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June 
What is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days...
- From June by James Russell Lowell
Welcome to the June edition of The Bennington Bookshop Newsletter! I'm finally back into short-sleeved shirts, even if I still have to wear a pullover first thing. (I was going to say "jumper", but that might have caused some confusion!) We have some really big news: We are open! Whew! Such a relief. Thanks again for all the kindness and support through the weeks of closure.
And in other news... We provide a link to last week's Book Picks program on WAMC in which Phil participated. We also have a couple of book reviews, one from Linda and one from Phil. And we are relaunching our Bookmark Challenge. People will have to be really creative this year, given all the travel restrictions. As always, thank you for your continued support of The Bennington Bookshop - your local independent bookstore.
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COVID 19 
We are open to customers once again. For the health and safety of others, we ask that customers wear masks in the store and sanitize their hands before entering. We have provided hand sanitizer at the door. We also ask that people use credit cards for payment if possible.
Thank you, and keep well!
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Book Picks on WAMC
Phil participated in Joe Donahue's Book Picks segment on WAMC radio last week. Because of the pandemic, Phil joined the show by phone, so the sound is not up to its usual standard. Here's a link to the show: Book Picks
Happy listening!
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Book reviews
 Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning
Jason Reynolds and Ibram Kendi
Reviewed by Linda
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You is a book for middle school and young adult readers that reimagines Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's National Book Award-winning scholarly work entitled Stamped from the Beginning. Both books explore the history of racist ideas in America and provide a hopeful framework for an antiracist future. Kendi asked the prolific author of young adult and children's books, Jason Reynolds, to remix Stamped from the Beginning for a younger audience. With his unique writing style and remarkable ability to speak to young people, Reynolds has done a brilliant job making the historical information accessible and relatable to a younger audience and also provides a clear path forward for the work needed to become an antiracist.
The book defines three words that are used to describe people throughout history as well as all of us today -- segregationists, assimilationists, and antiracists. These terms help explain the racist policies and practices that have existed since the founding of our country and the ways in which the roots of these ideas continue to influence policies and practices in all areas of our society, including healthcare, housing, education, criminal justice, and employment.
Chapter 1 begins with the statement, "This is not a history book" and later states, "This is a present book. A book about the here and now." The United States is at a critical moment in our history where we must examine our racist past and present, and make decisions about how we will move forward to become an antiracist society. Young people are critical to the success of this movement and Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You is a vital resource for the work that needs to be done.
Jason Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author and a National Book Award finalist as well as the recipient of numerous awards and honors including an NAACP Image Award. Ibram X. Kendi is a New York Times bestselling author and an award-winning historian. He is a professor of history and international relations and the founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University.
Buy Stamped
 Anxious People
Fredrik Backman
Reviewed by Phil
Released 8 September, 2020
What is Anxious People about? Backman himself poses this question as he sets off on this delightful romp. At different times, he suggests the book is about a bank robbery, or a bunch of idiots. Or about a bridge. But it’s about much more than that. It’s about people and relationships. Father and son. Mother and children. Husband and wife. Simple mistakes and minor misunderstandings. Grudges and old hurts and missed opportunities and betrayal. But still more: It’s about love.
Backman quotes Martin Luther: “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” The author returns to this theme throughout. This novel is his apple tree.
The story revolves around a group of people held hostage in an apartment after a bank robbery has gone wrong. There’s Roger and Anna-Lena, a tired old couple looking for an apartment to renovate. And there’s Julia, pregnant, and her partner, Ro. And Estelle, whose husband Knut has yet to turn up. And Lennart, who makes his first appearance dressed in an over-sized rabbit head with giant floppy ears. And then there’s Zara, the bank manager held hostage to a letter she has clung to, unopened, for ten years; a letter from a man who threw himself off a bridge after being denied a bank loan. And, of course, the real estate agent who has brought them all together to show the apartment.
Backman’s writing can seem irreverent and chaotic at times. But, slipped into that whirlwind of irreverence and chaos, there are moments of such profound beauty that you’re left gasping. His take on the responsibility of parenthood, for example, delivered as a one-liner fairly early on, and returned to on occasion as the story proceeds, is spot on. For people who enjoy Backman’s writing, “Anxious People” is his best yet.
Caution: Anxious People explores themes of death and suicide, and the effects these have on the people left behind. It is not for everyone.
Fredrik Backman’s previous novels include A Man Called Ove (2012) and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry (2013). His books have been published in over forty countries. Backman lives with his wife and two children in Stockholm, Sweden.
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Bookmark Challenge
We're relaunching our bookmark challenge for the summer months. Please send in your photos of our bookmark displayed creatively wherever you may find yourself this summer. We will award a prize to the person who sends in the most interesting bookmark photo. The winning entry will receive a $25 gift certificate for the bookshop. Send entries to phil@benningtonbookshop.com with the subject line Bookmark Challenge. Entries must be received on or before Labor Day. Here's the winning entry from last year:
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Bookshop Blues
On display
"Do you have another copy of this book?" The customer was holding out Stand Up and Shout Out by Joan Steidinger.
"Is that one damaged?" I asked, reaching out to take the book.
"No."
"Well, you're welcome to take that one."
"No. It's an important book. I'm so glad you have it on display. And I want it to remain on the shelf so that people see it."
"OK. I'll order another copy for you. It will be in next week."
"Thank you. I'll put this one back on the shelf."
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Etcetera
- Book Bank: Our Book Bank is a flexible way to ensure your loved ones receive a book on a regular basis. Books are gift-wrapped and mailed with an accompanying card. You can choose any genre – children’s picture books, children’s fiction, young adult, adult fiction and nonfiction – paperback or hardcover. Book Bank packages start from $100 and rise in increments of $25. Simply call the bookshop (802 442 5059) to open an account and pay your chosen amount by credit card. We will then send a book a month to the person you indicate until the funds are used up. We select books from the latest releases and the bestsellers list for the Book Bank program. Book Bank customers receive a 10% discount off the price of books purchased as part of the program.
- Secondhand news: We are connected with booksellers across the country and are often able to source books that are out of print or secondhand copies of long-lost favorites. Just let us know what you are looking for and we will endeavor to find it for you.
- Peepers: We stock a great line of reading glasses with strengths ranging from +1.0 to +3.0.
- Newsletter archive: You can find earlier editions of our newsletter and links to various media coverage here: Newsletters
- New releases: Every Tuesday, we get shipments of new releases to put on the shelves. Come on down and check them out!
- Orders: We usually submit orders to our wholesaler on Monday and Thursday mornings. If you place an order before 11am on these days, we can have the book in The Bookshop by the next afternoon in most cases, or in three days if it is held at our Tennessee warehouse.
- Book Clubs: We offer a 20% discount to book clubs that register with The Bennington Bookshop and then order and purchase at least four books. We are happy to ship for a small cost. Check out what the other clubs in the area are reading here.
- Dorothy's List: Vermont Public Radio compiles a list of books and reviews suitable for children. You can find the list here. We are happy to order books from the list for you if we don't have them in stock. There is no extra charge for special orders.
- Best Sellers: We update the bestseller list each week. You can find the latest list here: Best Sellers
- Looking for a book to read? Check out the Reviews and Recommendations page on our website.
- Ordering online: To order books online, simply visit our website (www.benningtonbookshop.com), enter the name of the book you wish to order in the "Look for Books" window (in the right-hand column on each page), then enter your address details and credit card information as prompted. There is a small charge for postage or, if you're a local, you can opt to pick up the book in the store. Please note: Books appearing in the on-line search are not necessarily in stock at The Bookshop. We may have to order them in, but can ship most books in 1~5 days. Please call us if you want to confirm immediate availability: 802 442 5059
- Real Estate:
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Store Hours
Monday~Saturday: 10.00am~6.00pm
Sunday: Noon~4.00pm
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