com, at the Thomasville Chamber of Commerce, or by calling 563-0371 or 379-4891. Completed forms and fees should be mailed to: 100 Black Men of Brooks-Grady-and-Thomas Counties, Inc., RE: BBQ Cookout, PO Box 3244, Thomasville, GA 31799-3244.

The assignment of the event day spaces is determined by completion of the registration process including payment of the entry fee. Early registration is heartily encouraged. Set-up for the contestants on June 27th will begin at 5:00a.

The judging of the ribs category will begin at 12:30p. The prizes will be $300.00 and a trophy for 1st Place, $150.00 and a trophy for 2nd place, and $75.00 and a trophy for 3rd place.

The judging of the pulled pork {butt or shoulder} cate-gory will begin at 2:00p. The prizes will be $300.00 and a trophy for 1st Place, $150.00 and a trophy for 2nd place, and $75.00 and a trophy for 3rd place.

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13 Unwanted plant21 Gross national product (abbr.)23 Outwit25 Comfort26 Chili con __27 Sailor28 Spring flower29 River sediment30 Scorch32 Ordinal number33 Wise Man34 Prayer ending35 Moses floated on it39 Lure42 Aaron’s son, Moses’ nephew45 Cation46 Sugar coated47 Moses' brother48 Liquid49 Stale50 Swill51 Tenpenny53 France & Germany river54 Waiting place55 Aborts58 Before, poetically59 Most basic

Dance Card

townie crossword June 4Gallery Opening

Brookwood School AP Photography - 2D Design The Boardwalk Studio & Gallery, 6 - 7:30p

109 West Jefferson Street, Boston. Come out for art sales and refreshments!

Art sales on Friday the 5 by appointment and Saturday the 6, 11a - 3p.

June 5-18Blue Star Museums: Jack Hadley Black History Museum

Jack Hadley Black History Museum, 214 Alexander Street Open Tuesdays-Fridays, 10a-5p and Saturdays, 11a-4p,

program runs Memorial Day-Labor Day, $5 for adults & $3 for children and students.

As part of Blue Star Museums program, the museum is offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families this summer, in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Dept. of Defense. Visit jackhadleyblackhistorymuseum.com for more

information.

June 5Cuddle Time

Thomas County Public Library, 201 N Madison St, 10:30a, Join Mrs. Connie for Cuddle Time stories, finger-plays, music, and more! Ages 0-2 years in the Storyroom. Contact Amanda

Redker at 225-5252. FREE!First Friday

Caribbean Crew Reggae and Steel Drum Band Downtown Thomasville, 7-9p

Free outdoor concert by Caribbean Crew Reggae and Steel Drum Band. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the show!

June 6Take a Child Outside Day

Birdsong Nature Center, 2106 Meridian Road 9:30a-12p, $3 Friends, $5 nonmembers, children half-price. Celebrate summer at Birdsong with your favorite child or children. Leader Sandra Sallee and Executive Director

Kathleen Brady will take you to discover the underwater inhabitants of the Farm Pond and Upper Pond. Participants will likely get wet and muddy. Sign up by noon Friday, June

5th. For more information, contact Birdsong: 377-4408.Story Time

The Bookshelf, 126 South Broad Street, 11-11:30a, free Bring the kids to enjoy exciting story times in the Children’s

section of The Bookshelf. More information: 227-7767.

June 9Women’s Forum at SWGTC

Southwest Georgia Technical College, 15689 US 19 North 11:45a, fee for lunch, A networking luncheon meeting (with

guest speaker) for women in business, Bldg A, Rm 132. Contact Lauren Basford for more information: 226-9600.

June 11 & June 18Taste of Thomasville Food Tour

Downtown Thomasville 5:30p, $50pp with drinks or $40pp without

This tour will include 5 different stops to sample cocktails, beer, and wine, as well as snacks, from local restaurants.

Contact Debra Smith: 800-656-0713.

June 12Creative Lunch with Michael Mann11a-1p, $25, 209 West Remington Avenue.

Chef Michael Mann is a local caterer and private chef with a focus on using the freshest ingredients sourced from South

Georgia farms. Chef Mann will teach his way through a summer three-course meal. Presented by Thomas County

Federal. Visit thomasvillearts.org to register.

June 13Music to Our Ears: A Chorus of Frogs

Birdsong Nature Center, 2106 Meridian Road, 6-9p Join Birdsong Nature Center for a presentation and field

experience with Nancy Ann Thomas. Dress for the weather, and wear shoes for hiking to the swamp. Bring binoculars.

This program is geared for adults and mature children. Contact Birdsong for more information: 377-4408.

June 18Whet Your Palette

Rock & Roll Painting with Phil Gleason Studio 209, 209 West Remington Avenue, 6:30-8:30p

Bring your friends, your favorite beverage, and prepare for a memorable night out! Reservations are a must, as seats are

limited. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes before class starts for set-up. $25/per class includes supplies. Contact TCA: 226-0588

for more information.

Want to know what you should be reading this summer? Come to The Bookshelf ’s GIVE ME SUMMER, GIVE ME BOOKS summer reading extravaganza on Tuesday, June 9, from 6 to 8p. We’ll have recommendations for book clubs and reluctant readers, plus all of your children’s summer reading books will be in the shop, ready to pick up. Can’t wait until June 9? I’ve compiled a list of the 10 books I read in May to get you started.

I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley.If there is a book full of humorous short stories and essays, I’ve read it {or it’s on my TBR list somewhere}. So when Sloane Crosley’s I Was Told There’d Be Cake kept making its way around my social media feeds, I was on board. The title alone was enough for me. Unfortunately, I didn’t love this book as much as I wanted to, but never fear: It could be right for you. Crosely is a sarcastic storyteller, and if you’re looking for a Seinfeld-esque escape from reality, go ahead and put it on your list. Each essay stands alone, so you could easily pick and choose your favorites. I’d start with “You on a Stick,” Crosley’s hilarious maid of honor-inspired tale.

Dead Wake by Erik Larson.There are a few authors I wish were required reading in schools: David McCullough, Steven Levitt, Jon Krakauer, Laura Hillenbrand. These authors make nonfictional, historical stories come to life, and students deserve to know just how interesting history and “real life” can be. Erik Larson gets a spot at the top of my list. I loved Devil in the White City – as an educator, you could do so much with the content of that book – and In the Garden of Beasts remains a Bookshelf customer favorite. His new book, Dead Wake, is about the sinking of the Lusitania, and the story sucks you in from the very beginning. Like most historical nonfiction, this isn’t a book you fly through, but it is a page-turner; despite already knowing the outcome, readers will want to discover every detail and story they can, and Larson obliges.

How to Start a Fire by Lisa Lutz.Let’s hear it for the intelligent beach read, shall we? I like the occasional bit of “chick lit” {despite the horrendous moniker}, but what I really like is just well done, clever, female-centric fiction. How to Start a Fire fits the bill. Sure, Lisa Lutz’s new novel is your next beach bag book, but it’s also chock-full of witty dialog, realistic portrayals of friendship, and heartbreaking romance. Anna serves as the ringleader for Kate and George, but Kate’s story is the one I found most compelling. The book follows the friendship of these three women from college well into adulthood, and you’ll be more than happy to tag along for the ride. I already mailed my copy to my friends for our traveling book club; I think they’ll all love it as much as I did.

Me, My Hair, and I edited by Elizabeth Benedict.This book was fascinating. It was also one of my advanced reader copies last month, so you won’t see this one on our shelves until September. Me, My Hair, and I features the essays of 27 different women, each writing about their hair. And although the premise might sound dull or even a little odd, the essays each tackle other subjects, too, like race and feminism and culture and religion. The book would be the perfect selection for a book club, guaranteed to elicit conversation and the divulging of your own personal hair stories. {The fact that it’s releasing as a paperback original only sweetens the deal.} Come see me in September for your copy; book clubs get 10 percent off!

Lessons in Belonging by Erin S. Lane.I reviewed Rachel Held Evans’ book Searching for Sunday back in April, and Erin Lane’s Lessons in Belonging serves as the perfect accompaniment. Lane is a pastor’s wife, but she’s also a divinity school graduate herself, and her views on church are refreshing; she doesn’t advocate abandoning the cause, but instead encourages readers to find – and sometimes fight for – their place there. I found myself nodding along in agreement chapter after chapter, and I took notes for future reference. Millennial Christians will be thrilled to find a voice that does them justice, and older generations will appreciate Lane’s perspective as well. {I think I might make my parents read this one next.}

Save the Date by Jen Doll.Remember what I said about humorous essays? I’m just a sucker for them. Save the Date has an eye-catching cover, and I was headed to the beach for a few days, so I grabbed a copy off our shelves. It’s funny and honest, filled with story after story about the weddings author Jen Doll has attended: destination weddings, her best friend’s wedding, hometown weddings, elopements, and more. Brides, here’s an idea: Gift a copy to each member of your wedding party. They’ll thank you later.

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn.This was my book club’s pick for the month of May, and although it wasn’t the title I had originally voted for, I wound up loving it, and our group had a blast discussing it. The premise is unique, so bear with me: Ella Minnow Pea lives on the fictional island of Nollop, off the coast of South Carolina; the little island was named for Nevin Nollop, author of “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” {a sentence which incorporates every letter of the alphabet}. But when letters start to fall off a memorial to Nollop, their usage is banned from the island, and the whole place runs amok. {Letters, too, begin to disappear from the novel itself, which is entirely entertaining and imaginative and lovely.} Ella Minnow Pea will have your book club debating religion and politics and free speech, but in the best possible ways. Read it, please. I think it’s important.

This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance! by Jonathan Evison.Fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette?, rejoice. Here’s a new book for you. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come out until September, but never fear: It will be worth the wait. This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance! offers a rare literary look at life from an elderly woman’s perspective; our protagonist Harriet is still reeling a bit from the death of her husband, but she’s not ready to go anywhere herself just yet. She’s got a lot of life left to live, so she jumps on board a cruise ship, only to discover her life might not be what she thought it was after all. This book is funny and memorable and sad and quirky and a little reminiscent of Stranger Than Fiction, one of my favorite movies of all time. Basically, mark your calendars for September. I loved this one.

You Deserve a Drink by Mamrie Hart.Warning: I almost peed my pants from laughing while reading this book, but it’s also rather… foul? I often read excerpts of books aloud to Jordan, and I frequently had to self-censor several of these stories, so you’ve been warned. Mamrie Hart is

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most known for her YouTube show, “You Deserve a Drink,” but I’m not into cocktails or YouTube, so this title made it onto my desk based on a sales rep’s recommendation. Mamrie starts each chapter with a cocktail recipe, then follows with a story along the cocktail’s theme. The set-up is fantastic, and foul language and TMI aside, it’s hilariously funny. It’s not going to be one I’ll recommend to all of our customers, but I could see it being a fun gift for a college girlfriend or roommate.

The Vacationers by Emma Straub.I don’t know why I’d never read this book. The Vacationers has a beautiful cover, and it was popular when it debuted last summer, but I just never got around to reading it. While on our own vacation to D.C., I picked up a hardback copy off the sale rack at Politics and Prose, and I’m so glad I did. {The book released in paperback this month, so you’re in luck, too.} Emma Straub weaves a beautiful story about a family vacationing off the coast of Mallorca in Spain; each character is seriously and realistically flawed, but you’ll find yourself rooting for them over and over again. I’m most impressed with Straub’s ability to magically tell the stories from multiple perspectives without ever feeling forced or distracting. This is a wonderful book, perfect for summertime reading.

See you in the shop, — Annie

june 5 - 18 VOLUME 4

june 5 - 18 VOLUME 4