Dear Gentle Reader,

This Saturday at 11am, we welcome two debut novelists: Kate Hash, who will discuss her novel Gracie Harris is Under Construction, with Annie McQuaid, author of Crash Landings. In this resplendent debut novel, a beautiful love story unfolds for tenderhearted Gracie Harris—a mom of two and recent widow—as she navigates the unexpected curveballs that adulthood throws and takes her second chance to find love. Kate Hash is a Chapel Hill, NC-based debut novelist who enjoys creating and consuming stories about dynamic women, unexpected relationships, and the complexity that comes with entering midlife. Annie McQuaid lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, and works as a marketing director for an education technology company. When she’s not putting her characters in life-or-death situations, you can find her visiting the beach, tackling her never-ending TBR, or spending time with her adorable nieces.

We are delighted to announce that one of our favorite Italophiles, Vietri founder Susan Gravely, has a gorgeous new book coming out, Italy in a Glass. Inspired by Susan’s travels and friendships in Italy, this book captures the Italian ritual of aperitivo—the late-afternoon pause to sip, snack, and savor life. Through stunning photography, heartfelt stories, and recipes for cocktails, mocktails, and small bites, Italy in a Glassinvites you to bring that Italian spirit home. From hand-selecting fresh ingredients at the market to serving cocktails in heirloom glassware and setting a table aglow with candlelight, author Susan Gravely shares how the small, thoughtful details she discovered in Italy transform simple moments into beautiful celebrations. This book is an invitation to slow down, savor, and bring a bit of Italian magic into your own home. To celebrate, we are hosting an evening of aperativi with Susan on Wednesday, August 27th. To purchase tickets, click here.

We continue to collect books for Chatham Reads to distribute to children in need in Chatham county! You can shop the wishlist on our website or from the books we have displayed near our front door. Through the end of the summer these books will be distributed with grocery drop-offs for their SNACK! program. Chatham Reads is also providing books for the family space in CORA’s new Siler City choice pantry location. Kids can read and enjoy books while their parents shop for groceries and take them home to enjoy forever. Bilingual books are especially in demand for both programs! 

A final couple of items of note… Staff favorite Helen Whybrow will visit McIntyre’s onSaturday, September 13th at 11am. Helen wrote a gripping, heartfelt memoir, The Salt Stones, about her life after quitting her job as an editor at W. W. Norton and jumping into another life as a shepherd in the mountains of Vermont. Escapist with a capital E, this beautifully written memoir consumed Sarah G. and Keebe. As Sarah says, “I would read any grocery list written by Helen Whybrow… twice!” Helen will be in conversation with former McIntyre’s bookseller, Craig Popelars. Craig is vice president of marketing at Milkweed Editions (Helen’s publisher), and he will also talk about some exciting books Milkweed is publishing these days. If you are looking for a fantastic book and an entertaining morning, put this on your calendar.

The Usual Suspects,

Pete, Johanna, Sarah G., Tyler, Amy, Sarah C. and Keebe